Outfitted Gulfstream G700 Joins Flight-test Program
The sixth and final test aircraft in Gulfstream’s G700 program made its first flight yesterday from the company's headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. The fully-outfitted aircraft flew for more than three and a half hours, reaching an altitude of 48,000 feet and a top speed of Mach 0.935.
This aircraft—the first to have a production interior—will be put through a test regimen that will include more than 15,500 test points, examining and validating every cabin function to ensure reliability and customer comfort upon delivery. It has been fitted with Gulfstream’s new “ultra galley,” which features more than 10 feet of counter space, a dedicated crew rest space, a six-seat conference and dining area, and a stateroom with a full-length wardrobe. Further, the twinjet features the OEM’s ultra-high-definition circadian lighting system, 100 percent fresh cabin air, low cabin altitude, and whisper-quiet noise levels.
“Flying a fully outfitted aircraft signifies significant progress in the G700 flight-test program,” noted company president Mark Burns, adding the aircraft “provides more space than ever before for Gulfstream’s precision-crafted furnishings, more opportunity for personalization, and more technology to optimize passenger health, safety, and enjoyment.”
AINsight: Covid-19 Vaccination Updates
This week, the CDC and FDA recommended a “pause” in the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine after reports surfaced of rare but serious blood clots in some recipients. These clots have occurred in women between the ages of 18 and 48, and most typically between six and 13 days after vaccination. While rare—less than one case per million doses given—the pause in the use of the vaccine is prudent.
To date, the FAA has not changed its guidance for pilots on the use of the J&J vaccine. Likely it is simply waiting for the CDC and FDA to make final rulings, and since the J&J vaccine is not being administered presently, there is no urgent need for the FAA to revise its internal guidance just yet.
Certainly, nobody wants to be the unlucky person to experience a serious side effect. While we all must make risk/benefit decisions for everything we do in life, if we know of a serious risk we should try to mitigate it before proceeding with the activity. Hence, it is time to determine what the risk actually is with the J&J vaccine.
I remain a strong advocate for the efficacy of vaccinations in preventing serious complications of diseases. I also support this pause until it can be determined if it is indeed causing the noted blood clots and how to best treat them if they do occur.
Turbine engine maker Williams International has successfully completed a test flight of its FJ44-4 engine running on 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This followed extensive material compatibility and endurance ground testing that validated engine performance and reliability using SAF.
The FJ44-4, which powers the Pilatus PC-24 light jet, was mounted on an unidentified testbed for the 3.5-hour flight on March 29 at Williams's flight operations center in Pontiac, Michigan. Chief test pilot Robert Lambert noted the flight over northern Michigan was “uneventful and the engine performed flawlessly.” The aircraft reached a cruise altitude of 45,000 feet.
This flight marked another step in the engine maker’s Blue Planet initiative aimed at significantly reducing business aviation’s environmental impact.
“We have shown that Williams engines can use 100 percent SAF to decarbonize business aviation,” said company president, chairman, and CEO Gregg Williams. “The next critical step is to accelerate the production of SAF to make it more widely available and affordable.”
ACSF Endorses NTSB Call for SMS, FDM
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) endorsed the NTSB’s inclusion of safety management systems (SMS), crash-resistant recorders, and flight data monitoring (FDM) programs on the 2021/22 “Most Wanted” list of transportation safety improvements, saying the recommendations will create a safer charter industry.
The NTSB this month updated its Most Wanted list, including a call for the FAA to require, as well as verify the effectiveness of, SMS in all revenue passenger-carrying operations. In addition, a second focus area on the list calls for mandatory crashworthy recorders and the adoption of flight data monitoring programs. ACSF said the recommendations could help prevent accidents, reduce injuries, and save lives.
“A large part of the educational aspect of our mission is to promote a culture that embraces the non-punitive ‘just culture’ philosophy of programs such as FDM, SMS, and the Aviation Safety Action Program,” said ACSF president Bryan Burns. “These new recommendations from the NTSB align both with our mission and our latest member benefits.”
Burns pointed to safety board data that of the 1,900 Part 135 organizations, only 20 had been accepted into the FAA’s voluntary SMS program and another 213 have applied. “These data are proof that there’s a lot of opportunities to educate Part 135 operators on the need to raise the bar by establishing an SMS program and having it validated,” he said.
Cirrus Aircraft has named Gary Jet Center (GJC) in Indiana as an authorized service center. As part of the designation, the Part 145 repair station will have technicians trained on the airframer’s SR-series piston singles and SF50 Vision jet.
The MRO will offer a full range of services on the Duluth, Minnesota-based OEM’s aircraft, including scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, as well as composite and paint repair, warranty support, Garmin and Avidyne avionics service, and air conditioning service using Cirrus parts. “For nearly 30 years, Gary Jet Center has been performing maintenance on a variety of aircraft…and to secure this relationship with Cirrus is a tremendous addition to our offerings,” said GJC director of maintenance Jeff McLain. “We look forward to providing service and support to Cirrus owners in the Chicagoland area and beyond.”
