The NTSB is seeking a ban on “non-operational” use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) for pilots while flying under FAR Part 135 and 91 Subpart K. The recommendation was one of nine the safety board issued following its investigation of the Aug. 26, 2011 crash of an Air Methods Eurocopter AS350 B2 helicopter that was on an emergency medical services (EMS) mission.
A Saab Remote Tower (r-TWR ) system under testing for Avinor, Norway's Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), at Værøy Heliport has passed its Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) milestone under SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) test and validation trials. The r-TWR system provides Avinor Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) officers at the Bodø Remote Tower Center (RTC) with high-resolution video of daily helicopter operations at Værøy. Saab's r-TWR system uses video, audio and other sensors to provide a continual, comprehensive view out of an air traffic tower.
Despite a serious five-year setback in helicopter sales during the latest recession, aviation forecasters are predicting a slow but steady growth starting this year and continuing through the coming decade. The Teal Group, a Fairfax, Va., research/analyst organization, reported in its August 2012 “World Military & Civil Aircraft Briefing” that while deliveries of civil helicopters fell 19% by value in 2008-2011, with a projected 6.6% drop when 2012 figures come in, it predicted 9,526 deliveries worth $53.5 billion to civil operators through 2021.
Robert E. Breiling Associates has released the 2012 Business Turbine Aircraft Accident Review providing a comprehensive guide to business aviation safety and an in-depth analysis of turbine business aircraft accidents and incidents in 2012 involving the world fleet. For more information, or to order, visit the Breiling Associates website.
Hangar Design and Supply Looking for help with your next hangar project? The NBAA 2012 Buyers Guide has a search function to point you to Hangar Sales, Design and Construction suppliers. Visit the NBAA website (www.nbaa.org), enter “Hangar Design” in the search bar and click. Check out suppliers that have experience with hangar designs that are similar to what you are looking for. Be sure to thoroughly check out all references. Hangars are a big investment and you want to find the most-qualified team to ensure that you get the best barn for your buck.
FAA said it will delay the closure of all 149 federal contract air traffic control towers until June 15. March 22, the FAA announced it would eliminate funding for these towers as part of the agency's required $637 million budget cuts under sequestration. A phased, four-week closure process was scheduled to begin April 7. Now, the FAA will close the facilities June 15 unless the airports decide to continue operations as a nonfederal contract tower.
Nick Nelson (Interlaken Capital Aviation Services Inc. )
Thanks for all the great ideas in “Tips on Scheduling International Trips” (January 2013, page 38). It was packed with info that's helped me quite a bit as I transition from a fractional jet company dispatcher to FAR Part 91 flight coordinator. Over the past few months I've come to learn that Part 91 ops are a whole different animal and information like this really helps out “rookies” like me. I'm looking forward to future articles. Interlaken Capital Aviation Services Inc.
Rumors of the death of aircraft finance were greatly exaggerated. Aircraft finance is still around. Like everything else in the industry, aircraft finance has grown a little older, a little wiser and much more timid about taking risks.
Dassault Falcon will hold a series of Regional Maintenance & Operations (M&O) seminars in 2013. Six seminars have already taken place. The remaining seminars are planned for: May 2 in Dallas; May 14 in Toronto; May 16 in Mahwah, N.J.; May 22 in Toluca, Mexico; and June 12 in Sao Paul, Brazil. These seminars provide Falcon operators an opportunity to communicate directly with Dassault's specialists, engineering teams and pilots on a variety of topics.
The Canadian Coast Guard has a requirement for up to 16 light helicopters, with the option of an additional four. The Canadian Department of Fisheries & Oceans, the umbrella agency for the Coast Guard, issued a tender for the aircraft on April 3. It is looking for procurement proposals by June. The Canadian Coast Guard currently operates a fleet of 22 helicopters including MBB Bo105s, Bell 206L LongRangers and Bell 212s.
EPIC Aviation has chosen to partner with NATA Safety 1st to provide training to its branded FBOs. EPIC and UVair FBO Network locations will receive comprehensive training in an easy to administer, self-paced and self-directed online platform. All locations will have access to the full range of NATA Safety 1st training products at special network pricing, including the Professional Line Service Training and the new Supervisor Online training program, which is FAA approved to meet the requirements of 14 CFR Part 139.321.
General aviation groups are expressing their frustration that the Obama administration's fiscal 2014 budget resurrects controversial proposals such as user fees and business aircraft depreciation extensions, saying that combined with planned contract tower reductions, it gives the appearance of “a widespread attack on general aviation.” “It is unfortunate, but not surprising, that the constant negative rhetoric about business aviation from the White House has once again translated into an onerous policy position from the administration,” says NBAA President and CEO Ed Bole
The FAA on April 9 streamlined the medical certification process for pilots with certain medical conditions that previously required special issuance authorizations. Now an AME can issue a normal duration medical certificate at the time of examination if the pilot provides adequate documentation showing good control of the condition. Details are posted on the AOPA website.
“Ambulatory Care” (Viewpoint, March 2013) is very timely with aircraft going longer and longer. It reminds me of my early days as a junior copilot with Pan Am on DC-6s and 7s — especially the Africa trips. We would depart Lisbon, Spain, headed for Johannesburg and as the junior pilot — we had three pilots and two engineers — I got bunk time first and during daylight. Naturally, you couldn't sleep as you came in the night before from the U.S.
The Obama administration's fiscal 2014 budget plan halves its previously proposed cuts to federal grants for airport improvements by narrowing the reduction's impact primarily to large hub airports. But the administration also wants to impose a new cost on airports, and it still is counting on an unlikely increase in the airport passenger facility charge (PFC) to help offset the reduction in grant money.
Cessna offered early retirement to employees 55 years of age and over who are not involved in aircraft production. According to a company spokeswoman, Cessna does not have a target number for the voluntary retirements, but rather is seeking to decrease indirect costs, overall. Voluntary retirees had until April 12 to apply.
House lawmakers have drafted a bill to preserve funding slated to be cut from the contract air traffic control tower program. Reps. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) and Richard Hudson (R- N.C.) on April 10 introduced a bill, H.R.1432, the Air Traffic Control Tower Funding Restoration Act, designed to continue funding for the program. The bill would use unobligated funds within the current FAA budget to pay for the program.
Bell Helicopter unveiled a third-generation tiltrotor, the V-280 Valor as a candidate for the Joint Multi-Role/Future Vertical Lift Technology Demonstrator (JMR/TD), at the 2013 Army Aviation Association of America Forum and Exposition in Fort Worth, Texas. At the show, Bell officials said that the new design may also be a strong candidate for commercial applications, although the version presented has a very “Army-centric” feature set.
“Analysis: Gulfstream G650” (April 2013) was very informative and the online video was a great addition. I just wanted to bring to your attention that the cockpit photo in the article was of a G550 not a 650. Please keep up the good work on your great magazine, which I am sure all subscribers look forward to receiving each month. Northolt Airport, London
Many of us have been ingrained with the idea that whenever an approach or landing starts going awry, the right thing to do is to go around. But the fact is that sometimes that's not the safest action.
