The twin-engine Czech turboprop, Evektor EV-55, has been named "Outback" by its Czech manufacturers to reflect its utility design. The manufacturer says it is sticking to the original schedule of first flight in mid-2007, FAA and EASA certification in 2008, with first customer deliveries slated for 2009. The basic Evektor EV-55 Outback STOL is priced at $1.7 million.
Bombardier is taking a giant step back from its CSeries airliner program. On Jan. 31, the company said that instead of proceeding with the 110- to 135-seat twinjets, it will focus on "regional jet and turboprop aircraft opportunities" in the 80- to 100-seat market. A small team will remain with the CSeries program to refine its business plan, with emphasis on finding partners.
Despite the high-tech wonder, super plush interiors and flawless, high-polish liveries of modern business aircraft, working on them is still a dirty job. Brake dust, ramp grime, turbine exhaust, plus grease, oil and hydraulic fluids combine to make getting good and grubby a fact of life for maintenance technicians. As a maintenance manager, you want your technicians to present a professional appearance, but still be safe, comfortable and get the job done.
The Italian government has exercised an option to purchase 15 additional upgrade kits to enhance its entire fleet of Bombardier 415 aircraft. Italy had previously ordered one kit for installation on the Bombardier 415 firefighter it purchased in 2005. The upgrade kit package is derived from the Bombardier 415MP multipurpose aircraft and includes autopilot, nose radar, flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR).
Arizona's business aviation community will gather in Scottsdale, April 7-8, at the Orange Tree Resort, for a meeting designed to heighten awareness of aviation issues affecting operators in the state. Proceeds from the Arizona Business Aviation Association (AZBAA) event benefit a scholarship endowment for Arizona students who wish to pursue careers in business aviation and are enrolled in an Arizona college or university. AZBAA has distributed $28,500 to 24 students over the past four years.
Air taxi service Linear Air announced private jet service between Boston and Teterboro at $598 per roundtrip, equal to the "major Boston-Newark shuttle airline." Citing reports that Boston-Newark airline shuttle flights are among the worst in on-time performance, William Herp, CEO and president of Linear Air, said, "Our service translates to less time spent at the airport and more time spent with clients and associates." With no lines and no crowds, passengers must arrive just 30 minutes before their scheduled departure time - departures at 0800, returning at 1700.
AOPA, Frederick, Md., announced the promotion of Andy Cebula to the newly created position of executive vice president of government affairs. Karen Gebhart has been promoted to executive vice president of non-dues revenue for the association.
Responding to industry concerns about the broad scope of a new rule regarding thermal and acoustic insulation installed on transport category airplanes flown under FAR Parts 91, 121, 125 and 135, the FAA has issued an amended final regulation that says when operators of aircraft manufactured before Sept. 2, 2005, replace insulation, only insulation blankets and materials used to insulate air ducts need meet the new, more-stringent flammability standards of Part 25.
THE NTSB'S INVESTIGATION into the Oct. 19, 2004, crash of Corporate Airlines Flight 5966 at Kirksville, Mo., Regional Airport has led to a flurry of safety recommendations that could result in changes to the way FAR Part 121 and 135 operators execute non-precision approaches. The captain, first officer and 11 of the 13 passengers on board the BAE Jetstream 32 (N875JX) were killed when the twin turboprop struck trees, crashed and burned just short of Runway 36 in night IMC. Two passengers survived, but suffered serious injuries.
A lot of activity has occurred within FAA-dom since we published "Advanced RNAV Procedures on the Horizon" (B&CA, June 2005, page 42), but little, if any, benefit of this program has yet translated into reality for the business aviation community. Still, the cards have now been mostly dealt by the FAA and it's time for business aircraft manufacturers to play the hand given them.
The Asian Aerospace air show will make its new home in Hong Kong in 2007 after its organizer decided to leave Singapore because the government said the event had to move from its current site to accommodate Changi Airport expansion. Reed Exhibitions recently announced the next Asian Aerospace will be Sept. 3-6, 2007, at the new AsiaWorld-Expo complex, next to Hong Kong International Airport. The Singapore government still plans to hold its own Changi International Airshow, but at a new location, starting Feb. 26, 2008.
Key Air, Inc., Oxford, Conn., has appointed Brad Kost president and CEO. In his new role, he has expanded the company's management team and added five aircraft to the management and charter business. Danny Olmstead has joined Key Air as its new director of operations.
