Empire Aviation Group, a Dubai-based aviation services company, has added an Embraer Legacy 650 executive jet to its managed fleet based in Oman. The aircraft is being managed on behalf of the owner and longtime client, and will operate only from Oman, where Empire already manages three other business jets. Empire completed the full technical inspection, delivery and induction process of the Brazilian-made super mid-size business jet. The Legacy 650 offers three cabin zones with wireless inflight connectivity and Apple TV to enhance the passenger experience.
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).
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is becoming frustrated over the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) slow deliberations regarding an FAA recommendation — strongly endorsed by AOPA — to forgo the needs for a 3rd Class Medical certificate for private pilots. There is no such requirement for aviators operating under the Sport Pilot rule. In a Jan.
A small population of large (“heavy”) transport and vintage aircraft powered by commensurately large air-cooled radial and liquid-cooled inline piston engines remains active in the U.S. and abroad that cannot be operated on any fuel other than 100/115-octane leaded aviation gasoline.
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.
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.
NetJets Europe has taken the lead in a consortium of 15 companies called Advanced Approaches for all Airports (A3), which intends to demonstrate new approach and landing solutions to increase capacity within the continent’s airport network while reducing emissions, fuel burn and noise. The organization has been formed under the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) program.
Jet-A Region High Low Average Eastern $8.50 $3.74 $6.04 New England $7.09 $3.72 $5.32 Great Lakes $7.74 $3.78 $5.32 Central $7.41 $3.79 $4.84 Southern $7.79 $4.14 $6.03 Southwest $6.71 $3.03 $5.14 N
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.
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.
Fan Jet Falcon orders now number 40 according to Pan Am Business Jets Division. First production model flew on New Year’s Day and has accumulated some 15 hr. at this time. Pan Am will receive two demonstrators plus four customer airplanes in May. FAA certification is also scheduled for May.
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.
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.
Development of Bombardier’s top-of-the-line Global 7000 and 8000 business jets seeing significant advances with flight testing of its all-new GE Passport engine now well underway. The engine maker planned to put the new powerplant through water ingestion and fan blade certification tests about now, just weeks after first flight, which occurred Dec. 30.
Eight Phoenix-area airports are expected to feel the impact of Super Bowl XLIX. Textron Aviation has agreed to buy the assets of the UTC Aerospace Systems facility in Wichita.
Visual cues are a pilot’s most-important sensory input. Since good eyesight is essential for safe operation of an aircraft, pilots must demonstrate adequate visual performance at every aeromedical exam.
Business aircraft departures in Europe last year were down 0.5% compared to 2013, according to an analysis of departures by WingX Advance. Business aircraft flying in the United States in December 2014 was up for the 13th month in a row, according to TraqPak data released by Argus International.
I recently sat in a room full of aviation professionals and, unbelievably, heard the comment that “the so-called oxygen bottle is really compressed air, just like scuba divers use.” While I sat there with my mouth open, more than a few in the room nodded agreement. They may not be the only folks thinking this to be true.
Lower oil prices could benefit business aviation while complicating the commercial aviation market, according to an aviation consultant. Plus, NetJets has attracted more than 1000 applications for open pilot positions.
Teterboro Airport was the airport searched the most in December 2014 for charter departures and arrivals, according to an analysis of Air Charter Guide Worldwide Trip Builder data.
FACC AG has received approval of the first article parts and the go-ahead for series production of bypass ducts for Pratt & Whitney Canada PurePower PW814 and Pw815 engines.
Russia’s Rostec and Rosneft state corporations have agreed on a strategic partnership with Italy’s Finmeccanica to build the AW189 super-medium helicopter in the Russian Federation.
Challenger 605 operators are pragmatic realists. They say there are other large-cabin aircraft with fine French bloodlines, plus sporty performers from Savannah and rugged heavyweights from Brazil, but no other business jet can top the Bombardier Challenger 605 for its blend of cost effectiveness, low operating costs and cabin comfort, plus dispatch reliability and everyday utility.
