Rockwell Collins launched the latest enhancements to its Flight Manager website, which is an integral part of the company's Ascent flight information solution. The new features include dynamic graphical flight tracking and an electronic Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) for FAR Part 91 operators. The flight tracker uses a Google Maps platform to provide Rockwell Collins data link subscribers with a worldwide view of their aircraft's position in flight, as well as the flight path of completed and upcoming flights.
Pratt & Whitney engineers maintain that the United Technologies division bet the company on its geared turbofan (GTF) departure from conventional engine design because it promotes better optimization of shaft speeds and allows the fan to turn at lower rpm to reduce noise.
AgustaWestland announced that the fourth prototype of the new generation light intermediate AW169 helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight at AgustaWestland's Vergiate plant in Italy Feb. 7. The company says the AW169 program is on schedule to achieve civil certification in 2014. The first three AW169 prototypes have flown more than 150 flight hours to date. The fourth prototype, built in just 71 days, is in production configuration.
Lawmakers reintroduced bills in the U.S. House and Senate to establish flight paths and minimum altitudes for helicopter operations in Los Angeles County. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Feb. 4 introduced a bill in the House, while Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) are pushing similar legislation in the Senate.
Jan. 22 — About 1925 EST, a Cirrus Design Corp. SR20 (N140PG) operated by Epic Blue was heavily damaged after it deployed its Cirrus Airplane Parachute System (CAPS) while on approach to Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR), Danbury, Conn. The flight instructor, a private pilot, and a passenger were not injured. It was VFR and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Groton-New London Airport (GON), Groton, Conn.
Corporate Angel Network has transported its 42,000th patient. The flight carried one-year-old cancer patient Alexander Hopper home to the Denver area after he received treatment for Retinoblastoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. The milestone flight was operated by Ball Corporation, a CAN participating company since 1985. The charity arranges about 250 patient flights each month.
SkyVector launched it World FBO Directory on the company online chart viewer. Pilots can view and use worldwide aeronautical charts, graphical weather depictions and flight planning tools. The FBO Directory integrates into SkyVector's mapping interface displaying real-time fuel prices on the charts in relevant currencies and units of measure. Users can filter for FBO features and facilities including participation in fuel card programs or amenities offered.
Satcom Direct, a provider of satellite voice, fax, datalink and Internet communications solutions, has introduced its own Satcom Direct Router (SDR), a next-generation aircraft network router to enable business and military aviation customers to manage all cabin communications systems onboard their aircraft and simultaneously use multiple satellite connections. This allows simultaneous use of Inmarsat, SwiftBroadband, Swift 64, Ku-Band and Ka-Band satellite connections with intelligent traffic control, along with Wi-Fi access and 3G/4G cellular network connectivity.
Since Embraer began certification flight trials of its new Legacy 500 midsize business jet on Nov. 27, the first test aircraft has accrued 32 hr. in 17 flights as of the end of January. Embraer says the aircraft is “behaving well” with systems, flight qualities and performance all as expected. The company added a second aircraft to the flight program in February with a third to follow soon after.
Sandeep R. Pillay (Deputy Chief Engineer Deccan Charters Private Ltd. Juhu Aerodrome Mumbai, India )
“Drain the Tank Sumps” (Cause & Circumstance, September 2012, page 57) was well received by everyone who read it here. I also circulated a picture of an actual fuel sample from a King Air B200 tank with it on my Facebook page. Check it out at www.facebook.com/GoodAircraftMaintenancePractices where I share information of use to my industry peers. It's being followed by aircraft maintainers as well as flight crews at several companies in India.
Eurocopter's (nee Aerospatiale's) AS350C/D AStar first entered the market in 1977 powered by a comparatively anemic and chronically sick Lycoming LTS101 turboshaft engine, but the basic design elements, including its three-blade, Starflex main rotor system, wide cabin and smooth ride were there from the beginning. Less than one year after introduction, it was up–graded with the more powerful and considerably more reliable Turbomeca Arriel 1, and reborn as AS350B.
