This HUD’s For You

While head-up display (HUD) technology is nowhere near widespread deployment in business jets and turboprops and light airplanes, an explosion of development is pushing HUDs forward, and it might not be long before you’re looking at flight data projected in your field of view while looking through the windshield.

Surprisingly, HUDs are being developed for even the smallest airplanes, for example, MyGoFlight’s SkyDisplay, which should sell for as little as $25,000. For even less, you can project flight data from your favorite tablet app onto the Epic Optix Eagle 1 HUD, a device that mounts on top of the glareshield and costs $1,799.

In the business jet arena, new developments promise to bring significant benefits for HUD fliers, from landings without any view of the outside world using natural vision to lower approach minimums and even wearable HUDs that can fit into airplanes too small for a traditional HUD.

In 2016 the FAA published new regulations that allow pilots to land and roll out in poor visibility solely by reference to the enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) imagery on the HUD, without ever seeing the runway environment or the ground with their natural vision. Avionics and aircraft manufacturers are already taking advantage of the new EVFS-to-land rules.

AINsight: LOSA Provides Insight into Crew Performance

For business aviation operators planning to build a modern safety system, the “roadmap” begins with establishing a safety management system (SMS). Using SMS as the foundation, the operator can build on this system by implementing other subordinate safety programs, such as line operations safety audits (LOSA).

According to FAA AC 120.90, “a LOSA is a formal process that requires expert and highly trained observers to ride the jumpseat during regularly scheduled flights to collect safety-related data on environmental conditions, operational complexity, and flightcrew performance. Confidential data collection and non-jeopardy assurance for pilots are fundamental to the process.”

LOSA by design attempts to capture “normal” line pilot performance using peer-to-peer observations in a non-threatening environment. Observers—acting as a “fly on the wall”—capture information using the threat-and-error management framework that is unlike any other data source. LOSA provides a snapshot of the “health” of an operation that identifies both weaknesses and strengths.

Currently, the LOSA concept is gaining in popularity and is in “vogue” in many segments of aviation. For the business aviation operator, there are a number of organizations providing services that come up short of the true intent of LOSA and do not follow the guidance as outlined in either the FAA advisory circular or ICAO document 9803. Capturing true crew performance during line operations can be accomplished only if the LOSA recipe is followed; otherwise, it’s simply a line check or some other observation.

Bombardier Caps Year with Order for Four Global 6000s

While Bombardier is continuing development of its new Global 6500 program, the in-production Global 6000 captured new orders with the most recent announcement of the sale of four to an undisclosed customer. Bombardier, which announced the order yesterday, valued the transaction at $310 million based on list prices and an accompanying contract for services.

Bombardier did not detail the delivery plans but has maintained that the 6,000-nm Global 6000 and its Global 5000 (5,200-nm) sibling would remain in production depending on market demand. The company late next year plans to begin delivery of the next generation of the Global models, the 6500 and 5500, which will sport new Rolls-Royce Pearl engines, a re-profiled wing, and new flight deck and interior features including a Collins combined vision system head-up display. Initial plans call for all four models—including the 5000 and 6000—to be built simultaneously.

The Global 5000/6000 family has remained a solid seller for Bombardier, with approximately 50 of the aircraft handed over in most years, peaking at 80 in 2014. Twenty-nine of the aircraft have been handed over through the first three quarters of this year.

The 6000, which can reach speeds of Mach 0.89, can link Moscow to Los Angeles nonstop with eight passengers and four crew. The aircraft is offered with Bombardier’s Premier cabin, which incorporates features based on the flagship Global 7500 interior.

VNY To Host Sustainable Fuel Day in January

On January 17, Los Angeles-area Van Nuys Airport (VNY) will play host to a milestone event in the development and adoption of sustainable alternative jet fuels (SAJF). Titled Business Jets Fuel Green: A Step Toward Sustainability, the day-long event will mark the official launch of SAJF use in private aircraft, making VNY the first dedicated GA airport to offer it on a trial basis.

First announced during the most recent NBAA-BACE, organizers have now outlined plans for the event. The demonstration day, which begins at 10 a.m., will feature an SAJF workshop and panel discussion, flight demonstrations of aircraft powered by SAJF, a luncheon, media briefing, and reception, all aimed at highlighting the industry’s long-standing commitment to emissions reduction, with a goal of carbon neutrality by 2020. On that day, all of the airport's FBOs will have SAJF-blended fuel available for those who wish to use it.

