Airbus Helicopters Takes New Look at Urban Air Noise

Airbus Helicopters continues to explore ways to reduce helicopter noise with both technology and new operating methods with an eye toward future urban air mobility environments.

While the company’s Fenestron tail rotor and Blue Edge main rotor blades can reduce a helicopter’s overall noise signature, the company continues to explore ways to minimize other variables that can be irritants to the human ear including impulsive, tonal, and high-frequency sounds, as well as the duration of the sound exposure. An example of impulsive sound includes the common “blade slap” generated by the intersection of the main blades’ vortex trail with subsequent blades. 

Possible solutions to further lower rotorcraft noise include “improving the Fenestron, working on blade profiles, reducing rotor speed, integrating hybridization, exploring low-sound flight procedures, and inventing very specific solutions for reducing a helicopter’s perceived sound footprint in urban areas,” said Julien Caillet, sound expert at Airbus Helicopters.

Research into helicopter noise is being used to evaluate potential eVTOL designs. Earlier this year, Airbus Helicopters’ innovation and acoustics teams, supported by the French civil aviation authority DGAC, conducted a study to measure the sound levels of Airbus helicopters as perceived by urban residents to positively influence the design of future eVTOLs. The project’s objective was to measure how buildings can filter or amplify sound.

Duncan, KGB Team on FDR/CVR Data Integrity Service

Duncan Aviation and KGB Aviation Solutions have teamed to provide a new data analysis service that ensures flight data recorders (FDRs) and cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) meet recording requirements. Under the partnership, Duncan will use KGB’s Data Acquisition Retrieval Tool (Dart) that downloads data from most FDRs, analyzes it, and provides a comprehensive report of the anomalies found.

Based on the results of the analysis, Duncan Aviation’s technicians are able to help troubleshoot and fix anomalies cited in the report. The reports provide insight into the integrity of the FDR and CVR systems’ recording abilities, and data is presented in accordance with whatever rules the customer is flying under, including FAR Part 91 or 135, Canada’s CAR 625, EASA, and ICAO.

“Flight data and the integrity of that data is the next significant advancement in business aviation,” said Duncan manager of satellite operations Matt Nelson. “Beyond complying with various regulations and requirements from safety management systems, insurance carriers and OEM programs will require that the data from on-board systems have the highest level of integrity."

Duncan Aviation is offering the download and data analysis services at its facilities in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah, as well as most of its 27 satellite avionics shops in the U.S.

Bombardier Expanding Apprenticeship with DOL Nod

Bombardier received U.S. Department of Labor registration for an apprenticeship training program conducted at its Red Oak, Texas facility in conjunction with Texas State Technical College (TSTC). The recognition enables Bombardier to expand its search for skilled manufacturing labor across the U.S. and maximize the available pool for the production of the Global 7500 metal wing in Red Oak, the airframer said.

Launched in December 2019, the two-year Bombardier Aviation Apprenticeship Program involves on-the-job training and theoretical, in-class learning. Bombardier and TSTC jointly provide the training at no cost using industry-tailored modules, experienced instructors, and tools and equipment. Modules cover health, safety, and quality best practices, along with aircraft drawing and specification comprehension, standards, and regulatory requirements, among others.

The first 55 individuals have entered the program, and plans call to recruit at least 100 more for the program over the next two years.

“Achieving official accreditation from the U.S. Department of Labor is crucial as it enables us to increase our scope and search for the best talent available to grow the program and in turn continue to ramp up Bombardier’s Global 7500 program,” said Paul Sislian, executive v-p of operations and operational excellence for Bombardier Aviation. “With more than 50 talented individuals currently being trained in the program, it underscores the importance of fueling the aerospace pipeline in the Red Oak region.”

ATP Aviation Hub Now Integrated with Flightdocs

Software and information service provider ATP and Flightdocs maintenance-tracking service have integrated their products, allowing users to access technical publications and regulatory information directly from the Flightdocs platform. ATP purchased Flightdocs in June, and the merged companies’ product development team has been working on the integration since then.

ATP’s Aviation Hub now provides users with access to more than 1,700 technical publications from 90 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), in addition to FAA and EASA regulatory documents. Before the integration, a technician preparing for maintenance, for example, by going over a due list in Flightdocs would have to switch to ATP to look up the technical information for the tasks. Now users can access all the necessary information directly from Flightdocs, which eliminates those extra steps.

“We continue to invest heavily in the evolution of the products we're delivering to aircraft owners, operators, and OEMs,” said Greg Heine, chief strategy officer at ATP. “The merger of ATP and Flightdocs just a few months ago strengthened our ability to develop new products, features, and integrations across all of our platforms. We're excited about this new launch and have numerous major releases planned over the next year.”