GJC operates from more than 110,000 sq ft of hangar space at the Gary/Chicago International Airport, which is 25 miles away from downtown Chicago.
Safran Steps Toward Hybridization in Twin, Single Helos
Safran Helicopter Engines is planning to hand over its new 2,500-shp Aneto-1X engines to Airbus Helicopters midyear in preparation for flight trials of the compound Racer next year. Those tests will prove out in flight the “eco mode” configuration of the Aneto-1X engines that is anticipated to produce up to a 15 percent savings in fuel burn. Under the configuration, one of the two engines that will power the high-speed Racer can be placed in standby mode during cruise flight.
Safran has worked across its divisions to develop technologies involved in the Aneto-1X engines that were announced for the Racer during Heli-Expo 2018. A demonstrator validated the eco mode during ground tests in 2019. The configuration enables the pilot to “pause” one engine while the second supplies full power, increasing range along with fuel savings. When more power is necessary—during acceleration, landing, autorotation, for instance—the idling engine is restored to full power rapidly and automatically using a high-power-density electric motor developed by Safran Electrical & Power.
While eco mode was developed for a twin, Safran is also looking at a step toward hybridization in the single-engine helicopter, including the use of electrical power assistance to improve safety in case of an in-flight turbine-engine shutdown. In this case, the electrical power source will enable electrical flight for several minutes, Safran said, providing time for the pilot to land.
Air Partner Eyes Music Industry with ‘Tour Protect’
Private group charter broker and services provider Air Partner has packaged a “Tour Protect” Covid-19 travel protection program that targets complex world tours, particularly for the music and entertainment industries. Noting that those industries are beginning to plan tours once more, Air Partner said it developed the package to mitigate risk and safeguard flights along each stop of a tour.
“With so many considerations going into the production of live events, Tour Protect is designed to alleviate clientele of concerns and provide reliable air transportation to take them where they need to be and back on schedule,” said David McCown, president for the Americas at Air Partner. The company has already assisted with tours involving Hollywood studios and government agencies through the pandemic.
Tour Protect, an add-on charter program, involves enhanced Covid-19 protocols, evacuation planning, security detail, and 24/7 health and medical support. Covid-19 protocols include guarantees that all aircraft and crew are in compliance with recommended procedures such as deep cleaning of aircraft, advanced crew training, access to ground transportation that has been safely vetted, and access to testing and vaccination validation screenings.
Air Partner has partnered with Northcott Global Solutions to provide 24/7 access to medical support and has worked with airports, airlines, suppliers, and cargo agents globally to ensure that necessary security is in place and requirements met, it said.
Universal Avionics Gaining in Helicopter Marketplace
Universal Avionics is moving further ahead with development of its ClearVision enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) for helicopters, which features a head-wearable display (HWD) instead of a fixed head-up display (HUD). “The big play in the helicopter market is to go fully head-up,” said Universal Avionics CEO Dror Yahav. “We have several programs [underway].”
The Tucson, Arizona-based company’s InSight integrated avionics suite is also making progress in the helicopter market, having been selected by MD Helicopters for both new-build MD 902 Explorers and for retrofit into MD 902/MD 900 models. InSight provides synthetic vision, 2D topographical moving maps, electronic charts, checklists, systems synoptics, and engine instruments and rotor system data. Helicopter pilots can make selections on the primary and multifunction displays using a cursor control on the primary flight controls.
There are now two helicopter models operating with the ClearVision EFVS, the Leonardo AW139 and AW169, and testing is underway in Europe on a Super Puma installation. Swiss Helicopter rescue service Rega has opted for ClearVision in a new AW169 that it has ordered.
Although ClearVision is also available and flying in the fixed-wing market, Universal Avionics is targeting the rotorcraft segment because of the safety benefits it offers for challenging flight operations such as oil and gas, emergency medical services, and search and rescue. “We see the demand is huge,” Yahev said.
Last Chance: Overcoming Avionics Obsolescence Webinar
Airplanes are built to fly for decades and ideally, a well-maintained airplane will provide many years of safe and reliable service. However, the longer an airplane flies, it’s inevitable that the avionics will need to be upgraded. With fast-moving technology, required safety mandates, and parts obsolescence, compliance with regulatory standards and overcoming technology barriers can be challenging for legacy jet owners and operators. Join us for this free webinar on Monday, April 19th as we discuss avionics obsolescence in the legacy business jet market and the proactive approach avionics manufacturers are taking to make retrofit upgrades more affordable and manageable. Sponsored by Avidyne.
Photo of the Week
Wicked weather. Corporate pilot Keith David snapped this photo of a line of angry-looking thunderstorms over Little Rock, Arkansas, while flying in his company’s Citation Sovereign at FL430. Thanks for sharing this awesome photo with us, Keith!
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