General aviation groups are expressing their frustration that the Obama administration's fiscal 2014 budget resurrects controversial proposals such as user fees and business aircraft depreciation extensions, saying that combined with planned contract tower reductions, it gives the appearance of “a widespread attack on general aviation.” “It is unfortunate, but not surprising, that the constant negative rhetoric about business aviation from the White House has once again translated into an onerous policy position from the administration,” says NBAA President and CEO Ed Bole
The FAA on April 9 streamlined the medical certification process for pilots with certain medical conditions that previously required special issuance authorizations. Now an AME can issue a normal duration medical certificate at the time of examination if the pilot provides adequate documentation showing good control of the condition. Details are posted on the AOPA website.
The Obama administration's fiscal 2014 budget plan halves its previously proposed cuts to federal grants for airport improvements by narrowing the reduction's impact primarily to large hub airports. But the administration also wants to impose a new cost on airports, and it still is counting on an unlikely increase in the airport passenger facility charge (PFC) to help offset the reduction in grant money.
House lawmakers have drafted a bill to preserve funding slated to be cut from the contract air traffic control tower program. Reps. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) and Richard Hudson (R- N.C.) on April 10 introduced a bill, H.R.1432, the Air Traffic Control Tower Funding Restoration Act, designed to continue funding for the program. The bill would use unobligated funds within the current FAA budget to pay for the program.
Bell Helicopter unveiled a third-generation tiltrotor, the V-280 Valor as a candidate for the Joint Multi-Role/Future Vertical Lift Technology Demonstrator (JMR/TD), at the 2013 Army Aviation Association of America Forum and Exposition in Fort Worth, Texas. At the show, Bell officials said that the new design may also be a strong candidate for commercial applications, although the version presented has a very “Army-centric” feature set.
Many of us have been ingrained with the idea that whenever an approach or landing starts going awry, the right thing to do is to go around. But the fact is that sometimes that's not the safest action.
Ing. Jan Rusin (Slovakia ), HEMS Pilot (Slovakia )
I am a regular reader of Cause & Circumstance and I would like to thank you for the excellent review of the helicopter accident in “A Disastrous Save“ (June 2012, page 52). I look forward to any new reports, particularly involving helicopter investigations. Slovakia
Evergreen Apple Nigeria (EAN) has been selected by Avjet routing, the Sharjah, United Arab Emirates-based business aviation services company to serve as its preferred ground handler in Nigeria with principal services being provided at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. All private and business aviation traffic from Avjet Routing passing through Lagos will be handled exclusively by EAN Ltd.
Pilatus Business Aircraft won an FAA STC to install the Garmin G600 avionics system in all pre-NG PC-12 aircraft produced between 1994 and 2008. Developed in concert with Garmin, the G600 New Perspective avionics system for the PC-12 pairs both the PFD and the MFD in a single 10-in.-wide flat-panel LCD. The installation incorporates the functionality of the PC-12's angle-of-attack information on the G600 PFD. The G600 New Perspective system includes the L3 Trilogy Electronic Standby Instrument System, making the PC-12's panel all-glass.
The Texas Department of Transportation said it plans to fund all 13 FAA contract air traffic control towers in the state if they are closed by the FAA as part of budget cuts from sequestration.
Bombardier Aerospace is extending the basic warranty on its Challenger 605 aircraft from three years or 3,000 hr. to five years or 5,000 hr. The new warranty is standard on all aircraft delivered beginning this month. The basic warranty covers systems and components coverage. The primary structure warranty remains at 10 years or 10,000 hr., the engine warranty is still five years or 2,500 hr. and the avionics warranty remains unchanged at five years with no hour limitations.
Crane Aerospace & Electronics has received an STC for Crane's SmartStem Wireless Tire Pressure System for Learjet 40 and 45 aircraft. To fit an aircraft with SmartStem technology, the existing tire inflation valve stem is replaced with a SmartStem tire pressure sensor, which, in addition to serving as the inflation valve, contains special electronics.
Universal Avionics completed the required testing to successfully approve its Radio Control Unit (RCU) for helicopter installation. The RCU is a mature product, and has been installed in 28 fixed-wing aircraft platforms. The unit is approved for helicopter-specific vibration profiles that include the Sikorsky S-76A, S-76C, S-61L, S-61N, UH-60L; Bell 212, 412, 412EP, 412CF; Eurocopter EC145, Dauphin NI, N3 and AS332 helicopters.