Calgary Airport Covid-19 Test Program Opened to Genav

Certain on-demand and general aviation (GA) operators are now eligible to participate in a limited Covid-19 testing program at Canada’s Calgary International Airport. Under the program, arriving international travelers will be allowed to quarantine for less than the normal 14 days provided they test negative for Covid-19 and they commit to program-outlined testing measures.

For charter passengers and crews to qualify for the program, flights must have originated at a commercial passenger terminal. Charter flights that originate from their own hangars or an FBO would be considered GA flights.

The program guidelines require GA operators to deplane at their hangar or FBO and be responsible for arranging a shuttle to the main terminal, where they would join the program line with airline passengers. After they clear the pilot program, travelers would need to arrange transportation to return to their hangar or FBO.

Operators can register for the program up to five days before arriving. The Canadian Business Aviation Association said it was instrumental in obtaining approval to allow GA participation.

Atlas Air Service Expands into Parts Repair, Overhaul

Atlas Air Service in Germany has received EASA approval for a new business unit that will perform maintenance, repair, and overhaul of aircraft parts that include hatches, flaps, flight controls, and structural components for any aircraft type. “We will consistently add further components to our capability list upon customer request,” said Atlas Air Service technical director Gregor Bremer. “It´s our goal to become a global spare parts supplier for overhauled aircraft components.”

The parts repair and overhaul business builds upon Atlas’s other business aviation units comprising aircraft sales, brokerage, MRO, non-destructive testing (NDT), aircraft management, and charter. An authorized service center for Embraer Executive Jets, Williams International, and Honeywell Aerospace, the 250-employee company with four locations stood up its parts repair and overhaul business in six months from its facility in Ganderkesee, Lower Saxony.

That facility offers a shop floor of more than 1,000 sq m, as well as NDT and paint shops and a warehouse.

Scott IPC Releases Int’l Plotting Chart App

Scott International Procedures (IPC) has released the Scott Plot ePlotting Chart app for the iPad. The app is designed to facilitate oceanic crossings, but also to be a key part of Scott IPC’s international procedures training and tools that the company offers to help customers flying overseas.

Pilots and dispatchers can use Scott Plot to set up international flights, by creating a Journey Logbook that includes all the information related to the trip and the flight plan, including weather, Notams, and charts. Scott Plot can accept flight plan formats from any provider.

“Three years ago we had the concept for an electronic plotting chart,” said company founder Shawn Scott. Given the extensive international operations training his company provides, he added, “We have a good feel for what’s needed in the cockpit. We wanted to make sure the user interface was as close as possible as what pilots are used to with paper planning. But there is no safety degradation.

“This is valuable for new and experienced pilots,” he said. “It keeps them from getting complacent. What we’re seeing is people with automation and CPDLC and FANS, they’re not modifying their standard operating procedures along with the new technology. We’re a training company and always have been. You’re subscribing to all the training, and the Scott Plot plotting chart is gravy on top of that.”

Avmats Acquires Gulfstream APU Facility Assets

Avmats Engine Support has acquired the assets of Gulfstream Aerospace’s auxiliary powerplant unit (APU) facility in Appleton, Wisconsin, bolstering the Missouri company’s business in the APU market, specifically those under the Sundstrand brand. “This acquisition adds capacity and capability to the already robust support that Avmats offers to our customers,” said Avmats president Justin Giessman.

With the acquisition, Avmats has added 10,000 sq ft and an additional test cell at its engine support facility in O’Fallon, Missouri. Avmats also now supports Sundstrand T-20G series APUs and line replaceable units, in addition to support of Sundstrand T-62T-40 series APUs. What’s more, the company has added capabilities to service electronic sequence units, for which it will provide repair and exchange options.

With operations in four locations totaling more than 250,000 sq ft, the Avmats family of companies provides maintenance, parts, and component support for Beechjet, Citation, Challenger, Falcon, Gulfstream, Hawker, Learjet, and Sabreliner jets.

Webinar: Using Data To Improve Pilot Performance, Safety

With fast-changing technology, safety mandates, and continued flight training, there is no doubt the aviation industry has become safer. Even so, flight safety continues to be a top priority and safety programs that advocate pilot performance evaluation are becoming a necessity for aircraft owners/operators. Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) is one of those programs. No longer limited to the commercial and military aviation sector, the business aviation community can now take advantage of FOQA flight data and analysis to improve pilot performance and safety. Join us on November 10th as AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber moderates this discussion with David Miner, Avidyne's general manager for business aviation, and Charlie Precourt, USAF Colonel (Ret.) and NBAA and EAA board member.