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Vol.50 | No.2

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FEBRUARY 2021 | ainonline.com

Flight testing of Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator will begin this FAA final rule clears path for year in the supersonic corridor stretching across the Mojave Desert in California. New rules issued by the FAA will enable these flight tests civil supersonic flight testing at speeds above Mach 1. by Kerry Lynch

The FAA took another step toward facili- on supersonic flight over land. Nor does it tating the development of civil supersonic represent a policy change; instead, the rule Read Our SPECIAL REPORT Pilot Report aircraft with the release of a final rule on streamlines and simplifies access to the January 6 that clarifies procedures for various information necessary for special AIN flies the versatile obtaining special flight authorizations for flight authorizations. Connect at low cost Pilatus PC-24 page 20 flight testing beyond Mach 1. The FAA did revise language in the final Adopted largely as proposed in June rule involving the environmental review A growing variety of airborne 2019, the final rule outlines the informa- process. It had originally proposed language connectivity systems, both air-to- Flight Test tion needed for applications of special flight to clarify information necessary for the FAA ground- and satellite-based, offer Dassault unveils new authorization and designates the FAA pro- to make a National Environmental Policy lower-cost options for communication gram office that will process those applica- Act (NEPA) determination. However, after and internet services for the smallest SmartThrottle page 26 tions. It also creates a more “user-friendly” receiving comments, the agency found the business aircraft. format, the agency said. The rule further language actually generated confusion. Fractionals recognizes that supersonic flight testing “The proposed language providing page 34 could be used to gather noise data. more detail about what an applicant could Airshare expanding frax However, the rule does not lift the ban continues on page 18 territory page 30 PRAETOR !""# CERTIFIED OUTPERFORMANCE.

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The Praetor 600 — the world’s most disruptive and technologically advanced super-midsize aircraft that leads the way in performance, comfort and technology.

Unveiled at NBAA in October 2018 and now certified by ANAC, FAA and EASA, the Praetor 600 did not just meet initial expectations, it exceeded them. Named for the Latin root that means “lead the way,” the Praetor 600 is a jet of firsts. It is the first super-midsize jet certified since 2014. The first to fly beyond 3,700 nm at M0.80. The first with over 4,000 nm range at LRC. The first with full fly-by-wire. The first with turbulence reduction capability. The first with a cabin altitude as low as 5,800 feet. The first with high-capacity, ultra-high-speed connectivity from Viasat’s Ka-band. And all of this, backed by a top-ranked Customer Support network.

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LEADING THE WAY INSIDE this issue

JAMES HOLAHAN "1921#2015$, FOUNDING EDITOR WILSON S. LEACH, FOUNDER & CEO EDITOR!IN!CHIEF – Matt Thurber NEWS EDITOR ! AIN PUBLICATIONS ! Chad Trautvetter SENIOR EDITORS ! Charles Alcock, Curt Epstein, Kerry Lynch Gregory Polek – Air Transport, Jerry Siebenmark CONTRIBUTORS David Donald – Defense Mark Huber – Rotorcraft Jennifer Leach English David Jack Kenny – Safety Gordon Gilbert Richard Pedicini 37 29 John Goglia – Columnist James Wynbrandt PRODUCTION MANAGER ! Martha Jercinovich GRAPHIC DESIGNERS ! John A. Manfredo, Grzegorz Rzekos DIGITAL SOLUTIONS MANAGER ! Michael Giaimo DEVELOPER ! Ryan Koch FEATURE DIRECTOR OF VIDEO ! Ian Whelan CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ! Dave Leach Flight testing VICE PRESIDENT SALES & MARKETING ! Karl H. Elken Dassault’s new ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ! Nancy O’Brien ADVERTISING SALES SmartThrottle Melissa Murphy ! Midwestern U.S., +1 (830) 608-9888 Nancy O’Brien ! Western U.S./Western Canada/Asia Pacific, +1 (530) 241-3534 Joe Rosone – Mid-Atlantic U.S./Southeast U.S./Caribbean/Brazil, +1 (301) 693-4687 Diana Scogna ! Europe/Middle East, +33 6 62 52 25 47 Victoria Tod ! Northeastern U.S./Eastern Canada/Great Lakes U.S./ United Kingdom, 14 26 +1 (203) 733-4184 Yury Laskin ! Russia, +7 05 912 1346 AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER ! Nicole Bowman 14 Wheels Up acquires Mountain Aviation, MARKETING AND CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER ! Lisa Valladares AIRPLANES and ENGINES SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING ! Zach O’Brien 16 Pilatus aircraft delivers 100th PC-24 adding West Coast bases and 59 aircraft SALES ADMINISTRATOR ! Cindy Nesline 19 NASA’s X-59 takes shape MAINTENANCE, MODs, and COMPLETIONS DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & HUMAN RESOURCES ! Michele Hubert 20 Pilot Report: The versatile Pilatus PC-24 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE ! Mary Avella 8 Honda Aircraft starts wing making in new facility ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ! Bobbie Bing AIR TRANSPORT 10 Gama Aviation acquires Jet East MRO U.S. HEADQUARTERS 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432, +1 (201) 444-5075 36 Boeing to pay $2.5 billion in 29 Best Group launches new ground power units Advertising Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 penalties for Max missteps [email protected] REGULATIONS and GOVERNMENT Circulation Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 36 IATA sees ‘bleak’ prospects [email protected] for air transport in 2021 1 FAA final rule clears path for civil WASHINGTON, D.C. EDITORIAL OFFICE: supersonic flight testing Kerry Lynch (business aviation) 37 Rolls-Royce considers need [email protected] to ‘re-phase’ UltraFan 8 NBAA lauds IRS eule exempting Tel: +1 (703) 969-9195 managed aircraft from FET EUROPEAN EDITORIAL OFFICE: 37 N219 turboprop gains Indonesian certification Charles Alcock 10 NATA launching SMS pilot for [email protected] 42 Airline accident fatalities up despite Covid Tel: +44 7799 907595 charters, repair stations THE CONVENTION NEWS COMPANY, INC. AVIONICS and TECHNOLOGY 14 FSF and Eurocontrol release runway AIN PUBLICATIONS EXECUTIVE TEAM excursion reduction global action plan Wilson Leach Jennifer Leach English Karl H. Elken 17 App improves Traxxall user experience Matt Thurber Dave Leach 26 Dassault explores smarter autothrottles 15 Baldwin introduces Alaska-oriented SMS program Michele Hubert Nancy O’Brien that enhance Falcon safety, performance 16 Vaccine rollout leaves open Aviation International News (ISSN 0887-9877) is published thirteen many questions for GA ops times per year (monthly plus a special NBAA Convention News issue 34 Lower-cost connectivity options expanding in November). Periodicals postage paid at Midland Park, N.J., and 18 Kansas DOT, FAA agree to establish additional mailing o !ces. Postmaster: Send address changes to Aviation International News, P.O. Box 8059, Lowell, MA 01853 USA. Allow at least CHARTER and FRACTIONAL Supersonic Transportation Corridor eight weeks for processing. Include old address as well as new, and an address label from a recent issue if possible. Subscription inquiries: +1 (201) 29 TxJet keeps flying organ 345-0085 or email: [email protected]. missions during pandemic ROTORCRAFT and UNMANNED SYSTEMS Aviation International News is a publication of The Convention News 32 Pentagon will track D.C. helicopter noise Co., Inc., 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432; Tel.: +1 (201) 444-5075. 30 Airshare expands access, Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part management, mx programs 33 DOT IG slams FAA ‘doors o!’ helo ops oversight without permission of The Convention News Co., Inc. is strictly prohibited. The Convention News Co., Inc. publishes Aviation International News, AINalerts, AIN Air Transport Perspective, AINtv, Business Jet Traveler, BJTwaypoints, ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENTS ABACE Convention News, Dubai Airshow News, EBACE Convention News, Farnborough Airshow News, FutureFlight.aero, HAI Convention News, 44 Report targets ways to lower 42 Accidents | 36 Air Transport Update LABACE Convention News, MEBA Convention News, NBAA Convention News, Paris Airshow News, Singapore Airshow News, Mobile Apps: leaded avgas impact 34 Avionics Update | 45 Compliance Countdown Aviation International News; AINonline. PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT 40 Hot Section | 10, 12, 14, 16 News Briefs NO. 40649046 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: PITNEY BOWES INTERNATIONAL MAIL, STATION A, P.O. BOX 54, WINDSOR, ON, N9A 6J5, INDUSTRY and MANAGEMENT 46 People in Aviation | 32 Rotorcraft Update returns [email protected]. 12 U.S. fatal bizav accidents plummet 50% in 2020 24 Torqued | 38 Touching Bases

Important Events Note While there have been many cancellations and postponements of important events during the Covid-19 crisis, AIN remains PUBLICATIONS committed to covering the business aviation industry. Please send any news and press releases, especially related to For feedback, letters to the editor, or other editorial needs, events you had been planning to attend, to [email protected] and we will endeavor to help share your news. please contact AIN’s Editors at [email protected]

4 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com Ready to train with the best technologies and tools, unmatched instructor expertise, full-career-lifecycle pilot training to the highest safety standards and a program built around your specifc needs and goals with the industry leader?

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Explore more reasons for working with the team that works with you — at cae.com/business-aviation PUB_DFCS_Double-8_HD.indd 1 20/01/2021 17:48 PUB_DFCS_Double-8_HD.indd 1 20/01/2021 17:48 As We Go To Press NBAA lauds IRS final rule JEFFRIES: BIZJET DELIVERIES DASSAULT CONSOLIDATES TO RISE MARGINALLY IN 2021 MRO SALES OPERATIONS for no managed-flight tax While overall sentiment is up in Jeffries Dassault Aviation has consolidated Equity Research’s 10th biannual business its MRO sales operations into a by Chad Trautvetter jet survey, the newly released report single organization for customers in calls for 3.7 percent growth for new Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and NBAA is praising issuance of a pre-publi- In its final rule, the IRS adopted several jet deliveries this year, down from its Asia-Pacific. Led by Thierry Salaün, the cation final rule by the U.S. Internal Rev- significant changes suggested by NBAA, midyear 2020 prediction for a 6 percent new organization brings together the enue Service (IRS) that clearly exempts such as the exemption for common busi- increase. Based on responses from 102 MRO sales operations of Dassault owners who conduct flights on their own ness aircraft ownership structures, includ- business jet brokers globally, the survey’s Falcon Service (DFS), TAG Maintenance aircraft with a management company’s ing owner trust arrangements used to sentiment index climbed by 1.7 points, to Services (TMS), and the Falcon segment assistance from paying the 7.5 percent register thousands of business aircraft for 6.6 on a 10-point scale, compared with of ExecuJet MRO Services, the latter federal excise tax (FET) for commercial regulatory compliance purposes. The rule 4.9 in June and 5.7 rating a year ago. The two of which Dassault acquired in 2019. flights. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) also eliminates a complicated allocation survey did note an expected silver lining According to Dassault, the consolidation passed in 2017 included language speci- method that would have been required from the pandemic: continued elevated will enable operators to choose from a fying this exemption, but now the IRS’s when owners take flights on a substitute interest in business aircraft flying. In fact, wider range of C-check venues, such as final rule, which was pending publication aircraft and also clarifies that aircraft own- 45 percent of those surveyed believe DFS Le Bourget and Bordeaux-Mérignac; in the Federal Register, will codify it. ers qualify for the FET exemption regard- interest in fractional and charter will TMS Geneva and Farnborough; and “NBAA and its Tax Committee—led by less of whether flights on their own aircraft climb post-Covid. However, in the near- ExecuJet in Dubai, Lanseria, and Kuala chair John Hoover, a partner with the law are conducted under FAR Part 91 or 135. term they expect sales transactions to Lumpur. Further, the consolidation firm of Holland & Knight—championed “We applaud the IRS and the Depart- drop by 11 percent and residual values to allows Dassault to provide operators industry efforts to work with the Depart- ment of the Treasury for their longstand- sink 14 percent thanks to the pandemic’s more information on the availability of ment of the Treasury and IRS on regula- ing dedication to this regulatory project, global macro-economic impact. modifications and cabin, avionics, and tions that correctly implement the TCJA which fully implements a key provision other upgrades across its MRO footprint. management company provision,” NBAA of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” said NBAA SIGNATURE MOVES INTO NEW said. “That effort has now resulted in a president and CEO Ed Bolen. “This victory BATON ROUGE FBO COMPLEX IATA URGES ADOPTION final rule from the IRS that represents is the result of concerted efforts by NBAA Signature Flight Support has moved OF TRAVELER VACCINE the successful conclusion of the NBAA- and the business aviation community to its FBO at Louisiana’s Baton Rouge CERTIFICATES led campaign to prevent the improper and achieve clear and equitable application of Metropolitan Airport/Ryan Field next In an open letter to European Commission retroactive application of FET to manage- federal excise tax for thousands of aircraft door to a newly-renovated terminal and president Ursula von der Leyen, IATA ment companies and aircraft owners.” owners and management companies.” n hangar complex that previously housed director-general Alexandre de Juniac called a corporate flight department. As part on all branches of the European Union of its purchase of Landmark Aviation to support the idea of a common digital in 2016, Signature inherited a 1960s-era European Covid-19 vaccination certificate facility at the airport, and it purchased that would allow individuals to travel freely the adjacent, larger location last year. within Europe without Covid-19 testing. After two months of renovations, the The proposal, advocated by Greek prime new FBO consists of a 15,000-sq-ft minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, would result hangar (50 percent larger than the in a “renewed freedom of movement, previous hangar) that can accommodate beginning with those who are vaccinated,” aircraft up to a Gulfstream G650, as said IATA. De Juniac has railed consistently well as a 5,000-sq-ft adjoining terminal about the effects of quarantine with a 12-seat conference room, pilot requirements on air traffic and called lounge with showers, and offices. on governments to replace them with testing regimes. During IATA’s most recent ACS OFFERS 2021 PREDICTIONS briefing on the effect of the pandemic on FOR CHARTER INDUSTRY the airline industry, he characterized the A rising number of insolvencies within the near-term outlook for his membership aircraft charter industry and an increase as “bleak” due to governments’ failure in private jet bookings among business to heed IATA’s recommendations and travelers will be among the developments coordinate a plan to restore connectivity. Honda Aircraft making wings in new facility this year, according to global broker Air Charter Service (ACS). “We are already FAA OPENS MX, With the opening of its new wing produc- and our newest facility further increases seeing a reduction in marketing spends PILOT WORKFORCE tion and service parts facility in Greensboro, e!ciency of assembly,” said Honda Air- from these [charter] companies who often DEVELOPMENT GRANTS North Carolina, Honda Aircraft will be able craft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino. portray the results of heavy marketing The FAA is soliciting applications for to manufacture HondaJet wings concur- “It also will house more service parts to investment, as well as loss-leading maintenance and pilot workforce rently and thus improve manufacturing e!- support the rapidly-growing HondaJet pricing, as illustrations of the success of development grants. Aircraft Pilots ciency. The new facility encloses 83,100 sq fleet.” That fleet now numbers more than their business model to generate new Workforce Development Grants between ft and houses a main wing assembly han- 170 airplanes that have collectively logged investment,” said ACS group private $25,000 and $500,000 are available gar, service parts warehouse, paint booth, more than 63,000 hours. jets director Andy Christie. “Without for programs that expand the pilot and o!ces. Groundbreaking for the new The HondaJet wing is designed for the new customers generated through workforce and educate students to facility was held on July 30, 2019, and it reduced aerodynamic drag and high struc- these strategies, the rate of growth become pilots, aerospace engineers, or was finished in September 2020. tural rigidity, with exterior skins machined will slow and, for some, that will mean unmanned systems operators. Similar Located at the Honda Aircraft campus from solid aluminum alloy. serious cash flow issues, which may lead Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers at Piedmont Triad International Airport “Since entering the market five years ago,” to insolvency.” ACS also expects private Workforce Development Grants are in Greensboro, the facility represents an Fujino said, “the HondaJet has received a jet travel bookings this year to return available for programs that prepare an additional $24.3 million investment, part tremendous response from customers. This to 2019 levels through a combination of inclusive base of aviation maintenance of a total of more than $245 million the facility will enable us to continue to provide increased business travel—85 percent technicians. These programs were created company has invested at Greensboro. our growing global customer base with the of 2019 levels—and leisure travel. by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. “Honda is a mobility technology company highest level of customer support.” M.T.

8 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com

other limitations involved with imple- News Briefs NATA launching SMS pilot menting SMS. The research will explore effects even on the smallest of operations, GIP Set To Acquire Signature including single-pilot organizations. Aviation in $4.6B Bid for charters, repair stations A key element will involve looking Signature Aviation could soon be under at practical means for safety reporting new ownership with news that the by Kerry Lynch for smaller operators and whether such UK-based company has accepted a cash reporting could interface with programs deal worth more than $4.63 billion from The National Air Transportation Asso- requirements appropriate for the various such as the Aviation Safety Action Pro- Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). ciation (NATA) is launching a Voluntary size, scope, and complexity of operators gram and the Voluntary Disclosure On January 11, Signature announced to SMS Implementation Project (VSIP) to that comprise the Part 135/145 commu- Reporting Program. It would further shareholders that its board of directors assess the application of safety manage- nity,” NATA said in a letter explaining consider the possible aggregation of had reached an agreement with GIP, ment systems across the diverse Part 135 VSIP. “Additionally, the VSIP will allow such programs. which currently manages $71 billion in charter operator and Part 145 repair sta- for collection of implementation lessons The project also will gather data on effi- assets. Included in the sale are Signature’s tion communities. learned and best practices that NATA will ciencies and other benefits SMS brings to FBO chain and its Epic Fuels subsidiary, Expected to kick off shortly with an share with the FAA to aid in the rulemak- operators. Information gathered would as well as the company’s engine repair organizational meeting next week, the ing effort and development of inspector be shared with the FAA, which is working business that it has been attempting project comes as the FAA has stated training and oversight guidance.” with NATA on the project. Part 5 empha- to unload. The deal is subject to legal plans to issue regulations next year that Ten businesses of varying sizes and sizes “scalability” in the SMS programs, review and the approval of at least 75 would mandate Part 135 and 145 operators locations have committed to participate but NATA instead hopes to concentrate percent of Signature’s shareholders. to implement SMS. The agency is widely in the project, organizers said. The par- on a “conditions-based approach.” anticipated to use regulations already in ticipants have a range of experience with Overall, the goal would be to bring F/List To Develop Cabin place for Part 121 carriers (FAR Part 5) as SMS, some having a level of knowledge of the operators together after a sustained Features for Aerion’s AS2 a basis for the new regulations. certain safety programs already in place period to share ideas on what works best Aerion has selected F/List to supply A key question, however, is whether and others completely new to the pro- with the SMS for them, similar to an interior components for the AS2 such requirements can roll over suc- gram. They will incorporate an SMS pro- approach taken with Part 121. supersonic business jet. F/List already cessfully to the range of operations gram based on one already successfully in VSIP is among a number of initia- has provided Aerion with expertise involved in Parts 135 and 145, especially place with Jet Linx. tives NATA has undertaken as it strives in interior engineering, certification in areas such as training and data collec- The project will include implementa- to raise awareness and prepare charter support, materials and process, and tion and assessment. tion assistance and mentoring, as well as operators for the looming requirements. finishes. Under the expanded agreement, VSIP would delve into that question onsite visits that will help gather infor- It also has worked with the Transporta- F/List will work with Aerion to develop and point to future SMS requirements mation on what does and does not work tion Safety Institute to develop a week- an “innovative, ultra-luxury cabin that could apply across a gamut of char- for various operators. VSIP is intended long course on SMS and has developed experience” to include cabinets, liners, hard ter operators and repair stations. “This to consider resource constraints, limited an air transportation safety manager floorings, and baggage liners. According project is intended to identify SMS safety data collection capabilities, and certification program. n to F/List, it has developed an in-house interiors “future lab” incubator to test its emerging technologies and concepts.

Fiat Chrysler Backs each had amazing talent, amazing people,” Archer’s eVTOL Aircraft Maiden told AIN. “Both of us independently Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is built very successful organizations in a sim- partnering with eVTOL developer ilar manner but in a unique way where we Archer to provide composite materials didn’t overlap really relatively anywhere in and engineering support for the four- the United States.” passenger aircraft due to be unveiled this He added that, as a result, the acquisi- year. California-based Archer, which was tion is complementary and gives employees launched in May, plans to start volume the infrastructure to move around the U.S., production of its unnamed aircraft by 2023 as well as advance their careers within a and begin commercial operations in 2024. company that will be stable and has deeper This year, it expects to begin flight testing Gama Aviation Group CEO Marwan Khalek called his company’s acquisition of Jet East resources. “And that’s going to translate a full-scale prototype of the all-electric Aviation “strategically important.” into happy employees and they’re going fixed-wing aircraft, which is expected to to drive amazing service to our customers,” fly up to 60 miles at speeds of 150 mph. Maiden said. Gama Aviation acquires Jet East MRO Gama Aviation entered the U.S. as an Elliott Expands MRO Global business aviation services provider companies with great brands and good cus- aircraft management company in 2008 Footprint with Acquisition Gama Aviation has acquired Jet East Avia- tomer loyalty and consolidating them into through the acquisition of PrivatAir. In 2012 MRO provider Elliott Aviation has tion from East Coast Aviation in a $7.7 mil- one, making access to the market for our and 2013 it laid the groundwork for adding expanded into the southeastern U.S. with lion cash deal that will significantly expand customers easier. We’re giving them a big- maintenance operations primarily in AOG the acquisition of Atlanta-based The Gama’s existing U.S. MRO operations. The ger range of services. There’s some things and line maintenance, which it began in Maintenance Group, adding a fourth deal—which includes an additional $1 mil- we do that Jet East didn’t and vice-versa, so earnest in 2014, Khalek said. Of late, Gama location and expanding its airframe service lion in deferred cash payable over two years that’s now available to all of our customers. has become interested in expanding its capabilities. Those additional airframe and assumption of $3.2 million in Jet East They don’t have to have two touchpoints base maintenance capabilities, he added. service capabilities include the Gulfstream debt—creates an MRO operation in the U.S. to procure [maintenance services], it’s one Also, with a larger footprint comes greater III through G550, as well as the G100/150 with 400 employees, more than 90 AOG [and] we can support them across more convenience for the operators that use and G200/280; Dassault Falcon 50/50EX and technicians positioned across the country, regions in the country.” Gama’s services, especially fleet operators. 2000; and Bombardier Challenger 350 and coverage of 65 business aviation airports, The merged organization will be called “The convenience for our customers of 600/601/650. Operating from a 40,000- and more than 10 line stations and heavy Jet East, a Gama Aviation company. Leading knowing that they don’t have to run multi- sq-ft facility at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, scheduled maintenance facilities. it as CEO is Stephen Maiden, who joined Jet relationships with a few companies in the The Maintenance Group can perform “We believe this combination brings in East in March 2020 after 13 years at Con- Northeast, and some in the Southeast…we major airframe inspections, structural an enhanced o!ering to our customers,” stant Aviation. “Though [the deal] benefits can support them across the whole country repairs and modifications, wing corrosion Gama Aviation Group CEO Marwan Khalek our customers, I truly believe the greatest both for their AOG, line support, and heavy repair, DAR import/export airworthiness told AIN. “We’re combining two great impact is on our people. In many ways we maintenance needs,” he said. J.S. approvals, STC installation and certification projects, and pre-purchase inspections.

10 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com Textron Aviation is more than a maintenance provider. We’re your connection. Your link to a strategic network built to keep your aircraft performing at its highest level. Your access to a global array of support centers and your source for quality inspections, parts and repairs by knowledgeable experts. We’re built to keep you moving.

