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Business aviation flight activity in 2014 was the highest since 2008, according to Argus TraqPak data. Cessna Aircraft rolled out its first production Citation Latitude on Jan. 29. NetJets will begin a voluntary Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) program for all of its Signature Series aircraft.
The number of accidents in 2014, considering both U.S.-registered business jet and turboprop aircraft, decreased from 49 in 2013 to 38 as did fatal accidents 23 to 15, which decreased from 61 to 47. However, business jet accidents increased from 12 to 16 and fatalities 17 to 26 with a high percentage occurring in the corporate/executive pro-flown category where 19 fatalities occurred in three fatal accidents.
Many business jets have the capability to climb quickly into the mid-40 flight levels and cruise far above most weather. It can be tempting to sit back, enjoying the generally clear skies at these altitudes and taking relief that the weather below us can’t hurt us.
On Nov. 28, 2005, the flight crew of N691TA, a Raytheon Beechjet 400A en route from Indianapolis International Airport (IND) to Marco Island Airport (MRK), Florida, had just commenced a descent to FL 330 from FL 380 when they heard a loud pop from the right engine followed 10 sec. later by a loud pop from the left engine. Cockpit power indications for both engines quickly decreased and the pilots stated that the rpm indications for both engines showed 0 rpm. That last part is interesting because one would assume and hope the engines would continue windmilling.
Even the latest generation turbofan engines have been affected by ice crystal icing, causing nine recent events on Boeing 747-800 and Boeing 787-800 aircraft. On Nov. 27, 2013, the FAA adopted a new Airworthiness Directive concerning ice crystal icing. It is aimed at the Boeing 747-800 series and 787-800 airplanes powered by GEnx engines. The AD was promoted by reports of engine damage and thrust loss events as a result of flying in high-altitude ice crystal icing conditions.
Investigators from Canada’s Transportation Safety Board often do their on-scene investigations under difficult circumstances, but working in Antarctica can be just about as difficult as it gets. This month, we’ll look at the loss of a de Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter and its crew of three in a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accident on Mount Elizabeth, Antarctica. The airplane belonged to Kenn Borek Air Ltd. (KBAL).
According to a 2013 study by Airbus, passengers cited lack of sleeping comfort, back ache, and leg ache as the top three factors for discomfort on long haul flights. They also said that seats that are too narrow would have a negative impact on their post flight well-being, impacting them with tiredness and sore muscles. Post flight well-being was of particular concern to business passengers who need to ensure they are able to perform in working environments.
A classic Learjet performer, the midsize 60XR offers the allure of scintillating climb performance and sleek ramp appeal. It boasts the largest cabin and longest range of any Learjet yet to reach production. But you’ll need nearly 5500 ft. of runway at sea level on a standard day.
Quote from a 1986 enforcement case: “As Hogan Air Flight 816 taxied on Taxiway ‘C’ and passed by the Guard ramp area, the cadets observed you abandon your position in the left seat, stand up, remove your trousers, slide the window open and expose your buttocks.”
Moone y International has delivered the first M20TN Acclaim Type S aircraft to be issued a Chinese registration. The handover took place in December following reassembly in China of the aircraft, which was built and flight-tested in Kerrville, Texas, and then disassembled and shipped by sea. The formal delivery occurred just two weeks after Mooney received its Validation of Type Certificate (VTC) by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
Robert Breiling, head of the half-century-old Boca Raton, Florida, safety consulting firm that bears his name, just shakes his head when he reviews the causes of recent accidents and incidents. It’s the same story, different day.
Lower oil prices could give a boost to small general aviation aircraft, small and midsize business aircraft, fractional ownership companies and service providers if they are sustained, an aviation consultant says. On the flip side, cheaper oil may negatively impact the commercial aviation market. The lower end of the general aviation market, including piston aircraft and small and midsize business jets, could benefit from lower fuel prices and an improving economy, said Brian Foley of Brian Foley Associates, based in Sparta, N.J.
