Dassault Announces Ultra Long Range Falcon 8X

Dassault Aviation today launched the Falcon 8X, the newest addition to the Falcon family in the ultra long range category.

The Falcon 8X will offer a range of 6,450 nm (11,945 km) and will feature the longest cabin of any Falcon.  Moreover, it will offer the same low operating economics and the remarkable operating flexibility for which all Falcons are known.

“The Falcon 8X will be our new flagship and a great complement to our product line,” announced Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO, Eric Trappier. “It builds on Dassault expertise in aerodynamics, in precision design and manufacturing, and in advanced digital flight controls. It embodies the best of Falcons that have come before with the most capability of any Falcon ever.”

“With two new aircraft in development, the 5X and 8X, Dassault will now be able to offer a family of six jets designed to meet the widest possible range of operator needs at the upper end of the business jet spectrum,” added Trappier.

With eight passengers and three crew, the Falcon 8X will be capable of flying 6,450 nm non-stop at M.80. It will be powered by an improved version of the Pratt and Whitney Canada PW307 engine that equips the Falcon 7X. Combined with improvements to wing design, the new power plant will make the 8X up to 35% more fuel efficient than any other aircraft in the ultra-long range segment, affording a corresponding savings in operating costs.

The Falcon 8X is expected to have a balanced field length of about 6,000 ft (1,829 m) and an approach speed of 106 kts (197 kph) at typical landing weight.

The Falcon 8X will be equipped with a totally redesigned cockpit modeled after the Falcon 5X.  It will feature a new generation of the EASy flight deck equipped with a head-up display that combines synthetic and enhanced vision and offer a dual HUD capability.

First flight is expected in early 2015 with certification in the middle of 2016 and initial deliveries before the end of 2016.

Source and Photo: Dassault Falcon

Two women marry seven decades after meeting

DAVENPORT- Two Iowa women in their 90s celebrated seven decades they have spent together as a couple by getting married in a small ceremony. Vivian Boyack, 91, and “Nonie” Dubes, 90, exchanged vows at the First Christian Church in Davenport on Saturday. The couple then enjoyed a reception dinner with close friends and relatives, many of whom had been prodding them to marry since gay marriage became legal in Iowa in 2009. “I felt like I was in a dream and that I would wake up and it was not going to be true,” Boyack said. “We do hope we have a few more years, but if we don’t it’s a real closing for us.” The couple, who do not plan a honeymoon, have been inundated with phone calls and flowers from well-wishers, she said.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000134811/two-women-marry-seven-decades-after-meeting/?utm_source=elvis-gitau&utm_campaign=september&utm_medium=st

Rolls-Royce powers fastest civil aircraft into service

Rolls-Royce has powered the first delivery of the new Cessna Citation X+, the world's fastest civil aircraft, with AE 3007C2 engines.

The AE 3007C2 is the latest variant of the AE 3007C engine that powers more than 300 Citation X aircraft in service today.

Russell Buxton, Rolls-Royce, President - Civil Small and Medium Engines, said: "We are proud to power the new Citation X+ into service and look forward to a new chapter in our relationship with Cessna and the Textron Aviation companies."

Source and image:  Rolls-Royce / Cessna

First production HondaJet takes to the skies

Honda Aircraft Company has announced that the first production HondaJet achieved its initial flight, marking another milestone toward aircraft certification and entry into service in 2015. The event took place at the company’s world headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina.

“With this first flight, the HondaJet program has entered the next exciting phase as we prepare for delivery,” said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “Today’s celebration is the culmination of extensive engineering and production efforts, and this is an important achievement in bringing the world’s most advanced light jet to market.”

The first production aircraft lifted off from the Piedmont Triad International Airport (KGSO) at 10:18 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. During the 84-minute flight, the aircraft climbed to 15,500 feet and reached a speed of 348 Knots True Airspeed (KTAS). Following a smooth landing, the aircraft and its crew were greeted by more than 1,000 Honda Aircraft team members to commemorate the milestone.

The aircraft was flown by test pilot Warren Gould, pilot-in-command. The crew completed several checks during the flight including low and high speed handling characteristics, avionics and system functionality including landing gear, flaps and speed brake operations.

This aircraft is finished in the new signature HondaJet paint scheme in a deep green pearl with a gold stripe. The new color introduction is in addition to four exterior color options available to customers, which also include silver, red, yellow and blue.

