Archive for the ‘Aircraft Announcements’ Category

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Gets FAA Production Approval

Friday, August 26th, 2011

EVERETT, WA – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Randy Babbitt today announced that the FAA has approved production of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

At an event at Boeing’s facility in Everett, Washington, Administrator Babbitt presented Boeing executives with two certificates for the design and production of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with Rolls-Royce engines. The first, a Type Certificate, is for the FAA’s approval of the airplane’s design. The second, a Production Certificate, allows Boeing to manufacture the 787 following a rigorous review by FAA inspectors of Boeing’s quality system, production tooling, manufacturing processes and controls, inspection methods, and supplier control procedures.

“The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an incredible technological achievement – one that sets a new standard for innovation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “The new engine technology is fuel-efficient and reduces noise, minimizing the impact on the environment. Those are key to meeting our NextGen goals.”

“Today’s achievement could not have been possible without the professionalism and dedication of the FAA team involved in the certification,” said Administrator Babbitt. “The engineers, inspectors and flight test pilots all worked diligently to ensure our high safety standards were met.”

The Boeing 787 is a medium-size commercial transport airplane. It’s the world’s first major airliner to use composite materials for most of its construction, more than 50 percent by weight. The airplane will use 20 percent less fuel and produce less noise compared to similarly sized airplanes. It was designed and manufactured by suppliers and partners around the world and integrated at final assembly. The 787 incorporates many capabilities of the nation’s Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen.

The European Safety Agency (EASA) also issued a same day validation of the FAA Type Certificate of the 787.

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Boeing Increases Production and Predicts Boom in Demand

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737

Boeing poised to increase the output of its 737 model in 2012 - photo courtesy of and copyright Brandon Farris, Dex Images

In a surprising announcement given the recent economic woes of many US airlines, Boeing said that it plans several major production increases in the next few years. The company released an analysis directly before the Paris Air Show in June 2011 that predicted the world’s fleet of commercial aircraft would double in the next two decades. The aircraft manufacturer predicted a total of $4 trillion in commercial aircraft sales in that time, an increase of 33,500 new aircraft. Boeing cited, amongst other data, a 5.1% uptick in global passenger traffic and the declining age of commercial aircraft.

Due to this predicted increase in demand, Boeing has announced a production increase of 35 planes per month in early 2012 of its 737 model, which is currently being produced at a rate of 31.5 planes a month. Boeing further predicts that this number will rise to 42 per month by the beginning of 2014.

While some industry leaders have been skeptical of Boeing’s predictions, Boeing’s VP of Marketing Randy Tinseth contends that they are based on solid analysis of recent trends in the aviation market. “The world market has recovered and is now expanding at a significant rate,” Mr. Tinseth insisted, citing the growth of air travel in emerging markets and general economic trends in these markets towards open world trade, liberalization and general economic growth. Boeing admits that the US growth in air traffic will be much slower than that in developing economies, with North America’s increase in growth over the past year being a mere 2.3% compared to the robust 7% and 7.2% increases seen in the Middle East and the Asia Pacific regions respectively.

Due to this strong uptick in global growth, Boeing predicts that the most in-demand aircraft models in the next twenty years will be long-range twin-aisle designs that can handle the challenges of globalization and the corresponding increase in international passengers and flights.

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Flight Training – Piper’s “Ready, Set, Fly” Program Targets New Owners

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011
Piper Archer LX

Flight training is now included with the purchase of a Piper Archer LX - photo copyright Piper Aircraft, Inc.

Piper Aircraft Inc. is offering primary flight training with their new “Ready, Set, Fly” program to new owners of the Archer LX aircraft. The program is designed to teach new owners how to fly in an extensive three-week course. Piper Aircraft believes the program will promote the growth of general aviation by encouraging more people to become pilots. Piper announced the “Ready, Set, Fly” program at the Sun ‘n’ Fun International Fly-in & Expo in Lakeland, Florida this week.

According to Piper Aircraft vice president Randy Groom, this revolutionary new pilot training program will solve several common detractors to successfully learning how to fly an aircraft such as a lack of convenience, concerns about the quality of instruction available at many flight schools, and scheduling conflicts that hinder student pilot progress. The convenience issue is one of particular concern, and one that Piper is prepared to meet head-on. The standardized pilot training offered as part of the “Ready, Set, Fly” program is part of a short yet concentrated three-week course overseen by a professional instructor. By learning to fly in their own aircraft, owners become more familiar and comfortable which could also yield a long term safety benefit. The program also solves the problem of subpar equipment found at some flight schools.

This custom program was created specifically with the Archer LX in mind, and is intended to be a means to introduce prospective pilots to aviation. It further illustrates Piper’s commitment to the aviation industry, particularly to the light aircraft segment.

