AOPA Says Look Out For Ethanol In Your Aircraft Fuel

The AOPA website features a story suggesting pilots make sure their fuel does not contain ethanol.

According to the story, more blended fuel is offered at pumps around the country. Some pumps might lack labels indicating the fuel contains ethanol.

Ethanol can degrade hoses in aircraft engines and attract water, which promotes corrosion.

Source: AOPA

Oysters could lead to new protective aircraft coatings

A new protective coating for aircraft might have its source from an unlikely place: your local seafood restaurant.

Scientists at the University of Dayton Research Institute are studying how oysters could lead to new corrosion-proof and environment-friendly aircraft coatings.

According to AOPA Online, the research focuses on how oyster blood cells deposit nacre, a natural ceramic material used by oysters to form shells and pearls, and apply it to metal surfaces.

Source: AOPA Online

Cessna Rolls Out First Production Citation XLS+

Cessna reports the first production Citation XLS+, the latest version of the world's best-selling business jet model, rolled out last Friday at the company's primary design and manufacturing facilities in Wichita.

According to Cessna...

The first production unit now will go to paint and interiors, while two flight test aircraft continue to work toward type certification. Federal Aviation Administration certification is expected by mid year, with deliveries starting before the end of 2008.

The upgrade to the mid-size Excel/XLS will feature the fully integrated Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and electronically controlled (FADEC) engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada. Exterior and interior restyling is also integrated into the new model, most prominently the extended contour of the nose and expanded seat widths, both introduced to more closely resemble Cessna's Citation X and Citation Sovereign models.

The Citation XLS+ will travel as fast as 440 knots, have a range of more than 1,800 nautical miles and land on runways as short as 3,180 feet at its maximum landing weight, 2,700 feet at its typical landing weight.

Source: Cessna

Boeing tests fuel cell powered plane

Boeing recently announced that a manned airplane has flown using hydrogen fuel cells as a power source, a first in aviation history.

The fuel cell plane is the work of an engineering team at Boeing Research & Technology Europe in Madrid, with assistance from industry partners in Austria, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

According to Boeing...

"Boeing is actively working to develop new technologies for environmentally progressive aerospace products," said Francisco Escarti, BR&TE's managing director. "We are proud of our pioneering work during the past five years on the Fuel Cell Demonstrator Airplane project. It is a tangible example of how we are exploring future leaps in environmental performance, as well as a credit to the talents and innovative spirit of our team."

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts hydrogen directly into electricity and heat with none of the products of combustion such as carbon dioxide. Other than heat, water is its only exhaust.

A two-seat Dimona motor-glider with a 16.3 meter (53.5 foot) wingspan was used as the airframe. Built by Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria, it was modified by BR&TE to include a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell/lithium-ion battery hybrid system to power an electric motor coupled to a conventional propeller.

Three test flights took place in February and March at the airfield in Ocaña, south of Madrid, operated by the Spanish company SENASA.

During the flights, the pilot of the experimental airplane climbed to an altitude of 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level using a combination of battery power and power generated by hydrogen fuel cells. Then, after reaching the cruise altitude and disconnecting the batteries, the pilot flew straight and level at a cruising speed of 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) for approximately 20 minutes on power solely generated by the fuel cells.

According to Boeing researchers, PEM fuel cell technology potentially could power small manned and unmanned air vehicles. Over the longer term, solid oxide fuel cells could be applied to secondary power-generating systems, such as auxiliary power units for large commercial airplanes. Boeing does not envision that fuel cells will ever provide primary power for large passenger airplanes, but the company will continue to investigate their potential, as well as other sustainable alternative fuel and energy sources that improve environmental performance.
Source: Boeing

Gulfstream G200 business jet sets new speed records

Gulfstream can't get enough of having their name in the news it seems. Only a short while ago Gulfstream introduced the G520, the largest and fastest business jet.

Now a Gulfstream G200 business jet has set seven city-pair speed records in just 10 days, connecting cities in North America, Europe and Asia.

The G200 is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306A engines, each rated at 6,040 pounds. The aircraft has a range of 3,400 nautical miles and a normal cruise speed of Mach 0.80.

According to Gulfstream...

