The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide is a means of helping students and pilots understand FAA charts and publications. As visual flight rules (VFR) and instrument flight rules (IFR) have changed, FAA personnel have updated the guide. Now in its 12th edition, the FAA released the guide in an online version for pilots to access as part of their electronic flight bags (EFBs).
On the FAA website, the guide is broken into seven sections:
Introduction
VFR Terms
VFR Symbols
IFR Terms
IFR Symbols
Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP)
TPP Symbols
Each of these sections offers an explanation of terms used as well as a “cheat sheet” of symbols that students can use as a study guide or experienced pilots can reference. A PDF version of the guide is also available.
According to Rob Mark in a Flying magazine article, the one failing of the new guide is that there are no practical quizzes to test new pilots’ knowledge. Despite this failing, the guide is a useful tool that all pilots at all levels should be familiar with.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet.
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25,000 miles. No fuel. 15 months. The first solar-powered flight around the world in the Solar Impulse 2 is being hailed as an “innovation in energy” in a Pittsburgh Post-Gazettearticle.
The cost of innovation
17,248 solar cells powered the Solar Impulse 2 during 500 flight hours. At times, it was a dangerous journey. The longest leg of the trip, from Nagoya, Japan, to Kalaeloa, Hawaii, was more than 117 hours (five days and five nights) over the Pacific Ocean. The pilot of that leg, Andre Borschberg, flew more than 5,500 miles alone. He slept only in short naps and did yoga and meditation to keep his head clear.
That stretch of the 17-leg journey cost Borschberg and his partner, Bertrand Piccard, a 10-month delay in their solar flight around the world. According to Brent Bambury’s Day 6 article, the long flight caused damage to the batteries used to store solar energy and Borschberg and Piccard had to raise more than $20 million to complete the necessary repairs and return to their trip around the world.
The lessons learned in this flight were many, but, according to the Solar Impulse Adventure page, among them is that overnight flight powered by solar energy is completely possible. The specially designed plane had a 236-foot wingspan, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article, making it wider than the wingspan of a 747, according to the Day 6 article. That was necessary to accommodate the solar cells to generate enough energy for the overnight flight period.
A problem-solving mission
The plane also needed to be lightweight. In the end, it weighed about the same as a family sedan. All of these factors combined could well shuttle in a new era in airplane design: One that takes into consideration the ability to use sustainable solar power and new techniques for building lighter aircraft.
While the team set records during this amazing flight, that they also designed, built, and piloted the Solar Impulse 2 is even greater. Piccard puts it best on the Solar Impulse Adventure page:
“Solar Impulse was not built to carry passengers, but to carry messages. We want to demonstrate the importance of the pioneering spirit, to encourage people to question what they’ve always taken for granted. The world need[s] to find new ways of improving the quality of life. Clean technologies and renewable forms of energy are part of the solution.”
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet.
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At the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Symposium in Florida, the first hosted by the Federal Aviation Administration, administrators Michael Huerta and Michael Whitaker explained where the agency is headed with regard to UAS. FAA decision-makers asserted their agency’s commitment to the safe, timely, and efficient integration of unmanned technology. Huerta and others also said that the FAA is taking the conversation of necessary and extraneous regulation very seriously.
As eager innovators conceive new uses for unmanned aircraft — including search and rescue, farm monitoring, surveying, infrastructure inspection, and more — the skies could become increasingly crowded with personal and commercial unmanned aircraft. This could pose more safety concerns as pilot reports of encounters with unmanned aircraft reported to the FAA have risen dramatically in just the past year.
Drones and other unmanned aircraft help as well as hinder. Highly publicized problems —such as firefighters forced to halt desperate firefighting operations due to a drone entering their airspace, for example — have the FAA pressing onward for clearly defined standards and regulations.
At the symposium, Huerta discussed the FAA’s UAS partnership with NASA to test various systems, including the administration’s UAS Traffic Management program focused on geofencing, altitude rules, and trajectory scheduling. These types of UAS integrations are critical developments and strong indicators of the engagement with and acceptance of UAS into the U.S. airspace system.
“We’ve also created a product that is valuable not just to our business but also to the broader community working to develop the next generation of capabilities for unmanned systems,” said Sentera CEO Eric Taipale in a statement for UAS Vision.
