The Fatigue Toolbox The FAA has created a one-stop source for your fatigue resource needs. The site has a comprehensive tool box with training programs, including the award-winning film “Grounded,” and tools such as the Return on Investment calculator, Fatigue Risk Assessment Tool, and newsletters with articles authored by industry leading scientists in the subject of fatigue. You can visit the site at: www.mxfatigue.com
Dec. 29, 2012 — About 1148 CST, a Bell 407 (N534MT) lost engine power and crashed while diverting to Reagan Municipal Airport (E41), Big Lake, Texas. The three crewmembers and one passenger received no injuries. The aircraft was registered to and operated by Med-Trans Corporation as a Part 135 on-demand Emergency Medical Services operator. The aircraft received substantial damage. VFR conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on a company VFR flight plan. It originated from a hospital helipad in Ft.
Eclipse Aerospace hopes to contract to replace the fleet of T-1A Jayhawks (Beechjet 400s) flown for the U.S. Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program. The company responded Jan. 7 to an Air Force request for information (RFI) for a potential large fleet of very light jets (VLJs) to support the SUPT Multi-place Training Track. The Air Force released the RFI on Nov.
While business aviation struggles to regain its footing following the economic downturn, Gulfstream is rapidly expanding. The manufacturer in late 2010 committed to hiring 1,000 employees at its Savannah, Ga., campus over the next 7 yr. Within the following two years, Gulfstream not only met that seven-year goal, it exceeded it by 70% — hiring more than 1,695 workers in Savannah alone. But Gulfstream isn't finished. The company signed a 12-yr. lease on a 70,000-sq.-ft.
December 2012 flight activity sees a slowdown over the holidays. Argus TRAQPak data shows that December 2012 flight activity levels decreased from November, finishing the month down 6.9% overall. The results by operational category saw very slight rise in fractional flight activity, up 0.1%. Part 91 and Part 135 flight activity finished the month down 11.2% and 2.2%, respectively. Aircraft category results were down across the board. Reviewing year- over-year activity (December 2012 vs. December 2011), TRAQPak data indicates an overall decrease of 2.0%.
Soloy Aviation Solutions is now a Cobham/S-TEC dealer. Cobham Commercial Systems, Integrated Systems (formerly S-TEC Corp.) is a leader in analog and digital autopilot systems. Soloy is authorized for autopilot, display and HeliSAS systems in Cobham's line of avionics products.
Chinese interests continue to build up their aerospace portfolios with the purchase of light helicopter manufacturer Enstrom. The Michigan-based helicopter manufacturer, which has been producing helicopters since the late 1950s, was acquired by the Chongqing Helicopter Investment Co. (CQHIC). Enstrom hopes the move will enable it to expand its reach into China as well as permit the company to invest in its plant at Menominee to meet current and expected future demands. “This is a major step in moving Enstrom to a new level,” Enstrom President Jerry Mullins says.
More than one airline recommends that captains relinquish flying duties when faced with unexpected circumstances in order to promote optimum crew coordination and to minimize the potential for misunderstandings and errors. Anticipating that unforeseen emergencies can occur for which there are no published procedures, air carrier training departments often recommend guidelines for assignments of responsibilities.
Constant Aviation, which expanded into the Beechjet landing gear overhaul business last summer, has found demand for the service so strong that it is relocating the services from Birmingham Ala., to a larger facility near its Cleveland headquarters. The sister company of Flight Options and Nextant Aerospace, Constant in July announced the opening of a new landing gear repair and overhaul shop at its Birmingham service center.
Cessna has successfully completed certification flight tests for FAA Supplemental Type Certification of Safe Flight Instrument Corporation's AutoPower automatic throttle system for the Cessna Citation X. As we go to press, the STC is expected to be issued. Following the FAA certification flight, Cessna engineering test pilot U.J. Pesonen stated “That's an impressive auto-throttle system.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller ( D-W.Va.) plans to retire at the end of his term next year, concluding a more than 30-year career in the Senate. An outspoken proponent of NextGen, Rockefeller has had both spirited debates with and praise for the business aviation industry. He has strongly believed that business aviation operators should pay more into the national air transportation system, but was willing to compromise his position on a need for aviation user fees to ensure that long-term FAA reauthorization legislation would pass the Senate.
