The fourth flight-test Gulfstream G700—registered as N705GD and dubbed T4 by the aircraft manufacturer—took to the air on Friday afternoon from the company’s base at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Georgia. N705GD lifted off at 2:09 p.m. EDT and flew for 1 hour and 56 minutes, reaching an altitude of 41,000 feet and speed of Mach 0.89.
To date, the four flight-test aircraft have logged more than 600 hours since T1’s first flight on February 14. T2 joined the flight-test fleet on March 20, followed by T3 on May 8. According to Gulfstream, the G700 has also flown beyond its maximum certified operating speed and cruise altitude, reaching a speed of Mach 0.99 and an altitude of 54,000 feet.
T4 will focus on testing avionics, environmental control system, mechanical systems, electrical power, and hydraulics. Meanwhile, T1 is being used for envelope expansion, flutter, stalls, flying qualities, flight control, and ice shapes; T2, cabin development and static test; and T3, loads/parameter identification data (PID), engine/thrust-reverser operation, field performance, and climb performance. T5 will be used for further avionics testing and level-D sim data, while a sixth G700 will serve as a production test aircraft during the certification campaign.
Service entry of the 7,500-nm, five-zone twinjet—a stretch derivative of the G650ER—is scheduled for 2022.
P&W, R-R, Williams Tops in Turbofan Product Support
Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, and Williams International tied for first place in the turbofan segment in this year’s AIN Engine Product Support Survey, with Pratt & Whitney climbing from its number-two spot last year with an overall average of 8.2 (out of a possible 10), up from 8.0. Rolls-Royce and Williams retained their first-place positions from 2019, with an overall average of 8.2 that was unchanged from a year ago. Meanwhile, Honeywell moved up to second place with an overall average of 8.0, while GE Aviation was in third place with an overall average of 7.9, compared with second place a year ago and an overall average of 8.0.
Among turboprop and turboshaft engine manufacturers, Honeywell held onto last year’s first-place finish with an overall average of 8.1, down from 8.4 last year. It was followed by Pratt & Whitney and Safran Helicopter Engines, both of which tied for second place with an overall average of 8.0. Both engine makers improved their averages from last year, which were 7.6 for Pratt & Whitney and 7.4 for Safran Helicopter Engines.
NBAA To Host First-ever Virtual Convention, ‘VBACE’
While NBAA decided against in-person large gatherings for the remainder of the year out of precaution during the Covid pandemic, the association is rolling out its first-ever immersive online business aviation trade show, the Virtual Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (VBACE), on December 2 and 3.
“This first-of-its-kind online convention will propel the event into the digital space, offering new and exciting opportunities,” said Chris Strong, NBAA senior v-p of conventions and membership. “With this event, we’re doing more than moving online: we’re moving ahead.”
Free for members, the two-day event will feature a number of similar elements it typically has during its in-person tradeshows such as virtual exhibit booths, keynote speakers, product demonstrations, and education sessions.
Exhibitors will have the ability to fully engage with virtual attendees globally. The virtual event is designed to enable exhibitors to customize their booths as well. The event will be set up with product category directories with quick-search criteria. Attendees will also be able to fill “virtual backpacks” with information from exhibitors and other materials.
In addition, NBAA has designed the event to ensure it includes networking opportunities through direct person-to-person connections among attendees and dedicated subject-matter lounges. Keynote speeches, a hallmark of most NBAA in-person events, also will be featured at VBACE, as will be educational sessions on pressing topics.
Bombardier Unveils Digital Tools for Customer Outreach
Bombardier is hosting guided, online tours this week of its newest models beginning today as a means to reach out to customers who might otherwise have no access because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The online visits feature the Learjet 75 Liberty, Challenger 350, and Global 6500 and 7500.
“There’s a strong interest in Bombardier aircraft as more and more people explore their business travel options,” said Bombardier senior v-p of new aircraft sales and marketing Peter Likoray. “We created this virtual event to connect with customers, and to offer convenient and personalized access to our stunning aircraft and our expert team.”
The online tours are by appointment and augment other methods the Canadian airframer is using for customer outreach during the pandemic, including the debut of a virtual showroom, which enables users to interact with its newest aircraft. Bombardier’s other digital tools available on its website include a needs assessment tool intended to match customers and aircraft based on their requirements as well as an aircraft configurator for customers to design their own cabins.
Northwestern FBO Chain Acquires Seattle Facility
Oregon-based aviation services provider Leading Edge Jet Center (LEJC) has acquired Kenmore Aero Services, one of three FBOs at Seattle King County-Boeing Field International Airport (BFI). For LEJC, this marks its third location in the region beyond facilities at Oregon’s Roberts Field Airport in Redmond and Bend Municipal Airport.
The company already had a presence at BFI through its earlier purchase of a 37,000-sq-ft hangar, which can accommodate super-midsize business jets, and 23,000 sq ft of adjoining offices. It has plans to replace Kenmore’s 1970s-era, 4,000-sq-ft terminal, which sits on a six-acre leasehold located on the southeast corner of the field, with a new building triple its size and add 45,000 sq ft of new hangars capable of sheltering the latest large-cabin business jets. LEJC is currently working through the design and permitting process and hopes to break ground within a year on the new complex.
