It's 5:30 a.m., and you're taxiing to the assigned runway at a moderate-size regional airport you've navigated a dozen times before. There's been construction on the field since the last time you were here, through, and the taxiway layout has been temporarily altered.
Raytheon's Hawker series is the most successful midsize aircraft in history in large part because of the comfort its cabin provides those within. Excepting the very limited production Model 1000, all Hawkers manufactured since 1972 have had the same passenger cabin dimensions. And it was in that year that the U.S-spec Hawker 600A and U.K.-spec 600B aircraft made their debut.
FlightSafety International introduced Confident Flight, a full-flight simulator-based training course for business aircraft passengers designed to increase confidence and alleviate anxiety. The course will provide passengers with a basic understanding of the circumstances and related activities that can contribute to anxiety. The course touches on aircraft basic flying characteristics and aerodynamics, weather issues and challenges, ATC and the comprehensive training that flight crews receive.
*Jan. 21-24: NBAA Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference, Phoenix. www.nbaa.org *Jan. 25: NBAA Business Aviation Regional Forum, Scottsdale, Ariz. www.nbaa.org *Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) Conference and Expo, Airport Expo Dubai, United Arab Emirates. www.dubaiairshow.org *Feb. 6-7: Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE2007), Hong Kong. NBAA, 1200 18th St. N.W., Ste. 400, Washington, DC 20036. (202) 783-9000. www.nbaa.org *Feb. 7: ABACE Japan Regional Forum, Nagoya. www.nbaa.org
FlightSafety International, Flushing, N.Y., announced that Kenneth E. Gazzola, former executive vice president of AVIATION WEEK, has joined the company. He will be based in Washington, D.C.
In their September investment research report, analysts at UBS Securities LLC reported that "the overwhelming majority" of more than 100 business jet market professionals surveyed -- 70 percent of which were broker/dealers -- are now looking for a "flat-to-down market over the next 12 months." The global equity research arm of the financial services company said that those polled were "much less optimistic about the future as further gains become more difficult from already high levels."
Eurocopter's risk-sharing partnership with China's AVIC II to design and build a new six-ton class helicopter, designated the Z-15 by China and EC175 by Eurocopter, is on track with a maiden flight planned for 2009, company officials say. The two companies plan to open production lines in Marignane, France, and at Harbin, China. A common design office is located at Eurocopter's Marignane facility. But after design and manufacturing studies are completed, the two teams will split to pursue their own independent activities.
Dassault delivered the first Falcon business jet registered in the People's Republic of China. The used Falcon 2000 went to CITIC, the nation's largest state-owned financial services holding company. The Beijing-based firm plans to fly the Falcon twin until it takes delivery of a new Falcon 900DX in late 2007. That was Dassault's first order for a new aircraft in China.
Magnum Jet has chosen the A700 AdamJet for its new VLJ ownership and management program and future air limo service. "Adam Aircraft is eager to help launch Magnum Jet's innovative and comprehensive ownership program, which extends the breadth and depth of the emerging very light jet marketplace," said Adam Aircraft founder and CEO Rick Adam. "The Magnum Jet mission fits the A700 AdamJet operating profile, which is to fly well over 1,000 hours a year.
I HAD GONE OUT to Aurora Municipal to give my old Bonanza some overdue TLC. While I was cleaning the windshield, the big green and tan hangar across the way caught my eye. I couldn't help but stare, as a mixture of nostalgia and sadness welled within -- not at all the kind of emotion I'd anticipated so many years ago. It was back in fourth grade when I was inspired to write "The Pilot." Clumsy and childish doggerel, yes, but it spoke plainly of my dreams: I'd like to be a pilot/ Sitting in a chair/
The new edition of the Principles of Helicopter Flight by Walter J. Wagtendonk, has added discussion on the NOTAR system and strakes, as well as the frequently misunderstood principles of airspeed and high-altitude operations. There is a review quiz at the end of each chapter, and the book concludes with a multiple-choice practice exam to ensure readers have grasped the helicopter aerodynamics they have just studied. The book is 320 pages and available in soft cover. Price: $24.95 Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. (ASA)
General aviation advocates were sifting through the changes that lie ahead in Washington following the November elections, but were hopeful that one result would be a tougher road for any potential user-fee proposal.
