Considering all their powered, moving parts, helicopters are by their very nature noisy conveyances. They are, however, in the process of getting quieter, much to the relief of those within and without. Noise reduction of rotary wing aircraft is obviously a major goal of the industry, and in view of the news reports regarding the quiet, special ops helicopters used in the assault against Osama Bin Laden, the technology is gaining.
Nihad E. Daidzic, Ph.D. ATP, CFII, MEI, CFIG Professor of Aviation and Mechanical Engineering (Minnesota State University Mankato, Minn. )
Regarding “Cause & Circumstance” (December 2013), two pilots needlessly died primarily due to lack of proper training and understanding of multiengine airplane control and performance during dynamic asymmetric-thrust operations. In order to regain control, the airplane performance must be first sacrificed. Pilots just did not have enough altitude for that tradeoff, sadly only 20 seconds from touchdown.
Atlantic Aviation has reached a deal to acquire five fixed-base operations from Galaxy Aviation for $195 million. Atlantic Aviation parent Macquarie Infrastructure Company plans to fund the acquisition, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014, through a combination of cash, proceeds of an equity offering and a credit facility. The acquisition will provide Atlantic Aviation with a foothold in Florida, where it currently does not operate any facilities.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has scheduled a series of six regional AOPA Fly-Ins and an “ AOPA Homecoming ” in Frederick, Md. The fly-ins will include a town hall meeting with association President Mark Baker, who will discuss industry issues and association initiatives. The events will also include educational and safety seminars, aircraft displays and exhibits , flying activities and clinics. The events will include a return of AOPA 's annual Frederick Fly-In on Oct. 4 that will feature a celebration of the association's 75th anniversary.
Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Ga., announced that Kevin Dutton is the new vice president, Operations Finance. He will lead financial functions for Gulfstream operations in the U.S. and Mexico. David Pearman was appointed general manger of the company's service center in West Palm Beach, Fla. He has served as general manager of Gulfstream's component repair facility in Lincoln, Calif., since 2008.
Honda Aircraft's new customer service facility in Greensboro, N.C., has received FAR Part 145 certification. Opened in October 2013, the facility is initially cleared for component-level repairs, but Honda expects to expand the approvals to cover heavy aircraft maintenance and major services repairs this year. The facility is also the base for Honda's customer service organization and will provide warranty administration; service programs sales and administration; provide 24/7 technical support and training; and develop technical publications.
Jan. 6 — At 0700 EST, a Mooney M20R (N1046L) collided with trees and terrain about 1 mi. east of the Boyne City Municipal Airport (KN98), Boyne City, Mich. The private pilot and the passenger on board were both fatally injured. The airplane was heavily damaged from the impact and a post-crash fire. The airplane was registered to Chair Covers Leasing, Inc., and operated by the private pilot. The purpose of the flight is unknown at this time. It was VFR for the flight and an IFR flight plan was filed.
Gulfstream Aerospace announced it will expand its aircraft service and support organization by adding a new worldwide Product Support distribution Center located in the NorthPort Industrial Park in Savannah. The center is expected to be completed in early 2015 and will have more than 300 employees and about $900 mill in parts and materials inventory. The center will be 338,100 sq. ft. for parts and materials and 67,000 sq. ft. for office space.
The battle for the future of Santa Monica, Calif., Airport (SMO) is fully engaged. The city has filed suit in federal court seeking full control over the facility and, if successful, would likely result in its permanent closure in 2015. The FAA is opposing the move, insisting the city must operate the facility as an airport in perpetuity — a position the municipality flatly rejects. Santa Monica maintains its airport obligations expire in 2015 under a settlement agreement the city reached with FAA in 1984.
Model 45 became only the second clean-sheet Learjet since the 1963 Learjet 23 when it was launched by launched in June 1990. It was built from 1998 to 2012. It was replaced by the higher performing Learjet 75 in November 2013.
In April 1997, the American Airlines Flight Academy produced a seminar on the hazards of automation dependency, particularly the perils of attempting to reprogram flight management computers in time-sensitive, high workload environments.
WSI Corporation's Fusion Operations Management platform now supports flight tracking for Honeywell GDC Datalink customers. Using the Honeywell position reports, WSI Fusion is enabled with global contiguous flight tracking and monitoring of equipped flight departments. WSI has also announced the debut of WSI Business Aviation Solution, a platform to improve safety and efficiency of flight operations. The tool combines weather information, airspace constraints, flight information and operational data in a clear picture, according to WSI.
