These preliminary graphs are designed to illustrate the performance of the Eclipse 550 under a variety of range, payload, speed and density altitude conditions. Do not use these data for flight planning purposes because they are gross approximations of actual aircraft performance based upon Eclipse 500 AFM data, Eclipse Aerospace projections and our estimates. Actual performance of the Eclipse 550 may fall short of these projections because of empty aircraft weight gain compared to Eclipse 500 aircraft.
Conklin & de Decker will hold its 12th annual Aircraft Acquisition and Planning Seminar in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Dec. 6 and 7 at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. The meeting is designed to help the aircraft buyer, owner or aviation professional understand how to make informed aircraft purchasing and owning decisions.
There are certain flight conditions and control inputs that can overstress the main rotor mast components of a semi-rigid system, resulting in catastrophic failure. Consequently, it's vital that pilots fully understand the limitations of this type of system.
The Australian Transport Safety Board (ATSB) continues to push manufacturers and operators to take a closer look at pressurization system failure warning devices, no doubt spurred in part by a remarkable incident involving an oxygen-starved pilot whose confusion may have been a lifesaver. It happened on July 16, 2009, when a string of system and human failures led to an undiagnosed pressurization system problem in Beechcraft King Air C90 (VH-TAM) while on a routine flight out of Perth Airport in Western Australia.
Aero Dynamix, Inc., Euless, Texas, announced that test pilot Dwayne Williams has joined their growing team of night vision goggle professionals. The company is an industry leader in NVG cockpit modifications. Aviation Personnel International (API), San Francisco, promoted Colleen Kelly to vice president, Client and Talent Relations, responsible for the retained recruitment of aviation professionals of behalf of Fortune 500 companies and private individuals.
Sierra Industries has received an STC for a state-of-the-art digital avionics retrofit that it developed in cooperation with Garmin International for any serial number or configuration of the popular Cessna Citation 501. The STC allows installation of a three-screen digital flight deck suite using the same displays as the Garmin G1000 system. The G501SP flight deck includes individual Garmin GDU 1040 10.4-in. LCD primary flight displays for pilot and copilot and a centrally-mounted 10.4-in. LCD multifunction display.
Regarding “Crew Confusion” (Cause & Circumstance, August 2011, page 58): Gee! What ever happened to teaching them to fly an airplane first, then how to program an FMS? Did that crew not know it's possible to hand fly and crank in frequencies manually?
I find the new FAA regulation regarding FAR Parts 23, 25, 27 and 29 lightning protection for aircraft systems (Intelligence, July 2011, page 28) interesting since Boeing imposed this specification on antennas we've manufactured for them back in 1961. Since then we have been supplying DC-grounded, direct and indirect lightning strike-protected antennas certified up to the Boeing 787. Fortunately most single- and multiengine aircraft are already equipped with our DC-grounded antennas.
Pressure continues to grow on Capitol Hill for the DOT to reverse its policy on the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) introduced The BARR Preservation Act of 2011 (H.R. 2897) to continue the full program, which enables aircraft owners to request that their tail numbers be removed from displays of near-real-time flight tracking programs. “A stand-alone piece of legislation is needed to roll back this regulatory overreach by the FAA,” says Pompeo.
The NBAA reported that since filing their opening court brief in September to preserve the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program, the NBAA and the AOPA are working toward the next milestones in the legal battle against the government's curtailment of the program. Up next: By Sept. 28, the FAA was expected to file a response to the associations' brief. After that, the associations will file a final brief by Oct. 12. Shortly after that, the Court of Appeals is expected to schedule arguments.
Congress cleared the 22nd extension of FAA funding authorization to Jan. 31, 2012. The latest reauthorization bill covers four months, longer than any other extension since September 2009. While the action received strong support for keeping FAA operating, it drew renewed calls from industry and lawmakers alike for Congress to turn its attention to a long-term bill instead of continuing to be distracted by battles over short-term extensions.
In the September issue, page 59, Business Turboprops accident statistics, the total accidents should read: Total: 2011-20; 2010-26; Corp./Exec.: 2011-3; 2010-2; Comm./Air Taxi: 2011-10; 2011-13; Private: 2011-6; 2010-9; Public/Goverment: 2011-1; 2010-2.
