The autothrottle system provides automatic thrust control from the start of takeoff through climb, cruise, descent, approach and go-around or landing. In normal operation, the flight management computer provides the A/T system with engine N1 limit values. The A/T moves the thrust levers with a separate servomotor on each thrust lever. Following manual positioning, the A/T may reposition the thrust levers to comply with computed thrust requirements except while in the THR HLD and ARM modes.
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.
Inflight catering provider Air Culinaire Worldwide has expanded its presence in the U.K. by adding an owned and operated kitchen at London Biggin Hill Airport (EGKS). The company now has 19 kitchens in its network, including three in the U.K. “As the only inflight caterer based at Biggin Hill Airport, we will now be able to respond faster and facilitate more short-notice requests,” said Maithri Smaradivakara, U.K.–based sales manager for Air Culinaire. The kitchen will operate 24/7.
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
Boston JetSearch, Bedford, Mass., announced that Russ Piggott has joined the company to help manage the aircraft search and acquisition process for clients.
I am an owner-pilot who previously operated a Citation Bravo but currently own and operate a CJ4. I have enjoyed reading your editorials for years and find your magazine's articles very informative and educational. Keep up the great work. Hamilton, Ont.
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.
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.
Earlier this year on a red-eye flight from China, I had the pleasure of sitting next to a highly intoxicated and unusually talkative German. As the sun rose and breakfast was served, the flight attendant cheerfully passed him another Guinness. He was happy. She was happy. I was not. Was the FAA?
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.
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.
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.
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.
TWC Aviation, Los Angeles, announced the Jason Berg has joined the company as chief aviation officer. He will oversee TWC's flight operations, safety and maintenance departments, and play a key role in the firm's new environmental initiative.
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.
Gulf Helicopters has signed the largest order by an offshore operator so far for the AgustaWestland AW189 eight-metric-ton helicopter. The Qatar-based operator will buy 15 of the aircraft, which is awaiting imminent certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency. The firm order, announced during the Dubai Airshow, is the second-largest for the new helicopter, behind Bristow Group's, which has ordered six aircraft for offshore operations and a further 11 to support its U.K. search-and-rescue (SAR) contract awarded this year.
Global demand for agricultural aircraft is boosting sales, with Embraer forecasting an increase in Ipanema deliveries this year as it hands over its 1,300th aircraft to Rio Verde, Brazil-based Fort Aviacao Agricola. The Brazilian manufacturer expects to deliver 70 Ipanemas this year, up from 66 in 2102 and 58 a year earlier. The single-engined aircraft has been in production for more than 40 years. In the U.S., agricultural aircraft manufacturers Air Tractor and Thrush Aircraft are on track for record deliveries this year.
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.
Sabreliner is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the certification of the original Sabreliner business jet, the Model 40. The aircraft's roots began as the Air Force T-39 aircraft and incorporated many of the design standards to become the 40. Sabreliner subsequently delivered four additional models — the 60, 75, 75A/80 and 65. Production of the Sabreliners ended in 1982 after 631 were built. Of those, 232 are still in service, include 42 Sabre 40s. Sabreliner Corp., which has facilities in Perryville and Ste.
You're 25 times more likely to suffer a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) crash if you're flying a circling approach rather than a straight-in procedure, according to accident statistics compiled by the Flight Safety Foundation. As such, IFR circling approaches are among the highest risk maneuvers attempted by pilots.
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.
General Dymanics, Falls Church, Va., announced the Robert E. Smith has been appointed president of Jet Aviation report to Joseph T. Lombardo, executive vice president of the company's Aerospace group. Smith succeeds Daniel G. Glare, who has been appointed CFO of Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
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.
