FlightSafety International has launched an effort called FlightSmart that uses modern technology, including IBM’s Watson artificial intelligence (AI) tool, to help its instructors and aviation training centers improve a student’s experience. “The product, through the collaboration with IBM, is utilizing advanced algorithms, machine learning, artificial intelligence—all of those cognitive technologies—to provide the objective evidence or objective evaluation of the student's performance,” said FlightSafety product director of AI and adaptive learning Matt Littrell.
Ultimately, FlightSafety sees FlightSmart as helping students learn faster by mastering tasks more quickly, while at the same time giving instructors better information about the students’ performance so they can act as “learning managers,” and provide better feedback to improve the training process. The goal of FlightSmart is to help pilots master their skills and become more proficient.
FlightSmart isn’t just for simulator training, but will also be helpful for task training on avionics and operating flight management systems; use of automation; standard operating procedures; crew resource management; and other areas besides flying such as maintenance and operating unmanned systems.
The first FlightSmart implementation is with the U.S. Air Force for the T-6A pilot training program. For FlightSafety’s business aviation customers, Littrell said, “We have implemented FlightSmart in a limited capacity on one of our business jet programs for developmental and evaluation purposes only. We are evaluating the best strategy for broader implementation.”
Indiana’s Huntingburg Regional Airport is set to begin a two-year extension project on its lone runway—a project that has been planned for more than a decade. The $12 million project, funded by federal, state, and local grants, will begin this month and includes the reconstruction of 700 feet of 5,000-foot Runway 9/27, along with extending it and its parallel taxiway by 500 feet.
To accomplish this, a Dubois County road at the end of the runway will be lowered, with a tunnel created for the runway extension to pass over it. The first phase of the work also calls for the installation of new LED runway lights and other navigational aids, while a second phase will see the runway widened from 75 to 100 feet. This expansion is intended to spur further growth at the dedicated general aviation facility, which has seen a boom in large-cabin aircraft traffic over the past several years.
“It’s said that general aviation is the largest airline in the United States because more business is flown with private aircraft than any other,” said Curtis Brown, project manager for Woolpert, which has been contracted by the county to provide engineering, design support, and construction management for the work. “GA is often overlooked, but these airports are critical to the economic welfare of state and local businesses across the country.”
Av8 Group Expands Facilities, Capabilities
Houston-based Av8 Group has expanded its facilities and added new equipment in a bid to increase its testing and overhaul services. The expansion includes the addition of 9,000 sq ft of space to its current facility, bringing the total to 30,000 sq ft.
It also added a servo test stand that can measure data in milliseconds and allows Av8 to overhaul servos and valves in assemblies, including anti-skid control valves. Also, the acquisition of a dedicated actuator test stand expands its capabilities to overhaul mechanical and hydraulic components such as flap/stabilizer screw jacks and leading-edge actuators.
“The expansion and additional testing capabilities are in line with our renewed focus on value in overhauls,” said Av8 Group CEO Yoel Arnoni. “This extends far beyond the initial landing gear overhauls we have become known for. We can now bring the same substantial value to other systems and component overhauls that we have been delivering to our landing gear customers.”
FAA Official Asks for Industry Help on Tax Diversion
A key FAA official is encouraging the aviation community to help the agency in its battle to combat airport revenues diversion, declaring “time is up” for jurisdictions out of compliance. Kirk Shaffer, the associate administrator for airports at the FAA, appealed to attendees last week at the 2019 NATA Aviation Leadership Conference that “you can do a lot” to help.
Airport managers will turn to the agency for assistance, whispering, “I’ve got a problem here,” but say they answer to a community with other priorities, he said. Shaffer said he is happy to step in because it is in the best interest of the community. “The more of that revenue that stays on the airport the less the cost of the airports on the community,” he said. “The fact remains that no matter what size the airport is...that airport is an economic driver in the community.”
Community leaders who divert revenue are only harming themselves, Shaffer said. “You folks can serve in the same role that I try to serve,” he told the audience. “When you are talking to your mayor or city council, you as the aviation professionals can educate them on the adverse impacts that flow from violating that federal statute.”
Scottsdale, Arizona-based Gemini Air Group has been named a Twin Commander factory-authorized service center by Twin Commander Aircraft, an Ontic company. It joins 12 other independently owned and operated aircraft sales, maintenance, and overhaul facilities that comprise a network providing authorized service to the Twin Commander fleet.
Gemini was established in 1997 as an aircraft management firm and has since expanded into charter operations, as well as maintenance and services. Operating from a 60,000-sq-ft facility at Scottsdale Airport (SDL), Gemini has developed expertise over the years operating Honeywell TPE331 turboprop engines that powered the likes of the 690B Twin Commander. The company’s maintenance technicians have undergone factory-authorized training and Gemini stocks genuine Twin Commander parts under the new authorization.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gemini Air Group into the Twin Commander factory-authorized service center network,” said Twin Commander aircraft business unit director Brian Harbaugh. “After visiting and meeting with the good people at Gemini, I feel confident we are aligned and committed to bringing value to our owners.”
