The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has added Aircraft flight Coordinator Training to its online training programming. The AFCT is a certificate program that provides core flight coordinator knowledge with an emphasis on safety and technical expertise to assist crews with in-depth planning.
Pratt & Whitney engineers maintain that the United Technologies division bet the company on its geared turbofan (GTF) departure from conventional engine design because it promotes better optimization of shaft speeds and allows the fan to turn at lower rpm to reduce noise.
Rockwell Collins launched the latest enhancements to its Flight Manager website, which is an integral part of the company's Ascent flight information solution. The new features include dynamic graphical flight tracking and an electronic Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) for FAR Part 91 operators. The flight tracker uses a Google Maps platform to provide Rockwell Collins data link subscribers with a worldwide view of their aircraft's position in flight, as well as the flight path of completed and upcoming flights.
AgustaWestland announced that the fourth prototype of the new generation light intermediate AW169 helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight at AgustaWestland's Vergiate plant in Italy Feb. 7. The company says the AW169 program is on schedule to achieve civil certification in 2014. The first three AW169 prototypes have flown more than 150 flight hours to date. The fourth prototype, built in just 71 days, is in production configuration.
Lawmakers reintroduced bills in the U.S. House and Senate to establish flight paths and minimum altitudes for helicopter operations in Los Angeles County. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Feb. 4 introduced a bill in the House, while Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) are pushing similar legislation in the Senate.
Jan. 22 — About 1925 EST, a Cirrus Design Corp. SR20 (N140PG) operated by Epic Blue was heavily damaged after it deployed its Cirrus Airplane Parachute System (CAPS) while on approach to Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR), Danbury, Conn. The flight instructor, a private pilot, and a passenger were not injured. It was VFR and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Groton-New London Airport (GON), Groton, Conn.
Corporate Angel Network has transported its 42,000th patient. The flight carried one-year-old cancer patient Alexander Hopper home to the Denver area after he received treatment for Retinoblastoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. The milestone flight was operated by Ball Corporation, a CAN participating company since 1985. The charity arranges about 250 patient flights each month.
Six years ago when the plethora of new 10K business jet engines was emerging, one of the contenders was Rolls-Royce's RB282, at the time destined for a super-midsize aircraft proposed by Dassault Aviation and identified only as “SMS.”
SkyVector launched it World FBO Directory on the company online chart viewer. Pilots can view and use worldwide aeronautical charts, graphical weather depictions and flight planning tools. The FBO Directory integrates into SkyVector's mapping interface displaying real-time fuel prices on the charts in relevant currencies and units of measure. Users can filter for FBO features and facilities including participation in fuel card programs or amenities offered.
The industry is watching Boeing's 787 tests to determing the future of lithium ion battery technology in the business aviation fleet. Such batteries offer very high energy density along with low weight, but the risk of overheating and even fire must be addressed if any business aviation aircraft can be certified with the batteries. One of the Boeing's two dedicated test 787s, ZA005, made the first electrical system check flight on Feb.
Satcom Direct, a provider of satellite voice, fax, datalink and Internet communications solutions, has introduced its own Satcom Direct Router (SDR), a next-generation aircraft network router to enable business and military aviation customers to manage all cabin communications systems onboard their aircraft and simultaneously use multiple satellite connections. This allows simultaneous use of Inmarsat, SwiftBroadband, Swift 64, Ku-Band and Ka-Band satellite connections with intelligent traffic control, along with Wi-Fi access and 3G/4G cellular network connectivity.
Since Embraer began certification flight trials of its new Legacy 500 midsize business jet on Nov. 27, the first test aircraft has accrued 32 hr. in 17 flights as of the end of January. Embraer says the aircraft is “behaving well” with systems, flight qualities and performance all as expected. The company added a second aircraft to the flight program in February with a third to follow soon after.
