IMC News Service

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Piper Welcomes Brunei Ambassador to the United States

Vero Beach, FL   – Piper Aircraft Inc. welcomed  the Ambassador to the United States from Brunei Darussalam to the company’s Vero Beach manufacturing campus. Brunei Ambassador Dato Paduka Haji Yusoff Haji Abdul Hamid was in Vero Beach visiting Piper facilities to demonstrate his country’s long-term commitment to Piper Aircraft Inc.
 
“We are so pleased to have His Excellency here to view the progress we are making on the Piper Jet Altaire program and on our entire line of general aviation aircraft,” said Piper CEO Geoffrey Berger. “As we build on our globalization efforts, it is reassuring to have the government of Brunei Darussalam’s support and assistance through the ownership of Imprimis.”
 
Brunei-based Imprimis Strategic Investment Corporation (NBD) Sdn Bhd (ISIC) and the Ministry of Finance of Brunei Darussalam are assisting Piper in creating long-term growth opportunities throughout the world and in Asia while strengthening core markets.
 
The partnership has enabled Piper to expand its global reach during 2010. Piper’s global fleet sales office is now located in Brunei along with a sales office to service the Asia/Pacific region. The Brunei office expands Piper’s sales and marketing efforts from this important region of the world.

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Sunrise Aviation Installs Wi-Flight Flight Data Recorders

Ormond Beach, FL – Sunrise Aviation, a flight school and FBO located in Central Florida, announced today that they are installing the Wi-Flight flight data monitoring system in their fleet of general aviation aircraft.  Wi-Flight is an automated flight data capture and analysis system that also incorporates a cockpit voice recorder system.  Sunrise Aviation has already installed the system in one of their 40 training aircraft and will initially install Wi-Flight in 3 aircraft during a short evaluation period.  Later, Sunrise Aviation expects to install the Wi-Flight system in all of their single-engine aircraft, a fleet of over 30 airplanes based at Ormond Beach, Florida.

The Wi-Flight flight data recorder system is a combination cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder that sits atop the airplane glareshield and automatically records, uploads to the internet, and analyzes the data from each flight.  Wi-Flight will email Sunrise Aviation whenever a flight exceeds school set safety parameters including low-level flights, flights in unauthorized airspace, or even hard landings.  Wi-flight’s playback features will also allow flight instructors and students to review each flight visually through the use of Google Earth 3-D simulations.  The audio features of Wi-Flight will permit playback not only of each radio transmission to air traffic control but will include all crew intercom communication and ambient noise as well.   

Devon Dorato, Chief Pilot at Sunrise Aviation, stated that “the Wi-Flight flight data recorder will not only add an element of safety to our flight program, but will also enhance our flight training  capabilities. “

Pascal Gosselin, President of General Aviation Safety Network and makers of the Wi-Flight system, commented that “We are delighted to have Sunrise Aviation evaluate Wi-Flight for fleet-wide deployment."  In addition, Gosselin mentioned that "Wi-Flight's full automated flight capture, upload and analysis were tailored exactly for the type of mixed fleet operations of larger flight schools such as Sunrise."   

The Wi-flight system consists of a Neo mobile phone which serves as a wireless flight data recorder.  That flight data recorder automatically records GPS position and accepts audio input for the entire flight.  When the flight ends, the device uploads the data to the internet via the nearest Wi-Fi network for analysis by the Wi-Flight servers.   Sunrise Aviation already has a wireless internet system in place and will optimize that system for better uploading on their parking ramp at the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport in Florida.

Flights instructors, students and management will be able to view browser-based internet playbacks to “view” their flights using Goggle Earth 3-D that features both cockpit and chase plane simulated views.  Streaming audio from the radio, intercom and ambient noise will be available with the simulated view.  Instructors will be able to view how well the student executed each maneuver.  Students can login at home and review each flight at their convenience.   All students, but especially those from non-English speaking countries, will be able to listen as often as they like to their own communications with air traffic controllers.

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Sporty's AOPA New Watch

Batavia, OH - Sporty's offers a new watch that combines a premium Swiss movement with useful aviation features, including an E6B bezel. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association wings logo complements this unique pilot's watch.

“This is my favorite watch of all the watches Sporty's offers,” said Sporty's Vice President John Zimmerman. “It really is the ultimate pilot's watch - both good-looking and functional.”


