Universal Avionics announced its Control Display Unit (CDU) emulator iPad application for the Flight Management System (FMS) Trainer software. It's available for the iPad and supports life-size touch-sensitive emulation of Universal's 4-in. CDU, 5-in. CDU and Multi-function CDU. The app sends the FMS trainer CDU display screen to the iPad, and key pushes from the simulated CDU are then sent back to the FMS Trainer via a wireless network. The CDU emulator app allows operators to experience realistic, hands-on training in FMS operations.
Rockwell Collins has opened a new customer support center with increased staffing levels, expanded hours and enhanced technology that will provide commercial aviation customers with a higher level of service through a single point of contact. The center is staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time, 365 days a year, and has staff on-call for after-hours support. Customer calls are answered by an expanded team of product support managers with specialized training tools and are equipped to answer questions immediately with a goal of resolution within 24 hr.
TrueNorth Avionics has introduced the Stylus Wi-Fi handset. It's cradle fits into both TrueNorth's Simphone legacy and Stylus corded handset cut-outs offering a simplified upgrade path. The handset charges in the cradle via Power over Ethernet (PoE) or 28V power. The handset has Nickel-metal Hydride (MiMH) batteries to make certification easier and uses smart power management technology. Smart technology allows the handset to configure itself when placed in the cradle, retaining passenger preferences, regardless of the handset's location in the cabin before takeoff.
FreeFlight Systems has developed an ADS-B Out upgrade for Garmin's GTX 330 Mode S transponder. FreeFlight, which signed a technology licensing agreement with Garmin, is interfacing its Model 1201 WAAS/GPS sensor with the GTX 330 to provide an additional 1090 MHz Extended Squitter (1090ES) ADS-B Out upgrade. The system, tested during the FAA's ADS-B Capstone Program, meets ADS-B and RNP accuracy, integrity and availability requirements worldwide.
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) is offering a video series targeted at aircraft appraisers and the aircraft finance market that provides an in-depth look at critical maintenance issues for engines and airframes, and how they directly relate to the valuation of business jet aircraft. It's divided into five one-hour modules and is available at www.jetsupport.com.
How easily we forget. “Night VFR in the Mountains” was an excellent report on a CFIT accident by Richard Aarons (Cause & Circumstance, October 2013). B&CA published an article on how a common old, low-tech radar can be used to prevent that type of tragedy, way back in March, 1996. The procedure has been picked up by a few operators around the world, but obviously too few. You would perform a major safety service by repeating advice from the mythical “Capt. Lightning” several times each year.
With the emergence of a new generation of large-cabin, long-haul business aircraft, the industry could be witnessing a sea change in the traditional chicken-and-egg trade-off between airframe and engine makers. Unlike previous and current generations, which use engines derived from existing families, at least some of the new wave of large business jets will be powered by purpose-designed engines derived from the same all-new cores in development for the next-generation of single and widebody airliners.
Awards and Honors Actor and accomplished pilot Harrison Ford received this year's NBAA's Al Ueltschi Award for Humanitarian Leadership. In addition to his extensive work as an outspoken champion for general aviation, Ford regularly files missions in support of humanitarian and philanthropic causes. He has participated in the Citation Special Olympics Airlift and works with the Corporate Angel Network.
Chicago Jet Group, a Universal Avionics authorized dealer, received the first Future Air Navigation System (FANS) retrofit certification on a Dassault Falcon 50 with the UniLink UL-801 Communication Management Unit (CMU) with an internal VHF VDL Mode 2 receiver. It's interfaced with dual UNS-1Lw FMSes and International Communications Group's (ICG) NxtLink ICS-220A Iridium Satcom. Universal's CVR-120A was also installed for required FANS datalink message recording.
Duncan Aviation is expanding its service capabilities with the addition of a tenth Rapid Response engine location in Portland, Ore., and increased accessory shop space at its facility in Lincoln, Neb. The new Rapid Response unit will provide mobile engine services such AOG emergency services, and many scheduled and unscheduled events, including engine changes. The Portland area formerly was served by Duncan Aviation's response team in Seattle. Duncan also refurbished and expanded its service area in Lincoln, providing an additional 6,300 sq. ft.