The large-cabin, mid-range G200 took off from Gander International Airport in Gander, New Foundland, Canada, on Feb. 16 and flew 2,193 nautical miles northeast-bound with 4-knot tailwinds at an average speed of 0.79 Mach. It landed at the London Luton Airport 4 hours and 45 minutes later. Gulfstream International Captain Eric Henman was the pilot in command and Captain Nicholas A. Rose served as second in command. On board the aircraft were flight attendant Emily Caldwell and one passenger.

Two days later, the same flight crew and passenger boarded the G200 for a 1,362-nautical-mile flight from London to Moscow. The aircraft left London traveling eastbound at 0.80 Mach with 13-knot tailwinds and arrived at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow 3 hours and 13 minutes later.

After repositioning the aircraft to Athens, Greece, the group flew from Athens to Dubai, a distance of 1,836 nautical miles. The aircraft flew southeast-bound with tailwinds of 72 knots at an average cruising speed of 0.80 Mach, arriving in Dubai 3 hours and 59 minutes later.

On Feb. 21, the same group traveled from Dubai to Hulule Island in the Maldives, making the 1,668-nautical-mile flight in 3 hours and 54 minutes. The aircraft flew southeast from Dubai at an average speed of 0.80 Mach with headwinds of 10 knots.

On the same day, the group returned to Dubai. The aircraft traveled northwest from Hulule Island with 6-knot tailwinds at an average cruising speed of 0.81 Mach, landing 3 hours and 54 minutes later in Dubai.

After being repositioned to Germany, the aircraft completed the last two legs of its intercontinental journey on Feb. 24 and 26. The G200 took off from Munich on Feb. 24 with the same three crew members but no passenger on board. It traveled 544 nautical miles west with 60-knot headwinds at an average cruising speed of 0.82 Mach. The aircraft landed at London Luton Airport 1 hour and 30 minutes after take-off.

On Feb. 26, the aircraft left London Luton for its return trip to Gander, flying 2,072 nautical miles in 5 hours and 39 minutes at an average cruising speed of 0.80 Mach.

Source: Gulfstream

First flight of the Prototype Cessna Model 162 SkyCatcher just months away

Gizmag.com reports that Cessna is nearing the first flight of the new Model 162 Skycatcher.

According to the official Cessna Skycatcher site.

With first flight of the Prototype Cessna Model 162 SkyCatcher just months away, a series of milestone projects is progressing in the development of this entirely-new aircraft that will introduce the next generation of pilots to the exciting world of general aviation.

The Skycatcher site also reports that the first deliveries and full production of the Skycatcher are expected in the second half of 2009.

Source: Gizmag and Cessna

Gulfstream business jets recieve FAA approval to fly predetermined approaches

Gulfstream has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the company’s PlaneView - equipped business jets – the G550, G500, G450 and G350 – to fly “Required Navigation Performance Special Aircraft and Aircrew Authorization Required” (RNP SAAAR) airport approaches.

For the past year, Gulfstream has been working with the FAA, NetJets and Honeywell International to secure FAA approval that would allow the two companies’ Gulfstream PlaneView-equipped aircraft to fly RNP SAAAR approaches. Aircraft flying under RNP SAAAR procedures use both global positioning and inertial navigation reference systems to fly predetermined paths preloaded in their flight management computers.

These paths, which are navigated through the Flight Guidance Control System, allow pilots to fly safer, more-direct and lower-minimum approaches, thereby reducing typical diversions. These more direct airport approaches reduce the time aircraft are in the air, saving operators both time and fuel.
“This recent effort is an example of our continued commitment to ensuring our customers aircraft are operating at top efficiency,” said Joseph T. Lombardo, president, Gulfstream. “By utilizing the RNP SAAAR airport approaches, we expect both NetJets and Honeywell will immediately see positive effects in terms of fuel costs and passenger satisfaction.”
This approval followed the successful completion of Gulfstream’s two-pronged effort -- to prove the accuracy of the aircraft’s onboard navigational systems and to create flight crew operations and maintenance documents that provide guidance on conducting RNP SAAAR approaches.
Source: Gulfstream

Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year from Aero Trader Insider!

Cessna 195 Keepsake Ornament from Hallmark

This Cessna 195 ornament from Hallmark looks sleek enough to have Santa consider giving the reindeer a break this year and getting his own plane. While this ornament's nose is not red and shiny like Rudolph's, it does have a propeller that turns.

