IMC News Service

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Hawker Beechcraft Jet Company Sold To Superior Aviation Beijing Co., Ltd.

Wichita, KS - Hawker Beechcraft said it has reached a $1.79 billion agreement with a Chinese firm Superior Aviation Beijing Co., Ltd. (Superior), a Beijing-based aerospace manufacturer for the sale of the struggling Wichita-based business jet maker.

The transaction with Superior would not include Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company (HBDC), which would remain a separate entity. HBDC will continue to operate its highly successful T-6 trainer program and pursue the final certification of the AT-6 light attack aircraft.

Bill Boisture, Chairman of Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, said, “The decision to move forward with Superior was based on two key factors: the bid for the company was the most attractive we received during the strategic review process and the going-forward plan offered the most continuity for our business, allowing us to preserve jobs, product lines and our ability to maintain our commitments to our customers. Superior is committed to maintaining Hawker Beechcraft’s strong presence in the United States and retaining its current employee base and experienced management team, while positioning the company for future growth at home and abroad.”

Superior Aviation Beijing Co., Ltd. is an aerospace manufacturer that engages in the research & development, production and sale of general aviation engines and parts. Superior is 60 percent owned by Beijing Superior Aviation Technology Corporation Ltd., a closely-held private entity, and 40 percent owned by Beijing E-Town International Investment & Development Corporation Ltd., a company controlled by the Beijing municipal government that supports the financing of strategic investments in certain industries. Superior’s legal representative is Locke Lord LLP and its financial advisor is Grant Thornton.

If negotiations with Superior are not concluded in a timely manner, Hawker Beechcraft will proceed with seeking confirmation of the Joint Plan of Reorganization it filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on June 30, 2012, which contemplates Hawker Beechcraft emerging as a standalone entity with a more focused portfolio of aircraft.

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A Piper Cherokee Lance Broke Apart In the Air and Crashed

Jackson, MS - A Piper Cherokee Lance carrying three family members broke apart in the air and crashed in northeast Mississippi on Sunday, killing everyone on board.

Witnesses reported a thunderstorm with lightning was in the area when they heard the plane crash near New Site, about 35 miles northeast of Tupelo, Mississippi. The seven-seat plane left Andrews, NC, and was headed to Oxford, MS, when it crashed about 2 PM Sunday. The dead were pilot, his wife and their youngest daughter. The family was flying from their vacation home in the North Carolina mountains to the University of Mississippi, where their daughter was a student.

Debris was scattered over about half a mile in a wooded area. A medical helicopter eventually spotted the wreckage and guided searchers. About 125 emergency workers from five counties aided in the search.

Emergency personnel could not immediately remove the victims, and had trouble bringing equipment to the isolated site.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.

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EAA, AOPA Filed for Extension on Medical Exemption Request

Washington, DC - AOPA and EAA have filed for an extension of the comment period for the third-class medical certificate exemption request, allowing more people to comment on the measure that would allow pilots to fly recreationally using a driver's license in lieu of a third-class medical.

The extension asked for 70 additional days for public comments on the exemption request. In the brief, 20-day public comment period that closed on July 2, nearly 15,000 comments were received by the FAA.

As the public comment period has already closed on the request, approval of an extension would be regarded as a re-opening of the public comment period instead an official extension.

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Student Pilots with Disabilities Are Earning Their Wings

West Lafayette, IN - A growing number of student pilots with disabilities are earning their wings thanks to Purdue University trainers and a nonprofit scholarship program provided by Able Flight out of Chapel Hill, NC. Six men this year earned their sports pilot licenses after six weeks of flight and ground training.

A sports pilot license enables a pilot to fly a light sport aircraft capable of carrying one passenger during daylight. The program, in its third year, started with two students in 2010 and expanded to four in 2011. Most of Able Flight’s training takes place at Purdue.

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Happy 4th of July!!

As we all prepare to celebrate the 4th of July, Independence Day, holiday here in the U.S., I wanted to extend wishes for a safe and happy holiday to all of you, our members, “plane Talk” listeners and IMC News Readers  around the world and their families. Have a wonderful time!

As we remember our founders, let’s also not forget our service aviator men and women around the world. I hope it will be a day of joy and happiness as well as reflection.

Happy 4th of July from all of us at IMC Club International, Inc.!!!

Radek R. Wyrzykowski
President

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B-17, B-24 and P-51 Mustang Is Scheduled To Stop At Salina

Salina, KS - A sight seldom seen since the 1940's, the Wings of Freedom tour is scheduled to stop at Salina with circa WWII aircraft including the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Nine O Nine" Heavy Bomber, Consolidated B-24 Liberator "Witchcraft" Heavy Bomber and P-51 Mustang, July 11 to 13.  

The Wings of Freedom Tour is scheduled to arrive at the Salina Municipal Airport at 12 p.m. on July 11 and will be on display at the Salina Municipal Airport's Hangar 600 (2720 Arnold Ct.) until the aircraft depart July 13 at 12 p.m.

