Williams International has bundled many features into a new engine maintenance program called TAP Blue that it says offers “an unprecedented level of coverage.” Under the program Williams is expanding the coverage of its Total Assurance Program (TAP) to include virtually every natural and unnatural event that might occur over the life of its family of FJ33 and FJ44 engines.
Not entirely unexpected — in view of the fact that they are already in the pipeline for Boeing 737 airliners — was the recent announcement from Aviation Partners' that their new Split Scimitar winglets will be available for fitment and retrofit to BBJs following their certification in about three months. Joe Clark, AP's chairman, noted that his company's winglets are now providing performance benefits to 5,000 Boeing 737/BBJs, mainly new-build but including 773 retrofits.
MedAire has launched its free MedAire Trip Ready iPad app that provides business aviation crews with information enabling them to assess and mitigate travel and safety risks for flights. It displays content based on a user's destinations and upcoming itineraries. Depending on the user's MedAire membership level, pilots and flight departments can see medical and travel risk ratings, local time, current weather and NOTAMs for each destination, along with security and travel information, including a calendar of holidays and events that may affect a mission.
Bombardier is increasing the maintenance intervals across all its business jet programs and, at the same time, is launching the Challenger 605 MAX upgrade program to improve reliability. The interval evolution is based on experience and “strictly on findings as we inspect the airplanes,” says Bombardier Customer Services Vice President Andy Nureddin. The changes to the maintenance programs and all associated documents will be applied to the Learjet 40, 45, Challenger 300, 604, 605 and Global programs.
If possible: (1) Put the aircraft in a heated hangar. If left outside: (2) Park facing the wind and clamp on the covers. (3) Put liquids, gels, sauces, etc. in a warm place. (4) Drain potable and gray water systems (don't forget the self-filling coffee pot). Once operating: (5) Apply brakes several times while taxiing out. (6) Refer to braking action reports. (7) Use deice/anti-ice fluids, as appropriate.
To learn more about IS-BAO, visit the International Business Aviation Council's website — www.ibac.org. There you will find information about the work that IBAC does and how to go about becoming IS-BAO registered. There is also helpful information and links to other safety related topics.
Pan Am's service and engineering support for the Mystere 20 will not include the crews, Alvin P. Adams told the NBAA. “We are not going to crew or man these airplanes with Pan American people. We've always been misquoted on this.”
A softening in purchase expectations in several regions led Honeywell Aerospace to scale back its 10-yr. forecast for new aircraft deliveries, but the increasing preference for large-cabin, long-range aircraft is keeping the anticipated dollar value of those deliveries at the same level as in previous forecasts. In its latest Business Aviation Outlook, Honeywell predicts a market for 9,250 new business jets valued at $250 billion through 2023. The forecast is down from last year's prediction of 10,000 new business jets through 2022.
Universal Avionics announced its Control Display Unit (CDU) emulator iPad application for the Flight Management System (FMS) Trainer software. It's available for the iPad and supports life-size touch-sensitive emulation of Universal's 4-in. CDU, 5-in. CDU and Multi-function CDU. The app sends the FMS trainer CDU display screen to the iPad, and key pushes from the simulated CDU are then sent back to the FMS Trainer via a wireless network. The CDU emulator app allows operators to experience realistic, hands-on training in FMS operations.
Bombardier and the FAA are in the final stages of earning certification in fourth quarter for the Learjet 75 as an amendment to the Learjet 45 type certificate. Other than a series of weight increases and internal engine upgrades for the original Model 45, the Model 75 is the first major modification to the aircraft since it entered service in late 1997. The new derivative will fly eight passengers 1,775 nm, 4% farther than current production aircraft. Half of the improvement is due to new blended winglets that both decrease drag and increase span.
When a center controller issues an advisory of “extreme precipitation” ahead, frustration or confusion may well come into play. All professional pilots have had the experience of being in day VMC when we get the call. Yet looking out the windscreen, it's clear that the weather is simply not a factor; often it's out there, but well below the aircraft. However, get that same call at night or in IMC, or both, and the warning can be downright unnerving.
How easily we forget. “Night VFR in the Mountains” was an excellent report on a CFIT accident by Richard Aarons (Cause & Circumstance, October 2013). B&CA published an article on how a common old, low-tech radar can be used to prevent that type of tragedy, way back in March, 1996. The procedure has been picked up by a few operators around the world, but obviously too few. You would perform a major safety service by repeating advice from the mythical “Capt. Lightning” several times each year.
