Following recent FAA “allowance,” Colorado-based Luminaerospace hopes to ramp up production of its form-fit replacement taxiway light covers that help pilots interpret taxiway boundaries. While traditional airport taxiway lights have a single-point light, the Luminaerospace covers offer two acrylic rods extending from each side that can help pilots “interpolate the taxiway edge boundary by the shape of the light in addition to just the light source,” according to company co-founder Scott Stauffer, who is also a pilot with a major fractional operator.
Luminaerospace introduced its first design in 2013, which replaced the top glass cover on the light with an elongated version housing 13 LEDs on each side of the central light, arranged parallel to the taxiway, known as the pavement edge light safety system (PELSS). “Essentially you were looking at 27 lights in one fixture, but the FAA didn’t like the fact that some electronics were coming from Luminaerospace and some electronics were coming from the existing light,” Stauffer told AIN.
Company engineers went back to the drawing board and simplified the design, which resulted in the current configuration. The new design has been tested at airports around the world, he said. Luminaerospace already has produced form-fit cover replacements—which currently retail for $33 apiece—for three of the biggest LED taxiway light producers, with a fourth due soon.
The FAA is extensively revising its inspector guidance on approval of aircraft weight and balance (W&B) control programs for aircraft operated under Parts 91, 91K, 121, 125, and 135 to bring it into line with the changing society. Under the draft guidance, which was released for comment through April 27, principal operations inspectors are to notify operators that they should update the programs in accordance with the latest advisory circular on W&B control programs, AC 120-27F, and submit them for approval.
AC 120-27F was released by the FAA last year, updating guidance on how to develop and receive approval for a W&B control program, including information on the use of average estimated weight programs for passengers and baggage. This was necessary, the agency said, because over time, the information contained in [earlier versions of] AC 120-27 along with W&B control program approvals and acceptances have become outdated.” As an example, the agency said the survey program and approval procedures did not reflect weights currently observed throughout the world.
The updates still use Center for Disease Control/National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data but also include recommendations of how to incorporate standard average passenger crewmember and baggage weight into authorized W&B programs. Draft guidance includes revised templates for OpSpec/MSpec/LOA A011, A096, A097, and A098 and updates FAA Order 8900.1.
The largest of Cessna’s CitationJet family marked its 10th anniversary this week, with first delivery of the CJ4 occurring on April 20, 2010, according to Textron Aviation. More than 320 copies of the $10.09 million, single-pilot twin make up the active fleet, Textron Aviation senior v-p of sales Rob Scholl noted. “This network of operators is a part of the largest owner-operated light jet community in the world,” he added.
With seating for up to 10 passengers, the model 525C is a stretch version of the CJ3 by about two feet but borrows the larger Citation Sovereign’s wing with a 12.5-degree sweep angle. Powered by two Williams International FJ44-4A turbofans, each with 3,621 pounds of thrust, the CJ4 has a range of 1,926 nm (3,567 km) and maximum cruise of 451 knots. It also features a 1,040-pound baggage capacity, single-point refueling, and an externally serviceable lavatory.
The Wichita airframer delivered its 300th CJ4 just last year.
Dallas Metroplex To Receive New Hangar Complex
The Dallas Metroplex area will receive a new business aviation hangar complex as Aeroplex Group Partners, the project management and consulting division of Aeroplex/Aerolease Group, prepares to formally break ground on a project at Dallas Love Field later this week.
The 38,750-sq-ft facility will be able to shelter the latest ultra-long-range business jets. Located on the 80-acre Signature Flight Support leasehold at the airport's southeast corner, it is scheduled for completion by year-end and will feature 7,000 sq ft of office and shop space. The multi-million dollar project will also include a new ramp, enhancements to the access road, and a new parking lot. Upon completion, Aeroplex will provide property management services for the hangar.
