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Aviation history has been made with the world’s first solar-powered airport. In India’s southern state of Kerala, Cochin International Airport operates completely on solar power, making the airport absolutely power neutral. In fact, the 46,000 solar panels laid across 45 acres produce somewhere near 48,000 units of electricity per day, meaning Cochin actually makes more power than it uses. The excess power generated by the huge solar panel field boosts the state’s electricity grid. Over the next 25 years, the solar airport is expected to save 300,000 tons of carbon emissions — the equivalent of planting three million trees or erasing the environmental impact of driving 750 million miles.
“When we had realized that the power bill is on the higher side, we contemplated possibilities. Then the idea of tapping the green power came in,” V.J. Kurian IAS, Managing Director of Cochin International, explains. “We consume around 48,000 units (kwh) a day. So if we can produce the same, that too by strictly adhering to the green and sustainable development model of infrastructure development that we always follow, would transcend a message to the world. Now this has become the world’s first airport that fully operates on solar power.”
Cochin is not alone in making the move to greener energy. Terminal 2 of London’s Heathrow Airport incorporates solar power, as does Denver International Airport. When the new international airport in Mexico City is completed in 2018, it will be the most sustainable airport in the world.
These cost-effective and extremely efficient sustainable-energy systems are garnering the world’s attention, hopefully inspiring similar environmental moves across the entire air travel industry.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.
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What could be better than finding new and useful gadgets that make travel even more comfortable, fun, and enjoyable? It’s easy to see why these five made the top of our list of next travel treats to buy.
- Finding the office and coffee in a foreign language No longer do you have to wish for a fictitious device to translate alien tongues into your native language; translation technology has come a long way. When it comes to translation, the apps are where the action is. Applications make on-the-go translating fast and easy, and help travelers bridge communication gaps. Google Translate is one of the most popular, and it works with spoken words, text, and even pictures.
- Mobile multi-device charging Every sky warrior needs power, and extended travel wreaks havoc on your batteries. The ability to recharge wherever you are — and not weigh down your carry-on — is critical. Mobile chargers, like Mophie Powerstation Duo, allow you to recharge a device and a phone simultaneously by plugging into a micro USB or USB port, giving you the ultimate charging flexibility.
- Playing with Fido and Fluffy For all the pet lovers out there, Petcube is a sure-fire winner when you can’t take your furry buddy along. The compact cube connects with your home Wi-Fi and establishes a video stream that lets you keep an eye on your pet’s activities while you’re away from home. Going beyond simple voyeurism, Petcube has a two-way audio stream and a built-in laser pointer so you can talk with and hear your pet, and even play with him or her, from afar.
- No more group texting When you’re traveling in a group — with family, friends, or business partners — keeping tabs on everyone while you’re out and about is a nightmare. The Onyx group communication system is wearable technology that connects through smartphones and works in a closed system, much like the old walkie-talkies did.
- Presentations on fire When you need to make a good impression, your presentation deserves more than a tiny laptop screen — even on the road. BEM Wireless has a new high-definition, widescreen-display projector that can be set up nearly anywhere and connected to your laptop, tablet, phone, or flash drive for a high-powered presentation that rocks.
Next time you travel, tuck one or all of these little devices into your bag to make your trip even better.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.
One of the most prominent changes to come out of the most recent recession is the concept of a ‘sharing economy,’ in which people rent assets like cars, boats, homes, and other items directly from one other and coordinate that transaction over the Internet. Internet technology has infinitely reduced transaction costs and made sharing assets easier and less expensive than ever. New websites such as Airbnb, RelayRides, and SnapGoods match asset owners with potential renters, while smartphones and GPS allow individuals to access those assets. Online payments systems handle invoicing and payment in seconds.
Sharing the ride
This exemplifies the sharing economy, and it’s now taking established industries by surprise. Cab alternative Uber has brought the taxi industry to its knees, leaving an array of controversy in its wake. Uber made headlines for challenging policies that apply to traditional taxis, such as taxation and insurance; both of which are being skirted — for now.
Ride sharing in the aviation industry, however, hit a hard stop when it ran into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA issued a ruling in response to inquiries from ride-share startups like AirPooler and Flytenow. They asked the FAA for clarification on rules regulating their proposed operations: The ability for pilots to post trips they plan and to offer seats to potential passengers who are willing to share the costs. The fares vary and are set based on plane type, trip length, and other factors.
The FAA responded, “… you maintain that the AirPooler service is not a commercial operation and does not involve common carriage because there is no compensation of pilots. We disagree.” In other words, because participating pilots would receive compensation for operating an air service, the FAA determined that ride-share pilots must obtain a carrier license. Such a license is costly and difficult to obtain, creating a barrier to the market.