Unmanned aircraft systems represent the future for the industry and have energized an entirely new generation’s interest in aviation. It remains to be seen what effects legislative efforts will have on the rising interest and investment in public sector UAS projects.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet.
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When a large, commercial aircraft approaches an airport for landing, its pilot knows exactly where his or her craft is in relation to the ground — even in low visibility — through a combination of radio signals and high-intensity lighting, according to a Scientific Americanarticle.
Pilots of smaller aircraft — such as private jets and helicopters — do not have such technology and must rely on a different set of skills and tech, according to the article. In serious weather situations, accidents are slightly more common due to “controlled flight into terrain” (CFIT) incidents. According to a NASA report, over 30% of fatal commercial airline accidents globally are categorized as CFIT.
Pilots of all aircraft need to avoid terrain and obstacles during all phases of flight. Key technologies are being developed to enhance operational safety for the unique situations pilots face when operating at low flight levels — where the need for continuous awareness of obstacles and terrain is critical.
Solutions on the horizon
Engineers are constantly working to develop state-of-the-art vision enhancing technologies to aid helicopter pilots. According to a PR Newswire article, those at Dassault are working on a Combined Vision System (CVS) called FalconEye, while Honeywell Aerospace‘s Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) have been a staple in the industry. The Honeywell SVS includes a 3-D view with computer-generated terrain overlaid with advanced symbology for increased situational awareness.
Dassault’s FalconEye CVS uses thermal and synthetic imaging. According to an Aviation Week article, this combined system approach means that real-time Enhanced Vision System (EVS) images are placed as an overlay on data-derived synthetic images. On the same display, this combined visual allows for a more precise approach and landing.
An eye on the horizon
The information provided by the CVS systems is particularly useful at night and during degraded visual conditions, according to Honeywell. Pilots will also enjoy reduced workload as buildings, oil rigs, ships, and other obstacles are accurately depicted on the visual display, leaving the pilot free to focus on the mission.
According to theScientific American article, Honeywell is likely to have some competition when its CVS hits the market in the next few years as others, including Ensco Inc., are also developing combined synthetic views.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet.
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Laser pointers — those cheap, entertaining trinkets that inspire household pets to chase and pounce — are causing significant problems for law enforcement. Most people see these red or green dot pointers as having weak lights, but they underestimate just how far light travels and the damage these lasers can do when pointed at aircraft.
While some may think the light stops before reaching a passing aircraft, but it doesn’t. Even the standard laser pointers used for presentations are bright enough to distract a plot. At distances up to 1,200 feet, the light from a standard laser toy can reverberate about the cockpit and cause near blindness, according to Jake Rossen, a Mental Floss contributor.
Lasing is a felony
Interfering with aircraft operation has long been a federal crime, but, according to an article from the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration’s FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 made the act of intentionally pointing a laser at an aircraft a felony.
Since the FBI and the FAA began tracking laser strikes, there has been a significant increase in the number of laser illuminations, or lasing, by curious or malicious individuals on the ground. According to the FAA, as cited in a Laser Pointer Safety article, lasing incidents could increase 64% from 2015 to 2016.
What happens when a laser is pointed at an aircraft?
From the ground, it may seem that a small beam of light won’t make a dent on a pilot’s vision. But when pointed at airplanes and helicopters, a laser’s light can be significantly magnified by the aircraft windows. The windshield turns opaquely green and the strobe effect can cause a burning sensation in the eyes. According to a Popular Science article, lasing can even cause temporary blindness in affected pilots and crewmembers.
According to the Mental Floss article, the crew’s ability to see is seriously compromised and, while no lasing accident has been reported yet, pilots have been forced to change course, even in crowded airspace, and later required medical attention. Pilots who have been hit with lasers claim it’s the equivalent of having a very bright camera flash go off in pitch blackness right in front of you. According to an Air and Space magazine article, green lasers are especially harmful because the human eye is susceptible to damage from light in the yellow to green part of the spectrum.
The FAA, FBI, and local law enforcement teams have worked out a number of effective methods to find and prosecute those who point lasers at aircraft. Increased public awareness is helping somewhat, but tens of thousands of dollars and years of jail time and community service are doing a lot to curb enthusiasm for this curious activity as well.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet.
