Cirrus Aircraft has begun offering its Performance Braking System for operators of Generation 3 and newer aircraft from Cirrus Direct, the company owned parts distribution system. The high-performance, single-caliper brake system uses tubeless tires and redesigned wheel fairings to improve reliability and performance. The system is standard on new SR22T, SR22 and SR20 models. Cirrus is additionally developing the upgrade for earlier model aircraft. The system is priced at $15,300 for Generation 3 and newer models.
TSB investigators determined that the accident pilot was getting a briefing on the King Air’s instrumentation and avionics systems from the assisting pilot during the flight from Georgetown, Texas, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
A low-cost flight director is under development by King Radio engineers. The price goal is in the $1,000 ballpark. So far no such device is available (or known to be in development) at anywhere near this figure.
RUAG Aviation has performed an avionics modification on an Airbus Helicopter AS350 B3e that provides significant advantages over the original avionics system, according to the company. Modifications include the integration of a Garmin G500H Electronic Flight Display and an L3 ESI-2000 Standby Indicator and a Garmin GTN650 Nav/Com Dual Installation. RUAG also installed an Avidyne TAS605 and a Cobham HeliSAS autopilot and a Freeflight RA4000 radar altimeter. Whelen LED strobe lights were installed on the fuselage.
Investor confidence in the business jet market has weakened somewhat, with investors who were formerly “bullish” on the market becoming “neutral,” Wall Street analyst Morgan Stanley reports. The good news for the market is investors aren’t worried about the market worsening. But Morgan Stanley believes the weaker outlook of investors comes from “all the false starts.” The analyst notes that forecasters initially expected the signs of recovery in 2010 to last longer than they did.
Granite Aviation recently opened its fixed-base operation facility at Sandpoint Airport (SZT) in Idaho. The $1.6 million facility includes a 3,700-sq.-ft. terminal, a 7,000-sq.-ft. hangar, four aircraft refueling trucks, deicer truck and a new 190-ft.-by-900-ft. aircraft ramp. Granite, a Phillips 66 dealer, opens the new FBO as the airport has undergone a recent increase in business and personal traffic. The airport is home to several other aerospace companies, including Tamarack Aerospace, Quest Aircraft and Timberline Helicopters.
Safe Flight Instrument Corporation introduced its new Icing Conditions Detector (ICD) available for all aircraft types. Ice accretion is a serious hazard to all aircraft. Even miniscule amounts of frost, snow, ice or slush on the aerodynamic and/or control surfaces of the aircraft can cause significant loss in lift and flight control.
Garmin has received approval for its angle of attack (AOA) system for a range of general aviation aircraft. Garmin has begun shipment of the systems, which comprise a GI 260 AOA indicator, GAP 26 angle of attack probe and GSU 25 air data computer. The GI 260 AOA indicator provides audible and visual alerts as the aircraft approach stall angle of attack. The system corrects for weight, g-loading, density altitude and airspeed, providing a higher level of accuracy than lift reserve indicators. The system is priced beginning at $1,499.
Gulfstream Aerospace’s new G500, which rolled out before an audience of 3,000 under its own power Oct. 14 alongside the mockup of the G600, is already capturing significant orders and options. Fractional ownership provider Flexjet, in a major departure from its all-Bombardier fleet, is turning to rival Gulfstream to launch Gulfstream’s all-new G500 aircraft. The Flexjet deal includes 22 firm orders — 10 450s and six apiece of the 500 and 650. Delivery of the 450s will begin in 2015, followed by the 650 in 2016.
The National Business Aviation Association has set three regional forums for 2015, beginning Feb. 19 in West Palm Beach, Fla. That event will take place at Atlantic Aviation at Palm Beach International with support from GAMA Aviation and Signature Flight Support. Other events are scheduled for June 25 at Landmark Aviation in Teterboro, N.J. and Sept. 17 at Jet Aviation at St. Louis Downtown Airport in East St. Louis, Ill.
Cessna’s Citation Latitude is getting another performance boost after flight trials demonstrated that the aircraft can fly farther and take off from shorter runways than promised. Cessna is changing its specifications to boost long-range maximum cruise to 2,700 nm, 200 nm more than previously promised. Takeoff distance is also now projected at 3,668 ft., compared with the previous 4,030 ft. The improved parameters mark the third performance bump that Cessna is giving the Latitude.
Rockwell Collins recently demonstrated its Pro Line Fusion for use as a ground control station and airborne avionics for unmanned aerial system applications. The demonstration expands the work for the avionics suite, which has been selected for 17 military, rotary wing and business jet and turboprop flight decks. Most recently Pro Line Fusion was selected for AVIC’s MA-700 regional aircraft.
