The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the search-and-rescue (SAR) variant of the AW189 super-medium helicopter, just months before the aircraft is due to enter service with Bristow on a U.K. government contract. The heavily modified variant builds on the oil-and-gas industry variant already in service with a number of operators in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with an extended nose housing a weather radar and electro-optical camera turret, a rescue hoist and additional avionics systems capabilities.
Whoa. Wait a minute. Stop the presses! Wasn’t unleaded automobile gasoline (so-called “pump gas”) approved for use in some engine/airframe combinations years ago, at least for the smaller piston engines, e.g., the Lycoming O-360 installed in thousands of Cessna 172s and other light planes?
The fleet of Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft in service for the oil and gas industry had accumulated more than 10 million flight hours as of the end of 2014. Of the estimated 2,300 rotorcraft used in oil and gas missions today, about 25% are produced by Airbus. In the Americas the company’s helicopters have accumulated more than 4.12 million flight hours, followed by Europe (3.27 million flight hours) and Asia (over 1.82 million flight hours).
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.
Eight Phoenix-area airports are expected to feel the impact of Super Bowl XLIX. Textron Aviation has agreed to buy the assets of the UTC Aerospace Systems facility in Wichita.
Visual cues are a pilot’s most-important sensory input. Since good eyesight is essential for safe operation of an aircraft, pilots must demonstrate adequate visual performance at every aeromedical exam.
Business aircraft departures in Europe last year were down 0.5% compared to 2013, according to an analysis of departures by WingX Advance. Business aircraft flying in the United States in December 2014 was up for the 13th month in a row, according to TraqPak data released by Argus International.
I recently sat in a room full of aviation professionals and, unbelievably, heard the comment that “the so-called oxygen bottle is really compressed air, just like scuba divers use.” While I sat there with my mouth open, more than a few in the room nodded agreement. They may not be the only folks thinking this to be true.
Lower oil prices could benefit business aviation while complicating the commercial aviation market, according to an aviation consultant. Plus, NetJets has attracted more than 1000 applications for open pilot positions.
