So what do you think would happen if a commercial entity proposed creating a new wireless communications network that threatened to disrupt the Global Positioning System, causing catastrophic GPS signal losses for military, government, industrial and private users — jamming everything from smart bombs to oil tankers to Toyotas — and undermining the foundation of the FAA's NextGen ATC system?
Titan Airways has added a new Cessna Citation CJ2+ to its charter fleet. The London Stansted-based operator purchased the six-seat light jet directly from Cessna. Titan plans to offer the aircraft for ski charters this winter, as well as other duties, including organ transplant missions and AOG flights to deliver vital spares.
Eurocopter has successfully tested a hybrid helicopter that combines a turboshaft engine with an electric motor to increase the safety margin of a single-engine helicopter during an autorotation. The demonstrator helicopter is a modified light single-engine AS350. In the event of an engine failure, the electric motor provides power to the rotor.
Bell Helicopter delivered three Bell 412s to Heliservicio Campeche for use in the company's oil and gas support operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Heliservicio operates a fleet that includes 22 Bell 412s.
The prolonged recovery of the used business jet market has faltered in recent months, taking a “frustrating” step backward, according to market research firm Amstat. Historically high inventories of previously owned aircraft have been considered a major stumbling block to the industry's overall recovery. However, Amstat stresses that those inventories have been coming down, albeit slowly. “Over the long haul, conditions are getting better more often than they're getting worse,” said Amstat Executive Vice President Tom Benson.
Universal Avionics has helped upgrade a low-time, privately owned DC-9 to make the VIP airliner's cockpit NextGen-compliant. The Universal flight deck package includes four EFI-890R flat-panel integrated, high-definition flight displays; two UNS-1Fw flight management systems with 5-in., flat-panel control display units; two radio control units; and two application server units. Universal Avionics officials say the STCed upgrade gives DC-9 operators “a new option for advanced flight deck upgrades for the aircraft.”
Freestream Aircraft Ltd., an international used aircraft broker, has opened offices in Hong Kong and Beijing to better serve the growing market for business jets in Asia. “Business jet use is accelerating as the Asian economies continue to grow and realize their vast potential,” says Alireza Ittihadieh, CEO of Freestream. “Doing business in person is preferred in this region. Our offices here will enable business jet buyers and sellers to work directly, face to face.”
Clint Bowyer, a Kansas native and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, has signed an order for upgrades to his Beechcraft Premier IA. Bowyer is the launch customer for a synthetic vision system (SVS) upgrade to his Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 displays, addition of new aftermarket winglets by Winglet Technology and installation of an Aircell ATG 5000 system, which provides high-speed wireless Internet service in flight.
Garmin International has received European Aviation Safety Agency approval for the installation of its Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) and Iridium data link in G1000-equipped King Air 200 and B200 aircraft.
Dennis Murphy, Elliott Aviation's aircraft acquisition manager, said his company has been successfully marketing late-model small and midsize jets, predominantly to domestic operators, and he sees some positive signs in today's market for previously owned business aircraft.
From 1995 to 2005 the Hawker 800XP was the best selling Hawker model of all time, with 475 units produced. These aircraft sold new for as much as $13.5 million, but now many are available in the low $3 million to $4 million range, according to Jay Messinger Corporate Jet Sales. This classic midsize jet can fly nine passengers more than 2,400 nm and land with NBAA IFR reserves. The “XP” indeed signifies “extra performance,” at least when compared with the Model 800 that it replaced.
Jettech, the aviation systems design firm that specializes in developing Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) aftermarket solutions, has been awarded an STC for installation of a glass cockpit in Piper Cheyenne III, IIIA and 400LS aircraft. The package includes dual Garmin G600 RVSM primary instrumentation with RVSM-capable air data computers. Garmin GTN 650 and 750 instruments are available as an additional installation.
In recent years, I've spent a lot of time in Europe shuttling our company's customers to product demonstrations and briefings. In doing so, I've become quite familiar with navigating the region — sifting through the various accents of the controllers, deciphering the intricate arrival and departure procedures, and once on the ground, maneuvering in and out of roundabouts, and when in the U.K., bravely driving on the “wrong” side of the road.
