Dassault Aviation last week completed the first of two Falcon 6X cold soak trials as the widebody, long-range twinjet progresses toward certification late next year.
Taking place in Iqaluit in Northern Canada, the cold soak tests were conducted on Dassault’s third test aircraft. The aircraft traveled from the French manufacturer’s test center in Istres near Marseille to Iqaluit for the trials.
The test sequences included a specific aircraft warm-up procedure, aircraft initialization, APU and engine starting sequences, air system performance evaluation, and fluid systems checks. The aircraft completed local flights to simulate full operations in cold temperature conditions, and Dassault reported that all systems and the aircraft performed well during the trials. The initial tests clear the way for a second cold soak campaign that will involve temperatures of around -40 deg C.
Twelve members of the flight test team, including two crew, traveled aboard the 6X to Iqaluit for the trials, Dassault said, noting the aircraft, which with its 8-foot 6-inch cabin cross-section, also carried a large volume of test equipment.
The trials came shortly after the aircraft’s engine, the Pratt & Whitney PW812D, received Transport Canada approval. Dassault had reported earlier in the month that the three test aircraft have accumulated more than 500 flight test hours and 150 flights. An initial production aircraft with a fully outfitted cabin is anticipated to join the program shortly.
Agricultural machinery and technology manufacturer AGCO announced that it has an agreement to purchase Appareo Systems. Headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, and with a facility in Paris, Appareo is well-known in aviation as the manufacturer of ADS-B avionics, including the Stratus series of ADS-B In receivers and the Stratus ESG transponder, as well as lightweight flight data/video recorders and USB chargers. Appareo also offers the Stratus Insight iOS electronic flight bag/moving-map app, built on Appareo’s purchase of Aerovie in 2019.
Appareo specializes in products “focused on communication, monitoring, sensing, tracking and controlling devices and systems used in the agricultural and aviation industries as well as other off-road businesses,” according to an AGCO statement. AGCO plans to retain the Appareo team and operations in Fargo and Paris and will continue serving the aviation market.
“AGCO has no plans for divestiture and we intend to continue providing technology-rich solutions to our existing customers,” Greg Peterson, v-p, investor relations, told AIN. “Agriculture will continue to be the main focus, but as technology continues to progress we’ll likely see overlaps into other industries.”
AGCO expects the acquisition to close in January 2022.
Atlantic Aviation has rolled out a new carbon offset initiative at Colorado’s Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (KASE), where it operates the lone FBO. Earlier this year, the service provider introduced continuous supplies of sustainable aviation fuel at the airport. Now it has increased its environmental stewardship there with the announcement of a program that will render every gallon of fuel sold and used there carbon-neutral through verified carbon credits, which will be paid for by Atlantic.
“We are very pleased by the implementation of these sustainability initiatives as they are consistent with the Aspen/Pitken County Common Ground Recommendations to address climate change,” said airport director Daniel Bartholomew. He said the airport’s fuel flowage in a normal year is around 7 million gallons.
Among Atlantic’s other environmental programs are the continuing conversion of its ground support equipment from gasoline to electricity and the replacement of most of its light fixtures to LEDs, resulting in more than 25 percent savings in energy use at its KASE location.
“As a leading national network of FBOs, we take our responsibility to drive innovation and increased sustainability in the aviation industry very seriously,” said Atlantic COO Tim Bannon. “The carbon offset initiative at ASE is a first of its kind program for [us] and a great example of what’s possible when we partner with communities that share our commitment to responsible environmental leadership.”
Optimistic respondents to the fourth quarter JetNet iQ Global Business Aviation Survey so far are outnumbering pessimists by 4.8 to 1, according to the latest update in the December JetNet iQ Pulse newsletter.
The survey cycle was only at the halfway mark when the newsletter was published, however, so that sentiment could change. “With the Omicron variant only reported to the [World Health Organization] on November 24, 2021, we will be closely monitoring the Q4 2021 dip in owner/operator optimism as additional survey responses are gathered in the remaining few weeks of this year,” the newsletter pointed out. In the third quarter, the survey showed a 9-to-1 result, so the fourth quarter does reflect a “substantially lower” reduction in optimism levels.
“Whether the Omicron variant is as dangerous to human health as it is transmissible, and whether governments’ quick policy response to invoke travel shutdowns is appropriate and measured, remains to be seen.
“In the meantime, the Delta variant, slow-to-recover supply chains, tight labor markets, and spiking inflation make for not-so-restful bedtime reading for leaders of government and industry.”
Nevertheless, companies should take advantage of the current upswing “to rebuild and strengthen our businesses,” JetNet recommended.
As SmartSky’s nationwide coverage grows, immediately available SmartSky hardware locks in benefits for customers
SmartSky Networks is accelerating access to its patented, next-generation ATG network with in stock hardware ready for installation and its customer-focused Early Arrival program. Since the successful commercial launch at NBAA-BACE 2021, demo flights on the live network continue to showcase its best-in-class connectivity experiences.