According to Hallmark...

This winged Keepsake Ornament is so richly detailed it seems just about ready for takeoff. The little Cessna will make a great addition to the tree or a treasured stocking stuffer for a child or armchair pilot. Comes with a full-sized Hallmark greeting card, with your personal message.

Source: Hallmark

AOPA Sweepstakes prize Cessna coated by Akzo Nobel Aerospace Coatings

A 1977 Cessna Cardinal 177B aircraft, being given away by the world’s largest pilots association, AOPA, hasbeen refurbished with coatings donated by ANAC (Akzo Nobel Aerospace Coatings) through their distributor network.

US based AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) is giving away a Cessna Cardinal aircraft in their annual sweepstakes. The sweepstakes, which features a different restored aircraft each year, is the mainspring of the annual membership drive with every member entered. The members, who own and operate primarily single and twin-engine planes for business and personal use, are able to follow the progress of the work on line and through AOPA’s publications, taking notes for their own projects. AOPA has a membership of 414,000, two thirds of all pilots in the U.S.

The paint design, applied by Advanced Aircraft Refinishers of Georgia, was created by Scheme Designers, owned and operated by Craig Barnett of Cresskill, New Jersey, who also works with OEMs on paint schemes. His inspiration for this project was the Cessna Cardinal logo, originally displayed on the tail in a smaller form.

After the complete disassembly of the airframe into more than 280 parts, each piece of the airplane was put through a thorough the paint refurbishing process to ensure the best possible protective finish was achieved.

Following the removal of the existing paint layers, the surfaces were chemically cleaned and a conversion coating applied. A zinc chromate epoxy primer was followed by ANAC’s Alumigrip Matterhorn White topcoat, producing a superb, high gloss finish. The white was then masked for the application of the red, gold and black trim, all in ANAC paints. The paints were donated by ANAC distributor Aero Performance.

The high gloss finish delighted the entire restoration team. “The result was a long-lasting shine most aircraft owners would envy,” commented Julie Boatman of AOPA.

The refurbishment of the Cessna was the biggest that AOPA has undertaken so far.

The ‘Catch-a-Cardinal’ sweepstakes will be drawn in January 2008. In the meantime, the beautiful and fully restored airplane has been on display at aviation events around the U.S.

Source: ANAC AOPA

Cessna Aircraft Company to acquire assets of Columbia Aircraft

Cessna Aircraft Company recently announced it was the successful bidder for select assets of Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Company, a Bend, Oregon-based producer of high-performance, single-engine aircraft.

The bid of $26.4 million was the high bid in United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon.

According to Cessna...

“This is a significant day as it brings together two top aircraft design and production companies to offer the global general aviation community the widest range of propeller aircraft, along with world-class product support, all under the Cessna brand – one of the most trusted names in aviation,” said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack. J. Pelton. “I would like to thank the 400-plus Columbia employees for their continued hard work and dedication during the bankruptcy process. We look forward to welcoming them to the Cessna family.”

Cessna is the world’s largest general aviation manufacturer in terms of annual unit sales, producing single-engine piston aircraft, turboprops and the world’s best-selling line of business jets, the Cessna Citation. Columbia has produced more than 600 aircraft in its 10-year history.

“The Columbia models are a good fit with our existing product line,” Pelton said. “We look forward to providing existing Columbia owners with improved levels of service and support and introducing new customers to these outstanding aircraft.”

“We plan to make significant investments in Bend, in people and operations, to bolster customer satisfaction and business profitability. We will continue to improve quality, reliability and performance as we strive to deliver customer value and fulfill our commitments,” Pelton said.

Source: Cessna Aircraft Company

Beijing Airport to be the world’s largest and most advanced

China is getting ready for the 2008 Olympics in a big way. Travelers from all over the world will get their first glimpse of China from inside the world’s largest and most advanced airport building.

According to Foster and Partners website...

Beijing's new international airport terminal will be the gateway to the city as it welcomes athletes from around the world to the twenty-ninth Olympiad in 2008. The world's largest and most advanced airport building - not only technologically, but also in terms of passenger experience, operational efficiency and sustainability - it will be welcoming and uplifting. A symbol of place, its soaring aerodynamic roof and dragon-like form will celebrate the thrill and poetry of flight and evoke traditional Chinese colours and symbols.

