Hobart Ground Systems, Palmetto, Fla., named Simon Fraser to the role of Business Unit manager for Hobart Ground Systems in Florida and J&B Aviation in Santa Rosa, Calif. He will also oversee the operations of Houchin/ITW GSE UK in the U.K.
A young American company is reporting steady progress in its development of a water-cooled, six-cylinder, twin-turbocharged 350-hp “Flat-V” diesel engine intended to replace gasoline power plants on light general aviation aircraft and for use in unmanned aerial vehicles. Engineered Propulsion Systems, Inc. (EPS) says its Vision 350 has now undergone heat-load and high- altitude tests, along with vibration testing when fitted with aluminum Hartzell props.
In 1990, Congress adopted sweeping noise legislation that called for the phaseout of Stage 2 airliners by Dec. 31, 1999. The business aviation community strongly objected to any similarly timed phaseout for business jets, because hushkits either weren't available for many models and a number of the aircraft were still too young to put out to pasture. Objectors also argued that aircraft weighing less than 75,000 lb. were inherently quieter than their larger counterparts.
Transporting disabled passengers carries extra responsibilities and planning. Dealing with an emergency will likely require alternate procedures that should be clearly defined and reviewed before flight by the crew and the passenger (or accompanying assistant, if one is present). In a cabin depressurization, for example, how will the disabled passenger be fitted with an oxygen mask? In the event of a crash that damages the primary exit, how will the passenger be assisted in deplaning? For more on crash survival, see “Get Out! Get Out! (BCA, June 2013, page 26).
Dear BCA readers, customers and friends: You've probably heard the exciting news that Aviation Week has been purchased by Penton Media, becoming one of Penton's flagship industry brands with a high-quality comprehensive portfolio of B2B Media, Events and Data/Analytics serving the growing global aviation, aerospace and defense marketplace. We join forces with Penton Aviation's top brands in commercial and business aviation, while maintaining our core strength with deep technology expertise across the full breadth of the industry.
FAA is proposing issuing an Airworthiness Directive requiring repetitive inspections and eventual replacement of cylinders made by Engine Components Inc. (ECi) and Airmotive found on 6,000 Continental 520 and 550 aircraft engines. Total cost of compliance could reach $82.6 million. The agency says the proposal, issued Aug. 12, stems from numerous reports of cylinder head-to-barrel separations, and cracked and leaking aluminum heads. ECi, objects, saying premature top overhauls could result in engine failure.
Cirrus Aircraft is beginning initial production work of the first conforming Vision SF50 jet, and plans to launch an 18-month certification program for the single-engine “personal” jet early next year. Three aircraft will be used in the flight testing, which the Duluth, Minn.-based manufacturer hope will conclude with type certification award in late 2015. The company, which has more than 170 people working on the SF50 program, reports more than 500 deposits for the $1.96 million aircraft.
United Aviation Services (UAS) of Dubai predicts 3,000 business aircraft will fly into and within Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, with 11% of all visitors traveling by private aircraft for the tournament, set to run from June 12 through July 13. Play will take place in a dozen cities throughout Brazil. Ammar Al-Mahmoud, director of the UAS charter division, said the vast country is “underserved” by airlines, a condition favoring private jet travel.
FlightSafety International, La Guardia Airport, N.Y., named Andy Johnson manager of the company's Gulfstream Learning Center in savannah. He replaces Chip White who is now manager of the company's Orlando Learning Center.
Blackhawk Modifications, Inc., Waco, Texas, has reorganized its sales organization into two groups: Domestic and International. Sales managers in the Domestic groups will report to Edwin Black, vice president of Domestic Sales. The international group will report to Bobby Patton, vice president of International Sales. Sam Jantzen has been named as the company's vice president of Marketing. His aviation career includes positions with Cessna, Fairchild Aircraft, Commuter Air Technology and Raisbeck Engineering.
FAA is soliciting comments on the next round of recommendations to streamline and improve pilot training and certification standards. The agency considers the push to revise the standards as a key component in a multipronged effort to improve the general aviation fatal accident rate. The agency has been working with an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to develop recommendations for streamlined standards that would emphasize risk management skills.
Water utility is now possible for operators of Brantly helicopters with the recent certification of floats. Neoprene treated fabric floats, developed and manufactured by Garrett Corp., measure 168-in. long by 20-in. diameter, weigh only 40 lb., are interchangeable with regular gear and allow top speed of 90 mph.
