The FAA has updated an advisory circular (AC) that provides regulatory guidance for operators to obtain approval for using enhanced flight vision systems (EFVS) to fly instrument approaches to 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation. Changes clarify the regulatory requirements for operators to meet the enhanced flight visibility requirement “the entire way to the runway and through rollout,” not just to 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation.
In addition, the AC clarifies the means for obtaining an EFVS authorization, developing an EFVS training curriculum, and using EFVS “operational credit.” The latter refers to the portion of flight visibility prescribed by the instrument approach being flown that is satisfied by the enhanced image provided by the EFVS.
The AC also cautions that it does not necessarily apply for conducting EFVS operations outside the U.S. Specific policies and procedures related to EFVS operations may be published in a country's aeronautical information publications or ICAO's manual of all-weather operations.
“We have made every attempt to write EFVS regulations that are performance based and not limited to a specific sensor technology,” concludes the AC. “The regulations accommodate future growth in real-time sensor technologies used in most EFVSs and maximize the benefits of rapidly evolving instrument approach procedures and advanced flight deck technology to increase safety and access during low-visibility operations.”
Textron Aviation has delivered the first of its Cessna SkyCouriers to launch customer FedEx Express. The utility aircraft handed over today represents the lead ship in a 50-unit order from FedEx, which also has options for 50 more.
Fedex played a role in the development of the aircraft with members of its design and engineering staff serving on Textron Aviation’s customer advisory board, helping to establish the twin turboprop’s design, features, and serviceability. The high-wing airplane is designed to carry a payload of up to 6,000 pounds with an 87-inch cargo door, a flat floor, and a nearly 70-inch tall and wide cabin to accept three standard LD3 air cargo containers.
“The result of four and a half years of collaboration with Textron Aviation on this aircraft, FedEx is excited to add the Cessna 408 SkyCourier as part of our fleet modernization program,” said Scot Struminger, the air cargo provider’s executive v-p of aviation, adding this will help it better serve small and medium markets. “The SkyCourier will make us more efficient, now being able to move containerized and palletized freight for our customers.”
Despite “doomsday” reports that China’s business jet population is in a freefall, mainland China saw its fleet dip by only six aircraft in 2021 and remained the largest regional market for the sector, according to Asian Sky Media’s latest Fleet Report for the Asia-Pacific region. However, Hong Kong did see its fleet shrink by 19 aircraft and Taiwan by one.
Overall, Greater China saw its fleet slide by 5.1 percent, marking the biggest contributor to the 1.1 percent decline overall in Asia-Pacific. Asian Sky Media expressed the belief that the dip in China is temporary, as many industry experts anticipate growth returning in the region once the pandemic—and its associated lockdowns and restrictions—eases.
By the end of December, the Asia-Pacific region was home to 1,215 business aircraft. Thirty-three new and 68 preowned business jets were delivered into the region in 2021. At the same time, though, 114 business jets left the region, marking a net decline of 13 from the fleet last year. New deliveries were down 13.2 percent for the year.
Long-range business jets still account for the largest portion of the region's fleet at 386, though their number decreased by 3 percent last year. This was followed by light jets at 269 (up 3.5 percent), large-cabin at 252 (down 7.7 percent), midsize jets at 141 (no change), and very light sector at 83 (up 16.9 percent).
Tennis star and FAA-licensed pilot Martina Navratilova will be a keynote speaker two weeks from today at the EBACE 2022 opening session. The European business aviation show will take place from May 23 to 25 at the Palexpo in Geneva, marking the first in-person EBACE since 2019 after the typically annual event was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
Navratilova will share her perspectives on the ways that her passions—tennis and flying—impart leadership skills applicable across many disciplines. She is an advocate of aggressive goal-setting, not surprising given her 59 Grand Slam titles.
“We are thrilled to have Martina with us at EBACE this year,” said Ed Bolen, president and CEO of NBAA, which co-hosts the show with EBAA. “Her incredible life story, both on and off the tennis court, will inspire people in all professions, and from all walks of life.”
Navratilova, who was born in Czechoslovakia in 1956, has spent much of her career overcoming challenges, prejudices, and stereotypes, NBAA noted. She earned her FAA private pilot certificate in 1999.
Garmin has released the latest update to its Garmin Pilot aviation app, adding new features such as a graphic display of taxiway and apron closures, along with SafeTaxi diagrams. Version 10.7 of the Garmin Pilot app—which provides flight-planning, weather, logbook, and other features designed for navigation—incorporates upgrades to its dynamic map and notam functions and builds in capabilities such as annotation on the screen. Further, Garmin has expanded third-party support.
