Embraer's Legacy 450 flew for the first time Dec. 28, kicking off what the Brazilian manufacturer expects to be about a year-long flight test and certification campaign. The Legacy 450 program was launched alongside the 500 aircraft — originally dubbed the Midlight Jet (MLJ) and Midsize Jet (MSJ) — in 2008 to fill the gaps in the product line between the Phenom 300 light jet and the Legacy 600 super midsize aircraft.
Airbus Group, Toulouse, announced that Sean O'Keefe, chairman and CEO of the company's North American business unit will resign as of March 1. Alan McArtor, currently chairman of Airbus Americas will be his successor. O'Keefe is stepping down in order to address ongoing medical issue due to injuries he sustained in a 2010 aircraft accident in Alaska. He will continue with the company on special assignment to oversee and facilitate the compliant transition of the company's ongoing security agreement with the Department of Defense to the new U.S. Group.
Fly Comlux, the VIP operator of Comlux Aviation Group, announced that its Boeing 767BBJ widebody aircraft is now available for charter, having come back into the market after a major mandatory maintenance check and significant upgrades to the cabin. Upgrades include reupholstered seats, a new humidification system, SwiftBroadband and GSM throughout the cabin. Comlux, The Aviation Group Hergiswill, Switzerland
William (Bill) Stine, the longtime director of international operations for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), retired in January after nearly 35 years with the organization. Stine served as the staff liaison to the NBAA International Operators Committee and Schedulers and Dispatchers Committee. He was a founding officer of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and had served as its corporate secretary. A U.S.
Arinc, teaming with the National Business Aviation Association and a number of flight planning providers, have been adding advanced passenger information capabilities to meet new Mexico requirements that recently took effect for both private and commercial operations. The Mexican government passed a measure calling for the reporting requirements in 2010 in an attempt to tighten security and better account for taxes paid by arriving and departing passengers, NBAA says.
Ross Detwiler has been bringing a lot to the B&CA table for a long time and always demonstrates a profoundly circumspect awareness of the eccentricities of the game. However, I can't quite wrap my head around his thoughts on SVS in the final 100 ft. to TDZ (“Thumbs Down for Head Up,” October 2013). There's a reason they call it “synthetic” after all. Still, my admiration for Ross's dedication to the game and his analytical intelligence continues unabated. Well done.
Beechcraft King Air turboprop poised for its first flight at press time, will be delivered to customers in the fall this year. The pressurized twin is powered by the increasingly popular PT6A-6 turbines, which provide a design performance of 270 mph cruise and 1,400 mi. range. Beech reports a backlog of $10.8 million for the King Air. Basic airplane still costs about $300,000.
West Star Aviation, East Alton, Ill., named Debi Cunningham vice president of Marketing and Interior Design. She started her career in business aviation in 1983 and has been with West Star since 2002.
One of the first common screening tests used to determine if a patient is suffering from sleep apnea is done in bed using a blood oxygen sensor attached to one of your fingers. This “Overnight Oximetry on Room Air” records your pulse and blood oxygen saturation level throughout the night. The automated data analysis subsequently reports how many times your blood oxygen saturation level fell below certain levels. It is an easy and convenient test to take, and the advantage is that you get to sleep in your own home.
To many professional pilots the six-month visit to the aviation medical examiner (AME) is an event full of fret, which is relieved only by award of a fresh medical certificate, allowing continued employment for another half year. It's no secret that some keep medical secrets from the FAA and others simply won't admit to themselves that they have a physical or mental problem that negatively affects their quality of life, health and cockpit performance.
Lowell Deering (Mission Aviation Fellowship Papua, New Guinea )
I enjoyed “A Classic Accident Chain” (Cause & Circumstance, December 2013, page 51). It describes the situation succinctly. You have highlighted a number of latent issues, which are good to think about. I work as a senior pilot and trainer with Mission Aviation Fellowship. We operate a number of Twin Otters doing charter operations in New Guinea, and the situation you describe in the article could be something we might face one day, and some of the latent issues are factors that we face already.
FltPlan is offering its free Weight & Balance program via its website and mobile apps for over 400 makes and models of aircraft in its database. The program is available on the full website, on the Android app or on the iPad app. The Android and iPad apps' Weight & Balance features integrate with a users online information. It can be imported direction to an app, with no need to re-enter the aircraft parameters. The data can be used offline when no Internet is available.