Rectrix Commercial Aviation Services (RECAS) acquired Westfield, Mass.-based AirFlyte. “An important factor in our decision to make this acquisition was the agreement of Gary [Potts] to stay on as president of AirFlyte,” says RECAS President and CEO Richard Cawley. AirFlyte is a FAR Part 145-certified repair station. RECAS is a holding company with four operating divisions: Rectrix Aviation, Rectrix FBO JetCenters, Rectrix Aircraft Maintenance and Rectrix Business Solutions.
The FAA, bowing to broad industry opposition, will rescind its interpretation of a rule governing rest for airline mechanics, reverting to a more flexible view that both management and unions have long considered acceptable. The agency delivered the news in a Dec. 26 letter to the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), which spearheaded the challenge to an FAA interpretation made nearly three years ago.
General aviation groups welcomed the confirmation of Michael Huerta as the next FAA administrator, saying permanent leadership at the agency's helm is particularly important as FAA must tackle key environmental, certification and NextGen issues while operating under the threat of substantial budget cuts. Confirmation of Huerta, who has been serving as acting administrator for more than a year, came during an unusual New Year's Day session in the Senate. President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Huerta in March.
Cessna is beginning delivery of its more powerful Grand Caravan EX following the receipt of FAA type certification. The Caravan, which sports the new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 engine, is the first of as many as six new or follow-on aircraft that Cessna expects to bring to market this year. The Caravan has long been considered a workhorse with close to 2,200 delivered, but has been criticized for being underpowered.
For general aviation, the return on investment in NextGen aircraft equipage may not be as apparent as it is for commercial air transport operators, an industry analyst says. The U.S. NextGen air traffic control modernization program could yield $281 billion through 2035, according to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu's 2013 Global Aerospace and Defense Industry Outlook. This includes fuel efficiency gains and reductions in weather-related and congestion delays.
Waterford, Mich.-based Pentastar Aviation has acquired Aviation Interior Solutions, also of Waterford, to strengthen its interoir refurbishment and completion offerings. At the same time Pentastar's Oxford, Conn. facility has recieved Part 145 Satellite Repair Station certification. The company also said it would exit its Van Nuys, Calif. FBO and service facillity to focus on its Eastern U.S. customers.
For about $9 million, you can by a new or nearly new super-midsize Hawker 4000 that can fly eight passengers 3,000+ nm at Mach 0.80 and land with 200 nm NBAA IFR reserves. Inspired by the systems architecture of the Gulfstream GIV, this is the only aircraft in its class to have standard dual Honeywell IRSes, dual ACM packs, auto-throttles, an AC electrical generation system and a standard hydraulically powered, emergency AC electrical generator. The aircraft has a flat floor, aft lavatory and inflight access to the aft baggage compartment.
Along about hour eight of your primary flight training, an instructor sat you down with Advisory Circular AC61-134 and told you to burn its words into your head and soul. Here's the pertinent section:
You pick up USA Today from under your hotel door and the front-page headline shouts about another aviation accident. As you glean the details of the misfortune that befell the crew and passengers, know that your own passengers are possibly reading the same article. Many will want to talk to you, to be reassured by you.
Cessna Aircraft has signed a letter of intent to acquire Jet Aviation's maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Zurich, Switzerland and Dusseldorf, Germany. The sale, expected to be completed by year-end, would not include the FBOs at those locations. Jet Aviation, which had spent the past couple of years reviving its struggling completions business, has more recently experienced a downturn in its services division as demand from Europe dipped.
Business aircraft accidents were down overall worldwide in 2012, but those involving U.S. business jets have been increasing, according to the latest statistics from business aviation safety expert Robert E. Breiling Associates. At the same time, U.S. helicopter accidents jumped notably in 2012, while the non-U.S. registered helicopter fleet improved its safety record. The number of U.S. business jet accidents increased by five in 2012 to 19 accidents. Of those, five were fatal and involved 21 deaths.
Meridian Air Charter, headquartered at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in New Jersey, will base a 9-passenger Citation XLS at Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) in Hayward, Calif. Meridian operates twenty-one managed aircraft based nationally from New York to California. Meridian Air Charter recently opened sales offices at San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Sonoma County Airport (STS) in California.