The political math is not complicated. The U.S. government and most of the states are broke. Most people don't own aircraft. So, there won't be a populist revolt if in their quest for more revenue the IRS and counterparts at the state level target business aircraft for audits.
Garmin International announced a premium GPS watch designed specifically for aviators. The D2 features Garmin's signature direct-to and nearest navigation functions, as well as a built-in altimeter with adjustable baro setting, altitude alerting capabilities, display of both local and Zulu/UTC time, and the ability to seamlessly integrate with the Garmin Pilot app, VIRB action camera, and many more functions. The price of the D2 is $449.00 and it should be available this month,
Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF), Alexandria, Va., has selected Greg Kinsella, president and CEO of Key Air, to the ACSF Board of Governors. American Eurocopter, Grand Prairie, Texas, named Samuel Adcock to the post of vice president-general manager of the company's helicopter production plant in Columbus, Miss.
I've never taken the time to write back on an article before, but having read “Checking the Descent” (Viewpoint, August 2013) I wanted to share an in-the-trenches view from someone who is trying to start a flight school and get more people into aviation on a day-to-day basis. In my opinion, the biggest issues (behind the declining pilot population) are not what you mention. They're symptoms and not the cause. There is only one reason: Cost. General aviation has become too expensive.
Flush with new funding, Mooney Aircraft is stepping out of its years-long malaise and reports it will return its swift piston singles — specifically, the Acclaim Type S, Ovation 2GX and Ovation 3 series — to production by January, 2014. It's a new day for Mooney. And with a new investment group that is committed to the future, we're expecting to make a strong move in the industry,” noted Barry Hodkin, CFO for the company.
I found “NOTAMs in Transition” (January 2013) to be an excellent article. As a member of the FAA's NOTAM working group we have been pushing for NOTAM improvements for many years, in fact since 2000. Your last paragraph captures the problem perfectly: Stop-and-Go Funding. I would love to see more articles on NOTAMS particularly from the dispatcher's perspective or more importantly explaining the role of the dispatcher. Manager Dispatch Operations
Inefficient certification processes are delaying hundreds of new applications for aircraft operations and repair stations, says Jeffrey Guzzetti, assistant inspector general for aviation audits for the U.S. Transportation Department.
Eyeing difficult budget negotiations and the prospect of more sequestration cuts, a dozen aviation organizations are urging lawmakers to ensure that the contract tower program receives adequate funding and is shielded from potential dismantling. The organizations, representing airports, local communities, business aviation, airlines and other interests, wrote the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees endorsing language that dedicates $140 million in funding to the contract tower program.
The surging surplus parts market caught Rockwell Collins off-guard in 2013 and held down the company’s airline aftermarket revenue growth, which still increased 6% on the strength of mandate-related avionics retrofits.
ExecuJet Africa has been awarded the Flight Safety Foundation Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) accreditation and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Safety 1st Ground rating.
Among the innovations hidden beneath the skin of Dassault’s Falcon 5X is a Thales-developed unit that will both electrically start the aircraft’s Snecma Silvercrest engines and generate power from them to supply aircraft systems. Believed to be the first time such devices have featured on a general aviation aircraft, the Thales TopStar suite on the new Falcon will include two starter-generators for the main engines, one for the auxiliary power unit (APU), three electronic regulators, three transformer rectifiers and a single electronic starter converter.
Miami International Airport will be the third U.S. airport to begin using the FAA’s revised wake turbulence separation criteria, already in place in Memphis International Airport in Tennessee and Louisville International Airport in Kentucky. Beginning Dec. 1, controllers at Miami will allow most aircraft to fly closer together on arrivals and departures without eroding safety margins for wake-induced upsets.
GE Honda Aero Engines expects to achieve its long-awaited FAA certification for the HF120 turbofan by year-end, paving the way for the start of initial production in coming months.
Piaggio says it has a fully approved path to put P.180 Avantis grounded by the collapse of Avantair back into the sky, and that the first recertified aircraft already has been returned to its owner.
While it may have been a quieter, business-as-usual NBAA show for the established players in the corporate jet engine market, it was the relative newcomers that made the headlines.