Chicago Jet Group, a Universal Avionics authorized dealer, received the first Future Air Navigation System (FANS) retrofit certification on a Dassault Falcon 50 with the UniLink UL-801 Communication Management Unit (CMU) with an internal VHF VDL Mode 2 receiver. It's interfaced with dual UNS-1Lw FMSes and International Communications Group's (ICG) NxtLink ICS-220A Iridium Satcom. Universal's CVR-120A was also installed for required FANS datalink message recording.
Awards and Honors Actor and accomplished pilot Harrison Ford received this year's NBAA's Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership. In addition to his extensive work as an outspoken champion for general aviation, Ford regularly files missions in support of humanitarian and philanthropic causes. He has participated in the Citation Special Olympics Airlift and works with the Corporate Angel Network.
With the emergence of a new generation of large-cabin, long-haul business aircraft, the industry could be witnessing a sea change in the traditional chicken-and-egg trade-off between airframe and engine makers. Unlike previous and current generations, which use engines derived from existing families, at least some of the new wave of large business jets will be powered by purpose-designed engines derived from the same all-new cores in development for the next-generation of single and widebody airliners.
Duncan Aviation is expanding its service capabilities with the addition of a tenth Rapid Response engine location in Portland, Ore., and increased accessory shop space at its facility in Lincoln, Neb. The new Rapid Response unit will provide mobile engine services such AOG emergency services, and many scheduled and unscheduled events, including engine changes. The Portland area formerly was served by Duncan Aviation's response team in Seattle. Duncan also refurbished and expanded its service area in Lincoln, providing an additional 6,300 sq. ft.
I've never taken the time to write back on an article before, but having read “Checking the Descent” (Viewpoint, August 2013) I wanted to share an in-the-trenches view from someone who is trying to start a flight school and get more people into aviation on a day-to-day basis. In my opinion, the biggest issues (behind the declining pilot population) are not what you mention. They're symptoms and not the cause. There is only one reason: Cost. General aviation has become too expensive.
Flush with new funding, Mooney Aircraft is stepping out of its years-long malaise and reports it will return its swift piston singles — specifically, the Acclaim Type S, Ovation 2GX and Ovation 3 series — to production by January, 2014. It's a new day for Mooney. And with a new investment group that is committed to the future, we're expecting to make a strong move in the industry,” noted Barry Hodkin, CFO for the company.
I found “NOTAMs in Transition” (January 2013) to be an excellent article. As a member of the FAA's NOTAM working group we have been pushing for NOTAM improvements for many years, in fact since 2000. Your last paragraph captures the problem perfectly: Stop-and-Go Funding. I would love to see more articles on NOTAMS particularly from the dispatcher's perspective or more importantly explaining the role of the dispatcher. Manager Dispatch Operations
As we went to press, Bloomberg news was reporting that Beechcraft is up for sale. Again. The report stated, “Credit Suisse Group AG is contacting potential suitors on their interest in acquiring Beechcraft, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. Beechcraft may fetch about $1.5 billion, another person said. Cessna Aircraft parent Textron Inc.
TrueNorth Avionics has introduced the Stylus Wi-Fi handset. It's cradle fits into both TrueNorth's Simphone legacy and Stylus corded handset cut-outs offering a simplified upgrade path. The handset charges in the cradle via Power over Ethernet (PoE) or 28V power. The handset has Nickel-metal Hydride (MiMH) batteries to make certification easier and uses smart power management technology. Smart technology allows the handset to configure itself when placed in the cradle, retaining passenger preferences, regardless of the handset's location in the cabin before takeoff.
The political math is not complicated. The U.S. government and most of the states are broke. Most people don't own aircraft. So, there won't be a populist revolt if in their quest for more revenue the IRS and counterparts at the state level target business aircraft for audits.
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) is offering a video series targeted at aircraft appraisers and the aircraft finance market that provides an in-depth look at critical maintenance issues for engines and airframes, and how they directly relate to the valuation of business jet aircraft. It's divided into five one-hour modules and is available at www.jetsupport.com.
FreeFlight Systems has developed an ADS-B Out upgrade for Garmin's GTX 330 Mode S transponder. FreeFlight, which signed a technology licensing agreement with Garmin, is interfacing its Model 1201 WAAS/GPS sensor with the GTX 330 to provide an additional 1090 MHz Extended Squitter (1090ES) ADS-B Out upgrade. The system, tested during the FAA's ADS-B Capstone Program, meets ADS-B and RNP accuracy, integrity and availability requirements worldwide.