Pilots soon will be able to control many avionics and aircraft systems by touching panel and console screens in much of the same way as they use their smart phones and PDAs. Avionics and airframe makers rapidly are embracing this proven user interface because, in most instances, it's easier to touch, tap, scroll and stretch screen icons and images with your fingertips than it is to use a multifunction control display unit (MCDU) or point-and-click cursor control device (CCD).
It had all begun when the doc said, “Turn and cough,” followed long seconds later by, “Hmmmm,” something he'd never said before. The diagnosis, alas: a hernia. Normally, it's no big deal and can be monitored for years, he said. But then again, things can go bad quickly, at which point it's 911 and sirens. I chose to be proactive. A grown-up. That was before. Now with less than 24 hr. to showtime, the kid in me was worried. How much will this hurt?
The FAA is calling for horizontal stabilator control system inspections on more than 34,000 older Piper piston aircraft. In an airworthiness directive (AD) published in the Feb. 4 Federal Register, the agency is mandating inspections and repair or replacement of damaged or corroded control cable assembly parts on Piper PA-28, PA-32, PA-34 and PA-44 (Cherokees, Warriors, Archers, Lances, Saratogas, Senecas and Seminoles) that are 15 years old or older.
Bombardier named ExecuJet Nigeria in Lagos a Line Maintenance Facility (LMF) for Challenger 300, Challenger 604,Challenger 605, Global 5000, Global 6000, Global Express and Global Express XRS business jets. Bombardier says the Lagos facility will complement ExecuJet's center in Lanseria, South Africa, which has been a Bombardier Authorized Service Facility (ASF) since 2002. The announcement brings the number of Bombardier ASFs and LMFs to more than 60 facilities worldwide. These are supported by nine Bombardier-owned service centers in North America and Europe.
FlightSafety International is adding Bombardier Challenger 605 training its Greater Philadelphia/Wilmington Learning Center beginning in April. The Wilmington Learning Center currently houses 15 full-flight simulators that provide training for the Bombardier Challenger 300, Challenger 604 and Global Express; Dassault Falcon 50 and Falcon 900; Gulfstream GIV, GV, G200 and G550; Hawker Premier 1A, 700, 800XP; as well as the IAI Astra and Westwind aircraft.
FL Technics Jets, provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services for business aviation, announced plans to triple its business with the ambitious aim of become the largest MRO center for business aviation in Europe.
Aireon, which is developing a global air traffic surveillance network using satellites instead of ground stations, is forming an eight-member advisory panel to involve airlines and other stakeholders in the effort. The committee will include representatives from airlines, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and air navigation service providers (ANSPs).
Dubai's Empire Aviation Group has inagurated management services for private aircraft owners in India. The company in December assumed management responsibility for its first business jet, a Bombardier Challenger 300 based at HAL International Airport in Bengaluru. Empire also is in negotiations to manage three more aircraft and plans to have five aircraft under management in India by mid-2013.
Signature Flight Support appears to have won a competition to develop and operate a 29-acre FBO facility at Mineta San José International Airport (SJC). A selection committee will recommend Signature Flight Support be awarded a 50-yr. lease on the airport's west side for the development. With SJC airport staff's report to the Airport Competitiveness Committee Feb. 22, the proposal evaluation process is complete. The airport will present its recommendation to the San José City Council in early spring.
The Part 23 Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), formed a year ago to draft recommendations to rewrite FAR Part 23 certification rules, has held its final meeting and the recommendations are 85-90% complete, says Greg Bowles, co-chair for the working group and director of engineering for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. The recommendations could be completed in either late winter or early spring, several months ahead of the intended schedule.
Cambridge Airport is offering free landing to all operators who purchase between 5,000 and 10,000 litres of fuel. For operators purchasing over 10,001 litres, further heavy discounting will be offered. The promotion will run until the end of 2013. ExecuJet Europe is celebrating its first anniversary at Cambridge. The company's first full-service FBO in the U.K., has expanded its services during the past year and has seen an increase in aircraft movements. In June 2012, it launched the U.K.'s first free pet travel service (PETS), which has proved popular with clients.
