Avionics makers, recognizing the phenomenal popularity of inexpensive, go-anywhere, tablet-based applications, have been feverishly developing ways to bring iPads and Adroid-based "post-PC" mobile OS tablet computers into business aircraft cockpits.
“ABACE2012 met all of our estimates and expectations, as well as those for the exhibitors and attendees,” says Ed Bolen, NBAA president and CEO. The association presented the event in partnership with the Shanghai Airport Authority, the Asian Business Aviation Association and the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. A total of 156 exhibitors filled the 4,000-sq.-meter hangar at the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre and the adjacent Exhibit Pavilion that was added to accommodate additional vendors.
The Big Year. It comes to every institution (think America, 1776), every company (think Apple, the world's most valuable corporation, 2012), and every family. And 2012 seems to qualify as a big one in my house.
I do hope your optimism in “Different Juice, Same Mission” is the future reality instead of the potential permanence of the subdued aviation industry. I do wonder if your proofreader is currently commuting to work in a Desoto after failing to catch the misspelling of the battery powered automobile as “Telsa” rather than the correct name, which is “Tesla.” via email
An increase in Part 135 commuter/air taxi business jet accidents is driving a significant jump in business jet accidents through the first three months of the year. But an improving turboprop record has kept down the overall number of U.S.-registered business turbine accidents, according to the latest information released by safety expert Robert E. Breiling Associates. U.S.-registered business jets and turboprops combined for 16 accidents in the first quarter, down slightly from 19 in the first quarter of 2011.
Dating from the 12th century and named for the Moskova River, the city dominates the political, economic, educational and scientific, religious and cultural life of the vast Russian territory.
City: Moscow Country: Russian Federation Status: Capital, largest city, financial, political and cultural center Country visa: Required for passengers and crew; for tech stops, generally unnecessary, but as this policy varies from airport to airport, operators are advised to check ahead to make sure the government will grant an exception. At Moscow, flight crews can obtain visas on arrival; however, the process is time consuming.
Michael Huerta has been nominated to be the FAA administrator. He currently is deputy administrator and has been serving as acting administrator of the FAA since December 2011. Previously, Huerta was group president of the Transportation Solutions Group of Affiliated Computer Services Inc., a technology services provider supporting transportation agencies worldwide, and managing director of transportation communication for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Used business jet metrics continued to improve in February with the number of sales transactions increasing 7.6% and the average time on the market declining by 82 days to 346 days, according to business jet market analyst JetNet. Business jet asking prices also inched up 3% (to $4.053 million) and the overall number of business jets for sale as a percentage of the fleet dropped 0.5% to 13.9%. The percentage of fleets for sale has declined across the board. But not all metrics were nearly as positive for business turboprops and helicopters.
The five-way fight over the amorphous “10K” (10,000-lb.-thrust) market that dominated the top-end of the thrust battle in the late 2000s has given way to a wider spread of engine developments over a high-thrust bracket. Pratt & Whitney Canada, for instance, is pushing aggressively into the 12,000- to 16,000-lb. thrust range with a larger PW800-based demonstrator that originally started life as a 10K contender.
FAA Advisory Circular AC 21-47 — Submittal of Data to an ACO, a DER or an ODA for a Major Repair or Major Alteration will help you understand how repair data become approved. This document will provide you with more detailed process steps that both the FAA and DERs use and will help you with your next project. You can download it at www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%2021-47.pdf
Bombardier Aerospace received an order valued at $292.5 million from AVWest of Australia for five Global 6000 ultra-long-range jets. AVWest is a corporate jet operator that also owns and operates the fixed-base operations and business aviation services company Perth Jet Centre. AVWest's fleet includes a Challenger 604 and three Global Express XRS jets. AVWest also has firm orders for four Global 7000 and two Global 8000 jets.
The FAA selected Rockwell Collins' Head-up Guidance Systems with synthetic and enhanced vision to support its NextGen implementation and applied research efforts. The technology is being installed on the Boeing 737 flight simulator in the FAA's Flight Operations Simulation Laboratory in Oklahoma City to study how operators can safely achieve benefits such as lower landing minima by using head-up displays with synthetic and enhanced vision during different phases of flight in low visibility conditions.
BBJs aren't just B737s any more. Boeing's Team BBJ has a clear goal for this year, encapsulated by the slogan: “12 in 12.” Specifically, the makers of Boeing VIP jets plan to deliver a dozen executive airplanes in 2012. These include eight of Boeing's Brobdingnagian 747-8s, two BBJs and a pair of BBJ 2s. In late February, Capt. Steve Taylor, president of BBJ, delivered the first 747-8 to Wichita for installation of an “Aeroloft,” an aft-mounted sleeping berth designed by Greenpoint Technologies for up to eight people.