“This is an exciting growth development opportunity for LEJC to meet the essential need for business aviation in the Pacific Northwest and beyond as we pursue consolidation opportunities at growth airports,” said company executive chairman Steven Levesque. “Seattle has been one of the fastest-growing metro areas in America over the last decade, and BFI is a highly sought-after airport for business and private aviation travelers.”
FAA Accepts Second Set of Part 23 Consensus Standards
The FAA has signed off on a series of Part 23 aircraft standards developed through international government/industry standards body ASTM International, marking another step in the evolution of the light aircraft certification process. In the newly released notice of availability (NOA), the agency outlined 35 new and revised consensus standards that are viewed as acceptable means of compliance. The NOA was the second that the agency has released in support of new performance-based standards for Part 23 aircraft; it released the first in May 2018.
GAMA, which was deeply involved in the rewrite of Part 23 to provide for a consensus-based approach to developing performance-based standards for new aircraft and products, lauded the release of the NOA, saying the accepted consensus standards will encourage safety and innovation.
“We applaud the FAA’s work to accept the latest set of important means of compliance standards,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “Going forward, the FAA needs to continue working to improve and standardize the acceptance process because it will support a regulatory environment that advances innovation and development of safety-enhancing technologies.”
The standards cover a range of areas, including simplified loads criteria, fuel and energy storage and delivery, and safety assessment of systems, as well as methods of addressing high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF) and indirect effects of lightning, GAMA said.
Alabama’s Pryor Field Regional Airport will assume control and operation of its lone FBO after North Alabama Aviation’s owner and former airport manager, Stan Smith, gave the airport 30 days notice that he plans to close the FBO he has run for a decade. Reasons for the closure include current economic conditions and the slowdown in corporate traffic. While exiting the FBO business, Smith will continue to operate a maintenance shop at the airport.
According to airport manager Adam Foutz, the authority will not put the FBO out for bid and plans to retain its staff. The facility features a modern 7,500-sq-ft terminal with a pilot’s lounge, two snooze rooms, shower facilities, crew car, on-site car rental, and a 30-seat conference room/classroom.
Pryor Field, which offers a 6,100-foot runway, is the second-largest general aviation airport in the state, and the airport will take over the FBO duties on October 17. As part of that change, the location will switch to Shell distributor Titan Aviation Fuels in November.
“In addition to our FBO services, Pryor Field Airport Authority is committed to investing in Pryor Field Regional Airport,” said Foutz. “We are in the early stages of building additional private hangars and acquiring adjacent land for additional corporate and private hangars. We have ground lease sites available for tenants needing larger commercial operation structures.”
Aviation Safety Question of the Week
Provided by
According to available data, what are the four main risk factors in landing excursions?
A. Ineffective go around, touchdown long, ineffective braking due to brake failure, and landing gear malfunction.
B. RVR below 800 meters, ineffective braking due to brake failure, landing gear malfunction, and lack of landing clearance.
C. Go Around not conducted, touchdown long, ineffective braking due to runway contamination, and landing gear malfunction.
D. None of the above.
Bell 407GXi Gives Aeromed Operator SE/SPIFR Capability
Corpus Christi, Texas-based air ambulance operator Halo-Flight has begun operating a Bell 407GXi single engine, single pilot IFR (SPIFR). It is the first air ambulance operator to do so. The aircraft is equipped with Garmin G1000H NXi avionics, three-axis autopilot, wireless connectivity, and a Rolls Royce 250-C47E/4 engine (862 shp uninstalled thermodynamic capacity).
Founded in 1987, non-profit Halo-Flight serves a 28,000-sq-mi area in South Texas from bases in Corpus Christi, Alice, and Beeville. In addition to the 407GXi, the company already operates four other Bells—three 407s and a 429 light twin. Halo-Flight has made numerous upgrades to its legacy fleet over the years, including the installation of ballistic windshields and HeliSas two-axis autopilot.
Halo-Flight’s 407GXi is equipped with a medical package that includes Helifab articulated EMS litter and medical oxygen system, Lexan patient/pilot guard, single pump medical vacuum, and onboard 500-watt 115V and 120V shore power systems. Halo-Flight and Bell announced the order of the 407GXi in February at Heli-Expo.
“We are proud to add an IFR-configured Bell 407GXi helicopter to our current fleet. This aircraft will be extremely beneficial for our EMS missions and allow us to reach our patients in all weather conditions,” said Halo-Flight executive director Tom Klassen.
Webinar: Autothrottle Safety and Performance Benefits
Autothrottles greatly simplify the operation of turboprop engines, helping the pilot not only manage power changes automatically during busy flying periods in terminal airspace but also add major safety benefits. For the first time, the Innovative Solutions & Support autothrottle system is now available for PT6-powered airplanes, and webinar attendees can learn about how the system works and all of the benefits it offers. Please join us on November 4 as AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber moderates an in-depth discussion with Tom Grunbeck, director of autothrottle products at Innovative Solutions & Support, and Aaron Tobias, FAA consultant DER flight test pilot.
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.
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