Textron Aviation, Honeywell Partner on Datacom Upgrades

Textron Aviation and Honeywell Aerospace are partnering on a new program to allow improved ATC communications using the most current data link services on Cessna Citation Sovereigns and Hawker 4000s equipped with a Primus Epic flight deck. The companies expect to make the FANS 1/A+ CPDLC and Aeronautical Telecommunications Network Protected Mode (PM) CPDLC upgrades available for installation at Textron Aviation domestic and international service centers by the middle of next year.

The upgrades replace traditional voice communications between pilots and controllers with data and text messaging for many standard operations, serving to increase situational awareness for pilots, as well as freeing VHF voice for more critical communications and reducing voice readback errors, according to Textron Aviation. “Having the ability to communicate quickly and effectively with ATC is one of the highest priorities in the cockpit,” said Textron Aviation senior v-p of customer support Brian Rohloff.

Upgraded features include quick and accurate loading of complex instructions into the aircraft flight management system with the push of a button; support for future FAA NextGen datacom capabilities; trajectory-based operations; improved rerouting around severe weather and traffic congestion; and prioritized departure clearances. In continental Europe, PM-CPDLC will also provide equivalent ATC prioritization, delay avoidance, and optimal flight durations.

NBAA Resource Details PRD Requirements

With the first compliance date for the FAA’s new electronic Pilots Records Database (PRD) regulation approaching, NBAA has released a resource to help guide members through the requirements. NBAA’s Pilot Records Database Resource Guide details the obligations and deadlines of the new rule, including the requirement for operators to register for PRD access by September 8.

In May, the FAA released a final rule that established Part 111, Pilots Records Database, requiring pilot employment electronic recordkeeping for a range of operations including, for the first time, corporate flight departments. Part 119 certificate holders, fractional operators, and air tours must submit and review information in the PRD, while the rule requires corporate flight departments, public aircraft operations, and certain Part 125 operations only to submit information.

“If they haven’t already, operators should familiarize themselves with the PRD web-based application by setting up an account in MyAccess so that they are able to both upload pilot records, as well as view pilot records,” said Alison Squiccimarro from the law offices of Paul A. Lange, who co-authored the guide. “Additionally, operators should review the procedures because there are some new obligations for operators. Most notable is the requirement that operators have a process for addressing reports of inaccuracies from employees and former employees.”

In addition to Squiccimarro, Marina O’Brien of Holland & Knight co-authored the guide.

Bombardier Launches Mx App for Smart Link Plus Users

Bombardier today released the myMaintenance app that permits subscribers of its Smart Link Plus program to track, troubleshoot, and manage aircraft service needs via personal electronic devices. Currently available for the Global 7500 and Challenger 300/350, installed Smart Link Plus hardware records aircraft data that allows flight and maintenance crews to proactively troubleshoot aircraft in-flight fault notifications. Similar approvals for the Challenger 604/605/650 and other Globals are pending.

The new myMaintenance App expands Smart Link Plus customers’ ability to troubleshoot any issues via their personal electronic devices in flight (airborne connectivity required) or on the ground, according to Bombardier. Global 7500s are being delivered from the factory with the Smart Link Plus health monitoring units, while retrofit installs recently started for Challenger 300/350s. Bombardier is providing the Smart Link Plus hardware, which was developed with GE Aviation, at no charge to Challenger 300/350 operators.

“Bombardier business jet operators expect the most expedient resolutions to their operating issues, and the new myMaintenance App, available exclusively to Smart Link Plus subscribers, is there to provide that peace of mind,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Bombardier’s executive v-p of services/support and corporate strategy. “The new application is part of our commitment to digital innovations that will benefit our customers as they experience the time and money savings that big data can provide.”

ACSF Rolls Out ASAP Courses

The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is releasing two e-Learning courses for members who participate in the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). ACSF administers an ASAP through a cooperative arrangement with the FAA, providing an opportunity for charter, fractional, and Part 91 operators to participate in the voluntary, self-reporting program.

Developed in concert with NATA’s Safety 1st Program, the free courses provide an introduction to ASAP, along with principles and administration of the program. They also educate on the use and benefits of the program. Lasting less than one hour each and provided through NATA’s Learning Management System, the courses were developed for aviation safety leaders in a variety of roles.

ACSF said the courses will outline the “four pillars of value of ASAP,” provide an understanding of how the program gets integrated into a safety management system, explain safety risk management, discuss the process used for ASAP report evaluation, walk through the FAA Memorandum of Understanding process, and show how to review evidence for the success of an ASAP.