Evidencing the drive to deploy unmanned systems in the national airspace system (NAS), General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GAASI) has embarked on a company-funded program to develop a radar-based airborne sense-and-avoid system for its Predator/Reaper/Avenger family of unmanned aircraft. The company plans unmanned flight tests late next year, the time line set by potential international customers requiring the capability to operate their aircraft in civil airspace. While the U.S.
NATA has released an updated Safety 1st Deice/Anti-icing Training Module. The module was first released in 2010 and has been used by FBOs to train ground personnel in preparation for winter operations.
The NBAA believes that UAVs will share the skies with manned aircraft. It's just a matter of time. The greatest challenge lies in how to ensure that unmanned aircraft are ready to safely navigate the skies outside the controlled environment of a restricted test area, or over a military base. NBAA Director, Air Traffic Services & Infrastructure, Bob Lamond says the FAA “is being appropriately cautious” in moving forward with wider deployment of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs).
Many airports across the U.S. have runways under construction that might be temporarily shortened. The FAA issued InFO 11015 urging operators to pay close attention to ATIS messages as well as takeoff and landing clearances.
In the wake of the revelation Sept. 12 that President Obama's jobs plan includes a provision singling out business aviation with a proposal to lengthen tax-depreciation schedules for new business aircraft, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen noted that this reversed a long-standing IRS policy, removing a proven incentive for the purchase of business aircraft that saved thousands of jobs in the current weak economy.
August 2011 business aircraft activity was up 4.0% from July 2011, but just 0.2% up over August 2010. Aviation Research Group/US TRAQPak data indicate that FAR Part 91 activity rebounded from last month, posting a gain of 7.4%, and the Part 135 charter segment increased slightly over the previous month, up 0.5%. The fractional segment showed a slight decline in activity, down 0.6% from July. Comparing August 2011 to August 2010, TRAQPak data says the Part 91 market continues to see positive year-over-year growth, posting an increase of 4.9% from August 2010.
Piper Aircraft is planning to lock down the design on its new single-jet Altaire in the fourth quarter, a final step before the first conforming test article flies next year. Executive Vice President Randy Groom says the project's critical design review is “imminent,” and that no real surprises have cropped up and no significant changes have been necessary since the company revamped the design a year ago.
Diamond Aircraft has resumed flight testing its D-Jet prototypes, following the temporary grounding in late March that stemmed from a cash shortfall and led to furloughs of most people working on the single-jet program. The 1-hr. flight of D-Jet 003, its first flight since March 27, included shakedown of aircraft systems, control sweeps, gear cycling, flap cycling, verification of navigation equipment and software, several touch-and-goes and completion of some control-system test points, according to the company.
Patrick Margetson-Rushmore, chief executive of London Executive Aviation (LEA), a major European charter operator, called on the industry to work harder to publicize the economic importance of business aviation. Speaking Sept. 14 at the Business Aircraft Europe conference at London Biggin Hill Airport, Margetson-Rushmore said: “Wouldn't it be great to see the business aviation industry finally embraced and recognized by the wider community for its true financial worth and contribution?
The first AOPA-China Fly-In was postponed after the crash of a Beijing Police Department Agusta Westland AW139 helicopter into the Miyun Reservoir northeast of the Chinese capital. Four of the five people on board the helicopter were killed. The first fly-in, scheduled for September, had been restricted to privately owned helicopters, and more than 20 were expected. AOPA China says the accident may put the increased accessibility of Chinese airspace into question.
'D3,' the third Sikorsky S-76D prototype, joined the flight test program and is serving as the primary vehicle to certify the avionics and electrical systems. The S-76D helicopter flight test program has logged more than 500 flight hours to date with its first two prototypes. All three prototypes were assembled at the Sikorsky Global Helicopters facility in Coatesville, Pa.
TSA reauthorization legislation, which cleared the House homeland security subcommittee Sept. 14, calls on the agency to develop procedures that would permit business aircraft operators to fly in restricted airspace. The measure comes as business aviation advocates have appealed to the TSA to work with the community to improve access in areas where temporary flight restrictions are in place.
Piaggio Aero announced at Jet Expo 2011 that its P.180 Avanti II aircraft has received both type and production certificates from the Russian aviation authority, the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), confirming that the design of the aircraft complies with Russian regulations. It received EASA and FAA certification in 2005. The Avanti II can now be legally registered and operated throughout the Russian Federation.
