In 25 years, the parsing of whole aircraft into fractional shares subsequently sold through five-year management contracts featuring guaranteed accessibility and high-quality service levels grew from the company that introduced the concept — mathematician and leasing expert Richard Santulli's NetJets — into a major aviation industry comprising multiple providers collectively fielding more than a thousand business jets and turboprops.
Spidertracks launched its Spider S3 Lite designed specifically for recreational pilots. The more affordable system still offers the reliability and accuracy of the company's commercial Spiders, according the James McCarthy, spidertracks operations managers. The new S3 Lite combines with Aviator (online tracking for recreational flights) allowing the user to share experiences with friends and family, and to compare notes with other pilots. spidertracks www. spidertracks.com Price: $495
EBAA says that the European Union has agreed to raise the threshold for smaller emitters from 10 to 25,000 tons of CO2, (a metric ton is 1,000 kg or 2,205 lb.), but was disappointed that regulators didn't go further. “This threshold certainly does not [exempt] smaller aircraft from EU ETS, but simply enables operators to benefit from a simplified monitoring and reporting procedure,” the association says.
A unique “helipod” single-place helicopter design uses a shroud-ring to completely enclose coaxial short-span rotors. The shroud serves to shield counter-rotating blades to overcome lift dissymmetry and increase rotor efficiency. Helipod Inc. of California, which plans to build the ship in Japan, calls it a “shielding rotating wing biplane” and says the prototype will fly this summer.
Gulfstream Aerospace has enhanced the services available to operators with the addition of a mobile support vehicle and a renovated customer lobby at its Brunswick, Ga., facility. The specially outfitted truck includes an air compressor, generator and a laptop to sign off work in real time allowing technicians to perform or support many maintenance services and transport a range of replacement parts. The renovated lobby has Wi-Fi, a 52-in. HD television and new furniture, among other improvements. Brunswick's 25,000-sq.-ft.
FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 00-24B cautions that thunderstorms contain multiple weather hazards and that pilots should never regard any thunderstorm lightly, even when radar observers report the echoes are of light intensity. Avoiding thunderstorms is the best policy. Here are the FAA's Do's and Don'ts for thunderstorm avoidance: Don't land or take off in the face of an approaching thunderstorm. A sudden gust front of low-level turbulence could cause loss of control.
TSA approved a five-year extension of its partnership with National Air Transportation Association Compliance Services (NATACS) to provide a range of general aviation security programs. The partnership recognizes NATACS as a Trusted Fingerprint Facility to process biographical and biometric information. The partnership, established in 2002, has been extended through December 2016. NATACS provides all pre-enrollment, enrollment, fingerprint collection, and secure data transmission for TSA-conducted background checks of aircrew members and flight students.
Eurocopter released improved performance specifications for its new EC175 helicopter scheduled to enter service by year-end. The company announced a baseline payload/radius-of-action with 16 passengers at 135 nm when configured for offshore oil and gas missions, a 30% increase compared with the initial performance baseline. For longer-range missions, EC175 can transport 12 passengers to a radius of action of 190 nm. An 18-passenger configuration option is under development with the goal of achieving a radius-of-action of 100 nm.
“Operators Survey: Dassault Falcon 7X” (March 2011, page 46) mentions fly-by-wire controls being offered by other manufacturers. Which other purpose-built corporate jets currently offer full FBW? As for the airplane, we were fortunate in that we have a later airplane with Load 10, enhanced brakes, higher crosswind limits, etc. installed prior to initial delivery, and we have had no problems other than a faulty radar altimeter, which we replaced.
Transport Canada has approved a 500-lb. gross weight increase for Bell Model 429 helicopter to 7,500 lb., the company says. As we go to press, Bell is seeking FAA and EASA validation. Responding to customer requests, Bell worked on the change for more than a year and spent the last several months validating data for the weight increase with Transport Canada. The improvement provides increases in range or longer loiter times — which the company notes can be particularly important for EMS and law enforcement, two key markets for the 429.
West Star Aviation's facility in East Alton, Ill., was named an authorized service center for the GE CF34 engine. The authorization means the facility can provide service and support of the engine and supply related parts and products. West Star's facility in Grand Junction, Colo., has been an authorized GE service provider for more than 6 yr.
Business aviation's recent post-9/11 “record” day at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has encouraged the general aviation community that changes implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are finally gaining some traction. Signature Flight Support, which runs the sole fixed base operation at DCA, reported that operations topped 30 in a single day, the most since before 9/11.
FAA issued Advisory Circular 90-114 regarding usage of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology in compliance with FAR 91.225 and 91.227. These regulations require aircraft operating in certain classes of airspace to be equipped with ADS-B Out beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The circular contains guidance on compliance, including an overview of the ADS-B system, general operating procedures and performance requirements.
Regarding “Security Outlook, All eyes are focused on LASP II,” (January 2011, page 45) I doubt whether any business aviation insider believes the TSA's next NPRM for the revised LASP will be published successfully anytime soon.
During the Thanksgiving weekend, my eldest took his significant other — a delightful, super smart, 10,000-watt Michigander — into New York City to show her Manhattan in its most glittering season. The day's adventure included sightseeing, an overpriced meal, ice-skating in Wollman Rink and then, of course, a hansom cab ride through Central Park.
BLR Aerospace of Everett, Wash., has earned certification of a new LED lighting system for King Air 200s equipped with the company's winglets. The FAA-certified advanced LED lighting system also is available for all King Air 200GT, 250 and 300 series aircraft. Approval of the light system from both the European Aviation Safety Agency and Brazil's Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil is expected soon, says BLR. In addition, the company expects to win an FAA STC in early 2012 for installation of the lights on King Air 90s.
From 1995 to 2005 the Hawker 800XP was the best selling Hawker model of all time, with 475 units produced. These aircraft sold new for as much as $13.5 million, but now many are available in the low $3 million to $4 million range, according to Jay Messinger Corporate Jet Sales. This classic midsize jet can fly nine passengers more than 2,400 nm and land with NBAA IFR reserves. The “XP” indeed signifies “extra performance,” at least when compared with the Model 800 that it replaced.
