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.
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.
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.
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).
Dubai World Central (DWC) has signed an MOU with Aircraft Support Industries (ASI), the Australian firm that specializes in developing aircraft maintenance facilities, systems and equipment, to jointly provide clients with build-to-suit and related services in the design, development and construction of aircraft hangar and maintenance facilities at DWC's Aviation District.
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?
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.
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.
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.
FlightSafety International is adding Bombardier Challenger 605 training its Greater Philadelphia/Wilmington Learning Center beginning in April. The Wilmington Learning Center currently houses 15 full-flight simulators that provide training for the Bombardier Challenger 300, Challenger 604 and Global Express; Dassault Falcon 50 and Falcon 900; Gulfstream GIV, GV, G200 and G550; Hawker Premier 1A, 700, 800XP; as well as the IAI Astra and Westwind aircraft.
FL Technics Jets, provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services for business aviation, announced plans to triple its business with the ambitious aim of become the largest MRO center for business aviation in Europe.
Aireon, which is developing a global air traffic surveillance network using satellites instead of ground stations, is forming an eight-member advisory panel to involve airlines and other stakeholders in the effort. The committee will include representatives from airlines, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and air navigation service providers (ANSPs).
Dubai's Empire Aviation Group has inagurated management services for private aircraft owners in India. The company in December assumed management responsibility for its first business jet, a Bombardier Challenger 300 based at HAL International Airport in Bengaluru. Empire also is in negotiations to manage three more aircraft and plans to have five aircraft under management in India by mid-2013.
Signature Flight Support appears to have won a competition to develop and operate a 29-acre FBO facility at Mineta San José International Airport (SJC). A selection committee will recommend Signature Flight Support be awarded a 50-yr. lease on the airport's west side for the development. With SJC airport staff's report to the Airport Competitiveness Committee Feb. 22, the proposal evaluation process is complete. The airport will present its recommendation to the San José City Council in early spring.
The Part 23 Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), formed a year ago to draft recommendations to rewrite FAR Part 23 certification rules, has held its final meeting and the recommendations are 85-90% complete, says Greg Bowles, co-chair for the working group and director of engineering for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. The recommendations could be completed in either late winter or early spring, several months ahead of the intended schedule.
Cambridge Airport is offering free landing to all operators who purchase between 5,000 and 10,000 litres of fuel. For operators purchasing over 10,001 litres, further heavy discounting will be offered. The promotion will run until the end of 2013. ExecuJet Europe is celebrating its first anniversary at Cambridge. The company's first full-service FBO in the U.K., has expanded its services during the past year and has seen an increase in aircraft movements. In June 2012, it launched the U.K.'s first free pet travel service (PETS), which has proved popular with clients.
Rockwell Collins' 1964 Sabreliner 50 flight test aircraft has a new home — the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Ore. The museum houses the Howard Hughes H-4 Hercules “Spruce Goose.” Rockwell Collins acquired the Sabreliner, N50CR, in 1976 and used it to test some of its most significant commercial and military avionics development programs. The aircraft was flown about 8,000 hr. with more than 5,000 landings.
Esterline CMC Electronics (CMC) has been awarded contracts by Pilatus Aircraft to supply its latest generation CMA-9000 Flight Management System, SparrowHawk HUD sub-system as well as its Up Front Control Panel for fleets of PC-21 turboprop training aircraft selected by two international customers. The CMA-9000 and SparrowHawk have been selected by all current PC-21 fleet operators.
User charges stand a fair chance of enactment — “We are much more hopeful about this program than in the past,” one tope official told BCA. The administration is asking for a three-cent-per-gallon general aviation fuel tax (one cent more than the current rate), an extension of the two-cent-per-gallon airline tax to jet fuels, and a continuation of the present “temporary” 5% passenger ticket and air-freight waybill levy, to be effective next January 1.
Piper Aircraft Inc. ended 2012 with increased annual revenue from new aircraft sales of $148,968,967, up more than 13% from $131,263,539 in 2011. The revenue increase was a result of a 16% rise in new Piper deliveries to 158 aircraft in 2012 from 136 the previous year. “We stabilized the manufacturing and delivery of new aircraft throughout the year as our initiative to level-load factory production continued to meet with success. At the same time, our overall aircraft deliveries rose faster than the rest of the industry,” said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott.
Kathleen E. Bangs (Honda Aircraft Co. Greensboro, N.C. )
I just read “The Alabama Bet” about Al Ueltschi (Viewpoint, December 2012). Very good, as always. And as always, I learned something — namely — the meaning of the word “macadam” (after I Googled it). Honda Aircraft Co. Greensboro, N.C.
