A second TRU Simulation Cessna Citation Longitude full-flight simulator has been delivered to FlightSafety International’s Columbus, Ohio learning center and has received FAA level-D certification. This is the third such device that TRU has manufactured under a FlightSafety-TRU Simulation joint venture.

The super-midsize Longitude is Textron Aviation’s largest aircraft and features touchscreen-controlled Garmin G5000 avionics, Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines, a maximum cruise speed of 483 knots, and a range of 3,500 nm.

TRU Simulation has also made full-flight simulators for other Textron Aviation aircraft, including the Cessna Citation CJ1/M2, CJ3/CJ3+, CJ4, XLS+, and Latitude, as well as Cessna Caravans and Beechcraft King Air C90, 250/260, and 350/360 and SkyCourier. TRU’s Odyssey Aura simulator platform provides a 200-by-40-degree visual display, RealFeel electronic control loading system, and 60-inch motion system.

“At TRU, the team is committed to delivering cutting-edge training tools that enable pilots to achieve their goals,” said TRU Simulation v-p and general manager Jerry Messaris. “Supplying high-fidelity simulators to FlightSafety aids in expanding access to excellent aviation training for pilots across the globe, and our state-of-the-art technology ensures safe and realistic training experiences.”

Pilots ask me near-daily whether weight loss medications are approved by the FAA. Several weight loss medications are indeed approved, with certain restrictions. In fact, there are now relatively simple protocols for the pilot and AME to follow to use them that usually permit the issuance of a medical certificate without requiring a formal application for a special issuance authorization.

Certain combinations of medications that are not as commonly used are also approvable but require a special issuance. Older generations of weight loss medications, including those with amphetamine-like properties, are not acceptable to the FAA.

Why are weight loss medications all the rage these days? Reasons range from appearance goals and self-image to, importantly, general health improvements. This is also a sad truth: while many people are initially successful at losing weight, the problem remains with keeping that weight off. This elusive goal has never been an easy thing to achieve.

The medical issues that can result from being overweight are many. They include heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), high cholesterol, arthritis, and—I think I have made my point. Suffice it to say that remaining significantly overweight brings with it many medical risks.

Aviation real estate company Sky Harbour continues to rapidly expand its reach under a new lease agreement with Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC) to develop a hangar campus on 8.4 acres to serve the Rocky Mountain region. The campus will complement its work already in development at Denver Centennial Airport (KDEN) for a turnkey hangar complex with line services dedicated to base tenants.

Plans for the $40 million project call for four hangars of 34,000 sq ft each (exact sizes subject to change) at KSLC, with construction beginning in August 2025 and continuing into 2026. Each hangar can be divided into two private hangars, lounge, and office facilities. In addition, there will be a Sky Harbor ground support and office facility.

In signing the lease, Salt Lake City International Airport estimated that the development project would create or sustain hundreds of jobs in the region.

“Sky Harbour will not only greatly enhance the campus of the SLC International Airport but will benefit the city, state, and region as well,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director of the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. 

Sky Harbour chairman and CEO Tal Keinan called the airport “a gem in the growing Rocky Mountain Region,” noting that it is one of the fastest-growing business aviation facilities.

Jets MRO’s new facility at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) is ready for the maintenance provider to move in. Built in partnership with Jet Access, the facility houses Jet Access’ new FBO and a 40,000-sq-ft hangar for Jets MRO. KRBD is the closest airport to downtown Dallas, and many improvements have been made to the field, which has two runways, a control tower, fire station, and an onsite restaurant.

Customers have direct runway access from the new facility, and mechanics enjoy a partially air-conditioned hangar environment. Jets MRO offers heavy maintenance support and is open seven days a week.

With a unique approach to focusing on its mechanics first, Jets MRO designed the facility to improve the work environment and thus the service provided to customers. “By focusing on mechanics first through free benefits, profit sharing, and shared financials, the company aims to achieve industry-leading team engagement and retention rates,” according to Jets MRO.

“This innovative approach not only questions traditional practices but also raises the bar for industry standards,” the company said. “By doing so, Jets MRO is setting a new precedent for excellence in aircraft maintenance.”

Airbus Helicopters Brazilian subsidiary Helibras dominates the Latin American country’s turbine helicopter market with a 47% share “and in the para-public market—police, fire, and such—we have 80% share and in the military 70%,” commercial director Alessandre Fontes Sampaio told AIN this week at LABACE 2024. He noted that Helibras is the only helicopter manufacturer in the southern hemisphere, with two lines at its factory in Itajubá—producing the H125 Esquilo and the H225 Super Cougar—and a third one “under consideration” for the H145.

Meanwhile, he said, one of Helibras’ largest contracts is reaching a successful conclusion. The HXBR contract was for the supply of 47 H225Ms—15 to each of Brazil’s armed forces—and two to the presidential airlift wing. “Last week, we supplied the 44th and next year we’ll deliver the last—one each to the three armed forces. That contract took us from assembler to manufacturer,” Sampaio noted.

Fulfilling that contract doesn’t leave Helibras idle since a new contract, THX, will provide 27 H125 Esquilos to Brazil’s armed forces—15 for the navy and 12 for the air force. This contract was signed two years ago, he said, and deliveries will begin this year.

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is hosting a webinarlater this month to help guide organizations through the Part 135 and 145 certification processes. To be held at 1 p.m. EDT on August 22, NATA’s Regulatory Intel for Certification Success will bring insights from industry veterans for organizations seeking to launch a new operation or expand an existing certificate.

Spanning from pre-planning to readiness, the discussion will cover proven strategies, best practices, and tips for working with the FAA and the TSA for more effective and efficient results, NATA said. Webinar panelists will be available to answer questions and advise on streamlining applications.

Led by Jenny Ann Urban, NATA managing director of air charter and maintenance, the webinar will feature Carol Giles, COO of The Keller Giles Group; Mike Rucinski, CEO of Hawthorn Hill; and Timothy Hayes of Hayes Aero Group Training Solutions.

The webinar will not be recorded and thus only will be available live.

At the Airborne Public Safety Association Conference (APSCON) last week in Houston, Airbus secured an order for four H125 helicopters from the Miami-Dade Police Department, which already has four H125s in its fleet.

North American law enforcement agencies have bought 85 H125s during the past five years, according to Airbus Helicopters. Powered by a Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2D turboshaft, the Écureuil line counts more than 7,200 helicopters in service across its AS350, AS355, AS550, AS555, H125, H125M, EC130, and H130 variants. The H125 can cruise at 136 ktas and has endurance of up to 4 hours 27 minutes and a range of 340 nm.

“We are pleased that the Miami-Dade Police Department has selected the H125 to support their critical law enforcement missions,” said Bart Reijnen, president of Airbus Helicopters and head of the North America region. “This order underscores the value that leading law enforcement agencies like Miami-Dade Police Department find in our helicopters, and we are committed to providing them with the highest level of support.”