The FAA has certified the Gulfstream G280's Enhanced Vision System (EVS) II and Head-Up Display (HUD) II. The systems enable pilots to see terrain, runways, taxiways and possible obstructions in low-visibility conditions and provide operational credit, enabling the super-midsize aircraft to land in weather conditions prohibitive for non-equipped aircraft.
FAA is soliciting comments on the next round of recommendations to streamline and improve pilot training and certification standards. The agency considers the push to revise the standards as a key component in a multipronged effort to improve the general aviation fatal accident rate. The agency has been working with an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to develop recommendations for streamlined standards that would emphasize risk management skills.
PlaneSense had been an eager buyer of the stillborn Grob SPn. The reason for that interest, says PlaneSense founder, president and CEO George Antoniadis, was the Grob twin's large cabin, good economy and ability to fly into small and unimproved strips — attributes that mirrored those of the PC-12. The operator's move into twins was suspended when the Grob program came to grief, but the interest remained. And now Pilatus is developing its own, go-anywhere twin, and Antoniadis is watching closely.
Eurcopter and Ramco Systems are partnering to offer state-of-the-art helicopter maintenance software that will ease the life of operators and maintenance centers. The agreement allows both companies to offer additional mobility and functionality for the collection and treatment of MRO-related data by providing effective and cost-efficient fleet management services that are affordable and user friendly for all operators.
The FCC gave a Blanket License Radio Station Authorization for Ka-band aeronautical earth stations to ViaSat, Inc. The 15-yr., renewable license permits operation of the ViaSat Mantarray, low-profile airborne antenna on the ViaSat Ka-band satellite fleet of ViaSat-1, WildBlue-1 and Anik-F2. As the first license of its kind, this approval is another step toward the launch of the ViaSat Exede In the Air Service, the company says.
AVIC International, which acquired Continental Motors from Teledyne in 2011, has now added bankrupt Thielert Aircraft Engines of Germany to its collection of general aviation businesses and is integrating their product lines. Going forward, Thielert's diesel power plants will be known as Continental Centurion engines, and Continental President Rhett Ross says the company could begin shipping units soon. Continental's product line will now include the Centurion 2.0 series of 135-hp and 155-hp Jet A engines, in addition to 4.0 series 350-hp engines.
Not long from now, it is likely you will receive an instruction like this from the control tower of a U.S. civil airport: "You are number two to land, Runway Two-Seven Right, behind the UAV on short final. Say contact.”
Water utility is now possible for operators of Brantly helicopters with the recent certification of floats. Neoprene treated fabric floats, developed and manufactured by Garrett Corp., measure 168-in. long by 20-in. diameter, weigh only 40 lb., are interchangeable with regular gear and allow top speed of 90 mph.
Surf Air, a membership airline that began operations between three California cities in June using three Pilatus PC-12s has placed 25 pilots on its roster and is adding more. Meanwhile, FlexJet, Bombardier's Dallas-based fractional program, says sustained growth is prompting it to hire more front-seaters. Interested applicants should have at least 2,500 hours of total flight time, 500 of which should be multiengine and 500 turbine, plus an ATP and a First Class medical.
Since guide dogs, alert dogs and other animals often accompany disabled people in their travels, be sure to consider not only where the animal will be stationed once aboard the aircraft, but where the animal will be able to relieve itself before, during and after long flights. Also, define who is responsible for providing escort assistance to an airport service animal relief area and how passengers accompanied by a service animal can obtain assistance for this purpose. And bring a scooper, just in case.
SimCom Training has completed the first initial training course for the new Total Eclipse using its recently qualified level-D full-flight simulator equipped with new IFMS avionics. The six-day course includes ground school, 14 hr. of brief/debrief time, and 18 hr. of simulator training. “The new simulator is extremely realistic and allows you to train for every conceivable emergency,” said Mike Bryant, the first customer to complete the new program.
Nextant Aerospace, Cleveland, appointed James Immke to vice president of Quality and Safety. He joined the company in 2010 and has over 20 years of quality and safety experience in highly regulated industries, including aerospace and defense.
