As aircraft become even more com–plex, we tend to focus on improving aircraft systems knowledge, often at the expense of learning more about other important topics such as fatigue, teamwork and communication. To help busy technicians and managers keep up to speed on the importance of human factors concerns in the hangar, the FAA has a website that has collected information and training ideas with maintainers in mind. It's worth a visit: https://hfskyway.faa.gov/hfskyway/index.aspx
NORTH Flight Data Systems of Arlington, Va., has received STC approval for the installation of their Lightweight Aircraft Recording (LARS) system in Eurocopter EC 155 series helicopters. Working with Metro Aviation, Inc., NORTH FDS integrated their voice, video and flight data recording system into the EC 155B1 airframe. The system provides six channels of audio, one channel of video, and in excess of 200 separate parameters of recorded digital aircraft data.
In the first quarter, Gulfstream saw 60% of new bookings come from the U.S. “That breaks a trend,” says company President Larry Flynn, noting that last year it was only 30%. “The U.S. is coming back strong,” he notes, with the pick up that began in the last quarter of 2011 appearing to last.
Great article on the IRS interpretation of the air transportation tax (Washington Watch, May 2012, page 68). No question that it is a huge overreach by IRS bureaucrats. My guess is that 90% of business aviation operators have never heard of this new ruling. Such is the value of BCA and the NBAA, otherwise we would already be priced out of the market. You do realize that you only wrote half of the article?
Bombardier revealed its Learjet 40XR and 45XR replacements at EBACE. The six-seat Learjet 70 and 8-seat Learjet 75 are both slated to enter service in the second half 2013. The new models will feature more thrust, improved takeoff performance, faster climb to cruise altitude, better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs. They will be powered by 3,850-lb. thrust Honeywell TFE731-40BR turbofans and have Bombardier's signature Vision cockpit layout featuring Garmin G5000 avionics. The Vision flight decks will feature three, 14-in.
Dassault Falcon has received a Supplemental Type Certificate to install ADS-B Out on Falcon 50EX's equipped with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics. The STC package involves replacing current transponders with upgraded units that support the new protocol, along with wiring and other related components. Installation can be carried out at any Dassault Service Center or Authorized Service Center. By itself, the upgrade takes about two weeks. But if performed in the course of a C-Check, it requires no additional downtime.
Rockwell Collins France is demonstrating a radar-based helicopter obstacle detection system to the French army as it talks to manufacturers about a related system to warn of rotor strikes when landing in confined spaces. Both systems use the same 13 GHz, Ku-band electronically scanned radar technology developed by the company's French operation. Other obstacle-detection systems are flying but use mechanically scanned radars or lidar sensors.
In aviation, maintainers face conflicts every day — in scheduling, resource access and prioritization, to name a few examples. Regardless, the end goal is to provide a safe and fully functioning aircraft in time for the mission. So, resolving conflicts quickly and equitably within the department is key, and the solution inevitably revolves around teamwork. The concept is easy, but the execution can be a challenge even for the best of managers.
In today's business aviation world and that includes civil government operations such as law enforcement — strict safety management is required to balance the risks versus benefits of any tactical operation.
When an aircraft crash catches the public eye, such as the 2005 Bombardier Challenger overrun in Teterboro, N.J., the long-term ramifications can be wide-ranging and costly to the entire industry.
The Longitude will be the launch platform for the Snecma Silvercrest, a clean-sheet 8,500- to 12,000-lb.-thrust turbofan that promises 15% better specific fuel consumption than current engines in this thrust class, along with a 50% margin to CAEP/6 NOx limits and 20% margin to FAR Part 36 Stage 4 noise limits. It will be rated for takeoff up to 11,000 lb. for the Longitude.
Embraer Executive Jet's entry-level aircraft, the Phenom 100, passed another program milestone when flight hours totaled 100,000, a little over 3 yr. since it entered service in December 2008. The 100,000-hr. mark comes after the company delivered the first U.S. produced Phenom 100 to Executive AirShare in December 2011 and the certification of an optional fifth seat a month earlier.
