The FAA is encouraging operators of aircraft equipped with pneumatic deicing boots to ensure that pilots receive proper training on the operation of these systems and the importance of maintaining appropriate airspeed in icing conditions. The InFo essentially adopts the NTSB’s position discounting the phenomenon of “ice bridging” and recommending early and frequent activation of boots in icing conditions. Operators should place a special emphasis on the proper operation of deicing boots according to the airplane flight manual (AFM) or FAA-approved operator’s manual.
The FAA reauthorization legislation took its first step forward in the new Congress in early May when House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) leaders introduced a four-year bill, H.R.915, which largely mirrors legislation that stalled in the 110th Congress in 2008. Airlines and business aviation groups are now united in urging key legislators to push forward a long-term comprehensive aviation reauthorization bill and have pledged to work together to get that accomplished despite their differences in philosophy on funding.
Thanks for the mention of my book, Business and Corporate Aviation Management, in April’s Schedulers and Dispatchers section. For some unknown reason its sales have been picking up over the last year. Great article, as always. I enjoyed reading the UAV article, too; this is very important to us in the IAOPA in our work with ICAO and Eurocontrol. I would like to see more on this subject since I believe that commercial UAV use is about to mushroom. Unfortunately, ICAO and the FAA are ill-prepared to accommodate this increase in operations.
At a May 11 briefing, Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer executive vice president, Executive Jets, announced the Legacy 450 and 500 have completed the Joint Definition Phase of the development program, which involved over 100 engineers from key system suppliers, as well as Embraer’s own staff.
Iridium says it will seek a license to provide mobile satellite services via a newly formed entity: Iridium Communications Russia. The company is pushing its total global coverage, including Polar regions, as a significant plus in the Russian market. It has partnered with Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, which owns and operates an Iridium gateway. Iridium hopes to add still more service providers in Russia.
“Super Sunday Surprise” (Viewpoint, March, page 6) was informative and very well written. While not the focus of your work, there is one other important function being served daily by all kinds of corporate and private aircraft not specifically mentioned in the article. That is what I call “using my aircraft to do good things” — or charitable/compassionate flying.
Stanley Proto has introduced a Classic Screwdriver line that takes the look and feel of this industrial workhorse, but updates it with advanced material and features. The handle has a new four-side fluted design made from impact-resistant extruded acetate. Handle diameters have been increased; shanks come in round and square varieties; blade and tip are available with slotted, Phillips, cabinet or Torx tips. This new product launch includes 59 individual screwdrivers and 10 sets. Stanley-Proto 2195 East View Pkwy. Conyers, GA 30014
Near LBL, [the crew] saw a patch of blue sky to the right front and painted nothing [on radar] in front of them. The encounter occurred when a large buildup appeared in front of the airplane with less than two seconds notice.” The NTSB report goes on to say “the airplane experienced airspeed excursions from about 275 knots to 225 knots with an altitude loss of 500 feet. During the encounter, the airplane also experienced small hail. Other aircraft in the area reported no conditions greater than light turbulence.”
Out of the past comes Kellett Aircraft’s KD-1A, shown taking off at Turner Field, Willow Grove, Pa. First built in the early 1930s, the 225-hp autogyro is being pushed for agricultural and utility use. Southern business flying center of the future? The U.S. Navy releases Chamblee, Ga., Air Station near Atlanta. The first FBO is Executive Aviation, a Cessna distributor.
CAE Global Academy is expanding its China presence with a pilot provisioning contract with Xiamen Airlines for approximately 70 pilots over two years. A group of Xiamen Airline cadets began training last month at CAE Global Academy, Phoenix. CAE Global Academy incorporates hands-on training throughout the curriculum through the use of the latest simulation-based technology and spending 250 hours flying an aircraft. At the end of training, the cadets will graduate with a Commercial Pilot license approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
The Environmental Protection Agency will delay changes it published in fall 2008 to clarify Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements deadlines “Amendments” that the agency said were designed to encourage greater compliance with the regulations. Under SPCC rules, owners and operators of fuel storage facilities built before Aug. 16, 2002, must have a plan in place to meet spill prevention and cleanup requirements. Owners and operators of facilities built after that date have had until July 1, 2009, to develop their plans.
Embraer delivered the first Lineage 1000 executive jet, derived from the Embraer 190 airliner, to Aamer Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Prestige Jet, also of Abu Dhabi, will manage the aircraft on his behalf. The new aircraft joined Embraer’s Phenom 100 and 300 on the EBACE static display line, May 12-14 in Geneva.