“We are excited to spearhead an effort that will not only enable Signature Flight Support to better serve business aviation’s diverse needs but refuel the economy and position the business aviation industry to create more high-paying jobs in the community,” said Aeroplex/Aerolease Group president and CEO Curt Castagna. “With more than 40 years of experience developing airport and aviation facilities across the nation, we have brought together the best and brightest team of professionals to deliver this project efficiently and effectively.”
CAE Recalls Canadian Workers
CAE has recalled all 1,500 of its employees temporarily laid off in Canada, the company announced yesterday. It cited a need to bring back employees providing essential services and a government relief program in assisting with that effort.
The training specialist earlier this month had expanded its temporary layoffs to 2,600 workers globally and took other measures such as reduced workweeks and salary cuts as it faced business losses and uncertainties associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. Globally, CAE employs about 10,500.
In announcing the layoffs on April 6, CAE said it was seeking government emergency relief to mitigate the financial impact and said as assistance programs are finalized, “CAE will do everything it can to recall as many employees as possible.” CAE credited the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidiary program, which was approved by the Canadian House of Commons on April 11, in helping to enable the recalls. The program includes temporary salary assistance. CAE said the vast majority of the recalls are in Montreal.
Meanwhile, CAE continues to progress on its CAE Air1 ventilator and hopes to begin delivery early next month to health authorities for certification. Earlier this month, the company announced it had developed a “simple, maintainable, easy-to-manufacture” ventilator prototype. The company signed a contract with the government of Canada on April 10 to manufacture and supply 10,000 ventilators.
More than 450 members of the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) heard from a panel of experts on an April 9 webinar on the business aircraft market and its path forward in light of the Covid-19 global pandemic, including predictions on the length of recovery once the crisis passes. At least two panelists said during the member-only webinar that a full recovery will likely take between 18 and 24 months, according to IADA.
Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Michael Amalfitano, who also serves as the OEM member of the group’s board of directors, expected the recovery to be “maybe a U-shaped or even an L-shaped-type structure. It’s going to take a long time to systemically recover.” Teal Group v-p of analysis Richard Aboulafia also told IADA members to expect a lengthy recovery, one that would most likely follow the development timeline for a vaccine. “This is roughly an 18-month situation,” he said. “That’s true for the vaccine. That’s probably true for oil prices. It’s probably true for a lot of the economic fallout.”
Still, IADA members seemed upbeat about the fortunes of the preowned business jet market. More than 72 percent of respondents to a poll conducted during the webinar indicated they were very optimistic about the market post-pandemic, even though more than 65 percent expected a 10 to 15 percent drop in pricing.
Tamarack Offers Crisis Pricing on Winglet Upgrade
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Tamarack Aerospace has announced it will waive the installation fee for its Active Technology Load Alleviation System (Atlas) winglet technology for Cessna CJs. According to the manufacturer, the move will ensure that employees and its supply chain will remain strong, while providing customers with a $42,000 savings on installations booked through June 30.
Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), which set aside nearly $80 billion for aviation, a portion of the economic funding includes loan availability for charter operators looking to restructure their costs, which could include efficiency upgrades such as Tamarack’s Atlas winglets. These can reduce fuel consumption as much as three to four times the savings of passive winglets, increasing the capability for nonstop flights.
“This pandemic continues to negatively impact so many lives and our businesses. The personal loss is tragic and, making matters worse, the economic strain makes coping with the pandemic even worse,” said Tamarack COO Danny Hiner. “We view this as our economic contribution to help kick-start the aerospace industry back to full speed while keeping our business strong as we all recover from this [virus] attack.”
According to a company spokesperson, three operators have already signed on for the Atlas upgrade deal, while dozens more have expressed interest.