The dynamic map enhancements optimize the visibility and size of navigation data, airspace boundary depictions, and airport icons. This provides a clearer view as the user zooms and pans around the map while looking at navigation data, airports, and airspace.
As far as the graphical notams, Garmin Pilot will display closures of both taxiways and aprons at airports in the U.S. and will provide alerts when new notices are available. The app further “decodes” notams into plain English.
Another improvement enables the user to take notes, draw taxiway routings, or highlight weather through a new, on-screen map annotation feature. The app will allow up to three pages of saved annotation.
In addition, Garmin Pilot will support select Bad Elf GPS models and, when connected to a Stratux ADS-B receiver, will be able to display ADS-B weather and traffic information as well as backup attitude and GPS position, Garmin said.
Orlando, Florida-based The HeliTeam has established SpeedBird, a private air charter services division that will use its own pilots and a small fleet of managed and owned turbine aircraft. SpeedBird’s fleet includes a Cessna Citation CJ2, CJ3, and X, Beechjet 400A, and Beechcraft King Air 350. It will be led by The HeliTeam founder and CEO Christopher Bull.
“SpeedBird is a unique addition to The HeliTeam’s comprehensive suite of aviation services,” said Bull. “Launching our private air charter service in Orlando allows our clients to access destinations far and wide, from one of the most convenient and in-demand locations for both luxury and business travel. Our executive team and in-house charter and operations support teams further represent the finest in aviation and customer service.”
The HeliTeam is an FAA Part 135, 133, and 137 operator providing charter, aerial application and crop dusting, electronic newsgathering, firefighting, and external load and utility transport using a fleet of turbine airplanes and helicopters.
Avfuel has provided 216,000 gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to FBOs at Monterey Regional Airport (KMRY) since it first began continual deliveries of the biofuel to Monterey Jet Center in early 2021. That amount of SAF has resulted in CO2 emissions savings of an estimated 513 tonnes, the equivalent of the yearly emissions of 111 passenger vehicles or the energy usage of more than 60 homes.
Monterey Jet Center became the first of the fuel supplier’s more than 600 branded dealers to offer SAF on a permanent basis, starting in March 2021. Del Monte Aviation, the other FBO on the field that is also supplied by Avfuel, began receiving its own supplies of SAF last summer based on customer demand with a launch event centered around the city’s famed Car Week. The blended SAF, supplied by Neste and derived from renewable sources such as used cooking oil, is a drop-in replacement for conventional jet fuel and fully meets ASTM D-1655 standards. In its unblended form, SAF can provide lifecycle carbon emissions savings of up to 80 percent.
“The entire Monterey community—from the FBOs and the airport to its businesses and citizens—have been champions for sustainability and a natural launching pad for SAF in the Avfuel network,” noted Keith Sawyer, the Michigan-based fuel provider’s manager of alternative fuels.
Sweden’s Savback Helicopters is bringing the Italian-built, two-seat, turbine-powered Zefhir helicopter to the Private Flyer luxury brand show at UK’s Wycombe Air Park May 13 to 14. Savback is an established helicopter dealer with offices in the UK and has sold more than 900 helicopters worldwide since 1990.
Zefhir was developed by Curti Aerospace to meet EASA CS-27 standards. It features a carbon-fiber airframe, glass cockpit, emergency ballistic parachute above the main rotor, composite rotor blades, and a 141-shp (continuous) turboshaft engine with fadec. The project was granted regional and European funding when launched in collaboration with PBS Velká Bíteš in 2013 and the helicopter first flew in 2017.
“The level of luxury and safety seen in this class of helicopter is a step above every other product for the private owner/pilot in the market to date,” said Stephen Mitchell, Savback’s head of sales for the UK and Ireland.
Zefhir has a hover ceiling of 13,100 feet, an mtow of 1,322 pounds, and a maximum range of 344 nm with a 10-minute reserve when equipped with the larger of two fuel tank options.
Count on AIN for Full Coverage of EBACE
As ever, you can count on AIN for full coverage of EBACE 2022. Our team will publish three of our award-winning daily EBACE Convention News editions at the show on May 23, 24, and 25. We will also have comprehensive real-time reporting of all the top news at AINonline.com and in our daily e-newsletters. If you are an exhibiting company that wants to share news or propose pre-show interviews and briefings, please contact show editor Chad Trautvetter.
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