Category: BizJet

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is making it easier to research aviation safety guidance material from the Office of Aviation Safety (AVS).

The Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) (linked here) combines more than 65 document types from more than a dozen different repositories into a single searchable application. The comprehensive knowledge center centralizes the FAA’s aviation safety guidance material from the Flight Standards Information System (FSIMS) and the agency’s Regulatory Guidance System (RGL).

Each guidance document includes a link to the Code of Federal Regulations provision on which the document is based. DRS contains more than 2 million regulatory guidance documents, which can be browsed or searched. A search engine allows for basic or advanced searches and different ways to sort and view the results. The system includes pending and current versions of all documents along with their revision history. Information in the DRS is updated every 24 hours.

FAA says the DRS exceeds the requirements of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-254), to establish a centralized safety database. DRS is constantly evolving, and in the future will provide even more features, functionality and document types. It will allow the agency to eventually sunset legacy systems such as FSIMS and RGL. FAA says subject matter experts across the global aviation community collaborated on this project.

“The tool represents a giant step forward in providing consistency and standardization of regulatory interpretation by expediting research of aviation regulations and related documents,” an announcement from the FAA says.

Steve Williams, owner of Acme Cub, reports that he will have no problems meeting the April 15 deadline for completion of the Supercub he is building for the Alaska Airmen’s Annual Raffle. The project, that was started with a new steel tube fuselage frame and rebuilt wings, has been covered with new, black Oratex fabric. Windows have been installed along with a large, form-shaped Lexan skylight. The firewall and engine mount have been hung, and the fuselage has been transferred from a rotisserie to a temporary gear. The main gear in this Supercub will be three inches longer than standard, to accommodate tundra tires and permit sufficient clearance for 82” propeller when the plane is on skis. Steve expected to have the main gear and instrument panel in place by the end of January.

Among the dozens of non-structural modifications, Steve has developed carbon fiber floorboards, leather door seals that prevent any air leaks, and a clear lexan cover for the lower door to enhance visibility. He has installed an extra heater for the benefit of the passenger. The seats are custom made and the rear seat is a unique “sling” seat that permits the removal of the back support, the leather cushions along with the folding of the sling, thereby considerably increasing the storage area behind the pilot’s seat.

Under the category of “minor alterations,” Steve has introduced a cargo access door, an aft fuselage access door, an extra landing light in the left wing, and an extra lift handle on the left side at the back end of the fuselage. Utilizing an STC, he installed double slotted fowler flaps and has reinforced the flap brackets to take the load caused by the pitching down moment of the nose when deployed on final approach. The arrangement is similar to the flaps on a 737 and Twin Otter. The spars have been beefed up to allow for an STCd 250-pound gross weight increase. To provide extra braking strength as required with large tundra tires, high pressure master brake cylinders have been installed.

Fuel pump wiring and fuselage fittings have also been added to permit the installation of a belly fuel tank. Utilizing another STC, Steve has moved the battery from its original location in the aft fuselage to a forward location between the rudder pedals. When completed the Alaskan Airmen’s Raffle Supercub will look like it just came out of the showroom.

Raffle tickets are still on sale, but are going fast. Anyone wishing to purchase tickets for the raffle can call the Alaska Airmen’s Association at (907) 245-1251.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking applications for two Aviation Workforce Development Grant programs aimed at developing and inspiring a more inclusive pool of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians to join the next generation of aviation professionals.

The Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants provide money to expand the pilot workforce and educate students to become pilots, aerospace engineers or unmanned aircraft systems operators. The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants will help prepare a more inclusive talent pool of aviation maintenance technicians. Applicants from academia and the aviation community can submit applications through www.grants.gov through March 22.

Eligible organizations may apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 for any single grant per fiscal year.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity for each grant provides detailed information on eligibility, deadlines, evaluation criteria and application procedures. To ensure fair and open competition for the grants, answers to public questions will be posted on the FAA website at www.faa.gov/go/awd. Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the site to review answers to frequently asked questions, eligibility requirements and guidelines that may assist them to complete their grant application.

Duncan Aviation has created an installation package for the Aviation Clean Air (ACA) ionization system for Bombardier Global aircraft. The packages include everything necessary for installing the ACA Ionizer system in Global aircraft, including the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), the ionizers, and Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) parts kits.

“Additionally, the Duncan Aviation facility in Lincoln, Nebraska, will perform the necessary modification of the air ducts for the installation. The installation of the ACA packages can be done at any of Duncan Aviation’s three main facilities (Battle Creek, Michigan, Provo, Utah, or Lincoln) or many of the Duncan Aviation Satellite Shops located throughout the United States,” says Pat Mapes, manager of Duncan’s Avionics Install Line. “When we say the kit includes everything, we mean every screw, nut, bolt, and switch necessary for the installation.”