Air Tour Pioneer Elling Halvorson Flies West
Elling Halvorson, the founder and chairman of Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters who was a pioneer in helicopter tourism and at the forefront of elevating the safety of the sector, died on April 16. He was 88. Halvorson established Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters in 1965, which typically flies 600,000 passengers each year on tours.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota on Jan. 2, 1932, Halvorson graduated from Willamette University in Oregon and established a construction company that specialized in remote projects, according to HAI. Halvorson bought his first helicopter, a Bell 47G-3B-1, in 1960 for an AT&T project in the Sierra Nevada mountains. His air tour company, initially Grand Canyon Helicopters, was born out of a project in which Halvorson and his team used helicopters to lay pipe into the Canyon. The backdrop left a strong impression on Halvorson and his team, who began asking for chartered helicopter flights during off-hours.
Halvorson ventured into different technologies, asking helicopter manufacturers to develop quieter aircraft. He developed “Whisper Jet” technology with more rotor blades and passive noise-reduction features that quieted the engine. In 1986, he co-founded the Tour Operators Program of Safety to develop safety best practices.
He served two terms as chairman of HAI’s board of directors. In 2016, Halvorson was inducted into the Vertical Flight Hall of Fame as part of the Living Legends of Aviation Awards.
Operators Need To Focus on Covid Security, Medical Issues
Those still able to fly their business aircraft during the Covid-19 emergency need to be ready to deal with all sorts of heightened security and medical concerns. AIN senior editor Charles Alcock spoke to John Cauthen, security director of risk mitigation specialist MedAire, to identify the main concerns to consider in a rapidly-changing public health emergency. He also explained how those who cannot currently fly can use the time to improve their operation in time for normal service to resume.
People in Aviation
Duncan Aviation appointed Robert Montano as an engine tech supporting Rolls-Royce engine customers at its Lincoln, Nebraska facility. Montano, who served six years in the U.S Army, joined Duncan Aviation in 2014 as an engine line technician and most recently was a lead tech for the Duncan Aviation engine line shop.
Fargo Jet Center (FJC) promoted Rick Omang to director of operations and Bobby Meyers to chief pilot. Omang, who has more than 30 years of aviation experience, has served with the FJC charter department for six years. Meyers has been a part of FJC for seven years and has 15 years of aviation industry experience.
Camber Aviation Management co-founder and completions specialist Tom Chatfield has taken the role of CEO. Chatfield, who helped found Camber six years ago, has 35 years of aviation experience, including with Stratus Aviation Services and Qatar Airways, among others.
The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) appointed a board of directors for its AircraftExchange preowned aircraft search portal: Chris Meisner of Meisner Aircraft is holding the role of president and treasurer; Walt Wakefield of Jeteffect, v-p and secretary; and Lee Thomas of Eagle Aviation, v-p. In addition, board members at large are John Bowman of Hatt & Associates, Matt Stringfield from Soljets, Nick Newby of Exclusive Aviation/Fargo Jet Center, Patrick Lynch of Guardian Jets, and Tyler Bowron from QS Partners.
The Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation named Vincent Mickens executive director. A U.S. Navy Intelligence veteran, Mickens has a career that began in television and radio broadcast journalism, transitioned into association business development—including with AOPA and NBAA—and subsequently led to the creation of his own media, marketing, and public relations consultancy, Private Air Media Group.
The British Business Aviation Association (BBGA) honored Tim Scorer with its Michael Wheatley Award for Outstanding Services to the general aviation industry. Scorer, a long-time aviation lawyer and currently consultant at Kennedy’s Law Firm, was recognized for decades of support to the OEMs, airlines, private flyers, and BBGA. A licensed pilot since the age of 30, Scorer was qualified as a solicitor in 1965 and represented a number of cases involving the UK Civil Aviation Authority during the 1970s. One such high-profile case involved his assistance to the CAA in prosecuting an Irish wolfhound breeder in Norfolk who had fired a gun at aerial crop sprayers. His aviation practice spanned a number of firms, including Barlow Lyde and Gilbert, where he was a partner for 12 years, and ultimately at Kennedy’s. In addition to the CAA, he has represented BAE, British Airports Authority, several international airlines, and those involved with general aviation operations.
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