The Detroit Free Press noted 26 pilot reports of illumination by lasers from the ground in a one-hour period on Feb. 13 between 1830 and 1930 in the vicinity of Detroit Metro Airport. Evidently the hits were from a relatively low-power red laser normally used as a presentation pointer. Red lasers can dazzle and distract pilots, especially at night. More expensive and powerful "green" lasers can damage an eye's retina or cornea. As we go to press, David Banash awaits sentencing under provisions of the Patriot Act for illuminating aircraft near Teterboro Airport, N.J.
Beginning Jan. 1, European en route ATC charges billed by Eurocontrol were lower in 23 of the 31 member states. The organization said the average overall decrease is 3.5 percent, but Bosnia-Herzegovina has cut by 18.8 percent, Sweden by 16.4 percent, Switzerland by 14.2 percent, and Germany by 11.5 percent. Those with increased fees include the Czech Republic at +31.6 percent, Croatia +17.9 percent and Greece +13.6 percent.
The NTSB called for the FAA to impose stricter requirements on EMS flights in a special report released Jan. 26. The Safety Board undertook the report after investigating 55 EMS accidents in a three-year span between January 2002 and January 2005. The Board noted that while carrying patients or organs, EMS flights are required to operate in accordance with FAR Part 135 regulations, but positioning flights conducted without patients on board can operate under Part 91.
AS A DEMONSTRATION, instructor, ferry and sometime engineering test pilot for de Havilland Canada, I had the best flying job in the world. One day in the early 1970s, I got a plum assignment to deliver the first of six new Twin Otters to Royal Nepal Airlines and spend three months training its new pilots, first in the French Alps, later in Kathmandu.
Intelligence | 11 ?228-137? GAMA: 2005 Best GA Year Ever ?228-137? Eclipse Wins Collier Award ?228-137? Flexjet Is Launch Customer for Learjet 40XR ?228-137? Chinese Close to Allowing Civil Helicopter Ops Over Shanghai ?228-137? NTSB Calls for FAA to Impose Stricter Requirements on EMS Flights Edited by James E. Swickard Commentary 7 | Viewpoint By William Garvey Road Hazards 84 | Cause & Circumstance By Richard N. Aarons
Cutter Aviation has taken over from WingsPoint Aviation Services at the McKinney, Texas, Airport. "This is a strategic move for Cutter that expands our FBO footprint throughout the Southwest," said CEO Will Cutter. "As of 1991, over a dozen of the world's largest companies have moved their headquarters to the area. As more companies have come to McKinney to do business, more have stayed.
Sandel Avionics has received European Technical Standard Order (ETSO) authorizations from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its ST3400 TAWS and SN3500 EHSI systems. Similar to the U.S. FAA TSO, which both systems had already received, the ETSOs confirm that avionics dealers, installation centers and aircraft operators are legally entitled to recommend and use both products (www.sandel.com).
Waterbury-Oxford Airport (OXC) and its tenant Keystone Aviation are expanding together with parallel airport infrastructure and FBO facility expansion allowing OXC to attract a steadily growing population of turbine business aircraft. The Connecticut DOT, which owns OXC, and the FAA have extended the main runway to 5,800 feet and added ramp space and access roads.
It was around 2040 when the Aerospatiale AS350B lifted off from Ocean Reef Club Airport, Key Largo, Fla., heading for nearby Speedway Heliport. The pilot checked in with the tower at Homestead Air Reserve Base and was told to proceed direct to the speedway facility. The controller then said there was no traffic to report and told him to switch to the "race control frequency," which he did, telling the new controller that he was two nm southeast, inbound.
NBAA, Washington, D.C., has promoted Marti Smith to director, regional forums and static displays. Smith will be responsible for management of the static displays at the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, EBACE, LABACE, ABACE and regional forums.
At press time, Elliott Aviation was expecting to receive an STC for its RVSM package for Beech King Air 200, 300 and 350 aircraft. The Midwestern-based aircraft support organization's RVSM solution includes equipment configurations focused around the various autopilot and equipment interfaces of the three King Air models, including the Collins APS-65, APS-80 and AP-105 autopilots, as well as Honeywell SPZ-200A and -4000 and Bendix/King KFC-300 and -400 units.