Stevens Aviation has received Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) for its avionics upgrade to the Learjet 60. Stevens owns an STC that covers installation of the Universal Avionics EFI-890R multifunction display with the application server unit and the optional Vision-1 Synthetic Vision System in the Learjet 60. Stevens Aviation is negotiating with several partners for distribution and installation of the Learjet 60 kit worldwide.
With the latest proposal to limit the operational freedom of aircraft weighing over 12,500 pounds, I am surprised by how limited and guarded the responses have been from the aviation community. It seems that with every passing quarter, the TSA has issued some new restriction on our civil liberties. I don’t think I am alone in believing that the TSA is continuing to expand its sphere of influence, control and restrictions at a rate faster than it can effectively manage, or measure, its own effectiveness.
Nearly 10 years ago, Congress created the “Whistle-blower Protection Program” for “airline employees.” The law applies to “air carriers” so it covers FAR Parts 121 and 135 but not pilots flying under Part 91. The law prohibits “discrimination” by an air carrier against an employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment because the employee:
ARINC Direct is offering a new Web-based package of flight support services for VLJs, plus other general aviation aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds at takeoff. The subscription price of only $1,500 per year, includes flight planning, complete weather information, aircraft tracking, runway analysis and weight and balance calculations. It also includes participation in ARINC’s discount fuel service. Dispatchers and crews can access the service from anywhere using any Internet device or smartphone.
June 15-21: International Paris Air Show, Le Bourget Exhibition Centre, Le Bourget, France. www.paris-air-show.com June 24: NBAA Regional Forum, Signature Flight Support, St. Paul Downtown Airport, Minn. www.nbaa.org June 25-27: 14th Annual Flight Attendants Conference, Doubletree Hotel, New Orleans. www.nbaa.org July 16: Demonstrating & Quantifying the Value of Business Aviation, McGraw-Hill Corporate Headquarters, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. (800) 240-7645. www.aviationweek.com/conferences
The NTSB determined the probable cause of a midair collision between two EMS helicopters last year was both pilots’ failure to see and avoid the other helicopter on approach to the helipad. Contributing to the accident were the failure of one of the pilots to follow arrival and noise abatement guidelines and the failure of the other pilot to follow communications guidelines. On June 29, 2008, about 3:47 p.m. MST, two Bell 407 EMS helicopters, operated by Air Methods Corp.
Cessna announced the 200th Citation Mustang delivery when Maritime Air Charters picked up its new aircraft at Cessna’s Independence, Kan., facility. Although based in Honolulu, Maritime Air Charters will operate the new Mustang in charter service from its facility in Newnan, Ga., outside Atlanta. Maritime intends to offer its services including aircraft management, flight crew service and charter management to other Mustang owners.
I read “Without Apology” (Viewpoint, January, page 7) with interest because of the negative spin placed on business aircraft by Congress, and of course the lapdog media with its pile-on mentality, during the hearings on the automotive industry bailout proposal. The fat, stupid cats running Detroit deserve an Oscar for sheer arrogance. However, you raise a very interesting issue once again — business aircraft as a sign of noblesse oblige.
Lufthansa and its partners have started to bring their combined massive resources to bear on the business aviation market. Even though their fleet is far from immense (two Citation CJ3s, two Citation XLS+s and three CJ1s) their influence likely will be, says BCA Show News Editor-in-Chief John Morris. Lufthansa Private Jet’s CJ3s and XLS+s are operated by Swiss PrivateAviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss International Air Lines, which is itself owned by Lufthansa.
Sikorsky Aerospace Services opened a regional parts stocking facility at Times Aerospace Korea at Gimpo Aerospace Industrial Complex. The Trumbull, Conn.-based subsidiary handles the aftermarket business of Sikorsky Global. The new facility, near Inchon and Gimpo International Airports, will receive, stock and ship parts to support a mix of civil and commercial rotorcraft, including the S-61, S-76 and S-92, as well as the VX/H-92 helicopter, flown by South Korea’s air force.
Embraer’s Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 executive jets, along with the first customer-delivered Lineage 1000, were shown in Europe for the first time in May at EBACE in Geneva. In April, the Phenom 100 was certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and deliveries to European customers will begin soon. The Phenom 300 at EBACE was one of the four aircraft currently in flight test.
