The number of accidents in 2014, considering both U.S.-registered business jet and turboprop aircraft, decreased from 49 in 2013 to 38 as did fatal accidents 23 to 15, which decreased from 61 to 47. However, business jet accidents increased from 12 to 16 and fatalities 17 to 26 with a high percentage occurring in the corporate/executive pro-flown category where 19 fatalities occurred in three fatal accidents.
Many business jets have the capability to climb quickly into the mid-40 flight levels and cruise far above most weather. It can be tempting to sit back, enjoying the generally clear skies at these altitudes and taking relief that the weather below us can’t hurt us.
On Nov. 28, 2005, the flight crew of N691TA, a Raytheon Beechjet 400A en route from Indianapolis International Airport (IND) to Marco Island Airport (MRK), Florida, had just commenced a descent to FL 330 from FL 380 when they heard a loud pop from the right engine followed 10 sec. later by a loud pop from the left engine. Cockpit power indications for both engines quickly decreased and the pilots stated that the rpm indications for both engines showed 0 rpm. That last part is interesting because one would assume and hope the engines would continue windmilling.
Even the latest generation turbofan engines have been affected by ice crystal icing, causing nine recent events on Boeing 747-800 and Boeing 787-800 aircraft. On Nov. 27, 2013, the FAA adopted a new Airworthiness Directive concerning ice crystal icing. It is aimed at the Boeing 747-800 series and 787-800 airplanes powered by GEnx engines. The AD was promoted by reports of engine damage and thrust loss events as a result of flying in high-altitude ice crystal icing conditions.
Investigators from Canada’s Transportation Safety Board often do their on-scene investigations under difficult circumstances, but working in Antarctica can be just about as difficult as it gets. This month, we’ll look at the loss of a de Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter and its crew of three in a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accident on Mount Elizabeth, Antarctica. The airplane belonged to Kenn Borek Air Ltd. (KBAL).
According to a 2013 study by Airbus, passengers cited lack of sleeping comfort, back ache, and leg ache as the top three factors for discomfort on long haul flights. They also said that seats that are too narrow would have a negative impact on their post flight well-being, impacting them with tiredness and sore muscles. Post flight well-being was of particular concern to business passengers who need to ensure they are able to perform in working environments.
A classic Learjet performer, the midsize 60XR offers the allure of scintillating climb performance and sleek ramp appeal. It boasts the largest cabin and longest range of any Learjet yet to reach production. But you’ll need nearly 5500 ft. of runway at sea level on a standard day.
Quote from a 1986 enforcement case: “As Hogan Air Flight 816 taxied on Taxiway ‘C’ and passed by the Guard ramp area, the cadets observed you abandon your position in the left seat, stand up, remove your trousers, slide the window open and expose your buttocks.”
Development of Bombardier’s top-of-the-line Global 7000 and 8000 business jets seeing significant advances with flight testing of its all-new GE Passport engine now well underway. The engine maker planned to put the new powerplant through water ingestion and fan blade certification tests about now, just weeks after first flight, which occurred Dec. 30.
Development of Bombardier’s top-of-the-line Global 7000 and 8000 business jets seeing significant advances with flight testing of its all-new GE Passport engine now well underway. The engine maker planned to put the new powerplant through water ingestion and fan blade certification tests about now, just weeks after first flight, which occurred Dec. 30.
Jet-A Region High Low Average Eastern $8.50 $3.74 $6.04 New England $7.09 $3.72 $5.32 Great Lakes $7.74 $3.78 $5.32 Central $7.41 $3.79 $4.84 Southern $7.79 $4.14 $6.03 Southwest $6.71 $3.03 $5.14 N
Moone y International has delivered the first M20TN Acclaim Type S aircraft to be issued a Chinese registration. The handover took place in December following reassembly in China of the aircraft, which was built and flight-tested in Kerrville, Texas, and then disassembled and shipped by sea. The formal delivery occurred just two weeks after Mooney received its Validation of Type Certificate (VTC) by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
Continental Motors Group has set sights on its new home market to retrofit diesel engines for China’s fleets of training aircraft. China’s AVIC International Holding Corp. acquired Mobile, Alabama-based Continental in 2011 and then went on to acquire the assets of German diesel aero-engine maker Thielert Aircraft Engines, now Technify Motors, as well, and place it under Continental’s banner.
Triumph Group has taken over production of Spirit Aerosystem’s money-losing Gulfstream G650 and G280 wing work in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The deal was effective Dec. 30. The business will operate as Triumph Aerostructures-Vought Aircraft Division-Tulsa and will be included in Triumph’s Aerostructures Group segment. Triumph received $160 million from Spirit in the transaction along with about $60-80 million in inventory, tooling, machinery, equipment and other assets needed to run the business.
Embraer’s business jet deliveries were down by one in the last quarter of 2014 as compared to the same period a year earlier, and closed out the full year down slightly as well. The Brazilian manufacturer delivered 52 business jets in the 4Q14 and 116 executive jets — 92 light jets and 24 large models — for the year. That compares with 53 executive jets delivered in 4Q13 and 119 for that year. At the close of 2014, the company, which also manufacturers commercial, military and utility aircraft, reported an order backlog of $20.9 billion.
Atlas Air Serviced delivered the first Cessna Citation M2 in Europe to Muller Co-Ax ag from Forchtenbert in Baden-Wurttemberg. The business jet landed at Bremen Airport after flying from Independence, Kansas. The M2 has a range of up to 1,300 nm which enables it to fly direct from Frankfurt to Moscow or Hamburg to Lisbon.
The fleet of Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft in service for the oil and gas industry had accumulated more than 10 million flight hours as of the end of 2014. Of the estimated 2,300 rotorcraft used in oil and gas missions today, about 25% are produced by Airbus. In the Americas the company’s helicopters have accumulated more than 4.12 million flight hours, followed by Europe (3.27 million flight hours) and Asia (over 1.82 million flight hours).
Growing interest from cargo operators in autonomous aircraft is leading a drive for single-pilot operation of freighters. That’s the observation by John Tracy, chief technology officer and senior vice president of Engineering, Operations and Technology at Boeing. And, he says, “Technologically the tool kit is filled.
Veteran aviation journalist Molly McMillin has assumed the post of Managing Editor of Penton’s Weekly of Business Aviation and of business aviation content for the Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN). “I am thrilled to be able to continue serving the business aviation community I respect so much, in this newly expanded role,” McMillin said upon her appointment. She will continue to be based in Wichita, Kan., where she has spent most of her career.
NetJets Europe has taken the lead in a consortium of 15 companies called Advanced Approaches for all Airports (A3), which intends to demonstrate new approach and landing solutions to increase capacity within the continent’s airport network while reducing emissions, fuel burn and noise. The organization has been formed under the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) program.
Garmin International says it received certification for its Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipment for the Gulfstream G150. The Garmin GTX 3000 Mode S Extended Squitter remote transponder and GDL 88 ADS-B datalink combine to fulfill the ADS-B requirements. The GTX 3000 and GDL 88 provides operators a seamless path to meet the demands of air traffic modernization initiatives around the world, Garmin said.
