The Model 560 Citation family is the fastest and farthest flying group of light jets built by Cessna under the original Citation 500 type certificate. The Citation V was first to arrive in 1988, followed by the Citation Ultra in 1994 with slightly more thrust, then the Citation Encore in 2001 and finally the Citation Encore+ in 2007 through early 2010.
Gulfstream Aerospace introduced a mobile version of its Nonstop magazine. The app is available as a free download from the Apple App Store. The magazine was introduced in 2011 and targets Gulfstream aircraft owners, business travelers and aviation professionals, and includes features on the business of aviation, business and leisure travel, and lifestyle topics for a wide audience. Visit the App Store on iPad or www.itunes.com/appstore. Gulfstream Aerospace www.gulfstream.com
Rockwell Collins delivered its 20,000th air transport weather radar system, a MultiScan Threat Detection System — on a new Next-Generation Boeing 737. The fully automatic airborne weather radar system combines the up-to-date weather science with advanced engineering concepts to identify and analyze thunderstorm cells, and display the actual weather threat. All new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Boeing 747-800s and Boeing Business Jets delivered today come standard equipped with Rockwell Collins' MultiScan.
The FAA'S $928 million in proposed fiscal 2014 NextGen Facilities and Equipment (F&E) spending includes 25 funded line items, 15 of which either gain funding or maintain the level of fiscal 2012, the agency's last full year of spending. Among fiscal 2014's potential big gainers compared to fiscal 2012: $65 million for En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) D position upgrade and system enhancements — up from $0; and $24 million each for the NextGen Weather Processor (NWP) and the Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) programs, each up from $0 two years ago.
On March 23, the U.S. Senate adopted its first budget proposal in four years The White House lauded the Democratic-led plan, saying it would eliminate “special tax breaks and loopholes for the wealthiest Americans to reduce the deficit.” Earlier that week, the Republican-led House adopted its own budget, outlining plans to cut $5 trillion and balance a budget over the next decade.
Beechcraft's venerable King Air fleet has surpassed 60 million flight hours. More than 7,000 of the twin turboprops are operated in 127 countries worldwide, and are flown by all U.S. military branches. Beechcraft has seen a strengthening market for its turboprops, delivering 85 of its King Air 350is, 250s and C90GTxs in 2012.
NBAA submitted comments opposing the FCC's renewed call to prohibit the manufacture, sale, importation or use of 121.5 MHz ELTs. In a Jan. 30 proposed rule, the FCC again provided notice of its desire to prohibit the use of ELTs that transmit only on 121.5 MHz, favoring instead the use of ELTs that transmit on 406 MHz. NBAA advocated that operators be able to use installed 121.5 MHz ELTs until the end of the equipment's useful life and be able to make the decision to upgrade their aircraft's ELT when it makes sense for the operator to do so.
Alison Price On Air, London, appointed Jamie Cairns head chef. He will work with Managing Director Daniel Hulme to support the increasing business activity at the inflight dining provider.
AOPA Online reports a record 223 members of Congress have stepped up to mount an attack against aviation user fees. The House members sent a letter to President Barack Obama April 5 stating that user fees are the “wrong approach,” the association said. The letter preceded the April 10 release of the Obama administration 2014 budget, which indeed contained a $100 per flight fee for many operations in controlled airspace. But with the level of opposition in congress, user fees are unlikely to be in a final budget.
True Blue Power received an FAR Part 25 STC for installation of the TS835 Series in Learjet 35/36 models and a Part 27 STC for installation in BK 117 and EC145 helicopters. The company amended a Part 23 Approved Model List STC to include more than 20 aircraft models, including the Beech King Air and Pilatus PC-12. The TS835 is now approved as a direct replacement for the J.E.T. PS-835 and PS-855 lead-acid batteries. The power supply uses the same rack, connector, wire harness and OFF/ARM/TEST switch.
The Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE2013), which opened April 16 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, was on pace to draw at least the same if not more attendees as last year's event as we go to press. ABACE returned in 2012 after a five-year hiatus, drawing 6,375 attendees, nearly triple the 2,200 who attended the previous event in 2007. The attendance, which exceeded expectations, underscored the rapid growth of business aviation in the region. This year, early registrations appear to be slightly ahead of last year's event.
