Scheyden's new True Aviator is functional in the cockpit and is the only timepiece to offer an Aide Memoire Bi-Directional ATIC bezel as a paperless reminder of the Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) recordings, according to the company. It comes with engraved airport identifiers. The lower gauge is a multi-feature digital IFR timer than can be used for timing instrument procedures or assisting with time checklist items. The upper gauge features a Liquid-Filled Magnetic Compass that provides awareness on the ground.
¡Ross Aviation has acquired the assets and FBO of Louisiana Aircraft at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (KBTR). The FBO will continue to operate as Louisiana Aircraft and Landon Petty will continue to serve as its general manager. The facility is located on 17 acres and offers 113,500 sq. ft. of hangar space. This was the company's sixth acquisition in 2013. Ross Aviation has 19 FBOs in eleven states including Hawaii, New Jersey, Florida and Washington.
Congressmen Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), chair and member, respectively, are sponsoring a bill to eliminate the third-class medical requirements for pilots who operate aircraft of 6,000 lb. or less, under visual flight rules, at speeds below 250 kt. and altitudes below 14,000 ft. Under the bill, pilots must have a valid pilot's license and must not fly for compensation.
Piper's PA-46-500TP Meridian made its debut in September 2000 as a 2001 model. It was the lowest priced pressurized, single-engine new production turboprop and it has retained that distinction. Piper created the Meridian by swapping a P&WC PT6A for the 350-hp piston engine of the PA-46 Malibu Mirage and modifying the airframe to handle the extra weight and speed. Everything about this project was designed to keep development costs low and that's reflected in the final product.
Jet Aviation, Zurich, appointed Alain Champonnois as the new vice president and general manager of the company's FBO and line maintenance operations in Jeddah, Riyadh and Medina, Saudi Arabia. He reports to Stefan Benz, vice president of MRO and FBO operations in EMEA and Asia. Champonnois succeeds Hardy Butschi, who was recently appointed vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Dubai.
Tzvetomir Blajev, chairman of the Flight Safety Foundation's European Advisory Committee, has identified six main accident risks associated with circling approaches: 1 The circling aircraft penetrates the obstacle clearance limits and collides with terrain or an obstacle (CFIT). 2 An aircraft performing a go-around from a circling approach penetrates the obstacle clearance limits and collides with terrain or an obstacle (CFIT). 3vThe circling aircraft loses control and crashes.
Quest Aircraft obtained certification for its Kodiak single-turboprop aircraft from Venezuela's Civil Aviation Authority. The Kodiak has now been certified in 13 countries, and Quest expects more approvals this year. Quest is planning to deliver the first Kodiak to a Venezuelan customer shortly. The new owner will operate the aircraft for personal and business use. Quest began deliveries of the Kodiak in 2007 and the aircraft is in service with charter operators, small businesses, personal owners, U.S. and international governments and humanitarian organizations.
FlightSafety International, La Guardia Airport, N.Y., promoted David Judge to assistant manger of the company Learning Center located at the London Farnborough airport in the U.K. Kelly Allender was appointed manager of FlightSafety International's learning center in Dallas. Allender joined FlightSafety in 2001, serving in the company's Cessna facility in Wichita. There he served as assistant manager, director of programs, program manager for Cessna Citation Mustang training, and ground and simulator instructor.
Anthony Kioussis (President Asset Insight Inc. Amissville, Va. )
I commend Mike Gamauf for his overview of the valuable role maintenance managers play in aircraft dispositions (“When to Say Goodbye to Your Aircraft,” December 2013, page 32). From my experience, the leadership team already does look “to maintenance managers to produce the numbers, gather the facts and provide input.” However, I believe maintenance managers can offer a great deal more to their owners.
Elliott Aviation, Moline, Ill., hired Lawrence Harting as FCM general manager and vice president of Flight Operations. He will oversee day-to-day operations of over 60 employees at Elliott Aviation's Flying Cloud facility and be in charge of Elliott's flight department including charter and aircraft management operations.
Daher-Socata has named WingsOverAsia as a TBM Aircraft Sales Representative to market the TBM throughout Asia on a non-exclusive basis. WingOver Asia is a private/executive aircraft flight support and aviation lifestyle services provider. The company also privides worldwide flight operations and ground handling along with turnkey aircraft acquisition support.
