Duncan Aviation has expanded its helicopter avionics testing capabilities as it sees a steady uptick in business from helicopter operators, the company says. Duncan added three new diagnostic tests to support Northern Airborne Technology (NAT) systems. Duncan has supported NAT avionics for six years.
A little more than a year after investment firm The Carlyle Group reacquired the Landmark network of fixed-base operations (FBOs) that it helped create, the chain has begun to aggressively move to expand. But Landmark President and CEO Dan Bucaro stresses that the growth is not just filling out “dots on a map.” Instead, he says, Landmark is hoping to take a disciplined approach to building its network in a manner that would best connect its customers. “We continue to grow the business and refine what we do,” Bucaro says.
Cessna is beginning deliveries of its M2 light jet and new “Sovereign+” midsize aircraft, following FAA approval for both programs. The certifications come a little later than Cessna had anticipated. Both were expected in the third quarter but a delay in the approvals of the new Garmin avionics pushed back the schedule. Cessna handed over the first M2 to launch customer Stuart Woods, who is stepping up from a Citation Mustang very light jet. Cessna also says it is beginning to deliver the Sovereign+, but did not name the launch customer.
Elite Simulation Solutions received FAA approval for its Model S623T twin turbine engine rotary-wing trainer. The trainer incorporates a full cockpit with dual-pilot training based on the performance of the twin-turbine Eurocopter AS355. The trainer simulates operation of a fully coupled automatic flight control system, electronic flight information system, Garmin GNS WAAS GPS, radar altimeter, autopilot, Wi-Fi tablet support and optional wheel carriage with retractable gear.
After shortlisting 25 proposals from 24 states, the FAA has selected six test sites across the U.S. to conduct civil unmanned aircraft system (UAS) research. Geographic and climatic diversity were key requirements for the selection. The six selected operators are: the University of Alaska, the state of Nevada, New York’s Griffiss International Airport, North Dakota Department of Commerce, Texas A&M University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Flight Safety Foundation Chair-elect Ken Hylander is assuming the additional roles as acting CEO and president when Keven Hiatt steps down to become one of the top safety executives for the International Air Transport Association in February. Hylander recently retired as senior vice president of safety, security and compliance at Delta Air Lines. In addition, Bill Bozin, who recently retired as vice president of safety and technical affairs at Airbus Americas, will become acting COO.
LONDON — Eurocopter is requesting operators of all EC135 twin-engine light helicopters to carry out checks on the type’s fuel supply tanks and fuel monitoring systems. The move follows the recent short-term grounding of the U.K.-based fleet of EC135s operated by Bond Air Services after a series of what have been described as “supply-tank fuel-gauging errors on some aircraft.”
With the Learjets 70/75 now in production, deliveries of the Challenger 350 set to begin soon, testing of the Model 85 underway, and development of the Global 7000 and 8000 proceeding apace, what of the Challenger 605? Guy Hachey, president of Bombardier Aerospace, said recently, “The [Challenger] 605 right now is going to remain the way that it is. We haven't announced anything.” However, he acknowledges the need for some kind of follow-on. “Probably the more vulnerable area we have is the 605, because it's the oldest product,” Hachey continued.
Meanwhile, the Scorpion, Textron's low-cost, surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence jet is flying. The twin jet made its first flight at McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kan., in late December. The company is promoting the self-funded project as “one of the fastest developments of a U.S.-built tactical jet.” Developed by Textron AirLand, the aircraft was built at an offsite Cessna facility in Wichita, using some of Cessna's top engineering talent and supply chain specialists.
Zenith Aviation, Fredericksburg, Va., named Bryan Shelton director of field operations. Shelton recently retired after a 20-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, most recently serving as senior manager, aviation maintenance operations for the Presidential Helicopter Squadron. For Zenith, Shelton will manage special projects.
Bell Helicopter is planning to build its SLS helicopter at a new facility in Lafayette, La. Bell CEO John Garrison jointly announced with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal plans for Bell to lease a newly built 82,300-sq.-ft., $26.3 million hangar facility at Lafayette Regional Airport. The facility, to be constructed on a 14.5-acre site, will be funded by the state of Louisiana.