Three lead groups from the wireless and aviation industries pledged technical cooperation with regard to potential safety concerns over cellular 5G C-band frequencies and radio altimeter interference on aircraft. However, none of these groups could provide AIN any information on what form this cooperation would take or any related timelines.
The statement, from wireless industry group CTIA, the Aerospace Industries Association, and Airlines for America, read: “We are pleased that after productive discussions we will be working together to share the available data from all parties to identify the specific areas of concern for aviation. The best technical experts from across both industries will be working collectively to identify a path forward, in coordination with the FAA and FCC. Our belief is that by working collaboratively in good faith on a data-driven solution, we can achieve our shared goal of deploying 5G while preserving aviation safety."
The statement appeared to be prompted by media coverage of the release of a rare joint letter last week from the CEOs of Airbus and Boeing that called on the Biden Administration to delay implementation of 5G C-band, slated for January 5, and urged adoption of an industry drafted aviation safety proposal that would limit 5G C-band transmissions around airports.
The FAA is preparing notams that will specify limitations necessary for operations near such 5G C-band transmissions.
Bavaria’s Ministry of Interior has ordered eight five-bladed Airbus H145D3 helicopters for its police force. The aircraft will replace the state’s current H135 fleet and will be operated from bases in Munich and in Roth. First delivery is planned for 2023.
“The five-bladed H145s will further enhance the mission capabilities of the Bavarian Police. The flood in Germany and the pandemic have clearly demonstrated how important helicopters are for our society,” said Wolfgang Schoder, managing director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany.
The five-bladed H145D3 light twin-engine helicopter was unveiled in 2019. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, it is equipped with Fadec and the Helionix digital avionics suite that includes a four-axis autopilot. The upgraded variant increases useful load by 330 pounds and features a new bearingless main rotor designed for fewer maintenance requirements and increased service life.
There are more than 200 helicopters from the H145 helicopter family deployed for public services and law enforcement missions worldwide. More than 1,500 H145 family helicopters are in service and have logged more than six million flight hours.
Private equity firm New State Capital Partners has acquired Avex, an authorized distributor and recommended service center of Daher TBM turboprops in the southwestern U.S. With locations at Camarillo Airport in California and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, Colorado, Avex was founded in 1985.
“Avex has been my life’s work, so selecting the next owner of the business was not a task I took lightly,” said president Terry Winson. “From our first interaction, New State clearly stood out as the best partner for Avex.”
New State Capital senior principal Daniel Han said the acquisition serves as the launch platform for the firm’s investment in the aviation industry. “Avex was an ideal anchor investment for this strategy, due to the strength of the business Terry and the team have built,” said Han. “Given the strong and enduring trends within business and general aviation, we see exciting growth potential across the sector, and for Avex in particular. We look forward to partnering with the team to further build on Avex's legacy of excellence and will be actively seeking additional acquisitions within the space.”
The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) is bringing back its annual Safety Symposium but is moving the venue to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus in Daytona Beach, Florida. Scheduled for April 5-6, the ACSF Safety Symposium was suspended in 2021 in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The event previously had been held annually for 13 years, primarily at the National Transportation Safety Board’s Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia.
“The past few years have been extremely difficult for industry associations of any kind to host live events,” said ACSF president Bryan Burns. “However, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with ERAU to once again provide an in-person venue for the symposium.”
Burns called ERAU the “perfect location to meet and network with our colleagues” and said the event has an “outstanding lineup of topics, presenters, and academia.”
ACSF said details of the schedule for the two-day event will be forthcoming.
Aviation Safety Question of the Week
Provided by
When reading the following Metar from December 2, what is the meaning of PRESFR? KJFK 021651Z 22009KT 10SM SCT100 SCT150 BKN250 13/07 A2973 RMK AO2 PRESFR SLP068 T01330072.
A. Previous surface pressure was 1006.8 millibars.
B. Pressure rising rapidly.
C. Pressure falling rapidly.
D. Pressure determined by reference to a surface chart.
How eVTOLs Could Expand Bizav Horizons
New aircraft developers including Overair, Jaunt Air Mobility, XTI, and Beta Technologies were at this year’s NBAA-BACE making the case for new applications including air taxi services and cargo deliveries. They maintain that factors such as reduced carbon emissions and noise could widen public acceptance for new urban air mobility services, while also improving the business model for aircraft operators.
AINalerts News Tips/Feedback: News tips may be sent anonymously, but feedback must include name and contact info (we will withhold name on request). We reserve the right to edit correspondence for length, clarity and grammar. Send feedback or news tips to AINalerts editor Chad Trautvetter.
AINalerts is a publication of AIN Media Group, 214 Franklin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.