A young American company is reporting steady progress in its development of a water-cooled, six-cylinder, twin-turbocharged 350-hp “Flat-V” diesel engine intended to replace gasoline power plants on light general aviation aircraft and for use in unmanned aerial vehicles. Engineered Propulsion Systems, Inc. (EPS) says its Vision 350 has now undergone heat-load and high- altitude tests, along with vibration testing when fitted with aluminum Hartzell props.
Flight Display Systems, Alpharetta, Ga., appointed Aria Bahawdory technical sales consultant. He aviation background includes a four-year tour with the U.S. Navy conducting search and rescue operation; Imagine Air Jet Services and most recently he owned Mid Air Aerial Photography. Joyce Reeves has been promoted to inside sales coordinator and will serve as the main interface for all customers calling the Alpharetta sales office.
A “disabled” passenger today can range from someone on crutches after a skiing accident to renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who has managed to survive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) decades longer than his doctors predicted.
Ontario, Canada-based Flying Colours has been appointed by Raisbeck Engineering as an Authorized Sales and Installation Centre for the entire King Air product line. Previous accreditations from Beechcraft and Blackhawk will allow the company to undertake King Air maintenance, refurbishments, modifications and paint work in additional to full completions all under one roof.
Cessna Aircraft Co. selected Aviation Occupant Safety's (AOS) inflatable side-facing passenger protection system as standard for the side-facing seating configuration on the new midsize Citation Latitude business jet. AOS is a joint venture between two global safety restraint industry leaders: Aircraft Belts, Inc. (ABI) and Key Safety Systems (KSS).
To “unleash the potential for development of innovative civil applications” for unmanned aircraft in Europe, a 2012 European Commission white paper stated, “the first priority is to achieve a safe integration of RPAS [Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems] into the European air system as soon as possible.”
B. Coleman Aviation will develop a new Chicago-based FBO and general aviation facility at Chicago-Gary International Airport. Features include more than 25,00 sq. ft. of terminal and hangar area, and a 12,500-sq.-ft. airside canopy large enough to provide year round shelter for a Gulfstream V or Bombardier Global Express aircraft. Completion is scheduled for spring 2014.
In 1990, Congress adopted sweeping noise legislation that called for the phaseout of Stage 2 airliners by Dec. 31, 1999. The business aviation community strongly objected to any similarly timed phaseout for business jets, because hushkits either weren't available for many models and a number of the aircraft were still too young to put out to pasture. Objectors also argued that aircraft weighing less than 75,000 lb. were inherently quieter than their larger counterparts.
While the FAA refused to provide an executive-level employee for BCA to interview on unmanned aircraft integration, its Public Affairs office invited us to submit questions. Here are the FAA's responses to some of those queries: BCA: Does the FAA have any idea how many UASes, both civil and military, are being operated right now in the NAS? How many COAs has the FAA awarded to operators?
The founders of Marquis Jet have struck a potential $1.4 billion deal with Beechcraft to launch new “private membership” venture, Wheels Up, which will be anchored around a fleet of King Air 350i's. The agreement includes firm orders and maintenance for 35 aircraft, with options for up to 70 more. Deliveries will begin this year with the remaining firm orders to be delivered at a rate of 1-1.5 per month, running through 2015. The options would then continue over the next few years.
LightSquared, Inc., may be going down, but not without a fight. The now bankrupt company had planned to use radio spectrum to create a wireless data network spanning the U.S., and was given a preliminary go-ahead by the federal government to do so. However, the GPS industry strongly objected, arguing that transmissions from the new network would interfere with existing GPS equipment used in aviation and a host of other industries and ultimately succeeded in stopping LightSquared after the latter had invested heavily in the project.
Pilatus has teamed with Beijing Tian Xing Jian Yu Science Co. to produce components and assemble PC-12 and PC-6 Porter single-engine turboprops in Chongqing, China, with China the intended market. The facility opened in August. Pilatus, which has initially committed to supplying 50 aircraft, notes that only civilian aircraft will be assembled at the facility, and the company has no plans to build components or assemble its PC-7 MkII, PC-9M and PC-21 military trainers there.