Sandeep R. Pillay (Deputy Chief Engineer Deccan Charters Private Ltd. Juhu Aerodrome Mumbai, India )
“Drain the Tank Sumps” (Cause & Circumstance, September 2012, page 57) was well received by everyone who read it here. I also circulated a picture of an actual fuel sample from a King Air B200 tank with it on my Facebook page. Check it out at www.facebook.com/GoodAircraftMaintenancePractices where I share information of use to my industry peers. It's being followed by aircraft maintainers as well as flight crews at several companies in India.
Eurocopter's (nee Aerospatiale's) AS350C/D AStar first entered the market in 1977 powered by a comparatively anemic and chronically sick Lycoming LTS101 turboshaft engine, but the basic design elements, including its three-blade, Starflex main rotor system, wide cabin and smooth ride were there from the beginning. Less than one year after introduction, it was up–graded with the more powerful and considerably more reliable Turbomeca Arriel 1, and reborn as AS350B.
Pilots soon will be able to control many avionics and aircraft systems by touching panel and console screens in much of the same way as they use their smart phones and PDAs. Avionics and airframe makers rapidly are embracing this proven user interface because, in most instances, it's easier to touch, tap, scroll and stretch screen icons and images with your fingertips than it is to use a multifunction control display unit (MCDU) or point-and-click cursor control device (CCD).
Sherwin-William Aerospace Coatings is now providing an extensive program for the aviation maintenance repair operation industry. The company provides a hands-on training experience that includes everything from applying new chrome and lead hazard free surface treatments and primer systems, to spraying the latest in technology-driven high-quality topcoats. Training will include work with SKYscapes, the new Sherwin-Williams basecoat/clearcoat polyurethane exterior paint system.
It had all begun when the doc said, “Turn and cough,” followed long seconds later by, “Hmmmm,” something he'd never said before. The diagnosis, alas: a hernia. Normally, it's no big deal and can be monitored for years, he said. But then again, things can go bad quickly, at which point it's 911 and sirens. I chose to be proactive. A grown-up. That was before. Now with less than 24 hr. to showtime, the kid in me was worried. How much will this hurt?
International Communications Group, Inc., (ICG) has completed the testing and received the Iridium Certified Equipment (ICE) designation for its NxtLink ICS-220A Iridium Communications System. The approval acknowledges that the unit has fulfilled the requirements and functionality specified by Iridium for interfacing with its on-orbit satellite constellation. The ICS-220A is a three-transceiver device that combines dual LBTs providing two channels of global voice with a Short Burst Data (SBD) modem dedicated to data link services.
The FAA is calling for horizontal stabilator control system inspections on more than 34,000 older Piper piston aircraft. In an airworthiness directive (AD) published in the Feb. 4 Federal Register, the agency is mandating inspections and repair or replacement of damaged or corroded control cable assembly parts on Piper PA-28, PA-32, PA-34 and PA-44 (Cherokees, Warriors, Archers, Lances, Saratogas, Senecas and Seminoles) that are 15 years old or older.
Bombardier named ExecuJet Nigeria in Lagos a Line Maintenance Facility (LMF) for Challenger 300, Challenger 604,Challenger 605, Global 5000, Global 6000, Global Express and Global Express XRS business jets. Bombardier says the Lagos facility will complement ExecuJet's center in Lanseria, South Africa, which has been a Bombardier Authorized Service Facility (ASF) since 2002. The announcement brings the number of Bombardier ASFs and LMFs to more than 60 facilities worldwide. These are supported by nine Bombardier-owned service centers in North America and Europe.
Satcom Direct is taking their products for a ride across the country during June and July. The touring, regional road shows will be used to update current Satcom Direct customers on new products and features, including updates on new mobile applications, maintenance training and troubleshooting. They will also offer free training for flight departments who use Satcom Direct products and services. The training program includes about 3 hr. of classroom-type lectures with 2 hr. of hands-on troubleshooting and live testing. All hands-on work will be in their 40-ft.
