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.
On the eve of the NBAA convention, Bombardier marked Learjet's 50th anniversary by presenting the first two Model 75s off the line to their new owners: a real estate businessman and a Canadian charter company. Both aircraft are replacing Lear 45s. The updated aircraft features a Garmin G5000 flight deck and Honeywell TFE-731-40B engines, and carries a price tag of $13.7 million.
Nextant Aerospace plans to remanufacture Beechcraft King Air C90s, replacing the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6 engines with GE H80 turboprops and the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 with Garmin's G1000 integrated avionics panel. The refurbished aircraft will carry a Nextant warranty. The Cleveland company said it chose to rework the C90 because of its large installed base of more than 1,500 aircraft, and so it would serve as a low-cost entry-level turbine aircraft. The projected price for what Nextant calls the G90XT is $2.2 million, or about half that of a new model.
Honeywell engineers and human-factors experts are investigating a range of new human-machine interface technologies including touchscreen displays, voice recognition systems and “assisted interaction,” a virtual co-pilot. Part government contract and part Honeywell internal research and development, the work is designed to lower workload and increase safety for pilots of next-generation transport and business aviation aircraft.
Aviation Partners Inc. (API) is offering to refit any Boeing Business Jets with its split scimitar winglet (see photo). The modification is already being adapted by airlines operating the Boeing 737, from which the BBJ is derived. The modification is said to improve fuel burn by 2.5-3% and thus increase range by 200 nm. Gary Dunn, API's vice president of sales and marketing, says he expects operators of “a very healthy percentage” of the roughly 130 delivered BBJs to adopt the signature modification.
Eclipse Aerospace has delivered its first Eclipse 550 very light jet to Fred Phillips, president of Petrolift Aviation Services of Shreveport, La. Phillips has owned two Eclipse 500s. The upgraded EA550 features a synthetic vision, XM satellite weather, dual flight management systems with WAAS LPV and antiskid brakes.
The National Business Aviation Association annual convention, held last week in Las Vegas, is the largest industry event in the world, drawing more than 20,000 attendees. Manufacturers, suppliers and service companies typically use the show as a platform for news. A sampling follows. Additional coverage appears on pages 26-30.
Skycatcher has caught a severe downburst with a dire outcome. Cessna's China-made light sport aircraft, which was launched by former CEO Jack Pelton to stimulate pilot starts, was never loved by Scott Ernest, his successor. And when asked about the future of the once-heralded two-seater, Ernest responded, “There is no future.” A follow-up question about the aircraft elicited the same response.
Flexjet, which just increased its order for Bombardier business jets to up to $5.6 billion in Learjets and Challengers, next will consider adding a large, long-range aircraft to its fleet. That aircraft, though, may or may not be a Bombardier product.
EUROCOPTER FRANCE Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and SA330J helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0826; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-046-AD] – proposes to prohibit use of the hydraulic hoist in helicopters equipped with certain parts and configurations until a hoist beam lower fitting protector is installed. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that the hoist cable jammed during a rescue at sea. The proposed actions are intended to prevent the hoist cable from jamming and subsequent cable failure, which could result in injury and damage to the helicopter.
JOHN WASMUND has joined Constant Aviation as avionics sales manager. Wasmund has 15 years of avionics experience, formerly serving as an avionics sales manager for Hawker Beechcraft. In that role he worked with customers on avionics upgrades.
JOHN KEARNS was appointed regional sales director for the Central and West Texas region for Beechcraft. Kearns formerly spent 15 years with Tulsa Beechcraft and is a former Beechcraft sales distributor in Tulsa.
Embraer is hoping to capture market share in the VVIP category from Boeing and Airbus with the rollout of the Lineage 1000E. The unveiling of the next iteration of Embraer’s largest business jet was coupled last week during NBAA 2013 with announced refinements and upgrades for its Legacy 450 and 500 aircraft still under development.
AGUSTAWESTLAND Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2013-0640; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-016-AD; Amendment 39-17517; AD 2013-15-01] – requires deactivating the Full Icing Protection System (FIPS) and installing a placard next to the FIPS controller stating that flight into known icing is prohibited. This AD is prompted by a report of a fire in the aft avionics bay and the baggage compartment resulting from an Auto Transformer Rectifier Unit internal circuit overload.
Blackhawk Modifications is nearing certification for a combined package of Wipline amphibious floats and the Blackhawk XP42A engine upgrade. Blackhawk is hoping to secure a supplemental type certificate in the first quarter of 2014. The upgrade involves installation of an 850-shp Pratt& Whitney PT6A-42A engine. The package also involved a new propeller, composite cowling and high-efficiency inlet duct, 40% larger oil cooler, DigiLog engine gauges and new exhaust stacks.
ROBERT (BOB) KROMER has joined Blackhawk Modifications as senior vice president of sales and marketing. Kromer has more than 30 years of sales, marketing and management experience in the business aviation industry. He has held executive positions with companies including Cessna Aircraft, Aero Design, Sino-Swearingen, Mooney Aircraft, Piper Aircraft and SimCom Training Centers.
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and Beechcraft are combining forces to forge a total tip-to-tail airframe and propulsion support package for the potential fleet of up to 100-plus King Air 350i aircraft ordered by start-up charter and business aircraft services company Wheels Up.
While not yet certifed, Eclipsed became the second OEM to hold a cermonial delivery pending final certification. Bombardier also hosted ceremonial deliveries of its Learjet 75 this month after the government shutdown pushed off FAA certification.
Despite changes within the Transportation Security Administration that have left the agency without a permanent General Aviation Branch manager, Administrator John Pistole pledged to continue to work with industry on initiatives to improve access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The Wichita Aero Club is presenting the Wichita Aero Club Trophy to former Cessna Chairman Russ Meyer. The trophy will be presented during its annual Trophy Gala Jan. 25 in Wichita. Meyer spent more than 25 years with Cessna and 40 years in the general aviation industry. While at Cessna, the manufacturer built and delivered more business jet than any other manufacturer, and launched numerous aircraft lines, including the CitationJet series.
