Pilots can learn the Avidyne FlightMax Entegra integrated flight display with host Richard Collins without leaving the ground. With a focus on real-world use and practical applications, Collins explains the features of this system and how pilots can maximize their capabilities. Learn how the Entegra integrates dual Garmin GNS 430 GPS receivers, an S-TEC 55X autopilot and a BFGoodrich Skywatch traffic system. The program runs approximately 34 minutes. Price: $24.95 Sporty's Pilot Shop Clermont County/Sporty's Airport
Sometimes you just have to go out and see the lay of the land. ``We use approximately half a dozen sources of nav data, some government, some private sources, some from satellite images,'' Jeppesen's Greg Bowlin told B&CA. ``And there are times when we have to go about and do our own surveying on the ground, as with our Airport Moving Map product, part of our Electronic Flight Bag.''
Avionics maker Honeywell Aerospace and Duncan Aviation, the Lincoln, Neb.-based aviation sales and support company, are teaming to certify Honeywell's Epic CDS/R displays in the Dassault Falcon 900B. The new large-format displays will enable operators of the trijet to access emerging technologies being delivered on new aircraft, as well as use graphical weather, en route maps and approach charts.
San Antonio-based Jet Aviation Engineering Services, which holds multiple STCs for the installation of the Bendix/King Integrated Hazard Avoidance System (IHAS) 8000 in Cessna Citation 500, 550, S550 and 560 series aircraft, is offering the STC for purchase. As an option, Jet Aviation offers a complete turnkey solution, with installation provided by Jet Aviation Dallas or any other Jet Aviation Cessna service center.
Jet Aviation (Teterboro, N.J.) -- Anthony Kioussis was named a company vice president and was appointed to head the company's aircraft sales division in the United States, which has offices in Dallas, Palm Beach, Fla., and Teterboro, N.J. Kioussis' experience in aviation sales and marketing includes a 10-year stint with British Aerospace, Inc., where he served in several key management positions.
The Citation Ultra, when we first flew it in 1994, instantly became our favorite narrow-body Cessna business jet. Its overall takeoff performance was the best of any jet aircraft we'd yet flown. Departing at MTOW, it could climb directly to FL 450 in 28 minutes, averaging better than 3,000 fpm until reaching the low 30s. Most operators now flight plan using a block speed of 400 KTAS and, when needed, the Ultra will fly five passengers 1,596 nm and land with NBAA IFR reserves, according to B&CA's May 1994 Purchase Planning Handbook.
Carlos Dardano is a flying legend, and he deserves no less a title. The Taca Airlines captain was in command of the Elf Salvador national airline's brand-new Boeing 737-300 on a May 24, 1988, flight from Belize to New Orleans when he made aviation history. On that rainy afternoon he became the first -- and to date, only -- pilot to land a commercial jetliner off-airport without any injury to the passengers and crew, and even more amazingly, without any damage to the aircraft.
Premier Aircraft and Honeywell have completed the specialized nozzle and nacelle development required for Premier's Falcon 50-4 performance upgrade program. Integration tests of the existing nacelle and new engine nozzle were conducted recently at Honeywell's powerplant facilities in Phoenix.
The FAA has provided a Web site for those seeking FAR Part 145 approval (www.faa.gov/fsdo/atl/n145toc.htm). In typical FAA fashion, the site provides a lot of information but does not necessarily answer all of your questions. While an Advisory Circular (AC145-9) helps clarify things, there is no substitute for face-to-face discussion with your local inspector. Before you head off for your local FSDO, read Part 145 and the Inspector's Handbook No. 8300.10, Vol. 2., Chapters 161 through 165.
One unique thing about aviators is that we all have a passion for flying, and almost all of us love showing that to others. Who can resist the natural curiosity of a child passenger who wants to come up front and ask about all of the instruments? That was exactly the spirit of the corporate crew who filed the following with NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System:
Pan Am International Flight Academy, whose Fort Pierce, Fla., training facility was heavily damaged and disrupted by the hurricanes that swept through Florida in 2004, will relocate its Career Pilot Development center to the company's campus in Phoenix. The move, expected to be completed by midsummer, will include moving the company's training fleet and a half dozen flight-training devices (FTDs) comprising four Frasca trainers, an AST Hawk and a Canadair Regional Jet unit.
Gulfstream received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) validation for the G350 business jet, which had won FAA type approval in November 2004. The G350 was announced in February 2004 as the successor to the G300/GIV-SP. Gulfstream designed the G350 to have commonality with the longer-range G450, G500 and G550. The four aircraft share several systems, including the PlaneView cockpit avionics suite, and have the same pilot type rating.
Despite persistent reports that Bombardier might sell its Learjet manufacturing operations in Wichita, Pierre Beaudoin, president of Bombardier Aerospace, says that won't happen. Asked about the possible sale of the Wichita facilities during a conference call on the company's fiscal 2005 financial results, Beaudoin responded that ``we have no intention of selling'' the Learjet operations, citing demand for Learjet models.
New Piper delivered the 200th Malibu Meridian to Ontario, Canada, customers Don and Jane Lockhard on April 1. The aircraft is the second Meridian shipped to the Lockhards, who also have owned two Piper Mirages and a Piper Malibu.
Turboprop operators were involved in 12 accidents in the first three months of 2005, down from 16 in the same period a year ago. Seven of those accidents involved private/business use of the airplanes, while four involved airplanes flown by commercial air taxi operators. There were four fatal turboprop accidents in the first quarter, down from six a year ago. Fatalities rose from 12 in the first three months of 2004 to 16 in the most recent period. Incidents declined by one, from 13 a year ago to 12 this year.
Gulfstream Aerospace received FAA STC approval for the installation of its high-speed Broadband Multi-Link (BBML) data system in G550 and G500 business jets. Coupled with a recent service license issued by the Federal Communications Commission to ARINC for SKYLink, Gulfstream said it can now begin unlimited installation of BBML systems on customer aircraft. The system was approved for installation on GIV and GV models in fall 2004. BBML is a dedicated satellite-based system that offers data speeds of up to 3.5 megabits per second.
Honeywell, Phoenix, named Peg Billson vice president and general manager for Honeywell Airframe Systems and appointed Greg Albert vice president and general manager of the firm's Aircraft Landing Systems division.
Cool heads prevail at the FAA, where Steven Wallace, director of the FAA's Office of Accident Investigation, said that despite the recent flurry of news and political reaction, the agency is not thinking of major regulatory changes as a result of the recent spate of business aircraft accidents. ``We try to stay away from statistical upticks [in accidents],'' he told The Weekly of Business Aviation.
The Citation 500 arrived as scheduled to begin its two weeks of Phase II inspection and repair. The job was really a glorified annual inspection on a fairly simple airplane. The independent service facility had targeted early Falcons and Citations as airframes with which to grow the company's maintenance business. Jobs like this with a first-time customer were confirmation that the strategy was working.
Kerry Lynch, managing editor of B&CA's sister publication, The Weekly of Business Aviation, was presented the Aviation Journalism Excellence Award for 2005 by the National Air Transportation Association during the group's annual meeting and convention in Las Vegas.
About 10,000 feet of pavement on Runway 13/31 at La Guardia Airport (LGA) will be rehabilitated later this year. The project includes milling and repaving the runway and upgrading its electrical lighting system. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the work will be coordinated with the FAA and that runway closures will be scheduled during weekends and nighttime hours to minimize the impact on airline travelers and people living near the airport.
