DC Aviation has been granted approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to expand its maintenance capabilities in Dubai to include the Bombardier Challenger 604/605 type of aircraft.
Embraer and Boeing have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for creating a joint biofuels research centre for the purpose of developing and maturing the knowledge and technologies that make it possible to establish a sustainable biofuels chain for aviation.
Dassault Aviation is on schedule for the first flight of its Falcon 5X with the joining of the main centre fuselage subassemblies - a key milestone in the production program for this new large cabin twinjet.
Embraer Commercial Aviation rolled out the first E175 featuring a range of aerodynamic improvements that reduce fuel burn compared to the previous production aircraft.
The African Business Aviation Association, AfBAA, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Jet Support Services (JSSI), the provider of hourly cost maintenance programmes for the Business Aviation industry, to raise awareness of the importance of adopting best practices in aircraft maintenance.
Tom Hendricks, National Air Transportation Association, President & CEO discusses his objective “to focus on areas of agreement” within the aviation community.
NextGen, the FAA’s much ballyhooed satellite-based air traffic control system, is not generating much love. Or action, at least on the part of aircraft owners and operators. While most aircraft being delivered are either equipped or provisioned for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out, a key element in NextGen, the existing U.S. fleet of general aviation and turbine-powered business aircraft, along with airliners — that’s 200,000+ aircraft, by the FAA’s estimate — are not.
At the time, I’d do anything to get 1,000 hr. of turbine PIC to qualify for the airlines,” said a young first officer who now flies jetliners for a commuter air carrier. “Everyone who flies for them is hungry for turbine flight time.” So, when offered a job as a twin-turboprop captain flying freight on an inter-island carrier, he jumped at the opportunity. It was a big step up from his previous assignment as a copilot in an Embraer Brasilia.
A passenger leans into the cockpit and says, “Captain, there is smoke pouring from behind the lav. It’s getting hard to see and breathe.” As you turn to look, another voice shouts, “Fire!” These words may be the most chilling you will ever hear in flight and they are your clarion call to battle. Dealing with a cabin fire is the worst kind of aerial combat you will ever face, and to prevail, you need a plan. Fire is a deadly adversary.
Over the past several years, the still relatively young House and Senate General Aviation Caucuses have emerged into some of the strongest and largest on Capitol Hill. The House caucus, which exceeds 250 members, is the largest in the chamber, while the Senate caucus stood strong at 40 members.
For $300,000 to $450,000, you can a buy a 1986 to 1989 Beechjet 400 (RJ-0001 to RJ-0065) that climbs directly to FL 400 to FL 410, that cruises at 440 KTAS and that can carry four passengers more than 1,600 nm. While there are plenty of choices in today’s pre-owned light jet market, few offer this aircraft’s blend of speed, cabin comfort and full-tanks payload. Of the 65 units built, around 50 remain in service.
NBAA’s 17th annual convention at Bal Harbour, Florida, exceeded even the most optimistic predictions as the most successful confab in the Association’s history. Registration topped 1,400 and the aircraft on display at nearby Opa Locka was estimated at $75 million in value.
Five passengers were killed and two pilots suffered serious injuries when Beech Premier 390 — N777VG —crashed during a balked landing at Thomson, Georgia on Feb. 20, 2013. NTSB has completed its investigation with a finding that the probable cause was “the pilot’s failure to follow airplane flight manual procedures for an antiskid failure in flight, and his failure to immediately retract the lift dump after he elected to attempt a go-around on the runway.
Nov. 2 — About 1456 PST, a Cessna T210M (N1593M) was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Jacksonville, Oregon. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. It was VFR for the cross-country flight that was operating on an IFR flight plan originating from Grants Pass, Oregon, with an intended destination of Long Beach, California. The pilot reported that during cruise flight at an altitude of about 12,000 ft.
Facing increased competition, Bombardier has updated its popular super-midsize business jet with improved avionics, more powerful engines, new winglets and cabin enhancements. For a modest price increase, the resulting Challenger 350 provides a significant increase in value.
If you ask maintainers what’s their most unpleasant, even disgusting, job the response is invariably working on lavatory systems. They’d prefer cleaning out the nastiest, fungus-lined fuel tank to wearing the “blue stain of courage.”
Handling waste material is unpleasant, but mishandling it can be even worse. You can receive heavy fines from federal, state and local government units for improper discharge and mishaps i nvolving exposure to your technicians. To learn more about waste handling safety in the U.S., go to: www.epa.gov and www.osha.gov
