Nearly 1,200 PC-12s have been delivered since the Swiss aircraft's entry into service in October 1994, by far the largest number of single-engine turboprops in the business aircraft fleet. Newer versions of this versatile aircraft can depart a 2,650- ft. runway with a 1,000-lb. payload and fly more than 1,500 nm, assuming standard day conditions. It's just as at home on 3,000- ft. dirt strips, so it's a favorite with utility fleet operators such as Australia's Royal Flying Doctor Service, Canada's Air Bravo Corp. and Alpha Flying in the U.S.
With the right avionics, landing a large turbine helicopter by hand at night or in poor visibility could be as easy as nudging a small green target into the middle of a larger cyan diamond on the primary flight display.
Sabreliner Corp., delivered two highly modified UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters earlier this year bringing their total number of VVIP helicopter completions to 11. Sabreliner developed a frame-load isolation design that allows the combat-proven Blackhawk to be converted into VVIP aircraft. The company also created clam-shell doors with integrated steps maximizing the space in the cabin. The two Jordanian aircraft incorporate full entertainment systems that display iPad content and DVDs on individual and 17-in. monitors. An Iridium phone system allows conference calling.
CAE plans to add a Bombardier Challenger 605 full-flight simulator in Europe at the beginning of 2016. The Canadian company already offers training on the Challenger 300 and 604 in Amsterdam and on the Learjet 40/45, Global 5000 and Global Express in the U.K. Training is provided on the Challenger 604 and 605 at Emirates-CAE Flight Training in Dubai. In addition, Bombardier will begin training in June on a CAE-supplied Global 5000/6000 simulator with Bombardier's Vision flight deck at the aircraft manufacturer's own training center in Dallas.
Pilatus believes the aircraft will find a home with cargo, medevac, commuter and even government special missions operators, along with its PC-12's historical customer base.
Name and location withheld at writer's request (Alder Companies Delavan, Wis. )
I am a line captain for a major airline, and wish that all people who designed checklists had to read and understand that article cited by Alex Bruzzano in “The List, Please” (Viewpoint, May 2013) and had to actually use the monstrosities they frequently design. I have done a lot of flying on a lot of different aircraft, have instructed on seven airliner types and have been an FAA TCE/DE on the A320. I've also done a lot of contract training and checking and have seen myriad procedures that range from outstanding to awful.
Women in Corporate Aviation, an organization dedicated to providing networking, education, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women and men seeking a profession in corporate aviation, has voted Paula Kraft to its board of directors. Kraft, the founder of Tastefully Yours and Aviation Catering Consultants, joins a board of 11, which is currently chaired by Brenda Miles. Mary Ann Fash, senior flight manager for flight services at Boeing, was appointed to the board at the same time.
Aeroparts de Paris is promoting alternatives to Le Bourget. The organization operates 14 airfields in the Paris area, including Orly and Charles de Gaulle, with four airports described as “major players” in European business aviation. In addition to Le Bourget, which can handle an Airbus A380, Toussus-le-Noble to the south has two paved runways; Pontoise-Cormeilles to the northwest has longer runways and an emphasis on business aviation and training; and the Heliport de Paris, in the city's 15th Arrondissement, which handled 12,222 operations in 2012.
Diehl Aerosystems reports that two of its business units have been awarded Bombardier contracts for cabin interior products for Global 7000 and Global 8000 business aircraft. The work package covers cabin peripheries — including the baggage compartments — with high-end surface treatments and optimized acoustic behavior (Diehl Aircabin). The company is to provide all-LED cabin mood lighting. The contracts are a major success for Diehl in business jets, as they are “the first combined approach with both cabin interiors and cabin lighting products” in the segment.
Air Services, a division of Constant Aviation specializing in off-wing aircraft support headquartered at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, has completed the requirements of the Cessna Citation NDI Certification Program and were named an Authorized Independent NDI facility. The company's NDT testing can be performed in their lab, on-wing or in the field. They have the ability to complete testing using Eddy current, ultrasonic, magnetic particle and liquid penetrant methods.
