Pilatus MKII Astra upgrade

Pilatus has been awarded a R400 million contract to upgrade the cockpits of 35 PC7 MkII Astra basic trainers for the South African Air Force.

The SAAF bought 60 of the trainers in February 1993 with deliveries starting in October the next year. The SA Air force last year told Parliament that the upgrade was needed because “the central cockpit display started discolouring to the point where most of the displays were becoming unreadable.

“These displays were supplied in the early 1990's by a now defunct local company, and have become obsolete to the extent that they have to be replaced. Subsequent to the initial estimates, further engineering studies were conducted and it was concluded that the only lasting solution to the Astra avionics obsolescence problems was a total cockpit upgrade,” the flying service said in a written reply to a question by Democratic Alliance MP Hendrik Schmidt.

“The multi-source tender was submitted to all interested parties, and the most cost-effective offer was received from Pilatus Switzerland, the original manufacturer of the aircraft, for an amount of R400 million; thus making Pilatus Switzerland the preferred bidder.

“The upgrade will extend the lifespan of the Astra with a further 20 years.

defenceweb.co.za

Honeywell APEX equipped Twin Otter in final testing

Viking Air told ANN Tuesday that Maldivian Air Taxi, the world's largest operator of Twin Otter seaplanes, will add two new Series 400 Twin Otters to its fleet of 24 heritage aircraft.

"The Series 400 is the right aircraft at the right time; our passengers and our employees know and trust the aircraft and we are pleased to be adding this new and improved Twin Otter to our fleet", said Lars Erik Nielsen, MAT's president and chairman of the board. "We value MAT's experience and on-going validation of the Twin Otter, and are excited they have added the new Series 400 to their fleet," commented David Curtis, Viking president & CEO.

In related news, Viking recently began on-water tests of its prototype Series 400, as part of the certification process for the Honeywell Primus Apex integrated avionics suite.

"The system performed flawlessly through 18 pages of test cards carried out today," said Steve Stackhouse, Viking's manager of flight operations. He added, "The purpose of the test was to evaluate whether the Air Data Attitude and Heading Reference System (ADAHRS) would initialize accurately and within design criteria in unstable conditions. The system responded perfectly on every occasion, becoming stable in under 40 seconds."

In addition to the upgraded avionics, the Series 400 incorporates over 200 modifications and improvements to the original rugged design. Viking is modernizing the type with a focus on reducing empty weight and maintenance costs while increasing reliability.

Viking launched the Series 400 aircraft program in 2007. Customer deliveries are expected to begin next year.

aero-news.net

Alpha Flying expands territory

Alpha Flying, Inc. the Portsmouth, NH-based fractional aircraft ownership program, has announced the expansion of its primary service area to include an additional rectangular area covering approximately 210,000 square miles encompassing parts of Arkansas, Oklahoma, southeast Texas, and Louisiana. Among the many airports to be added are Galveston, San Antonio, and Tulsa. A map of the expanded area can be viewed at www.planesense.aero.

According to George Antoniadis, founder and CEO of Alpha Flying, the decision to expand was based on demand from current and prospective owners wishing to fly to and from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. “PlaneSense has always been positioned as the most sensible fractional program based on the economics and performance of the PC-12. Especially in the current economic environment, PlaneSense has attracted many people whom we did not want to turn away. We have worked hard over the past months on the operational aspects to ensure that we will continue to provide the same high level of service that our current aircraft share owners have come to expect from the PlaneSense Program,” commented Antoniadis.

Alpha Flying, which uses Pilatus PC-12s in its program, accepted its first plane in 1995. Since then, the fleet has grown to 35 PC-12s, with two additional aircraft scheduled to arrive by the end of 2008. The average age of the fleet is 2.5 years. Antoniadis notes, “PlaneSense is the leading regional fractional ownership program in the world. We have the largest PC-12 fleet in the world and more experience flying PC-12s than any other fleet manager, with more than 50,000 accident-free hours.”

RFDS Central orders five PC-12's

The Adelaide based Central Operations section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which serves South Australia and much of the Northern Territory, has placed an order for five Pilatus PC-12 turboprops worth more than $20 million, reports Chris Milne. The new aircraft, all due for delivery during 2010, will replace the five oldest PC-12s in the Central Operations fleet of 11. The organization has paid a deposit of almost $768,000 and entered into foreign exchange arrangements for $21 million for the balance of the payment to the Swiss manufacturer.
The RFDS section was the launch customer for the PC-12, and received its first two aircraft in March, 1995, and a further two in September of that year.
The chief executive of Central Operations, John Lynch, said the restoration of capital grants under the new Commonwealth funding agreement would help to finance the new aircraft, with slots gained with Pilatus for progressive delivery through 2010. The operations manager, Barry Hocking, said the latest 47E (new generation) version of the PC-12 would have improved performance, particularly increased takeoff weight, which would enable extra fuel to be carried, extending the range. Hocking said the five aircraft being replaced would have done 15,000 hours each by the time they were withdrawn from service. No decision had been made on their disposal. “Our preference is to sell them overseas but we're not sure how we'll dispose of them yet, or whether they will be sold medically equipped,” he said.

