June 2015
Editor's Briefing
What Price Security? – Aviation Security
On the night of March 30, 2003, Chicago’s Mayor Richard M. Daley directed an act of domestic terrorism by surreptitiously bulldozing the runway at Meigs Field, ending a long-running debate over maintaining convenient general aviation access to the City’s downtown. His excuse, at one point, was that his act was necessary for security reasons. In Read More
Feature
Upgrading to a New Citation Jet CJ4
To a Citation jet owner, more is always better. The choices in the Cessna Citation family are varied and plentiful; from Mustang to Citation X+, each one offering varying amounts of speed, seats and style. A few more nautical miles of range, increased cruise speed, better avionics – there’s always something to be gained by Read More
Twin Proficiency
Twin Proficiency: They Both Need Fuel
In most twin-engine fuel airplanes, fuel management is simple. Each engine’s fuel selector often has three positions: ON, OFF and CROSSFEED. CROSSFEED is an emergency position, for use during extended single-engine operation to maximize range and balance fuel when one engine is shut down. Consequently, the fuel selector typically remains in the ON position. Some Read More
Feature
The GWX 70 Garmin Aviation 21st Century Radar
Garmin now has a truly modern airborne radar. Back in 2006, the company introduced its GWX 68, which was, in several respects, far ahead of its time. However, it was designed on the chassis of a much-older radar, which had actually started life as a King Radio product. The new GWX 70 Garmin aviation is Read More
From the Flight Deck
From the Flight Deck: Hello Darkness (My old friend) – Flying at night
“I’ve owned 41 airplanes. A few of them would talk with me. There’s a spirit in anything, I think, into which we weave our soul. Not many pilots talk about it, but they think about it in the quiet dark of a night flight.” -Richard D. Bach (Pilot, author, philosopher) You may tell people that Read More
En Route
En Route: Piper Aircraft Launches New M-Class Product, The Piper M600
On April 14, 2015, Piper Aircraft unveiled the newest addition to its esteemed M-Class line, the M600, a 600-horsepower, cabin-class single-engine turboprop. The Piper M600 is a significant product advancement, featuring a newly-designed wing, the most sophisticated Garmin avionics technology available, and a redesigned, luxurious interior. The M600 is the first single-engine turboprop to feature Read More
En Route
En Route: Comments Needed On Flight Service Program Changes
Ever eager to cut costs and “eliminate redundancies and underutilized services”, the Federal Aviation Administration has announced coming changes in the way pilots interact with Flight Service. Comments are being taken prior to implementation. Quotes from the announcement and T&T editorial remarks follow: “On October 1, 2015, the FAA will consolidate Flight Watch services into Read More
Jet Journal Feature
Plane Transition – Ready To Make Your Move
As a company that specializes in helping owner-pilots with plane transition from piston to turbine power, we are often asked the shortest path to reach their next move-up aircraft. Transitioning to your first turboprop or light jet is somewhat different than moving from a Cessna 172 to a retractable single or light twin. There are Read More
Jet Journal Feature
Which Airplane Should I Buy? – Buy Airplanes
Recently, several friends asked me this very question. Both were about to celebrate significant financial events. Both could afford their next airplane and wanted it to be a jet. One is currently a single engine turboprop owner, the other owns a light jet. Both had lots of questions about moving up to a larger jet. Read More
Jet Journal Feature
Doing It The Easy Way – Aviation GPS Navigation
It’s a cold, clear mid-winter morning as we descend out of FL430 in the Lear 40, crossing the Mississippi River in the vicinity of Dubuque, Iowa, on our way down to Hamilton/Butler County Regional (HAO), just north of Cincinnati, Ohio. Earlier that morning, we had filed from Tacoma, Washington (TIW) direct to HAO, a plan Read More
Jet Journal Perspectives
CJ Perspectives: TAWS- Too Low – Goat
One of several hilarious, flying-related Far Side cartoons is the classic goat-in-the-clouds. We all hope to never see such a thing in the clouds, or any other solid object for that matter. Most often encountered during arrival and approach, CFIT–Controlled Flight Into Terrain, is a serious subject. Pilots can avoid CFIT and goats by installing Read More
Jet Journal Section
Rick Garcia, President and CEO of Gulf Coast Avionics Corporation, announced on March 5, 2015 that the company recently received an FAA field approval for an extensive digital panel upgrade on a legacy Cessna Citation 501 business jet. “The customer wanted to upgrade the capabilities of his Citation 501 and the only way to do Read More
Jet Journal Section
CJ Updates: Kestrel and Eclipse Become ONE Aviation
In an announcement released April 15, the executives of Kestrel Aircraft and Eclipse Jet announced the companies are merging to form ONE Aviation. “We are excited to announce the formation of ONE Aviation. I feel privileged to lead this experienced team of aviation professionals as we increase production of the Eclipse Jet, further the development Read More
Jet Journal Section
CJ Updates: Cessna Citation Convention Jet Pilots To Meet In Colorado Springs, September 9-13
The annual Cessna Citation Convention owners will return to The Broadmoor resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from September 9 to September 13, 2015. Following on the heels of a highly-successful 2014 meeting in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, the 2015 CJP convention will feature informative seminars and workshops, as well as a trade show targeted Read More
On Final
On Final: A Little Rusty – Pilot Requirements
How often should we fly to maintain our pilot requirements skills? Certainly more often than our regulatory landing or instrument currency requirements. But, how often? For me, I prefer at least once a week, but that is not always possible. After two weeks, my personal corrosion starts to show. And recently, I had to wait Read More
En Route
Avidyne now offers a full suite of 1090MHz and 978MHz ADS-B solutions meeting the needs of owners flying internationally and above or below 18,000 feet in the U.S. On April 8, 2015, Avidyne Corporation announced expanded ADS-B 978 Series Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) solutions, to include the MLX200 and MLX210 transceivers. Both products are designed for Avidyne customers Read More
Editor's Briefing
En Route: Comments Needed On Flight Service Program Changes
Ever eager to cut costs and “eliminate redundancies and underutilized services”, the Federal Aviation Administration has announced coming changes in the way pilots interact with Flight Service. Comments are being taken prior to implementation. Quotes from the announcement and T&T editorial remarks follow: “On October 1, 2015, the FAA will consolidate Flight Watch services into Read More
Jet Journal Section
Planesense, Inc. Signs Order For Five Nextant 400XTI Aircraft
Nextant President and CEO Sean McGeough and PlaneSense President and CEO George Antoniadis shake hands after signing the purchase agreement. Nextant Aerospace announced March 12, 2015 that they have solidified a multiple 400XTi aircraft order from PlaneSense, Inc., a fractional aircraft ownership company based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “This announcement represents the culmination of months of Read More