SyberJet Aircraft is progressing toward amended type certification (TC) of the SJ30i SyberVision with the successful completion of aircraft control identification tests (ACID) in support of the development of a new autopilot for the light twinjet, it announced today. Additionally, the manufacturer continues to check off other avionics functional tests that are required for the SJ30i’s certification.
Honeywell and SyberJet are jointly developing the new autopilot under flight testing by the two companies at SyberJet’s Engineering and Product Development Center located at the San Antonio International Airport (SAT). Collected test data will be used by Honeywell to develop the initial gain settings that will be used as the basis for autopilot tuning later this spring.
An all-new avionics suite for the SJ30i is powered by Honeywell’s Epic 2.0 and integrated with a new electric pitch-trim actuator developed by Electromech Technologies in Wichita. Integration of the two systems is going well, according to SyberJet. Following amended TC the company expects to begin deliveries in early 2021.
EASA To Publish eVTOL Means of Compliance Plans
In mid-February, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) expects to publish proposals on the accepted means of compliance for new electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft aiming for type certification under its new special-conditions VTOL rules. At the same time, it will begin a public consultation on a special-condition regulation for electric and hybrid propulsion systems used by these aircraft.
This first set of accepted means of compliance proposals will cover the most critical requirements for eVTOL aircraft, according to EASA head of VTOL David Solar. He told AIN that these are being issued first because these requirements will have the biggest impact on design work now being done by eVTOL manufacturers.
By mid-November, EASA expects to publish proposals for a second set of accepted means of compliance requirements for less critical items. The proposals may be adapted following input from the industry.
“The plan is that over the next couple of years, or more, we will see if we are aligned with what the applicants [eVTOL manufacturers] are doing,” Solar said. “At some point, it may result in a new regulation, or a change in the regulatory framework, it is hard to predict exactly when this will be completed because the industry is going through a lot of prototypes now, with many final designs still on the drawing board.”
Retired Los Angeles Lakers basketball legend Kobe Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna, 13, were two of nine aboard a 1991 Sikorsky S-76B—registered as N72EX—who died Sunday at 9:47 a.m. local time when the helicopter went down just south of the 101 freeway in Calabasas, California. According to the Los Angeles County sheriff, there were eight passengers and one pilot on board.
The helicopter lifted off from John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, at 9:06 a.m. en route to Bryant’s basketball academy in Thousand Oaks, California when it slammed into a hillside in conditions described as low ceilings and heavy fog.
The helicopter registered to Island Express Holding.
Both Van Nuys and Burbank Airports reported marginal weather conditions near the time of the accident. At 9:51 a.m., Van Nuys reported 2.5 miles visibility, 1,100 feet overcast, and haze. At Burbank at 10:16 a.m., it was also 2.5 miles visibility with a ceiling of 1,100 feet in haze.
The wreckage was located just south of the 101 freeway and was consumed by a post-crash fire.
Following the accident, both the Helicopter Association International (HAI) and the accident aircraft’s manufacturer, Sikorsky, issued statements of condolence.
Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI) lost its longer serving FBO when Image Air closed its doors last week. The family-owned business had served the Bloomington/Normal airport’s customers for nearly half a century. For much of that time it was the sole provider, but since 2013 it shared the ground handing and fueling duties with Synergy Flight. Image Air’s founder Kenneth Rittenhouse died unexpectedly a year ago, and the family decided it would wind down the business.
“They had continued to operate with the staff they had in place, there were no other family members that were interested in stepping into the same role as Mr. Rittenhouse,” said Fran Strebing, the airport’s deputy director of marketing.
In the meantime, a lender foreclosed on its outstanding loan on the Image Air property, which still has more than four decades remaining on its lease, and purchased it in November. It then sold the company’s buildings and assets to Synergy, making it the lone service provider on the field. Included in the purchase are two heated hangars totaling 28,650 sq ft, an additional 12,250 sq ft of terminal/office space, and a pair of 5,000-gallon jet-A tankers.
Synergy’s owner and CEO Andrew Dustman plans to relocate his maintenance facility to one of the hangars, following a major refurbishment project which could cost up to $1 million.
Bombardier’s Tianjin Center Receives EASA Mx Approvals
Less than two years after its opening, Bombardier’s Tianjin Service Center in China has received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 145 approval for line and base maintenance on Globals and Challengers and component approval for batteries and wheels. Equipped to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, the center also provides avionics installations and AOG support for Learjets, Challengers, and Globals.