Pilatus Porsche challenge

Theo Koundouris (Supabarn Supermarkets) won the Pilatus Challenge, which is a championship-within-a-championship for nonprofessional drivers, ahead of Marc Cini (Hallmarc) and his brother James. The results mean it is a Koundouris quinella in the overall Pilatus Championship standings, with James winning the trophy and Theo second. Shaun Juniper (Juniper Group), who endured a disappointing weekend, still managed to secure third in the Pilatus Challenge for the year.

The race was a sensational way to end the season, with drama all through the eight-lap race.

Western Aircraft appoint new satellite service facility

Western Aircraft, Inc. Pilatus Center has appointed Aero Air of Hillsboro, Oregon an authorized satellite service center for the Pilatus PC-12.

Western Aircraft’s COO, Allen Hoyt, stated that “Western Aircraft is pleased to announce that Aero Air is the latest company to join the Pilatus PC-12 support team as our newest Satellite Service Center. There are about 140 PC-12s in the northwestern US, and we have always had the philosophy that new PC-12 owners will have service facilities close and convenient to their home bases.” Aero Air’s proximity to Portland provides operators in Oregon and southern Washington with another option for maintenance.

With a history dating back to 1956, Aero Air and its 120 employees and 75,000 square feet of hangar space are ready to serve PC-12 customers in the North West. Aero Air is an Authorized Honeywell Dealership and we also offer a full range of inspection/hot section and overhaul services for the PWC PT-6A-67 engine.

Western Aircraft has been the Northwest’s authorized Pilatus PC-12 Sales and Service center since 1996, and routinely maintaining 80 to 90 PC-12s per year. In 2004 Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd. recognized Western Aircraft as The Pilatus PC-12 Dealer of The Year along with The Excellence in PC-12 Service and Support Award. With the growing fleet of the PC-12, and Western’s commitment to high levels of excellence, the selection of Aero Air as a satellite service center was a perfect fit.

Pratt & Whitney boosts research & development

Pratt and Whitney Canada will spend more than $360 million on research and development in the next three years to make engines that are cleaner and leaner. The Quebec government is chipping in $125 million in the form of a repayable loan that the province will recover from royalties on sales. John Sabaas, PW&C's executive vice president, said R&D is a cornerstone of the engine maker's success. "Our sustained investments in R&D have allowed us to bring more than 65 new engines to market over the past 15 years, a significant accomplishment,"

RFDS take delivery of latest PC-12

The Royal Flying Doctors have honoured their benefactor by naming their newest plane after her. The $5.1 million Beth Stewart Klugh -- a Pilatus PC-12 -- has brought the RFDS fleet to 51. Four are now stationed in Alice Springs.
Central Operations SA/NT chief executive John Lynch thanked the Klugh family from Adelaide for their ``six-figure'' donation. RFDS auxiliary president Coral Allan gave the yearly donation of $19,000 to the Flying Doctors. He said she and the 18 members of the Alice Springs branch raised the money by holding lawn sales, Sunday tea at the RFDS base and race days. Twenty-five auxiliaries around the country donated $500,000 to RFDS this year. Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon acknowledged the RFDS's role in the efforts to ``close the gap''.
She said: ``Without the work you did, a lot of these communities and projects would not be viable.''

Seaport continue to grow with the PC-12

SeaPort recently outbid Horizon for the U.S. Department of Transportation's subsidy that compensates airlines flying in small, rural markets.
The government will pay SeaPort nearly $1.57 million for the first year of its contract and $1.6 million for the second year for direct flights between Pendleton and Portland.
The company uses Swiss-built Pilatus PC-12 nine-seat single turboprops. Starting Dec. 2, SeaPort plans to fly three times a day between Portland and Pendleton.
Horizon wanted a $3.2 million subsidy to fly 76-seat planes twice a day.
"Capacity doesn't grow markets," Craford said. "Flying one choice at 2:45 in the afternoon -- that doesn't work."
SeaPort's planes lack restrooms, there is no flight attendant, and weights are closely watched -- customers are limited to two 35-pound bags and SeaPort won't fly anyone weighing more than 400 pounds. But Craford says the planes are favored by executives and movie stars.
SeaPort flies about 20 times a day between Portland and Seattle and also owns Wings of Alaska, a charter service based in Juneau, Alaska. It employs about 25 people in Seattle and Portland and another 70 in Alaska.

TSA NPRM could benefit the PC-12

If the TSA was expecting the business aviation community to embrace its Large Aircraft Security Program proposal, issued on Thursday, it is in for a major reality check. NBAA members posting to NBAA’s Air Mail forum are nearly unanimous in their call for an outright rejection of the proposal, with many asking the association to ally with other aviation alphabet groups to form a united front against the entire program. The consensus among the members speaking up is that the TSA program for GA aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds is unnecessary since business aircraft operations are inherently more secure because their passengers are known entities, unlike those flying with commercial operators, and because these aircraft are unsuitable for use in a terrorist attack and have never been used in an actual or attempted attack. These NBAA members also believe the TSA program would not increase security because compliance with the security rules would be verified by biennial third-party audits, meaning up to 24 months after flights are completed. One operator, striking a chord that resonated with others, wrote, “This will only create more ‘busy work’ for the law-abiding operator. I do not see how it will, or can, prevent any terrorist act,” adding that the only thing it might be able to do is “document who committed a terrorist act after the fact.”