NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman concedes the agency was surprised by a Safety Board study that did not find a measurable improvement in the safety records of general aviation aircraft with glass cockpits. 'We didn't see that safety gain that we thought we would,” she says, adding one of the challenges is the familiarity with the technology. The findings underscored the need for pilots with glass cockpits to be fully trained on the technology. But she does not rule out future safety gains.
The pressurized de Havilland DH 125 was rolled out in a record 16 months after initial design. The company expects the six-passenger jet will clear a 35-ft. obstacle from a 3,000-ft. runway at 19,000 lb. max takeoff. Despite the executive jet design, DH 125 is being pushed hard as a military trainer, liaison and radar trainer, with the RAF weighing the purchase of 30 units. Standard version would be about $420,000.
Anti-Authority “No one tells me what to do!” Impulsiveness “I (we) need to do something about this now!” Invulnerability “It can't happen to me!” Macho “Watch this!” Resignation “We're doomed!” Pressing “I've got somewhere I need to be!” Ego/Vanity “I'd rather die than look bad!”
Are you determined to land your aircraft on this approach, regardless, or are you prepared to execute a go-around if any flight crewmember feels threatened? The mantra of stabilized approach has been preached for decades by the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), among others: Configured for landing, on speed, on course, on glidepath and on descent rate, plus power or thrust set at a stable level and primary flight controls in trim.
The trip began badly. Collecting my carry-on, I realized I'd made it through security with my feet still snug in my shoes. “Change in policy?” I asked the surprised TSAer, pointing down to my footwear. “No,” he scowled, “You can keep your shoes on if you're over 75.” I stared hard at the *#+@! for a few long seconds, and moved on.
Constant Aviation LLC has opened a landing gear repair and overhaul facility at its Birmingham, Ala., location. The facility will begin servicing Beechjet 400A/XP landing gear and expand to include the Embraer Legacy 600 and Hawker 800A/XP aircraft in the coming months. With an initial investment of about $500,000 in tooling, equipment and inventory, the facility is fully functional and delevered its first set of overhauled landing gear in late June, according to Stephen Maiden, president of Constant Aviation. Constant Aviation
TrueNorth Avionics has introduced its multilingual Stylus handset. The Stylus features a sleek design, high-definition audio and unique personalization options with many choices of finishes, inlays and themes. The TrueNorth Stylus is complemented by the MyStylus iPhone app, which brings the convenience and functionality of the Stylus to the iPhone, according to the company. The unit has been available since June and serves as a plug-in replacement for TrueNorth's current handsets.
Pilatus Business Aircraft has named Landmark Aviation at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Municipal Airport an authorized service facility for the PC-12 business turboprop. Landmark's facility will serve as a satellite service center in the southwestern United States, under the Pilatus sales and service region managed by Colorado-based Tempus Aircraft Sales and Service.
The Internal Revenue Service has permanently put in place deduction rules involving the use of business aircraft for entertainment purposes, providing little relief to industry on the scope or implementation. In 2004, Congress mandated that the IRS close the gap between what an employee counts as compensation from entertainment-related flights and what a company deducts for its corporate aircraft operations. The NBAA had urged the IRS to reconsider its approach on both the scope and reporting requirements.
To encourage flight crews to think about actions they would take in the event of a contingency, international procedures expert Dave Stohr, president of Air Training International, provided a sample list of items that would need attention if it were necessary to depart an organized track or a random route. Other items could be added.
Argus July 2012 TRAQPak data show business aircraft activity flat month-over-month, and year-over-year. TRAQPak data indicate that July 2012 business aircraft flight activity decreased from June 2012 at 1.1% overall. The results by operational category were all down from the previous month, with the exception of fractional activity, which posted a month-over-month increase of 3.3%. Operational categories: FAR Part 91, down 2.4%; Part 135, down 1.0%; fractional, up 3.3%.
Perhaps as the GWX design is firmed up and growth models are introduced, something will be added, making the identification of extreme intensity precipitation simple. In the meantime, here are a couple pilot's tricks to identify those “worse than bad” thunderstorms.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Thomas Petri (R-Wis.) wrote acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta asking the agency to reconsider its recent rule to mandate what had been voluntary helicopter routes over Long Island, N.Y. They asserted that the rule was “seemingly based solely on noise complaints as opposed to safety of flight.” The mandatory routes were debated at length during the House/Senate conference on the FAA reauthorization but were rejected, the lawmakers note.
