For the aviation industry, Jan. 13 marked the end of a long decade. That was the day that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at long last published its repair station security rule. The action was a bit tardy. After all, Congress had mandated it more than a decade ago, and then became so frustrated by agency inaction that it forbade the FAA from certifying any new foreign repair station until TSA released the rule. That ban has been in place since August 2008.
FLYHT Aerospace Solutions, Calgary, Alberta, promoted Matt Bradley to the post of president. This realignment will allow Bill Tempahy, FLYHT's current CEO and former president to focus on the company public market participation and other business initiatives.
Operators could spout off five favorite things they like about the aircraft almost faster than we could write them down. Speed, range and cabin comfort topped the list. They also say the G650 burns considerably less fuel at Mach 0.85 than other large cabin aircraft.
FAA is streamlining the process for obtaining certain letters of authorization (LOAs) for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) approval. Both the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and National Air Transportation Association (NATA) welcomed the changes.
Gulfstream Aerospace has enhanced its support of operators attending major U.S.–based events with the addition of its biggest and most capable Field and Airborne Support Teams (FAST) vehicle — a specially equipped 74-ft. (22.6 meters) tractor-trailer. The vehicle debuted at this year's Super Bowl at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Using the capabilities of the FAST vehicle, on-board technicians can perform: line-service repairs; engine exchanges; post-flight and storage inspections; unscheduled inspections; and cabin interior repairs.
Honda Aircraft's new customer service facility in Greensboro, N.C., has received FAR Part 145 certification. Opened in October 2013, the facility is initially cleared for component-level repairs, but Honda expects to expand the approvals to cover heavy aircraft maintenance and major services repairs this year. The facility is also the base for Honda's customer service organization and will provide warranty administration; service programs sales and administration; provide 24/7 technical support and training; and develop technical publications.
According to the DC-6 emergency checklist, the proper procedure for an engine fire is to ensure the engine is feathered first before pulling the fire-extinguishing handle. The checklist notes the effectiveness of the fire extinguisher system is greater after engine rotation has stopped. A letter submitted to the NTSB by the operator, says, in part: 1. “Engine rotation may be the source of the engine fire. Feathering and stopping engine rotation may remove that source.” 2.
It has long been one of the true world capitals, a center of international finance, culture and power. Moreover, London generates a kind of permanent vortex that draws in those from throughout the globe who hope to enrich their coffers or enhance their status. All roads may have led to Rome, but the sea lanes and airways all find their way to the storied metropolis 30 miles up the River Thames.
Gulfstream Aerospace 's service center at London Luton Airport in the U.K. recently received European Aviation Safety Agency approval to perform maintenance on the Gulfstream G280.The facility earned similar EASA approval for Gulfstream 's G650 last year. The G280 entered service in November 2012, followed by the G650 in December 2012.
Jan. 6 — At 0700 EST, a Mooney M20R (N1046L) collided with trees and terrain about 1 mi. east of the Boyne City Municipal Airport (KN98), Boyne City, Mich. The private pilot and the passenger on board were both fatally injured. The airplane was heavily damaged from the impact and a post-crash fire. The airplane was registered to Chair Covers Leasing, Inc., and operated by the private pilot. The purpose of the flight is unknown at this time. It was VFR for the flight and an IFR flight plan was filed.
WSI Corporation's Fusion Operations Management platform now supports flight tracking for Honeywell GDC Datalink customers. Using the Honeywell position reports, WSI Fusion is enabled with global contiguous flight tracking and monitoring of equipped flight departments. WSI has also announced the debut of WSI Business Aviation Solution, a platform to improve safety and efficiency of flight operations. The tool combines weather information, airspace constraints, flight information and operational data in a clear picture, according to WSI.
In April 1997, the American Airlines Flight Academy produced a seminar on the hazards of automation dependency, particularly the perils of attempting to reprogram flight management computers in time-sensitive, high workload environments.
Milestone Aviation Group, Richard Santulli's Dublin-based helicopter leasing company, recently announced it had closed on an unsecured $200 million revolving credit line. That increases its unsecured borrowing capacity to $450 million and revolving borrowing capacity to $800 million.
Meanwhile, at the other end of Wichita's Kellogg Avenue, Cessna has begun deliveries of its M2 light jet and new Sovereign+, providing the planemaker with a much needed boost. Last year the company phased out production and sold off what original Sovereign and Citation X jets remained, posting losses of $50 million in the second quarter and $23 million in the third quarter as a result. Powered by Williams FJ44 engines, the M2 flies at speeds of 400 kt., has a 1,300-nm range and can operate at airports with 3,250-ft. runways.
The FAA will keep its minimum random drug and alcohol testing percentage rates the same for calendar year 2014, testing at least 25% of covered employees for drugs and 10% for alcohol, the agency has determined. The decision, set to be formalized in a Federal Register notice, is made each year based on full-year testing results from the last full calendar year. If positive test rates exceed 1.0% for drugs or 0.50% for alcohol in a year, FAA must boost the percentages of employees tested.
Bell Helicopter plans to its build its new SLS — shorthand for “short light single-engine” — helicopter at an all-new production facility at Louisiana's Lafayette Regional Airport. To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered an incentive package that includes performance-based grants of $4.0 million for lease support, $3.8 million for infrastructure and equipment, and $0.2 million to reimburse relocation expenses. Meanwhile, Bell is investing $11.4 million in equipment and tooling. The new facility is expected to create 115 new jobs.
Questions for Dr. Peggy Chabrian Sure she was going to be an elementary school teacher, Chabrian recalculated her life after taking aflight in a 1946 Ercoupe. 1. How is it that the WAI and conference came to be?
The working group involved in the 2013 “Operational Use of Flight Path Management Systems” study found continued instances of pilots being unaware of the potential consequences of selection of certain FMS modes.
Raisbeck Engineering's Swept Blade Turbofan Propellers are now being delivered after their FAA certification covering the entire King Air C90 and E90 family. When added to the Raisbeck EPIC Performance Package for the C90/E90 aircraft, the Swept Blade Propellers deliver performance increases across the board, according to Raisbeck. The EPIC Package is priced at $99,864 plus installation and includes Raisbeck Dual Aft Body Strakes and FAA-Approved Airplane Flight Manual Supplement.
Gulfstream Aerospace announced it will expand its aircraft service and support organization by adding a new worldwide Product Support distribution Center located in the NorthPort Industrial Park in Savannah. The center is expected to be completed in early 2015 and will have more than 300 employees and about $900 mill in parts and materials inventory. The center will be 338,100 sq. ft. for parts and materials and 67,000 sq. ft. for office space.
Model 45 became only the second clean-sheet Learjet since the 1963 Learjet 23 when it was launched by launched in June 1990. It was built from 1998 to 2012. It was replaced by the higher performing Learjet 75 in November 2013.
Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, named Craig Olson vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Systems. He succeeds Jeff Standersky, who was recently named senior vice president, Information Management Services. Olson has been with Rockwell Collins for more than 27 years.
Tips and insights from a veteran By AC-U-KWIK's Consulting Editor, Alain George, [email protected] Private/corporate operators with aircraft registered in an ICAO-contracted state do not require prior permission to overfly/land in the U.K. However, there are Customs re–quirements that apply according to your point of departure or destination:
I just finished “A Classic Accident Chain” (Cause & Circumstance, December 2013) and have a completely different perspective. I think its should be retitled, “Don't leave well enough alone!!”
