FlightSafety's release of its eLearning 2012/2013 Cold Weather Operations Course is available for the iPad. The course has been updated on an annual basis since it was first introduced six years ago. This interactive, rich media course can be taken either from a personal computer or an Apple iPad. A learning management system (LMS) tracks progress, so users can stop, resume the course and/or switch from a computer to an iPad. The system picks up from the last slide.
Bombardier's Business Aviation division enjoyed gains across the board with orders jumping 80% in 2012. Bombardier received 343 net orders in 2012, compared with 191 a year earlier. Bombardier's business jet deliveries, meanwhile, were relatively flat in 2012 at 179 aircraft. The manufacturer delivered 163 aircraft in 2011, but that only reflects activity of the final 11 months (an accounting change to a calendar fiscal year shortened the 2011 reporting time frame). The 2012 deliveries were actually at about the same pace — only slightly increased from 2011.
HeliFlite has purchased its third Sikorsky S-76 helicopter in executive passenger configuration. The purchase is the second aircraft acquired in 2012 by the 14-yr.-old company. The HeliFlite fleet now includes four Bell 430 and three Sikorsky S-76 executive helicopters. HeliFlite exclusively operates twin-engine and dual-piloted cabin-class aircraft, equipped with state of the art avionics.
I would like to thank you for “Post-emergency Procedures in Oceanic Airspace” (September 2012), an excellent story. Jetflite is doing a couple of North Atlantic crossings per year. So, it's not so routine for us as it is for the scheduled carriers. Of course we are doing in-house training to be current in the NAT area. I feel that your article would be very useful for recurrent training. Training Manager
Skyvision Xtreme, LLC released its Generation 2 (G2) Portable, a fully transportable ADS-B transceiver system for use with iOS, Android and Windows devices with Wi-Fi capability. It features a sleek new enclosure made of highly durable plastic, which decreases the weight from over 11 lb. to 7 lb. Customers can purchase the G2 Portable with an optional battery backup that notifies users of power loss or interruption. The system includes the Xtreme Vision display software to provide 3-D Synthetic Traffic display (patent pending) with 360-deg.
The National Business Aviation Association announced the introduction of a new digital edition of Business Aviation Insider, the organization's official member magazine. Starting with the January/February 2013 issue, all NBAA member employees will have access to all digital issues in additional to the traditional option for printed subscriptions. The digital edition can be used on a desktop computer or almost any mobile device, and has added functionality, including the ability to embed audio, video, slide shows and other multimedia features. It is free to members.
The Republic of South Africa's government, the continent's southernmost nation has been open for business, both regionally and internationally, and trade has been deemed “vital.”
Bombardier still plans to begin delivery of the Learjet 85, its largest and first mostly composite Learjet, by year-end, but first flight has not yet occurred. Bombardier is hoping the new aircraft will hit the market as it turns up for lighter aircraft.
Eurocopter is taking over the aerospace activities of French automotive chassis builder Hueliez. The deal was signed on Dec. 21 and became effective this month. It plans to integrate Heuliez into Societe HAS (Helicoptère Aerostructure Services) — a wholly owned subsidiary of the European helicopter manufacturer, which is owned by EADS. The work will continue at Heuliez's facilities at Cerizay near Nantes, securing 49 jobs.
Colorado-based Air Methods has ordered a total of 42 new helicopters from Bell and American Eurocopter. Bell won a contract for 20 407GX aircraft. American Eurocopter received an order for 10 EC-130T2s, six AS350B3e and six EC-135P2e helicopters. American Eurocopter is the largest operator of helicopters for emergency air medical transport in the U.S.
Business aviation veteran Jim Christiansen joined FlightSafety International as vice president, international business development. Christiansen will look for opportunities to expand FlightSafety's programs and services globally. He joins FlightSafety after serving as vice president of sales for Hawker Beechcraft, where he managed Hawker business jet sales in the Eastern U.S. He also spent nearly 10 yr. with NetJets in senior executive positions, including as president of NetJets Aviation and senior vice president, national accounts.
Kissimmee's Economic Development office announced that Italico Aviation USA, an airplane manufacturer, will open a manufacturing facility at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport in early 2013. The facility will manufacture light sport aircraft (LSAs) and the company plans to create 55 new positions over the next four years with more than $3.2 million in capital investment. The Kissimmee-based headquarters will also serve as Italico's research and development center. Sales and distribution for North and South America will be also handled from the Kissimmee facility.