There has been much discussion about the FAA’s decision. Many critics note the decision was based on legislation enacted in 1964, which includes an exception for pilots to receive compensation without the commercial license requirement.
What is at stake for pilots and jet owners? Savings, savings, savings. The cost of aviation operation has doubled or tripled over the past 20 years; the opportunity to share those costs with potential passengers is extremely attractive.
The FAA has a tall order to fill: adapting to a new economy while adhering to legislation and maintaining uniform safety standards. In any case, the allure of ride sharing will keep pilots and passengers on the lookout for more cost-effective and mutually beneficial options for flight. And they will continue to watch the FAA as they grapple with these new challenges and opportunities moving forward.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet.
You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.
Choosing a career path is tough, and for many of those who are interested in leading a life in the sky, the dream of becoming a helicopter pilot is not far behind. The life of a helicopter pilot comes with some pretty exciting opportunities, including law enforcement, hospital patient transport, aerial photography, fire fighting, offshore oil work, and more. In fact, if an aircraft took pictures of your boat, it was likely from a copter.
Helicopter pilot demand remains high
The general use of helicopters is so varied and widespread in the U.S. that helicopter pilots are employed just about everywhere there are airports and, in many cases, may even dominate the smaller airport scene. As you may have guessed, the demand for chopper pilots is high. Plus, as companies continue to find even more reasons to use helicopters, that demand is likely to grow.
3 reasons to become a professional helicopter pilot
- Variety: In addition to the multitude of opportunities, helicopter pilots have the ability to work in a variety of industries and many even travel between industries.
- Shorter flights: Helicopter flights are usually short, in comparison to airline flights, and many chopper pilots enjoy varying flight paths versus the standard to-and-from action required for most airline pilots.
- Flexibility: Helicopter pilots can work for an operator who owns a fleet of helicopters, or they may build up enough revenue to employ other pilots and manage their own business.
What does it take to become a helicopter pilot?
There are essentially two paths to becoming a copter pilot. Many pilots receive their initial training in the armed forces, but you can also choose private FAA-certified helicopter flight schools. Most employers will require at least 175 hours of flight experience to obtain an entry-level position. Many chopper pilots enter their profession as flight instructors because this helps them earn money while they build up their flying time and experience. The more experience you have, the more employable you are and the higher salary you earn.
The good news: Not long ago, helicopter pilots needed 500 hours of flight time to be employable. The fact is that the need is simply higher than the supply of pilots. Many flight schools combine flying time with aerial photography, city tours, and other light flying experiences to allow you to build flying time while you gain experience. It’s a great time to become a helicopter pilot!
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.
Gulfstream Aerospace has begun preparing the next two G500s for flight. The first completed a handful of test flights after Gulfstream announced its new G500 and G600 family last October. They flew the first G500 on May 18, 2015, and the aircraft has since accumulated more than 15 hours in five flights, reaching speeds of Mach 0.80 and heights up to 38,500 feet. The longest flight lasted more than four hours.
“The first five flights exceeded our expectations,” Dan Nale, Senior Vice President of Programs, Engineering, and Test for Gulfstream, said. “They demonstrated that our testing facilities on the ground are having very real benefits in the air, allowing us to identify and address issues before they’re ever seen in flight.”
Gulfstream has decided on a few modifications to prepare for the next round of test flights. One of the unique aspects of Gulfstream’s approach is their use of customer involvement in the process of designing new jets. Similar to the customer involvement used in agile development style software design, Gulfstream allows their Customer Advisory Team to give feedback on what they want in the end product — and it’s become a working strategy. The G650 set the new standard for a large-cabin, ultra-long-range aircraft and it didn’t happen by chance. Instead of creating a G650 replacement, which was briefly rumored, Gulfstream listened to their customer team and created a matched pair of large cabin cruisers with slightly less range and just as much speed.
These new flagship aircraft models are in many ways more sophisticated, while costing millions less. They feature the most advanced avionics in the industry, the longest and most spacious cabins, and huge windows top it off — which Gulfstream originally pioneered on the G650. The cabin appears to be designed around the windows, with one for every individual seat, leaving an overall effect of great openness to go along with the quiet ride.
Certification of the G500 is expected in 2017, with the certification of the G600 following about a year later.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.
The decision to purchase a jet is about more than just cost — it’s about time AND money. The flexibility of being able to fly when and where you want is one of the most commonly cited reasons for a jet purchase, but there are many other reasons that come along with that leisure.
Warren Buffet, of Berkshire Hathaway, is famously reported to have said, “Berkshire [Hathaway] has been better off by me having a plane available to go and do deals. It’s a plus; we’ve done things I would not have done if we hadn’t had a plane.”
How do you know it’s time to buy a private aircraft? Use these four criteria to evaluate your need.