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The agreement demic also saw significantly fewer fatal for both periods occurred under Part 91. 2019. The aircraft was on a Part 91 per- with NJASAP extends their collective accidents involving U.S.-registered The single fatal crash last year was the sonal flight and the pilot and his passen- bargaining agreement (CBA) until the end business jets and turboprops. Accord- February 8 in-flight breakup of a Cessna ger died in the crash. of 2026, with an option for the company ing to preliminary figures compiled by Citation 501 in which the two pilots and Two days later, on May 24, 2019, the to lengthen this until the end of 2029. AIN, business turbine airplanes experi- two passengers died during an IFR Part 91 sole airline transport pilot on a repo- For European pilots, the revised CBA enced eight fatal accidents last year ver- personal flight in day IMC. This accident sitioning flight in a Citation 560 was introduces a new variable compensation sus 16 in 2019—a 50 percent decrease. remains under investigation. killed when the airplane descended and scheduling program covering Europe’s What’s more, fatalities from last year’s National Transportation Safety Board into the Atlantic Ocean. The jet was peak summer season. According to NetJets mishaps plunged more than 72 percent, investigators have completed their at 39,000 feet when the pilot became Europe COO Thomas Born, this gives pilots from 77 passengers and crew killed in investigations into three of the five fatal unresponsive to ATC and the airplane opportunities to boost their pay while also 2019 accidents to 21 last year. However, accidents in 2019. An unidentified elec- continued more than 300 miles past the enabling the company “to meet the service non-fatal accidents increased 34.8 per- trical system malfunction that led to the destination airport before it descended and coverage demands of the peak season.” cent year-over-year, from 23 in 2019 to pilots losing situational awareness in into the sea. Neither the pilot nor the 31 in 2020. IMC resulting in a loss of control was airplane were recovered. EASA Merges Genav and VTOL Twenty-four people died in five acci- determined to be the probable cause for Meanwhile, authorities are report- Certification Departments dents involving N-numbered business the April 13, 2019 crash of a Rockwell edly still engaged with investigating the EASA has reorganized its certification jets in 2019 compared to four in one International Sabreliner 65 in which the crash of a U.S.-registered Bombardier directorate, merging the departments Challenger that went into an uncon- handling general aviation fixed-wing trolled descent and crashed in Mexico and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) AIN tables show “incidents” as well as “accidents” to distinguish mishaps based on their on May 5, 2019. The airplane was said to aircraft, including drones. The new degree of severity. Investigators often draw fine distinctions between the two events, but, be carrying three crewmembers and 13 department opened on January 1 and typically, incidents result in minor or no damage and their investigations are sometimes passengers, all of whom perished. is being led by David Solar, who reports delegated to local o!cials. Still under investigation also is the to EASA certification director Rachel Accidents are events that range from minor damage to destruction and/or injuries. Also, March 18, 2019 crash on short final Daeschler. EASA now expects to soon some incidents ultimately get upgraded to accident status during the investigative process. of an Israel Aircraft Industries West- publish the final version of its means wind 1124 that rolled left and became of compliance for its new Special inverted before hitting terrain. Both Condition VTOL type certification rules. Accidents/Incidents Worldwide pilots were killed. The aircraft was on Also, a final version of the means of a Part 91 flight in VMC. Examination compliance for a special condition for (2020 vs. 2019) of the wreckage revealed the left thrust certifying hybrid and electric propulsion U.S.-registered Business Jets and Turboprops reverser was open and the right thrust systems will be published by midyear. Total Part 91 Part 91K Part 135 Public/Gov’t Mfr. reverser was closed. Business jets 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Meanwhile, U.S.-registered turbo- Teledyne Technologies To Total accidents 14 16 10 11 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 props suffered seven accidents that Buy FLIR in $8B Deal Nonfatal accidents 13 11 9 9 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 resulted in 17 fatalities last year, com- Teledyne Technologies has reached a Fatal accidents 151500000000 pared with 11 accidents that killed 53 definitive agreement to acquire thermal Fatalities 4 24 4 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 in 2019. Except for one Part 135 fatal imaging and night vision specialist FLIR Incidents 65 66 44 49 0 2 21 15 0 0 0 0 accident in each of the two years, the Systems under a cash and stock transaction remainder occurred under Part 91. valued at $8 billion. Approved by the boards Business Total Part 91 Part 91K Part 135 Public/Gov’t Mfr. But fatal accidents of non-U.S.- of both companies, the transaction is turboprops 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 registered jets doubled from two in 2019 anticipated to close by midyear once it Total accidents 25 23 17 22 0 0 7 1 1 0 0 0 to four in 2020, with the number of fatal- has cleared all the necessary regulatory Nonfatal accidents 18 12 11 12 0 0 6 0 1 0 0 0 ities more than tripling from four in 2019 approvals and closing conditions. Under the Fatal accidents 7 11 6 10 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 to 14 last year. Two of the four fatal acci- agreement, FLIR stockholders will receive Fatalities 17 53 16 52 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 dents involved ambulance charter flights. $28 per share in cash and 0.0718 shares Incidents 46 50 34 44 0 0 10 5 2 0 0 1 On March 29, 2020, all eight people of Teledyne common stock for each FLIR All data preliminary. Sources: FAA, NTSB, Aviation Safety Network, AIN research aboard an air ambulance Philippine-regis- share. Teledyne has arranged a $4.5 billion, tered IAI Westwind were killed when the 364-day credit commitment to help fund Non-U.S.-registered Business Jets and Turboprops twinjet crashed on takeoff. And the copi- the transaction and refinance existing debt. Total Private Charter Other* Unknown lot died on May 5, 2020, when his Argen- Business jets 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 tine-registered Learjet 35A air ambulance EBAA: Brexit Deal Facilitates Total accidents 10 14 3 8 3 3 3 2 1 1 crashed on approach. Continued Operations, Trade Nonfatal accidents 6 12 2 6 1 3 2 2 1 1 On Jan. 23, 2020, a Citation S/II of the EBAA said the draft European Union-UK Fatal accidents 4 2 1 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 South African Civil Aviation Authority Trade and Cooperation Agreement issued Fatalities 14 4 2 4 9 0 3 0 0 0 conducting a survey flight crashed into on December 26 was designed to limit Incidents 12 16 5 7 2 5 2 0 3 4 the Outeniqua Mountains. The three disruption of air connectivity between occupants were killed. On March 13, the UK and EU as much as possible. Under Total Private Charter Other* Unknown 2020, a Venezuelan-registered Citation- the agreement, EU and UK carriers will Business turboprops 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Jet 525 exited the runway after landing be able to continue unlimited carriage Total accidents 14 22 3 5 7 8 4 6 0 3 and caught fire, killing both pilots. of passenger and cargo between the Nonfatal accidents 11 15 3 3 6 4 2 5 0 3 Fatalities from non-U.S.-registered EU and in the UK under the so-called Fatal accidents 3 7 0 2 1 4 2 1 0 0 turboprops dropped nearly 70 percent 3rd and 4th freedoms. The draft also Fatalities 10 30 0 10 1 11 9 9 0 0 year-over-year—30 from seven crashes includes protections of passenger rights Incidents 15 10 3 5 7 2 2 2 3 1 in 2019 versus 10 from three accidents and resolution of issues such as ground *For example: ambulance, survey, ferry, training, testing, manufacturer, government (non-military), and head of state. last year. n handling, slots, and fuel taxation.

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FLIGHTSAFETY TRAIN SAFELY, FLY SAFELY AD - AIN - Trim: 10.8125” w x 13.875” d Bleed: 11.0625” w x 14.125” d Live: 10” w x 12.875” Wheels Up acquires Mountain Aviation, News Briefs Embraer Marks 1st Praetor 500 Conversion in Europe adding West Coast bases and 59 aircraft In late December, Embraer completed the first European conversion of a by Chad Trautvetter Legacy 450 to a Praetor 500 for an undisclosed customer at its service Wheels Up is continuing its buying spree, center at Le Bourget International this time scooping up Denver-based air Airport in Paris. That makes a total charter and MRO provider Mountain Avi- of 11 conversions to the Praetor 500 ation following the acquisitions of Travel at Embraer’s company-owned service Management Co. (TMC) in mid-2019 centers in Le Bourget; Windsor Locks, and Delta Private Jets and Gama Aviation Connecticut; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Signature early last year. Specific finan- and Sorocaba, Brazil, but the first in cial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Europe. The conversion process entails Jefferies acted as the exclusive financial replacing the level-sensing wiring in adviser for Wheels Up. the fuel tanks, moving the over-wing The addition of Mountain Aviation gravity fuel ports, relocating the fuel will provide Wheels Up with West Coast measurement system, and reinforcing the bases (in Denver and Thermal, Califor- wing ribs to hold additional weight. Also nia) and heavy maintenance capability included were the installation of winglets; for its Beechcraft King Airs and Cessna updates to the Collins Aerospace Pro Citations. It will also quadruple the size Line Fusion flight deck as well as E2VS, a of the company’s Citation X fleet to about head-up display that combines synthetic 40. Mountain Aviation also has bases in and enhanced vision; and new badging. Teterboro, New Jersey, and Anchorage, Alaska. Bombardier Captures Sale According to Wheels Up founder and of 10 Challenger 350s CEO Kenny Dichter, this acquisition is Bombardier landed a firm order valued similar to its TMC buy, meaning Moun- at $267 million for 10 super-midsize tain Aviation will continue to operate Wheels Up’s acquisition of Denver-based Mountain Aviation will quadruple its fleet of Cessna Challenger 350s from an undisclosed under its own brand name and serve exist- Citation Xs to about 40 of the high-speed jets. The company likes the model for its Mach 0.92 customer just days before the year ing customers while integrating Wheels speed, super-mid cabin size, and transcontinental range. ended. The commitment marks one of Up’s technologies and best practices. the larger orders in 2020 and signifies “Mountain Aviation’s wholesale charter strengthens the Wheels Up suite of prod- He told AIN that “2021 should be a special strengthening interest in the business operations and super-midsize jet fleet ucts and services. year” but did not divulge more details. aviation market during the pandemic, are a perfect complement to Wheels Up’s “The air charter industry continues to Wheels Up currently counts more than according to Bombardier. This order previous acquisition [of TMC], which be highly fragmented, and I see lots of 10,000 active members/customers and also is a key win for Bombardier as it operates the industry’s largest wholesale opportunities,” Dichter said, hinting that expects to log more than 200,000 flight begins its transition into a pure-play floating fleet of light jets,” he added. Wheels Up’s buying spree is far from over. hours this year across its entire fleet. n business aviation company. Once The acquisition adds 59 aircraft, most shed of its non-business aviation of which are Citation Xs, to Wheels Up’s entities, Bombardier plans to focus fleet, bringing the total to about 335 King on managing its existing portfolio Airs and Citations flown by more than of aircraft and growth in its existing 1,000 pilots. Wheels Up also plans to fur- FSF and Eurocontrol release runway service network as it works to reduce ther expand its Citation X fleet this year, capital and other costs and manage an with Dichter and Gregg Fahrenbruch— excursion reduction global action plan anticipated residual $4.5 billion debt former Mountain Aviation CEO and now load. In addition, the sale provides a key Wheels Up’s senior v-p of operations The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) and commitment to safety collaboration.” boost for Bombardier, which has had strategy—praising the model’s speed, Eurocontrol has released a broad set of With the release of the action plan, to realign production as complexities cabin size, and range. The latter includes recommendations aimed at preventing FSF is launching a year-long campaign of working in the Covid environment transcontinental and West Coast-to- runway excursions, which they said are to focus attention on runway excursion hampered sales and deliveries. Hawaii capabilities, they said. now the most frequent type of accident risk and support the implementation of Meanwhile, Mountain Aviation’s Part for both small and large aircraft. Dubbed the consensus-based GAPPRE recom- Judge Allows JSX To 145 maintenance capabilities—housed the “Global Action Plan for the Preven- mendations. Overall, there are 101 recom- Continue SNA Flights across seven hangar facilities at Rocky tion of Runway Excursions” (GAPPRE), the mendations outlined in the report—17 for A temporary restraining order issued Mountain International Airport in report was developed by more than 100 airport operators; eight for air navigation by a federal judge in late December has Broomfield, Colorado—will increase aviation professionals at some 40 orga- service providers; 35 for aircraft opera- allowed JSX to continue flying out of Wheels Up’s in-house maintenance func- nizations, with the e!ort led by FSF and tors; 16 for aircraft manufacturers; 17 for John Wayne Airport (SNA) in California. tion and capability. In addition, Wheels Eurocontrol. aviation regulators and ICAO; and eight New FBO lease agreements approved Up will offer managed aircraft services to “Reducing runway excursions and con- for research and development. in September and set to take effect on Mountain Aviation’s existing clients and tinuing to improve the overall safety of According to FSF, runway safety and January 1, by the Orange County board broaden its customer base via a growing the approach and landing phases of flight GAPPRE will be regular themes this year of supervisors and between the county- government defense contract business continue to be a primary area of focus for at its organized events, starting with owned airport and its FBOs—ACI Jet and and expanding services to medical trans- the foundation,” said Flight Safety Foun- its virtual safety forum on February 11. Clay Lacy Aviation—prohibited JSX from portation customers. dation president and CEO Dr. Hassan While GAPPRE is the foundation’s latest leasing space at ACI for its operations, a “We’ve come to know and greatly Shahidi. “We are gratified by the e!orts initiative related to approach and land- key element to the company providing respect Mountain Aviation’s talented of the many safety professionals who ing safety, it also o!ers the “Approach its scheduled charter service there. team over the past few years and are gave of their time and expertise to make and Landing Accident Reduction Toolkit,” The restraining order comes after JSX excited to welcome them officially to our the GAPPRE a reality, and I want to thank along with recommendations from its filed a lawsuit on December 14 in U.S. Wheels Up family,” said Dichter. “We are our partners at Eurocontrol, ACI, CANSO, recent “Go-Around Decision-Making and District Court for the Central District aligned on culture, forward vision, and EASA, and IATA for their continuing Execution Project” report. C.T. of California-Southern Division seeking business goals. This acquisition further to continue operations at the airport.

14 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com Juneau-based Baldwin introduces Alaska- Part 135 operator Alaska Seaplanes has become a oriented SMS | by Kerry Lynch launch customer for Baldwin Safety and Baldwin Safety and Compliance aviation operators in Hawaii shortly, he Compliance’s Alaska has rolled out a safety manage- added. The programs come as the avia- Aviation Safety ment system/quality management tion industry prepares for anticipated SMS Exchange. system program for operators in mandates in 2022. n Alaska with the Juneau-based Part 135 commuter operator, Alaska Seaplanes, as a launch customer. The Baldwin Alaska Aviation Safety Exchange is a customiz- able and scalable program that provides access to data, forms, reports, manuals, and other tools necessary for Alaska operations. Subscribers can share de-identi- fied safety data within the Baldwin program and/or the FAA Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing database to facilitate les- sons learned among participants. Baldwin further is providing round-the-clock safety team resources and support. The pro- gram is designed for use from the single-fixed-wing or helicopter operator to a carrier with hun- dreds of aircraft. Alaska Seaplanes went live with its program in December, noted Ken McLure, Alaska Seaplanes director of safety and compliance. “The big difference for Alaska Sea- planes was that the Baldwin sys- tem was customizable and flexible enough to adapt to our operation, and it did not require reworking our processes to integrate with the software,” McLure said. “I am already receiving great feedback on the data we are collecting, and many members of the team are providing input and suggestions for small changes that have been very simple to make.” IT’S ALL ABOUT CONNECTIONS This is key he added, because “Alaska is a unique place to fly and operations here have many chal- lenges that operators in the lower 48 will never experience. From seasonal staffing swings to water landings and limited controlled Make sure your aircraft is updated with the airspace, we have distinctive risks ideal connectivity solution to make the most to consider.” He further praised assistance the program gave for of your time inflight. its flight risk assessment tool. Baldwin president and founder Donald Baldwin noted the “extraordinary conditions” the PentastarAviation.com | [email protected] operator faces on a regular basis and the challenges it was having 248-866-8982 | trying to develop its own SMS system. “We wanted to provide Pentastar is an authorized dealer and installer for every major connectivity a customized SMS/QMS solution system manufacturer. This enables us to provide you with the best solution to that would support the specific Alaskan operational and regula- get you connected based on your specific needs. tory standards and emergency ©2021 Pentastar Aviation response environment,” he said. Baldwin is expected to intro- duce a similar program for

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 15 Vaccine rollout leaves open News Briefs Bizav Groups Worldwide Unite in Illegal Charter Battle many questions for GA ops Concerned that illegal charter remains a threat to the industry, a dozen business by Kerry Lynch aviation organizations are uniting in their effort to combat the practice through Air ambulance pilots are the first among the at warp speed and we just don’t have the the creation of a new Air Charter Safety pilot community to receive the Covid-19 data,” he said. And there is talk of seasonal Alliance (ACSA). Through ACSA, the vaccines, but the question of when the vaccines similar to the flu, he added. organizations will work together to larger pilot community will have a turn Also, a single shot from the available raise awareness of illegal charters for remains unknown. That question was vaccines might be 94 percent or 95 percent potential customers, charter brokers, among those discussed January 7 during effective, Faulkner added, but the booster ministries of transport, and national a National Air Transportation Association further generates a stronger defense aviation organizations. In addition to (NATA) webinar, “Covid-19 Vaccine Intel- shield for people. The days between first vaccine [similar to how] we are learning NATA, the coalition consists of NBAA, ligence for Pilots and Essential Workers.” and second shots will vary from 21 days, every day about this virus,” he said, and IBAC, ABAG, ACA, AfBAA, AsBAA, BAOA, Ryan Waguespack, senior v-p of aircraft with the next vaccine anticipated to hit stressed masks and testing will remain a BBGA, EBAA, EBAA France, and MEBAA. management, air charter services, and the U.S. market—potentially AstraZeneca critical piece of defense for some time. MROs for NATA, noted that some avia- in February—possibly having a four-week Faulkner reminded webinar attendees Gulfstream’s G600 Enters tion workers, such as crew, can be on the period. But for crew purposes, there will that a person is challenged every day by European Market higher “1b” priority list as essential work- be a few days’ leeway at either end. How viruses and pathogens and the immune Gulfstream handed over the first EASA- ers, but “the problem is that it doesn’t much leeway is still unknown, since the system typically handles them. But “If you certified G600 ultra-long-range jet to an correlate across the board state to state. data is still being developed. do get Covid-19 symptoms, respect them,” undisclosed customer in late December. In some states, 1b could translate to 1f.” These unknowns come with the speed he said. “Raise your hand and take your- The G600, which can travel 6,600 nm He noted some states are skipping over of the development, Faulkner added, not- self out of the lineup and give yourself under a recently announced range essential workers to address elderly care ing typical vaccines take seven years to the chance to fight this off.” Otherwise, boost, had received European validation first. Waguespack said he has heard from reach the market and involve trials and Faulkner added, a person could have a in May, not quite a year after the FAA air ambulance operators in Arizona who retrials. “More will be learned about this harder path to recovery. n awarded type certification. In addition have already received the vaccine. Other to the FAA and EASA, the G600 has states have air ambulance as the first pri- received approval from aviation agencies ority as well. in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the “It is challenging because it is state Isle of Man, San Marino, and Mexico. by state, health department by health department,” he said and noted that Biggin Hill Airport Presses health departments are overwhelmed. Ahead with Expansion Even so, Waguespack recommends that London Biggin Hill Airport is pressing aircraft operators reach out to their own ahead with long-planned developments state health departments to find out how in the new year, undeterred by a year of to get their workers in the queue. extensive disruption from the Covid-19 Once workers receive vaccines, they pandemic. Next month, the airport expects should get verification. Some countries to break ground on a new four-star hotel, have discussed requirements for proof of as well as a new terminal building and an vaccine. While there is some talk of elec- air traffic control tower. The 54-room hotel tronic tracking, more likely a verification will include a restaurant, lounge, and gym. card may be necessary because not all Meanwhile, construction continues on countries will have capabilities for such Bombardier’s new 250,000-sq-ft service electronic processing, said Dr. Thomas center. According to Biggin Hill Airport Faulkner, a senior aviation medical exam- Pilatus aircraft delivers 100th PC-24 head of marketing Andy Patsalides, the iner who participated in the webinar. building’s core structural steelwork and Waguespack added that NATA is European fractional-share provider Jetfly Operators can fly to many airports, as cantilever roof are now complete. The exploring means for its Known Crew- Aviation has taken delivery of the 100th the PC-24 is approved to fly to smaller airport is also poised to receive approval member program to assist in this area. Pilatus PC-24 light jet produced since the airports and on grass, gravel, and snow for a new instrument approach for Once crewmembers receive the vac- first PC-24 entered service in February surfaces. Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor Runway 3, which will add this capability cine, there is a general 48-hour waiting 2018. Jetfly operates a fleet of 51 PC-12 Service also flies a fleet of PC-24s. at both ends of its main runway. period before returning to duty. But pilots turboprops and PC-24s. So far, the world- “All our customers without exception should remain vigilant in case there is a wide PC-24 fleet has logged more than have been impressed by the quality of Epic Aircraft Partners reaction, Faulkner advised. He agreed 33,500 hours. the PC-24 and the incredible performance with Frasca and ATP with Waguespack that those who have Powered by two Williams International of this aircraft,” said Jetfly CEO Cédric Epic Aircraft has selected Frasca had Covid might see a stronger reaction FJ44-4A turbofans, the PC-24 can seat Lescop. “After two years of operation, our International to build the first simulator because the vaccine stirs up the body’s up to 10 passengers in a flat-floor cabin customers are still enthusiastic about their for the E1000 GX turboprop flight training natural defenses. with volume of 501 cu ft. Current models acquisition, which is a sign to us of the suc- program. Expected to be installed at Epic’s He advises that those who have stron- are equipped with a “modular in-flight cess of this new aircraft program, which flight training center in Bend, Oregon ger reactions report them to the location catering facility” or forward galley. An is well on the way to becoming another by the fourth quarter, the sim will be where the vaccination was received. If it is enclosed lavatory with an externally market bestseller, just like the PC-12.” constructed around an authentic Epic severe, such as requiring hospitalization, serviced vacuum-operated toilet is also “We hit the bullseye with the PC-24,” cockpit, including Garmin G1000 NXi then the pilot’s AME should know. standard. A unique PC-24 feature is the said Pilatus chairman Oscar Schwenk. “I’m avionics. Epic will also work with aviation The vaccine, for now, is thought to be large rear cargo door, measuring 51 by 49 very encouraged by such high demand. software and solutions provider ATP, using a “one and done” (or two and done with inches; the baggage area is accessible in We’re already sold out for 2021, but the its Flightdocs platform for maintenance booster) with lifetime immunity, Faulkner flight. Avionics are Honeywell’s Epic sys- order book is open for deliveries from tracking and electronic logbooks across the said. But he cautioned that since vaccines tem, branded as the Pilatus Advanced 2022 onward. Investment in the PC-24 E1000 GX fleet and the ATP Aviation Hub are just now getting distributed, the medi- Cockpit Environment and featuring four helps us to secure jobs at our Swiss site for distribution of technical publications cal community hasn’t built up the data yet 12-inch displays. on a long-term basis.” M.T. such as maintenance manuals, wiring to see if that will transpire. “This has gone diagrams, and illustrated parts catalogs.

16 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com to Traxxall, reducing the amount of hand helicopters, but customer aircraft range from App improves Traxxall data entry and thus lowering the potential single-engine pistons to Boeing 747s. for errors. Further development plans call for adding Since the pandemic took hold early last an MRO module for repair stations, aimed at user experience | by Matt Thurber year, Traxxall has been able to continue grow- serving small to midsize maintenance shops, ing at about 6 percent year-over-year, “but especially those owned by charter operators. While maintenance-tracking soft- software. “We’re constantly adding to this,” we’re not insulated from what happened,” Traxxall’s current workorder system is only ware Traxxall was available on a Steinbeck said. “Through APIs and integra- he said. “We’ve grown pretty well through for companies maintaining their own air- mobile app, the user experience tions, it’s easy to do.” The scheduling soft- the pandemic.” The company’s target mar- craft. The first version of the MRO module and functionality was not the ware can automatically send aircraft times ket is midsize and larger business jets and should be available next June. n same as the desktop software. Last year, Traxxall redesigned the app so that it replicates the desktop experience, and since then users have rapidly transitioned to the new Traxxall 360 app, which was introduced last March. EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED. “We’ve been tracking app usage,” said Traxxall president Mark NOTHING HAS CHANGED. Steinbeck. Since shutting down the old app, which had about 250 With today’s health concerns, the business handshake is gone… at least users, the new app now has more for now. But what it stands for remains. Truth and Trust. Our clients know than 4,000 active users, which they’ll get the unvarnished truth from us, and that we’ll be their trusted is about 35 percent of the over- advocate and advisor. Who you do business with is still important, and all Traxxall user base. “It’s been we’re widely recognized as the broker of choice for buying and selling jets. well received,” he said. “We want everything on our tablets and For 47 years, our clients have enjoyed our personal and transparent service. phones. The pandemic helped So in these changing times, trust the proven team. If you’re looking to buy spark some of that.” or sell a jet, don’t just call anyone—call the best in the world: Mesinger. Traxxall has also added new fea- tures, and the Traxxall user base has been growing at 50 to 60 new customers per month, he said. Aircraft operators these days want to go paperless, Steinbeck said, and Traxxall facilitates that by allowing maintenance signa- tures in the app so there is no 303-444-6766 | [email protected] | JETSALES.COM need to print documents and sign them physically. The app does allow printing, for those who pre- fer to place the printed entry into a paper logbook. A new feature released a few months ago is the checklist func- tion, which allows users to create their own checklist templates. A checklist can include a signature requirement to confirm compli- ance. After completion, checklists are stored in Traxxall’s docu- ments section, providing a clear audit trail and history. The new app also provides access to Traxxall’s inventory module, which wasn’t available in the older app. This allows users to view expiration infor- mation, inventory that is below a minimum threshold and needs reordering, technician requests for parts and materials, and parts availability. The app can generate point-of-sale tickets, repair orders, and track core returns. Each part comes with information such as serial number, purchase informa- tion, location, and if installed on an aircraft, the aircraft’s registra- tion number. Traxxall is now integrated with flight scheduling software, Spec- tro Jet-Care for engine trend monitoring, and other third-party

