After a review of the latest round of tests of the GPS interference potential of LightSquared's proposed wireless network, the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Executive Committee has found “both LightSquared's original and modified [plans] would cause harmful interference to many GPS receivers.” Further, FAA analysis concludes that LightSquared's proposals are not compatible with several GPS-dependent aircraft safety-of-flight systems, says a Jan. 13 letter to the U.S.
The FAA is facing a looming workforce crisis. A wave of controllers hired after the 1981 strike is getting ready to retire, says FAA. “Some 18% of air traffic controllers are eligible to retire, and we will need around 1,000 new controllers per year for the next 10 years,” the agency says. The issue is even more acute for air safety inspectors, close to 50% of whom will be close to retirement in the next five years.
The Bombardier Global Express XRS is the largest cabin purpose-built business aircraft yet to enter service. More than 200 units have been delivered since 2004 and operators say the aircraft has matured into a rock-solid reliable business transportation asset with more range and better cabin comfort than the original Global Express certified in 1998.
Safe Flight Instrument Corp. recently donated another $50,000 to Corporate Angel Network (CAN) in support of the charity, which arranges free flights to treatment for cancer patients using empty seats in business aircraft. A long time supporter of the program, the White Plains, N.Y.-based company is headed by Randall Greene, who also serves as CAN's chairman.
Embraer is starting 2012 with a slight year-over-year decline in the value of its backlog, after a year in which commercial aircraft deliveries increased slightly but business aviation saw another drop in aircraft going to customers. Embraer delivered 99 executive aircraft in 2011, down more than 30% from the 144 units delivered in 2010. Both Phenom and large aircraft deliveries (the Legacy and Lineage product lines) recorded declines. On the commercial transport front, deliveries were up to 105 units from 100.
The Independent Pilots Association, representing UPS pilots, filed a petition Dec. 22 with the U.S. Court of Appeals challenging the FAA's exclusion of cargo operations from the new flight and duty time rules. “To potentially allow fatigued cargo pilots to share the same skies with properly rested passenger pilots creates an unnecessary threat to public safety” said Capt. Robert Travis, IPA president. “We can do better.” Pilot union leaders at UPS and FedEx sent a joint letter to President Barack Obama opposing any cargo exemption from proposed new regulations.
The prototype AgustaWestland AW189 helicopter made its first flight in December 2011, ahead of schedule. The aircraft was launched at the 2011 Paris Air Show. AgustaWestland aims to achieve civil certification for the AW189 in 2013 and to start deliveries in early 2014. The first prototype will be used for avionics systems testing and certification of offshore equipment options, while the second prototype, set to fly this year, will be dedicated to a “load survey” program. The AW189 design is optimized for long-range offshore transport and SAR missions.
The Cessna Citation CJ4 received mostly strong praise for its design, performance and reliability during our recent survey of operators. Respondents say it's fast, it can carry 900-plus pounds. with full tanks and it's easy for a pilot to fly alone. The CJ4 is the most-powerful, most-capable and most-expensive CitationJet family member yet offered by the Wichita firm.
Cell phones have taken over so much of the world's voice communications that many people have discontinued use of their land-lines altogether and rely solely on the mobile phones for telephony. But in the U.S., these ubiquitous devices are barred from use in aircraft both by FAA Advisory Circular 91-21B and by the Federal Communications Commission. However, Europe allows cell phones on aircraft.
Despite strong opposition, the Obama administration is not backing off its support for a $100 per-flight user charge. “The administration is making tough choices across the federal budget and asking everyone to do their fair share,” says Dana Hyde, associate director for General Government Programs for the Office of Management and Budget.
Landmark Aviation has launched a new mobile app called Landmark Connect. The new app provides customers with access to service and contact information for every FBO within the Landmark Aviation network and serves as a comprehensive source for FBO service and amenity descriptions, runway maps, current weather condition and direct-dial features. It is compatible with the iPhone and iPad, and versions for Android smart phones, BlackBerry's Storm and Torch smart phone models will be available soon. San Diego, Calif.-based Treeline Interactive assisted in the development.