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Windspeed Technologies announced a new feature to add in-flight entertainment value to private jet aircraft and create an experience that’s like no other. It’s a safe, semi-external viewing option that can be installed on wide-body aircraft and smaller executive jets.
Looking a little like a bubble poking out of the top of the plane and dubbed the “SkyDeck,” the canopy would be made of high-strength material, similar to that used in supersonic fighter jets and designed to withstand significant load. Coated with anti-condensation film, the surface would ensure clear viewing from all sides.
Conceptual designs show a pod-like clear canopy positioned toward the top rear of an aircraft that allows passengers a full view of the plane’s external environment: clouds, sky, and stars, to name a few. Once a passenger is positioned in the SkyDeck, he or she may rotate the seat to view a particular object, like a constellation, or direction. The positioning of the teardrop-shaped pod just before the tail of the plane is intentional, having the least possible effect on the airplane’s aerodynamics.
Flying head and shoulders above the fuselage could become the new wave of upgrades for business and private jet aircraft, but Windspeed sees commercial aircraft applications — in the form of an upgraded first-class experience — as well, giving airlines a new revenue stream. After all, in-flight entertainment options haven’t changed much in the last decade.
Essentially, the installation will go like this: A hole will be cut in the top of the jet and the one- or two-seat pod will be engineered in its place. Beverage service concerns have yet to be addressed, but surely the 360-degree view at 30,000-plus feet beats the need for a cold one in the hand.
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.
Why settle for sub-par sound? Now you can listen to music comfortably while you travel, just like music’s “top dogs.” Touring musicians all over the globe turn to California-based company Ultimate Ears’ in-ear monitors for customized, uncannily clear and crisp sound. You simply choose the model that’s best for your needs, pick your color, personalize your case, and choose a suitable cable color and length. Ultimate Ears will send you an impression kit, which you take to a local audiologist to have a mold of your ears made. Impressions are sent back to Ultimate Ears, where your headphones will be handcrafted. The final product will fit perfectly inside your ears, providing an unparalleled sound experience. Prices range from $399 (for non-customized models) to $1,999.
Fly Jamaica Airways recently signed a contract with maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) software provider TRAX to employ its maintenance and engineering program to manage the Fly Jamaica fleet. The TRAX Maintenance and Engineering solution has been developed with users to provide a comprehensive and advanced maintenance software solution with an unparalleled sales and implementation record. TRAX offers a variety of controls that record and maintain engineering information. In addition, TRAX uses job and work cards to assign duties, store documents, and enter essential tasks. Through productivity improvements enabled by TRAX, work can be planned effectively via detailed cost recordings.
Jose Almeida, president and CEO of TRAX, says, “Our goal is to provide Fly Jamaica Airways with an exceptional maintenance and engineering solution, and we are confident that TRAX will help improve the new airline’s overall operations.”
Fly Jamaica was founded in 2011 and currently operates routes between Kingston, Georgetown, New York, and Toronto, as well as conducting charters and cargo services. The airline is implementing the latest version of the TRAX software, which includes more than 20 modules to cater to virtually every aspect of aircraft maintenance. The modules can be implemented individually, but they provide the most benefit when implemented together.
The TRAX solution will assist with material, resource, fleet, and component management, as well as financial and technical records, and reliability. In addition, Fly Jamaica will now have aircraft, inventory, and maintenance activity integrated into one system, enabling a single interface for all its management needs.
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.
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.
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.
At the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Symposium in Florida, the first hosted by the Federal Aviation Administration, administrators Michael Huerta and Michael Whitaker explained where the agency is headed with regard to UAS. FAA decision-makers asserted their agency’s commitment to the safe, timely, and efficient integration of unmanned technology. Huerta and others also said that the FAA is taking the conversation of necessary and extraneous regulation very seriously.
Fly Jamaica Airways recently signed a contract with maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) software provider TRAX to employ its maintenance and engineering program to manage the Fly Jamaica fleet. The TRAX Maintenance and Engineering solution has been developed with users to provide a comprehensive and advanced maintenance software solution with an unparalleled sales and implementation record. TRAX offers a variety of controls that record and maintain engineering information. In addition, TRAX uses job and work cards to assign duties, store documents, and enter essential tasks. Through productivity improvements enabled by TRAX, work can be planned effectively via detailed cost recordings.
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.
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.