Investigators from Canada’s Transportation Safety Board often do their on-scene investigations under difficult circumstances, but working in Antarctica can be just about as difficult as it gets. This month, we’ll look at the loss of a de Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter and its crew of three in a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accident on Mount Elizabeth, Antarctica. The airplane belonged to Kenn Borek Air Ltd. (KBAL).
According to a 2013 study by Airbus, passengers cited lack of sleeping comfort, back ache, and leg ache as the top three factors for discomfort on long haul flights. They also said that seats that are too narrow would have a negative impact on their post flight well-being, impacting them with tiredness and sore muscles. Post flight well-being was of particular concern to business passengers who need to ensure they are able to perform in working environments.
A classic Learjet performer, the midsize 60XR offers the allure of scintillating climb performance and sleek ramp appeal. It boasts the largest cabin and longest range of any Learjet yet to reach production. But you’ll need nearly 5500 ft. of runway at sea level on a standard day.
Quote from a 1986 enforcement case: “As Hogan Air Flight 816 taxied on Taxiway ‘C’ and passed by the Guard ramp area, the cadets observed you abandon your position in the left seat, stand up, remove your trousers, slide the window open and expose your buttocks.”
Fractional ownership company NetJets has signed an agreement with Embraer Executive Jets to convert 10 purchase options for Signature Series Phenom 300s into firm orders, Embraer announced. Deliveries will begin in January 2016. At current list prices, the contract is worth $89.55 million, which will be included in the backlog from the fourth quarter of 2014. NetJets signed a purchase agreement with Embraer in October 2010 for 50 firm orders and 75 options. If all options are exercised, the deal would be worth more than $1 billion at list prices.
A small population of large (“heavy”) transport and vintage aircraft powered by commensurately large air-cooled radial and liquid-cooled inline piston engines remains active in the U.S. and abroad that cannot be operated on any fuel other than 100/115-octane leaded aviation gasoline.
Growing interest from cargo operators in autonomous aircraft is leading a drive for single-pilot operation of freighters. That’s the observation by John Tracy, chief technology officer and senior vice president of Engineering, Operations and Technology at Boeing. And, he says, “Technologically the tool kit is filled.
Proposed tax rule changes recently issued by the Texas state comptroller go beyond the plain meaning of the tax code in Texas, and seek to impose significant new burdens on aircraft owners and operators, the NBAA says. The rules would “significantly change the standards for creating aircraft ownership and operating structures [and] under the proposal, a new rule might determine when operators could qualify for the ‘sale or resale’ exemption through aircraft leasing,” according to the association.
Development of Bombardier’s top-of-the-line Global 7000 and 8000 business jets seeing significant advances with flight testing of its all-new GE Passport engine now well underway. The engine maker planned to put the new powerplant through water ingestion and fan blade certification tests about now, just weeks after first flight, which occurred Dec. 30.
As 2014 drew to an end, a lawsuit against a group of California FBOs and fuel distributors filed three years earlier by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) over sale of leaded avgas was settled through an agreement preventing what could have resulted in grounding almost all piston-powered aviation in the state.
Veteran aviation journalist Molly McMillin has assumed the post of Managing Editor of Penton’s Weekly of Business Aviation and of business aviation content for the Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN). “I am thrilled to be able to continue serving the business aviation community I respect so much, in this newly expanded role,” McMillin said upon her appointment. She will continue to be based in Wichita, Kan., where she has spent most of her career.
Empire Aviation Group, a Dubai-based aviation services company, has added an Embraer Legacy 650 executive jet to its managed fleet based in Oman. The aircraft is being managed on behalf of the owner and longtime client, and will operate only from Oman, where Empire already manages three other business jets. Empire completed the full technical inspection, delivery and induction process of the Brazilian-made super mid-size business jet. The Legacy 650 offers three cabin zones with wireless inflight connectivity and Apple TV to enhance the passenger experience.
Development of Bombardier’s top-of-the-line Global 7000 and 8000 business jets seeing significant advances with flight testing of its all-new GE Passport engine now well underway. The engine maker planned to put the new powerplant through water ingestion and fan blade certification tests about now, just weeks after first flight, which occurred Dec. 30.
Airbus Corporate Jet Center, Toulouse, France, announced that Vincent Tchengang, formerly Airbus regional sales director covering airlines in Africa and the Indian Ocean, has joined the Airbus Corporate Jet Center (ACJC) as its new head of services sales. He will manage a team of sales directors dedicated to VIP services marketing worldwide, covering cabins, airframes and engines, and will be personally responsible for sales in Africa, Australia, Eastern Europe and South Asia.
NetJets Europe has taken the lead in a consortium of 15 companies called Advanced Approaches for all Airports (A3), which intends to demonstrate new approach and landing solutions to increase capacity within the continent’s airport network while reducing emissions, fuel burn and noise. The organization has been formed under the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) program.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is becoming frustrated over the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) slow deliberations regarding an FAA recommendation — strongly endorsed by AOPA — to forgo the needs for a 3rd Class Medical certificate for private pilots. There is no such requirement for aviators operating under the Sport Pilot rule. In a Jan.
Fan Jet Falcon orders now number 40 according to Pan Am Business Jets Division. First production model flew on New Year’s Day and has accumulated some 15 hr. at this time. Pan Am will receive two demonstrators plus four customer airplanes in May. FAA certification is also scheduled for May.
Garmin International says it received certification for its Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipment for the Gulfstream G150. The Garmin GTX 3000 Mode S Extended Squitter remote transponder and GDL 88 ADS-B datalink combine to fulfill the ADS-B requirements. The GTX 3000 and GDL 88 provides operators a seamless path to meet the demands of air traffic modernization initiatives around the world, Garmin said.
ARGUS International reports that when compared with the corresponding periods for the previous year, business aviation closed out 2014 posting an increase in activity for 13 months running. Flight activity was up 1.6% in December as compared to that same month a year earlier. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based consultancy predicts gains will continue in 2015.
Jet-A Region High Low Average Eastern $8.50 $3.74 $6.04 New England $7.09 $3.72 $5.32 Great Lakes $7.74 $3.78 $5.32 Central $7.41 $3.79 $4.84 Southern $7.79 $4.14 $6.03 Southwest $6.71 $3.03 $5.14 N
1. AOPA Offers Program on Forced Landing Survival Skills The AOPA has released a new video and printed guide to help pilots and passengers survive conditions following an aircraft forced landing. The program, “Survive: Beyond the Forced Landing,” covers best practices for general aviation flights that result in off-airport landings. It also reviews survival communications, preferred gear and offers advice for detection from rescuers. The video and 16-page guide cover the importance of flight plans and flight following, among other topics.
