I would like to express ICAO's gratitude to BCA, and especially David Esler, for the recent “NOTAMs in Transition” (January 2013, page 24) for which he had interviewed our technical officer in this area, Mike Hohm. I don't think I've ever seen anyone capture the topic as well as Esler did and I was particularly impressed with how he took a very technical and challenging subject and presented it in a clear, interesting way. It was heartening to see Hohm's insights and contributions on behalf of our organization given their due in such a well-written piece.
The Model 560 Citation family is the fastest and farthest flying group of light jets built by Cessna under the original Citation 500 type certificate. The Citation V was first to arrive in 1988, followed by the Citation Ultra in 1994 with slightly more thrust, then the Citation Encore in 2001 and finally the Citation Encore+ in 2007 through early 2010.
Your comments in “Ambulatory Care” (Viewpoint, March 2013, page 7) about people still being the same while technology flies are apropos. We all worry about the delicate balance pilots seek between wanting to please the boss and stretching the hours beyond normal endurance. Unfortunately, none of us came equipped with “alertness and reaction time” meters. But wouldn't that be great?
Jet Aviation Hong Kong has received FAA approval to perform line and base maintenance on Gulfstream G650 aircraft. Jet Aviation Hong Kong is the latest Jet Aviation facility authorized to provide maintenance, alterations and repair services for the new ultra-long-range, ultra-high-speed business jet. The Hong Kong maintenance facility also supports Gulfstream 400/450/500/550 aircraft.
For several years, optimists have been predicting that a recovery in the used business aircraft market was imminent. Conversely, skeptics believe that the huge inventory of previously owned airplanes will continue to depress prices. Could both be right? As spring began, the experts seemed divided.
Are you nuts? iPad airplanes!?! (“Who's Up Front?” February 2013, page 9) That would be a terrorist's dream and a national security nightmare (I assume you've heard of computer hackers). Having logged over 14,000 hr. in military fighters, airline jumbos and corporate jets, it's a fact that a computer will never replace a pilot, his judgment, his experience and his ability to adjust to a changing environment and emergencies in a passenger-carrying aircraft. I hope you live long enough to be the first volunteer on the maiden flight.
Gulfstream Aerospace introduced a mobile version of its Nonstop magazine. The app is available as a free download from the Apple App Store. The magazine was introduced in 2011 and targets Gulfstream aircraft owners, business travelers and aviation professionals, and includes features on the business of aviation, business and leisure travel, and lifestyle topics for a wide audience. Visit the App Store on iPad or www.itunes.com/appstore. Gulfstream Aerospace www.gulfstream.com
Rockwell Collins delivered its 20,000th air transport weather radar system, a MultiScan Threat Detection System — on a new Next-Generation Boeing 737. The fully automatic airborne weather radar system combines the up-to-date weather science with advanced engineering concepts to identify and analyze thunderstorm cells, and display the actual weather threat. All new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Boeing 747-800s and Boeing Business Jets delivered today come standard equipped with Rockwell Collins' MultiScan.
The FAA'S $928 million in proposed fiscal 2014 NextGen Facilities and Equipment (F&E) spending includes 25 funded line items, 15 of which either gain funding or maintain the level of fiscal 2012, the agency's last full year of spending. Among fiscal 2014's potential big gainers compared to fiscal 2012: $65 million for En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) D position upgrade and system enhancements — up from $0; and $24 million each for the NextGen Weather Processor (NWP) and the Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) programs, each up from $0 two years ago.
On March 23, the U.S. Senate adopted its first budget proposal in four years The White House lauded the Democratic-led plan, saying it would eliminate “special tax breaks and loopholes for the wealthiest Americans to reduce the deficit.” Earlier that week, the Republican-led House adopted its own budget, outlining plans to cut $5 trillion and balance a budget over the next decade.
Beechcraft's venerable King Air fleet has surpassed 60 million flight hours. More than 7,000 of the twin turboprops are operated in 127 countries worldwide, and are flown by all U.S. military branches. Beechcraft has seen a strengthening market for its turboprops, delivering 85 of its King Air 350is, 250s and C90GTxs in 2012.
NBAA submitted comments opposing the FCC's renewed call to prohibit the manufacture, sale, importation or use of 121.5 MHz ELTs. In a Jan. 30 proposed rule, the FCC again provided notice of its desire to prohibit the use of ELTs that transmit only on 121.5 MHz, favoring instead the use of ELTs that transmit on 406 MHz. NBAA advocated that operators be able to use installed 121.5 MHz ELTs until the end of the equipment's useful life and be able to make the decision to upgrade their aircraft's ELT when it makes sense for the operator to do so.
Alison Price On Air, London, appointed Jamie Cairns head chef. He will work with Managing Director Daniel Hulme to support the increasing business activity at the inflight dining provider.
While the majority of helicopter manufacturers have focused their attention and development funds on ever heavier and technologically advanced machines, Robinson Helicopter Co. has become a significant rotary wing builder by serving the opposite spectrum.
AOPA Online reports a record 223 members of Congress have stepped up to mount an attack against aviation user fees. The House members sent a letter to President Barack Obama April 5 stating that user fees are the “wrong approach,” the association said. The letter preceded the April 10 release of the Obama administration 2014 budget, which indeed contained a $100 per flight fee for many operations in controlled airspace. But with the level of opposition in congress, user fees are unlikely to be in a final budget.
True Blue Power received an FAR Part 25 STC for installation of the TS835 Series in Learjet 35/36 models and a Part 27 STC for installation in BK 117 and EC145 helicopters. The company amended a Part 23 Approved Model List STC to include more than 20 aircraft models, including the Beech King Air and Pilatus PC-12. The TS835 is now approved as a direct replacement for the J.E.T. PS-835 and PS-855 lead-acid batteries. The power supply uses the same rack, connector, wire harness and OFF/ARM/TEST switch.
Cessna rolled out the 400th production CJ3 light business jet Mar. 25 from its production facility in Wichita, Kan. The CJ3 is in its ninth year of service. The eight-passenger aircraft is powered by two Williams FJ44-3A engines and is certified for single pilot operations. The CJ3 can fly non-stop from New York to Miami, Los Angeles to Chicago, London to Moscow, or Beijing to Manila. Maximum range is 1,875 nm, with a ceiling of 45,000 ft.
The Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE2013), which opened April 16 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, was on pace to draw at least the same if not more attendees as last year's event as we go to press. ABACE returned in 2012 after a five-year hiatus, drawing 6,375 attendees, nearly triple the 2,200 who attended the previous event in 2007. The attendance, which exceeded expectations, underscored the rapid growth of business aviation in the region. This year, early registrations appear to be slightly ahead of last year's event.
Feb. 8 — Approximately 1245 CST, a North American Medore SNJ-4 (N2269U) was substantially damaged during a forced landing south of Garden City, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a VFR ferry flight. The flight departed San Antonio and was en route to Midland, Texas.
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has acquired 100% of the share capital of FlairJet Ltd., the London Oxford Airport-based aircraft management and charter company. FlairJet will become part of the Group's newly formed Aviation Services business unit and will continue to be led by Managing Director and founder, David Fletcher. In its third year of operation, FlairJet will complement Cambridge Airport-based operator Marshall Executive Aviation (MEA). The acquisition extends the service offering of the recently formed JETability brand.
