Bose Introduces Improved ProFlight Headset

Bose today at 2019 EAA AirVenture unveiled its ProFlight Series 2 aviation headset, which it claims is its most lightweight, compact, and comfortable headset for corporate and commercial pilots yet. The new headset, expected to be available worldwide in September and priced starting at $799.95, incorporates improvements based on feedback from pilots.

Features of the new headset include a thinner, lighter, and more flexible cable, lower weight and enhanced stability for the wearer, and a refined low mode of noise cancellation designed to optimize communication outside the use of the intercom. Coming in at an on-head weight of 4.5 ounces, the Series 2 headset is 0.4 ounces less than its ProFlight predecessor. An option for custom-molded eartips from Avery Sound is also available.

“We spoke with numerous corporate and airline pilots about their work environment and received valuable input that helped our engineers deliver a refined headset ideally suited for their unique flight deck and cockpit environments—where noise is pervasive, comfort is required, and communication is critical,” said Bose director of aviation, military and SoundComm headsets.

Epic Obtains Type Inspection Authorization for E1000

Bend, Oregon-based Epic Aircraft took a step closer toward certification of its carbon fiber E1000 turboprop single this year, securing type inspection authorization (TIA) from the FAA, the company announced today. Considered a precursor to type certification (TC), TIA clears the way for the final FAA conformity inspections and flight-testing. Epic recently wrapped up more than 4,000 company-conforming flight tests, it added.

“Entering this final phase of flight testing is a tremendous achievement for our customers, our staff, and our E1000 certification program, keeping us on track for TC later this year,” said Epic Aircraft CEO Doug King.

Owned by Russian-controlled Engineering LLC, Epic began testing of its first flight-test vehicle (FT1) in December 2015, with FT2 joining the program in January 2018. The aircraft have combined for more than 1,000 flight hours, and Epic said all critical test-flight maneuvers have been completed.

The $3.25 million aircraft is powered by a 1,200-hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A, is equipped with Garmin NXi avionics, cruises at 330 ktas, can fly 1,650 nm, and has a full-fuel payload of 1,100 pounds. Epic has commitments for nearly 90 of the aircraft, the company said.

New Hangar Debuts at Dallas Love Field

Business Jet Center (BJC), one of five (soon to be six) FBOs at Dallas Love Field, has completed its newest and largest hangar, which will begin accepting tenant aircraft immediately. The 46,000-sq-ft Hangar M is already fully leased and brings the facility to more than 250,000 sq ft of total aircraft storage space. The $8.5 million project took a year to build, features 28-foot-high doors, and can accommodate the latest ultra-long-range business jets such as the Bombardier Global 7500.

The full-service FBO experienced a record-breaking year in 2018, with continued growth through the first half of this year. Despite the addition of Hangar M, the facility remains near capacity in terms of aircraft occupancy.

“BJC is positioned well to serve the continued growth in aviation traffic at Love Field, and most recently, we have begun design of our next hangar facilities to meet additional demand for hangar space,” said company partner Mike Wright.

SkyCourier Cabin Mockup Makes Debut at Oshkosh

A full-scale cabin mockup of Textron Aviation’s newest airplane, the Cessna SkyCourier utility turboprop twin, is making its debut this week at EAA AirVenture, which opened today. It is among an array of airplanes, as well as a Cessna Denali cabin and cockpit mockup, that the Wichita airframer has brought to the annual airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

SkyCourier is Cessna’s latest offering that can be configured for cargo or passenger operations. FedEx is the launch customer for the high-wing airplane that was announced in November 2017, having placed a firm order for 50 SkyCouriers in a cargo format and options for 50 more.

Additionally, Textron’s full Beechcraft and Cessna piston and turboprop product range is being represented at AirVenture, as well as the Citation M2 and CJ3+. The piston aircraft on display feature the new factory standard equipment as part of Garmin’s G1000 NXi next-generation integrated flight deck.

Ampaire Plans To Electrify Caravan, Twin Otter

Ampaire yesterday announced plans to bring hybrid-electric power to more models of existing aircraft, including the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan and Viking Twin Otter; add a diesel-hybrid retrofit option for piston-powered aircraft; and begin passenger service late this year in Hawaii—with Mokulele Airlines on Maui—with its electric-hybrid Cessna 337 Skymaster conversion it calls the EEL.