Bell Helicopter announced at EBACE that it completed deliveries of six of its newest aircraft in Europe during the month prior. Three Bell 407GX aircraft, the first of their kind in Europe, are operating in Belgium, Denmark and, most recently, Iceland. Bell also delivered three additional Bell 429 aircraft in Russia and Ukraine.
Argus TRAQPak data indicates that April 2012 business aircraft flight activity decreased from March (which is the typical annual trend), finishing the month down 4.4%. The only month-over-month increase came in the fractional turboprop sector, up 4.8%. Reviewing activity year- over-year (April 2012 vs. April 2011) TRAQPak observed a 1.3% increase in overall aircraft activity. April saw increases in most groups, with the exception of large-cabin aircraft, which finished down 4.9%.
Satcom Direct, of Satellite Beach, Fla., a provider of satellite voice, fax, datalink and Internet communications solutions, announced the opening of an international office located in Hangar 2 at TAG Farnborough Airport Farnborough, U.K. The new office will provide European customers with physical access to Satcom Direct's avionics and testing lab, training facility, and support services for pilots, flight operations and maintenance staff. Satcom Direct will also extend their wireless service to customer aircraft flying in to TAG Farnborough Airport.
Business jet makers are closely following Hawker Beechcraft's financial situation, and at least a few of them are saying they would be interested in picking up some or all of the company should it become available at the right terms. “We are evaluating how this thing is going to unfold,” Embraer CEO Frederico Curado told analysts during the release of the company's first-quarter results on April 27. “Maybe some of the assets could be of interest to Embraer. We just have to see how that develops.
Is this BARR 2.0? FAA released a proposal in May outlining permanent procedures for aircraft owners seeking to block their registration information from near-real-time flight tracking programs. FAA had restored the program — which had been called Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) — on an interim basis in December 2011 under the direction of Congress. In the fiscal 2012 transportation appropriations minibus bill signed into law Nov. 18, 2011, Congress mandated FAA to remove the restrictions from participation.
The first prototype of the AgustaWestland AW169 4.5 ton light intermediate helicopter made its maiden flight in May at the company's Cascina Costa plant in Italy. The flight included an assessment of the helicopter's general handling and basic systems. The first prototype will be joined by two more aircraft later this year and a fourth prototype in 2013. The company says the AW169 program is on schedule to achieve basic civil certification in 2014.
I read the safety articles in BCA with great interest, including “Flying Without Airspeed” (March 2012, page 34). It states, “We build airplanes that cannot stall,” and “The FBW system prevented the stall.” (And by the way, where is Figure 1?) This is all true when all these systems and indicators are working correctly: For the Airbus A330 and 340, this is called the “normal” law that commands the flight control computers.
Nextant Aerospace has been awarded several new STCs for the 400XT. In addition to certifying an inflight entertainment system, Nextant also received STCs for additional avionics options, many of which help to pave the way for final certification EASA. The STCs cover several major operational areas, including the Class “A” Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS) system, and the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)/Localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) navigational capability.
Strap into any current production military aircraft and it's likely that you'll be looking out of the windshield through a permanently mounted head-up display. Aboard military aircraft, the HUD usually is the primary flight reference because it allows pilots to fly the aircraft with unmatched precision while scanning outside the aircraft for threats, terrain and targets. Head-down displays in such aircraft perform secondary roles, functioning as moving maps, EICAS and CDUs for proprietary equipment.
The general aviation market doldrums have continued into 2012 as new aircraft billings dropped 8% and aircraft shipments dipped 2.1% in the first quarter, GAMA reported. The first quarter shipment report now includes two additional manufacturers, Thrush Aircraft and Air Tractor. Additionally, Gulfstream Aerospace deliveries are now identified when “outfitted” as opposed to “green.” The 2011 shipment report has been updated for Gulfstream Aerospace and now includes Thrush Aircraft deliveries.
Gulfstream expects to receive FAA type certification for the large-cabin G650 and super midsize G280 in the third quarter with customer deliveries planned shortly after. The two aircraft are “neck and neck,” so it is not clear which will be certified first, says Gulfstream President Larry Flynn. European Aviation Safety Agency certification is due by year-end. The G280 flight test campaign, now at more than 2,000 hr., has completed all company and FAA certification flights, says Scott Neal, Gulfstream senior vice president for sales and marketing.