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 17 continued from page 1 FAA final rule

submit was not intended to imply that The state of Kansas FAA would forego independently evaluat- is paving the way for ing the information or closely examining supersonic trials of the environmental impacts on a proposed aircraft such as the test area in determining whether to grant Lockheed Martin/ a particular special flight authorization,” NASA X-59 through an the agency said. “The language was also agreement with the not intended to imply shifting the burden FAA to establish the of complying with NEPA to the applicant Kansas Supersonic rather than the FAA.” Transportation According to the FAA, a number of Corridor. requests in comments about the ability for more than one program to use a designated test site were received. In response, the FAA said the application process provides lati- tude for requesting such test sites and added Kansas DOT, FAA agree to establish that regulations do not limit a flight test area to one applicant. However, each applicant is expected to submit its own environmental Supersonic Transportation Corridor information regarding a test site. by Kerry Lynch The testing of The Kansas Department of Transporta- KDOT director of aviation Bob Brock technology and its ability to be transfor- supersonic tion signed an agreement with the FAA said the corridor will provide a logistical mative for flight and our economy,” said to establish a Kansas Supersonic Trans- advantage since it is the first and only NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. aircraft at Mach 1 portation Corridor (SSTC) that would be such commercial supersonic flight test Aerion, meanwhile, plans to test “Boom will only be used for testing aircraft up to Mach 3, the route in the nation’s interior. Cruise” technology that is designed to keep state announced in December. The General Aviation Manufacturers the sonic boom from reaching the ground conducted following The agreement would provide a crit- Association (GAMA) lauded the establish- with plans to begin flight trials in 2025, consideration of ical testing site for the emerging group ment of the corridor, saying it will help while Boom is looking at low boom technol- any impact to the of supersonic aircraft as civil supersonic in the “re-birth” of civil supersonic travel. ogies for its commercial airliner Overture. flight remains banned over land. Flight “The Kansas Supersonic Transportation The agreement comes as the FAA has envirorment” testing for models such as Aerion’s AS2 Corridor will assist in the assessment of taken a multi-faceted approach to facili- — FAA Adminisistrator Steve Dickson and Boom’s Overture is expected this sound mitigating structural and engine tate the emergence of supersonic trans- decade, while NASA noise trials with the designs as well as state of the art atmo- port while still meeting environmental That comes as the FAA has reached an Lockheed Martin X-59 demonstrator are spheric acoustic modeling that eliminates and safety goals. “As part of the DOT’s agreement with the state of Kansas estab- anticipated by 2024. “This year marks 73 the sonic boom and shapes the noise sig- priority on innovation in transportation, lishing a supersonic flight-test corridor. years since Chuck Yeager broke the sound nature of an aircraft traveling faster than the DOT and the FAA are taking steps to Meanwhile, the agency dismissed barrier, and with this supersonic flight cor- advance the development of civil super- more general opposition from environ- ridor Kansas will have a unique role in the sonic aircraft,” the agency said in a recent mental groups and certain municipalities next generation of supersonic transporta- This year marks fact sheet pointing out its two rulemaking about possible harm supersonic oper- tion,” said Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) in 73 years since activities, including a proposed rule for ations could have on the environment. the announcement of the agreement. noise certification of supersonic aircraft These arguments are outside the scope The 770-nm corridor, designed as a bi- Chuck Yeager broke and a second proposed rule to streamline of the rule, the FAA maintained, adding directional “racetrack,” runs from slightly the sound barrier, and and clarify special flight authorization the final rule does not permit regular west and south of Garden City, Kansas, to procedures for conducting supersonic supersonic operations. nearly Pittsburg in the east at altitudes with this supersonic flight-testing in the U.S. However, in simplifying the approach above FL390. It runs right over Wichita. flight corridor Kansas Kansas state leaders look at the cor- for special issuance applications, the In establishing the corridor, the Kansas will have a unique role ridor as an opportunity to stay at the agency is helping pave a path toward the Department of Transportation (KDOT) forefront of aviation technologies. “To return of civil supersonic flight. It is one Division of Aviation worked with the FAA in the next generation be able to deliver this new opportunity of several steps the FAA is taking, includ- Central Region and air traffic control and of supersonic for our country is yet another example ing working with international regulators, Lemasters Group Consulting to establish of Kansas cementing its reputation as a as well as developing a separate rulemak- specific procedures for use of the corridor transportation,” national leader in the aviation industry,” ing altogether regarding takeoff and land- such as requirements for entry into the cor- — Sen. Jerry Moran said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. “This ing noise certification standards. ridor and clearance before takeoff for direc- high-altitude flight corridor gives Kansas “Today’s action is a significant step tion and flight route to minimize effects of the speed of sound to a very low volume a strategic advantage in attracting com- toward reintroducing civil supersonic supersonic aircraft on commercial traffic. rumble,” said GAMA president and CEO panies involved in the development of flight and demonstrates the [Transporta- KDOT is working with Wichita State Pete Bunce. “The validation of these supersonic aircraft and will play a signif- tion] Department’s commitment to safe University’s National Institute of Avi- technological breakthroughs through the icant role in our state’s ability to encour- innovation,” said (former) U.S. Transpor- ation Research (NIAR) to collect noise use of sophisticated ground acoustic and age economic development as we recover tation Secretary Elaine Chao in announc- data and live telemetry from the aircraft. telemetry sensors will provide the neces- from the Covid-19 pandemic.” ing the release of the final rule. “This partnership with KDOT provides a sary data to assist global regulators and Citing industry forecasts of a market “The FAA supports the new develop- sophisticated and cost-effective flight test policymakers in modernizing supersonic for as many as 300 supersonic aircraft ment of supersonic aircraft as long as capability within reach of every major air- flight policies.” over a 10-year period, valued at as much safety parameters are followed,” added craft manufacturer in the country,” said NASA plans to use the Lockheed Mar- as $40 billion in revenue, Moran further FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “The John Tomblin, WSU senior v-p for indus- tin X-59 demonstrator to test low-boom said a new crop of supersonic aircraft testing of supersonic aircraft at Mach 1 will try and defense programs and executive noise effects over various populations. “will require a deep bench of skilled man- only be conducted following consideration director of NIAR. “I’m really excited about quiet supersonic ufacturing talent. n of any impact to the environment.” n

18 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com NASA’s X-59 takes shape by Kerry Lynch

While NASA revised its timeline for X-59 QueSST in the third quarter. Pro- the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology gram partner Lockheed Martin is assem- (QueSST) demonstrator to reflect antic- bling the aircraft at its Skunk Works ipated first flight in 2022, the agency facility in Palmdale, California, under a remains encouraged that construction of $247.5 million NASA contract. the X-plane had reached the halfway point One significant recent milestone was by late last year despite complexities asso- the closing of the wing section, which ciated with the pandemic. NASA termed as the “structural backbone In a recent update, the agency said of the aircraft.” Completed in Novem- assembly of the Mach 1.4 aircraft “made ber, the milestone marked the first major great strides” in 2020 as work progressed assembly to be closed and clears the way on the flight deck, wings, and other hard- for the joining of other key components, ware. In addition, GE Aviation delivered including the fuselage and tail. the F414-GE-100 engine that will power the “The fact this is the first time we’ve reached a milestone like this… NASA declared the X-59 has reached the halfway mark in development, with the wing closed It reminds us the X-59 really is coming and fuselage and empennage readying to be joined. The fact this together,” said Steve Macpherson, who is the first time leads the Lockheed Martin team building population centers. NASA anticipates that supersonic travel. Resulting data will be the X-59. community testing will start in 2024. furnished to regulators for use in evalu- we’ve reached a The X-59 incorporates a number of ating future rules regarding supersonic milestone like this… Schedule Changes unusual features, including the lack of operations. It reminds us the NASA in September had updated the a forward-facing window, designed to To compensate for the lack of a forward- schedule, anticipating completion of “quiet” the sonic boom associated with facing window, NASA and Lockheed Mar- X-59 really is coming final assembly this year and first flight in supersonic flight. The result, program tin are incorporating an eXternal Vision together.” 2022. The X-59 QueSST will be used to managers anticipate, will be a sonic System (XVS) involving cameras to give test the effects on supersonic sound of “thump” that is much quieter than the pilot the forward-facing view. The XVS — Steve Macpherson, Lockheed Martin new advanced technologies over various the sonic boom long associated with system also was tested in 2020. n

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 19 PILOT report

the same runways—paved or not—and be Pendleton, Oregon before returning to The Versatile Pilatus PC-24 certified for single-pilot operations. Boise. Along the way I wanted to evalu- The first production PC-24 was deliv- ate the high-altitude handling, fly various By Rich Pickett ered to fractional operator PlaneSense in approaches, including single-engine, and January 2018 and the second and third to end with a short-field landing. While the I was reviewing the limitations section that aren’t found in other light jets. As Western Aircraft the following month. weather precluded unimproved runway of the Pilatus PC-24 flight manual before with its other projects, Pilatus financed operations, we would be able to evaluate my evaluation flight for this pilot report. the PC-24 development internally. The Super Versatile Jet short-field performance back in Boise. Maximum ramp weight: 18,400 pounds. Pilatus developed the PC-12 to be a N194PJ is typically-equipped with six The PC-24 sits tall on the ramp. The Maximum takeoff weight: 18,300 pounds. utilitarian aircraft to support the needs of executive passenger seats plus two empennage rises 17.25 feet above the Useful load: 6,880 pounds. Maximum the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and lighter-weight commuter seats (easily ramp, the wings span nearly 56 feet and pothole depth 1.37 inches (35 mm) with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Aus- removed for more cargo space) and most the jet is 55 feet long. With a pointed nose, a maximum diameter of 39 inches, and tralia, among others. Originally it wasn’t of the available upgrades including Gogo slightly swept wings (with five different maximum grass height three inches. Pot- intended to be an executive transport but Avance L3 connectivity with a price of airfoil shapes), large windows in the cabin holes, grass height? When was the last now it is well known for that function. $11.623 million. and flight deck, it appears ready to leap time you had to consider the size of pot- The PC-24 would have to support all those I wanted to explore as much of the in the air. holes or grass height on runways when uses from the start, just faster and higher. jet’s operating envelope as possible. We The first item on the preflight is con- flying a jet? Unless you are flying a PC-24, That meant it had to have a large cabin, a planned a mission that would take us necting the two 44-amp/hour NiCad bat- it probably never crossed your mind. cargo door as big as the PC-12, operate on from Boise to Sun Valley Idaho, then to teries. Battery #1 is in the nose and battery I was at Boise Air Terminal with Pila- #2 is aft. Lithium-ion batteries will soon tus v-p Tom Aniello, Phil Winters, v-p of be an option on new PC-24s and retrofit- Western Aircraft, and Ashley Fredricks, table on aircraft after serial number 184. Western’s chief pilot. Western Aircraft, The airstair door is large and this jet has the largest PC-12 and PC-24 dealer, had the optional stair lighting, which is a use- just received its seventh PC-24, N194PJ, ful addition providing a welcoming entry, serial number 194, two weeks earlier. especially in the dark. Previous aircraft sold by Western have The low-pressure nose tire (58 psi) been delivered throughout its sales has a pronounced chine design to deflect region, including Alaska where the PC-24 water or debris from the engine intakes. enjoys being in its element, flying on and The tire’s beefy size makes it look like it off unimproved airports in challenging would be equally at home on an off-road conditions. vehicle, by design. The nose gear has tell- Pilatus Aircraft, known for a variety of tale wedges to indicate whether the towing turboprop designs including the PC-12, has turn limits have been exceeded, causing been a privately held company since incep- potential damage, an ingenious idea. tion. The PC-24 was a big leap for Pilatus, In addition to battery #1, the left nose not only a turbofan-powered twinjet but a compartment houses several circuit truly unique airplane, one that would reso- breakers, while the right contains the nate not only with dedicated PC-12 owners Wet runways, or gravel or grass airstrips and even snow, are all options for landing in the oxygen tank, remote avionics rack with but with performance and cabin features Pilatus PC-24, adding many more airports to the jet’s bag of tricks. cooling fans, electronic circuit breaker

20 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com control unit, and other equipment. The eliminating the need for a drag-inducing cooling fans’ location cuts down on noise precooler inlet on the engine pylon. in the flight deck, eliminating the need for Inspecting the exhaust nozzle, the fans behind the instrument panel. engine designers came up with a clever On each side of the nose are sensors for idea to extract more downward thrust airspeed, outside air temperature, angle- at the lower speeds during initial climb, of-attack, and ice detection. Just forward of using the Coanda effect. You observe the the right wing is the lavatory service panel. Coanda effect when pouring water slowly The PC-24 has a vacuum-operated toilet, out of a glass. The fluid, in this case water, unique in its class, which uses clear water curves around the lip instead of pouring as the wash fluid and is externally serviced. out cleanly. The PC-24 has an extended top The right wing is clear of any vortex edge on the exhaust nozzle—Williams calls generators and milled from a single piece this the Exact nozzle—that uses this effect of aluminum then chemically milled to to deflect the thrust two to three degrees various thicknesses along its span. Like- upward, thus providing additional down wise, the ribs and spar are also milled force after takeoff, which boosts the climb. from aluminum billets. With five different This is especially useful for short-field per-

airfoil shapes, Pilatus has designed a wing ASHLEY FREDRICKS formance. As the PC-24 accelerates, the that can fly at 440 knots and stall at 82. Writer Rich Pickett teaches owner-pilots how to fly their high-performance steeds and has Coanda effect is no longer applicable and Inspection of the bleed-air-operated extensive experience in Pilatus products. all of the thrust vector is directly aft. leading edge deicing system reveals numer- On the left empennage is the signature ous exhaust vents underneath. The PC-24 as airbrakes and lift dump, as well as The main dual-wheel landing gear is sub- cargo door, 4.25 by 4.08 feet and electri- has pneumatic deice boots on the trimma- roll assist with flaps at eight degrees or stantial and clearly designed for unimproved cally-operated. I’ve used this easy access ble stabilizer, and no deicing is necessary greater. When the airbrakes are active, fields with low-pressure tires (73 psi) and on my disaster relief flights in the PC-12 on the ventral fin. With ice detectors, the pitch trim compensates automatically to anti-skid steel brakes on each wheel. The to load patients and a donated X-ray ice protection system normally operates some degree. The air brakes also deploy dual-wheel trailing-link gear is set back machine with a fork lift. The flexibility to in automatic mode, and the associated automatically at Mach 0.751—above the fairly far so that any debris is thrown free have this same capability in a jet is incred- systems are deployed as necessary. This is Mmo of 0.74—to slow the jet. Two addi- of the substantial double-slotted flaps, ible, let alone making everyday cargo load- another feature that reduces pilot workload. tional ground spoilers aid in lift dump. reducing potential damage. An optional ing easier. This is also a useful feature to The PC-24 has two multifunction Lift dump is automatically deployed upon gravel kit, required for gravel runways, with load, and unload up to two patients head- spoiler panels on each wing that serve landing and for rejected takeoffs. a nose wheel skirt or underwing protective first on the air ambulance version of this film is also available. Flaps, gear, and all lift- versatile jet. dump devices are electric, only the brakes Pilatus PC-24 Specifications and Performance are hydraulically operated, eliminating Cabin Features the weight and complexity of a redundant The PC-24 entry, through the 2.1- by 4.2- hydraulic system. foot airstair door, is impressive. Western Base Price: Max takeoff weight: The PC-24 has single-point refueling, Jet chose the optional granite-surface $10.7 million 18,300 lbs running on the hot battery bus, with a entryway, which is practical for this high- maximum fuel capacity of 5,964 pounds. wear area and good looking as well. The As Flown: Balanced field length The next step was checking the Wil- entry is also the location of the galley, lav- $11.623 million liams International FJ44-4A-QPM engines, atory, and sink. The lavatory has two solid at mtow: (sea level, standard) each producing 3,420 pounds of thrust and sliding doors, with the toilet deployed from Engines: 2,930 ft mounted high to reduce FOD ingestion. the side cabinet with the touch of a switch. (2) Williams International The engines have a TBO of 5,000 hours. One advantage of a forward lavatory is the FJ44-4A, 3,420 lbs Landing distance: The Quiet Power Mode (QPM) is available flexibility it provides the operator to select 2,375 ft on the right engine, allowing it to serve multiple passenger and cargo options for Avionics: as an APU, without the cost, weight, and the cabin. Pilatus is certifying an aft toilet ACE (Honeywell Epic) Length: maintenance of a separate unit. In QPM as an option soon. 55.2 ft mode the engine idles lower with concom- Just behind the pilot on the left is a Passengers: (typical) itant lower fuel consumption to power all storage cabinet and also the optional gal- 1 pilot + 9 pax Wingspan: systems including cabin cooling and heat- ley with a 115 VAC outlet, to power your Range: 55.75 ft ing. This is ideal when flying the PC-24 in favorite brewing device. If you would like a remote area, with no GPU available, to to cook on board, or make popcorn, an (NBAA reserves, 4 pax, 200-nm alternate) keep the airplane cool or warm. optional microwave is available. 2,000 nm at LRC Height: 17.3 ft Williams International designed an The 501-cu-ft flat-floor cabin, including High-speed cruise: integral bleed air precooler for the engines, the 90-cu-ft cargo area accessible during flight, is 23 feet long, 5.1 feet high, and 5.6 440 ktas/Mach 0.74 Cabin: feet wide. This is two inches taller and Volume: 501 cu ft Long-range cruise speed: six inches wider than the Phenom 300E Width: 5.6 ft 375 ktas at 45,000 ft and Learjet 75, and nine inches wider Height: 5.1 ft and three inches taller than the Cessna Fuel capacity: Citation CJ4. The standard configuration Length: (seating area) 23 ft 5,964 lbs includes six executive seats, with options Baggage capacity: for up to eight seats in various arrange- ments. This PC-24 has eight executive Max payload w/full fuel: 90 cu ft/1,000 lbs 751 lbs seats, each with excellent legroom. Oper- ators can choose from a large number of Maximum altitude: FAA certification: (basis, date] seating options, including 10-seat com- 45,000 ft FAR Part 23, Dec. 7, 2017 muter, air ambulance, special missions,

RICH PICKETT and at least five executive configurations. Cabin altitude at max altitude: Number built (through date] Single-point refueling is the quickest way to Cabin environment control is via Pil- 8,000 ft 100 (Jan. 4, 2021) fill the PC-24 with a maximum load of 5,964 atus’s Integrated Cabin Management pounds of jet-A. continues on next page

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 21 PILOT report

continued from preceding page System, using an app to control lighting and temperature or serve media from the 800-GB hard drive. Internet connectiv- ity options include either Gogo Avance L3 air-to-ground or low-speed Inmarsat satcom with BendixKing’s Aerowave 100.

Flight Deck Every time I enter the PC-24 flight deck I’m impressed. With panel-mounted flight controls, the legroom is spacious. Pilatus named its avionics suite the Advanced Cockpit Environment (ACE), a version of Honeywell’s Epic 2.0 avionics. It is an apt description. The electrical sys- tems (generators, batteries, lighting) and

engine start controls are on the overhead RICH PICKETT THIS PAGE: PHOTOS console. The expansive front panel con- The PC-24 flight deck features a Honeywell Epic-based avionics suite, cursor-control device interface, and autothrottles. tains three high-resolution 12-inch dis- plays: two primary flight displays (PFDs), window. As you start the engine the synoptic with fuel flow of 122 pph and the noise This version of FMS software does not and one multifunction display (MFD). shows the status of the batteries, generator level lowered appreciably. With the Quiet generate the takeoff and landing data, The center console has another MFD (or GPU), and current flow. Once the engine Mode disabled, I did the left engine start which will be available along with other as well as the keyboard, cursor control start is completed, the MFD reverts to the sequence using the right generator. features in early 2021. A new touchscreen device (CCD), anti-/deice controls, and previous configuration, until the next step. The avionics and systems on the PC-24 controller, which I’ve flown on the PC-12 the power control levers, airbrakes, and Starting the engines is straightforward. are sophisticated, no surprise because NGX, will also be added to production controls for flaps and trim. The autopilot With the power control levers at idle, on Honeywell avionics power much larger aircraft at that time and can be installed guidance panel is on the glareshield. the overhead console pull out the right jets, including modern Falcons and Gulf- on aircraft starting with serial number 185. The lower MFD has multiple, dynamic engine start switch, rotate from OFF to streams. For PC-12 NG pilots, the transi- The PC-24 features Honeywell’s Run- windows. One is dedicated to the central RUN then push the START button, and tion to the PC-24 is relatively easy. The way Awareness and Advisory System advisory and warning system and the oth- hold for two seconds. After monitoring avionics may take more time to learn for (RAAS) as well as a high-quality 2D airport ers change dynamically in size and content the engine parameters, with a peak ITT of pilots familiar with Garmin G1000/G3000/ overlay on the MFD, rather than a sim- based upon the task at hand. Using the elec- 534 deg C, the engine idled at 53.4 percent G5000 avionics, however, the ACE systems ple geo-referenced airport chart. RAAS tronic checklist as an example, when on the N2 and fuel flow of 156 pph. I asked for the integration and intuitive automation that integrates with the Honeywell EGPWS, start engine task, the upper MFD windows GPU to be disconnected and before start- facilitates single-pilot operation, are amaz- monitoring 26 conditions, on the ground that usually display gear and flaps configu- ing the left engine, tested the QPM. After ingly powerful. Mastering these systems or flying. Some of the conditions include ration changes to display an engine synoptic. selecting the Quiet Mode button on the is clearly within the ability of a qualified correct runway, sufficient length for take- The gear and flaps status moves to a lower PFD, the idle decreased to 45.4 percent N2 owner- operator or professional pilot. off/landing, flaps monitoring, long landing, Pilatus offers a large number of avi- or even lined up to land on a taxiway. In onics options, including ADS-B In traffic low-visibility conditions, which happens integrating with TCAS II, allowing the at Boise in the winter, this tool can be pilot to identify and track other aircraft. extremely useful. Entering the flight plan into the Hon- We were cleared for departure on eywell FMS is straightforward, using the Runway 28L and set TOGA. With brakes CCD or wirelessly with the Honeywell released, I wanted to test the autothrot- Forge app. We were operating as a crew, tle system so I simply moved the power and Fredricks set our V speeds, calculated control levers to vertical and felt the auto- using the Pilatus-supplied Guru2 app, and throttle servos take over. Fredricks called loaded the flight plan for our initial leg out V1 at 89 kias, then quickly Vr at 92 kias. from Boise to Sun Valley. I rotated the nose up to the command bars. The PC-24’s flight director is intelligent; the initial pitch for climb is six degrees which progressively increased over the next 14 seconds to 15 degrees. Our initial climb rate was 3,200 fpm at 130 kias. Pos- itive rate, gear up, then quickly flaps up. At these speeds, the Coanda effect as a result of the Williams Exact exhaust noz- zle design results in slight vectored thrust for the climb. Selecting flight level change (FLC) mode, the autothrottle reduced power to maxi- mum continuous thrust and adjusted the FMS-based speed to 170 kias, increasing to 200 kias for a cruise climb. Quickly climb- ing through 8,000 feet and in excess of 4,200 fpm, we accelerated to our manually selected speed of 220 kias. We were quickly at our initial altitude of 13,000 on our way The PC-24’s forward galley allows for to Sun Valley. Hand flying the PC-24, the maximum flexibility in cabin configuration control feel was comfortable in all axes. and easy inflight access to the large cargo As we prepared for Sun Valley, ATC compartment. advised us that the airliners were going

22 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com missed at Sun Valley with ceilings of 300 just above our Vref of 99 kias. At MDA, The PC-24 has an emergency descent operating the jet than I’ve seen before, feet agl and asked our intentions. With without the runway environment in mode that is activated when on autopi- including 26 pages of flight profiles alone. smiles, we said we wanted the RNAV X sight, I pressed the TOGA button and lot, above FL300, and the cabin altitude Each unimproved runway operation also 31! Nothing is better during a test flight the autopilot transitioned to the FMS exceeds 10,000 feet msl. The flight direc- has its own document with extensive sur- than to have real weather to below min- missed approach and the autothrottle tor/autopilot enters FLC and the heading face descriptions. imums. Friedman Memorial Airport is advanced to takeoff thrust. I had to do moves 90 degrees to the left. The auto- in a mountainous valley and because the usual cleanup of gear and flaps and throttle sets a speed of Vmo or Mmo, even Pilatus Support this PC-24 is certified for LP minimums, monitor the autopilot. It was the lowest if the autothrottle is off, and the aircraft Pilatus developed a robust support infra- we could descend to the lowest MDA of pilot workload approach in IMC to min- descends to 15,000 feet. At that altitude structure to assist its dealers, which are 6,180 feet msl (900 agl), 740 feet lower imums, with a missed, that I’ve flown. the autothrottle is set to 175 kias, awaiting the primary source of owner and operator than the LNAV MDA. I let the autopilot fly On the initial climb we were exceeding the next command. assistance. Western Aircraft, for example, the approach with the autothrottle, with 5,000 fpm, with a stabilized climb at 200 With air work completed, it was time has technical support personnel available speeds adjusting automatically. Our Vref kias and 4,000 fpm transitioning to 215 to fly to Pendleton, Oregon, for another to provide assistance to customers 24/7. was 99 kias with 33 degrees of flaps. kias/Mach 0.64 and 2,700 fpm at FL350 approach, this time single-engine. As Pilatus Business Aircraft, a wholly- At JUNOL (IAF) and 8,600 feet msl, I on our way to FL450. pilots know, the approach segment of a owned entity of Pilatus Aircraft, is located engaged the APR mode of the autopilot At FL450 I hand flew to evaluate the single-engine instrument approach is not in Broomfield, Colorado at Rocky Moun- and set the missed approach altitude. As handling, including steep turns. The PC-24 an issue; use the checklist, fly at a higher tain Metropolitan Airport and oversees we descended on the approach a voice is incredibly stable and I found the control Vref, and land. The challenge is the single- completion, delivery, and dealer support annunciation—“Ice”—came over our pressures to be very reasonable, with only engine missed approach. That is what I for North and South America. Because headsets. With the ice protection system minor adjustments to trim needed in the wanted to evaluate. 70 percent of PC-12s and 50 percent of in automatic mode, it not only activates rarified air. On the first 180-degree turn I We were on the ILS 26 at Pendleton and the PC-24s are sold within the Americas, the anti- and deice system but also acti- deviated up to 60 feet, after that I was able hand-flying the approach, very enjoyable the U.S facility’s support is integral to vates an aural warning. This is another to keep my altitude easily within less than in the PC-24. Fredricks and I had reviewed the success of operators. Pilatus main- task I didn’t have to be concerned with 30 feet. I would like to say the stability was the missed approach procedure: full power, tains two other central dealer support flying in IMC. At GUNKS (FAF) our due to my flying, however, the design of the and with one engine the good engine’s facilities, one at company headquarters speed was 135 kias, slowing to 105 kias, jet made my job easier. Fadec will engage the automatic thrust in Stans, Switzerland, and the other in reserve, increasing the available thrust by Adelaide, Australia. 5 percent on the operating engine. The The PC-24 comes with a seven-year PC-24 has automatic rudder assist that airframe warranty, three years on avion- provides additive rudder input until reach- ics, five years for engines, and two years ing 1,200 feet agl. You can use the autopilot, on systems, paint, and interior. Pilatus but not the autothrottle, for a single-engine estimates direct operating costs (labor, approach and missed approach. parts, engines) at just under $600/ At minimums, throttles full forward, flight hour. Warranty coverage can be pitch up eight degrees, flaps to 15 degrees, extended through Pilatus’s CrystalCare positive rate, gear up, and hold almost full program, which includes scheduled and rudder. I kept the airplane on runway cen- unscheduled maintenance, normal wear terline and after a compliment on the air- and tear, Williams’s Total Assurance plane by the tower controller, we were off Plus Blue engine coverage, service bul- back to Boise. Later that evening at dinner, letins, the Guru2 app, as well as ship- Aniello told me it was too bad we didn’t ping and a mobile AOG recovery service. get to do a single-engine missed approach. The CrystalCare hourly rate varies by I replied, “We did,” but he just didn’t feel annual flight hours, ranging from $828 it in the cabin! to $1,300 per hour. Most owners choose I wanted to explore the short-field capa- this program. bilities of the PC-24 and planned for Run- way 28. We calculated using the Guru2 app PC-24 Competitors a required dry runway distance of 2,139 feet The PC-24’s closest price competition at our 14,000-pound landing weight. If it for new jets are the Cessna Citation CJ4, was wet it only increased to 2,479 feet. For Embraer Phenom 300E, and Learjet 75. landing on an unimproved runway, each The Learjet 75, certified under Part 25, condition (gravel, sand, dirt, grass) has its requires two pilots, while the others Western Aircraft flies, supports PC-12s, PC-24s own requirement. For example, if landing are Part 23 certified and require only on gravel, maximum rock size is 1.97 inches. one pilot. The PC-24 is not the fastest Western Aircraft started as a corporate structural repairs on many aircraft types, If there are ruts, none can be over 3.94 jet in comparison, with a maximum flight department 60 years ago and is including those made by Pilatus. The West- inches. Flaps must be at least 15 degrees. speed of Mach 0.74 while the Phenom now a repair station, charter operator, ern Aircraft parts operation stores more On approach, we picked taxiway Delta, 300E is Mach 0.80 and the Learjet 75 and factory-authorized sales and support than $12 million in inventory, enabling the 2,000 feet from the threshold, for a poten- Mach 0.81. Maximum payload, includ- provider for a number of aircraft and avi- company to promptly support customers tial turnoff. Stabilized at a Vref of 92 kias, ing pilot, of the PC-24 is 2,700 pounds, onics manufacturers, including Pilatus. and other service organizations, a key we were set. Over the runway threshold, 47 pounds fewer than Phenom 300E at The company’s Pilatus sales and support advantage when operators and mainte- power control levers to idle, touchdown, 2,747 pounds and about 500 pounds territory ranges from Hawaii and Alaska nance shops need parts quickly. and normal braking, we were basically more than the Learjet 75. to Nevada, Utah, Northern California, the During a tour of Western Aircraft’s inte- at taxi speed well before the 2,000-foot The PC-24 has a larger cabin than these Northwest U.S., Wyoming, Montana, and rior shop and avionics installation and mark. The lift dump, comprised of air other models and can carry more cargo, the Dakotas. A significant upgrade to the repair facilities, it was clear that the com- brakes and additional lift dump panels, along with shorter runway requirements. Western Aircraft facilities in Boise is under- pany has the capability to support owners automatically deploys upon landing. None of the other jets have a large cargo way with construction of new hangars to and operators with simple repairs and to Shutdown is simple with the electronic door like the PC-24’s. When looking at support large aircraft. complete aircraft renovations. checklist. The after-landing checklist con- cabin configuration flexibility, the ability Western Aircraft has become a signifi- Western Aircraft operates its own Part tains items specific to landing on unim- to operate on unimproved runways, or fly cant player in providing sales and service 135 charter operation with bases in Boise proved runways. I guess you look for grass executives and load cargo with a forklift— from single-engine to large corporate jets, and Honolulu, currently flying PC-12 stains when landing on the three-inch grass. on the same flight—there are no competi- including the ability to perform extensive turboprops and a PC-24 jet. R.P Pilatus’s flight documentation is tors. The Pilatus PC-24 is aptly named the extremely thorough, with more detail on Super Versatile Jet. n

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 23 TORQUED

Full-throttle opinion from former NTSB member John Goglia

Where is the FAA’s ‘diversion’ theory when the aviation industry needs it most?

