Business Aviation

Rockwell Collins has announced a series of updates to its ARINCDirect Flight Operations System, including the ability to integrate with new tools and the launch of a new vendor alliance charter management program. The FOS release features a more intuitive, mobile-friendly, touchscreen user interface for tablets and smartphones. It also provides access to flight-risk assessment and fatigue-risk-management tools through the Pulsar Infomatics Aviation Fatigue Meter suite and the SAFE tool developed by Fatigue Risk Management Science Limited.

In July, the Lincoln, Nebraska-headquartered business aviation maintenance and modification company reported joining the Robotic Skies network to service “the emerging commercial unmanned aircraft fleet.” “Duncan Aviation has always been in the forefront of new industry trends,” said Don Fiedler, the company’s Business Development for Avionics and Instruments, adding, “We see a promising and growing future for unmanned aircraft systems.” With service centers located throughout North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand and

Elliott Aviation, based in Moline, Illinois, has gained FAA supplemental type certificate for the activation and use of all Gogo Business Aviation Wi-Fi products in Embraer’s Phenom 300. The STC also allows for operation of Gogo’s UCS 5000, an all-in-one smart router and media server. The service includes the Gogo Vision cabin entertainment system. Gogo Vision is an on-demand, inflight entertainment system for business aviation to provide movies, TV episodes, news, weather, flight progress and other information. Elliott is an authorized Phenom 100 and 300 service center.

If you happen to operate a Meyers/Aero Commander 200 — unlikely, since fewer than 130 were built during its production run from 1959 to 1967 — there’s been an encouraging development. GlobalParts.aero, an Augusta, Kansas, parts manufacturer, has acquired the type certificate for the four-place single piston aircraft from its owner in Texas and plans to support the fleet with spare parts. “This opportunity came out of nowhere,” GlobalParts Vice President Malissa Nesmith said.

VistaJet has increased its in-service business-jet fleet to 50 aircraft. All are Bombardier business jets. The milestone will be achieved in June when VistaJet takes delivery of a Global 6000 ultra-long-range aircraft, the company said. The growing fleet reflects VistaJet’s increasing global expansion, said Thomas Flohr, VistaJet founder and chairman.

Sixteen years after delivering its first production aircraft, Duluth, Minnesota-based Cirrus Aircraft is celebrating its 6,000th customer delivery of a new Cirrus aircraft “Our customers, partners and employees are rightfully proud of this amazing accomplishment,” said Dale Klapmeier, cofounder and CEO of Cirrus Aircraft.

Thales is taking the helmet out of the helmet-mounted display and bringing Top Gun technology to the business jet world. Less than three years after acquiring an innovative line of helmet-mounted displays (HMD) from U.S. helmet-maker Gentex, Thales is offering the same technology for applications ranging from civil helicopters and business jets to the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, including an a entirely new head-worn display called TopMax. The basic Scorpion combat HMD is already flying on U.S.

Bombardier Aerospace has received type certification for the Challenger 300 and Challenger 350 business jets from the Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aviacon Civil (UAEAC) of Colombia, the country’s Civil Aviation Authority, the company said. The Challenger portfolio is gaining strong momentum in Latin America, company officials said. And Colombia is a growing market in the region.

In its recent market outlook, Embraer predicts deliveries of 6,350 jets in the 70-to-130 seat category over the next 20 years.

It’s worked on the Pacific coast, so why not on the Atlantic coast as well? That’s the thinking of the team that founded Surf Air, the growing commercial operation that provides scheduled PC-12 service among various California business aviation airports to its members.

Boeing Business Jets has launched its BBJ MAX 9 large cabin, ultra-long-range business aircraft with an order from an undisclosed European customer. It’s the fifth firm order for a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) MAX aircraft. Boeing has previously booked four orders for the BBJ MAX 8 model. The first order was announced in 2014. “We are thrilled to announce that the BBJ MAX 9 program is officially launched with our first BBJ MAX 9 order,” Boeing Business Jets President David Longridge said.

Texas-based FreeFlight Systems has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate and Approved Model List certification for its ADS-B systems,which are ready for shipping and installation. The systems are approved for installation in more than 400 light general-aviation aircraft. The RANGR Lite systems are available as an ADS-B Out only system for $1,995, and as an ADS-B In/Out system for $3,695. The price includes built-in WAAS/GPS, ADS-B and GPS antennas, an install kit, control head and/or Wi-Fi module if needed.

Portland, Maine-based MAC Air Group broke ground at Portland International Jetport for a new 43,000- sq.-ft., full-service operation.

Aviation Week editors discuss the latest news surrounding the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 in March, 2014. If a “flaperon” found on the island this week is indeed from the Boeing 777-200ER, what does its location and condition tell us about the final minutes of the Beijing-bound widebody jet?

Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, N.J., was the most popular North American business aviation airport in June 2015, according to an analysis of acukwik.com traffic. Airports in Montreal and near Mexico City were among the top five most popular North American airports.

Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, N.J., was the most popular business aviation airport in June 2015, according to an analysis of acukwik.com traffic. Paris Le Bourget Airport, William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, San Antonio International Airport in San Antonio, Texas, and London Luton Airport ranked in the top five airports.

FlightSafety International announces that Dassault Aviation has renewed its Certificate of Approval as an authorized training provider in accordance with the Falcon Training Policy Manual.

Challenger Love My least favorite part of the Bombardier Challenger 604, an aircraft I have been flying for 13 years, is the fuel system, which is seemingly an impossible mystery to crack. You are never really sure just how much fuel is in the tanks. The 20,000 lb. the book says you can carry is a pipe dream at best because it never takes it all — sometimes coming up over 1,500 lb. short, thus forcing you to replan your tech stop at the last minute.

The fast growing Isle of Man aircraft registry is staffing up to face the implementation of new European safety regulations and to handle increasing applications from business jet operators.

Aviation Week editors discuss the latest in experimental aircraft

FlightSafety’s G550 simulator Is FAA-approved for upset training, a first in what’s to become universal for airline crews.

By choosing the Bell 412, license-built by FHI, Japan has gone for low cost and low risk. The main alternative was the advanced Airbus H160, which KHI could have helped build for global customers.

The annual air show in Wisconsin offers a glimpse of the future, honors the past and serves as a platform for the vibrant general aviation sector.

The world’s largest fly-in should be a fun, peacetime party. There’s no need for it to involve the chaos of air combat.

In a delightful twist of fate at Oshkosh, I was able to take part in a formation flight of three P-51s, two of which carried the “Old Crow” title.