INDUSTRY NEWS: Daher-Socata’s New TBM 900 Turboprop Makes Public Debut
Sun 'N Fun - Lakeland, FL
Pilot student Nate Ahrendt tests out the cornhole game before the crowd rushes
in at Sun N' Fun. (photo: Charlie Beauchamp)
Festivities are underway in Lakeland, FL, as the SUN 'n FUN International Fly-In & Expo has commenced for its fortieth year. NAA has an even greater booth this year and is waiting for you to stop by. Try your hand at a game of cornhole to win a Wingmen Wanted shirt or take a photo at our booth and post it to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag #WingmenWanted to be entered to win a GoPro. With games, giveaways, and simulators, the NAA booth distinguishes itself from the rest.
Tampa Bay | Open House
Captain Irby Rivera during to a pilot assembly during Open House weekend discusses his experiences in the airlines. (photo: James Clary)
Even through the rain, many expressed interest in NAA by attending the March Madness Open House at the Tampa Bay campus on March 29, 2014. Tours and presentations occurred throughout the day, and United Airlines Captain Irby Rivera keynoted the event. Captain Rivera talked about everything from pay to the operations of some of the world's most complex aircraft.
Tampa Bay | Snap-On Scholarship
Matt Sadler shakes hands with student James Aperans while he is presented
with a Snap-On scholarship. (Photo: James Clary)
Scholarships are a large help for the affordability of furthering one's education. Snap-On's Matt Sadler, account manager, and Jimmie Padgett, district sales manager, stopped by the Tampa Bay campus to present James Aperans with a $4,000 scholarship. After, they discussed transitioning to Snap-On and the new partnership with National Aviation Academy.
New England | A New Face
Laurence Huntley works on his project list for the New England campus. (Photo: Jim McNeil)
At National Aviation Academy, we pride ourselves on being the best in the business. We care about our students, and offering them an exceptional education through strong leadership and ideas. To satisfy these needs, we would like to welcome Senior Vice President Laurence Huntley to the National Aviation Academy team. Laurence will be overseeing operations of the New England campus, and we believe his experience provides him the knowledge and leadership skills to continue our commitment to excellence.
Q&A with NAA Senior Vice President Laurence Huntley:
Q: Where are you from and where did you go to school?
A: I was born in Dover, England, White Cliffs country. I attended elementary and grammar school there. I went to the University of London, where I received a history degree. After that I was lucky enough to do my master’s in business at the University of Warwick. I was also fortunate enough to go to the London Business School, and do the one-year executive program called the Sloan Fellowship Program, which is also done at MIT and Wharton in the USA.
Q: Where have you worked and how has that prepared you for this position?
A: I have had management positions since I’ve started working. I’ve managed up to 3,000 people at a time. I’ve had experience in large companies and small companies, with experience in marketing, sales, customer care, operations, project and loss management (P&L), and general management. I’ve ran hi-tech units, particularly in telecommunications, and more recently education technology. One of my jobs was executive vice president of a subsidiary of SITA, the airline communications network owned by the airlines.
Q: What are your goals for the school, and New England campus, specifically?
A: For NAA New England, I would like to see very close links with NAA Florida because the power of two is certainly greater than the power of one. Particularly as we move forward and both campuses have things that are special and can be shared. I would just repeat my three main goals that I have communicated to the employees of NAA New England and share those with the employees in Florida:
The first project is “25 or bust.” That is to get 25 students enrolled in each class. That will enable us to add evening classes, and then add avionics, and hopefully, one day, add pilot training.
The second project is called “to be the best, look the best.” That goes for everything from branding to the working and learning environments of the academy. We have started a number of projects to improve the campus.
The third area of focus for all employees is professional development—which is both personal and professional. The first training program has already started with FAA Ground Instructor Training for all NAA New England instructors.
Q: From the time you have spent here so far, what are your first impressions?
A: The most important thing about the campus is the people. I am meeting everybody one on one. I have also met the instructors as a group, and I was lucky enough to attend my first open house. I think there is a lot of talent and a lot of commitment, as well as positive and enthusiastic attitudes, and a desire to execute the vision and creed of NAA. I think there are opportunities to improve, and that’s why I am focusing on the three projects that have been mentioned. I am delighted to be here.
Q: Is there anything you would like to say to the staff at either campus?
A: Thank you! Thank you for welcoming me to the NAA family. Please share any thoughts you have on what you think we need to do. Let’s work on a collaborative team basis, not just on our campus, but also with our colleagues in Tampa Bay. We need to learn from each other.
Q: What is one quote or phrase you would say encompasses your view or methodology on business and/or education?
A: You have to remain positive even when things around you may not be so positive. I will quote Winston Churchill, the great wartime British prime minister, “never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up.” So I would say keep positive, and never give up on your dreams and vision of what you want to achieve—both for yourself and the company.
Daher-Socata’s New TBM 900 Turboprop
Makes Public Debut
Daher-Socata’s new TBM 900 is making its public debut this week at the 2014 Sun ’n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Fla. (Photo: Chad Trautvetter)
Daher-Socata’s new TBM 900 is making its public debut this week at the 2014 Sun ’n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Fla., less than three weeks after the upgraded turboprop single was unveiled in Tarbes, France. Based on its speed and efficiency improvements over its TBM 850 predecessor, the $3.7 million TBM 900 has attracted “significant attention among pilots, owners and operators,” Daher-Socata said.
