By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Airbus Americas will move its engineering center, along with 400 employees, from Wichita’s Old Town to Wichita State University’s new Innovation Campus, the company said. The Wichita State Innovation Alliance has signed letters of intent with Airbus for the move, which will bring new opportunities for applied learning in aerospace engineering to Airbus, the company said. The move is expected to take place in January 2017. Most of Airbus’s Wichita employees are engineers who work on Airbus wings and airframes.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Duncan Aviation, based in Lincoln, Nebraska, has expanded its non-destructive testing services to helicopter operators. It has provided NDT services to business aircraft for more than 20 years. Helicopter operators can remove and send components to Duncan Aviation, along with the appropriate maintenance manuals and documentation, for any required NDT testing. It provides eddy current, florescent penetrant, ultrasonic and magnetic and particle inspections on all makes and model aircraft.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Dassault Aviation has added a second Falcon 8X into its flight test program that flew for the first time on March 30. After initial checks on the digital flight controls and engine system, test pilots Laverne and Faurdesus took the aircraft to 43,000 ft. and Mach 0.8 for performance testing. They then ran a series of additional checks before landing after 2 hr. and 45 min. in the air. The aircraft will mostly serve for performance testing.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Honda Aircraft has received a provisional type certificate from the FAA for its HondaJet, which represents a milestone in the program and for the company. It’s the first type certificate for the first-time manufacturer. “We are pleased to reach this significant step toward customer deliveries and entry into service,” said Honda Aircraft Co. President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. Honda Aircraft has completed nearly all the testing and reports required by the FAA, Fujino said.
Short and simple checklists pay off with a more relaxed working environment in which flight crews have the most time to devote to situational awareness and dealing with unexpected occurrences.
Nextant Aerospace's remanufactured, small-cabin business jets are taking on a new life amid austerity measures and discouragement of opulence in China. Plus, Asian Sky Group and Nexus will jointly provide flight operations services in the Asia-Pacific region. And international rates are now no higher than domestic rates in Deer Jet's jet card program, according to the company.
The FAA is proposing a $430,000 civil penalty against Beechcraft Corp. for allegedly failing to maintain the required aircraft production-quality-control system, the FAA said. Plus, Cessna Aircraft has received a new order for the Citation XLS+ business jet in China, the company announced. And Piper Aircraft introduced new aircraft and aircraft enhancements at an April 13 event at its Vero Beach, Florida, headquarters.
U.S. turbine-aircraft accidents rose slightly during the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same time a year ago, according to newly released report. Plus, NBAA says an FAA proposal would reduce the ability of both business- and general-aviation operations to access airports in the New York City area. And the NetJets’ pilot union has filed for federal mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB) following 22 months of contract talks, the union said.
In March 2015, air charter customers and brokers requested more quotes for flights arriving at Teterboro Airport than any other airport, and Miami International Airport was the departure airport searched the most, according to an analysis of Air Charter Guide Worldwide Trip Builder data.
Teterboro Airport was the most popular business aviation airport in North America during March 2015, according to an analysis of acukwik.com traffic from that month. William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport in Florida, Dallas Love Field and Opa-Locka Executive Airport in Miami rounded out the top five North American business aviation airports.
Teterboro Airport was the most popular business aviation airport in March 2015, according to an analysis of acukwik.com traffic from that month. William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Hollywood International Airport, Paris Le Bourget Airport and Dallas Love Field rounded out the top five.
It would make sense for Bombardier to sell its Learjet plant in Wichita for a number of reasons, and Textron would be a natural buyer, Cowen and Co. analyst Cai von Rumohr says. Plus, Dassault Aviation has added a second Falcon 8X into its flight test program, the company said. And the International Business Aviation Council recently bought Robert E. Breiling Associates and will incorporate the company’s safety data and collection methods.
The downside to owning a Falcon 20-F5 is the potentially eye-watering maintenance expense. But conscious operators have found numerous ways to slash costs.
Stabilized approaches are always important for a reasonably good landing, but they are absolutely essential for a safe approach at minimums. If, for some reason, you are forced into a below minimums approach, then conducting a stabilized approach is vital in the true sense of the word.
Several high-altitude/high-Mach accidents reveal deficiencies in pilot handling of the aircraft. The NTSB has pointed out several times the glaring lapses in training curriculum to adequately prepare pilots for flight in this environment.
All pilots need access to training that has proven to be effective. And no circumstances demand more effective training than when transitioning to go high and fast. Placing oneself near the edges of a performance envelope demands special knowledge, skill and vigilance to do so with confidence and safety. Acquiring that education benefits all, including you.
Looking at flying hours, business aviation accounts for about 40% of the total hours flown by general aviation. And who is buying? Business, primarily. Large business, small business and individuals who plan to use them for business. The North American Sabreliner was certificated for civil use in April 1963 and since then 32 aircraft have gone to corporate customers. The hottest turboprop aircraft at present is the Beech Model 90 King Air. Beech has delivered 25 units so far and hopes to produce 75 more before year-end.
The time to worry about fuel loads is before the fuel truck ever shows up, not when you are No. 5 in a holding pattern with your last alternate about to go below weather minimums. As a professional pilot you are also a part-time aeronautical engineer, meteorologist and risk management analyst. You can add petroleum scientist to that list.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will begin a large-scale runway construction and rehabilitation project beginning in March. The construction will take place in five stages and is expected to be completed in 2017. Phase one includes the closure of Runway 25L-07R for 33 days, from March 6 to April 7. Departure delays are likely during peak times because of reduced departure rates. At times, the airport will be down to a three-runway operation.
Piaggio Aerospace completed the first flight of its first fully configured P.1HH HammerHead unmanned aerial vehicle in December. The HammerHead — an unmanned version of the P.180 Avanti executive turboprop — made its first flight on Dec. 22 from Trapani air base in Sicily.
The Aerospace Industries Association is searching for a new president as Marion Blakey, the longtime face and voice of U.S. aerospace and defense industry concerns in Washington, will be taking a job as the president and CEO of Rolls-Royce’s North American Operations. The unit’s current president, CEO and chairman, James Guyette, is retiring May 31. In Blakey, RRNA is getting an executive who knows Washington and the industry.
American Aero FTW, an FBO at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, has purchased 64,000 sq. ft. of additional hangar space and 2.3 acres of land at the airport as part of an effort to expand its presence and enhance its ability to offer services to business aviation customers. The company is building three hangars and a two-story office complex, which is expected to be completed later this year.
Continental Motors Group has announced that its six-cylinder engine that will run on alternative fuels, the IO-360-AF (Alternative Fuel) engine, has received type certification from the FAA.The engine is certified for standard 100LL as well as for 91UL avgas now available in several countries. Flight Design GmbH is expected to take delivery of the first certified engine in the second quarter of this year for use on its Flight Design C4 all-carbon composite light aircraft.