December business aircraft flight activity slows down over the holidays. TRAQPak data indicates that December 2011 business aircraft flight activity declined from November 2011, falling 6.1% from the previous month. A look at the individual operational categories shows a decrease across the board led by Part 91, which was down 8.9% from the previous month. Fractional activity followed, down 3.4%, and Part 135 finished down 2.3%. All aircraft categories were down month over month with large-cabin aircraft showing the most significant decline off 8.1% from November.
Four business jet manufacturers have talked with Chinese fighter builder Avic Aviation Techniques (AAT) aimed at joint development and manufacture of business jets in China. It is unclear, however, whether all of the bidders are eager to participate in the whole program proposed by AAT — transfer a current business jet production line to the company's Chengdu works and jointly develop a new large aircraft, with significant technological transfer. Participants in the talks are Israel Aircraft Industries, Hawker Beechcraft, Cessna and Bombardier.
Blue Sky Network received supplemental type certification for use of its D1000 flight-tracking unit and ACH1000 communications control aboard Sikorsky S-92 helicopters. The D1000A uses built-in GPS position reporting combined with an Iridium satellite transceiver and telemetry data link to provide flight-tracking capability. The ACH1000 communications control head adds voice communication and two-way messaging connectivity between operators and the control center.
NBAA reminds aircraft owners with registration certificates issued in July of any given year before October 2010 to apply to re-register their aircraft with the FAA before Jan. 31, 2012. Those operators should have already received a notice in the mail containing an online re-registration code.
Saab Sensis Corp. will install its airport surface surveillance technology at nine or more U.S. airports under a contract awarded by the FAA that could be worth up to $119 million. Sensis, a U.S. subsidiary of Saab, will install systems that fuse surveillance data from multiple sources, including multilateration and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B). This gives controllers a highly accurate picture of runway and taxiway movements, and the ability to detect conflicts and provide alerts.
The FAA says the continuing failure of the U.S. Congress to pass a reauthorization bill is undermining confidence in the administration's ability to execute the Next Generation air traffic modernization plan. Pressing for immediate action, FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta says the hiatus “creates a climate of uncertainty.” The FAA is in its fourth year of operating under temporary funding, with Congress having passed more than 20 extensions in lieu of a full reauthorization bill.
Signature Flight Support has announced Signature TailWins and the Signature Flight aviation card. TailWins is a loyalty program for pilots, crew, schedulers and dispatchers, and corporate flight and travel departments offering one of the highest rates of rewards currently available, according to the company. Products and services include watches, destination travel, apparel and technology purchases. The aviation card is underwritten by U.S. Bank and Multi Service Aviation. It offers a convenient payment method for all aviation purchases.
CAE has opened Mexico's first business jet and civil helicopter training center. Full-flight simulators for the Bombardier Learjet 40/45 and the Bell 412 were recently qualified to Level D-equivalent standards by Mexico's Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC). The new center is located at Aeropuerta Internacional de Toluca, which is easily accessible from Mexico City. Toluca is the seventh location in CAE's business aviation training network and the ninth for civil helicopter training. CAE www.cae.com
Honda Aircraft Company announced Dec. 20 that it had been flying the third FAA design-conforming HondaJet since Nov.18, 2011. Honda Aircraft has expanded F2's performance envelope as the aircraft has begun its test mission work in earnest. The first FAA-conforming HondaJet, which flew for the first time on Dec. 20, 2010, has achieved key benchmarks that meet or exceed the aircraft's designed performance goals.
Daher-Socata delivered 38 TBM850 single-engine aircraft last year, equaling the total of the year before. Deliveries to buyers in the U.S. continued to dominate, with 84% of deliveries topping the 76% that found their way to the U.S. in 2010. Latin America was the second largest market, with Asia-Pacific and Europe following. Europe was the second largest market in 2010. Daher-Socata says it was the fourth best year for the TBM.