1. Efficiency and flexibility
Some private jets can fly faster than commercial airliners, but the biggest time savings comes in the avoided wait time. A commercial flight typically costs a traveler hours of wasted time, from security procedures to baggage claim.
When time is money, a private jet is the way to go. The average waiting time for a private jet is less than ten minutes to takeoff. There are no seemingly endless queues or racing from one gate to the next. When you land, your car can be waiting for you and your luggage loaded straight into the trunk.
2. Security and privacy
Good private jet pilots have impeccable safety records. They undergo rigorous training and enforce safety management systems that rival many commercial airlines. When you own a private jet, you have the ability to screen and select your own pilot and crew — and be sure that they will respect your own and other passengers’ privacy. Plus, arriving at a terminal means you are seconds away from the aircraft and can avoid attracting attention. While on board, you are free to behave on your terms and even discuss business without the risk of compromising sensitive details.
3. Reach rural or remote places
Think about your clients or partners and where they do business. Do they typically have office space right next to a big commercial airport? Probably not. That means you have to fly and drive to see them. One of the most critical benefits of owning a private jet for a corporate executive is the ability to reach smaller and rural airports — it makes a big difference in business growth and could help unlock an untapped market.
4. Mobile conference room
The ‘golden age’ of flying by commercial airlines is long gone. To them, you’re just a seat number and a soda — so you better sit down, buckle up, and behave. One of the key advantages to private jet ownership is the ability to work on the go — and even get some comfortable sleep — arriving fresh and ready for business. When you have the opportunity to collaborate away from the distractions of the office, you and your team can often come up with real solutions to the problems your organization is facing.
Real comfort in business aviation starts with a private jet.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.
A drone operating over the Lake Fire in California’s San Bernardino National Forest in June caused firefighters to halt combat flying due to the risk of a midair collision. This very real danger could cost expensive air tankers and, more importantly, firefighters’ lives. As a result, the fire expanded and unfortunately gave drone flying some damaging press.
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), otherwise known as drones, are inherently different from manned aircraft in terms of altitude, distance, maintenance, flight time, and operating controls, and mixing them into the aviation community is placing some complex challenges in the hands of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). On Feb. 23, 2015, the FAA released a public notice with regard to UAS and continues an outreach program to spread the word about safe and responsible flying.
Know Before You Fly is an educational campaign founded by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), and the Small UAV Coalition, in partnership with the FAA. It provides information for recreational flyers, businesses, and public entities on how to fly drones safely and responsibly.
Some of the recreational drone-flying safety guidelines include:
- Flying no higher than 400 feet
- Keeping your drone in sight at all times
- No flying within five miles of an airport
- Avoiding sensitive infrastructure such as power stations
Examples of commercial uses of drones include:
- Professional real estate or wedding photography
- Cinematography for film or television
- Contract photography work for mapping and land surveys
Let’s Fly Wisely, an organization of companies using drones for positive purposes in Wise County, Virginia, has been promoting the use of drones to make package deliveries, including delivering medicine to rural medical clinics.
While stories about unsafe drone flying cause negative press, lawmakers are working to find the best way to balance the needs of individuals, businesses, and media by releasing and promoting drone safety information. Simultaneously, drone flying is making a positive impact in many ways, and it’s important to keep this in perspective as the UAV trend and the opportunities drones pose continue to grow.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.
Got a friend with a private jet you can borrow? It seems like a good idea: The aircraft is available, has a crew well-known by the owners, and costs significantly less than standard charter rates. But you’re not just doing a favor, you’re acting as a charter service — and doing so without the proper credentials is illegal.
The bizav community dubs these flights “Part 134 1/2″ in reference to the FAA’s Part 135 rules that regulate charter operations and air charter operators. While no statistical evidence exists to expose the extent of the practice, experts readily agree that illegal charters are commonplace.
Of course, the truth is that most of these flights occur without incident, so the likelihood of their discovery is limited. Plus, airports are businesses, and when they sell fuel, maintenance, and other qualified services to jet owners, they’re hesitant to report suspected illegal charters.
What’s the risk in friends helping friends?
Illegal charters are fraught with the potential for risk:
- Lack of oversight means less safety — If you’re flying on an illegal charter, realize that the pilot and jet owner are acting illegally, which could put you at risk.
- Lack of accountability per the FAA — When flights aren’t regulated, risk factors go up.
- Less stringent training and potentially less skill — This is a case of “getting what you pay for,” and in some cases the pilot may have less skill and training.
- Less security around aircraft maintenance — If the operator is already engaging in illegal activity, are you confident in the aircraft’s maintenance?
- Less drug and alcohol testing — There is potential for unregulated crews.
- Less flight experience — Some pilots use illegal charters to get more flight time, but wouldn’t you prefer to have a fully qualified and experienced pilot?
