During the final approach and landing phase, it is essential that the activities of the Pilot Flying be closely monitored. The approach shall be stabilized no later than 1,000 ft. above field elevation. Boeing defines a stabilized approach as follows: Aircraft in the final landing configuration Power setting appropriate for aircraft configuration Airspeed no greater than target +20 kt. and trending toward target On glidepath or assumed 3-deg. glidepath Note: Descent rates above 1,000 fpm should be avoided.
To many professional pilots the six-month visit to the aviation medical examiner (AME) is an event full of fret, which is relieved only by award of a fresh medical certificate, allowing continued employment for another half year. It's no secret that some keep medical secrets from the FAA and others simply won't admit to themselves that they have a physical or mental problem that negatively affects their quality of life, health and cockpit performance.
TWC Aviation, Los Angeles, announced the Jason Berg has joined the company as chief aviation officer. He will oversee TWC's flight operations, safety and maintenance departments, and play a key role in the firm's new environmental initiative.
Boston JetSearch, Bedford, Mass., announced that Russ Piggott has joined the company to help manage the aircraft search and acquisition process for clients.
The autothrottle system provides automatic thrust control from the start of takeoff through climb, cruise, descent, approach and go-around or landing. In normal operation, the flight management computer provides the A/T system with engine N1 limit values. The A/T moves the thrust levers with a separate servomotor on each thrust lever. Following manual positioning, the A/T may reposition the thrust levers to comply with computed thrust requirements except while in the THR HLD and ARM modes.
Beechcraft King Air turboprop poised for its first flight at press time, will be delivered to customers in the fall this year. The pressurized twin is powered by the increasingly popular PT6A-6 turbines, which provide a design performance of 270 mph cruise and 1,400 mi. range. Beech reports a backlog of $10.8 million for the King Air. Basic airplane still costs about $300,000.
West Star Aviation, East Alton, Ill., named Debi Cunningham vice president of Marketing and Interior Design. She started her career in business aviation in 1983 and has been with West Star since 2002.
Rockwell Collins announced a series of enhancements to its Pro Line Fusion avionics. The primary update is Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required (RNP AR) 0.3. This enhancement provides obstacle clearance and clearly defined fight paths in congested airspace and at terrain-challenged airports.
Ben Sclair (General Aviation News Living With Your Plane Lakewood, Wash. ), Publisher (General Aviation News Living With Your Plane Lakewood, Wash. )
Congratulations on the B&CA redesign. I very much like the new logo as it lives up to what everyone has called the magazine for years . . . as you note in your Viewpoint (October 2013, page 11). The flow and look of the digital edition is striking. It's very comfortable and easy to read. General Aviation News Living With Your Plane Lakewood, Wash.
I am an owner-pilot who previously operated a Citation Bravo but currently own and operate a CJ4. I have enjoyed reading your editorials for years and find your magazine's articles very informative and educational. Keep up the great work. Hamilton, Ont.
If you're planning to fly to this year's Winter Olympics, set for Feb. 7-23, or Paralympics slated for March 7-16 in Sochi, Russia, NBAA wants you to start making arrangements yesterday. Many special procedures will be in effect for the entire winter season, beginning on Jan. 1 and continuing through April 30. As a result, the majority of business aircraft flights to Sochi International during the Games will be drop-and-go operations.
Due to an editing error, on page 51 of the B&CA's November issue (Another Weather Tool”), 2nd paragraph of 1st column, reads: “It is not uncommon, in an environment of fast-moving weather that WARP and on-board NEXRAD displays show weather in different geographic locations. With fast-moving weather, this happens because the weather data is routed to the cockpit via two different avenues.” It should have read:
Kafko International's new Clear Vision concentrated windshield wash solution provides and eco-friendly alternative to traditional wash fluids, according to the company. The product features unique plant by-product chemistry, free of petrochemicals. The solution easily removes bugs, bid dropping tree sap, traffic film and road grime. It is biodegradable, non-toxic, non-corrosive and contains no methanol, and does not lower freeze point. Clear Vision is available in a 5-gal. bucket and 55-gal. drum.