As I write, waiting for a major snowstorm with cases surging. But for travel that is an airplane is in a government-approved theory as to why such regulations would to hit the Northeast and maybe keep peo- essential, whether for work or personal child safety restraint system, not your do more harm than good. So was born ple home long enough to help slow the reasons, is driving really better than flying lap. The FAA also advises on its web- the “diversion” theory. That theory has spread of this viral scourge, an approved when all risks are considered? Even if driv- site: “Your arms aren’t capable of hold- been updated as recently as 2012 and is Covid-19 vaccine is being rolled out to ing alone or with immediate household ing your child securely, especially during enshrined on the Department of Trans- hospital workers and nursing home resi- members is safer from the perspective of unexpected turbulence.” Children have portation’s website. According to the dents across all 50 states and the District catching the virus, is it safer when all risks been injured and some have died from FAA’s analysis, “requiring the use of [child of Columbia. Soon there may be multiple of travel accidents are considered? being unrestrained. But while the FAA restraint systems for children under the vaccines available and the pandemic’s As I read recommendation after recom- will advise against flying with a lap child, age of two] would increase total transpor- destruction of the health and economic mendation from government experts and it has steadfastly refused to issue regula- tation deaths by 72 over 10 years and by lives of millions will—in the near future— epidemiologists across the country that tions requiring children to be appropri- 115 deaths over 15 years.” This is because come to an end. it’s safer to travel by car than fly, I have ately restrained. the FAA assumes that the increased cost I hope that by the time you read this, to wonder why is the risk comparison More than two decades ago there was of buying a ticket for the infant would tens of millions will have received their only the risk of contracting the virus and a significant push to adopt such regu- result in a substantial number of parents two doses of vaccines and millions more not all the risks attendant to other modes lations, after the July 2, 1994 crash of deciding to drive to their destination or will be ready for delivery. Maybe by then, of transportation, especially driving? a USAir DC-9 on landing at Charlotte, pick a destination accessible by car. a one-shot vaccine will also be available. The FAA’s silence on this issue not only North Carolina. The flight experienced The FAA, therefore, concludes: “The I will be lining up for a vaccine as soon impacts the aviation industry, it has been a significant microburst on landing and Nation’s highway system, which would as it is available to me. I hope everyone particularly galling to safety experts— crashed just short of the runway. In that capture virtually all of the family travel in the aviation industry does so as well like myself—who have had to deal with crash, two mothers holding their daugh- that price might divert from the air and encourages their families and friends the FAA’s so-called “diversion” theory for ters on their laps survived the accident transport system, is less safe than the to do the same. There’s no saving this years. When it suited the FAA’s refusal to relatively unscathed. That was not air carrier system. This remains true industry until we free ourselves from the act to protect our youngest passengers— the case for the two lap children: one despite recent improvements in high- tentacles of this pandemic, and getting in other words, refusing to mandate safe died of her injuries and the other was way fatal accident rates. Consequently, vaccinated will be the quickest route even seats for every passenger and eliminating severely injured because the mothers the diverted travel would impose higher if the federal government finally comes lap children, the FAA’s rule that allows were unable to hold onto them when risks on the entire travel party and, to through with another bailout. children under the age of two to fly on the aircraft gyrated wildly as it crash- some degree, on other drivers. The net But until the day comes that the vac- a parent’s lap instead of restrained like landed. That accident made kids’ seats effect would be an increase in total cine’s use approaches herd immunity— every other passenger and coffee pot on a personal crusade of mine. As the lead transportation deaths.” approximately 70 to 80 percent of the an aircraft—the FAA handily trotted out accident investigator for USAir’s IAM While the FAA’s diversion theory population according to experts—is there its diversion theory. union, I was on the scene when a fire- seemed to me to be a pretext to avoid more that the FAA could do to reassure So, what is the FAA’s diversion theory man brought out the charred remains of implementing a kid seat rule the airline the traveling public of the safety of air- and how was it used to push back on the infant whose mother’s arms could industry did not want, in the context of line travel, with, of course, the proper pre- rules requiring infant child restraints? not restrain the child. saving the industry in the midst of a pan- cautions, as compared to driving? I think As every safety expert has long known, But the FAA was intransigent when it demic, the FAA might want to reconsider there is. And this is not to suggest that and even the FAA recognizes on its own came to issuing a rule to mandate safety its silence. If fear of catching the virus is frivolous travel should be undertaken website, the safest place for a child on restraints. Instead, it came up with this diverting travelers to motor vehicles, as reports seem to indicate, why isn’t the FAA or DOT highlighting the risks of driv- ing over flying? At least someone in the A letter from NTSB’s managing director government should be assessing the total risk of the mode of transportation chosen, the likelihood of catching Covid-19, and the As the managing director of the National Transportation Safety Board definition of an accident found in likelihood of serious injuries or death. Trav- (NTSB), I felt compelled to provide AIN readers with some facts omitted Title 39, Code of Federal Regula- elers need to know and the aviation industry from Mr. Goglia’s recent [op-ed, published in AIN’s January 2021 issue– tions, 830.2. could sure use the help if the total risk is Ed.], “A GA Accident, a grieving father, and now a documentary film.” Mr. Goglia asserts the NTSB actually lower flying than driving. n Like other government agencies, the NTSB implemented maximum only investigates general aviation telework at the start of the pandemic. I had no idea that 10 months later accidents that involve major public The opinions expressed in this column are we would still be in the midst of this crisis. figures—that assertion is patently Sharon Bryson, NTSB those of the author and not necessarily A key challenge in this new telework environment was determining false. It matters not to the NTSB who endorsed by AIN. how to continue to fulfill our investigative responsibilities while not is involved in an accident, what matters is the conduct of a thorough, exposing our investigators to unwarranted health risks associated with objective and comprehensive investigation. John Goglia is a safety consultant. traveling to, staying near, and returning from accident scenes. Lastly, his article suggests the NTSB delegated to the FAA an acci- He welcomes your e-mails at: So we did something we’ve recommended to others: we designed a dent investigation that is the subject of an independent film. This [email protected] SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS thorough risk assessment related to the pandemic and incorporated that is also false. The NTSB routinely works with the FAA and local law www.ainonline.com into the same risk assessment we’ve used for determining if investigators enforcement to obtain information from the scene of a crash, but we do should travel to the scene of an accident. not delegate any aspect of an investigation and we thoroughly investi- Contrary to Mr. Goglia’s assertion, the NTSB has not refused to investi- gated that crash as one of the 1,200 to 1,300 general aviation accidents gate any general aviation accident, and we have not delegated our authority we investigate annually. E!NEWSLETTER FOR BUSINESS AVIATION to investigate an accident, nor are we able or willing to do either. Without www.ainonline.com/alerts exception, the NTSB is investigating all aviation accidents meeting the Sharon Bryson, NTSB Managing Director

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Test flying the 7X recovery mode

Before flying the flight-text 7X for the SmartThrottle and recovery mode demo, I spent some time in Dassault’s simulation lab at its St. Cloud, France headquarters, getting familiarized with the 7X flight deck and its flight characteristics. The lab simulator isn’t set up with the SmartThrottle/recovery system, however. But it was helpful to “fly” the simulator and practice some of the maneuvers we’d test in the real airplane the following day. The next day I was escorted into Dassault’s flight-test center at the Istres-Le Tubé Air Base, where all the company’s military and civil flight- test activities take place. This was to be the final flight of the Smart- Throttle-equipped 7X, and the data recorded by the telemetry office would be used as part of the analysis. Prior to my flight, Dassault test pilots logged 50 hours in the specially- outfitted 7X, collecting data during two test campaigns. Many of the flights introduced operational Dassault pilots to the SmartThrottle and recovery Dassault explores smarter autothrottles system. The SmartThrottle in the test 7X, mounted in the center of the forward that enhance Falcon safety, performance console between the seats, looks almost like an old-style automobile by Matt Thurber automatic transmission gear shifter. It is bracketed by strips of LED lights on Dassault’s twin-engine Rafale fighter jet the SmartThrottle is like an enhanced the normal 7X’s mode-control panel. Two either side that can highlight various has been equipped with what in retro- autothrottle, incorporating all the nor- smaller display screens were mounted conditions as a way of giving the pilot spect seems an absurdly simple design mal autothrottle capabilities but taking on the outboard side of the panel, only instant feedback on the status of the feature: a single throttle lever to control advantage of digital technology to add for displaying flight-test-related infor- engines. both engines. Dassault engineers had safety features such as upset recovery, mation. The flight-test 7X was set up for Because it’s digitally controlled, long discussed a similar application for more comprehensive emergency descent single-pilot operation from the left seat engineers can vary the SmartThrottle a business jet and now the French man- modes, and engine failure mitigation, so that another test pilot or pilots get- friction or set hard or soft stops for ufacturer has conducted extensive flight along with single-power-lever operation. ting demonstrations of the system could different requirements. For exam- tests of a single-throttle lever integrated fly from the right seat while not being ple, the pilot might feel a click when with the three-engine Falcon 7X’s fly-by- required crewmembers. approaching a reduced-power takeo! wire digital flight control system (DFCS). Because the SmartThrottle is entirely setting or feel a hard stop preventing In late October, I had the opportunity to digital, engineers can add all sorts of fea- the application of more power if the test-fly its SmartThrottle in the 7X flight- tures to take advantage of the technology. airplane is nearing Vmo (maximum test aircraft and experienced another new Soft and hard stops can be programmed operating speed). The lights along- feature that Dassault has also been test- so the pilot feels a detent at the maximum side the SmartThrottle could highlight ing—a full recovery mode function that climb power setting, for example, but the problems such as showing the power can help pilots recover from a loss-of- detent can be changed depending on setting the digital flight control sys- control situation. conditions. The throttle’s friction is also tem (DFCS) is using if the throttle itself The testing that Dassault conducted on We flipped the Falcon 7X nearly upside down adjustable, not by the pilot, but engineers were jammed. the experimental 7X revealed significant before pushing the recovery button. can tweak friction settings electronically. Three lights on the aft side of the safety and operational benefits. However, It’s the marriage of the SmartThrot- throttle quadrant illuminate green the company hasn’t yet decided on when For the purposes of flight testing, the tle with the DFCS that adds even more when the engines are connected to the SmartThrottle might be integrated 7X was modified with the single-lever capability, not just the ease of engine the SmartThrottle and red when the into a new airplane. The next Falcon SmartThrottle along with three manual management and simpler handling of mini-throttles are engaged. For take- model is the so-called “Falcon Next,” but “mini-throttles” that can operate each engine engine-inoperative situations but also o! and landing, only the mini-throttles Dassault has not officially launched this individually and during takeoff and landing. further extending the DFCS’s capabilities. could be used during the test program, program and it isn’t known yet whether Ultimately, a certified version of the Smart- Now Dassault is moving that concept for- but a production version of this system this aircraft might feature the Smart- Throttle would be usable from takeoff to ward to take full advantage of the flight would not include the mini-throttles. Throttle and the recovery mode features touchdown, but during testing the Smart- control infrastructure that it has been With test pilots Philippe Duchateau that are enabled by the SmartThrottle’s Throttle was usable only once airborne. developing since the 1950s. in the left seat and Tom Valette in the integration with the fly-by-wire DFCS. The 7X’s instrument panel was mod- jump seat, I flew from the right seat, According to Dassault, the 7X Smart- ified with the pilot’s primary flight dis- Dassault Flight Controls but as this was a flight-test setup Throttle test program got underway play (PFD) replaced with a touchscreen In the 1950s, Dassault leadership decided continues on facing page more than two years ago. To put it simply, display that mirrored all the functions of to bring all flight control design and

26 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com manufacturing in-house and set up the continued from facing page flight controls department in Argonay, France. This development stemmed only one pilot was required. Thus, I from the crash of a Mystère IV B fighter was playing the role of an observer/ jet, serial number one, during a demon- demonstratee and not a required stration flight flown by legendary test crewmember. pilot Constantin Rozanoff at Dassault’s During the briefing before the flight, former Melun Villaroche flight-test cen- Duchateau explained Dassault’s phi- ter near Paris. The crash had to do with losophy behind the recovery system. the flight controls, and Dassault decided “The aim of the recovery function is that owning the flight control engineer- to help in case the crew gets a little ing and production would help improve bit lost in attitude,” he said. Newer- safety and allow designers more control generation pilots tend to fly less of aircraft handling characteristics. hands-on and a recovery function

Dassault’s first fly-by-wire (FBW) busi- THURBER MATT can help get them out of trouble. “But ness jet, the 7X, owes much of its flight also wake turbulence, if you’re getting control design to Dassault’s military jet flipped over, you don’t have to think development, starting with the Mirage about how to get back to a normal 2000 but especially the Rafale. The com- position; it will take you back to a nice pany’s fighters and business jets such flying position.” as the Falcon 7X, 8X, and upcoming 6X Using the mini-throttles for takeo! all share a key characteristic, a so-called felt a little strange, but then again, it “closed-loop” FBW design. reminded me to wonder why power Open-loop FBW basically replicates the levers have to be one of a fistful of characteristics of conventional flight con- throttles as in the typical jet design. trols where a yoke is connected to cables, An electronically controlled engine’s pushrods, and in some cases hydraulic power could be manipulated by any boosters. In an open-loop FBW system, old variable switch or knob, after all. the pilot’s movement of a yoke or side stick I took o! from Istres-Le Tubé’s Run- sends electronic signals that result in pro- way 33 in good weather with calm portional movement of a control surface, winds and climbed to 5,000 feet while just like with the mechanical controls, and I refamiliarized myself with the DFCS. the aircraft must be trimmed to maintain I’ve flown the Falcon 8X before, so the

each different attitude. Any small pertur- VADIM FELDZER 7X felt comfortable, matching the 8X’s bation such as turbulence moves the air- Dassault test pilot Philippe Duchateau (l) briefs AIN’s Matt Thurber on the SmartThrottle. easy handling characteristics. Fly-by- plane away from the desired attitude, and wire certainly makes large airplanes the pilot has to constantly move the con- Energy Management helping the pilot manage energy, it would more pleasant to fly. trols to return to the attitude, or trim when The Rafale demonstrated that adding the help the pilot control speed with less We first programmed the RNAV selecting a new attitude, and thus this is engines with single-lever-power control workload, Dupre added. 33 approach in the Honeywell-based also known as a trim-stable FBW system. to the DFCS brings the benefits of energy Not only that, but the engine integra- EASy avionics, then pulled the power Closed-loop FBW is path-stable, which management into the FBW sphere. Das- tion enables new functions to improve back on the left engine mini-throttle means that the pilot uses the controls to sault engineers naturally wondered what operational safety, he said. This can to simulate one-engine-out operation. select the desired flight path then lets go the result would be if the same were done include helping the pilot in a low- or With slats/flaps 3 set and hand flying, of the sidestick. Thus, the FBW maintains for a Falcon, according to flight control high-speed condition, which is already near minimums at about 300 feet, I the flight path or trajectory without fur- system engineer Francois Dupre, and this something that is done with autothrottle- clicked the go-around button once and ther input from the pilot. Dassault illus- was the genesis of the experimental 7X equipped aircraft. But SmartThrottle adds pushed the SmartThrottle forward and trates this by showing a video of two FBW test program. the capability to manage the entire engine watched the power come up on the jets in side-by-side windows, flying in the “What if we could broaden the flight operating envelope, including engine fail- two “good” engines. Meanwhile, the same trajectory, and the pilot flying the control strategy to energy management ure, while allowing the pilot to keep fly- DFCS commanded the flight director Falcon can be seen with no hand move- with a single command to control the air- ing the airplane the same way as normal to bank slightly to the right and kept ment while the other jet’s pilot is con- craft?” he asked. By including the engines, (without an engine failure). the airplane on course, and then we stantly moving the controls to maintain “The idea is to have the same [flying climbed to 2,500 feet. the desired flight path. That is one of the process] even in case of engine failure,” Having to move just one lever to reasons Dassault believes the flying qual- Dupre explained. “You’re still manag- command whatever power is avail- ities of its aircraft are superior. ing energy and will see it decrease, but able is far simpler and less taxing than The DFCS adds another dimension, you don’t have to take care of lateral trying to figure out which engine has however, and that is to use the opti- control—that’s done automatically by failed and then dealing with three sep- mal combination of control surfaces to the DFCS.” arate levers. respond to the pilot’s request, as trans- Dassault has demonstrated some of For the second and same approach, mitted through the sidestick, rudder this functionality in the twin-engine with all three engines operating and pedals, and—with SmartThrottle—the Rafale with its single power lever. Its autopilot on, at 300 feet I pushed the engines in more than just a normal auto- DFCS, for example, uses the jet’s control go-around button once for the initial throttle sense. surfaces to provide air-brake functional- “soft” go-around, which provides a rel- Although the 6X won’t be fitted with ity. By managing the Rafale’s energy, the atively gentle maneuver, then pushed the new SmartThrottle, Dassault has DFCS allows pilots, especially in the the go-around button again to engage added new elements to its DFCS, which naval version that lands on aircraft car- the more aggressive “high” go-around. now includes all secondary control sur- riers, to focus on flying the proper tra- This moved the nose to about 17 faces and nosewheel steering. A new jectory with no need to divert attention degrees, with full power, resulting in control surface—a flaperon—on the 6X to speed or even angle-of-attack. “The a 4,000 fpm climb. combines flaps and aileron functions. By workload is very high, especially in bad Continuing the climb, Duchateau incorporating every control, the 6X essen- The flight test SmartThrottle has LED light weather,” said Dupre, “so it’s very useful showed me some climb modes that tially wrings all the possible benefit out of strips on either side to highlight engine for navy pilots.” continues on next page FBW in terms of trajectory management. condition. continues on next page

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 27 FEATURE

continued from preceding page Of course, adding these capabilities to the continued from preceding page DFCS means that Dassault has to work were tested on this 7X—a “comfort” closely with engine manufacturers to gain climb and “fast” climb. The comfort full access to every aspect of the engine’s climb is optimized for passenger com- operation. “We have to define the inter- fort, for example, avoiding a rapid pull- face,” said Dupre. “Functions need to have down while leveling o!. vision of the performance of the engine. We leveled at FL400 for a demon- There must exist some exchange between stration of the emergency descent systems and engines, just like we do with mode, which is designed either to control surfaces. The system has to have a happen fully automatically if the pilots better understanding of the situation. The are incapacitated or allows the pilot to reactivity of the function has to take into manage the maneuver. The pilot can, account the dynamics of the engine.” for example, control direction while But even with an accurate computer the DFCS continues the rapid descent, model of the engine, pilots still must fly thus minimizing the pilot’s workload. many actual flight tests to fine-tune the FELDZER VADIM PAGE: THIS PHOTOS The descent mode turned us 90 system in real conditions. And Dassault Dassault test pilot Philippe Duchateau showed AIN’s Thurber the Rafale’s single throttle. degrees to the left and dropped the has developed techniques to do just that. nose almost 20 degrees at maximum The concept of automation takes on goal is to say all these subjects could that wasn’t part of the experimental 7X speed, with descent rate settling at new meaning when all the primary and be part of a certification program,” he test program. The ground protection 10,000 fpm, bringing the 7X rapidly secondary controls are managed by the said. “We’re going toward more safety could be enabled by tapping the Falcon down to FL200. Here we planned to DFCS. What this allows is still complete and more protections for the aircraft Eye head-up display’s high-performance fly the recovery maneuvers—the real and full control authority by the pilot and crew. It could become part of regu- camera system. “We can use all that stuff meat of this demonstration. and improved performance but also the lations in the future.” to contribute to safety,” said Patrick Par- Level at FL200 at 250 kias, Ducha- opportunity to assist the pilot in recover- nis, Dassault’s head of marketing. teau instructed me to fly a series ing the aircraft if something goes wrong. Recovery Mode To use the recovery mode, the pilot has of maneuvers where I would bank “The DFCS enables us to take the ben- Ultimately, the features that Dassault to push a button to initiate the recovery, steeply then let the nose drop below efit from full authority,” explained DFCS explored with the experimental 7X were then the DFCS takes over and returns the the horizon. These varied between engineer Alain Boucher. “This is the same integration of the SmartThrottle and airplane to a safe attitude. In the exper- banks of 110 to 120 degrees with the level of authority the pilot has with man- using the DFCS capabilities to effect the imental Falcon 7X, recovery mode was nose dropping 7 to 15 degrees. We did ual control. But we’re trying to increase recovery mode. The Rafale does have programmed to stay within 1.5 g, which these in clean configuration and at the automation level as a way of getting recovery mode, but it also has an added is more comfortable for passengers. “For medium speeds, from 200 to 250 kias. quicker and more accurate reactions to high-level mode called ground protection. civil aircraft, recovery mode will enhance Each time I generated the upset hazardous situations.” This could also This uses the fighter’s DFCS to constantly safety to help pilots in difficult condi- maneuver, I would let go of the con- include adding functions like TAWS (ter- look at the current and projected trajec- tions,” said Jean-Louis Montel, a special trols and Duchateau would press rain) and TCAS (traffic) and making them tory, and if it determines that the tra- advisor on technical and design issues for the recovery button on the instru- part of the automation and performance jectory is going to result in impact with Dassault chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. ment panel. And each time the DFCS and safety improvements. the ground, it pulls up to maximum g to FalconEye and also the primary flight smoothly and precisely returned the Such a system could easily help a pilot maneuver the Rafale back to safety. This is display could help show the pilot that the 7X to straight and level flight, pulling a recover from an upset caused by a wake enormously helpful if the pilot succumbs aircraft is approaching a loss-of-control maximum of 1.7 g, well below the limit turbulence encounter. “There are all to g-induced loss of consciousness. The situation, and if the pilot doesn’t correct of 2.5 g. Of course, the DFCS also ran kinds of unusual attitudes where the pilot Lockheed Martin F-16 has a similar sys- the situation then the DFCS could engage the SmartThrottle as needed to man- may be lost a little bit and doesn’t know tem called Automatic Ground Collision recovery mode automatically. “The idea age the recovery properly. what to do,” said Boucher. “This could Avoidance System, which has so far saved is to prevent an upset, but if the pilot The final maneuver was with slats/ bring many [opportunities] to the crew 10 pilots and nine F-16s. One Rafale has doesn’t react, maybe he is focused on flaps 3 and landing gear down, where in these kinds of situations.” been saved by the system, making ground other things, automation will take the I slowed the 7X to 114 kias, Vref at that Basic safety is already covered by protection well worthwhile. lead,” said Montel. All of this is still under weight and configuration, then banked certification requirements, but these Dassault could add ground protection consideration and will be informed by the left 40 degrees and allowed the nose new features aren’t addressed, yet. “My to the Falcon DFCS at some point, but experimental 7X tests. to drop 10 degrees. After I released the However, the goal is always to keep the controls and Duchateau pressed the pilot in the loop as much as possible. “If recovery button, the 7X righted itself, we have a complex system and the pilot is losing just 200 feet and pulling 1.4 g. not in the loop, the time to apply the right This was a good demonstration of how procedures is very long and not compati- the recovery mode could help resolve ble with times taken into account in safety an upset in the airport environment. studies,” he added. “The idea is to have the What was interesting about these pilot in the loop, and not have a discontinu- exercises was that I didn’t need to try ity between the pilot and the automation.” to recall the upset recovery mantra “Clearly this is a challenge when you go that I’ve learned during a few upset for more automation,” said Boucher. But prevention and recovery training the automation inherent in Dassault’s courses I’ve attended. The DFCS oper- recovery system is designed to help pilots, ates much faster than a human, using who have shown that a frequent reaction any control needed to care for the air- to an unexpected unusual attitude is the plane and its occupants. wrong control input. “That means sec- Ultimately, the recovery process onds that you lose [for recovery],” he said. was safe and amazingly smooth. I And, of course, for each option, Das- admit that it was a lot of fun getting sault will have to carefully consider the to flip the 7X nearly all the way over, steps needed to obtain certification for watching the gorgeous Marseille the SmartThrottle and recovery modes, coastline fill the windows, and feeling After the final flight of the SmartThrottle setup in the flight test Falcon 7X, AIN editor-in-chief including backup modes. “We’re just at the forces rarely felt in a business jet. n Matt Thurber (l) with test pilots Philippe Duchateau (c) and Tom Vallette (r). beginning of the story,” said Montel. n