The AOPA Flight Watch has a full-featured alarm with a dedicated sub-dial for easy setting. The solid stainless steel, 44mm face is easy to read and includes a date window, luminous markers and hands for night viewing.


The AOPA Flight Watch is available for $195 and a portion of every watch sale is donated to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. As part of the AOPA Collection, the E6B Watch is available at the AOPA Store at aopastore.com. All Sporty's merchandise may be ordered on line at sportys.com

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March Airplanista Magazine to Feature Special Business Aviation Section

Norwood, MA - The current health of business aviation in the United States will be the focus of a special section in the March, 2011 issue Airplanista Magazine (airplanista.com). The section will present the topic from numerous angles and will look at the sector’s financial situation in its recent past and future, as well as the current state of the industry.

"Business aviation is at the very heart of general aviation," said Airplanista Editor and private pilot Dan Pimentel. "There are many facets to this exciting aviation sector, and it’s not just movie stars and executives flying across oceans either. Sure, these high-end flyers are the most visible example of people and companies using private airplanes for work, and sometimes play too. But there are thousands of small and medium-sized companies who use single-engine piston and light twin airplanes to give their company a competitive advantage. Business airplanes allow companies to fly on their schedule, and on most trips, they can utilize smaller rural or reliever airports away from big cities located very close to their final destination. They also avoid the hassles and delays of trying to fly commercial."

For this special section, Airplanista’s editors interviewed large companies who have used private airplanes to grow their business, charter operators, large business jet manufacturers and FBOs.

Airplanista Magazine is an all-digital new media magazine published on the first of each month, online at airplanista.com. Each new online issue features aviation stories, aviation commentary, and stunning aviation photography. The target audience is a combination of general aviation pilots, aircraft owners, professional pilots and those in aviation business and industry. Viewing the magazine is free and requires no sign-up or registration, however there is an optional email notification list established to alert readers when each new issue publishes. With a tagline of “Sometimes serious. Sometimes humorous. Always unpredictable.”, the magazine’s content is always fresh and welcomed by a growing readership.

For more information: Contact Airplanista Magazine Editor/Publisher Dan Pimentel via email at editor@airplanista.com.

Airplanista Magazine is an online monthly aviation magazine with features, commentary, and stunning aviation photography. Published for pilots and the general aviation community. Sometimes serious. Sometimes humorous. Always unpredictable.

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Educational Opportunities Abound at Women in Aviation Conference

West Alexandria, OH - Now celebrating its 22nd year, the International Women in Aviation conference, Feb. 24-26, 2011, will host dozens of seminars, workshops, and special events. A NextGen panel features FAA executives: Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Peggy Gilligan, Acting Associate Administrator for Airports Catherine M. Lang, Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Vice President for Technical Operations Teri Bristol, and ATO Senior Vice President for NextGen and Operations Planning Victoria Cox. Training sessions include an Inspection Authorization (IA) renewal course and a “Real World IFR” course that qualifies for FAA WINGS Program credit. Other educational sessions will cover everything from aeromedical issues to career opportunities.
 
Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing networking, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities for women and men seeking aviation and aerospace careers. For more information, visit www.wai.org

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Bombardier’s Learjet 85 Set to Revolutionize Aerospace Industry

Carlsbad, CA - It has been more than 10 years since a new Learjet platform was introduced to the general aviation market and its latest innovation is featured in February’s issue of Manufacturing Digital.

Now Bombardier has unveiled details of its forthcoming Learjet 85, which promises to fly further and faster than any of its predecessors and its flawless design is fused with the latest technologies on the market.

Upon its highly anticipated release in 2013, the Learjet 85 will be the first mid-range business jet to be built primarily from carbon composites and designed for type certification under the US Federal Aviation Regulation.

Ralph Acs, vice-president of Learjet 85 at Bombardier Business Aircraft believes the company’s ‘clean-sheet’ approach of replacing traditional aluminium structures with carbon fibre composites will revolutionise the industry.

The design goals of the Learjet85 have been heavily influenced by its three customer focus groups, which are made up of between 15 and 20 customers.

These groups have focused closely on the cockpit, interior of the aircraft and maintenance, offering creative input on every detail from the layout of the galley to the positioning of cup holders and light switches.

“By having a more economic unit cost we are able to add some of the features requested by our customer focus groups, such as auto-throttle and nose wheel steering, which are not typically found in a business jet of this size,” says Acs.