BLR Aerospace of Everett, Wash., has earned certification of a new LED lighting system for King Air 200s equipped with the company's winglets. The FAA-certified advanced LED lighting system also is available for all King Air 200GT, 250 and 300 series aircraft. Approval of the light system from both the European Aviation Safety Agency and Brazil's Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil is expected soon, says BLR. In addition, the company expects to win an FAA STC in early 2012 for installation of the lights on King Air 90s.
Sierra Industries, the Uvalde, Texas-based company that specializes in upgrading legacy Cessna Citations, has received an STC for its Citation I glass cockpit retrofit. Developed in cooperation with Garmin International, the G501SP modification features three Garmin GDU 1040 10.4-in. LCD primary flight displays, one each for the pilot and copilot, along with a centrally mounted 10.4-in. LCD multifunction display. Sierra officials say the standard package is available at an installed price of $284,000. Typical installation time is five weeks.
Sometimes it's the simple things that make one realize how quickly technology is morphing our environment. Now there are applications aplenty for business aircraft. Want to dim the lights? Cool off? Angle that seat back? Change the DVD? Use an app — cabin management system (CMS) makers have them in spades. Need to charter a jet tonight? There's an app for that, too, thanks to London-based Air Charter, which recently announced it has developed an iPhone app for business and leisure travelers interested in flying by private jet.
The average prices for used business aircraft are still dropping, and the average time for-sale aircraft are on the market continues to lengthen, said market research firm Jetnet. However, the used market is still better today, compared to where it has been during the past couple of years. The market for previously owned business aircraft is considered a key indicator of the general health of the business aviation industry overall. Jetnet noted that asking prices for used aircraft have fluctuated over the last several months. “By the end of the second quarter . . .
Sim training most often includes cockpit resource management or single-pilot resource management. It almost never includes passenger expectation management, a critical pilot task that can interfere with mission completion or even cause a breakdown in safety margins. “Don't forget who signs your paycheck.” That threat looms over the heads of many professional business aircraft pilots for whom every flight with the boss onboard is “mission critical.” No delays. No diverts. No excuses.
Jeppesen has released a new web-based training program focusing on Garmin G1000 avionics systems. The new online program includes three Garmin G1000 training courses—visual flight rules (VFR) procedures, instrument flight rules (IFR) procedures and VFR/IFR procedures. The web-based program is interactive, with self-paced courses that provide a comprehensive overview of all operational aspects of VFR and IFR flying using G1000 avionics.
You know the drill. If it's Tuesday, it must be hydraulic failures and hot-and-high takeoffs. Break out the manuals Monday night, study the systems and plan for the predictable emergency to be encountered some time after takeoff during tomorrow's sim session.
Blackhawk, the Waco, Texas, provider of turboprop engine upgrades, has received a Brazilian STC for its Cessna 208B Caravan XP42A performance package, which enables Blackhawk to install the XP42A upgrade into Cessna Caravans licensed to operate in the South American country. Blackhawk officials say Brazil has one of the largest fleets of Caravans flying in commercial, civil, military and law enforcement roles. The Brazilian approval follows certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency in September and approval from the FAA in June.
Jet Aviation Dubai is working with Dassault to secure base maintenance approval for Falcon 7X aircraft. Maintenance engineers at Jet Avation Dubai have completed training and are Dassault Falcon 7X type-rated for base maintenance and the required tooling is enroute to Dubai.
Paul Newman's estate has put the late movie star's 1981 Sabreliner 65 up for sale. The white and blue aircraft, serial number 465-56, has a total time of less than 5,000 hr., its Honeywell TFE731 engines are on the MSP Gold maintenance plan, and the aircraft was reportedly pampered by Newman, its second owner, since he acquired it in 1995.
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation announced it has opened an expanded office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates staffed by a team of sales and support experts available to provide advice on the full Hawker Beechcraft product line and turnkey solutions for aircraft ownership and support. The decision to expand HBC's operations in the UAE comes as demand for private aviation in the Middle East continues to expand during the global downturn.