28 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com light twinjets are operated by a team of 14 pilots—all of whom have an ATP rat- ing and are trained as captains—who fly two-pilot missions, which exemplifies TxJet’s focus on safety. “The cockpit resource management that goes on in a two-pilot operation we com- Indianapolis- pletely believe is best practice and should based TxJet be an industry standard,” he added. “Our recorded a aviators are pilots just like the rest of the 29 percent charter industry, but they also speak the increase in language. They understand the critical- organ transplant ity. They know that they have a lifesaving transportation organ on board that still has to get to its missions destination.” between 2018 TxJet also employs a full-time A&P and 2019. mechanic to service its fleet who is aug- mented by the Textron Aviation Service Center at Indianapolis International Air- port, Johnson noted. “The service center has recognized the mission associated remain outside the human body. TxJet with TxJet and it is just absolutely incred- TxJet keeps flying organ staff and flight crews understand that race ible that these guys will drop anything against time. when we have an AOG to make sure that “Your traditional 135 operators do a fan- these airplanes are back up and ready to missions during pandemic tastic job at what they do but there are fulfill their mission,” he said. “Everyone a lot of considerations when it comes to at that repair center understands who’s on by Jerry Siebenmark flying organs and teams,” he said. “You the other end of it and it’s actually a really have all the same expectations that users touching thing in aviation to see people When Covid-19 first made its way to the our expense of operation is,” Johnson of all 135 [operators] have as far as safety, behave that way.” U.S. early last year, Indianapolis-based said. “We look at the number of flights reliability. But you’re just stepping it up As for what’s next at TxJet, Johnson TxJet, like other charter operations, we’re going to do, we divide it up and one notch more, knowing that half an said growth will come with demand. It’s found itself in a demand slump. But it obviously that’s how we come up with our hour delay means something.” not purposely looking to expand. Rather was a momentary pause because TxJet’s expense associated with what we charge TxJet recently purchased two new its goal is to serve transplant centers and primary cargo is human organs and the our transplant centers and OPOs.” CJ3+s, which Johnson explained is an OPOs to the best of its ability. “We don’t medical teams that transplant them. “Tx” Johnson said TxJet’s sole focus on the airframe that provides the organization have aspirations to take over the world,” is an abbreviation used for organ trans- transportation of human organs and trans- “the reliability, the technology, and the he said. “We have aspirations to make sure plantation in medical parlance. plantation teams makes it unique versus versatility” to be able to fly in all types that we save as many lives as we possibly “[It] was a challenge for us,” said TxJet traditional Part 135 operators. Human of weather and to do so efficiently in can through providing aviation solutions COO Steve Johnson. “A lot of trans- organs become less viable the longer they long and short leg flights, he said. The in the transplant environment.” n plant programs, in the beginning, were frankly not transplanting because we didn’t understand the virus, we didn’t understand how we were safely going to transplant people. [But] we flew, and we Best Group launches new ground power units kept flying [and] we’ve been able to come through this very well.” The team at Best Tugs has launched two the worry of a short-term need for power that Started in 2014 with one Cessna Cita- additional product lines: Best Power and might overtax the electrical system. tion CJ3, TxJet is a nonprofit arm of the Best Scrubbers. With the expansion of its Some GPU features that pilots find use- Indiana Donor Network. It was origi- aviation lineup, the company created Best ful are the digital displays of energy. This nally conceived as a service to transplant Aviation Products as the umbrella for cur- includes voltage and also amperage draw, centers and organ procurement organi- rent o!erings and future products. Located watts currently being used, and total watts zations (OPOs) within the borders of in Spanish Fork, Utah, Best Aviation Products while it is connected to the aircraft. Indiana, but its service has since expanded is expanding with sta! engineers led by com- During a test of the GPU, I decided to to include a broader swath of transplant pany co-owners Mark and Mike Patey. assess the company’s claim regarding the centers and OPOs. In 2019—the most Best Power’s new ground power unit full 57 amps, which was easy with my Eclipse recent year for which it has data—TxJet (GPU) is in full production, with the first prod- 500 by activating the three pitot/AOA probes. flew 580 organ transport missions in 38 uct in the new series the 28-VDC, 57-amp The GPU display indicated 57 amps and the states, a 29 percent increase from the 447 BP-57/100. This GPU operates on 120-240 voltage was rock-steady at 28.5 VDC. RICH PICKETT missions flown in 2018. VAC. Producing 57 amps of conditional With that milestone reached, I went even “We started just to support our local power with surge capability of 100 amps, it further to exceed the GPU’s rated amperage Aviation Products can adjust the output as transplant programs,” Johnson explained. can be used to power a variety of ground draw. I activated enough systems on my necessary. “Our aspirations were simply to solve the power needs from aircraft database updates Eclipse to raise the current to 67 amps; not The 57-amp Best Power GPU costs $1,495. need that was at hand, which was our to electric flaps operation and testing. surprisingly the voltage dropped below 28 A larger unit producing 114 amps—the local transplant centers. As we got estab- The GPUs are up to 91 percent e"cient VDC, but it was still above battery voltage. BP-114/200—is also now available for $1,995. lished and felt like we knew what we were in generating 28-VDC power and the power The display allows users to monitor the Still larger are the 171-amp BP-171/300 and doing, and that we were doing a good job is filtered to avoid any spikes or abnormal load and reduce it as necessary to keep 300-amp BP-228/400 power supplies, avail- and people were very satisfied with what frequencies, which is important for the grow- within specs and provide the power needed able in the first quarter of 2021. All units, with we were able to accomplish, we started ing number of aircraft equipped with modern for the aircraft. If the power needs are higher, the exception of the 57-amp GPU, require taking on business with other transplant avionics. The capability for surge protection then it would make sense to purchase a 220 VAC. The first model of the new floor centers and OPOs that were regionally and up to 100 amps for 10 seconds in the larger unit rather than unknowingly overload scrubbers is available now, the 28-inch Best based.” Because TxJet is a 501(c)(3) non- 57-amp version allows operation of electric the aircraft’s power circuits. Scrubber-28, for $8,348. A smaller 20-inch profit organization, its clients are only flaps on an Eclipse 500, for example, without For aircraft with a specific voltage, Best version will be available in early 2021. R.P. charged TxJet’s costs. “We look at what

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 29 Airshare expands access, management, mx programs by James Wynbrandt

Lenexa, Kansas-based Airshare is cel- 100 hours [annually] on a 1/16th share.” ebrating its 20th anniversary and an The big savings come from taking expanded range of services, now includ- advantage of discount rates. Airshare’s ing on-demand charter, aircraft manage- standard hourly (or one-way) rate applies ment, and maintenance, along with its to any trip that begins and ends in differ- Embark jet card and flagship days-based ent locations; the Express (or round-trip) fractional ownership program. rate provides a flat 35 percent discount Airshare has simplified its fleet to include just Embraer jets, including 13 Phenom 300s. The company’s 2018 rebranding as for trips that begin and end in the same Airshare (née Executive AirShare) under- place. If a customer flies multiple legs in “Creating efficiencies and reducing costs, As it has for all providers in recent months, scored its widening customer base and one day, for example, spends the night at and passing them on to customers.” Covid-19 tested Airshare’s resilience. services and “blended solution” approach, the last destination, and the next day flies He inherited a “complicated fleet mix,” “I remember the day, March 16,” when said president and CEO John Owen, who multiple legs from that last destination, and after analyzing missions and oper- operations ceased, Owen recalled. “It succeeded company cofounder Keith returning to the previous day’s point of ational data, the team determined that felt like every five minutes the situation Plumb as president and CEO in 2018. departure, all the flight time over the two Airshare could fulfill 98 percent of trip would change. We didn’t know where we Starting with one Beechcraft King Air days would qualify for the Express rate. requests with just the Phenom 100 and 300 were headed.” 350 in Wichita in 2000, Airshare now has Together, the discount rates and daily and began culling other models from the The following lockdown days were 19 bases across the nation’s midsection— access allowance can lower the costs fleet. Today it consists of 13 Phenom 300s spent in the conference room moni- from Denver to as far east as New York of both the Phenom 100 and 300 to the (including the updated 300e, with more toring news updates, developing safety state, from Texas’s major cities to Chicago $2,000-per-hour range for fractional on order) and nine Phenom 100s, almost and health protocols, and crafting cost- and Milwaukee, and a dozen places in owners. (Airshare doesn’t disclose pricing all bought new; the average age is less containment strategies. between. Meanwhile, its fractional and jet or fees for the Embark jet card, but said than seven years, the oldest is 11, and the “Keeping all our employees was job card fleet has evolved, and today features costs can also dip to the $2,000-per-hour planned replacement cycle is about 13 years. number one,” said COO Alex Franz, for- Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 light jets; level when deployed efficiently.) merly the company’s chief pilot and later Airshare was the Part 135 and fractional Managed Aircraft v-p of flight operations. “Airshare spends program launch customer for the Embraer Meanwhile, Airshare’s management a lot of time hiring. We seek individuals platforms in 2009 and 2010, respectively. business dates back to 2008, when it who have the aptitude and drive and want It’s noteworthy that neither founding purchased Texas-based Executive Flight to work as part of a team. If they have CEO Bob Taylor (now chairman) nor (now officially part of the company, as per those three things, that person is going Owen had any aviation experience prior the rebranding). Part 135 approval came to deliver customer service even if they’re to involvement with what is today Air- in 2001, when Taylor bought the business not trained—that’s their DNA.” share. Taylor, a “finance guy” with public he groomed for sale three years prior and Franz noted that maintaining those companies, was asked in 1998 to help sell whose operating certificate he’d helped standards had grown difficult as the an FBO and certified repair station after Alex Franz, secure. Today Airshare operates about 25 pre-pandemic pilot shortage drained the the owner—a friend—died in an airplane COO managed aircraft, including Citation XLSs, talent pool, but the company “always crash. As Taylor learned how the busi- Embraer Legacys, and Bombardier Chal- stuck to our guns” on its hiring principles. ness operated, “I just fell in love with the lengers, with plans to expand its midsize With $3.9 million in Paycheck Protection industry,” he recalled, and after the sale, Keeping all our jet management and charter business “in Program funds from the CARES Act, Air- investigated launching a fractional pro- the next year or two,” Taylor said. share kept all team members on board. It gram in the mold of the then-fledgling employees was “We do have customers who have grown also used the Covid-induced reduction in NetJets. His market research consisted job number one...” from the Phenom 300,” he added. “If a flight hours to accelerate its aircraft interi- primarily of asking potential customers fourth of their flying is on a midsize, we ors refreshment program. Now the entire two key questions: where do people go Airshare’s regional service model and can adequately handle them with char- Phenom fleet is outfitted with interiors and how long do they stay there? floating fleet help keep operating costs tering. Or, if they have a lot of flying, we two years old or less. Most of the refur- Taylor learned that the vast majority of down. To support growth, the company can help find them the aircraft they want bishment work is done in-house, of course. flights were between 300 and 700 nm and establishes bases in locations with enough and manage it, and put charter hours on it Today, with business aviation’s that “most customers’ travel is what you call potential shareowners and a quality of life to help offset costs.” Though charter has post-lockdown demand bump, “we have ‘out and back’—stay one or two days” and that crews would enjoy. traditionally represented a small portion more customers than in the past and a lot return. Based on this feedback, he launched “We like the hubs,” said Owen. “We cre- of Airshare’s business, demand is “grow- of first-time [business aviation customer] Executive AirShare, but rather than offering ate customer-density in areas we service; ing and especially relevant as we manage interest in the space,” said Owen. The new- customers a set number of flight hours per at the same time, we’re building pilot den- [more] midsize aircraft.” bies have bought “a lot of cards—try before year based on the size of their share, Air- sity. Customers see the same pilots over The company received Argus’s Plati- you buy—and already we’ve had some con- share provided a set number of days. and over, and it starts to feel like their num rating in 2018 and IS-BAO Stage 3 reg- vert to fractions,” he said. Charter is also Whereas standard fractional programs airplane. “We’ll fly out of anywhere,” he istration in 2020. Airshare is also raising seeing “more and more customers.” allot owners 50 hours annually for the added, “But we don’t want to fly empty to its maintenance services profile for third- Airshare is now hiring pilots to meet minimum 1/16th aircraft share, for exam- a location to pick up customers—some- party work. With its Embraer authorized current needs and believes all the pieces ple, Airshare’s 1/16th share provides 20 body’s paying for that.” service center, Airshare maintains its Phe- are in place to support a planned expan- days, with no limits on daily flight hours Owen joined Executive AirShare as noms as well as the Citations and Chal- sion into the Northeast and Southeast U.S. (other than 14-hour crew duty day rules); CFO in 2016 as Taylor sold controlling lengers in its managed fleet. But first, the company will upgrade its Embark jet card also provides days of interest, arriving from the trucking indus- “We quote [maintenance RFPs for frac- its technology platform. “We’re going to access rather than hours (10 days over two try. “I realized how closely related trucking tional and management customers] like make a strategic investment in technol- years for the Phenom 100, 20 days during and aviation are from a financial perspec- everybody else,” said Owen. “We wel- ogy for our customer portals,” said Owen. that period for the Phenom 300). The days- tive,” he recalled, noting that they’re both come them to compare our services and “The next wave is giving the right tools to based plan can provide significantly more logistics enterprises at heart. “Instead of prices. We’re as good as anybody, if not customers that allow them to understand flying time and lower hourly costs than trucks you have airplanes; instead of cargo the best, on Phenoms. Our director of and take full advantage of the program, so hour-based programs, said Owen. “We you have passengers, and the drivers are maintenance has been here since we took we can really develop a service that’s sec- have several customers who fly well over pilots.” The objectives are also identical: our first Phenom.” ond to none.” n

30 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com NBAA GO FLIGHT OPERATIONS February 23-25, 2021

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#FLOC2021 ROTORCRAFT & unmanned systems Pentagon will track D.C. helicopter noise News Update EASA Proposes Overwater by Mark Huber Ops Changes EASA is proposing equipment changes The Pentagon will be charged with track- for Part 27 and 29 helicopters that are ing helicopter noise in the Washington, operated for extended periods over D.C. area under provisions of the recently water to help improve survivability during enacted National Defense Authorization helicopter ditching or survivable water Act. The provision in the massive $740 impact. The new requirements could take billion legislation was inserted at the effect by 2023. Proposed modifications behest of several D.C.-area congress- for such aircraft include: black/yellow men who have long lamented the steady markings for emergency controls used rotor din over the nation’s capital and underwater for all helicopters; remote surrounding suburbs. But what all this life raft deployment (cockpit, cabin, from data will actually accomplish remains to water) for large Part 29 helicopters only be seen. As in the Los Angeles Basin, the (ditching approval only); substantiated competing pressures of crowded airspace sea conditions for capsize resistance in and the aviation needs of public safety the rotorcraft flight manual; easy opening and law enforcement limit practical— emergency exits, emergency illumination of and safe—options. The U.S. Park Police flying over the Potomac River. underwater ditching exits, and one pair of The amount of helicopter traffic over exits for every four passengers; improved the D.C. area is substantial, according to » Virginia State Police—four Bell 407s, sea level throughout most of the D.C. area. life raft attach lines and easy reach life data recently released in a Government one Bell 412, two Airbus EC-145s, and Because FAA’s maximum helicopter alti- preservers; and automatic deployment Accountability Office (GAO) report that one Bell 412. tudes are established relative to mean sea of emergency flotation systems. details the scope of helicopter activity The GAO study enumerated a variety level, the maximum posted altitudes rela- there. The GAO found that there were of factors in the growth of the helicop- tive to objects on the ground may be lower Mexico AW109 Crash Now 88,000 helicopter flights there between ter noise problem in the D.C. area, what or higher, depending on local geography, Homicide Investigation 2017-2019 by 50 separate operators. All operators already have done to mitigate buildings, or obstructions.” Mexican authorities detained four people flights were conducted within 30 miles noise, and the difficulties with any further It is also unlikely that area opera- in late December in connection with a 2018 of Washington Reagan International Air- reduction due to D.C.’s highly-restricted tors will be able to reduce their volume fatal crash of a Leonardo AW109S near port—an area with three large hub air- and complex airspace. For example, the of night operations that account for 23 Puebla that killed all five aboard, including ports, 11 regional airports, and 55 heliports. Pentagon tightened restrictions as to who percent of all flights and are a dispropor- Puebla state governor Martha Alonso. The majority of these flights—some 80 was authorized to use its heliport, thereby tionate source of complaints. The GAO The Puebla attorney general said the four percent—are conducted by the military, chopping the number of flights originat- found that crime-riddled Prince George’s detained—all employed by Toluca-based law enforcement, and air ambulance pro- ing there from 226 in 2016 to 124 in 2019. County—notorious for leading the nation Rotor Flight Services at the time of the viders. Locally-based fleets serving these Other operators have told crews to refrain in police shootings—conducted 90 per- accident—were being investigated for operators include: from making tight turns and other maneu- cent of its flight operations at night. Air homicide and making false statements. » The Federal Bureau of Investigation—six vers that exacerbate helicopter noise. In Methods reported that 50 percent of its Accident investigators concluded that Sikorsky UH-60Ms and three Bell 429s. general, helicopter flights in the region area air ambulance flights were at night. a known, preexisting problem with the The FBI uses their aircraft primarily to adhere to an established network of 25 And military officials told the GAO that helicopter’s stability system should shuttle personnel between its D.C. head- fixed routes in place since the 1980s that certain night operations in the region— have grounded it from further flight quarters and its academy in Quantico. overfly rivers and major freeways to miti- particularly training, night vision goggle before the accident. Investigators » The U.S. Park Police—two Bell 412EPs gate aircraft noise. But the nature of D.C.’s proficiency, and aircraft intercept—were found the helicopter crashed due to a and one Bell 206L3—based at its Eagles highly secure and regulated airspace often essential. They also noted that the D.C. sudden left roll, causing loss of control Nest facility in D.C. works at cross purposes with that goal. area’s unabated growth—from a popula- that deteriorated into inverted flight » The USAF 1stHelicopter Squadron—21 This is particularly true in the airspace tion of 2.77 million in 1980 to 5.38 million and impact into terrain. They said the Bell UH-1s stationed at Joint Base Andrews. proximate to Reagan National, where the in 2020—means that residential housing uncommanded roll could have been caused » The Army 12th Aviation Battalion—34 GAO notes, the “FAA further limits the is being built closer to rotorcraft bases. by loose actuator screws contacting Sikorsky UH-60s based at Davison Army maximum altitudes for helicopters where Overall, other than measuring helicopter the stability system’s electronic card. Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Also based helicopter routes overlap with com- noise, not much can be done. Writing to there, three more UH-60s and six Airbus mercial passenger airplane operations the GAO in December 2020, DOT deputy Blade Partners With Ross For UH-72A Lakotas used by the Aviation to ensure the safety of all aircraft. As a assistant secretary for administration Keith New Westchester Service Branch of the Army National Guard. result, helicopters in these areas may fly Washington warned, “Significant reductions Urban air mobility platform Blade plans to » U.S. Coast Guard—three Airbus as low as 200 feet above mean sea level. in helicopter noise in the National Capital begin helicopter rideshare service between MH-65Ds based at Reagan National Elsewhere, the helicopter route structure Region will be challenging since the major- the Westchester/Connecticut corridor Airport. generally establishes maximum altitudes ity of operations are military, law enforce- and New York City in a strategic alliance » Marine Helicopter Squadron One between 1,000 and 1,300 feet above mean ment, and medevac service providers.” n with Ross Aviation. Denver-based Ross (HMX-1) stationed at bases includ- currently operates 17 FBOs nationwide. ing Marine Corps Air Facility Quan- Under the deal, Ross will work with Blade tico, Virginia, the Pentagon, the White FAA-reported helicopter flights in Washington D.C. area to build a vertiport at Westchester County House, the Naval Observatory, and Joint Operator mission 2017 2018 2019 Total Airport in White Plains, New York. The Base Anacostia-Bolling—12 Bell Boeing new vertiport also will include all the MV-22s and 11 Sikorsky VH-3Ds, one Military 11,598 10,281 11,011 32,890 necessary infrastructure to support future Sikorsky UH-3D, one Sikorsky UH-60N, Air medical 6,791 5,369 6,162 18,322 eVTOL aircraft. Blade expects the new and eight Sikorsky VH-60Ns. Other aviation activity 5,129 4,545 4,303 13,977 five-day-per-week Westchester service to » Fairfax County (Virginia) police—two begin as early as March, transforming a Bell 429s. State and local law enforcement 4,441 4,181 4,239 12,861 typically one- to two-hour hour drive to/ » Maryland State Police—10 Leonardo Federal law enforcement and emergency support 2,068 1,775 1,654 5,497 from New York City into a 10- to 15-minute AW139s. News 1,377 1,443 1,478 4,298 flight. One-way flights are expected to be » D.C. Metro Police—two Airbus AS350s. approximately $175 per person, though » Prince George’s County (Maryland) Total 31,404 27,594 28,847 87,845 Blade plans to offer commuter passes that Police—four MD520Ns. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION !FAA"#REPORTED FLIGHTS CONDUCTED IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA BY OPERATOR MISSION, 2017#2019 would reduce the per-seat cost to $95.