Perhaps you remember the first time you lowered the canopy on the T-37 in the middle of that hot July sun in Columbus, Miss. Or preflighting a Piper Warrior on the Vero Beach ramp at high noon in August. Or maybe you were learning to hover in that “green house” canopy of a TH-55 at Fort Rucker, Ala., or an R-22 in mid-summer outside Sao Paulo — either way, your Nomex flight suit or cotton shirt was completely drenched in sweat. Back then we were young, eager and not about to show others that the heat was a bother.
Dassault Falcon Jet announced a $60 million building and improvement project on May 29 that will expand its Little Rock, Ark., facility by 25%. Housed on 66 acres leased from the recently renamed the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport-Little Rock, the complex comprises a completion center and service facility that together total 1 million sq. ft. under roof, making it the French manufacturer's largest plant. Dassault employs nearly 2,000 people in Little Rock. The addition will add another 250,000 sq. ft. of space including a 300 ft. by 800 ft.
Success or failure of the annual Helicopter Association Inter–national Heli-Expo is generally considered to be the bellwether for the industry. If so, things are going well. HAI President Matt Zuccaro noted that despite the recession in the worldwide market dating back to 2008, sales announced at each show over the past five years have set records, with the 2012 show recording a bit over $2 billion and the show this past March announcing over $3 billion in sales.
Operators using Dubai International Airport will face an 80-day runway closure next year that looks set to bring major upheaval. The airport operator has asked airlines to reduce operations or move them to World Central/Al Maktoum International Airport. Freight, general aviation and charter carriers will be barred from the airport during the closure period, set to start on May 1, 2014. Runway 12L/30R is nearing the end of its design life.
Dubai, UAE-based United Aviation Services is offering free, all-inclusive trip planning services to existing and potential business aviation customers. The new service will provide: full route planning; full trip cost estimates, including clearance and navigation, coordination and ground handling, catering, airport and fuel charges; efficient and cost-effective fuel stops; equipment and handling availability at any station; a detailed airport brief; advisory services on immigration and Customs regulations; and general information and security/risk assessment.
Renovations of the Jet Centre at London City Airport (LCY) are now complete and a Border Force officer installed thereby supporting the facility's pledge to whisk business aircraft passengers from plane to car within 60 seconds. The airport-owned FBO now features an improved reception area, large passenger lounge, private meeting room, ground floor crew rest area and security screening area, as well as the border checking station.
Ireland's Shannon Airport's pre-clearance — the process: Upon arrival at Shannon, all passengers and flight crew deplane (except one pilot) and all baggage is taken off the aircraft. They are driven to the CBP area in less than a minute and fast-tracked through the dedicated VIP CPB pre-clearance facility. They are not mixed with any other passengers at this very private facility and up to 20 passengers can be cleared from one aircraft. Once everyone else is cleared, the remaining crewmember will go into the building to be pre-cleared.
ARINC Direct this summer is planning to begin delivery of its new Xplore device, a portable unit that is designed to bring ACARS services typically found only on large business jets and airliners to a range of aircraft. The Xplore unit combines four capabilities in a portable box — ACARS messaging services, SMS and instant messaging, voice services and BlackBerry email. The device can be attached by Velcro or thumb screws to a panel mount. Incorporating Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Xplore can provide access to ARINC's ACARS services.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) orchestrated another jobs rally, this one in Appleton, Wis., on May 30, as part of its continuing effort to build public and political support for the industry at a grass roots level. Gov. Scott Walker, U.S.
Cessna recently completed the mating of the wing and fuselage of the first production unit Citation M2. The light jet, a step up from the company's Mustang very light jet, is on track for certification in the second half of this year. Wing mating clears the way for engine installation and preparation for function testing of the aircraft systems, including avionics, hydraulics and flight controls. The M2, powered by Williams FJ44-1AP-21 engines producing 1,965 lbst, will have a maximum cruising speed of 400 kt., a 1,300-nm range and the ability to take off in 3,250 ft.
