Category: PRs

The Platinum series is a versatile PT-DEMO PID controller from Omega and offers a fully integrated temperature control system suitable as a platform to investigate the use of closed loop (PID) and simple on/off temperature control in heating and cooling applications. The company says it is ideal for PID control theory education in universities and laboratories. The PT-DEMO is very easy to setup and use with intuitive “smart” menu flow, panel mounted USB and Ethernet connectivity, an alarm indicator, a 4 to 20 mA remote set-point potentiometer, a pushbutton digital input, and an aluminum plate allowing the user to feel the temperature response. U. S. price starts at $595.

Esterline CMC Electronics (CMC) has received Canadian Technical Standard Order (CAN-TSO) Design Approval for its CMA-6800 display. By virtue of the bilateral agreement between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) dated September 15, 2015, the CAN-TSO is now also recognized by the FAA for the CMA-6800. Under this reciprocal acceptance, a TSO Appliance approval issued by the FAA or TCCA is considered equivalent to the other having issued its own approval.

The CMA-6800 LCD display is a new retrofit product for selected regional and corporate aircraft. It is a form, fit and functional replacement for Honeywell ED-800 Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) displays.  CMC’s LCD display offers significant improvements in reliability, and upgrades are possible with minimum disruption to aircraft operations. It is the optimal, cost-effective alternative to replacing old CRT displays. The design also has hardware built-in provisions to add functional capabilities, and the upgrade retains the use of existing symbol generators and control panels, with no retraining required.

“CMC’s goal is to help customers solve their aging CRT problems,” said Patrick Champagne, vice president products, display solutions, Esterline CMC Electronics. “Our solution provides operators with reliable and cost-effective display capabilities in a unit that delivers reduced weight and power consumption. The CMA-6800 LCD display is designed to drive down maintenance costs and eliminate obsolescence problems with CRT technology.”

For more information about the product, please consult Esterline CMC Electronics’ website at www.cmcelectronics.ca.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has entered into a Pathfinder agreement with CACI International Inc. to evaluate how the company’s technology can help detect Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the vicinity of airports.

In testimony before the House Aviation Subcommittee, FAA Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker said recently that flying an unmanned aircraft near a busy airfield poses an unacceptable safety hazard. During the hearing titled, “Ensuring Aviation Safety in the Era of Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” Whitaker told the congressional panel the FAA signed an agreement this week to assess the safety and security capabilities of CACI’s product within a five-mile radius of airports, and the agency also will collaborate with its government partners.

A steep increase in reports of small, unmanned aircraft in close proximity to runways is presenting a new challenge for the FAA. It is the agency’s responsibility to identify possible gaps in safety and address them before an incident occurs.

The CACI partnership is part of the larger UAS Pathfinder Program, which the FAA announced in May 2015. Pathfinder is a framework for the agency to work closely with industry to explore the next steps in unmanned aircraft operations beyond those proposed in February in the draft small UAS rule.

“Safety is always the FAA’s top priority, and we are concerned about the increasing number of instances where pilots have reported seeing unmanned aircraft flying nearby,” said Whitaker. “We are looking forward to working with CACI and our interagency partners to identify and evaluate new technologies that could enhance safety for all users of the nation’s airspace.”

“CACI is proud to partner in the FAA’s Pathfinder cooperative research and development agreement to address the escalating Unmanned Aircraft Systems safety challenges that airports are facing nationwide,” said John Mengucci, CACI’s COO and president of U.S. Operations. “The agreement provides a proven way to passively detect, identify, and track UAS – or aerial drones – and their ground-based operators, in order to protect airspace from inadvertent or unlawful misuse of drones near U.S. airports. This CACI-built solution will help ensure a safe, shared airspace while supporting responsible UAS users’ right to operate their aircraft.”

CACI’s prototype UAS sensor detection system will be evaluated at airports selected by the FAA. The agency and its federal government partners will work with the company to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology, while also ensuring that it does not interfere with the safety and security of normal airport operations. More information on the FAA’s Pathfinder Program is at: http://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/pathfinders/.

Thales and Beijing Easy Sky Technology (BEST, a Thales – TEDC joint venture) have jointly signed a contract with the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) East Air Traffic Management Bureau (East ATMB) to implement a new Air Traffic Management automation system in Shanghai.

Through this contract, Thales, together with BEST, will upgrade the Shanghai airspace and airport management systems. This will include the Shanghai terminal maneuvring area and surface operations at Shanghai Pudong and Shanghai Hongqiao airports.

The contract includes implementation of Thales TopSky-ATC, the most innovative air traffic automation system in the world. Thales will also deploy TopSky-Tower, its integrated tower automation suite, at both Shanghai airports. Airport and airspace traffic flows will be sequenced and balanced using MAESTRO, Thales’s fully integrated arrival and departure management system.

This is a crucial contract for the region, as collectively, the Shanghai Metroplex (incorporating both Shanghai airports) ranks just behind Beijing in China and is in the top 10 in the world, in terms of air traffic movements. With air traffic in the region set to grow at a steady 20 percent during the next 10 years, the modernization program will be instrumental in maintaining the projected growth rate while supporting excellence in air safety for the Shanghai Metroplex.