“These important EASA certifications illustrate how well equipped we are to support Bombardier Business Aircraft customers across the region for their warranty, repair, and line-service needs,” said Bombardier customer experience v-p and general manager Jean-Christophe Gallagher. “The Tianjin service center provides top maintenance support and service to customers in China and gives Asia-Pacific-based customers quicker access to support closer to their base operations.”
Bombardier and Tianjin Airport Economic Area jointly opened the 95,766-sq-ft (8,500 sq m) center in April 2017, which is located in northeastern China. It opened with Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certification to support the Global family, Challenger 604/605, and Challenger 850 series. The CAAC certification allows the center to perform 96-month inspections for 600-series Challengers, as well as 120-month inspections for Globals.
Central Florida Launches Newest NBAA Chapter
The Central Florida Business Aviation Association (CFBAA) launched January 23 with its first meeting attended by 65 local airport, education, and business aviation representatives at the new Sheltair facility at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). “We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response to our new organization,” said CFBAA president Dave Keys.
The first meeting of CFBAA, attended by guests from as far away as Savannah, Georgia, included briefings on airport developments at Orlando Sanford (SFB), Orlando Executive and at Orlando International Airport (MCO) as well as efforts by the group to attract and mentor new recruits to the industry. Representatives from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University attended, seeking mentors for students. Attendees also heard a briefing on Florida legislative initiatives affecting business aviation.
Bombardier sponsored the luncheon provided by Primo’s Gourmet Catering. CFBAA has scheduled a safety standdown on May 13 with NBAA president Ed Bolen as a speaker. It is recruiting more members and volunteers to committees overseeing education, communication, membership, and safety.
Hartzell Propeller Names New President
Hartzell Propeller promoted JJ Frigge to president effective immediately, the company announced today. He succeeds Joe Brown, who will assume the role of chairman.
“JJ has distinguished himself as a thoughtful and respected leader,” Brown said. “We are pleased with the way that he has fully embraced the culture and the values of our family business. His individual integrity and leadership style fully represent our core value of ‘built on honor.’ We are confident in his talents and ability to take on this important leadership role.”
According to Hartzell, Frigge will be responsible for company operations and the development and execution of new projects. Frigge will also work with Brown on other aspects, including “longer-term elements of running the family-owned business.”
Frigge came to Hartzell in 2011 after working 10 years as a finance manager at Procter & Gamble, starting as the propeller design and manufacturing company's controller before taking charge of Hartzell’s marketing and day-to-day business operations in 2013. He was named the company's executive v-p and general manager last year. A 2001 cum laude graduate of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in business administration, finance and economics, Frigge also serves on the communications committee of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
Aviation Safety Question of the Week
Provided by
Which of the following is a recognized strategy to deal with possible distractions and interruptions in the cockpit?
A. Lock the flight deck door and do not answer nuisance calls.
B. Implement SOPs that include the requirement for a “sterile cockpit” in critical flight phases.
C. Lower the radio volume in critical flight phases.
D. Preempt interruptions by initiating all radio calls.
Mandatory Changes Made to Helo IFR Minimums
The FAA has published Notice 8900.534, which describes mandatory revisions to helicopter operations specification (OpSpec) H105 by implementing revised IFR weather guidance for rotorcraft operations conducted under FAR Parts 91K and 135. To provide time for FAA inspectors and helo operators to incorporate the changes, the revisions don’t become effective until June 19.
OpSpecH105 authorizes certificate holders and program managers to derive alternate airport IFR weather minimums in those cases that require an alternate airport. These revisions should ease operators in selecting those alternates. For example, one revision to H105 revises the “Ceiling” column by replacing the abbreviations “HAA” and “HAT” with “DA(H)” and “MDA(H).”
The agency says that using both decision altitude (height) (DA[H]) and minimum descent altitude (height) (MDA[H]) are consistent with both current U.S. operator usage and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) international agreements to provide a clear explanation of “(H)” or “height” value, relating (H) to height above touchdown (HAT) and height above airport (HAA). Another key revision will offer reduced IFR approach minimums by authorizing operators to conduct GPS-based instrument approach procedures (IAP) at the alternate airport by appropriately-equipped helicopters and applicably-trained crews. This revised guidance includes a chart to provide additional clarity on GPS-equipage requirements, and operational conditions and limitations.
Act Now: FBO Survey Closing Soon
Don’t wait—AIN’s FBO survey is now open for year-round feedback. It takes only a minute, and you can do it while waiting for passengers, on the shuttle bus to/from the hotel or any other time that is convenient for you. Log on to www.ainonline.com/fbosurvey to rate your experiences at the FBOs you visit. Voting for this year's survey closes February 7.
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.
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