Feb. 8 — Approximately 1245 CST, a North American Medore SNJ-4 (N2269U) was substantially damaged during a forced landing south of Garden City, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a VFR ferry flight. The flight departed San Antonio and was en route to Midland, Texas.
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has acquired 100% of the share capital of FlairJet Ltd., the London Oxford Airport-based aircraft management and charter company. FlairJet will become part of the Group's newly formed Aviation Services business unit and will continue to be led by Managing Director and founder, David Fletcher. In its third year of operation, FlairJet will complement Cambridge Airport-based operator Marshall Executive Aviation (MEA). The acquisition extends the service offering of the recently formed JETability brand.
Brad D. Mottier Vice President and General Manager, Business and General Aviation Operation, GE Aviation, Evendale, Ohio; Chairman, GAMA, Washington, D.C.
The NTSB is seeking a ban on “non-operational” use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) for pilots while flying under FAR Part 135 and 91 Subpart K. The recommendation was one of nine the safety board issued following its investigation of the Aug. 26, 2011 crash of an Air Methods Eurocopter AS350 B2 helicopter that was on an emergency medical services (EMS) mission.
A Saab Remote Tower (r-TWR ) system under testing for Avinor, Norway's Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), at Værøy Heliport has passed its Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) milestone under SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) test and validation trials. The r-TWR system provides Avinor Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) officers at the Bodø Remote Tower Center (RTC) with high-resolution video of daily helicopter operations at Værøy. Saab's r-TWR system uses video, audio and other sensors to provide a continual, comprehensive view out of an air traffic tower.
Despite a serious five-year setback in helicopter sales during the latest recession, aviation forecasters are predicting a slow but steady growth starting this year and continuing through the coming decade. The Teal Group, a Fairfax, Va., research/analyst organization, reported in its August 2012 “World Military & Civil Aircraft Briefing” that while deliveries of civil helicopters fell 19% by value in 2008-2011, with a projected 6.6% drop when 2012 figures come in, it predicted 9,526 deliveries worth $53.5 billion to civil operators through 2021.
Hangar Design and Supply Looking for help with your next hangar project? The NBAA 2012 Buyers Guide has a search function to point you to Hangar Sales, Design and Construction suppliers. Visit the NBAA website (www.nbaa.org), enter “Hangar Design” in the search bar and click. Check out suppliers that have experience with hangar designs that are similar to what you are looking for. Be sure to thoroughly check out all references. Hangars are a big investment and you want to find the most-qualified team to ensure that you get the best barn for your buck.
FAA said it will delay the closure of all 149 federal contract air traffic control towers until June 15. March 22, the FAA announced it would eliminate funding for these towers as part of the agency's required $637 million budget cuts under sequestration. A phased, four-week closure process was scheduled to begin April 7. Now, the FAA will close the facilities June 15 unless the airports decide to continue operations as a nonfederal contract tower.
Nick Nelson (Interlaken Capital Aviation Services Inc. )
Thanks for all the great ideas in “Tips on Scheduling International Trips” (January 2013, page 38). It was packed with info that's helped me quite a bit as I transition from a fractional jet company dispatcher to FAR Part 91 flight coordinator. Over the past few months I've come to learn that Part 91 ops are a whole different animal and information like this really helps out “rookies” like me. I'm looking forward to future articles. Interlaken Capital Aviation Services Inc.
Dassault Falcon will hold a series of Regional Maintenance & Operations (M&O) seminars in 2013. Six seminars have already taken place. The remaining seminars are planned for: May 2 in Dallas; May 14 in Toronto; May 16 in Mahwah, N.J.; May 22 in Toluca, Mexico; and June 12 in Sao Paul, Brazil. These seminars provide Falcon operators an opportunity to communicate directly with Dassault's specialists, engineering teams and pilots on a variety of topics.
EPIC Aviation has chosen to partner with NATA Safety 1st to provide training to its branded FBOs. EPIC and UVair FBO Network locations will receive comprehensive training in an easy to administer, self-paced and self-directed online platform. All locations will have access to the full range of NATA Safety 1st training products at special network pricing, including the Professional Line Service Training and the new Supervisor Online training program, which is FAA approved to meet the requirements of 14 CFR Part 139.321.