- Less insurance coverage — If the charter is illegal, you have limited recourse in an accident.
Protecting yourself from illegal charters
To minimize your risk of booking an illegal charter, follow these simple steps:
- Use your common sense. Extremely low prices are a warning sign because legitimate charter operators carry proper operating costs.
- Ask questions. A legitimate operator will readily provide its certificate number and tail number.
- Book through trusted sites. You can cut through the smoke and mirrors by working with trusted charter operators.
Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to a worry-free private flight.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at 305-754-3313, or visit us online.
Safety Standdown is an aviation safety training program that promotes pilot safety through personal discipline and responsibility. One of the most critical principles that inspired this program is the fact that human error is responsible for 80% of mistakes in aviation.
The program started in Wichita, Kansas in 1996 with just eight people. In 1999, it was opened to all pilots. The objective is to improve aviation safety standards through seminars, safety training programs, online resources, and tools to fight human error in aviation. The program is free of charge and catered specifically to pilots, crew, maintenance technicians, and managers across the aviation industry.
The 19th annual event, set by Bombardier Business Aircraft, is focused on attention-control techniques. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), four collisions involving Piper and Cessna aircraft have occurred over the past four years. Three of those incidents proved fatal. In one accident, two planes collided about 900 feet above ground when the pilots were monitoring different radio frequencies and failed to see each other.
After the four plane collisions caused eight deaths, the NTSB issued an official safety alert advising pilots of planes of all sizes to use fundamental see-and-avoid vigilance techniques throughout the flight and avoid head-down flying.
In another example of distracted flying that killed a pilot and passenger in Colorado in May, investigators recovered an intact GoPro video camera in the wreckage. Review of the content showed the pilot using his cell phone to take “selfie” photos of himself with several passengers the day before. When investigators found nothing apparently wrong with the aircraft, it was surmised that the pilot likely used a cellphone during the fatal flight.
Handheld mobile devices aren’t the only cause for distraction either. A distracted pilot in California was apparently focused on an electrical issue and failed to notice that his landing gear was not deployed. In that incident, the pilot and passenger were lucky to escape injury.
This year’s Safety Standdown event includes several thought-provoking topics:
- Inattentive? Are you talking to me?
- When all else fails, are you prepared?
- Emergency firefighting training
See the full agenda of workshops for the October event.
Commercial airline pilots increasingly use tablets, smartphones, and handheld GPS units in place of paper flight plans and navigation charts. Unfortunately, potential for distracted flying is growing as well. It turns out that distracted flying is likely to be hazardous, much like distracted driving.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at 305-754-3313, or visit us online.
You’ve probably heard about 3-D printing and recognized that it is one of the most disruptive technologies we have today. New advances in 3-D printing machines are allowing scientists and engineers to experiment with new materials, different configurations, and fresh strategies on efficiencies by mixing metal powders in new and innovative ways.
Just this year, the engineers of GE Aviation 3-D printed a mini jet engine — it’s the size of a backpack — and then took the engine to 33,000 rpm. This is just one of the more recent innovations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cleared the first 3-D printed aircraft part — a housing for a sensor — to fly in commercial jet engines.
What are the benefits of 3-D printing in the aviation industry?
- Lighter-weight parts — Unlike traditional manufacturing methods that cut away material from a metal slab to make the part, 3-D printing uses an additive manufacturing model and ‘grows’ the part with layers of fine metal powder fused together with a laser. Lighter parts make for a lighter aircraft and more fuel efficiency.
- Faster production — With 3-D printing, aircraft parts can be created in a fraction of the time and leave behind far less waste material.
- Simpler designs — The number of components typically required to make an aircraft part is significantly reduced, resulting in far simpler part designs and less that could go wrong.
- Durability — Improvements in 3-D technology mean stronger, better printed parts — up to five times tougher than traditionally manufactured parts.
In the end, additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing, results in the ability to replace complex assemblies with lightweight designs that will improve the fuel efficiencies and environmental impact of jet engines.
What are the challenges posed by 3-D printing?
Technically speaking, the possibilities of 3-D printing seem to be infinite, but some of the challenges ahead for 3-D printing in the aviation industry include:
- Cost — 3-D printers themselves typically cost several million dollars each.
- Approval — Required safety standards for parts are not up to date with 3-D printing models.
- Legal challenges — If a part produced by 3-D printing reveals a flaw in the design after an accident, who is responsible?
- Intellectual property rights — It is possible to purchase an object and recreate it with a 3-D printer, but what legal protection does the individual who created the design have?
Airbus’ latest passenger aircraft — the A350 XWB — has over 1,000 components that were created by 3-D printing, so it’s clear that the future of 3-D printing is here and the aircraft industry is in full support.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1.305.754.3313, or visit us online.