Continental Motors is extending the TBO of its Gold Standard factory-produced engines manufactured after February this year by as much as 400 hr. the company announced April 9. In 2012, Continental Motors introduced its Gold Standard factory rebuilt and new engines. The company says most engines, s.n. 1006000 and higher incorporate improvements in technology and manufacturing processes that have allowed a 200-hr. increase over the existing TBO. Aircraft owners that fly 40 hr. per month will receive a TBO extension up to 400 hr.
Bell Helicopter obtained its 17th international approval of a 500-lb. weight increase for the Bell 429. The Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the latest aviation authority to approve the increase, which boosts the helicopter's maximum gross weight to 7,500 lb. The approval validates the original Transport Canada OK. The hike provides operators increased payload, giving them the option of either carrying more fuel for increased range or carrying more passengers and equipment for specific mission requirements.
Breitling's new Bentley Light Body Midnight Carbon watch is issued in a 1,000 piece worldwide limited edition. Beneath its all-black exterior is a light and sturdy titanium chassis featuring a highly resistant carbon-based coating. The dashboard-style dial displays two exclusive Breitling technical features highlighted by red-trimmed indications. The “30-second chronograph” system with its central hand sweeping around the dial in half a minute instead of the customary 60 seconds, provides highly accurate 1/8th of a second readings.
When the office phone rings, I grab it (my secretary left to fetch a Cobb salad for lunch one day in 1997 and has yet to return) and brace just a bit since there's no telling what will follow. Most frequently, it's the executive editor reminding me gently about something I've failed to do; or a writer looking for guidance, deadline relief or payment; maybe some PR person looking for ink; or it could be one of those maddening robo calls telling me not to worry, my credit is fine, but. . . .
The South Korean government is looking at backing development of a business jet as the foundation of a national industry capable of building its own civil transports. If the program goes ahead, possibly in a year or two, the manufacturer will be Korea Aerospace Industries. For the moment, the Korea Advanced Business Jet (KABJ) is the backstop to a priority program, a turboprop airliner. Either aircraft could serve as a basis for a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement, under which the FAA would coach South Korea's air safety authorities in certifying an aircraft to U.S.
A key regional lender sees the Chinese business aviation market beginning to evolve. ICBC Financial Leasing has approached business jet leasing, not as a form of equipment financing, but rather as part of its service to its wealthiest clients. Those clients have opted for the largest, long-range models, rather for prestige, instead of mission suitability.
Pilatus Aircraft ended 2012 with its lowest sales total in at least five years, but a series of contracts for its military, trainer and special mission aircraft propelled the company to its strongest year ever in order intake and positions the Swiss OEM for growth. The company reported 2012 at 593 million CHF ($625 million U.S.), down from 781 million CHF a year earlier and 688 million CHF in 2010. At the same time, though, orders totaled 2.67 billion CHF on the year, more than six times the 416 million CHF taken in during 2011.
Baker Aviation has a new limited time introductory offer for Hawker inspections. The $18,500 special rate includes 12-, 24- or 48-month inspection programs, excluding structural codes and squawks, which will be billed separately at an hourly rate. Contact Joe Wehrle at (972) 248-0457 or email [email protected]. Baker Aviation 4700 Glenn Curtiss Addison, Texas 75001 [email protected]
Growing demand for convenient alternatives to Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports has turned Chicago-Romeoville (KLOT) into a bona fide reliever, as the FBO there doubles the size of its corporate aircraft storage and maintenance facility this month.
FAA is dropping its furlough plans for all 47,000 workers in its employee base after Congress last week passed a bill permitting the agency to shift up to $253 million in funds to prevent “reduced operations and staffing.” But the agency still has not outlined plans on whether it also will continue to fund the contract air traffic control tower program or whether it will move forward with anticipated cuts. And other services, such as most preventative maintenance of navigational aids, are still going to be curtailed.
BOMBARDIER Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2013-0216; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-206-AD] – proposes to require revising the maintenance program by incorporating new airworthiness limitation tasks. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that certain flap actuators require restoration by installing a redesigned flap actuator inboard pinion seal. FAA is proposing this AD to prevent flap system failure, and consequent reduced landing performance of the airplane.
