There's been much talk recently in aviation regulatory circles about three issues — fatigue, aircraft automation and basic airmanship. The incident we're discussing this month has a happy ending with no injures and no significant damage to the aircraft. But it does shine a light on the dangers of fatigue when dealing with the complexities of modern flight management/control systems.
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.
Daher-Socata has named WingsOverAsia as a TBM Aircraft Sales Representative to market the TBM throughout Asia on a non-exclusive basis. WingOver Asia is a private/executive aircraft flight support and aviation lifestyle services provider. The company also privides worldwide flight operations and ground handling along with turnkey aircraft acquisition support.
Jet Aviation's Teterboro repair station is now authorized to provide base, line, repair and overhaul maintenance support to Gulfstream G650 aircraft. This authorization also extends to Jet's Cayman AMO, Bermuda AMO and EASA repair station authorities. “We have made a significant investment in tooling, training and data to support the needs of our clients moving to this new aircraft type,” said David Smith, director of quality Assurance, MRO services. Jet Aviation www.jetaviation.com
Inmarsat confirmed that Dec. 8 was the launch for the first of its Global Xpress (GX) satellites, the Inmarsat-5 F1 (I-5 F1). Built by Boeing Satellite Systems International, the satellite was to have launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The satellite is the first of three that will be used for Inmarsat's Global Xpress Ka-band. Inmarsat teamed with Honeywell to bring its planned GX Aviation inflight connectivity services to the business aviation market. The service is expected to be rolled out to the business aviation community in early 2015.
As could have been expected, the FAA's new emphasis on identifying pilots with sleep issues, and with obstructive sleep apnea in particular, has drawn considerable opposition and commentary from a variety of pilot and aviation organizations, including the AOPA, NBAA, and Air Line Pilots Association.
National Business Aviation Association, Washington, announced that Dick Boubrava, NBAA director, Legislative Affairs, and Christa Fornarotto, who is currently serving as FAA associate administrator for airports, have both been appointed to vice president positions with government-relations responsibilities for the association.
Rockwell Collins was recently selected by Jet Aviation Basel to provide its Venue cabin management and entertainment system and high-definition Airshow 3-D Moving Map system for an Airbus A340CJ business jet. The A340CJ will be the largest aircraft to date to carry the equipment, which has been installed on more than 300 aircraft including a number of large VIP jets. HD monitors will be installed throughout the aircraft, along with wireless audio/video-on-demand capability for personal devices. Installation is slated to begin in the first half of 2014.
One of the darkest days in aviation history was Sunday, March 27, 1977. An explosion set by a separatist group at Gran Canaria Airport closed that facility, forcing many jetliners to divert to a smaller airport on neighboring Tenerife island as a precaution. The Tenerife controllers were soon overwhelmed and the ramps and taxiways were crowded with large aircraft, including Boeing 747s.
Despite strong opposition among pilot groups and in Congress, the Federal Air Surgeon is staying on course with his plan to require pilots and controllers with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 to undergo testing for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and seek treatment, if necessary. (See “Keeping Your Medical Qualification” page 30.) During a Dec. 12 webinar, Dr. Fred Tilton maintained that the requirement is a process enhancement that does not need to go through the rulemaking process.
Ben Sclair (General Aviation News Living With Your Plane Lakewood, Wash. ), Publisher (General Aviation News Living With Your Plane Lakewood, Wash. )
Congratulations on the B&CA redesign. I very much like the new logo as it lives up to what everyone has called the magazine for years . . . as you note in your Viewpoint (October 2013, page 11). The flow and look of the digital edition is striking. It's very comfortable and easy to read. General Aviation News Living With Your Plane Lakewood, Wash.
Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Ga. Announced that Beth McClurg was appointed director of real estate for Gulfstream Aerospace. McClurg will be responsible for Gulfstream's development and construction projects, lease transactions and property acquisitions worldwide. She will develop and execute a long-range strategic real estate plan.
Aviation Search Group, an executive recruiting firm for the aerospace and aviation industries, formed a new recruiting department dedicated to business aviation clientele. Grayson Barrows, director sales, says that hiring demand in the business aviation segment has grown significantly recently. Aviation Search Group works with manufacturers, airlines, service providers, business and general aviation businesses and airports.
The Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) is working with regional governments to introduce regulations and policies that lay a foundation for business aviation and curb illegal operations. Addressing illegal operations is one of the higher priorities for the European Business Aviation Association, and MEBAA is hoping its next conference, to be held in Dubai, will serve as a springboard to address the issue in the Middle East. “The conference will tackle the issue of the gray market, and we need a mechanism to fight this . . .
Nov. 19 — At 1956 EST, a Learjet 35, Mexican registration XA-USD, operated by Aero JL SA de CV, was destroyed when it crashed in the Atlantic Ocean after takeoff from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The commercial pilot and a physician on board were lost and presumed fatally injured. The copilot and a flight nurse were fatally injured. An IFR flight plan was filed for the positioning flight from FLL to Cozumel, Mexico.
Shell has BEcome the latest company, Shell has become the latest company, and the first of the major oil companies, to declare it has developed an unleaded replacement for leaded avgas. The launch of the formula follows a 10-year research and development program. Shell must still undergo a testing program to obtain regulatory approvals from FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency, along with ASTM specification for the fuel. But the fuel is designed as a drop-in replacement to meet all the key avgas properties and have a motor octane rating of more than 100.
Jetex has launched a full-service FBO at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central. The facility offers a VIP lounge, ground support, fueling, handling and security services, and catering. Adel Mardini, president and CEO of Jetex Flight Support said “the FBO is just another step in Jetex's overall strategy to redefine ground handling and FBO quality worldwide. Jetex Flight Support www.jetex.com
I just wanted to say how much I like the new look of B&CA. It's clean, not cluttered and easy to read. With all the current debate about print versus digital, I find myself scanning the digital version when it arrives in my inbox, and later enjoying the hard copy when I have a little more time. Well done! Aviation Marketing CommunicationsWarrenton, Va.
Toward the end of 2012, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen spoke of pitfalls facing the industry. Chief on his mind was budget. Washington was in deadlock and facing a fiscal cliff, sequestration and a government shutdown. Many of these prospects played out, much to the detriment of industry — from sequestration cuts that threatened the contract tower program to a shutdown that froze many aircraft deliveries, some flight training and all certificate renewal efforts. “2013 has been a challenging year for our industry,” Bolen says.
Scheyden's new True Aviator is functional in the cockpit and is the only timepiece to offer an Aide Memoire Bi-Directional ATIC bezel as a paperless reminder of the Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) recordings, according to the company. It comes with engraved airport identifiers. The lower gauge is a multi-feature digital IFR timer than can be used for timing instrument procedures or assisting with time checklist items. The upper gauge features a Liquid-Filled Magnetic Compass that provides awareness on the ground.
¡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.