Jeppesen now offers route planning capabilities that can be transferred between mobile devices and installed avionics to improve data access for general aviation pilots. The new route planning solution synchronizes smart-enabled devices with certified panel-mount avionics through the Aspen Avionics Connected Panel communication network. Jeppesen route planning data created with Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck on the iPad is then transmitted for review through Aspen's MFD 500 or 1000 units.
I read with interest “Radar in Winter Ops” (November 2012, page 86). You cite the World War II experience of RAF Bomber Command. More recently, Vietnam-era F-105 Thunderchief crews used an Autonetics NASARR R-14A radar. This was a monopulse set with good air-to-air capability, but it was normally employed in the air-to-ground mode where the pilot could obtain contour mapping or terrain-avoidance as well as ground-mapping from 13 to 80 mi. ahead.
Meridian Air Charter, headquartered at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey, will base a 9-passenger Citation XLS at Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) in Hayward, Calif. Meridian operates twenty-one managed aircraft based nationally from New York to California. Meridian Air Charter recently opened sales offices at San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Sonoma County Airport (STS) in California.
Just had to comment on “What Does the Boss Think About You?” (November 2012). I missed it until reading “Reader's Feedback” in the December issue and the reader's comments on it. I, too, think it is a great piece of work, but from a little different perspective. The letter writer's comments I see as straight up right from the muscle/business end with the truth and facts of the matter; you asked for it, and he delivered. Although what good it did to print it is another matter. Sometimes the truth should not be printed if it does no good.
KingAirNation is a social platform designed to connect anyone involved with the King Air aircraft, as well as provide information and articles related to the aircraft and services. Visit KingAirNation.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
MedAire released its newest Aircraft First Air Kit and Aircraft First Aid Rx. Key updates to the Aircraft First Aid Kit 1.0 include medications to address motion sickness, oral rehydration salts to address dehydration and a digital wrist blood pressure cuff to improve diagnostic accuracy in flight. The kit meets or exceeds FAR Parts 91, 121, 135, EU-OPS 1.745, Canada AOHS and HKCAD AN101E requirements. The Aircraft First Aid Kit Rx includes the enhancements listed above, as well as a bronchodilator and ondansetron to address nausea and vomiting.
Embraer completed the first flight of its Legacy 500 midsize business jet Nov. 27, but program delays have pushed the anticipated entry into service into 2014. The business jet, Embraer's first to have a complete fly-by-wire system, took off from the company's facility at Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil and flew for 1 hr. and 45 min. The aircraft was tested for handling and performance characteristics. The aircraft cleared a broader flight envelope than typical for a first flight because Embraer conducted extensive simulation and ground testing prior to the first flight.
Icarus has introduced the QRmount Quick Release iPad Yoke Mount for use in a wide range of aircraft equipped with an industry standard yoke chart holder. Mounts for all generations of the iPad, including the newest mini, are now available. The QRmount fits the standard OEM-equipped map holders in several families of twins, turboprops and jets including the TBM, Citation X and Sovereign, Challenger 300 and the Piaggio 180, among others. The mount can be ordered at www.qrmounts.com.
Avfuel-branded Hawthorne Global Aviation Services has reopened it FBO facility at Lakefront Airport (KNEW) in New Orleans, following an extensive renovation after Hurricane Isaac caused damage to the airport last fall. With the new terminal opening and hurricane repairs completed, the FBO is focusing the majority of its attention on the upcoming Super Bowl, scheduled for Feb. 3 in New Orleans. Lakefront is the closest airport to downtown New Orleans and the Superdome. Visit www.hawthorne.aero.
Cessna firmed up its agreement with Avic's China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company (Caiga) to produce Caravans in China and opened the possibility to jointly design and develop new utility turboprop models there in the future. Cessna's newly signed joint-venture contract with Caiga builds on an initial agreement that the two entities announced in May.
More than six dozen associations and companies from a range of industries are pushing lawmakers to extend 50% bonus depreciation for capital equipment purchases before it expires at the end of the year. A letter sent to House and Senate leaders this week warns that overall U.S. investment has rapidly declined every quarter since the third quarter of 2011 and almost half of the nation's largest investors are planning to curb capital expenses.