32 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com Additionally, FAA recognizes that SPRS are DOT IG slams FAA ‘doors off’ carry-on devices; as a result, the FAA does not certify them. In this regard, SPRS are not subject to the high aviation load factors the helo ops oversight | by Mark Huber FAA applies when evaluating and approv- ing seats and seatbelts. This distinction is The U.S. Department of Transpor- already exist and are in use in other FAA appropriate, as SPRS are designed to keep

tation’s Office of Inspector General evaluation scenarios and in many occupa- an individual inside the helicopter, while TUCKAMORE AVIATION (IG) criticized the FAA’s supervi- tions. The FAA considers these existing stan- approved seats and seatbelts are designed Doors-off helicopter tours are enormously

sion of “doors-off” helitour oper- dards whenrobinson-r66-options-ad-aviation-international-news.pdf reviewing submission packages. 1 1/12/2021for emergency 9:27:36 AM landing conditions.” n popular, but raise safety issues. ators in an audit report requested by New York’s two U.S. senators in 2019 following the March 2018 fatal crash of a FlyNYON doors-off tour. In that accident, all five pas- sengers remained strapped in and drowned after the Airbus AS350B2, operated for FlyNYON by Liberty Helicopters, successfully autoro- tated into the East River, but then rolled inverted after its emer- gency pop-out floats failed to fully deploy. Physical and electronic accident evidence showed that the passengers were unable to extri- cate themselves from the commer- cial, off-the-shelf supplemental restraints they were wearing. The NTSB discovered that the FAA had not evaluated these pas- senger harnesses and the FAA later placed new restrictions for the restraints on doors-off flights that included requirements that opera- tors obtain an FAA letter of autho- SAS/AUTOPILOT rization (LOA) for the restraint systems used and that those restraints “can be quickly released GARMIN AVIONICS by a passenger with minimal diffiC -

culty and without impeding egressM from the aircraft in an emergency.” AUXFUELTANK Y While the IG noted that the FAA has made some progress onCM the issue via the LOA requireMY - AIR CONDITIONING

ment, it concluded, “that authoCY - rization process is still- evolving CMY and important risk information HEATED SEATS has been overlooked.” K The IG recommended that the FAA issue a final rule on sup- Impact-resistant plemental passenger restraints; windshield require review of those restraints via standardized checklist to obtain an LOA; define aviation- CARGO HOOK specific certification load stan- dards for the restraints; revise LOA authorization procedures so pop-out floats applications have local inspection oversight; and provide inspector guidance with regard to the use of WIRE STRIKE KIT supplemental restraints by both Part 135 and 91 operators. In a formal response from FAA director of the Office of Audit and Evaluation Clayton Foushee, the agency said it agreed with the IG recommendations, but noted, “When developing its submission and evaluation processes for www.robinsonheli.com non-required SPRS [supplemental passenger restraint systems], the © 2021 Robinson Helicopter Company. Robinson and R66 are registered trademarks of Robinson Helicopter Company. FAA recognized that acceptable Equipment listed above is optional. and established minimum stan- dards for supplemental restraints

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 33 AVIONICS & technology Lower-cost connectivity options expanding News Update Satcom Direct Activates by James Wynbrandt 500th Global Xpress Satcom Direct has activated its 500th New satellite and air-to-ground (ATG) month), a premium version of the Gogo terminal for aerospace customers networks and coming improvements to Vision IFE service featuring unlimited Certus Comes to Town subscribing to Inmarsat’s Global Xpress first-generation connectivity systems are streaming of on-demand movies, TV pro- network through the Jet ConneX service. bringing lower cost, higher speed, and gramming, and news, and an upgraded 3D Iridium has launched the high-speed Cer- This places the company as the leading more compact Wi-Fi access to a growing moving map. tus service running on its Next satellite service provider of Inmarsat’s high-speed number of aircraft, now extending from In December Gogo sold its commer- network, an L-band low Earth orbit (LEO) airborne data service. Jet ConneX is executive airliners to smaller general avi- cial airline connectivity division to Intel- constellation of 66 satellites. The network supported by Satcom Direct’s router family, ation aircraft. Here are some of the major sat for $400 million and announced it provides pole-to-pole global connectivity which augments in-flight connectivity developments to look for in 2021. would henceforth focus on business at speeds up to (at introduction) 704 kilo- efficiency, delivers SD applications, and aviation. Some of the proceeds will fund bits per second (kbps), at a fraction of the supports cybersecurity management. the development of onboard connectiv- cost of legacy geostationary networks, Satcom Direct was the first business Air-to-Ground Networks ity systems “that can provide even more according to the Virginia-based satcom aviation communications provider to bandwidth and speed, at costs that meet company. Hardware and service plans provision its services and transmit data the needs of any owner/operator,” the from partner equipment manufacturers over Inmarsat’s first two Global Xpress Gogo Business Aviation Avance L3 spokesman said. and access providers debut this year. satellites and has been a reseller of Global Gogo Business Aviation rang in the New The Next constellation’s Certus 9810 Xpress since its service launch in 2015. Year on the heels of notching the 500th SmartSky Networks transceiver, the system’s core digital and installation of its Avance L3 ATG broad- SmartSky Networks is planning to launch radio frequency module, offers 10 times Honeywell’s Forge Added band Wi-Fi system, a lower-cost and its long-delayed, eagerly awaited high- the speed of classic Iridium service, able to GoDirect Router smaller footprint option to its Avance L5, speed ATG network “this summer,” a to interface with terminals that support A new software upgrade for Honeywell’s delivering about one-third the speed of corporate spokesman said, offering two streaming hi-def video and other band- GoDirect router adds Forge to the its flagship service, and sized for turbo- connectivity options: Flagship, a two- width-intensive applications. The lower router’s toolkit, available to customers props to midsize jet aircraft. Connected antenna system for larger business jets; weight and smaller antenna footprint subscribing to Honeywell services to the Gogo Biz 3G data network, Avance and LiTE, a one-antenna installation. needed for LEO systems reduce the drag such as flight planning and datalink. L3 provides access to email, texting, inter- Both offer the same “office-grade” inter- and power requirements of legacy geosta- Flight deck enhancements that Forge net browsing, and voice calls. net, operate on the same network, and tionary network installations. Moreover, provides include flight optimization share the same basic components. at some 40 times closer to earth, LEO and management and operational and Compared to current ATG and satcom constellations have lower latency and are predictive maintenance analytics. Forge broadband speed, consumers need to use more resistant to terrestrial weather con- also works seamlessly with any Ka-band a new metric, the spokesman said: “One ditions than geostationary satellites. satcom network, giving customers greater second of a peak speed doesn’t translate choice in access service providers. to a good onboard experience. If you need Collins’s Certus Solution “Everybody is applying filtering and to measure a speed, we’d suggest using Collins Aerospace expects mid-2022 cer- traffic shaping” in an effort to reduce gigabytes per hour and not a legacy mega- tification for its Certus IRT NX system, connectivity charges, said John Peterson, bytes per second figure.” with the approval process to be overseen Honeywell’s director of customer In addition to providing inflight video by Boeing, which will install the L-band and product support, “saving some conferencing, access to VPNs, and large system on its 737 Max and 777X transports. operators more than $200,000 per year file transfers in the cabin, SmartSky’s STC development will follow certification by applying the tools” in the process. high-speed downlink—a major differ- and will be available for a wide range of A new antenna and other components entiator from other ATG networks, business as well as commercial aircraft. are some 70 percent smaller than first- according to the company—has the The service will initially offer 704 kbps generation JetWave hardware, suitable capacity to stream aircraft operational peak speed, but should eventually reach 1 for airframes including the Falcon 2000 and cockpit data. Mbps, according to the company. Collins and Challenger 300- and 600-series jets. Avance L3 Flagship will be available first is developing its own Active Low Gain A Forge-enabled GoDirect router costs ($90,000), with LiTE ($40,000) to fol- Antenna for the system, which will reduce about $10,000. Aircraft already equipped Three service levels are offered: Core low. Three business aviation service lev- the risk “for operators to adopt this new with JetWave systems will simply need to (email, voice, and light internet browsing els are available: BA5 (5 GB, $2,995 per technology,” said Mark Fisher, senior upgrade their software to enjoy Forge. on up to five devices); Plus (full internet month); BA20 (20 GB, $4,995 per month); manager for product management. connectivity in addition to email on up to and BA50 (50 GB, $6,995 per month). No An antenna for a 176 kbps system for Eagle Cap Software Assets seven devices); and Max (Plus-level ser- speed or performance restrictions sep- smaller aircraft (e.g. light jets and heli- Sold to eTT Aviation vice on up to 25 devices). Service plans arate the plans, and overage fees for all copters) or those that don’t need full In December, eTT Aviation announced can be changed literally “on the fly” en three are $1,495 per 5 GB. broadband capability is also under devel- that it purchased the aviation software route, without any onboard reconfigura- At the debut, the service will cover opment and will debut next year. assets of Eagle Cap Software, which tion, to accommodate passengers’ and continental U.S. territory hosting 90 per- Hardware and service specs, costs, and developed various products serving all operators’ variable needs, a spokesman cent of all business aviation flight hours, product name have yet to be decided. segments of aviation. After the acquisition, for the Colorado-based company said. with remaining coverage gaps to be filled eTT Aviation took on development and Avance L3 hardware costs about by year-end. Honeywell Aspire marketing of Eagle Cap’s flight planning $40,000. Hourly, monthly, and annual The North Carolina company’s Honeywell offers a variety of Aspire Irid- and aviation charting products. data service plans include unlimited onboard hardware manufacturer partners ium satcom solutions targeting light to The acquisition included Eagle Cap’s access for $99 per hour; pay-as-you-go are Satcom Direct, Honeywell, and Avion- midsize business aircraft, including the Flight Planning & Dispatch Management monthly plans from $6.95 per MB to ica, but the SmartSky network is router Aspire 100, 150, 200, 300, and 350. Aspire System, Aviation Charting Service, Data 250 MB ($1,195); and annual plans from agnostic and can work with any properly 100 comprises a 2 MCU form factor that Delivery Service, and Aero Charting 500 MB/year ($2,495) to 5,000 MB/year configured third-party hardware. Installa- can fit in many aircraft types, and one or moving-map electronic flight bag ($12,995). Complementary Text & Talk tion costs “will be very competitive with two voice and circuit data channels are products. Plans call for eTT Aviation “to plans are also available, facilitating the comparable connectivity services,” the available. Aspire 150 and 350 are Iridium quickly integrate the flight planning use of passengers’ own mobile devices. spokesman said, and several STCs are Certus systems that will be able to take and dispatch management software The recent Avance 4.2 software update available, with “many more” planned and advantage of the higher speeds offered by into the SkedFlex suite,” which serves enables Gogo Vision 360 ($849 per in the works. Iridium’s Next satellite constellation. airline customers, the company said.”

34 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com of what other networks offer for similar AeroWave offers up to 200 kbps of service) lists for $9,750 (uninstalled); bandwidth and capabilities,” she said. bandwidth worldwide. Purchase and and Airtext+ ($16,975) adds phone service Hardware and service plan pricing installation prices start at about $24,500. ($1.25 per minute). The portable Airtex- remain to be decided; service costs will Data plans include hourly (about $40 tLT ($4,950) allows texting alone; and the be based on data volume, length of con- per hour); monthly (about $400); and AirtextLT+ ($6,450) provides texting and tract, and number of aircraft equipped. 50-hour blocks (about $2,000). email capability. Installation STCs remain to be devel- The portable units—about the size of a oped, but Skytrac said it can support the BizjetMobile CrewX cell phone—are powered via an aircraft’s Honeywell GoDirect Router approvals process. Launch customers Last September BizjetMobile launched 12-volt power and connect to a non-fixed for both fixed-wing and rotor markets CrewX, a small, lightweight router with a external antenna, eliminating installation Honeywell has added Forge software to have signed on. three-inch patch antenna, offering unlim- costs and making the rigs easy to move its airborne router’s toolkit, for customers For current customers, upgrading from ited global text messaging and email via from aircraft to aircraft. The systems pro- subscribing to Honeywell services such as a predecessor ISAT-200A unit in the Iridium’s satellite network. Compatible vide service in the air and on the ground. flight planning and datalink. Flight deck field to the new ISAT-200A-08 terminal with both iOS and Android devices, users All four units offer the same service plan: enhancements Forge provides include will enable applications including image connect to the portable system via Blue- $300 per year for Iridium and an Airtext flight optimization and management; and transfer and VoIP. tooth. CrewX is priced at $2,490, and the network connection, which includes the operational and predictive maintenance service plan is $199 per month. first 500 text messages, with additional analytics, all enabled by high-speed con- The Boca Raton, Florida-based com- messages 5 cents each. Text messages are nectivity available on the Certus network. pany’s flagship Chiimp Smart system, limited to 140 characters but can be strung introduced in 2016, brought Bluetooth together for longer communiques. n Skytrac Launches Certus technology to inflight connectivity solu- Skytrac is on course to be first to the Cer- tions. Chiimp Next, which debuted in tus market with its SDL-350 (broadband) 2019, delivers unlimited in-flight email, and ISAT-200A-08 (mid-band) satcom SMS texting, and WhatsApp messaging terminals, coming in the third and second via the Iridium for an installed hardware Aerion picks quarter respectively. The ISAT-200A-08 price of $9,900, and $299 per month ser- builds on Skytrac’s previous flagship nar- vice fee. Universal rowband terminal, with speeds of 176 Kbps in the launch model. The follow-on SDL- Garmin GSR 56 ClearVision EFVS 350 offers globally available broadband For light aircraft equipped with its digi- connectivity at up to 704 kbps, enough to tal flight decks (from GTN-series touch- for AS2 support video conferencing, email, and Skytrac ISAT-200A screen GPS/Navigators and up), Garmin Supersonic business jet developer high-speed internet access. A low-gain International offers global voice, text, and Aerion has chosen Universal Avionics antenna and other required components Skytrac’s legacy Iridium Push-to-Talk data services through its GSR 56 Iridium to supply the head-wearable Clear- will be included in the SDL-350 shipset. service remains available. Push-to-Talk Datalink and Connext services. Vision enhanced flight vision system links air and ground teams across wide The voice service is channeled into the (EFVS) for the AS2 supersonic busi- geographic regions, and basic two-way aircraft’s audio/intercom system, and the ness jet’s flight deck. ClearVision’s calling and messaging capability can be headset becomes a handset, no longer head-up display imagery is delivered added. Multiple hardware, voice, and data limiting air-to-ground conversations to on the SkyLens head-wearable dis- packages are available. brief chats with en route ATC personnel. play, which o!ers an unlimited field While a passenger in the back could have of regard, meaning the pilot can a call initiated on the flight deck and talk view imagery such as flight symbol- Simpler Solutions on the phone via headset, the product is ogy, infrared and visual camera views, aimed more at pilots and offers global sat- and synthetic vision system graphics ellite weather and position reporting. That while looking in any direction. Bendix King AeroWave said, insertion of Garmin’s Flight Stream An added feature that ClearVision Bendix-King’s AeroWave 100 provides 510 SD card enables Bluetooth and Wi-Fi o!ers is a combined vision system, global voice, text, email, web browsing, connectivity between the GSR 56 and iOS where synthetic vision system graph- and graphical and text weather services and Android mobile devices—whether for ics and enhanced vision system for all onboard via the Inmarsat satellite EFB apps or back seaters who want to call imagery from Universal’s EVS-5000 constellation, with installations approved or send texts. Meanwhile, Flight Stream camera are overlaid to give the pilot for dozens of models of high-perfor- 510’s capabilities allow flight crews to load a comprehensive view of the outside Skytrac SDL-350 mance piston, turboprop, and light tur- flight plans and other data into the flight world. This will eventually include bine aircraft. deck from mobile devices. tra"c displayed on the SkyLens view. In addition to meeting passengers’ con- The GSR 56 Datalink is $9,995 when ClearVision is the first head-wearable nectivity needs, the SDL-350 can support bundled with all-inclusive rate plans, display certified for commercial avia- data-driven proactive maintenance solu- which include packages for aircraft log- tion, and it is approved and flying in tions and deliver graphical weather data ging 150 hours (about $80 per month); Europe on the ATR 42/72. streaming in the flight deck. 400 hours (about $175 per month); or 800 “This industry-leading technology Though far from the blazing megabit hours (about $250 per month) annually. will o!er pilots of the AS2 unparalleled per second speeds of Ka-band satcom, Flight Stream 510 list price is $1,495. vision and enhanced situational aware- L-band technologies “offer a gateway ness capabilities,” said Steve Berroth, for business aviation operators to access Send Solutions Airtext Aerion COO and executive v-p of aircraft. reliable and robust capabilities…at a Airtext from Georgia-based Send Solu- “By using the SkyLens as a wear- lower overall cost to competitor satcom tions offers global text, email, and voice able head-up display, the ClearVision systems and services,” a Skytrac spokes- service for up to 16 people onboard via EFVS brings unprecedented capabili- woman told AIN. the Iridium satellite network. After down- ties to the airplane and demonstrates With its newest offerings, the Canadian loading the free Airtext app, users connect a compelling roadmap to the future, company, already a value-added reseller mobile devices to the system via Blue- on top of the proven operational and service provider, becomes an Iridium tooth. Four Airtext units are available: two landing credit and all-weather oper- manufacturing partner as well, giving Sky- installed (each handling up to 16 devices); ation,” added Universal Avionics CEO trac the margins to offer bundled hard- and two portable (up to 6 devices). The Dror Yahav. M.T. ware and service packages “at a fraction Bendix-King’s AeroWave 100 basic Airtext installation (no voice

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 35 AIR transport

from the final version of the 737 Max Flight News Update Boeing to pay $2.5 billion in Standardization Board Report published in July 2017. In turn, airplane manuals and Atlas Buys Four New 747-8Fs pilot training materials for U.S.-based air- In a major boost to its flagging 747 penalties for Max missteps lines lacked information about the MCAS. program, Boeing received a new order While acknowledging the misconduct for four 747-8 freighters from Atlas by Gregory Polek of the two former technical pilots, Boe- Air last month. Boeing, which plans to ing noted that the agreement recognizes deliver the airplanes from May through Boeing has agreed with the U.S. Depart- Boeing admitted in court documents that other Boeing employees did inform October 2022, expects them to account ment of Justice to pay more than $2.5 filed in the Northern District of Texas other officials and organizations within for the last four 747-8Fs it produces. billion in penalties to resolve a criminal that two of its 737 Max flight technical the FAA about the MCAS’s expanded Atlas said the aircraft will allow it to meet charge of conspiracy to defraud the Fed- pilots deceived the FAA AEG about the air- operating range. strong customer demand, particularly in eral Aviation Administration’s Aircraft plane’s maneuvering characteristics aug- “The misleading statements, half- the e-commerce and express sectors. Evaluation Group (FAA AEG) in connec- mentation system (MCAS), a malfunction truths, and omissions communicated by While noting that its business model tion with its assessment of the 737 Max. of which investigators found led to both Boeing employees to the FAA impeded allows it to either fly the airplanes itself Under the terms of a deferred prosecu- the crashes. According to the DOJ, in and the government’s ability to ensure the or lease them through its Titan Aviation tion agreement, the penalties consist of around November 2016, Boeing’s then-737 safety of the flying public,” said U.S. Leasing subsidiary, Atlas did not specify a criminal monetary penalty of $243.6 Max chief technical pilot and another pilot Attorney Erin Nealy Cox for the North- its plans for these particular machines. million, compensation payments to who would later assume that role discov- ern District of Texas. “This case sends The company added that the new 747- Boeing’s 737 Max airline customers of ered information about an expansion of a clear message: the Department of Jus- 8F order will also provide the flexibility $1.77 billion, and the establishment of a the MCAS’s operating range. Rather than tice will hold manufacturers like Boeing to balance future capacity needs with $500 million crash-victim beneficiaries sharing information about the change accountable for defrauding regulators— customer demand, as a number of its fund to compensate the heirs, relatives, with the FAA AEG, Boeing—through the especially in industries where the stakes legacy 747-400F aircraft leases come up and legal beneficiaries of the 346 pas- technical pilots—concealed the informa- are this high.” for renewal over the next several years. sengers who died in the crashes of Lion tion and deceived the FAA AEG about As part of the agreement with the DOJ, Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines MCAS, said the DOJ. As a result, the FAA Boeing has agreed to cooperate with the Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Flight 302. AEG deleted all information about MCAS department’s fraud section on future Launches Service investigations and prosecutions and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launched its inaugural report any evidence or allegation of a vio- service to Athens on January 15, a little lation of U.S. fraud laws committed by its more than one year after Budapest-based employees. The company has also agreed Wizz Air and the Abu Dhabi Developmental to strengthen its compliance program and Holding Company (ADQ) announced they to meet with the fraud section at least would jointly establish a discount carrier quarterly and to submit yearly reports on in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. the status of its remediation efforts and The Airbus A320-family operator said it compliance program testing results. would also start flights between Abu Dhabi In return, the department agreed to and Thessaloniki, Greece, on February 4. defer prosecution and drop the charges Greece appears on Abu Dhabi’s list against Boeing after three years, provided of so-called “green” countries to which

BARRY AMBROSE BARRY the company abides by the agreement and it allows travel due to their relatively Boeing 737 Max jets sit in storage in Moses Lake, Washington, in October 2019. pays all penalties. n favorable epidemiological situations, specifically related to Covid-19. Wizz Air initially announced a route network including Alexandria, Egypt; among carriers that have not managed to Kutaisi, Georgia; Larnaca, Cyprus; Odesa, IATA sees ‘bleak’ prospects preserve significant levels of cash. Ukraine; and Yerevan, Armenia. The airline “The next six months, before we see now says it will launch flights to those vaccines making a significant difference destinations as each joins the green for air transport in 2021 to travel, are going to be really difficult,” countries list, followed by further cities said Pearce. as the airline adds to its three-strong The International Air Transport Associa- the UK, Germany, and Japan among coun- Facing a slowing recovery of passenger A321neo fleet over the coming months. tion’s persistent calls for a Covid-19 testing tries that added testing to Covid-19 mea- demand resulting from surging Covid regime to replace quarantine requirements sures while maintaining quarantines. cases and related travel restrictions Amazon Makes First Direct have gone unanswered by governments, “In other words, they have chosen pol- since the Northern Hemisphere’s sum- Aircraft Purchases prompting IATA director general Alexan- icy measures that will shut down travel,” mer travel season reached a full stop in Amazon has bought seven Boeing 767- dre de Juniac to characterize near-term added de Juniac. “This approach tells us November, airlines saw almost identical 300s from Delta Air Lines and four from prospects as “bleak” and IATA chief econ- that these governments are not interested revenue passenger kilometer declines Canada’s WestJet as it moves to expand omist Brian Pearce to expect more airline in managing a balanced approach to the from a month earlier, reported IATA its air transport network to meet surging bankruptcies during the first half of the risk of Covid-19. January 7. Falling 70.3 percent from the demand during the Covid-19 crisis and year. Speaking during the latest of IATA’s “Science tells us that travelers will not same month a year earlier, November beyond, the company said Tuesday. The series of conference calls on the effects of be a significant factor in the community 2020 RPKs went virtually unchanged from deals mark the online retailer’s first direct the pandemic on airlines, de Juniac reiter- transmission if testing is used effectively, the 70.6 percent year-over-year decline aircraft purchases. The four WestJet ated calls to governments for a more bal- but most governments have tunnel recorded in October. November capacity aircraft, now undergoing passenger- anced approach to reopening borders and vision,” he concluded. fell 58.6 percent below the previous year’s to-cargo conversion, will join Amazon’s to give up what he portrayed as aspirations Pearce called the near $120 billion loss levels and load factor fell 23 points to 58 network this year and the Delta jets for a “zero Covid world.” airlines suffered during 2020 as “cata- percent—a record low for the month. will begin flying freight for the online “That’s an impossible task, which comes strophic” if not for the $197 billion in Covid “The already tepid recovery in air retailer in 2022, the company added. with severe consequences, the full extent of relief to which governments committed travel demand came to a full stop in All will fly for third-party carriers. which it would be impossible to calculate,” during the period. While recounting that November,” remarked de Juniac in a Last year Amazon launched its first- said de Juniac. “But with this approach, we airlines that either failed or restructured statement. “That’s because govern- ever air hub at Leipzig/Halle Airport know for sure that first, the travel and tour- during the crisis numbered a relatively low ments responded to new outbreaks with in Germany and new regional air ism economy will not recover.” “40 or 50,” he warned of a far worse scenario even more severe travel restrictions and operations at 11 other airports, including De Juniac specifically named Canada, during the first half of the year, particularly quarantine measures.” G.P. New York JFK and Chicago O’Hare.

36 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com Rolls-Royce considers need to ‘re-phase’ UltraFan by Gregory Polek

Rolls-Royce expects to continue testing first demonstrator engine scheduled for UltraFan engines into at least 2023 as it testing by the end of the year. Ground commits to the market availability of a testing on its new purpose-built testbed, new product by the turn of the decade, now nearing completion at its plant in the company told AIN Monday after the Derby, UK, will take place over “a num- Financial Times published quotes from ber of months through 2022,” followed by CEO Warren East indicating it would testing on “multiple” engines. shelve post-testing development until Targeting a 25 percent reduction in the launch of a new airframe model. The emissions compared with the first gen- company also said that it will continue eration of Trent turbofans, the UltraFan to look to secure partnerships for the technology program could address appli- development of new gas turbine tech- cations ranging from 25,000 to 100,000 nologies as funded by Clean Sky and pounds of thrust, making it suitable for other initiatives. narrowbody and widebody airplanes. “We have always said that the eventual However, the Covid-19 crisis has already timing of UltraFan’s entry into service forced severe production cuts across a will be dependent on aircraft manu- range of seating capacities, and all signs facturers’ requirements,” the company point to a particularly dim outlook for said in a statement. “We remain com- the widebody segment as analysts with mitted to having a product available to the International Air Transport Associa- Rolls-Royce engineers in Derby, UK, prepare to test the UltraFan’s composite fan system. the market at the turn of the decade, tion project a particularly slow recovery but in the post-testing phase, we will of long-haul travel. competition in early 2019 after citing it had covered for many years with the continue to monitor customer require- As Airbus, for one, signals an interest timetable pressures. At the time, Boeing 757. In any case, such a medium-capac- ments going forward, particularly given in harnessing hydrogen power for its had targeted a 2020 launch as it eyed ity airplane appears unlikely to reach the the impact of Covid-19. If this requires next generation of narrowbody airplanes, a 2025 entry into service, leaving the market until late in the decade, leaving us to re-phase the program then we potential applications for a small Ultra- still-nascent UltraFan unviable. Rolls-Royce and the other engine OEMs would do so.” Fan appear less promising. At one time Now, the short lead time the NMA ample time to react. Rolls-Royce has now entered what it considered a contender for the since- would have left Rolls has become irrel- “At the end of testing we will have a calls an “intensive” phase of develop- scrapped Boeing middle-of-the-market evant, as Boeing considers still another commanding position to address future ment, as it manufactures parts for the NMA, Rolls-Royce withdrew from that alternative to the segment of the market aircraft programs,” insisted Rolls. n

PTDI expects the N219 to prove use- ful in serving far-flung destinations in the country’s vast archipelago, reaching isolated areas with short dirt runways. According to PTDI’s specifications, the N219 carries a maximum takeoff weight of 15,500 pounds and can take off on runways as short as 1,493 feet with maxi- mum load. Powered by two 850-shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42 turboprops, the unpressurized airplane flies to a maxi- The N219 mum range of 828 nm. The flight deck has received is equipped with Garmin’s G1000 inte- Indonesian type grated avionics suite. certification. Uses include passenger and cargo services, troop transport, military sur- veillance, search and rescue, as well as medevac operations in remote regions the IPTN N250 program, advancement with short, rugged airstrips. Priced at N219 turboprop gains of which fizzled after several hundred between $5.8 million and $6 million, the hours of flight testing under the weight N219 sells for a slightly lower price than of the Asian financial meltdown in the its main competitor, the Viking DHC-6 Indonesian certification late 1990s. Indonesia produces the NC212 Twin Otter. Aviocar and CN-235 under license from PTDI added that it expects an amphibi- Indonesia’s 19-seat N219 regional tur- completed 275 flight hours during 250 Spain’s CASA. ous version, now in its preliminary design boprop, developed by PTDI and the cycles, while the second prototype, PTDI now expects to start assembly state, to gain certification in 2024. National Institute of Aeronautics and clocked 176 hours during 143 flights since of the airplanes at a rate of four per year. The company has secured two launch Space (LAPAN), has secured a type cer- its first flight in March 2019, the agency The company added it will upgrade its customers—the government of Aceh in tificate from the country’s Directorate reported in a statement. production facilities with more modern North Sumatra and the government of General of Civil Aviation, according to The N219’s certification marks Indo- equipment and systems with the inten- Papua in Indonesia’s easternmost prov- LAPAN. The model’s first prototype, nesia’s return to indigenous aircraft tion of increasing production capacity as ince—and claims to have amassed letters which flew for the first time in 2017, manufacturing following the collapse of the need arises. of intent covering at least 120 aircraft. G.P.