The terminal building will be one of the worlds most sustainable, incorporating a range of passive environmental design concepts, such as the south-east orientated skylights, which maximise heat gain from the early morning sun, and an integrated environment-control system that minimises energy consumption and carbon emissions. In construction terms, its design optimises the performance of materials selected on the basis of local availability, functionality, application of local skills, and low cost procurement. Remarkably, it will have been designed and built in just four years.

Source: Sci Fi Tech Blog and Foster + Partners

HondaJet interior revealed

The HondaJet website features images of the interior of their new light jet.

Honda made the announcement at the annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention. The company showcased new exterior color scheme studies, and an animated tour of the exclusive HondaJet sales and service facilities.

Honda Aircraft Company also announced a partnership with Flight Safety International to create a new flight simulator and pilot training program for HondaJet.

According to Honda's press release, HondaJet's new interior concept was introduced with a special focus on human fit, ergonomic efficiency and safety for the customer.

Honda also reports that the HondaJet's new cockpit design incorporated learning from extensive study on the human factors of pilots and pays special attention to the layout. The production version of HondaJet will also incorporate an all-glass avionics package developed for HondaJet by Garmin.

Honda also provided a glimpse into potential additional production colors.

Google Earth features hidden flight simulator

TechCrunch reports that Google Earth users can access a hidden flight simulator.

According to TechCrunch, to start the simulator...

...open Google Earth and hit Command+Option+A (note it must be capital A) or Ctrl+Alt+A if you’re using a Windows Machine.

Using Google Earth's vast array of satellite imagery, you can zoom over cities and landscape in a modest SR22 4 seater or the daredevil ready F16 Viper.

YouTube features videos of the Google Flight Simulator in use. Here's one uploaded by InsideDesign.

Sneaky snake stows away on a small plane

No...it's not a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark or a Samuel L. Jackson movie.

SanDeigo.com.net features an Associated Press story report about a pilot finding a rat snake in the cockpit of his small plane shortly after takeoff.

The pilot was a physician flying a one-seat plane across Mississippi, who preformed aerial "aerobatics" to get the snake to slither away till he could land.

Source: Planenews Aviation

Replacing a small plane alternator

A pilot in Northern California writes about his experience doing field repairs on his plane on his personal blog.

The story on Jack's Flying Blog details how he detected a low voltage indication on his engine. After landing, he discovered his alternator needed replacing.

Lucky for the pilot, he had friends in the area who could do the maintenance on his plane and installed a new alternator.

Cessna's new SkyCatcher airplane to be revealed at air show

The Wichita Eagle reports on the revealing of Cessna's new plane at the EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The plane is called the Model 162 SkyCatcher and is expected to be available in 2009.

Cessna is aiming the SkyCatcher at a new market for aircraft, offering the plane at around $100,000 and advancements to make the plane more durable and reliable.

Will superconductors power a new generation of aircraft?

NASA and the Department of defense are funding research that could result in a new generation of aircraft powered by superconducting motors.

Gasworld.com reports on the research to study liquid hydrogen powered superconductor motors for electric aircraft.

Superconductors use cold temperatures to allow electricity to flow without electrical resistance for greater power.

Superconductor motors would be a leap beyond today's jet aircraft, producing efficient, low-pollution air travel

Controversy continues over FAA Reauthorization Act

CharterX.com features a story on the debate over The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007.

While the bill is designed to modernize the air traffic control system, critics of the bill are angered by new fees and taxes.

Opponents of the bill say it places too much of a financial burden on small aircraft operators, while giving breaks to large airline companies.

Supporters say the provisions in the bill are needed to update air traffic infrastructure.

The big premiere of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

CNN.com features a story on Boeing's premiere of the new 787 Dreamliner which took place at their assembly plant in Everett, Washington.

The new 787 Dreamliner is the first commercial aircraft constructed mostly with carbon-fiber composites. The lighter carbon-fiber material, along with new engines, is expected to save 20% on fuel costs.

USA Today reports on the advantage of the carbon-fiber technology in the Dreamliner, providing larger windows and a cabin atmosphere with moister air, making flights more relaxing.

The Dreamliner is designed for passenger comfort right down to the cabin lights, which adjust with the time of day.

You can see more of 787 Dreamliner at NewAirplane.com