Nov. 19 — At 1956 EST, a Learjet 35, Mexican registration XA-USD, operated by Aero JL SA de CV, was destroyed when it crashed in the Atlantic Ocean after takeoff from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The commercial pilot and a physician on board were lost and presumed fatally injured. The copilot and a flight nurse were fatally injured. An IFR flight plan was filed for the positioning flight from FLL to Cozumel, Mexico.
Elliott Aviation, Moline, Ill., hired Lawrence Harting as FCM general manager and vice president of Flight Operations. He will oversee day-to-day operations of over 60 employees at Elliott Aviation's Flying Cloud facility and be in charge of Elliott's flight department including charter and aircraft management operations.
Rockwell Collins was recently selected by Jet Aviation Basel to provide its Venue cabin management and entertainment system and high-definition Airshow 3-D Moving Map system for an Airbus A340CJ business jet. The A340CJ will be the largest aircraft to date to carry the equipment, which has been installed on more than 300 aircraft including a number of large VIP jets. HD monitors will be installed throughout the aircraft, along with wireless audio/video-on-demand capability for personal devices. Installation is slated to begin in the first half of 2014.
Jet Aviation's Teterboro repair station is now authorized to provide base, line, repair and overhaul maintenance support to Gulfstream G650 aircraft. This authorization also extends to Jet's Cayman AMO, Bermuda AMO and EASA repair station authorities. “We have made a significant investment in tooling, training and data to support the needs of our clients moving to this new aircraft type,” said David Smith, director of quality Assurance, MRO services. Jet Aviation www.jetaviation.com
Daher-Socata has named WingsOverAsia as a TBM Aircraft Sales Representative to market the TBM throughout Asia on a non-exclusive basis. WingOver Asia is a private/executive aircraft flight support and aviation lifestyle services provider. The company also privides worldwide flight operations and ground handling along with turnkey aircraft acquisition support.
Despite strong opposition among pilot groups and in Congress, the Federal Air Surgeon is staying on course with his plan to require pilots and controllers with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 to undergo testing for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and seek treatment, if necessary. (See “Keeping Your Medical Qualification” page 30.) During a Dec. 12 webinar, Dr. Fred Tilton maintained that the requirement is a process enhancement that does not need to go through the rulemaking process.
Piper's PA-46-500TP Meridian made its debut in September 2000 as a 2001 model. It was the lowest priced pressurized, single-engine new production turboprop and it has retained that distinction. Piper created the Meridian by swapping a P&WC PT6A for the 350-hp piston engine of the PA-46 Malibu Mirage and modifying the airframe to handle the extra weight and speed. Everything about this project was designed to keep development costs low and that's reflected in the final product.
Jet Aviation, Zurich, appointed Alain Champonnois as the new vice president and general manager of the company's FBO and line maintenance operations in Jeddah, Riyadh and Medina, Saudi Arabia. He reports to Stefan Benz, vice president of MRO and FBO operations in EMEA and Asia. Champonnois succeeds Hardy Butschi, who was recently appointed vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Dubai.
Congressmen Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), chair and member, respectively, are sponsoring a bill to eliminate the third-class medical requirements for pilots who operate aircraft of 6,000 lb. or less, under visual flight rules, at speeds below 250 kt. and altitudes below 14,000 ft. Under the bill, pilots must have a valid pilot's license and must not fly for compensation.
Quest Aircraft obtained certification for its Kodiak single-turboprop aircraft from Venezuela's Civil Aviation Authority. The Kodiak has now been certified in 13 countries, and Quest expects more approvals this year. Quest is planning to deliver the first Kodiak to a Venezuelan customer shortly. The new owner will operate the aircraft for personal and business use. Quest began deliveries of the Kodiak in 2007 and the aircraft is in service with charter operators, small businesses, personal owners, U.S. and international governments and humanitarian organizations.