A “disabled” passenger today can range from someone on crutches after a skiing accident to renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who has managed to survive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) decades longer than his doctors predicted.
To no one's surprise, Richard Santulli is a major force in aviation once again. Before founding NetJets, the former Goldman Sachs wunderkind had begun RTS Helicopter Services, a leasing operation that grew to become among the largest such organizations in the world. RTS wound down as Santulli turned his focus to NetJets, but after severing relations with the fractional operation in 2009, the following year he founded Milestone Aviation Group.
The General Aviation Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives has topped the 200 member mark, or almost half the 435-seat chamber. The advocacy group is composed of both Republican and Democratic members of Congress and as Craig Fuller, president of the Aircraft and Pilots Association noted, “This level of bipartisan agreement is nearly unheard of in the modern political climate, and it is a true testament to the importance of general aviation.”
Nat Iyengar (Contract Pilot (G550/450/V – CL604/605) San Diego, Calif. )
As a long haul Gulfstream pilot I have experienced much of what Ross Detweiler very correctly writes about in “Oh, for a Good Night's Sleep.” I wish he had held the OEMs' feet to the fire on their disregard for adequate and “valid” crew rest facilities as they design and launch longer range aircraft such as the G650 and Global 7000/8000 aircraft.
The UVair FBO Network has added Great Circle Flight Service at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport as their newest location. Great Circle operates 24/7 and provides customs and immigration support, licensed contract A&P technicians, lounges, courtesy transportation and on-site rental cars, among other amenities. The UVair Network now has 20 FBOs offering branded fuel, Bravo Rewards, acceptance of the EPIC Card and the UVair Fueling Card.
If pond scum is a problem in your life, I've a suggestion: Crank up a pair of Wright R-1820 Cyclones fitted with fat Ham Standard paddles. The green goo doesn't stand a chance. Nor does any other aquatic thing less than a Grumman Albatross, which boasts just such a mechanical hurricane.
Steven J. Twist (Vice President and General Counsel Services Group of America Scottsdale, Ariz. )
Your article “Command Presence” (Cause & Circumstance, June 2013) is grossly one-sided, is contradicted by every single eyewitness, omits reference to critical physical evidence, and as a result, has done a disservice to your readers. We trust in the future if you write about this horrific tragedy, you will attempt to be fair and balanced out of respect to the victims. Vice President and General Counsel Services Group of America Scottsdale, Ariz.
The FCC gave a Blanket License Radio Station Authorization for Ka-band aeronautical earth stations to ViaSat, Inc. The 15-yr., renewable license permits operation of the ViaSat Mantarray, low-profile airborne antenna on the ViaSat Ka-band satellite fleet of ViaSat-1, WildBlue-1 and Anik-F2. As the first license of its kind, this approval is another step toward the launch of the ViaSat Exede In the Air Service, the company says.
SimCom Training has completed the first initial training course for the new Total Eclipse using its recently qualified level-D full-flight simulator equipped with new IFMS avionics. The six-day course includes ground school, 14 hr. of brief/debrief time, and 18 hr. of simulator training. “The new simulator is extremely realistic and allows you to train for every conceivable emergency,” said Mike Bryant, the first customer to complete the new program.
To “unleash the potential for development of innovative civil applications” for unmanned aircraft in Europe, a 2012 European Commission white paper stated, “the first priority is to achieve a safe integration of RPAS [Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems] into the European air system as soon as possible.”
Yes, a picture can be worth a thousand words, and until recently, an aviator had to create a mental image of destination weather using charts and obscure abbreviations to make the final Go/No-Go decision. However, thanks to the Internet, it is now possible for a flight crew to actually see the current conditions at a wide variety of locations, including mountain passes, highways, runways and even FBO ramps.
The National Weather Service has a good “go to” website for access to weather cameras. For my locality it brings up SLC as the regional center (www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc). When I click on the “Weather Cameras” link on the left side of the screen I get an abundance of choices of weather cameras and viewing directions; some are “looped” or animated. (It is useful to watch the trend over the last 30 min.) Also, pilots might find the Weather Underground website useful since it lists an extraordinary number of weather collection stations (www.wunderground.com).
