Associated Aircraft Group (AAG), the East Coast executive helicopter service, is celebrating more than 40,000 hr. of safe flying in its fleet of Sikorsky S-76 helicopters. The company's achievement spans more than 17 years of operating the S-76. AAG operates a fleet of S-76 helicopters in both fractional ownership and full management programs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aviation's Washington alphabetters have beat back threats of user fees, NextGen charges, tax shifts from air carriers, new levies from deficit-heavy states, GPS encroachment, and a steady litany of White House denouncements and all the ugliness they imply. So, it came as a terrible surprise when the industry was recently blind-sided by the IRS with what could amount to a huge, even debilitating tax increase — without having to go through Congress or a statehouse. The target this time: aircraft management fees.
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.
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.
“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.
GAMA revised its deliveries/shipment totals downward following the release of Hawker Beechcraft's Form 10-K year-end results filing on April 13. The February year-end shipment report was released without the Hawker Beechcraft results. Hawker Beechcraft's decision to halt production of the Beechjet 400XP and supplier issues with the Hawker 4000 held down deliveries in 2011, contributing to a larger decline in industry-wide business jet shipments, according to revised data released by GAMA April 17.
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.
Piper Aircraft continues to expand its international network with the appointment of Duran Aviation as a distributor for new airplane sales in Central America. Based at Airport Marcos A. Gelabert in Panama City, Duran Aviation is part of Company Consultenos, S.A., which is a family-owned company that is involved in several areas, including automotive, golfing and real estate. Duran Aviation will market and sell Piper aircraft throughout Central America in Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Belize.
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.
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.
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.
March 5 — About 1210 CST, a Sikorsky 269C (N1099N) operated by a private pilot received substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing near Staples, Texas. The personal flight was in VFR conditions. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight's origin and destination are unknown. According to an initial pilot statement, he heard a “pop” sound and the helicopter yawed. He performed a forced landing and the helicopter hit the ground hard.
Government and industry officials need to collaborate on ways to mitigate runway incursions before another disaster happens, says NTSB Commissioner Christopher Hart. “If we don't get our hands around this problem — and we don't have our hands around this — sooner or later it's going to happen again,” Hart told the Air Charter Safety Foundation's 2012 Air Charter Safety Symposium in February.
According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. government's main audit agency, the FAA has to do a much better job of managing the big modernization programs that are essential to the success of the NextGen air traffic management system. A new GAO report the finds that although the FAA is improving in this area, there are still many cases where it is not following cost estimate and scheduling best practices. Specifically, the FAA should pay better attention to obtaining independent cost estimates, says the GAO.
The FADEC-equipped -3AP is one of Williams' most-advanced versions of the FJ44 turbofan family, producing 2,300 lb. of thrust for takeoff and weighing only 510 lb. Compared to earlier -3 engines, the -3AP incorporates many aerodynamic and durability improvements, plus it weighs 8% less and has 3% better specific fuel consumption. A fuel/oil heat exchanger eliminates the need for an anti-icing fuel additive.
The prototype Cessna Citation M2 made its first flight in early March. With Cessna engineering test pilot Peter Fisher at the controls, the flight lasted a little more than an hour and a half, and included tests of the avionics system, autopilot, aircraft systems and instrument approaches. The new light jet fills the gap between the Citation Mustang and the Citation CJ family. FAA FAR Part 23 certification is expected in the first half of 2013, with deliveries in the second half of 2013.