Gulfstream Aerospace's G280 super midsize aircraft has topped 30 city-pair records with a recent speed record set en route to the recent Dubai Airshow. The aircraft departed Kuala Lumpur International airport Nov. 15 at 5:23 p.m. local time and arrived at Dubai World Airport 7 hr. and 34 min. later. The aircraft averaged a speed of Mach 0.80 during the 3,356 nm trip. Earlier this year a G280 set another record during travel to the Middle East, flying from Singapore to Abu Dhabi in 7 hr. and 40 min. That trip was 3,301 nm.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published a long-awaited Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) entitled “Enhanced Consumer Protections for Charter Air Transportation” on Sept. 30, 2013, and then the federal government promptly shut down.
Wheels Up, the recently established and rapidly growing private membership and aviation services company, is teaming with Cessna's CitationAir operation to offer flights on Cessna Citation Excel and Sovereign jets. Details of the agreement announced Dec. 13 must still be hashed out, but Wheels Up will market flights aboard the Cessna business jets, while CitationAir will operate them. The aircraft will be outfitted with the Wheels Up blue and white livery and have refurbished interiors.
Astronics Corporation's Max-Viz Enhanced Vision System was selected as standard equipment aboard the Simplex Aerospace SkyCannon and Fire Attack systems. The SkyCannon is a helicopter-mounted system for firefighters. The Max-Viz system will enable operators of Simplex firefighting equipment to see through smoke while fighting high-rise fires. The Fire Attack system supports data acquisition of door operation, hover pump activation and foam pump activation, all correlated with aircraft GPS position.
Securaplane Technologies has launched its next generation camera and security system. The security system is based on upgrades to the company's classic PreFlite system, which now includes full integrated, high-definition cameras, a user-friendly graphic interface, wireless battery-free access panel switches and smartphone application access. The HD cameras employ 1080p and 60 frames per second (fps) technology for studio-quality images and can be used for entertainment as well as security and situational awareness on the ground.
Despite its reputation as a contentious, do-nothing legislature, the U.S. Congress did reach consensus on a bill benefitting general aviation manufacturers, of all things, which President Obama has signed into law. The Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013 essentially endorses the recommendations of an aviation rulemaking committee. The law's intent is to increase safety and reduce government and industry certification costs for light general aviation airplanes. Other countries are expected to act similarly since the recommendations had international input.
Duncan Aviation, one of the largest family-owned aircraft support companies in the U.S., celebrated the 50th anniversary of its facility in Lincoln, Neb., in December. Established Dec. 5, 1963 by Donald Duncan, the company began with 12 employees and has since grown to more than 1,200. Duncan had a varied background, ranging from working on the family farm to selling surplus government airplanes and involvement with a car dealership in Clarinda, Iowa, before he became a Beechcraft distributor in Omaha, Neb.
Private Jet Services (PJS), Fort Lauderdale, Fla., announced the forming of a new international division with offices in Fort Lauderdale. The office will be managed by Kuky Salazar, president, Latin American, Europe and Asia and will focus on corporations and individuals outside of North America.
Spirit AeroSystems is “deep” into the process of selling its Tulsa production facility, a move that should mean significant bottom-line improvement as the supplier shifts focus to growing airliner programs and tackles issues uncovered in a sweeping strategic review, say analysts at Canaccord Genuity. “The company is deep into its planned sale of its Tulsa operations,” Canaccord analyst Ken Herbert writes in a Dec. 5 research note.
Here's are an aviation fact that might have escaped your notice: Clownfish eat frozen shrimp (though the latter thaw quickly upon water contact). Okay, not av data really, but I learned it after talking to a fellow from the New York Aquarium Service, which takes care of the little fish in the five lobby tanks at Jet Systems, the Westchester County Airport FBO headed by a big fish, my friend Mike Dolphin. The fish men come weekly to change the water, toss in shrimp and scoop out the dead urchins and eels, and whatever.
Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Ga. Announced that Beth McClurg was appointed director of real estate for Gulfstream Aerospace. McClurg will be responsible for Gulfstream's development and construction projects, lease transactions and property acquisitions worldwide. She will develop and execute a long-range strategic real estate plan.
Aviation Search Group, an executive recruiting firm for the aerospace and aviation industries, formed a new recruiting department dedicated to business aviation clientele. Grayson Barrows, director sales, says that hiring demand in the business aviation segment has grown significantly recently. Aviation Search Group works with manufacturers, airlines, service providers, business and general aviation businesses and airports.