Twin Commander Aircraft LLC, an Arlington, Wash., company, is considering the addition of aerodynamic enhancements to two models of the venerable high-wing twin turboprop. An internal engineering study, dubbed Project Enterprise, is looking at the potential fuel-saving benefits of fitting standard aircraft with winglets and underbody strakes.
At 2242 local time, a Beech C90A, French registration F-GVPD, was destroyed after impacting terrain during takeoff at La Veze Airport, Besancon, France. The pilot, copilot and two passengers, who were surgeons traveling to Amiens to collect an organ for transplant, were fatally injured. Local reports say that the aircraft clipped trees and crashed a short distance from the end of the runway and burst into flames.
The Mystere-Falcon 50, type certified in March 1979 and first of a new generation of fuel-efficient Dassault Aviation tri-jets, always has been one of our favorite business aircraft. It has excellent standard-day runway performance, it offers transatlantic range and it's a joy to fly. But the original 3,700-pound-thrust AlliedSignal TFE731-3 engines were only flat-rated to 76°F (24.4°C) OAT sea level, thus impairing the aircraft's hot-and-high takeoff performance. Too, climb and cruise performance were less than best in class.
THE FAA HAS PUBLISHED a great deal of information for private pilots to explain what work that they can do on a small Piper. But there is very little information available to inform a professional pilot about what, if anything, he or she can fix on a Falcon or Hawker or any other type of high-performance aircraft.
Pilatus Aircraft will supply its PC-21 advanced turboprop trainer for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Basic Wings Course. Prime contractor Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract by the Singapore Ministry of Defence to provide pilot and weapons system operator ground school, and both simulator and flight training for a 20-year period, commencing June 2008. Pilatus will provide 19 PC-21s and a 20-year engineering and logistics support package to Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training and Support.
NetJets Aviation and NetJets Europe have placed orders for 30 Hawker 750s and 18 Hawker 900XPs. The orders' value exceeds $500 million. Deliveries will commence in 2007 and continue through 2009. "We are excited to be the launch customer for the Hawker 750 and Hawker 900XP. This order reflects the increased demand for NetJets private aviation solutions in both the United States. and in Europe," said Richard Santulli, chairman of NetJets Inc. "The Hawker 900XP will be an integral part of our Columbus [Ohio]-based NetJets Aviation program.
Through Advisory Circular 120-76A, the FAA recognizes three classes of "electronic flight bags." Class 1 is a portable tablet-type PC that runs off its own power supply and is completely stand-alone, including the software that drives the application. Class 2 is attached to the airframe in some way like a gooseneck and can run off aircraft power but still uses its own software and data; however, it can access electronic flight information from the aircraft's nav systems.
Rolls-Royce forecasts that 51,000 engines, valued at $70 billion, will be needed over the next 20 years to meet demand for 24,000 new corporate jet aircraft; from very light jets through business jetliners. It said the demand is being fueled by the business community's increasing recognition of the value of using business jets as a productivity tool. The forecast predicts that nearly 12,000 medium and large business jets will be delivered between 2006 and 2025.
The day started out perfectly with an early morning flight into the picturesque Telluride, Colo., airport. Clear blue skies, cool mountain air and a dry runway are my idea of the nearly perfect day. Our four clients stepped aboard and presently we were on our way to Chicago Midway. The weather forecast predicted rather benign ceilings and visibility, with only a small chance of isolated snow showers. We were at 5,000 feet on the approach getting ready to configure the aircraft when I heard someone go missed approach at MDW.
