“Investigators are now looking at a reported trim issue that occurred prior to the in-flight upset” of a Bombardier Challenger 300 Friday afternoon over Northampton, Massachusetts that killed one passenger, according to the NTSB. The twinjet, registered as N300ER and using callsign XSR300, took off from Dillant-Hopkins Airport (KEEN) in Keene, New Hampshire, and was headed to Leesburg (Virginia) Executive Airport (KJYO) with two flight crew and three passengers on board, the FAA said.
Flight tracking data from ADSBExchange indicates that the aircraft took off from KEEN at 3:37 p.m. and climbed to about 24,000 feet before the in-flight upset occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m., with vertical speed peaking at almost 6,000 fpm before dropping to nearly -2,000 fpm seconds later. Following the mishap, the jet diverted to Bradley International Airport (KBDL) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, landing at 4 p.m.
The FAA issued an airworthiness directive (AD) on February 7—and effective March 14—for Challenger 300/350 pitch trim switches made after 2019, though N300ER was manufactured in 2013. Transport Canada issued a similar AD in February 2022.
“Investigators will continue to learn more after they are able to analyze information from the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, and other sources of information like weather data,” the NTSB said in a statement. An NTSB preliminary report is expected to be available in two to three weeks.
Modern Aviation celebrated the expansion of its FBO at Denver Centennial Airport (KAPA) with a grand opening last week. The $23 million project, which took 18 months to complete, has more than doubled its footprint, adding 52,000 sq ft of hangar space, 4,000 sq ft of offices, and 3.5 acres of ramp.
It also included a 7,000-sq-ft terminal that will replace its existing 3,500-sq-ft building. It features a 10-seat conference room, meeting room, pilot lounge with eight individual snooze pods, showers, and a refreshment bar.
Modern has had a presence at KAPA since 2018 when it purchased the then-flagship XJet location. The FBO chain, which now numbers 16 locations, has converted the former terminal into leasable tenant office space to meet growing demand. In 2021, the company also struck a deal to purchase another FBO terminal and hangar at KAPA currently occupied by Signature Flight Support. Once Signature's lease expires around the end of the decade, that facility will revert to Modern's control, giving it the largest leasehold on the field.
“This development enhances our presence at Centennial Airport, one of the busiest business aviation airports in the country,” said CEO Mark Carmen. “Our FBO facility includes top-tier amenities and was carefully designed with pilots and passengers in mind and allows Modern Aviation to better serve our customers today and well into the future.”
Daher’s aircraft division is partnering with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) on its international internship program designed to motivate and cultivate future general aviation leaders.
Two North American students will be selected for a transatlantic internship that will provide hands-on experience and connection with workers, managers, pilots, and aircraft operators. Participating students will spend eight weeks at Daher’s headquarters and production facility in Tarbes, France, and then in late July head to EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they will support Daher’s activities. The internship covers travel expenses and living allowances.
“These internships provide students with an invaluable international experience that will further their knowledge of the incredible professional global opportunities in our robust industry,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce.
Nicolas Chabbert, senior v-p of Daher’s Aircraft Division, called the internship a “once in a lifetime opportunity,” enabling students to work side-by-side with the Daher team.
Applicants should be between 18 to 24 years old, a U.S. or Canadian citizen, and a full-time student pursuing an associate, undergraduate, or graduate degree. In addition, prospective interns should demonstrate an interest in an aeronautical career.
Interns will be selected based on a resume and cover letter and a 40-second introductory video. Deadline for application is March 20 and final selections will be announced by Daher and GAMA at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo on March 28 in Lakeland, Florida.
As it continues its path toward the drafting of a comprehensive FAA reauthorization bill, the House aviation subcommittee is turning its attention to general aviation issues. The subcommittee will hold a hearing on Thursday at 10 a.m. entitled “Securing the Future of General Aviation."
Rep. Sam Graves (R-Missouri), who chairs the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has said he plans to include a title in the FAA reauthorization bill on general aviation for the first time. Such a section would bring more attention to the sector, Graves said.
Scheduled to testify on Thursday are AOPA president and CEO Mark Baker; EAA chairman and CEO Jack Pelton; Rick Crider, executive v-p of airport/railport and military relations at Port San Antonio on behalf of the American Association of Airport Executives; and NATA president and CEO Curt Castagna.
The hearing is the second on the House side on FAA reauthorization this year, with an earlier session in February held on aviation safety.