“We’re all grateful to roll out technology that enables the ASAP to build awareness and help aviation organizations learn from home or the office,” said ACSF president Bryan Burns. “It’s a big plus that, for participants, there’s no need to travel to a workshop training venue or download a PowerPoint.”

EASA Grants Garmin Approval for Mustang Upgrade

Garmin has received EASA approval for G1000 NXi updates on the Citation Mustang. The authorization will allow owners and operators to perform upgrades on many of the light twinjet’s key avionics systems. The modifications—immediately available at Textron service centers for both G1000 NXi-equipped Mustangs and those looking to upgrade to the system—include the GWX 75 advanced weather radar, the GSR 56 Iridium satellite datalink, and the GTX 345DR transponder.

The GWX 75 all-digital weather radar offers a 16-color palette, four times more colors than the original GWX 68, that provides operators with a more detailed image of the weather and storm cell dynamics. Optional ground clutter suppression and turbulence detection help to provide a clearer understanding of real weather threats.

In tandem with the GSR 56, part of the OEM’s Connext family, owners and operators can access safety features such as on-demand global datalink weather information, two-way text and voice communication, and automatic aircraft position tracking.

Through the GTX 345DR, users can receive full ADS-B In capabilities, including the “TargetTrend” relative motion display, which provides target trajectory and closure rates of other aircraft in relation to the current flight path. To meet situational requirements for an ADS-B solution, the unit also retains the full redundancy of a dual diversity transponder system.

CDC Eases Mask Requirements for Open Hangars

A recent update to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) requirements for outdoor areas lifts face mask requirements in open hangars. The CDC in June changed the mask requirements, allowing people to go without masks in outdoor areas at transportation hubs.

However, the National Air Transportation Association and other industry groups worked with the CDC on the update to ensure open hangars were included as open areas. In a summary of changes to the face mask order, the CDC referred to “outdoors” as “any open-air area” and gave examples of transportation hubs to now include surface parking lots and partially enclosed parking garages, passenger pick-up/drop-off areas, railway platforms, piers, open hangars, and airport runways. The CDC continues to recommend that people who are not fully vaccinated wear masks in these areas.

NATA said it plans to update its Safety 1st Clean Standard to align it with the CDC revisions. The association added that it is continuing to work with CDC to ensure an understanding of the unique operating environments involved with business aviation.

Meanwhile, the TSA is extending its mask requirement for transportation through January 18. It had been set to expire on September 13.

EXIM Renews $97.2M Loan Facility for Embraer

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has approved a $97.2 million, two-year revolving working-capital loan guarantee facility to support exports of Embraer's Phenom light jets assembled in Melbourne, Florida. EXIM estimated that the facility would back exports valued at $200 million and support up to 700 jobs at Embraer’s Melbourne facility and at its suppliers.

A renewal of a $97.2 million loan guarantee approved in July 2020, the latest facility will also help Embraer meet working-capital needs during the two-year term. EXIM noted that ongoing travel restrictions have hampered exports and said the guarantee facility leverages its Covid-19 relief measures.

“This transaction demonstrates that EXIM can step in to make a critical difference for U.S. exporters and the workers that have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said EXIM acting president and chairman James Burrows. “The pandemic has affected the liquidity of commercial lenders and their ability to make new loans, which has, in turn, hit the aircraft and aviation industries particularly hard. EXIM’s support enables these loan facilities to continue to support America’s aerospace manufacturers and the jobs that their exports create and sustain.”

New York-based Apple Bank for Savings, which provided the guarantee for last year’s approved working-capital loan, is also the guaranteed lender for the renewed facility. AirFinance Leasing arranged and serviced the financing.

Leonardo Lands Order for Four IFR AW119Kx Singles

Western New York air ambulance provider Mercy Flight Central has ordered four IFR-certified Leonardo Helicopters AW119Kx singles equipped with Genesys Aerosystems avionics for deliveries beginning in 2022. The IFR AW119Kx received its first U.S. market air ambulance order in 2020 and FAA supplemental type certification approval in 2019. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B engine.

Nearly 360 AW119s have been sold to more than 130 customers in 40 countries to date. They perform a wide range of roles, including EMS, fire-fighting, law enforcement, passenger transport, training, and government/military duties. A variant of the AW119 (TH-73A) was selected by the United States Navy to train naval aviators and the first helicopter under that contract was recently delivered. The Navy is expected to take up to 130 TH-73As over the next several years.

The AW119Kx is manufactured at Leonardo’s FAA Part 21 production facility in Philadelphia. More than 100 Leonardo helicopters across a variety of models are deployed as air ambulances across North America.