Bombardier announced Jan. 15 that it is pausing its long-delayed Learjet 85 jet program because of weak market demand for the aircraft and a downward revision in the company’s market forecast. As a result, Bombardier will reduce its workforce by about 1,000 employees in Wichita and Queretaro, Mexico. The move reflects continued weakness in the light aircraft category, the company said. With continued delays, analysts had questioned the program’s fate.
Continental Motors Group has set sights on its new home market to retrofit diesel engines for China’s fleets of training aircraft. China’s AVIC International Holding Corp. acquired Mobile, Alabama-based Continental in 2011 and then went on to acquire the assets of German diesel aero-engine maker Thielert Aircraft Engines, now Technify Motors, as well, and place it under Continental’s banner.
FACC AG received approval for series production of bypass ducts for Pratt & Whitney Canada PurePower PW814 and PW815 engines. FACC delivered the test articles to Pratt & Whitney Canada in Quebec in November, where they were assembled with the engine. On the PW800 program, FACC will deliver throughout the service life of the engine family and has a planned order volume of about $150 million. Gulfstream has selected the engines for its G500 and G600 business jets.
Shortly after takeoff from Larnaca, Cyprus, at 9:07 a.m. on Aug. 14 2005, the flight crew of a Boeing 737 airliner bound for Athens, Greece, was alerted by the cabin altitude warning horn. Instead donning their emergency oxygen masks the crew began troubleshooting what they believed to be a system problem. Convinced that the problem was only with the indicating system, the crew called maintenance control to discuss the problem while completing their climb to assigned altitude.
Triumph Group has taken over production of Spirit Aerosystem’s money-losing Gulfstream G650 and G280 wing work in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The deal was effective Dec. 30. The business will operate as Triumph Aerostructures-Vought Aircraft Division-Tulsa and will be included in Triumph’s Aerostructures Group segment. Triumph received $160 million from Spirit in the transaction along with about $60-80 million in inventory, tooling, machinery, equipment and other assets needed to run the business.
Sikorsky has delivered its bid for Poland’s utility helicopter program, despite having earlier raised concerns about the requirements drawn up by Warsaw. The U.S. helicopter manufacturer, working in conjunction with its wholly owned Polish partner PZL-Mielec, delivered its bid for the $3 billion program by Dec. 30 along with competitors AgustaWestland and Airbus Helicopters.
Hypoxia is a silent killer and often pilots are unaware of their condition because lack of oxygen affects their judgment. Technicians who fly regularly or participate in pressurization system maintenance flights need to be prepared as well. To help increase awareness of the dangers of hypoxia, the military would use high-altitude pressure simulators to train pilots. Recent technological advances have introduced portable devices that simulate the high-altitude environment. Combined with software, hypoxia awareness can be taught just about anywhere.
Embraer’s business jet deliveries were down by one in the last quarter of 2014 as compared to the same period a year earlier, and closed out the full year down slightly as well. The Brazilian manufacturer delivered 52 business jets in the 4Q14 and 116 executive jets — 92 light jets and 24 large models — for the year. That compares with 53 executive jets delivered in 4Q13 and 119 for that year. At the close of 2014, the company, which also manufacturers commercial, military and utility aircraft, reported an order backlog of $20.9 billion.
Canadian helicopter engineering firm Eagle Copters has certified its modification to fit Honeywell’s HTS900 turboshaft engine into the Bell 407 single-engine helicopter. Eagle has been developing its HTS900 retrofit program, called the Eagle 407HP, since 2010, re-starting a project originally envisaged between Honeywell and Bell Helicopter back in the 1990s. According to Eagle, the two companies were not able to make it financially viable.
While the National Business Aviation Association is almost always identified with issues affecting the operation of turbine-powered business aircraft, more than 1,000 of its member companies operate piston-engine light planes to support their business travel.