Company CEO Kevin Noertker said his company’s engine conversions cut fuel consumption by between 70 and 90 percent, reduce maintenance expense by 20 to 50 percent, and produce significantly quieter aircraft. According to Noertker, Ampaire currently holds orders for 50 EELs, an overall order backlog valued at $70 million, contracts with the U.S. Air Force and NASA, and had received an investment from aircraft engine-maker Continental.

He said the market for bringing hybrid electric power to commuter aircraft could be worth more than $4 billion, noting that Norway has already set a goal of mandating all-electric flights on in-country flights of less than 90 minutes.

Senate To Begin Consideration of Dickson Nomination

The Senate this week is expected to consider the nomination of Stephen Dickson as the next FAA administrator. He was narrowly approved along party lines by the Senate Commerce Committee earlier this month, and now a full Senate procedural vote is scheduled to limit debate on the nomination. If successful, that cloture vote would clear the way for a full Senate vote on the nomination.

The nomination drew concerns of Democrats after information came to light about a whistleblower legal complaint filed against Dickson’s former employer, Delta Air Lines. Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) said she could not support the nomination, believing more needs to be researched given the concerns raised by the whistleblower. The whistleblower, a pilot for the carrier, is alleging that Delta retaliated against her for raising safety concerns. This occurred while Dickson was senior v-p of flight options at Delta.

Commerce Committee chairman Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), however, called Dickson an “excellent nominee.” And Airlines for America CEO and president Nick Calio lauded the Commerce Committee approval.

“We continue to believe that Steve Dickson is uniquely qualified to provide the vision, leadership, and experience needed to meet the challenges and significant opportunities ahead for the FAA,” Calio said. “We urge all Senators to approve his nomination on the Senate floor.”

Some Govt Ops Exempt from Continuous ADS-B Transmission

The FAA has issued an interim final rule that exempts certain government operations from the requirement that all aircraft equipped with ADS–B Out must transmit at all times. This rulemaking permits removing the continuous transmission requirement for “sensitive operations conducted by federal, state, and local government entities in matters of national defense, homeland security, intelligence, and law enforcement.”

According to the FAA, these entities need the ability to terminate the transmission signal when conducting sensitive missions that could be compromised by transmitting real-time identification and positional flight information over ADS–B. Additionally, the FAA is aware of some instances where operating a transponder or transmitting ADS–B Out would jeopardize the safe execution of ATC functions.

“For example, when aircraft are conducting formation flights, the close proximity of the aircraft to each other causes distracting audio and visual alerts on a controller’s display,” the agency said. “Controllers are able to silence these alerts, but are still subject to multiple, overlapping information elements on the controller’s display that make it difficult to discern information.”

This rule will give the FAA the necessary flexibility to adjust ATC procedures to accommodate sensitive government missions and otherwise ensure the safe execution of air traffic control functions without a negative effect on users. Comments on this interim final rule must be received on or before September 16.

Aviation Safety Information Clearinghouse Debuts

SkyRegs, a new web-based source of aviation safety regulations and guidance for the aviation community, launched today at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Developed to give context to the countless aviation safety documents and underlying regulations used by those in commercial and general aviation, UAV operations, and aviation education, the online service provides immediate access to more than 10 million pages of the latest regulatory information. It is updated daily.

“The aviation community knows how time-consuming it is to keep up with ever-changing regulations, housed in multiple locations,” said Kevin McGreevy, senior vice president for business development at the Virginia-based company. “We saw a need in the market that we could fill with our team of pilots, aviation regulatory subject matter experts, and software application developers.”

For a limited time, SkyRegs is offering members of the aviation community a free 30-day trial of the service. Subscriptions are $99 annually per user, with a discount available for teams of five or more users.

Tales from the Flight Deck: DEF Contamination

Mistaking diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) additive for fuel system icing inhibitor PRIST on the flight line is a growing problem on ramps all over the world. This can be disastrous since DEF causes jet-A to crystalize and clog aircraft fuel filters and lines. In fact, DEF contamination of jet-A has already forced several business aircraft crews to perform engine-out landings in the U.S. and elsewhere.