Aircraft production continues its steady pace in advance of entry into service. This steady build-up supports the company’s objective to have aircraft ready for delivery immediately after Federal Aviation Administration type certification is achieved. The HondaJet will be single-pilot certified and is currently offered for sale in North America and Europe through the HondaJet dealer network.

The HondaJet is the world’s most advanced light jet, and its distinctive design incorporates advanced technologies and concepts. The HondaJet patented Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, natural laminar flow wing, and composite fuselage were developed from long-term research activities. These innovations combine to make the HondaJet the fastest, most spacious and most fuel-efficient jet in its class.

The HondaJet flies at a maximum cruise speed of 420 knots (483 mph) and has a maximum altitude of 43,000 feet. The aircraft seats up to five passengers in a standard configuration and can travel at an NBAA IFR range of 1,180 nautical miles (1,357 miles).

VIP charter carrier KlasJet marks the start of operations

KlasJet, a newly established VIP charter carrier specializing in private and corporate charter flights, is delighted to announce about its first successful commercial flight to one of the many luxurious Mediterranean resorts. The first carrier’s commercial flight follows the receipt of an air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the Lithuanian CAA in late June, 2014.

“We are extremely proud about the fact that we have managed to obtain such a widely desired Air Operator’s Certificate in such a relatively short period of time. It is all the more exciting that the company is ready and able to launch its operations during the high season,” shares his excitement Vitalij Kapitonov, the CEO of KlasJet. “The fact that our first 3-hour long commercial flight comes right after the receipt of the AOC proves the growing demand for VIP charters in the region. I am glad to share that our first passengers fully enjoyed their flight, conducted in one of our uniquely designed business jets - Bombardier Challenger 850. Whether it is London, Moscow, Rome or any other destination, our customers can expect nothing but the most extensive and flexible support possible – something they truly deserve”. 

KlasJet launched its operations with a fleet of two business jets - a Bombardier CRJ200 and a Challenger 850 – both outfitted with a unique livery and exclusive interior. In the long-term it is planned that the company will operate up to 10 corporate jets, including Embraer Legacy and Hawker aircraft. The carrier’s fleet is supported by Avia Solutions Group and its subsidiaries which hold EASA Part-145, EASA Part-147, EASA Part-21 and EASA Part-M certificates. This allows the carrier to control MRO, cabin refurbishment and modernization processes whilst ensuring European quality and comfort. 

Source and image: KlasJet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuvdcLDt2-Q:Captain Mwangi and his daughter flying KQ together

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuvdcLDt2-Q

Published on Apr 20, 2013

And now to a very inspirational story ...captain Mwangi, has been a pilot with Kenya airways for 29 years. His daughter Emma Mwangi, has followed in his footsteps and is also a pilot. That's not unusual. It is also not unusual that even though they work together, they have never flown an aircraft together. Ktn's Edith Kimani got the unique opportunity to accompany them on their first and probably last flight together as pilot and co-pilot.
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Vauxhall helicopter crash a 'wake up call'

On the surface, the report into the Vauxhall helicopter crash is pretty stark.

Pilot error is blamed in the official report by the Air Accidents Investigation Bureau for the collision in south London that led to the death of two people including the pilot.

The phrase in the industry is the pilot was "overloaded". The pilot, Pete Barnes, may have been distracted by changing the radio frequency and should not have been in cloud so close to the tower when he hit the crane.

However, what is also very interesting is the policy gaps that exist in the planning of tall towers and helicopters. This will cause concern to many Londoners, especially those living along the Thames, as it is one of the main thoroughfares for helicopters.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has no input into planning decisions on tall buildings apart from in safeguarded areas around airports.

The councils are under no obligation to inform the CAA if they give the go-ahead to a tall tower.

Kate Hoey, MP for Vauxhall, has called the situation "laissez-faire" and says the crash is a "wake-up call" and has called on the processes to be tightened up.

Flying rules mean pilots should stay 500ft (150m) away from tall structures - known as Rule 5.

But because of the number of large towers along the Thames, a situation has now arisen where helicopters cannot pass both ways at the same time. To obey the 500ft rule helicopters have to zig-zag down the river.

The report also says that while buildings were under construction, air traffic controllers may have been giving incorrect guidance to helicopters and they may have been breaking Rule 5. That means air traffic controllers could have been telling helicopters to go within 500ft of tall buildings.

If that has been the case it is very clear the current procedures do not work.

With the growth in the number of high towers along the Thames, the report is calling for a tightening of those procedures.

How to do that now rests with the Department for Transport but helicopters and high rise buildings are under intense scrutiny.