In addition to local civic leaders, on hand to commemorate the event will be industry luminaries including NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen; Pete Bunce, president and CEO of GAMA; Bombardier Business Aircraft president and chair of GAMA’s environment committee, David Coleal; IBAC director general Kurt Edwards; Athar Husain Khan, secretary general of the EBAA; Gary Dempsey, president of NATA; Deborah Flint, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports; and Van Nuys Airport Association president Curt Castagna, among others. 

Experimental Aircraft Fatalities Continue Descent

Fatal accidents in experimental-category aircraft fell 2 percent between the FAA’s Fiscal Year 2017 and 2018, the Experimental Aircraft Association said this week, continuing a four-year decline. In the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2018, fatal accidents in the category totaled 44. FY 2018’s total also was nearly 14 percent lower than the FAA’s “not-to-exceed” threshold of 51 fatality accidents for the period, EAA said. 

“The FAA has challenged our community by lowering the not-to-exceed goal by nearly 20 percent since 2015, but we have met and surpassed that goal,” said EAA v-p of advocacy and safety Sean Elliott. “These are historic lows for fatal accidents in amateur-built and experimental category aircraft.”

EAA attributed the declines to working closely with the FAA and NTSB on recommendations to reduce fatal accidents, including co-chairing the FAA General Aviation Joint Steering Committee. “Further reducing the accident totals is a continuing challenge, but one that is foremost as part of EAA’s mission to boost participation in aviation,” Elliott said.

Vintage C-47s To Gather for D-Day Tribute

The National Warbird Operator Conference (NWOC) has partnered with the D-Day Squadron, a non-profit organization that will lead an American fleet of restored C-47s and DC-3s to Europe next year in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the pivotal Normandy Invasion.

At NMOC’s annual convention in February, the D-Day Squadron will make a presentation on preparations for the May 2019 flight, which will trace the original route across the North Atlantic used to ferry aircraft during the Second World War. The 19 twin-engine transports, nicknamed the Dakota by the British, will then join their European counterparts to create “DAKs over Normandy,” an aerial fleet of more than 30 aircraft that will depart the UK’s Duxford Airfield on June 5, cross the English Channel, and drop more than 250 paratrooper re-enactors in full period uniforms over the original drop zones along the French coast in Normandy.

Events surrounding the flight will take place on June 2-5 at Duxford and from June 5-9 at Caen-Carpiquet Airport in France.

"It is really great that the industry has come together to support us in a major way,” said Moreno Aguiari, executive director of the D-Day Squadron. “Several companies have offered their support and expertise, and we are really proud of this. I want to thank the NWOC management team for giving us the opportunity to present our mission and for facilitating our participation."

Aviation 20 Group Approaches Fourth Decade

With consolidation reducing the ranks of large independent FBOs in the U.S., a group of FBO owners that banded together to help each other and share best practices remains strong nearly four decades later. Known as the FBO #1 Group, or more commonly the Aviation 20 Group, it was founded in 1980 and includes some of the most highly regarded service providers. It meets three times a year with members hosting the three-day gatherings on a rotating basis.

The group’s number hovers around 20 participants, some of whom have been part of it for so long that they have watched other members’ children grow up. Following a welcome dinner on a Saturday, Sunday’s session begins with each member giving a brief update on their business, including any equipment purchases or upgrades to their locations.

That is followed by a brainstorming session, where each attendee must give a suggestion for something they have done that might benefit one of the other members. Everyone is required to bring an idea that if implemented, it would more than pay for their trip. The group takes this seriously with winnings for the best suggestion. Those who don’t come prepared are fined $500 and poor suggestions are booed.

Recent discussions at the gathering have included retention of based customers and attraction of transients, social media and marketing, and organizational culture. The event has helped evolve FBOs over the years, participants say.

Block Island Airport Hoping To Attract Service Provider

While Rhode Island’s Block Island Airport has been without an FBO since the end of September, when FlightLevel Aviation ceased operations there at the conclusion of its seasonal contract, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) has issued a new RFP to manage the facility at the summer enclave gateway and collect airport fees.

The state-owned airport, which has a 2,500-foot runway, does not sell fuel. The RFP, which is closing today, specifies a three-year agreement to conduct airport services such as assisting aircraft operators in aircraft parking and radio calls, collecting landing and parking fees, recording aircraft operations, and general cleaning and janitorial services. The request calls for the facility to be staffed from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week from April 1 through September 30 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week for the remainder of the year. While nearly 14,500 operations were logged in 2017, according to published reports, FlightLevel did not believe there was enough activity at the airport to justify a year-round presence there.

A pre-proposal meeting, held recently at the airport to gauge local response to the RFP, seemed to confirm that, attracting no interested parties.

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