Rockwell Collins announced a series of enhancements to its Pro Line Fusion avionics. The primary update is Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required (RNP AR) 0.3. This enhancement provides obstacle clearance and clearly defined fight paths in congested airspace and at terrain-challenged airports.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 . . .
Spirit AeroSystems is “deep” into the process of selling its Tulsa production facility, a move that should mean significant bottom-line improvement as the supplier shifts focus to growing airliner programs and tackles issues uncovered in a sweeping strategic review, say analysts at Canaccord Genuity. “The company is deep into its planned sale of its Tulsa operations,” Canaccord analyst Ken Herbert writes in a Dec. 5 research note.
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.
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.
The General Electric Honda HF120 engine The General Electric Honda HF120 engine for the HA-420 HondaJet has received FAA Part 33 engine certification, clearing the way for the start of full-scale production. The certification of the 2,095 lb.-thrust engine comes nine years after the formation of the joint venture and four years later than originally planned when the program was launched in 2006.
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.
By the time you read this, Beechcraft may have completed the sale of its shuttered Hawker 4000 and Premier aircraft lines, along with tooling and associated facilities. The company had been weighing bids and in negotiations for the sale since last July and hoped to close the deal by year-end. CEO Bill Boisture said earlier that it would be unlikely that production of those aircraft would restart under new ownership, but rather that a support company would acquire all rights to maintain the existing fleet of 400 Premiers and Hawkers 4000s.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Here's are an aviation fact that might have escaped your notice: Clownfish eat frozen shrimp (though the latter thaw quickly upon water contact). Okay, not av data really, but I learned it after talking to a fellow from the New York Aquarium Service, which takes care of the little fish in the five lobby tanks at Jet Systems, the Westchester County Airport FBO headed by a big fish, my friend Mike Dolphin. The fish men come weekly to change the water, toss in shrimp and scoop out the dead urchins and eels, and whatever.
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.