NATA: NYC Helo Bill ‘Another Anti-aviation NIMBY-ism’
NATA joined the strong opposition to a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last month that would essentially ban Part 91 and 135 helicopter flights over New York City. “This particular proposal is poorly disguised as safety legislation when in actuality it really is another anti-aviation NIMBY-ism proposal,” said Jonathon Freye, v-p of government and public affairs for NATA. “The association strongly opposes any attempt to restrict access to the national airspace system, especially in instances like this one where they single out one group.”
Along with harming the industry in New York, Freye is concerned about broader ramifications. “Proposals like this one are a slippery slope that embolden other policymakers to pursue similar legislation,” he said, noting previous attempts by lawmakers to restrict airspace access at the local level. “It’s a constant drumbeat of legislators trying to whittle away at access for aviation stakeholders and that’s the problem.”
While the proposal might not progress this year, Freye said, “I think it's incumbent on our industry to take all proposals like this one seriously. Whether or not it will pass, it reflects some kind of sentiment and represents a call for our industry to reengage with policymakers.”
NATA's comments come as Helicopter Association International also has strongly objected to the bill, saying it is “an attempt to completely dismantle a thriving industry."
Dart Aerospace recently acquired key product lines and more than 30 STCs from Canadian helicopter mission equipment manufacturer Aero Design and its brand trademark. Terms were not disclosed. The deal follows Dart’s acquisition of Simplex Aerospace earlier last month. The pair of purchases expands Dart’s STC portfolio from 900 to more than 1,100.
Aero Design manufactures helicopter cargo baskets and steps of various sizes and configurations for helicopters, including Bell, Airbus, Robinson, and MD Helicopters. It also provides the current replacement for the Bell 206/407 cyclic friction and the Bell 205/212/412 rappel mount and cargo deployment system. Dart’s key products include flotation systems, landing gear, interior and exterior accessories, cargo expansion, external loads, cable cutters, and filters.
“Acquiring Aero Design’s key product lines will enable Dart to offer baskets to a wider range of aircraft models and gain market share as the main provider of helicopter cargo expansion products worldwide,” said Dart CEO Alain Madore. “Alongside our current aerial utility and heli-ski product offering, we are also looking forward to furthering our footprint in the adventure tourism sector with the addition of Aero Design’s helicopter bicycle racks.”
Which of the following hazards increases the risk of a runway overrun during landing?
A. unstabilized approach.
B. Excess airspeed over the runway threshold.
C. Landing beyond the touchdown point.
D. All of the above.
Air Partner Expands To Middle East with Dubai Office
Air Partner has expanded its global footprint with the opening of an office in Dubai, the UK-based business aviation services provider announced today. It is the 13th international office for Air Partner and its first in the Middle East, where it aims to establish and grow its foothold in the region.
The new office is located in the Dubai Multi Commodities Center and will offer Air Partner's suite of charter services, including private, group, and cargo charter, as well as consulting and training services in aviation safety management and fatigue risk management. Heading the office is general manager Jobby George, who was most recently commercial manager for the Middle East and India for Chapman Freeborn in Dubai. George also previously held sales and finance positions at Air Partner for five years.
“Dubai is one of the world’s leading financial hubs and so it was a logical step for us to establish our first office in the Middle East here, given the range of sectors and customers that will benefit from our extensive portfolio of services,” said Air Partner CEO Mark Briffa. “We see a wealth of opportunity, both in Dubai itself and in the surrounding areas, and are excited about our future in the Middle Eastern market.”
AIN Webinar: Key Steps to a Successful Aircraft Transaction
There are several steps where business aircraft deals can go sideways, including miscommunication, ethics issues, misunderstanding of regulations, and any number of traps for the unwary. Learn how to identify and assemble the right team early in the aircraft buying or selling process, a checklist of action items/steps, and caveats for financial stages. Join us for this free webinar on December 10 at 1:30 p.m. EST as AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber moderates a panel of experts that includes Keith Swirsky, president of GKG Law, P.C.; Keith Hayes, senior v-p and national sales manager at PNC Aviation Finance; and Jad Donaldson, past chairman of the NBAA Business Aviation Management Committee, a past co-chair of the annual NBAA Leadership Conference, and now director of aviation for Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Sponsored by Duncan Aviation and Mesinger Jet Sales.
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.
AIN Alerts is a publication of AIN Publications, 214 Franklin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.
For advertising in AIN Alerts please contact Nancy O'Brien at nobrien@ainonline.com.