Jet Aviation's Teterboro repair station is now authorized to provide base, line, repair and overhaul maintenance support to Gulfstream G650 aircraft. This authorization also extends to Jet's Cayman AMO, Bermuda AMO and EASA repair station authorities. “We have made a significant investment in tooling, training and data to support the needs of our clients moving to this new aircraft type,” said David Smith, director of quality Assurance, MRO services. Jet Aviation www.jetaviation.com
Inmarsat confirmed that Dec. 8 was the launch for the first of its Global Xpress (GX) satellites, the Inmarsat-5 F1 (I-5 F1). Built by Boeing Satellite Systems International, the satellite was to have launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The satellite is the first of three that will be used for Inmarsat's Global Xpress Ka-band. Inmarsat teamed with Honeywell to bring its planned GX Aviation inflight connectivity services to the business aviation market. The service is expected to be rolled out to the business aviation community in early 2015.
As could have been expected, the FAA's new emphasis on identifying pilots with sleep issues, and with obstructive sleep apnea in particular, has drawn considerable opposition and commentary from a variety of pilot and aviation organizations, including the AOPA, NBAA, and Air Line Pilots Association.
Rockwell Collins was recently selected by Jet Aviation Basel to provide its Venue cabin management and entertainment system and high-definition Airshow 3-D Moving Map system for an Airbus A340CJ business jet. The A340CJ will be the largest aircraft to date to carry the equipment, which has been installed on more than 300 aircraft including a number of large VIP jets. HD monitors will be installed throughout the aircraft, along with wireless audio/video-on-demand capability for personal devices. Installation is slated to begin in the first half of 2014.
National Business Aviation Association, Washington, announced that Dick Boubrava, NBAA director, Legislative Affairs, and Christa Fornarotto, who is currently serving as FAA associate administrator for airports, have both been appointed to vice president positions with government-relations responsibilities for the association.
One of the darkest days in aviation history was Sunday, March 27, 1977. An explosion set by a separatist group at Gran Canaria Airport closed that facility, forcing many jetliners to divert to a smaller airport on neighboring Tenerife island as a precaution. The Tenerife controllers were soon overwhelmed and the ramps and taxiways were crowded with large aircraft, including Boeing 747s.
Despite strong opposition among pilot groups and in Congress, the Federal Air Surgeon is staying on course with his plan to require pilots and controllers with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 to undergo testing for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and seek treatment, if necessary. (See “Keeping Your Medical Qualification” page 30.) During a Dec. 12 webinar, Dr. Fred Tilton maintained that the requirement is a process enhancement that does not need to go through the rulemaking process.
Ben Sclair (General Aviation News Living With Your Plane Lakewood, Wash. ), Publisher (General Aviation News Living With Your Plane Lakewood, Wash. )
Congratulations on the B&CA redesign. I very much like the new logo as it lives up to what everyone has called the magazine for years . . . as you note in your Viewpoint (October 2013, page 11). The flow and look of the digital edition is striking. It's very comfortable and easy to read. General Aviation News Living With Your Plane Lakewood, Wash.
Due to an editing error, on page 51 of the B&CA's November issue (Another Weather Tool”), 2nd paragraph of 1st column, reads: “It is not uncommon, in an environment of fast-moving weather that WARP and on-board NEXRAD displays show weather in different geographic locations. With fast-moving weather, this happens because the weather data is routed to the cockpit via two different avenues.” It should have read:
During the final approach and landing phase, it is essential that the activities of the Pilot Flying be closely monitored. The approach shall be stabilized no later than 1,000 ft. above field elevation. Boeing defines a stabilized approach as follows: Aircraft in the final landing configuration Power setting appropriate for aircraft configuration Airspeed no greater than target +20 kt. and trending toward target On glidepath or assumed 3-deg. glidepath Note: Descent rates above 1,000 fpm should be avoided.
If you're planning to fly to this year's Winter Olympics, set for Feb. 7-23, or Paralympics slated for March 7-16 in Sochi, Russia, NBAA wants you to start making arrangements yesterday. Many special procedures will be in effect for the entire winter season, beginning on Jan. 1 and continuing through April 30. As a result, the majority of business aircraft flights to Sochi International during the Games will be drop-and-go operations.
Signature Flight Support, continuing on an ambitious capital expenditure program for new and upgraded facilities, is opening a new private aviation terminal at its Newark Liberty International Airport location in New Jersey. The company had a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 13.