The Archer LX is a single-engine aircraft with a Lycoming 0-360-A4M, 180 hp engine that is capable of flying at speeds up to 147 mph (237 km/h) with a range of up to 522 nautical miles (966 km). A new, Garmin G500-equipped model costs $309,900. If an already qualified pilot purchases an Archer LX, they can apply their training time in the program toward a different FAA certification. Qualified and prospective pilots who purchase one of these new aircraft can also elect to conduct their pilot training at a different facility of their choice if they feel that Piper’s program is not for them.

Source: http://www.piper.com/pages/PiperOffersArcherLxReadySetFlyTrainingProgram_03292011.cfm

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Helicopter Training – Robinson Helicopters Sees Market Improve, Launches New Chopper

Thursday, March 31st, 2011
Robinson R44 Helicopter

Robinson Helicopters R44 "Raven"

“We’re ready to bounce back,” declared the CEO of Robinson Helicopters in the wake of news that the company is recovering from two years of financial difficulty that included multiple layoffs. Robinson Helicopters, based at Zamperini Field in Torrance, California, is reporting noticeable market improvement following a few years of dwindling sales. Robinson is known for making helicopters used for television news, police departments and rescue and surveillance operations.

Robinson is now reporting having several orders on hand and plans to expand its factory and recently unveiled a new five-seat helicopter. Kurt Robinson, the company’s CEO, said that Robinson literally hit a tailspin along with the rest of economy. Robinson is attracting attention with its new helicopter and hopes to use that attention to promote the company.

The helicopter, dubbed R66, is the most technologically advanced vehicle the company has had among its products. The copter is able to fly at higher altitude and carry more passengers and cargo than previous models. Matt Zuccaro, head of a trade group called the Helicopter Association International, sees it as an opportunity for the company to grow.

The recession forced Robinson to cut back orders and reduce its staff. The company turned out nearly 900 helicopters at its peak in 2008, but 2010 that number had dropped dramatically to 162. The company’s payroll plunged from approximately 1,400 in 2008 to current levels of less than 1,000. Sales for the company dropped to $75 million in 2010, from $100 million the previous year.

The news comes as California’s unemployment rate continues to linger around 12 percent. Robinson has expanded the factory where its current two and four seat models are produced located at the end of Torrance Municipal Airport. Currently the space made available for the new R66 remains empty. The company has completed about 24 of the new helicopters and has orders for an additional 106 of them.

One of the reasons for the company’s success throughout its history has been an ability to offer its products cheaper than most competitors. For instance, the new R66 is priced at $800,000 in comparison to a $1.4 million price tag from the company’s closest competitor.

Some of the copters manufactured by Robinson end up in use at helicopter training facilities in the area. Helicopter schools are always looking for high quality, up-to-date equipment to purchase at reasonable prices. This has made Robinson an appealing company to that market as well.

Kurt Robinson, the son of the founder of the company, sees the attention generated from the new helicopter as an opportunity for the company to continue to grow.

Click here to learn more about helicopter pilot training opportunities

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Bye Energy Eyes Flight Training Market for Electric 172

Sunday, November 21st, 2010

Bye Energy intends to market their electric Cessna 172 to flight training providers.

The new all-electric Cessna 172 Bye Energy recently announced is more than a proof-of-concept. The company intends to market the aircraft to flight training providers. According to a statement to AVweb, the company wants to “revolutionize the Part 23 training market,” and considering the unique characteristics of this aircraft, there are very few obstacles to prevent their success.

Unlike Light Sport Aircraft, which do not meet some of the requirements of certain flight training providers, Bye Energy is focusing on meeting the needs of traditional flight training providers who would ordinarily purchase a run-of-the-mill Cessna 172. According the company president George Bye, the aircraft is “ideal for training,” and they want the aircraft to be “the point of entry for new pilots.”

In contrast to a four-place, stock Cessna 172, Bye Energy’s aircraft will be a two-place. It will offer two hours of endurance generated by battery and solar power, wing-tip-mounted devices designed to reclaim power from wing tip vortices and, much like regenerative braking on popular hybrid cars, excess power generated by the propeller during descents.

Bye Energy chose the Cessna 172 as a platform for their new technologies, because of it’s wide-spread use world-wide. With over 10,000 having been produced since the 1950s, nearly every pilot on the planet has come across a Cessna 172 at some point in their training. The company has developed a laundry list of new technologies that convert the exceptionally popular aircraft into a fully electric aircraft and slash operating costs.

