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.
Gulfstream and FlightSafety International are offering a complimentary preview of FlightSafety's Gulfstream G350/G450/G500/G550 Ground Handling and Servicing eLearning course for FBO managers for the rest of this year. The course reinforces how ground handlers should move and service Gulfstream aircraft. Best practices developed and used by Gulfstream employees are emphasized to help mitigate risks.
Duncan Aviation plans to open a new 45,000-sq.-ft. paint shop at its Lincoln, Neb., facility next spring. After four months of construction, the hangar's main frames are complete, along with extension of the ramp at Lincoln Airport (LNK). Duncan says the new $10.5 million shop will be able to handle some of the largest business aircraft, including the Gulfstream 650, Bombardier Global Express and Dassault Falcon 7X.
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.
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.
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.
Nav Canada, the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) for Canada, is deploying Saab subsidiary Saab Sensis Corp.'s multilateration system for surface surveillance at Calgary International Airport. Sensis will provide complete coverage of the runways, taxiways and terminal areas of the airport for improved all-weather surface situational awareness. In addition, Nav Canada will be deploying Saab Sensis VeeLo NextGen vehicle locators for surveillance of vehicles operating on the airport surface.
Nov. 3 — At about 1210 local time (1110 UTC), a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300 (9V-SWQ), experienced a runway excursion upon landing on Runway 08R at Franz Joseph Strauss Munich Airport (EDDM), Munich, Germany. None of the 143 passengers or 15 crewmembers was injured. The airplane sustained minor damage. The flight originated at Manchester Airport, Manchester, England (EGCC).
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.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) does a great job, in my opinion, with its analyses of business aircraft accidents — those involving Part 23 airplanes typically flown by pilots whose primary business is not flying aircraft, but rather using aircraft in furtherance of their non-aviation interests. The TSB's mission in these investigations is not to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability, but rather for the purpose of advancing transportation safety.
As aircraft become even more complex, the need for precise and accurate maintenance instructions increases. Back in the early days of aviation, a good mechanic could tell what was wrong with an aircraft engine by putting a long-handled screwdriver up to the cylinder and listening. Today, even the most-advanced diagnostic tools sometimes fall short. Having correct maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is essential for maintaining a safe aircraft and keeping it operational.
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.
The new six-place utility helicopter, Hiller “Ten 99,” was unveiled on November 16 after six months of testing. The multi-purpose ship was designed for Navy/Marine utility and all-purpose civilian use. It's powered by a 500 hp P&WC PT6 turbine. No larger than Hiller's current 12E, the helicopter carries twice the number of passengers.
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.”
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.
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.
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 . . .
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