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 37 TOUCHING bases FBO and Airport news by Curt Epstein

MWO’s 6,100-foot runway, includes a northern side, part of a larger aviation pilot lounge and snooze room, as well as development project underway, which showers. While the FBO does not have is expected to be completed in the any hangars of its own, the airport owns second quarter of 2021.That facility will a 30,000-sq-ft hangar with 30-foot high feature a 5,000-sq-ft terminal with pilot doors for community aircraft storage. and passenger lounges, snooze rooms, showers, kitchen, flight planning area, and conference room, rampside vehicle New Hangar Complex, 2nd FBO access, and an additional 11,000-sq-ft on Tap for Colorado Airport hangar with the potential for another A new private hangar complex will rise 50,000 sq ft of hangar space, as needed. at Northern Colorado Regional Airport after Water Valley Land Co. and the Business Aviation Group (BAG) broke Avflight Breaks Ground on ground on the first phase of what is New Michigan Hangars The former Exec Air Montana is now the fourth location in the Leading Edge Jet Center chain. planned as Discovery Air, an eventual Avflight has broken ground on a new 29.5-acre development at the Fort Col- expansion to its FBO at the Detroit- Leading Edge Jet Center Start Aviation’s lease to expire without lins gateway. Construction is slated to area Willow Run Airport (YIP). The Buys Montana FBO renewal. According to interim airport be completed by year-end on the first company had leased space in a mas- Oregon-based Leading Edge Jet Center manager Matt Eisenbraun, who also structure, an energy-efficient 30,000- sive WWII-vintage hangar, which (LEJC) has expanded its footprint to serves as the city of Middletown’s assis- sq-ft heated hangar with 28-foot-high the airport has decided to close. As the central U.S. with the acquisition of tant economic development director, it doors, along with more than 8,000 sq a result, Avflight’s new complex will Exec Air Montana (EAM), an aviation had received customer complaints stat- ft of customizable tenant office space. include a pair of 15,000-sq-ft heated services provider at Helena Regional ing that Start’s line service workers were According to BAG co-founder David hangars that will be able to accommo- Airport. In addition to operating too involved serving its skydiving busi- Vaughn, the building is already 65 date the latest big business jets, more the lone FBO on the field, EAM also ness instead of tending to general avia- percent pre-leased. A second phase will than 7,000 sq ft of office space, and provides aircraft charter, management, tion customers. As a result, the airport add another 148,000 sq ft of hangar and a 14-space indoor parking garage. and Part 145 maintenance services, said it is looking to attract another, more office space, as well as a new 24,000- The project is scheduled for comple- as well as medical airlift through its customer service-oriented provider. “We sq-ft FBO terminal. Vaughn told AIN tion by the end of the third quarter of Montana Medical Transport division. expect to publish a request for proposals that the start of the second phase will next year and will allow for a seamless The FBO features a 6,000-sq-ft by no later than March 1, 2021, with an be based on demand, but the com- transition for the FBO’s dozen based air- terminal with a passenger lobby, pilot award by May 1 and contract services to pany has already secured permission craft, which will relocate to the new han- lounge with snooze room, conference commence June 1, 2021,” city manager room, concierge, and on-site car rental Jim Palenick told AIN. “We hope to (crew cars are also offered). U.S. Cus- enter into a five-year contract, with pos- toms is available on the field. The sible opportunity for renewal thereafter.” facility also has more than 70,000 sq Start Aviation, in the meantime, has ft of hangar space that can accommo- filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court date aircraft up to a super-midsize for the Southern District Of Ohio, West- business jet. LEJC operates facilities ern Division, against the city, Eisenbraun, at Redmond Roberts Field and Bend and former airport manager Daniel Municipal Airports in Oregon, and Dickten, arguing among other issues, last fall moved into the Seattle area that the city failed to live up to its initial with the purchase of Kenmore Aero lease agreement with the company in Services, an FBO at King County- providing the specified hangar and office Boeing Field International Airport. space for its skydiving business. Accord- ing to the filing, after Start took over the operation of the FBO, it instead leased A rendering of the planned expansion of Avflight’s new FBO at Arizona’s Falcon Field. Sparks Fly Over Ohio the second floor of the FBO terminal Airport’s Lone FBO to house its skydiving operation, from to establish the FBO, which would gars at that time. AvFlight has enough Ohio’s Middletown Regional Airport/ which the city is now trying to remove be the second one on the field. The land to build another 30,000 sq ft of Hook Field (MWO) has issued a six- it. The company also disputed Eisen- companies expect to select a service hangars if and when required, it added. month lease for the operation of its lone braun’s claims regarding Start’s workers provider to operate it by April. “We’re always looking for opportu- FBO to Safe Skies, an aviation business being too distracted, saying they were nities to invest in the industry and the located on the airport. The airport had part of a wider plan to oust Start from communities in which we operate,” said been operating the FBO since Janu- the airport entirely. The FBO terminal, Avflight Acquires Arizona FBO AvFlight v-p of finance Garrett Hain. ary after it allowed former operator centrally located on the south side of Avflight has expanded its FBO chain with “This new complex at [YIP] will allow the addition of Falcon Executive Aviation, the Avflight team to better accommo- the lone full-service provider at Mesa, date a growing customer base of cor- Arizona’s Falcon Field Airport. While porate jet traffic looking for an ideal Falcon Executive Aviation will retain its location centralized in southeast Mich- maintenance, charter, and flight school igan between Ann Arbor and Detroit.” operations, Avflight will take over the facility, which includes the 2,000-sq-ft terminal, a 15,000-sq-ft hangar and office Missouri FBO Alpha building, a recently-built 12,000-sq-ft Air Calls it Quits hangar, and a fuel farm that just completed Missouri’s Joplin Regional Airport has a new storage tank replacement project. been reduced to a single FBO with the The location, branded by sister com- shuttering of Alpha Air Center, which pany Avfuel, offers 24-hour fueling, as had been in operation for nearly a well as Avtrip rewards. Situated on the decade. Alpha Air occupied 6,000 sq southern side of the field, the FBO will ft of the airport’s 20,000-sq-ft general Ohio’s Middletown Regional is looking to award a new longer-term lease for its sole FBO. expand to a separate facility on the aviation terminal (GAT). The GAT

38 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com facility includes a passenger lobby, pilot million hangar, which can accommodate lounge with snooze room, kitchen, the latest in-service and under -devel- FBO PROFILE: Ross Aviation TRM conference room, and coffee bar. opment ultra-long-range business jets Alpha will continue to operate its such as the Bombardier Global 7500 and 12,000- and 6,000-sq-ft hangars, which the Gulfstream G700, brings the facility are not part of the FBO leasehold. Alpha’s up to 55,000 sq ft of hangar space. Part 145 aircraft maintenance operation “Our new hangar at the Ocala Inter- closed as well, while the status of its national Airport fully complements the flight school was undetermined at press FBO terminal we inaugurated earlier time, as AIN’s attempts to reach com- this year,” said company COO Todd pany ownership were unsuccessful. Anderson. “We are thrilled to provide According to airport manager Steve our clients with a world-class facility Stockham, the company still had approx- that is supported by our award-winning imately three years left on its FBO lease FBO service and ability to accommo- and the airport now plans to issue a date the latest generation of aircraft.” request for proposal for the property Sheltair added the company continues within the next two months. The clo- its efforts to protect the health of its Ross Aviation is one of two full-service providers at Calfornia’s Jacqueline Cochran sure means Mizzou Aviation will handle customers and employees, monitoring Regional Airport in Thermal, near Palm Springs. all general aviation traffic and airline all CDC and local authority guidelines. fueling on the field, which in a typical The Ocala location earned its NATA year sees 25,000 to 30,000 operations. Safety 1st Clean certification in August. Amid Covid crunch, Cali FBO optimistic Atlantic Expands Colorado FBO Lynx FBO Expands in Atlantic Aviation has added a new Northeast U.S. One of the impacts of the Covid pandemic managers of Ross Aviation to do is they 30,000-sq-ft heated hangar to its FBO at Lynx FBO has increased its network has been the widespread cancellation of allow us to run our shows, which is really Colorado’s Montrose Regional Airport with the acquisition of Northstar events that would normally attract large important,” said Goulet. (MTJ), where it is the lone service Aviation, the lone service provider numbers of attendees. For an FBO in a lei- Between its two TRM locations, the provider. The move more than doubles at Providence, Rhode Island’s Theo- sure/vacation area that typically hosts many Avfuel- branded FBO, which has a sta! of 24, the location’s existing hangar space. dore Francis Green State Airport. The such spectator events, like Ross Aviation at now occupies a 40-acre leasehold, including “With customers spending more acquisition gives Lynx its ninth FBO the Palm Springs, California-area Jacqueline 14 acres of heavy ramp. Ross Aviation has time in the Rockies, and the size of location in the U.S., and its second in Cochrane Regional Airport (TRM), there was more than 120,000 sq ft of hangar space business aircraft increasing, the addi- the Northeast along with Morristown, a definite economic hit. able to fit the largest business jets and is tional hangar space enhances our N.J. The facility has a recently remodeled Last month, the Desert International home to 24 turbine-powered aircraft ranging ability to service the growing needs 10,000-sq-ft terminal that offers a pilot Horse Show, an outdoor event that takes from a Global 5000 to several PC-12s. of the general aviation community lounge, snooze room, showers, business place in an equestrian complex near the air- As part of the Signature purchase, Ross at MTJ,” said Jay Hamby, the chain’s center, three large conference rooms, port, opened as the first major event in the acquired a 25,000-sq-ft 1940’s vintage han- senior v-p for the mountain region. courtesy cars, and on-site car rental. area in 10 months. “Other than that, every- gar, dating back to the airport’s days as a “In addition to its existing amenities, “We are excited to further expand the thing else was canceled,” said Timothy Gou- military training base. Ross is now in discus- Atlantic Aviation MTJ now features a Lynx FBO Network in the Northeast let, general manager of Ross Aviation TRM. sions with a major charter operator to lease total of 57,000 sq ft of hangar space.” U.S., and Providence will greatly enhance Many large events were scheduled over that hangar as a Part 145 maintenance base The company is also in the pro- our East Coast presence,” said Lynx a span of six weeks starting in March, in the for its fleet of aircraft. cess of upgrading its fuel farm at the president and partner Chad Farischon. middle of the area’s peak tourism season. The main 3,600-sq-ft Ross terminal was airport, with the addition of 52,000 “We look forward to working with the “If you make your money between Novem- built in 2015 and features a pilot lounge, gallons of storage capacity to its current Rhode Island Airport Corporation, the ber and May 31st, that’s probably 30 per- 10-seat A/V-equipped conference room, amount of 56,000 gallons of fuel. local FBO team, and all stakeholders in cent of it,” Goulet told AIN, adding that while shower facilities, concierge, crew cars, continuing the great partnership North- the year wasn’t anywhere near where he onsite car rental, and a rampside patio. star Aviation has established over their wanted it to be, it still wasn’t horrible, with The former Signature facility to the south, Sheltair Adds Hangar in Ocala tenure of over 30 years at the airport.” private aviation activity rising steadily. “On which was temporarily closed during the Sheltair has completed construction Lynx’s growth is backed by private the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we had over pandemic lull, added another 8,000 sq ft of on a 20,000-sq-ft hangar at Florida’s equity firm The Sterling Group, which 80 movements, but for December of course o"ces and other amenities. Ocala International Airport. Earlier this said the Rhode Island capital FBO was California went back into another lockdown.” In addition, the FBO which is sta!ed year, the company established an FBO key in the company’s plans.“Provi- The company, one of the now two from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. in season and in the airport’s new general aviation dence is a strategic location for Lynx full-service FBOs on the field, was primed closes two hours earlier in the o!season, terminal and announced the ground- that has been a top priority target for a strong 2020, having just acquired now has two fuel farms. On the north side, breaking on the new structure, which for years,” said Sterling partner Greg and incorporated the rival Signature FBO it has 24,000 gallons of jet A and 12,000 is now fully operational. The new $2.1 Elliott. ironment.” n location. The two companies have had an gallons of avgas, while on the south there is entwined relationship at the airport. Ross a 10,000-gallon jet A tank and 5,000 gallons Aviation purchased the former Tradition of avgas. They are served by the company’s Aviation FBO in 2005, which was then NATA Safety 1st-trained line sta!, which acquired by Landmark Aviation when it operates a fleet of seven tankers, including purchased the Ross Aviation chain. In 2016, one 10,000- gallon commercial grade and when Signature acquired Landmark in a four 5,000-gallon jet A refuelers and two blockbuster deal, it was required to divest avgas trucks. six locations where it would have had a ser- “Hopefully this year once we get past the vice monopoly, including at TRM. Je! Ross, Covid and things settle down, we’re going backed by KSL Capital Partners, acquired to have a good year,” said Goulet, who is those six locations, which became the also the current vice president of the South- nucleus of a new, resurgent Ross Aviation ern California Aviation Association. “We’re that now operates 19 FBOs at 17 locations really investing heavily in this airport and across the U.S. “One thing that [company we believe in it. It’s a destination and it will leadership] in Denver has allowed the weather this storm in my opinion.” C.E. Lynx FBO purchased the former Northstar Aviation FBO at Rhode Island’s Green State Airport.

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 39 MRO/ hot section Maintenance news by Jerry Siebenmark

EASA Moves Ahead with Turbine Engine Specialists SMS for Repair Stations Increases Bizjet APU Support Following up on a notice of proposed Engine and APU MRO provider Tur- amendment (NPA) published for com- bine Engine Specialists (TES) has ment last year, the European Union acquired the 36-100 and 36-150 APU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued rental bank used on light and midsize an official regulatory opinion with its business jets from Honeywell and plan to adopt regulations requiring will begin support of those units on certain Part 145 repair stations to have January 18, the Fort Worth, Texas- safety management systems (SMS). based company announced. The APU The rules would apply to maintenance rental bank supports business jets organizations that maintain airlin- manufactured by a variety of OEMs. ers and turbine business aircraft. This deal complements parts dis- The final rules are slightly revised, tributor agreements on the Bombar- based on EASA’s consideration of dier Challenger 600/601 and Learjet some 2,650 comments submitted in 60 that TES’s parent company, Killick response to the NPA this summer. To ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia is planning a 100,000- to 150,000-sq-ft facility at Subang Aerospace Group, made last year. In limit the impact on small Part 145 Airport as its work on Dassault Falcon jets and aircraft from Bombardier and Gulfstream expands. addition to the rental bank, TES has facilities, the application of SMS received overhaul authorization from provisions would be commensurate ExecuJet MRO Services a new satellite base in Oklahoma City Honeywell on the RE220GX APU with the size of the organization and Plans Malaysian Expansion and plans to offer maintenance ser- for Bombardier’s Global Express. the complexity of the operations. vices to owners and operators outside Some respondents, mainly from ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia is the charter and managed aircraft it the U.S. (where repair station SMS is laying plans for a 100,000- to 150,000- operates. Company president Chris West Star, Collins Team Up for currently applicable only on a voluntary sq-ft facility at Subang Airport in Kuala Deslongchamp told AIN the decision G450 Cabin, CMS Upgrade basis), would have liked to see SMS not Lumpur that will accommodate 10 to expand its maintenance operation West Star Aviation has introduced an mandatory and are concerned about its to 15 large-cabin, long-range business comes after 37 years of maintaining its A-level cabin upgrade bundle for the impact on bilateral agreements. The jets at the same time. The announce- charter and managed aircraft in-house. Gulfstream G450 that includes Collins agency expressed disappointment that ment comes after the Dassault Avia- Nearly all of the twinjets the Tulsa, Aerospace’s Venue cabin management “A significant number of comments did tion subsidiary reports that it is now Oklahoma-based company operates are system (CMS) and interior upgrade, not address the safety management certified to perform maintenance on Learjets and over the years its techni- the MRO provider announced. The principles although this was the very all in-production Falcon aircraft. cians have developed an expertise in bundle, in which Venue replaces the essence of this rulemaking project.” Certifying authorities of the Malaysia that type, with its current director of original ACMS and CMS-1 system, is Compliance would be required within facility include the FAA, EASA, Cayman maintenance serving on the Learjet being offered through a partnership one year after the date the final rule Islands Civil Aviation Authority, Ber- advisory council for maintenance. between the two companies at a is published. muda Civil Aviation Authority, Civil Omni’s managed fleet comprises 11 limited- time price of $800,000 for the Aviation Authority of the Philippines, aircraft, nine of which are available first quarter of 2021, which West Star Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, for charter and include the Learjet estimates is a savings of $200,000. Gulfstream Slides Timeline and the Civil Aviation Authority of 40, 45, 60, and 75, as well as a Beech- Offered at any one of West Star’s for Alliance Service Center Malaysia. “Falcon aircraft accounted craft King Air 350i. Those are the four full-service authorized Collins Gulfstream Aerospace will be focus- for less than 10 percent of ExecuJet’s models it will initially offer outside dealer locations—East Alton, Illinois; ing on the construction and opening Malaysian business in 2019, being an maintenance services for, Deslong- Grand Junction, Colorado; Chat- of a new service center at Fort Worth inception year, but by the end of 2020, champ said. But it will seek to add tanooga, Tennessee; and Perryville, Alliance Airport in Texas, as well as Falcon aircraft will account for 15-20 other types as the 50-employee com- Missouri—the installation time is preparing its maintenance teams for the percent and next year we anticipate pany expands its maintenance and estimated between eight and 12 weeks. entry into service of the G700, customer Falcon aircraft will account for at charter business, the latter of which support president Derek Zimmerman least a third,” said Ivan Lim, ExecuJet is also growing with its Oklahoma said on a December 10 webinar. MRO Services regional v-p for Asia. City base at Sundance Airport. Duncan Completes Groundbreaking on the $42 million, Significant maintenance checks on That base will be served by a Cessna Houston Hobby Move 163,000-sq-ft facility was originally the Falcon 900, 2000, 7X, and 8X have Citation XLS+ that will be added to MRO provider Duncan Aviation has expected to begin in the third quarter, been completed at the facility, includ- Omni’s managed fleet. Besides Tulsa completed the relocation of its satel- with an opening in 2021. Now, Zim- ing a 24-month maintenance check on and Oklahoma City, Omni oper- lite repair shop at Houston's Hobby merman believes it will be the first a Philippine-registered Falcon 900EX ates bases in Dallas and Houston, International Airport to a larger hangar quarter of 2021 before construction with ADS-B Out upgrade as well as a Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee. at Wilson Air Center on the south ramp. begins, followed by an early to mid- number of 24-month/1,600-flight-hour 2022 opening. The transition will inspections on Falcon 2000 series air- involve preparing about 135 mainte- craft. It also is an authorized service nance staff to move from its Dallas center for Bombardier and Gulfstream. Love Field site to Alliance. Gulfst- The Malaysian operation encom- ream plans to add another 50 jobs at passes 64,000 sq ft of hangar, workshop, Alliance while keeping between 30 and office space at Subang. As a tempo- and 35 employees at Love Field. rary measure, it expanded into a second, Also, the customer support orga- 32,000-sq-ft hangar because of the nization “will be working in the increased workload. Lim said the new background” to prepare for handing facility it is planning at a different site at over G700s to customers in 2022. Subang will help it serve the increasing “There’s a lot of preparation and number of Falcon and other aircraft. embedded teams that are behind the scenes right now getting ready for a new aircraft deployment so Omni Air Adds Charter Base, we’re ready to hit the ground running Expands Mx Operations when customers start taking deliv- Charter and aircraft management Duncan Aviation's satellite operation has moved to a new hangar at Wilson Air Center at eries of G700s,” Zimmerman said. firm Omni Air Transport has opened Houston Hobby Airport with three times the space as its previous location at HOU.

40 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com “This new hangar gives our team them in their most demanding mis- at the Houston satellite three times sions,” said Bernard Plaza, Safran the space and twice the hangar door Helicopter Engines China CEO. height as our previous space,” said Duncan satellite operations manager Matt Nelson. “This means we can bring New FlightData Feature customers’ aircraft inside the hangar, Enables Automatic Reporting and we can work on everything up to Aerocor’s FlightData product (for- a Gulfstream G650 in there now.” merly CirrusReports) has added At Houston, Duncan employs an automatic reporting feature to 19 staff whose capabilities include its cloud-based data analysis plat- avionics maintenance, repair, and form, allowing operators of light jets, retrofit, in addition to minor air- turboprops, and piston aircraft to frame maintenance and, with the share data with three third-party data assistance of its Rapid Response analysis providers. These include team, engine maintenance. CAMP Systems engine condition and (l-r) Cliff Barker, Duncan aviation's engineering flammability lab team leader, and technicians trend monitoring (ECTM); Boeing Naomi Haralson, Ryan Ball, and Travis Wilcox at the site of the planned new flammability lab. Distribution (formerly Aviall) for Charter Provider Jung Sky Eclipse 500s enrolled in Boeing Engine Opening Mx Department Duncan To Open New “We welcome the highly talented Intelligence (formerly ESP); and Croatian business aviation operator Flammability Test Lab employees of the Berlin Service Centre Savvy Aviation for aircraft enrolled Jung Sky is taking the first step to Duncan Aviation expects to open to the Bombardier service network,” in maintenance consulting services. establish an in-house maintenance a new flammability lab at its Battle said Bombardier v-p of OEM parts “Automatic reporting is a key department with the hiring of a former Creek, Michigan facility by the end of and services Chris Debergh. “We enhancement to FlightData,” said airline maintenance executive, Davor March. The MRO provider’s engineer- value their expertise and customer Aerocor co-founder and president Bujan. Bujan was previously technical ing and certification services division focus—as part of the Bombardier Gavin Woodman. “We know that it’s director of maintenance and CMO is not only being expanded in size but team, they will continue to provide a hassle for our customers to man- at flag carrier Croatian Airlines. in capabilities to include the NexGen best-in-class aircraft maintenance age multiple platforms for reporting “After all these years we’re still bur- or Sonic Burner test (also known as services to our valued operators aircraft data to program providers, dened with the necessity to outsource the FAR 25.853 (b) fireblocking test). of Bombardier business aircraft.” so we’ve automated the process.” aircraft maintenance, which inevitably According to the company, the expan- Located at Berlin Brandenburg Air- To participate in the fully integrated affects our flexibility, aircraft availabil- sion was necessary to accommodate the port, the service center has been offering data analysis process, from data cap- ity, and expenditures,” said Jung Sky new test equipment as well as provide MRO services to Bombardier aircraft ture to program reporting, aircraft COO Kresimir Vlasic. “When we decide adequate ventilation for employee safety. operators for 24 years. It has more must be equipped with the BlueMAX to add a third jet to our fleet, this will Once construction is complete, team than 160,000 sq ft of service capac- wireless data transfer device. Aerocor become an even bigger problem.” leader Cliff Barker and his technicians ity, employs 240 people, and supports acquired BlueMAX earlier this year from The next step will be to set up will migrate test equipment into the new Bombardier’s Learjet, Challenger, and Australian manufacturer Control-J. line maintenance operations fol- space, assemble it, and calibrate it to Global lines. The facility also holds the lowed by the first base maintenance ensure proper functionality. The team distinction as the first service center tasks. The 11-year-old charter pro- will relocate one test chamber at a time in Europe to perform maintenance on Jet Aviation Dubai Completes vider currently operates two Cessna so flammability testing can continue Bombardier’s flagship Global 7500. Milestone Mx Check Citation Model 525A CJ2 jets. without interruption during the move. Jet Aviation Dubai has completed “Currently, we have two vertical test the Middle East region’s first 4C units and a multi-use test unit for hori- Safran Signs China Utility To maintenance check on a Dassault Clay Lacy Completes First zontal, 45-degree, and wire testing,” said Engine Support Program Falcon 50, the General Dynamics sub- Global 6000 JetWave Install Barker. “After those have been installed Safran Helicopter Engines has signed sidiary recently announced. A mile- Clay Lacy Aviation recently completed and are fully functional, we’ll install the a Support-By-Hour (SBH) contract stone maintenance event that comes its first installation of a Honeywell new Sonic Burner test equipment and with State Grid General Aviation due 24 years after service entry, the JetWave Ka-band connectivity hardware begin conducting those tests as well.” Company of China (SGGAC), covering check requires removal and reinstal- system on a Bombardier Global 6000. Once the equipment is thor- its Airbus H215 and H225 fleets. The lation of an aircraft’s structures and An authorized Honeywell dealer, Clay oughly tested over a span of several contract also includes the renewal of systems for a detailed inspection. Lacy installed the system at its Part 145 weeks, Duncan’s organizational des- SBH support for 14 Arriel 2D engines In the case of the Falcon 50, Jet repair station in Van Nuys, California. ignation authorization (ODA) engi- powering the operator’s fleet of 13 Aviation technicians stripped the cabin The multi-component system neer structures-flammability unit H125 turbine-single helicopters within and removed its three engines. They connects to Inmarsat’s Global Xpress will submit an application to the its larger fleet of 33 rotorcraft. also replaced the landing gear as part Ka-band satcom network, which FAA seeking the authority to issue SGGAC is a wholly owned sub- of the inspection process. Addition- provides high-speed streaming inter- approvals on fireblock testing. sidiary of the world's largest utility ally, technicians upgraded the FMS, net connectivity for watching movies, company, State Grid Corporation installed ADS-B, and performed a sharing video on social media, and of China, and is responsible for the light refurbishment to the aircraft’s performing tasks such as videocon- Bombardier Completes air construction and maintenance of cabin. In all, the Falcon 50 check and ferencing and sending and receiving Acquisition of Berlin extra-high-voltage and ultra-high-volt- upgrade totaled 8,000 man-hours. large files. “Clay Lacy performed MRO Facility age power networks. It is the launch Simultaneously, Dubai facility this complex JetWave upgrade on Bombardier has completed the acqui- customer for the Airbus H215 in China. technicians completed a 144-month schedule and on budget thanks to sition of issued and outstanding shares SBH now covers 50 percent of check on a Gulfstream G450 that their Honeywell and Bombardier it didn’t own of Lufthansa Bombar- Safran’s turbine helicopter customer included a limited cabin refresh and a expertise,” said Renan Bayar, the dier Aviation Services from Lufthansa flying hours. The program and health 192-month inspection on a GIV, which ultra-long-range twinjet’s captain. Technik and ExecuJet Aviation monitoring are part of Safran’s required major structural work for a In addition to the Global 6000, the Group. The deal, first announced in EngineLife Services. “We are proud total of more than 5,000 man-hours. MRO provider’s factory-trained tech- September, clears the way for Bom- that SGGAC has renewed its confi- At Dubai, the company recently estab- nicians can install the JetWave system bardier to operate a wholly owned dence in Safran Helicopter Engines lished a dedicated team of interior spe- on Dassault Falcon and Bombardier service center in Berlin and further and its SBH support contract, and cialists and it is building an interior shop Challenger business jets. Downtime for expand its global MRO reach to nine we look forward to delivering them that will have the tools to perform limited installation is typically 30 to 35 days. company-owned service centers. world-class services and supporting refurbishment activities. n

ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 41 ACCIDENTS by David Jack Kenny

PRELIMINARY REPORTS potential witnesses were asked to contact a “ground blower breaker,” the “avionics overcast, with visibility varying between the TAIC. The destination of the flight, master…heading,” and “something off on one-quarter mile in fog and half a mile Pilot Unhurt After which originated at Christchurch, was not the autopilot.” Thirty seconds after the in haze. Swamp Landing initially reported. pilot took control from the first officer, The pilot flew the ILS approach to Run- the FO reported having lost contact with way 23 with the autopilot coupled. The BELL 206, OCT. 16, 2020, Phenom 100 Damaged ATC. No further conversation was cap- helicopter crossed the final approach ZEPHYRHILLS, FLORIDA in Runway Overshoot tured by the CVR, and the NTSB noted fix 5.3 miles from the threshold at 93 that it didn’t record either pilot referring knots. When it reached decision height, The pilot was uninjured in a precaution- EMBRAER EMB-500, DEC. 16, 2020, to the airplane’s emergency checklists. the radar altimeter indicating 130 feet, ary autorotation into a swamp, but dam- JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA The airplane turned right from an the pilot set the flight director to alti- age to his helicopter included separation 080-degree heading to a heading of 120, tude hold and decoupled the autopilot. of the tailboom and mid-span fractures of The airplane’s right wing hit the ground then, two minutes later, left to 040 degrees. Over the next 14 seconds, pitch attitude both main rotor blades. after the airplane overran the runway At 15:12, the controller asked whether the increased from 3 degrees nose-down to Fifteen minutes after departing from in heavy rain. Neither of the pilots nor crew was having navigational problems or 20 degrees nose-up and the helicopter Plant City on a personal flight to Jack- their passenger was injured in the acci- deviating for weather. The captain replied climbed 100 feet with power set below sonville’s Craig Field, the pilot noticed dent, which occurred at Jacksonville that they were deviating and reported “AC 30 percent torque. Airspeed slowed from a “binding sound” and felt a decrease in Executive Airport at Craig, but the main voltage problems.” Thirty seconds after 50 knots to 25 as the pilot set the vertical engine power and slight left yaw. Engine landing gear punctured the wing near its he read back an assigned heading of 095 speed and heading modes on the flight instruments remained in their normal root. The corporate flight from Miami’s degrees, the airplane again turned right director and rapidly increased power. ranges and no warning annunciators illu- Opa-Locka Executive Airport flew the and disappeared from radar coverage. At At 00:39:38, he announced a go-around; minated before the low rotor rpm warn- ILS approach to Runway 32, landing in 15:05, the Tupelo Regional Airport, some power increased above 80 percent while ing horn sounded, when he initiated the the touchdown zone at about 100 knots. 13.5 miles southeast, reported light rain airspeed dropped to zero. The helicopter autorotation. The helicopter was subse- The pilot reported that he applied full under a 4,000-foot overcast with light- “entered a right rotational yaw” and the quently recovered for examination. manual braking as it slowed to 80 knots, ning distant to the northwest through radar altimeter reading reached 300 feet but found the airplane “was not reducing north. A special observation recorded at as power exceeded 110 percent torque Citation Landing Overrun speed for stop as expected.” 15:24 included a broken ceiling at 4,900 with airspeed still near zero. The last Ends in Gear Collapse Approaching the departure end, he feet with thunderstorms in the vicinity. recorded flight data showed a radar alti- tried to use the emergency brakes three tude of 100 feet with the autopilot set to CESSNA 551, DEC. 2, 2020, times without effect. A fourth attempt Spatial Disorientation Caused altitude hold and power below 30 percent. LUFKIN, TEXAS as the airplane rolled into the grass was Fatal Helicopter Crash The flight paramedic recalled seeing the also unsuccessful, so the pilot used left pavement and runway lights through The airplane went off the end of the run- rudder to steer the airplane away from AGUSTA A109, JUNE 28, 2019, thin fog during the approach with clouds way, through the airport perimeter fence, the approach lights. Weather conditions BRAINERD, MINNESOTA to one side. After the pilot called for the across a road, and came to rest in a cow included one-quarter mile visibility in go-around, the helicopter spun right and pasture after landing in the rain. The pilot thunderstorms and heavy rain under a The NTSB ascribed the crash of a heli- hit the ground. suffered minor injuries and the two pas- 300-foot broken ceiling, with 0.32 inches copter emergency medical services Provided the final approach segment is sengers were unhurt, but all three legs of of rain in the preceding hour. flight onto airport grounds to spatial flown at less than 90 knots, Federal Avi- the landing gear collapsed, causing struc- disorientation as the pilot attempted to ation Regulations allow helicopters to fly tural damage to both wings’ spars. The FINAL REPORTS initiate a missed approach in low IMC instrument approaches in visibility as low IFR flight from Austin to the Angelina at night. The pilot and flight nurse were as half the published minimum for Cate- County Airport had proceeded normally, Sabreliner Lost After killed; the flight paramedic survived with gory A, though not less than one-quarter flying the RNAV approach to land on Run- Unspecified Electrical Failure serious injuries. The accident occurred mile or 1,200 feet runway visual range. way 16. Visibility was reported as six miles after midnight on the return flight after Following the accident, the operator under a 900-foot broken layer. The pilot ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL NA-265-65, a patient transport. Brainerd Lakes revised its internal procedures to require told investigators that it was raining and APRIL 13, 2019, NEW ALBANY, MISSISSIPPI Regional Airport’s automatic surface a minimum of one-mile visibility and 400- the runway was wet. observing system reported a 200-foot feet for instrument approaches. n He reported having cycled the anti-skid Five and a half minutes after its pilots braking system two or three times during began discussing “unknown system the landing roll, but said the brakes anomalies,” the jet entered a descending stopped responding after the airplane right turn and crashed at high speed into slowed to about 20 knots. Local press woodlands. The pilots and sole passenger Airline accident fatalities up despite Covid reported that one of the passengers was were killed and the aircraft was so severely the incoming Speaker of the Texas House fragmented that many of its components A severe drop in air tra!c in 2020 did not 737-800 on August 7 both occurred in of Representatives. could not be identified. The captain had result in fewer accident fatalities, as the heavy rain and the Indian case involved reported “AC voltage problems” in his air transport industry saw more deaths last a strong tailwind. The Pakistan Airlines Two Fatalities in N.Z. next-to-last radio transmission, but the year than it did in 2019 despite far fewer A320 accident on May 22 followed an Helicopter Ditching exact nature of the anomaly could not be flights, according to Netherlands-based initial hard landing and go-around that determined from either the cockpit voice aviation consultancy To70. In a report appears to have damaged the engines, AIRBUS HELICOPTERS EC130, recording or examination of the wreckage. released on January 1, the group noted resulting in the undershoot on the subse- DEC. 15, 2020, KEKERENGU RIVER, The flight departed Oxford, Missis- that 299 people died in five accidents last quent approach. Flight performance cal- SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND sippi, at 15:06 local time on an IFR flight year, compared with 257 deaths resulting culations made prior to the approach and plan to Hamilton, Alabama. Two minutes from eight accidents in 2019. All told, the the timely use of the go-around maneuver A TAIC press release reported that two of after takeoff, the airplane’s transponder industry su"ered 40 accidents last year remain key factors in accidents, said To70, the five people on board were killed and stopped transmitting altitude readouts compared with 86 in 2019. which added that “more must be done” to the other three suffered serious injuries as the pilot reported climbing through While the accident rate for 2020 remains understand the role of human factors and when the helicopter crashed into shallow 9.000 feet for their cleared altitude of low, the circumstances around some acci- technology in such situations. water near the beach at the mouth of the 11,000. At about the same time, the CVR dents raise concern, according to To70. “Stable approaches remain a key success Kekerengu River. The accident took place recorded discussion between the pilots Three of the five fatal accidents in 2020 factor in successful landings and require all near a busy café on State Highway 1, and that included mentions of a “filament,” and several of the non-fatal ones relate to airline, ANSP, and airport stakeholders to runway excursions. The crash of a Pegasus collaborate in what is a crucial phase of The material on this page is based on reports by the o!cial agencies of the countries having the reponsi- Airlines Boeing 737-800 on February 5 and flight, and more must be done to ensure bility for aircraft accident and incident investigations. It is not intended to judge or evaluate the ability of the accident involving an Air India Express this is e"ective,” said the report. G.P. any person, living or dead, and is presented here for informational purposes.

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Efforts to reduce or eliminate lead from aviation gasoline continue, but progress is slow. Report targets ways to lower leaded avgas impact by Kerry Lynch

A broad-based and sustained commitment infrastructure changes and aircraft recer- across the aviation industry, along with tifications. As such, the report stressed the FAA and other government agencies, effort is needed to motivate fuel refiners is necessary if significant progress is going to reduce the amount of lead added to to be made on reducing lead emissions high-octane aviation gasoline, suggesting Restore your King Air’s standard-gear climb and cruise performance that’s lost due to high from aviation-gasoline-powered aircraft, that the FAA explore policy options to !otation landing gear with Raisbeck’s HIGH FLOTATION GEAR DOORS. Aerodynamically according to a new report released by the accomplish that, as well as prompt airports designed, Raisbeck’s High Flotation Gear Doors increase cruise speeds by 4 to 10 knots, extend National Academies of Sciences, Engineer- to add infrastructure to dispense more range and loiter time, while protecting your wheels, tires and brakes from the elements. It’s an ing, and Medicine. unleaded gasoline. investment that makes a great airplane even better! Developed by a Committee on Lead The report recommends easing recertifi- Contact us for more information. Emissions from Piston-Powered General cation needs for aircraft that do not require (800) 537-7277 | [email protected] | www.raisbeck.com Aviation Aircraft with the support of the high-octane fuel to encourage use of lower- DOT, the congressionally-mandated report octane fuel. A timeframe should be set for found that questions surrounding current these efforts, it says, suggesting this might efforts to develop a drop-in replacement require a congressional directive. 3612-AIN REI Ad February 2021 v3.indd 1 1/15/21 11:06 AM unleaded aviation fuel mean other steps Elimination of lead from all aviation will be necessary to begin reducing lead fuel must remain a public policy priority, emissions and exposures. the report emphasized, calling on the FAA While the FAA has worked with the to continue collaboration with industry industry on studying potential drop-in and agencies such as NASA to continue replacements through the Piston Aviation its research. For Salesforce Fuels Initiatives, that program is now years Progress is crucial because general avi- ® behind the initial goal of having completed ation aircraft are now the single-largest testing on potential candidates by late emitter of lead in the U.S., the National 2018 as early leading contenders required Academies notes, citing concerns that View AMSTAT Contacts & Fleet data further study. Research has continued on these emissions can be inhaled by people from within Salesforce® potential candidates. living near or working at airports. “The committee came to realize that “Because there is no known safe level of currently there is no individual, certain lead in the blood, there is a compelling rea- Link your Accounts, Contacts, Leads & solution to the aviation lead problem, son to reduce or eliminate lead emissions Aircraft to live AMSTAT Data and therefore a multi-pathway mitigation from small aircraft,” said Amy Pritchett, approach offers the greatest potential for professor and head of the department of tangible and sustained progress,” accord- aerospace engineering at Pennsylvania Map AMSTAT aircraft data to your ing to the report. State University and chair of the commit- custom Aircraft Object or ours Meanwhile, the report makes a number tee that wrote the report. of suggestions to help alleviate the reliance The report recognizes that lead is neces- on avgas and mitigate the impacts. Among sary to provide the requisite octane levels Add AMSTAT data directly into the recommendations is that the FAA for many high-performance piston aircraft your Salesforce® solution should work with the Environmental Pro- and also notes the critical societal func- tection Agency, Occupational Safety and tions these aircraft play, from medical air- Health Administration, and aviation orga- lifts, aerial firefighting, business transport, Receive alerts of changes to linked data nizations to develop education campaigns, crop dusting, pilot training, and search provide training, and raise awareness on and rescue. “Due to the small market for lead hazards and potential mitigation mea- aviation gasoline and limited fueling infra- www.amstatcorp.com sures for pilots, airport personnel, and air- structure at most of the country’s more Information That Moves You Forward craft technicians. than 13,000 airports, leaded aviation gas- Also, the report notes that the only spec- oline is usually the only fuel available to ified and available unleaded avgas, UL94, operators of small aircraft,” the National has the potential to be used in about half Academies said. For that reason, the com- For additional information, please contact: Dan Rawson at 732-530-6400 ext. 145 or [email protected] to two-thirds of the existing piston fleet. mittee decided restricting use by high-per- However, this would require expensive formance aircraft is not a viable option. n

44 Aviation International News \ February 2021 \ ainonline.com COMPLIANCE countdown by Gordon Gilbert

Within 6 Months (Part CS-27) and large (Part CS-29) Jan. 11, 2021, Jan. 1 2023, rotorcraft by requiring several design and Jan. 1, 2028 NEW improvements. In addition, this NPA U.S.: Aircraft CO also proposes enhancements to certi- 2 fication specifications for new ditching Emissions Standards and emergency flotation provisions. The first U.S. standards for CO2 aircraft Comments are due May 31, 2021. INNOVATIVE emissions have been enacted by the EPA and initially apply to large subsonic jets, June 2, 2021 including business jets, that weigh more U.S.: Aircraft Fuel Truck/ HYDROGRAPHIC than 132,277 pounds mtow for which the application for a new type certificate is Farm Fire Standards made on or after Jan. 11, 2021. The stan- The National Fire Prevention Association SOLUTIONS dards apply to all other new jet design (NFPA) has proposed the installation of applications made on or after Jan, 1, 2023 automatic shutdown systems on aviation and to new deliveries of in-production fuel trucks and fuel farms. The NFPA large jets starting Jan. 1, 2028. Jets with standards, typically adopted as require- an mtow under 12,566 pounds, turbo- ments by regulatory agencies, would props below 19,000 pounds mtow and apply to in-service trucks and fuel farms, piston-engine airplanes are exempt. as well as for new equipment. In-service equipment would need to be retrofitted February 19, 2021 NEW by June 2, 2021. NATA has requested New Zealand: Performance that the retrofit feature be removed. Based Navigation The CAA of New Zealand has released Within 12 Months a package of proposed changes to Nov. 4, 2021 update its performance-based navi- Runway Surface gation (PBN) regulations. According to the CAA, the existing requirements Assessment Format are unclear, out of date, and do not In response to the on-going Covid-19 fully support all aspects of PBN pandemic and the associated challenges BEFORE AFTER operations. Comments can be sub- facing the aviation industry, ICAO has mitted through Feb. 19, 2021. delayed for one year the applicability date of the new global reporting format March 1, 2021 NEW (GRF) for assessing runway conditions EASA: Regular Update of CS-25 to Nov. 4, 2021. The GRF was sched- uled to go into effect Nov. 5, 2020. Annually EASA proposes revisions to regulations to reflect the state of the art Dec. 2, 2021 and improve harmonization with U.S. Australia: Flight Operations Duncan Aviation is proud to o!er hydrographic FARs. The objective of this NPA to CS-25 solutions for interior finishes. These solutions large airplane certification standards Ten new flight operations regulations can be used on interior components, panels, is to upgrade specific requirements, consolidate the operating and flight accents, and even full cabinets. The capabilities such as: turboprop propeller vibrations, rules, as well as certification and man- open up a variety of aesthetic options without fabrication methods, windshield failure agement requirements. The rules apply conditions and structural effects, and to all pilots and operators in Australia changing cabinet veneer. Some options allow cabin interior crashworthiness. Com- and will commence on Dec. 2, 2021. shorter downtimes than traditional methods ments on the NPA are due March 1, 2021. The regulations covered include: gen- and are excellent solutions to cabinetry with eral operating and flight rules; certifica- settling finishes. The solutions also provide new March 31, 2021 tion and management of commercial finish options for countertops and sinks without aircraft operating certificates; and small EASA: Maintenance Licenses weight restraints or engineering requirements. and large airplanes and rotorcraft. This proposal from EASA aims to facili- tate the maintenance license type-rating endorsement for certain legacy aircraft, Beyond 12 Months enhance the efficiency of on-the-job Dec. 31, 2022 UPDATE training, and update the basic knowl- NEW Zealand: ADS-B edge syllabus. In addition, the proposal provides a solution for maintenance Out Mandate licenses with regard to new products Covid-19 pandemic implications have without adding a new license type. prompted New Zealand to extend its Experience. Unlike any other. Comments are due March 31, 2021. ADS-B out compliance date for one year from the previous deadline of Dec. May 31, 2021 NEW 31, 2021. The ADS-B provisions, already EASA: Helicopter mandatory for aircraft flying above 24,500 Ditching Survivability feet, will apply in the rest of New Zea- land’s controlled airspace by Dec. 31, 2022. WATCH THIS Improving the ability of occupants to Financial incentives to equip are available. survive a water impact from a heli- GALLEY TRANSFORM: copter ditching is the subject of a NPA For the most current compliance status, see: www.DA.aero/videos/hydrographic from EASA. The NPA would revise type https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ certification standards for both small compliance-countdown

AIN_DuncanAviation_Jan2020.indd 1 1/12/2021 9:57:58 AM ainonline.com \ February 2021 \ Aviation International News 45 PEOPLE in aviation by Kerry Lynch

JEFFREY JERGE KEVIN MARTIN GLENN HOGBEN DAN DAVIS LEMIRACLE HENDKING

Gregory Beason has stepped in as presi- in2008 and was elected to the non-executive CFO of Canadian Pacific Railway, and CFO for design and Christina Childs director of edu- dent and CEO of AllClear, which formed from board in 2017, has 17 years of aircraft, charter, Suncor Energy. Bombardier further appointed cation and special events as well as MedEvac the merger of Aero Precision and Kellstrom leasing, and management experience, including Annie Torkia Lagacé as senior v-p, general Foundation International director of events. Defense. He takes the role from Darryl May- with ACC Aviation and ACMI Leasing. counsel, and corporate secretary. Lagacé has Fox had served as a senior project manager horn, who has stepped down after serving as Dan Davis joined FlightSafety International more than 20 years of corporate and commer- at Meeting Management Services since 2011. president and CEO since 2018. Beason, who as president of FlightSafety Services Corpora- cial law experience, most recently as executive Childs ran this year’s MTLI Virtual Grad School had served as executive chairman of the Aero tion. Davis, who previously served in the U.S. v-p of Stornoway Diamonds. and previously has handled event planning for Precision board, has more than 30 years of Army, held leadership roles with Lockheed Je! Barstow joined King Aerospace as senior engineering, telecommunications, and renew- aerospace experience and formerly was CEO Martin and Cornerstone Consulting. v-p. Barstow previously had a 41-year career at able energy industry associations. of Wencor Group. David Monks was elected as president of FAI, Boeing, including as COO for Boeing Business Aero Asset appointed Joe Viveiros and AeroParts Now named Je!rey Jerge CEO. the World Air Sports Federation for a two-year Jets as well as in management roles with the Sebastien Delmaire as sales directors. Jerge brings more than 20 years of combined term. An electrical engineer from the UK who P-8 Poseidon, 737, and 757 airplane programs. Viveiros, who is type rated in both the Sikorsky aerospace technology consulting, manage- has participated in FAI championships, Monks Sean Bond joined Elbit Systems of America S-76 and Gulfstream G550, has more than a ment, and leadership experience to his new has held positions in several air sports organiza- as senior v-p to lead the airborne solutions busi- 30-year career in aviation and has completed role, most recently as v-p of sales and market- tions, including chairman of the UK’s Royal Aero ness unit. Bond has held a range of executive more than $200 million in aircraft transactions. ing for Inventory Locator Service Club and the Helicopter Club of Great Britain. and technical roles, including program manage- Delmaire formerly was a French Air Force o"- Cadence Aerospace appointed Kevin Mar- AJ Becker was appointed president and ment for the V-22 Osprey at Bell, the Joint Strike cer before joining Airbus Helicopters and then tin as CEO of the company’s engine systems has become an equity partner in Elite Air. He Fighter engine at Pratt & Whitney, and most Aston Martin. segment. Martin also is continuing as CIO for succeeds Gray Gibbs, who founded Elite Air recently as CEO and president of HDT Global. Cadence. A 30-year aerospace industry vet- in 2001 and remains CEO and director of oper- David Wyndham joined Asset Insight as v-p eran, Martin joined Cadence in January 2019 ations. Becker has served as director of mar- of Asset Insight Consulting Services. Wyndham, FINAL FLIGHT after serving with Pratt & Whitney. He succeeds keting and sales for the aviation management an industry veteran who is known as an expert, Bob Quaglia, who is retiring. and charter company for more than a decade. author, and speaker in the business and gen- Lawrence L. “Larry” Burian, who led Glenn Hogben, who stepped in as joint dep- David Davenport has joined the executive eral aviation community, was a partner with the National Air Transportation Associa- uty chair of The Air Charter Association (ACA) late leadership team of Solairus Aviation. Davenport Conklin & de Decker and then held executive tion (NATA) for nearly two decades, died last year, is moving into the new role of CEO for joins Solairus after serving with FlightSafety positions with Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) on December 23. the organization. In that capacity, he succeeds International for 20 years, including most after it acquired Conklin. Burian, who soloed at the age of 14 Dave Edwards, who has run ACA on a part-time recently as president and CEO, and also has Gulfstream Aerospace named Brian McCa- in his Missouri hometown, joined NATA basis since 2017 but has returned full-time to served on the NBAA Board of Directors and rthy regional v-p of sales for Singapore, Indo- in 1974 initially as a v-p with a focus on his commercial duties. Hogben, who joined ACA Corporate Angel Network Board of Governors. nesia, Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania. the FBO industry and became its pres- Gur Kimchi joined the board of directors for McCarthy, who has 10 years of business avia- ident two years later. At the time, the Ascent AeroSystems, becoming the company’s tion experience, joined Gulfstream in fall 2019 organization had just three employees, first outside board member. Kimchi, a founding as a regional sales manager. 160 members, and a $135,000 budget, AWARDS member of the FAA Drone Advisory Committee, EPIC Fuels added two executives to its leader- Burian was quoted as saying during is the former v-p of Amazon Prime Air. ship team—Joshua Foster, who was named v-p his retirement. By the time he left NATA and HONORS The Aerospace Industries Association of supply, and Kyle O’Leary, v-p of operations. in 1994, the association had grown to elected Kathy Warden, chairman, CEO, and Foster previously served as director of supply some 2,000 members and had a $2.5 CAE president and CEO Marc Parent president of Northrop Grumman, as chairman and training for various Delta Air Lines subsid- million budget and 16 employees. was appointed Member of the Order of the association’s Board of Governors for 2021. iaries. O’Leary formerly was senior manager of NATA noted that Burian stepped in of Canada by the Governor-General Huntington Ingalls Industries president and CEO fuel supply for Spirit Airlines and also has been a when the association’s members were of Canada Julie Payette. Recognizing Mike Petters will become vice-chairman, while fuels marketer and general manager of an FBO. fragmented and needed focus and extraordinary Canadians whose services Eric Fanning remains president and CEO and LeMiracle Hendking joined FreeFlight Sys- worked to attract leaders who under- shape society, the Order of Canada is Ginette Colot secretary-treasurer. tems as director of sales. Hendking brings a stood the general aviation business. As considered one of the country’s highest The General Aviation Manufacturers Asso- background in both the airline transport, busi- he had joined the association, it was honors. Parent is being honored for “his ciation has elected its executive committee ness jet, and other transportation segments, going through a transformation with the achievements that have greatly contrib- leadership for 2021, naming Nicolas Chabbert, having spent nearly 10 years holding manage- scheduled commuter and cargo carriers uted to the development and growth of senior v-p of Daher’s Aircraft division and CEO of ment positions with Recaro Seating and also deciding to split o! to form a separate the aerospace industry in Canada.” Daher Aircraft and Kodiak Aircraft, as chairman holding project and engineering positions organization. The remaining organiza- Parent began his career as an engi- of the board. Chabbert has served as the 2020 with Aerotek, Huitt-Zollars, and the Alabama tion rebranded to the National Air Trans- neer at Bombardier Canadair in 1984 vice-chair and has led GAMA’s Safety A!airs and Department of Transportation. portation Association and under Burian’s and joined CAE in 2005, taking the Accident Investigation Committee. The 2021 vice- ZeroAvia added Andy Brown and Chris- direction became a strong voice of role of president and CEO in 2009. A chair is Embraer Executive Jets president and tine Ourmières-Widener as advisors. Brown advocacy for business and general avia- staunch advocate for the Canadian CEO Michael Amalfitano. He has been chairman is a 35-year Shell executive who most recently tion businesses. Under his stewardship, aviation industry, he has served on the of GAMA’s Communications Committee. led the upstream division. Ourmières-Widener NATA fought major conflicts such as fuel boards of Aéro Montréal, the Canadian Bombardier appointed Bart Demosky exec- brings more than 25 years of operator man- price and allocation controls—a battle Association of Defense and Security utive v-p and CFO. Demosky has more than 30 agement expertise in the commercial aviation that ultimately resulted in an estimated Industries, and the Aerospace Indus- years of financial and executive leadership market, recently with Flybe. $70 million being returned to the FBO tries Association of Canada. experience, previously as president and CEO The Association of Air Medical Services industry, according to the association. of Universal Rail Systems, executive v-p and (AAMS) named Matthew Fox director of event

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