This is a rare opportunity to visit, explore, and learn more about these unique treasures of aviation history. The B-17 is one of only 10 in flying condition in the United States, the B-24J and Full Dual Control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the World. Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out.  

WWII Veterans can tour through the aircraft at no cost. Visitors may also experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually take a 30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $425 per person. Get some "stick time" in the world's greatest fighter! P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour.
 
The Wings of Freedom Tour travels the nation, a flying tribute to the flight crews who flew them, the ground crews who maintained them, the workers who built them, the soldiers, sailors and airmen they helped protect, and the citizens and families that share the freedom that they helped preserve.  The Nationwide Wings of Freedom visits an average of 110 cities in more than 35 states annually.  
 
The B-17 and B-24 were the backbone of the American effort during the war from 1942 to 1945 and were famous for their ability to sustain damage and still accomplish the mission. Despite the risks of anti-aircraft fire, attacking enemy fighters and the harrowing environment of sub-zero temperatures, many B-17s and B-24s safely brought their crews home.  The P-51 Mustang was affectionately known as the bombers "Little Friend" - saving countless crews from attacking axis fighters.  After the war, many aircraft were scrapped for their raw aluminum to rebuild a nation in post-war prosperity and therefore very few were spared.  

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Jeppesen and Emirates Aviation College Team to Offer Pilot Training Program In the United Arab Emirates

Englewood, CO - Jeppesen has teamed with Dubai-based Emirates Aviation College, the academic wing of Emirates, to offer the first Joint Aviation Authorities - licensed pilot training program in the UAE.  The first class of cadets began the 16-month program with ground school and theory training in March 2012, as the first step toward earning an airline transport pilot license (ATPL) or a commercial pilot license with single-engine and multi-engine instrument ratings. 

The commercial aviation industry is facing a tremendous demand for new personnel over the next 20 years with forecasted need for more than a million commercial airline pilots and maintenance technicians.

The program provides cadets with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to meet the increasing industry demand for commercial aviation pilots.  Cadets in the Jeppesen-backed Emirates Aviation College licensed pilot training program will complete eight months of ground and theory training in Dubai, followed by eight months of practical flight training in Lisbon, Portugal.

“It is a great pleasure for us to collaborate with Boeing and Jeppesen in introducing such a unique program to the region,” said Dr. Ahmad Al Ali, senior vice-president, Emirates Aviation College.  “We decided to launch the program to assist in meeting the future demand for highly skilled professional airline pilots.

Following completion of the 16-month pilot training program, successful Emirates Aviation College cadets will have the opportunity to continue their education by enrolling in a Bachelor’s of Science degree program in Aviation at the institution.     

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Terrafugia Moving into Drive Testing

Woburn, MA - The Terrafugia Transition® production prototype has completed the first phase of its flight test program, conducted at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, NY. “It’s a real airplane; we’re flying it whenever we want, for as long as we want,” said Terrafugia CEO/CTO Carl Dietrich. 

Test items accomplished include power on and power off handling, aircraft stability, engine cooling evaluation, and propeller setting optimization in various flight conditions.  Five more flight test phases are planned.

The production prototype is now moving into drive testing to explore the ground drivetrain, suspension tuning, braking performance, and road handling.

“We have great momentum going in our testing program,” said Terrafugia COO Anna Mracek Dietrich. “Our top priority this summer is flight and drive-testing, in anticipation of certifying compliance with the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards.”

The Transition® was flown by Chief Test Pilot and Director of Flight Test Operations Col. Phil Meteer (US Air Force-Retired).  The chase aircraft was flown by Giora Guth.  Terrafugia wishes to thank Plattsburgh International Airport (KPBG) and Sheltair Aviation at KPBG for their hospitality.

Terrafugia (terra-FOO-gee-ah), based in Woburn, MA, is a company founded by pilots and engineers from MIT and supported by private investors.   The company name is Latin for “escape the earth.”  Terrafugia’s mission is to design and deliver air and land vehicles. Terrafugia lists a 1,430-pound gross takeoff weight including a 460-pound useful load with 93 KIAS (105 mph) cruise and is classified as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). 

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The July-August 2012 issue of FAA Safety Briefing



The July-August 2012 issue of FAA Safety Briefing is now available and explores the fun side of flying. The articles in this issue focus on many of the interesting activities and opportunities pilots have to keep the spirit of fun and adventure in aviation alive and well!

To read it click on the image on the left.

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Midway Airport Temporarily Shut Down Overnight

Chicago, IL - Midway Airport was temporarily shut down Thursday night and early this morning after an electrical power outage blackened its airfield. An airport equipment problem caused the runway lights to go out about 8:30 PM.

The airport was closed at 9:10 PM and it was reopened early Friday morning. Electrical power was restored to the runways.  85 flights were affected. Midway airport operations staff escorted the aircraft back to the terminal building to allow passengers to deplane.
 
Extra airport and airline staff are on hand this morning to help with the larger than usual passenger volume.