Cessna has shipped the first two of three Grand Caravan EX Amphibian aircraft to Hai Au Aviation in Vietnam. The third aircraft is to be delivered later this year. The aircraft are the first of the Grand Caravan EX Amphibians to be operated in Vietnam. The aircraft are configured to seat up to 12 passengers for a range of missions, including scenic flights, transport and customized flights.
We provide leasing, lending and related services for the business aviation market. We’re targeting new and used business jets valued at $25 million or more and we’re brand neutral, financing everything from BBJs and ACJs to Gulfstream, Bombardier, Falcon, Embraer and Textron aircraft
NetNearU, a ViaSat Inc. company, has joined the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA). The aim of the WBA, together with its over 100 members, is to secure an outstanding user experience through the global deployment of next generation Wi-Fi. “Joining the WBA furthers our ability to collaborate with our partners and customers in the industry.
Piper Aircraft recently secured Civil Aviation Administration of China approval for its M-Class line, including the Piper Meridian single turboprop and the high performance single pistons Mirage and Matrix, clearing the way for the company to build a presence in the growing Chinese general aviation market. The approval comes as Piper in recent years has focused on international expansion of its products, lining up dealers globally, including several in China.
Surf Air will receive the first of up to 65 Pilatus PC-12NG single-turboprop aircraft in this month. The California-based operator in August placed firm orders for 15 of the Pilatus aircraft and options for another 50 in a deal valued at up to $312 million. Surf Air began operations in 2013 with three used PC-12s, offering unlimited flights to members for a $1,000 fixed fee and then $1,750 monthly charges.
German investigators probing the crash of a military-chartered Learjet 35A have found that the aircraft banked into one of two German air force Eurofighter Typhoons that were escorting it over Germany. In its interim report, published Sept. 23, the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation said the 28-year-old Learjet, operated by Airbus Group-owned Gesellschaft Flugzieldarstellung GmbH (GFD), was being escorted by the Typhoons as part of an interception exercise.
Bell made the first Model 429 Wheeled Landing Gear (WLG) sale in Europe and the aircraft will also be outfitted with the first Bell 429 MAGnificent luxury cabin interior created by Italy-based Mecaer Aviation Groug (MAG). The Bell 429 is the first helicopter certified through the MSG-3 process, resulting in reduced maintenance costs for operators.
Houston-based Galaxy Aviation is planning to add another facility at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) after the Houston City Council approved a lease over the objections of existing airport tenants. For Galaxy, the FBO would be its third location since owner Black Forest Investments bought the original facility in late 2012. Black Forest has since increased its reach in the Houston market with the addition of a heliport in North Houston.
Daher-Socata handed over its first TBM 700 single-turboprop aircraft upgraded with the Garmin G600/GTN 750 glass cockpit avionics. The retrofit project replaces mechanical equipment and first-generation cathode ray tube electronic flight displays. The Garmin G600 upgrade includes liquid-crystal primary flight display (PFD) and multi-function display (MFD) in a single 10-in. bezel.
Garmin has begun flight testing its G5000 retrofit on a Beechjet 400A, a milestone that puts the program on target for certification later in 2015. The G5000 is Garmin’s first foray into the Part 25 market and has already been certified on Cessna’s Citation X+ and Sovereign+, along with Bombardier’s Learjet 70/75 program. For the Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP, Garmin is offering three 12-in. flight displays with two touchscreen display/controllers.
Since the ATP requirement for first officers of FAR Part 121 carriers took effect in summer 2013, the debate over the existence of a pilot shortage has intensified. So, too, has the finger pointing all across Washington.
Airbus Defense & Space has agreed to a technology collaboration that Aerion says will give it access to engineering skills in the disciplines required to move the program ahead toward certification and production. Both companies say they are committing significant resources to the partnership. For Airbus Group, supporting Aerion in design of its AS2 business jet will provide valuable work for senior engineers from its military aircraft division, which has been negatively affected by declining defense spending.
Embraer Executive Jets on Oct. 10 officially entered the midsize jet market with the delivery of its Legacy 500 business jet to a Brazilian customer. The delivery followed Brazilian ANAC certification in August. U.S. FAA certification is anticipated within weeks, Embraer executives say. The delivery marked two celebrations the Brazilian airframer held last week. The second involved the groundbreaking on an 236,000-sq.-ft. expansion that will double its footprint in Melbourne, Florida. That expansion will provide space for U.S.