Larson Electronics has announced the release of a new portable explosion proof power transformer that allows operators the ability to safely tap into commonly found 240 volts and distribute 120 volts to operate equipment in Class 1 Division 1 areas.

The EPL-TX-1.5KVA-240-120X10 temporary power distribution system from Larson Electronics converts 240 volts AC to 120 volts AC electrical current through ten twist-lock receptacles. Operators provide 240 volts from inside or outside the hazardous location to the 1,500 watt transformer via the provided twenty-five foot SOOW line in cable terminated in an explosion proof plug to the encapsulated transformer. This transformer converts common 240 volts to 120 volts for use with explosion proof electrical equipment in class rated environments. The output side is equipped with ten 2023, Class 1 & 2, Division 1 & 2 receptacles designed to accept twist lock plugs. The class rated transformer and distribution assembly is mounted onto a rugged cart style frame constructed of non-sparking aluminum and powder coated for added corrosion resistance. Mobility is provided by rotating front casters and rear tires, allowing operators to wheel this temporary transformer from one location to another within the hazardous environment. This compact power distribution system is designed for portability and convenience as well as durability and is mounted to a wheeled, non-sparking aluminum frame for added protection.

“This new power distribution system allows operators to use 120 volt lights and equipment in hazardous areas where there is only 240 volts available,” said Rob Bresnahan with Larsonelectronics.com. “The easy to push cart design allows operators to move this unit from one location to another with ease.”

Larson Electronics carries an extensive line of LED light towers, portable power distribution systems, explosion proof lights for hazardous locations, portable work lights and industrial grade LED area lights. You can view Larson Electronics’ entire line of lighting by visiting them on the web at Larsonelectronics.com.

BLR Aerospace is flight testing the FastFin Tail Rotor Enhancement and Stability System on the AH-1 attack helicopter, also known as the Cobra, the company announced earlier this month.

BLR says flight testing has confirmed that FastFin will improve the AH-1’s left pedal authority and engine thermodynamic efficiency. BLR holds the restricted category type certificate (H10NM) for the AH-1 and is developing a performance improvement suite of products aimed at increasing hover loads of the AH-1 in excess of 1,000 pounds. Featured in the performance bundle will be BLR’s flagship FastFin System, providing the necessary anti-torque requirements for increased hover loads. The U.S. Army took delivery of more than 1,100 AH-1s, a subset of which remain in operation with foreign militaries around the world.

“The AH-1’s left pedal limitation significantly reduces hover capacity for this aircraft,” said Dave Marone, BLR’s vice president of Sales and Marketing. “This exciting development project will provide the needed left pedal authority to safely hover in strong cross winds and with heavy loads while maintaining precision hover hold necessary for targeting accuracy.”

BLR’s enhancements will be Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified under FAR Part 29, and is anticipated to be available as a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) package to the market, subject to U.S. International Traffic and Arms (ITAR) and export controls, in late 2016.

Other development activities currently underway at BLR include the H125 (AS350) with certification flight testing underway and certification anticipated for 2016. Similar to BLR’s other FastFin Systems, the H125 system is aiming to improve wind azimuth tolerance and provide additional useful load in hover.

The FastFin system includes air flow modifiers at strategic locations on the tailboom and vertical fin optimizing airflow around the tailboom, dramatically improving tail rotor authority and wind azimuth tolerance.

FastFin is popular with commercial and military operators worldwide. Nearly 900 of BLR’s performance-enhancing FastFin systems have been installed on Bell 204, 205, UH-1, 212, and 412 models since the first system was certified a decade ago. The system is also standard, factory-installed equipment on all new Bell 412EP and EPI helicopters.

Speaking recently at the Flight Safety Foundation’s Newsmaker Breakfast at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta announced the next step in the FAA’s continuing evolution of working with those it regulates. The FAA developed the new Compliance Philosophy to enhance the ability to find safety problems before they result in an incident or accident, use the best tools to fix those problems, and then monitor the situation to ensure that no new problems develop. This approach recognizes that most operators comply with the rules and use Safety Management Systems to identify hazards. They then assess the risks from those hazards, and put measures in place to mitigate the risks.

The Compliance Philosophy challenges the status quo. The FAA wants safe operators, not operators who inadvertently make a mistake and then hide it because they’re afraid they will be punished. Based on cooperation and trust, it encourages an open and transparent exchange of information and data between the FAA and industry. The Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) successfully used this approach to reduce the risk in U.S. commercial aviation by 83 percent over 10 years.

“The FAA’s Compliance Philosophy helps the FAA and industry to use critical thinking to work smarter and more efficiently to get to the bottom of potential safety problems,” said Huerta. “It’s about finding a problem, fixing a problem, and making sure it stays fixed.”

Huerta stressed that the FAA will continue to have zero tolerance for intentional reckless behavior, inappropriate risk-taking, repeat failures, falsification, failure to fulfill commitments, or deviation from regulatory standards. The FAA will continue to vigorously pursue enforcement action in these circumstances. Read FAA Administrator Huerta’s speech on FAA.gov.