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NTSB Moves into Social Media with Twitter and YouTube

Washington, DC - The National Transportation Safety Board has established a Twitter account and a YouTube channel as the Safety Board broadens its communication efforts by moving into social media.

The handle for the Twitter account is "NTSB" (www.twitter.com/ntsb). The YouTube channel is "NTSBGOV” (www.youtube.com/ntsbgov).

"Transparency and open government are key components of NTSB's agenda to improve transportation safety," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "Social media is yet another opportunity for us to engage with our most important stakeholders - the traveling public."

The NTSB will use Twitter to communicate with those interested in its investigative work and advocacy programs to enhance transportation safety.

The YouTube channel will be a one-stop resource where the Safety Board's advocacy video messages, transportation accident animations and other video products can be accessed.  

Chairman Hersman's first video message on YouTube is about the NTSB's child and youth transportation safety initiative.

See the two-minute video here. 

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Unleaded, Please

Washington, DC - A new Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) will advise the FAA on the development of unleaded aviation gasoline (avgas) for piston-engine aircraft. According to its charter, signed by FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt on Jan. 31, 2011, the ARC’s tasks are to research, identify, and prioritize key issues and provide “recommendations for joint industry-government initiatives to facilitate the development and deployment of an unleaded gas with the least impact on the existing piston-engine aircraft fleet.”
 
The committee will include representatives from aviation associations (e.g., AOPA and EAA) aircraft and engine manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute, environmental groups, the FAA, and other government entities. The charter indicates a 6-month term and a commitment to submit a report recommending specific tasks and initiatives within that timeframe.
 
There are now more than 160,000 piston-engine aircraft that rely on leaded avgas. Lead protects engines against damaging detonation (or engine knock) at higher power settings. Impending environmental regulations along with production and distribution issues threaten the continued availability of leaded avgas.

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Metroliner Crashes after Three Attempts to Land at Cork Airport, Ireland
Cork, Ireland - The National Transportation Safety Board is sending three investigators to assist the Government of Ireland as it investigates the crash of an airliner this morning.

At about 9:45 a.m. local time today, a Swearingen SA-227 Metroliner (Spanish registration EC-ITP), operated by Flightline/Manx2 Air as flight 7100 from Belfast, Northern Ireland, crashed after attempting a landing at Cork Airport, Cork, Ireland. The flight was scheduled to depart from Belfast at 7.50am, according to Manx2.com.

Ten passengers and two crew - a captain and a co-pilot - were onboard the 19-seater Metroliner aircraft, and there are reports of both fatalities and survivors.

The flight left Belfast at 8.12am, according to the Irish Aviation Authority, and was due to land in Cork at 9.10am.
Weather conditions at Cork Airport were described as low visibility - due to heavy fog. The plane first attempted to land from a southerly direction on Runway 17. This was aborted due to low visibility. The plane then tried to land on the northerly approach to the Runway 35.
The plane went into a holding pattern for 20 minutes, before making a third attempt to land on the southerly approach to the main runway.
 
NTSB senior air safety investigator Dan Bower has been designated the U.S. Accredited Representative and is being assisted by an NTSB systems investigator and an NTSB operations investigator.  A Federal Aviation Administration investigator is also joining the team.

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Garmin^® Teams with Extreme Makeover - Tune in this Sunday, February 13 at 8/7c on ABC

OLATHE, KS - Garmin International Inc. has teamed with ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to help a Florida family get the airplane makeover they need and deserve.

For over 25 years, Joe, a pilot and the tireless founder of Air Mobile Ministries and his wife Cindy, a former nurse, have been on a quest to provide clean water to a thirsty world. Joe has flown all over the world in his 1970 Cessna Skymaster delivering water purifiers and supplies to those in need. After a pipe burst and destroyed their home, Joe, Cindy and their three children were forced to live in the damaged home and use the same water purification system they had delivered to so many in need.

Garmin was honored to help refurbish this family’s airplane and outfit it with a complete line of Garmin avionics, including a G500 and dual GNS 430Ws. A team from Orlando Aircraft Services, an authorized Garmin dealer, worked around the clock to rewire and install the new panel in three days. Don’t miss the amazing makeover of this family’s damaged home and complete transformation of their Cessna Skymaster.

Tune in this Sunday, February 13 at 8/7c on ABC to watch the amazing makeover.

The Emmy award winning reality program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” now in its 8th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It’s executive-produced by Brady Connell and George Verschoor. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET on ABC.