Gulfstream introduces two all new aircraft
Gulfstream Aerospace introduced two all-new aircraft: the Gulfstream G800, the longest-range aircraft in Gulfstream history, and the Gulfstream G400, the first new entrant to the large-cabin class in more than a decade. Gulfstream announced the new aircraft before a live audience at its Savannah headquarters. The event featured a virtual tour of the new G400 and a live reveal of the first G800.
Powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, the G800 offers a range of 8,000-nautical-mile/14,816-kilometer at Mach 0.85 and 7,000-nm/12,964-km at Mach 0.90. The G800 is designed to seat up to 19 passengers and offers up to four living areas.
The G400 ramps up environmental performance by reducing fuel consumption, emissions and noise through its use of clean-wing design and advanced Pratt & Whitney PW812GA engines. The aircraft will fly 4,200 nm/7,778 km at its long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85. Three floor plans are offered, with options for seating up to nine, 11 or 12 passengers.
Both the G800 and G400 are equipped with the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck featuring the industry’s most extensive use of touch-screen technology with 10 touch-screen displays. G800 customer deliveries are anticipated to begin in 2023 and G400 deliveries are anticipated to begin in 2025. www.gulfstream.com
Honeywell unveiled Anthem, the first cloud-connected Cockpit
Honeywell has unveiled a new cockpit system, the first in the industry built with an always-on, cloud-connected experience that improves flight efficiency, operations, safety and comfort. The Honeywell Anthem flight deck is powered by a software platform that can be customized for virtually every type of aircraft and flying vehicle, including the class of advanced air-mobility (AAM) vehicles. This next generation flight deck supports growing levels of aircraft autonomy.
"Everyone who touches a flight is able to get information that matters to them when they need it," said Vipul Gupta, vice president and general manager, Avionics, Honeywell Aerospace. "The aircraft becomes accessible via the cloud computing infrastructure. This means data is accessible by any authorized user from anywhere."
Honeywell claims that Anthem can significantly reduce the potential for ground collisions by 50% with several new features including 3D Airport Moving Maps. Another of Anthem's features is a web browser that allows third-party applications to run in the Anthem cockpit. For example, pilots can display live weather cameras from the airport they are currently traveling to. Honeywell Anthem also integrates with Honeywell Forge, a software platform that includes in-air and on-ground solutions for flight operations, flight efficiency, and connected maintenance. www.honeywell.com
Shortage of skilled aviation engineers a major concern post pandemic
Skilled aviation engineering professionals are leaving the sector and moving into mechanical engineering, building services, IT and a host of other less Coronavirus-impacted industries, a newly launched industry survey from aviation talent recruitment specialists JMC Recruitment Solutions (JMC) highlights. Its 2021 ‘Aviation Engineering Professionals Industry Survey,’ surveyed nearly 4,000 respondents in the UK and across Europe, in job categories such as B1 & B2 Licensed Engineers, Aircraft Fitters/Mechanics, Sheet Metal Workers, to learn that 38% have moved to an industry outside of aviation.
Since April 2020 there has been a dramatic drop in global demand for aviation engineering contractors and new permanent staff. As a result of the impact on availability of work and ‘just in time’ nature of maintenance, pay rates too have reduced by between 10% and 15%. 50% of respondents believe that rates of pay will need to return to pre-Covid levels or increase by between 5 and 10%. The report underlines that much work is needed to attract new talent into aviation engineering, which needs to start during school years, as well as helping retain existing skilled professionals, as the industry recovers to pre-pandemic levels.
People: IBAC announced Andrew Karas as new IS-BAO program director
The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) have announced the selection of Andrew Karas as the new IS-BAO Program Director. Andrew is replacing former director, Bennet Walsh, who recently became the safety and security director for Hawaiian Airlines.
As a licensed Airline Transport Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor, and Unmanned Aircraft/Drone pilot, Andrew has over 20 years’ experience in the US Air Force and with business aviation operations. His significant aviation expertise includes flight training, standardization, compliance, and the managing and application of Safety Management Systems. He is type rated in Gulfstream V, Bombardier Global Express, King Air 200, and Lockheed C130 and has logged more than 4000 hours total flight time. Most recently, Andrew was a GV Captain for a Stage 3 IS-BAO-registered Part 91 and 135 operator in Florida where he was responsible for SMS administration and standard procedure adherence. He is a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) specializing in risk management, a graduate of Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Aviation, and he earned a master’s degree in International Relations from St. Mary’s University.
Andrew has joined IBAC on 18 October, in time for the annual meeting of the IS-BAO Program Standards Board this week. IBAC first introduced the IS-BAO program in 2002 and has enrolled more than a thousand operators since it all began. Recent additions to the internationally recognized program include FlightPlan Stage 1, an all-inclusive rapid path to Stage 1 for small operators, and the Progressive Stage 3 option for operators with a mature SMS looking for more.