The installation packages were developed for the Global aircraft, and the Duncan Aviation Engineering & Certification Services team has also developed an STC and installation package to cover the installation of the ACA Ionization System in the Challenger 300 and Challenger 350 aircraft. Kits are available for those aircraft as well. Additional certifications for other airframes are also in work and will be shared publicly as they are completed over the next few months.

“There’s been great interest in the industry for the ACA system,” said Mapes. “Our sales teams are fielding calls from customers who are interested in other makes and models of aircraft, too. This system is designed to neutralize harmful pathogens like those that cause COVID-19, so if customers want peace of mind as they fly, this is the system for them.”

Designed to be installed in an aircraft’s existing environmental control system, the ACA ionizers operate in the aircraft’s ductwork. The ionized hydrogen molecules neutralize pathogens and remove allergens and unpleasant odors, including those from pets, cigarette and cigar smoke, engine exhaust, cooking, lavatories, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

In May 2020, testing conducted by independent lab Innovative BioAnalysis found the ACA ionizer effective at rendering harmless the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The lab test showed that 99.4% of the virus particles were inactivated within 30 minutes. The system has been tested and proven to kill the coronavirus that caused SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), as well.

As we are in the midst of cold and flu season, on top of the global pandemic, it’s good to know that the ACA Ionizer also deactivates other viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens, such as those that cause the common cold, flu (swine, avian, etc.), MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), C. diff (clostridium difficile), E. coli (Escherichia coli), pneumonia, polio, and mold.

SOLJETS, a Park City, Utah-based private jet brokerage firm, ss technology is the next evolution of jet transactions, which is where the firm has been investing since its launch over six years ago.

SOLDATA is the firm’s proprietary database, exclusively available to SOLJETS clientele. SOLDATA presently tracks over 23,000 business aircraft, including their unique technical aspects such as airframe and engine times, maintenance programs, inspection status, features and cabin configuration. While many of these metrics are commonly tracked by industry specialists, the company says SOLDATA is the next evolution for aircraft value analysis.

SOLDATA identifies a market value for all attributes, such as-

● Aircraft Age
● Utilization Trend
● Cabin Configuration
● Features
● Paint & Interior Refurbishment

As newly appointed chief technology officer, Ryan Crawford, claims, “Our goal is to provide clients with data transparency to assist in confident and agile decisions. Buyers and Sellers demand real-time aircraft market intelligence and SOLDATA is the next-generation platform to meet that expectation.”

SOLJETS says they understand that accurate and timely aircraft valuation is crucial in the transaction and that SOLDATA provides that by using its proprietary Fair Market Value (FMV) valuation tool. FMV analyzes core attributes and options and conveniently compares them on a market value basis to determine holistic value. By comparing with other recently sold aircraft in the fleet, FMV produces a matrix breakdown of all adjustments and allows for entire markets to be evaluated in a matter of minutes illustrating the best buy relative to a particular client’s needs, they contend.

SOLJETS has already completed its first major release of SOLDATA and says they will continue to further enhance functionality & leverage emerging technologies.

Sensenich has been awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its carbon ground adjustable pitch STOL propeller on Piper Super Cub Aircraft.

This STC allows installation on PA-18 “150” aircraft with Lycoming O-360 series engines, with future STCs planned for Lycoming O-320 powered Super Cubs and certain popular training aircraft.

“Our experimental customers have been raving about this propeller for several years, and now we can offer the same step up in performance to our certified customers,” says Sensenich President Donald Rowell.

Rowell continued, “This propeller’s quick and sure pitch adjustment gives the customer the option of maximum performance no matter what the flight profile may be.”

Extensive testing required during the certification project in Alaska showed improved take-off, climb and cruise performance compared to what’s considered the industry standard fixed-pitch STOL propeller. When pitched for the same climb rpm as the standard propeller, climb rate was increased by 140ft/min, cruise speed was identical, and full-throttle level flight (FTLF) speed increased by 7 mph. When re-pitched to match the industry standard propeller’s climb rate, cruise speed was increased by 8 mph and FTLF speed increased by 18 mph.

The new Sensenich composite propeller is less than half the weight of the legacy STOL propeller – 21 pounds vs. 44 for the metal unit.

The propeller is available in diameters from 78” to 82”. The STC also covers a 12” diameter, balanced composite spinner.

This STC will be available for new build propellers starting the first quarter of 2021. Pricing for the propeller with STC documentation is $6350 FOB Plant City. Adding the spinner brings the price to $7085 (including STC docs).