I read with great concern the accolades being used to describe former FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt (Intelligence, June 2012) in regard to his return to aviation consulting. I must take issue with the praise being given Babbitt in terms of his contribution to advancing aviation safety.
American Eurocopter announced that California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (CALSTAR), with headquarters at McClellan, Calif., will purchase up to eight EC135 helicopters. CALSTAR operates nine full-time bases in northern and central California and is the largest nonprofit air ambulance provider on the west coast. With this order, it will replace older aircraft and become an all-Eurocopter operator.
NetJets already is beginning to see possible returns from its new fleets, says Patrick Gallagher, senior vice president and head of sales for the fractional ownership provider. After announcing orders in June for midsize cabins — including the Cessna Citation Latitude and Challenger 300 series — the number of inquires on the Web and calls tripled, he says, adding that “customers are excited to see us reinvest in our business.”
Baker Aviation's new maintenance facility at Addison Airport (KADS) has been named a certified repair station by the FAA. Baker, the only certified repair station at KADS, is a full-service private aircraft charter, management and maintenance company licensed to provide professional aviation services in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
NBAA membership has topped 9,000 companies, reflecting a growth rate of 25% in recent years. “Our membership growth is testimony to the value of business aviation and the NBAA's role in representing this essential industry,” said Ed Bolen, NBAA president and CEO. “Now more than ever, businesses depend on the use of aircraft to remain nimble, competitive and successful in a highly challenging global marketplace, and we are proud to advocate for their interests.” The NBAA was established in 1947 with 19 charter members.
ExcelAire has added three private jets to its managed fleet: a Cessna Citation Sovereign, a Learjet 60 and a Gulfstream GIII. A Hawthorne Global Aviation Services company, ExcelAire specializes in worldwide jet charters, aircraft management, maintenance and sales. The company maintains office and hangar space at Long Island MacArthur Airport, with aircraft based throughout the Northeast and Midwest U.S.
Pan Am International Flight Academy now has an agreement with Carnegie Speech to aid in the company's Aviation English training. Carnegie's patented language learning technology will be used at the Academy's training centers in the U.S. and abroad to increase English proficiency within the aviation field. To help students meet and surpass the ICAO requirements (known as Operational Level 4), Pan Am integrates Carnegie Speech's “NativeAcccent” technology and “Climb Level 4 Aviation English” software with their programs.
Aug. 7 — About 0845 CST, a Bell 214ST (N409SB) experienced a loss of tail rotor authority near Avalon, Texas. The pilots were not injured during the precautionary landing; however, the helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was owned and operated by Bell Helicopter Textron of Fort Worth. VFR conditions prevailed for the local flight operating without a flight plan. An initial report from the commercial pilot to the responding FAA inspector stated that they had departed Arlington Municipal Airport (KGKY) on a test and evaluation flight.
The “bible” for operations over the high seas is ICAO Document 4444, Section 15, which delineates general oceanic contingency procedures. An accompanying reference is ICAO Document 7030, which covers supplementary (unique) procedures applying to the eight ICAO regions. These two can be purchased through ICAO's main website in paper or online subscriptions at www.icao.int/publications/catalog. (They are not presented gratis on the ICAO website as FARs are on the FAA website and must be purchased. However, the full set is included in a Jeppesen JeppView subscription.)
Real Clean Aviation Products has introduced Turbine Soot Master, a carbon soot cleaner and degreaser. According to the company it is designed to effectively address carbon exhaust buildup and staining that occurs on most turboprop aircraft. The product's streak-free formula dissolves carbon, grease and oil with very little effort. Soot Master is rinse-free and does not require the use of any water. Spray it on and wipe the surface clean with a microfiber or terry cloth. View the video at www.youtube.com/RealCleanAircraft
In July, Manassas Regional Airport (HEF), Virginia's largest regional airport, began construction to extend its longest runway by an extra 500 ft., to 6,200 ft. The five-phase project is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2012. In the meantime, runway length availability will be reduced to 5,000 ft., with a threshold displacement of 700 ft. In the last 30 days, there will be a further reduction to 4,700 ft. Check NOTAMs.