According to company projections, the all-electric 172 will boast energy costs of only $5-$10 per hour. Assuming a fuel burn of 9 gallons per hour and an average price for a gallon of aviation gas of about $4.90, stock Cessna 172 energy cost is more than $44 per hour. If 90% savings on energy costs isn’t enough, the company also cites a 25,000 hour TBO for their 180-horsepower powerplant, which weighs only 42 pounds. Unfortunately, for all the weigh savings offered by the powerplant, battery technologies are still relatively heavy and bulky. The lithium ion batteries required to power the aircraft, will cancel out any weight reductions, so weight and balance is unlikely to change.

The Bye-improved Cessna 172, which also features some aesthetic changes, will likely fly in early to mid 2011. Thanks to the significantly smaller powerplant, the cowling will be taper to almost nothing, increasing the amount of power generated by the propeller. Current models use a large portion of the propeller to drive airflow for engine cooling. While the proof of concept aircraft features a standard two-blade propeller, a six-blade, composite propeller will drive the conforming aircraft.

For more information on flight training and choosing the right school, check out our Flight Training Resource Center or find flight training near you.

Sources: Electric 172 Aimed At Training Market
This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

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ASTM Votes To Prohibit SLSA in IMC

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

SLSA will be prohibited from operating under instrument conditions.

The ASTM committees for light sport aircraft recently voted to prohibit the use of special light sport aircraft in actual instrument meteorological conditions. The committee members have not yet agreed on whether SLSA should be operated in IMC, but they have elected to go ahead with the indefinite ban until such an agreement can be made.

The ban still requires further approval and FAA acceptance before it takes effect and even when it does it will not be retroactive. All currently flying SLSA that are properly equipped and operated by qualified pilots will be allowed to operate in actual instrument conditions. This will not prevent the aircraft from being used as instrument trainers or operating on IFR flight plans provided they remain under visual conditions. Additionally, the ban has no affect on operation of SLSA at night.

The ban is intended to limit liability concerns until the committees can establish a standard for IFR-capable SLSA. Once such a standard is developed, manufacturers would be permitted to remove placards prohibiting flight in actual instrument conditions from compliant aircraft. Regardless of standards, individual manufacturers can prohibit operation of their SLSA in actual instrument conditions.

This is an important development in the area of SLSA and one that could have far reaching implications in price and adoption of SLSA. In order to meet potential requirements for instrument flight, SLSA manufacturers would see increased costs that could drive up the sticker price. Additionally, many instrument-rated pilots and flight schools who might have adopted SLSA could elect to stick with FAA-certified aircraft, which would represent a significant blow to SLSA markets.

How could this affect your flying? If you are considering an SLSA, would a permanent ban on flight in actual instrument conditions change your mind?

Source: AOPA – LSA flight into IMC to be prohibited

Find sport pilot training near you.

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

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Argentine Pilot Saved by BRS Parachute

Thursday, August 26th, 2010
By Matthew Everett

Aerobatics are fun and exciting, but there is a very serious side to performing aerobatics — sometimes things break. An Argentine airshow pilot recently faced one of the scariest situations flying has to offer after the wing of his Rans S-9 separated from the airframe in flight. The good news is that he had installed a BRS ballistic parachute in the aircraft and he escaped with only a burned foot.

The pilot, Dino Moline, came out of the incident with minor injuries, but the airplane is likely down for the count. Moline was performing for more than 3,500 spectators at Show Aereo 2010. The event, which took place in the northeastern Argentine town of El Trebol, was sponsored by a local flying club.

The pilot was flying a RANS S-9, a popular kit-built aerobatic plane. According to the kit manufacturer, the aircraft is rated for +6 and -4 Gs. The wing separated during an inverted, negative-G maneuver as the pilot pushed into an outside loop. The entire event was captured on video where seconds after the wing spearates, the parachute is deployed.

Source:
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/
ParachuteSavesArgentineAirshowPilot_203143-1.html

Matthew Everett is a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

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Piper Aircraft Adds PiperSport LSA to its Line

Thursday, January 21st, 2010
By Kyle Garrett

scdaveata_copy(3)Piper Aircraft announced the newest addition to its family of aircraft, the PiperSport LSA. According to the company’s website, the entry level LSA model starts at $119,900 and the fully loaded version tops out at $139,900, including advanced avionics, Dynon flat panel instrumentation, and an autopilot. The light sport aircraft will be available in three levels of trim and all will include a BRS airframe parachute. The plane is powered, like most LSAs, by the venerable Rotax 912 which runs on either 100LL aviation fuel or premium unleaded auto fuel.

The all-aluminum PiperSport is a re-badged version of the Czech Sport Aircraft “SportCruiser” which has been available for several years worldwide. Click here for more information on the PiperSport LSA.

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