I just read “SyberJet Introduces SJ30-Plus” (April 2012) and appreciated your candid, honest words and your sensitivity to our confidential issues. Business & Commercial Aviation magazine has a well-earned reputation for offering real-world perspective while maintaining its editorial integrity. Working with you gives me fresh confidence in aviation journalism. A big thanks as well for being tenacious and resolute in finding solutions to early objections and concerns.
Is 3-D display coming? A breakthrough in radar display may be in the offing, with a new 3-D radar developed by Avco Corp. Civil applications include air traffic control (where 3-D display fits nicely into the FAA's urge to get 3-D aircraft information for controllers), and severe weather forecasting — tornadoes, thunderstorms and hurricanes. The device uses a rotating electro-luminescent panel. Rotation speed is chosen to avoid flicker, with the result that radar blip appears to be floating in space.
Piper Aircraft has landed a contract valued at $90,000 to provide complex multi-axis machined parts for Triton Submarines, which like Piper, is based in Vero Beach, Fla. Piper Aircraft's Services business unit, which was formed in part to preserve engineering expertise originally developed for the now-shelved Altaire single jet, is providing the work for Triton.
A new EASA rule covering flight-crew licensing would potentially ground hundreds, if not thousands, of general aviation pilots in certain European countries. The rule, which took effect on April 8, enacts EASA requirements for pilot training and the issuance of European pilot licenses, ratings and certificates. One of the more controversial measures in the rule requires European pilots who currently hold third-country licenses to convert their licenses to EASA- or EU-validated licenses.
For half the cost of a GIV, you can own a 1983 to 1987, Stage III noise compliant GIII that provides access to virtually the same noise-sensitive airports used by newer aircraft. Retrofitted with hush-kits, these aircraft can fly eight passengers about 3,600 nm at Mach 0.75. Their cabin cross sections are the same diameter as all other legacy Gulfstream models, but the net interior length is 3.0 ft. shorter than the GIV and overall interior length is 4.8 ft. shorter.
In many respects, Cessna and Textron are ideal partners in developing China's general aviation structure. The company's roots extend to the birth of general aviation in the U.S. Cessna knows how to design and build aircraft ranging from light sport and single-engine piston, the single-engine turboprop Caravan utility aircraft, twin turboprops and the light and medium Citation business jets. And it knows how to certify its products internationally. It knows how to set up pilot training and aircraft service center networks.
Next month, Poland and the Ukraine will co-host the 14th European Football Championship, a month-long extravaganza of matches between national teams for the coveted Euro Cup. The event is expected to attract millions of fans from all over the world, many of whom will converge on Warsaw, Poland's capital, and with 1.7 million residents, its largest city, as well as a political and financial hub.
“Dangerous Destinations, Part 1” was excellent! I am going to give it to our Chief of Security and also recommend it to my boss here in the flight department. I am looking forward to Part 2. Safety Officer Ball Corp. Broomfield, Colo.
The first flight of the Hawker 400XPR is imminent as we go to press. An upgrade of the discontinued Beechjet/Hawker 400, the new model features Williams International FJ44-4A-32 engines, winglets and an optional four-display Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 cockpit. The avionics suite was recently certified, and the engines and winglets are expected to get their approvals by the end of September. The Williams engine is flat rated at 3,200 lb. thrust, or 8% more than the PWC JT15D it replaces. The new fanjet also features dual-channel FADEC systems.
Austria's Diamond Aircraft is flight testing a new twin diesel-powered airplane that will feature the largest cabin in its product line, designed to carry up to seven people. A prototype DA52, powered by two Austro Engine 180-hp turbo-diesel engines, AE300E, completed its first flight with Diamond Chairman Christian Dries and head of flight test Ingmar Mayerbuch at the controls, the company said April 3. The aircraft took off from Wiener Neustadt, Austria, with a gross weight of 1,780 kg. Takeoff roll was less than 300 meters (934 ft.) without flaps and with a 5 kt.
AgustaWestland and fashion design house Karl Lagerfeld announced a partnership for the design of VIP helicopter interiors and exteriors. The cooperation will initially focus on the development of a VIP interior and exterior styling for the AW139 medium-twin helicopter. The companies may expand the partnership to include other AgustaWestland commercial helicopter models.