FL Technics, a global provider of one-stop-shop aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services, is delighted to announce having further expanded its operations. The company has recently added Sukhoi Superjet 100-95 (RRJ-95) aircraft type to its Engineering and Continuing Airworthiness Management capabilities. A relevant addendum to the company’s EASA Part M certificate has been already issued by the European aviation authorities.

From now on, FL Technics specialists are eligible to support SSJ100 operators and owners with a complete range of aircraft engineering services, including Airworthiness Directive (AD) and Service Bulletin (SB) compliance control and implementation, aircraft maintenance programme development, technical records management, aircraft damage assessment and mapping, reliability monitoring, production of maintenance work packages, aircraft audits, etc.

“Well-established aftermarket support is vital for operators that are planning to introduce a new aircraft type into their fleets. This concerns any aircraft, whether it is a mainline Airbus A320 or a regional SSJ100. The latter already has an international MRO network, and we are glad to contribute to the process of extending the global SSJ100 support,” shares Zilvinas Lapinskas, the CEO of FL Technics. “Working side by side with the manufacturer and current operators, we have thoroughly researched and analysed all the technical ins and outs of SSJ100. We have accumulated this knowledge on the behalf of future SSJ100 operators in order to spare them from additional investments into technical research and training of their own engineering staff at the initial stage. Our support will allow airlines to fully focus on actually operating the aircraft and provide enough time to prepare own specialists once the operator is used to the new aircraft type.”

SR Technics has secured an order from Air Europa Lineas Aéreas S.A.U., a privately owned airline in Spain, to upgrade 12 of its Airbus A330 cabin interiors.

The work will be carried out by SR Technics’ Zurich facility for the installation of the cabin modifications. The contract period runs from January 2016 until June 2016.
SR Technics will install in three A330s new Stelia business class seats, along with the inflight entertainment (IFE) Zodiac Inflight Innovations’ RAVETM and high-speed wireless connectivity capabilities. Additionally, these three A330s as well as nine further aircraft will be equipped with Panasonic Avionics’ Global Communication Suite (GCS).

“SR Technics’ Center of Excellence for complex cabin modifications in Zurich is an industry leader in terms of flexibility, quality and downtime,” says of Air Europa’s Alberto Lines, Maintenance and Engineering director. “We were therefore very pleased to have secured its unique and competitive services. Moreover, this new contract is the latest milestone in our long-lasting partnership with SR Technics. Thanks to this MRO’s expertise, by the second half of next year these 12 A330 aircraft will offer our passengers an ultramodern, comfortable and high-tech flying experience.”

The CEO of SR Technics, Jeremy Remacha, commented: “Air Europa is one of our most valued customers. Now in addition to managing its integrated component services, maintaining its CFM56-7B engines as well as supporting wheels and brakes, we are pleased to have become responsible for upgrading its cabin interiors and for improving significantly the value proposition it offers to its customers. Air Europa’s substantial order marks another milestone in the development of SR Technics’ Center of Excellence for complex cabin modifications as an industry leading facility.”

Mooney International is now offering its first Certified Pre-Owned Aircraft program. The program includes 27 point inspection, repair and refurbishment of the engine, avionics, airframe, interior and exterior and is designed to attract new members to the Mooney family by ensuring a selection of superior-quality pre-owned Mooney aircraft are available in the marketplace. The program, which applies to 2004-2014 G-1000 equipped aircraft, also includes a “Fly-Away Guarantee” providing free repair or replacement of inoperative equipment for the first 30 days or 10 hours after taking delivery of the aircraft as well as a factory- signed certificate of authenticity verifying all work was done. Eligible aircraft are required to have the work performed at a Mooney Factory-Authorized Service Center.

“A used Mooney has always represented an industry leading top value, so we developed this program in partnership with Premier Aircraft Sales to address a significant demand in the marketplace,” said Jerry Chen, CEO of Mooney. “There are individuals who want the speed, safety and style of a Mooney – and a plane as close to new as possible – at a pre-owned price point. We want to serve their needs, as well as the needs of pilots ready to purchase a brand new airplane, by ensuring the availability of some exceptional pre-owned planes that meet strict factory standards.” There are currently four Mooney Certified Pre-Owned aircraft for sale through Premier.

Chen says its production for 2015 is nearly sold out and Mooney dealers are beginning to take orders for 2016 aircraft. Contact Premier Aircraft Sales (Southeast US), Midwest
Mooney (Northeast US), Delta Aviation (Northwest US), or Mooney factory direct (Southwest US) for more information about purchasing a new Acclaim or Ovation.

The lengthy list of engine, avionics and airframe benefits of the program includes verification that all ADs, SBs, and Mooney Maintenance Manual items are addressed; all required and recommended inspections are current; engine and prop complies with manufacturer overhaul recommendations; rigging is tested and corrected; and a host of other items all intended to give a buyer the assurance he or she is getting the best value used Mooney possible.
Cosmetic benefits includes touch up or repainting of all chips, nicks and scratches to paint; deep cleaning and reconditioning of leather seats; repair of sidewall and headliner scuffs; buffing or replacement of taxi, landing and wing tip light covers; and much more.