Despite news of a resurging U.S. manufacturing industry, U.S. export competitiveness in manufacturing continues to decline, according to a new report by the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation. In 2000, Europe and the U.S. remained atop the world's exporters, with Japan trailing the U.S. by a little more than one-third the total exports. Since that time, China has leapfrogged both the U.S. and Europe. U.S. exports, in terms of dollar value, have grown 70% since 2000, marking the third slowest growth among the world's top 11 exporters.
Boston JetSearch, Bedford, Mass., announced that Russ Piggott has joined the company to help manage the aircraft search and acquisition process for clients.
Kafko International's new Clear Vision concentrated windshield wash solution provides and eco-friendly alternative to traditional wash fluids, according to the company. The product features unique plant by-product chemistry, free of petrochemicals. The solution easily removes bugs, bid dropping tree sap, traffic film and road grime. It is biodegradable, non-toxic, non-corrosive and contains no methanol, and does not lower freeze point. Clear Vision is available in a 5-gal. bucket and 55-gal. drum.
¡Ross Aviation has acquired the assets and FBO of Louisiana Aircraft at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (KBTR). The FBO will continue to operate as Louisiana Aircraft and Landon Petty will continue to serve as its general manager. The facility is located on 17 acres and offers 113,500 sq. ft. of hangar space. This was the company's sixth acquisition in 2013. Ross Aviation has 19 FBOs in eleven states including Hawaii, New Jersey, Florida and Washington.
Congressmen Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), chair and member, respectively, are sponsoring a bill to eliminate the third-class medical requirements for pilots who operate aircraft of 6,000 lb. or less, under visual flight rules, at speeds below 250 kt. and altitudes below 14,000 ft. Under the bill, pilots must have a valid pilot's license and must not fly for compensation.
Piper's PA-46-500TP Meridian made its debut in September 2000 as a 2001 model. It was the lowest priced pressurized, single-engine new production turboprop and it has retained that distinction. Piper created the Meridian by swapping a P&WC PT6A for the 350-hp piston engine of the PA-46 Malibu Mirage and modifying the airframe to handle the extra weight and speed. Everything about this project was designed to keep development costs low and that's reflected in the final product.
Jet Aviation, Zurich, appointed Alain Champonnois as the new vice president and general manager of the company's FBO and line maintenance operations in Jeddah, Riyadh and Medina, Saudi Arabia. He reports to Stefan Benz, vice president of MRO and FBO operations in EMEA and Asia. Champonnois succeeds Hardy Butschi, who was recently appointed vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Dubai.
Tzvetomir Blajev, chairman of the Flight Safety Foundation's European Advisory Committee, has identified six main accident risks associated with circling approaches: 1 The circling aircraft penetrates the obstacle clearance limits and collides with terrain or an obstacle (CFIT). 2 An aircraft performing a go-around from a circling approach penetrates the obstacle clearance limits and collides with terrain or an obstacle (CFIT). 3vThe circling aircraft loses control and crashes.
Quest Aircraft obtained certification for its Kodiak single-turboprop aircraft from Venezuela's Civil Aviation Authority. The Kodiak has now been certified in 13 countries, and Quest expects more approvals this year. Quest is planning to deliver the first Kodiak to a Venezuelan customer shortly. The new owner will operate the aircraft for personal and business use. Quest began deliveries of the Kodiak in 2007 and the aircraft is in service with charter operators, small businesses, personal owners, U.S. and international governments and humanitarian organizations.
FlightSafety International, La Guardia Airport, N.Y., promoted David Judge to assistant manger of the company Learning Center located at the London Farnborough airport in the U.K. Kelly Allender was appointed manager of FlightSafety International's learning center in Dallas. Allender joined FlightSafety in 2001, serving in the company's Cessna facility in Wichita. There he served as assistant manager, director of programs, program manager for Cessna Citation Mustang training, and ground and simulator instructor.
Anthony Kioussis (President Asset Insight Inc. Amissville, Va. )
I commend Mike Gamauf for his overview of the valuable role maintenance managers play in aircraft dispositions (“When to Say Goodbye to Your Aircraft,” December 2013, page 32). From my experience, the leadership team already does look “to maintenance managers to produce the numbers, gather the facts and provide input.” However, I believe maintenance managers can offer a great deal more to their owners.
Elliott Aviation, Moline, Ill., hired Lawrence Harting as FCM general manager and vice president of Flight Operations. He will oversee day-to-day operations of over 60 employees at Elliott Aviation's Flying Cloud facility and be in charge of Elliott's flight department including charter and aircraft management operations.