Milestone Aviation Group, Richard Santulli's Dublin-based helicopter leasing company, recently announced it had closed on an unsecured $200 million revolving credit line. That increases its unsecured borrowing capacity to $450 million and revolving borrowing capacity to $800 million.
Meanwhile, at the other end of Wichita's Kellogg Avenue, Cessna has begun deliveries of its M2 light jet and new Sovereign+, providing the planemaker with a much needed boost. Last year the company phased out production and sold off what original Sovereign and Citation X jets remained, posting losses of $50 million in the second quarter and $23 million in the third quarter as a result. Powered by Williams FJ44 engines, the M2 flies at speeds of 400 kt., has a 1,300-nm range and can operate at airports with 3,250-ft. runways.
The FAA will keep its minimum random drug and alcohol testing percentage rates the same for calendar year 2014, testing at least 25% of covered employees for drugs and 10% for alcohol, the agency has determined. The decision, set to be formalized in a Federal Register notice, is made each year based on full-year testing results from the last full calendar year. If positive test rates exceed 1.0% for drugs or 0.50% for alcohol in a year, FAA must boost the percentages of employees tested.
Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, named Craig Olson vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Systems. He succeeds Jeff Standersky, who was recently named senior vice president, Information Management Services. Olson has been with Rockwell Collins for more than 27 years.
Tips and insights from a veteran By AC-U-KWIK's Consulting Editor, Alain George, [email protected] Private/corporate operators with aircraft registered in an ICAO-contracted state do not require prior permission to overfly/land in the U.K. However, there are Customs re–quirements that apply according to your point of departure or destination:
Bell Helicopter plans to its build its new SLS — shorthand for “short light single-engine” — helicopter at an all-new production facility at Louisiana's Lafayette Regional Airport. To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered an incentive package that includes performance-based grants of $4.0 million for lease support, $3.8 million for infrastructure and equipment, and $0.2 million to reimburse relocation expenses. Meanwhile, Bell is investing $11.4 million in equipment and tooling. The new facility is expected to create 115 new jobs.
It has long been one of the true world capitals, a center of international finance, culture and power. Moreover, London generates a kind of permanent vortex that draws in those from throughout the globe who hope to enrich their coffers or enhance their status. All roads may have led to Rome, but the sea lanes and airways all find their way to the storied metropolis 30 miles up the River Thames.
Questions for Dr. Peggy Chabrian Sure she was going to be an elementary school teacher, Chabrian recalculated her life after taking aflight in a 1946 Ercoupe. 1. How is it that the WAI and conference came to be?
Gulfstream Aerospace 's service center at London Luton Airport in the U.K. recently received European Aviation Safety Agency approval to perform maintenance on the Gulfstream G280.The facility earned similar EASA approval for Gulfstream 's G650 last year. The G280 entered service in November 2012, followed by the G650 in December 2012.
The working group involved in the 2013 “Operational Use of Flight Path Management Systems” study found continued instances of pilots being unaware of the potential consequences of selection of certain FMS modes.
Highly advanced cockpit automation, particularly full-function FMS, can reduce pilot workload and increase the flight crew's time available to manage all cockpit resources. Just program the FMS, twist the knobs and push the buttons on the flight guidance panel and you're ready to go. After takeoff, clean up the aircraft, engage the autopilot, sit back, manage the automation and enjoy the trip. Just watch the airplane follow the magenta line on the PFD until you're on final landing approach.
While much of the business aviation industry news in recent years has involved cutbacks, closures and consolidations, Gulfstream Aerospace has delivered a completely different kind of dispatch. In 2006, two years before the global financial crisis, the Georgia-based manufacturer outlined a seven-year expansion effort that would result in 1,100 new jobs and represent a $300 million investment. But halfway through that original seven-year commitment, Gulfstream had already invested $400 million and created 1,500 new jobs in Savannah.
AgustaWestland is continuing to add improvement modifications to its AW609 as the aircraft moves toward its confirmed certification scheduled for 2017. The hybrid fixed/rotary wing aircraft currently has “almost 60 potential orders from global customers,” according to Roberto Caprarella, Communications Manager for the company. These are from both civil and government customers in a range of configurations, primarily VIP/executive transport and offshore oil and gas operators.