The House and Senate have until September 30 to finish work on the FAA bill before the current authorization expires. Graves has indicated a desire to have the initial version drafted by July 1, according to NATA.
Charter booking platform KinectAir plans to use Electra’s nine-passenger eSTOL aircraft to develop point-to-point regional air mobility services in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Under an initial agreement, KinectAir said it intends to add up to 30 of the hybrid-electric short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft to a fleet that several of its operating partners would own.
Terms of the provisional transaction were not disclosed but Electra said that Washington-based KinectAir will “facilitate” the purchase. According to KinectAir, the aircraft will be distributed among its FAA Part 135-certified operators when delivered, as anticipated, in 2027.
The KinectAir platform currently offers one-way and round-trip whole aircraft charter flights operated by several commercial operators with a mix of eight-seat Pilatus PC-12 turboprop singles and five-passenger Diamond DA62 piston twins. The company provides operators with its software, which it said maximizes fleet utilization and provides competitive pricing for travelers.
KinectAir is seeking to add operators to its network and would also like to expand it to other regions of the U.S. and to Europe. The company is in the process of applying for its own Part 135 certificate.
Want more? You can find a longer version of this article at FutureFlight.aero, a news and information resource developed by AIN to provide objective coverage and analysis of cutting-edge aviation technology.
Aviation Safety Question of the Week
Provided by
What is the engine pressure ratio (EPR) indicator?
A. An indication of the thrust being developed by a piston engine.
B. An indication of the power being developed by a piston engine.
C. An indication of the thrust being developed by a turbofan engine.
D. An indication of the power being developed by a turbofan engine.
NBAA concluded its 2023 Leadership Conference late last week in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a record 500 attendees. “This leadership conference was not just our largest ever—it had an energy unlike any before it, reflecting the industry’s excitement for accessing new ideas and new opportunities, from pioneers and industry professionals alike,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “We expect to build on the momentum displayed at this conference in our events throughout the year.”
The conference included sessions on a range of career-building topics such as creating confidence, boosting team morale, and maintaining personal excellence. It also featured speakers who ranged from championship Nascar driver Brad Keselowski and author and consultant Todd Henry to Sian Proctor, the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft.
In addition, the gathering provided a forum for various association groups to network, including NBAA’s Owner Pilot Association Coalition, Leadership Council, and Young Professionals in Business Aviation (YoPro). The YoPro group accounted for 70 of the attendees.
NBAA has scheduled the 2024 NBAA Leadership Conference on February 6 to 8 in Palm Springs, California.
Two business aviation companies in Africa have created joint venture BFK Aviation to drive industry development on the continent and beyond as the appeal of private flying gains increasing traction in emerging markets. In bridging the gap between Luanda and Addis Ababa, the tie-up between Angolan management and charter operator Bestfly and Ethiopia’s Krimson, a provider of flight support also engaged in developing sub-Saharan FBOs, gives Africa new options outside traditional business aviation growth centers in Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria.
In a sign of its international ambition, the joint venture has signed a partnership agreement with Xen Aviation, a Georgetown, Guyana-based operator and aviation services provider. “BFK Aviation will support the needs of Xen Aviation’s expanding flight and ground services for current and future operations,” it said.
BFK Aviation intends to spur the evolution and growth of the industry in emerging markets around the globe, according to the two companies.
“Undoubtedly, we can enable and enhance credible operations in challenging and dynamic operating environments,” said Dawit Lemma, Krimson’s group chairman and CEO. “We want to harness this very specific knowledge and understanding to support stakeholders in nations that want to maximize the sector's benefits but are still at the early stages of development.”
The newly formed South Texas Business Aviation Association (STXBAA) nonprofit aims to connect business aviation professionals based in South and Central Texas. Its stated purpose is to provide an “educational, advocational, and social platform for companies in South Texas that own or operate aircraft as a business tool as well as companies servicing business aircraft."
Jill Case, v-p of managed aircraft sales at Executive Jet Management, formed the group and has assembled a board of nine directors all working in South Texas, including Jodie Kaluza from Million Air and Matt Elkins from Signature Flight Support. Also involved is NBAA's Southwest Central regional director, Steve Hadley.
Case lives in Austin and created the group as a networking platform to “create a shared experience.” She notes that the organization will strive to enhance the community and “get youth involved” to spark their interest in careers as pilots or maintenance technicians.
STXBAA will hold a launch event on March 23 at Houston Hobby Airport's Million Air facility, as well as a San Antonio meet-and-greet event on June 8.
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