To date, the company has total orders for 44 of its new airplanes on the books and has delivered six of these to customers in the U.S. Daher-Socata plans to ship 50 TBM 900s this year, up from the 40 TBM 850s it delivered last year.
“With its large public attendance, Sun ’n Fun offers us the opportunity to share the fruit of three years of intensive work in the fields of market surveys, engineering and manufacturing,” said Daher-Socata president and CEO Stéphane Mayer. “We are proud to introduce the TBM 900 to the market,” he added. Mayer is rated on the TBM 900 and came to Sun ’n Fun flying a TBM 900 on its ferry flight from France to its U.S. customer.
Derived from the TBM 850, itself a variant of the original TBM 700, the new version offers better efficiency and performance without an increase in fuel consumption or engine power, according to the company. The aircraft received both FAA and EASA approval before it was publicly unveiled.
Read more...
Sun ’n Fun Opens 40th Fly-in with Biggest Numbers Ever
John Leenhouts, president and CEO of Sun ’n Fun, opened the 40th anniversary Sun ’n Fun Fly-In with some encouraging news. “I expect between 200,000 and 225,000 feet through the gates this Sun ’n Fun,” he told AIN. “Our pre-sales are up two and a half times normal, and the campgrounds are filling up fast,” he continued. He said he expects 11,000 to 12,000 aircraft movements per day, which would result in about 3,500 aircraft on the field at one time.
Leenhouts introduced 10 students from the co-located Central Florida Aerospace Academy as the Stratus Squadron. These high achievers are working on mechanics’ ratings, pilot certificates and more, and this week at Sun ’n’ Fun they are free to roam about the field and discover all that aviation can be for them. Students attending CFAA are eligible for $5,000 scholarships that can cover fees for pilot training, college and more.
He also revealed that Sun ’n Fun, in conjunction with the Lakeland Linder Airport, has settled on a five-year deal with the FAA regarding ATC fees for the show. “Last year we paid $203,000 for ATC services,” explained Leenhouts. The arrangement for this year required Sun ’n’ Fun to pay $280,000 up front, and the FAA rebates any unused fees after the show.
Read more...
Wright 3350 Double-Cyclone Engine
The Wright-Double Cyclone took radial piston engine technology to its very limits, essentially mating two already powerful Wright Cyclone 9-cylinder engines into an 18-cylinder twin-row powerhouse. In one modern application — the highly modified Grumman Bearcat Reno racer Rare Bear — the two-plus ton dry weight engine can produce as much as 4,000 horsepower, though typical power output was around a third of that. Wright had begun developing the engine in the mid-1930s, but it wasn’t until the need for an ultra-long range and high altitude bomber, the Boeing B-29, came to pass that Wright completed the engine. After a lot of work to improve its reliability, the 3350 would go on to power not only the Superfortress but a number of the most influential early airliners, including the Lockheed Constellation and Super Constellation and the Douglas DC-7.
Richard 190 (N2561 cn 001) "Protagonist II"
C. H. Richard of Lancaster, California, has designed a number of aircraft including the Richard 125 Commuter, a two-seat high-wing cabin monoplane, a two-thirds replica of the German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-33 of WW II, as well as the Richard 190. The Richard 190 was an all-metal single-seat mid-wing monoplane and was stressed for full aerobatic performance. Richard intended to make three versions of the sportplane available, in addition to the mid-wing model, there would be low-wing and biplane versions.
However, only the mid-wing model was built, featuring constant chord wings with 15 gal (57 l) tip tanks, but lacking an internal fuel tank. Registered N2561 (site files), it flew for the first time in 1968, powered by an 100 hp Continental O-200 engine, driving a two-blade variable-pitch metal propeller.
In 1973 the aircraft was modified, fitted with a Lycoming O-360 engine, lower mounted wings (of tapered planform), an internal fuel tank replacing the tip tanks, and a larger cabin. The aircraft was used by Louis "Bud" Judy of Granbury, Texas, for competition in the Advanced Category; since the aircraft is also referred to as the Richard-Judy Special. By late 1977 the aircraft was on display at the EAA museum at Hales Corners, Wisconsin, although it is still registered to Louis Judy as of this day.
LogTen Pro Universal Pilot Logbook
By Coradine Aviation Systems
$79.99
Now with iCloud Sync! LogTen Pro is the leading international pilot logbook for iOS, LogTen Pro Universal gives you LogTen Pro for iPhone (or iPod Touch) and LogTen Pro for iPad all in one! It is the tool of choice for tens of thousands of pilots in nearly 200 countries, and every major airline. From glider pilots to Gulfstream pilots, and from Apache pilots to airline pilots, whether you've got 10 hours or 10,000, we design everything to be completely customizable for your type of flying, country, region or company so you can track exactly what you need.
LogTen Pro Universal leverages the same core infrastructure as the Mac version of LogTen Pro (sold separately) to give you unmatched capabilities on the go, whether you're using iPad, iPhone or both. Add, review and update Trips, Flights, Aircraft, Aircraft Types, Places, People and Certificates. Generate incredible full reports from basic summaries to complete logbooks, then view them online! With LogTen Pro Universal you can install it on both your iPad and iPhone or iPod and do data entry on either and easily keep them in sync!
The Radar view gives you user configurable dynamic currency and limits groups to track virtually any regulation world wide, as well as general Smart Groups for tracking anything about your flying, from how much tailwheel time you have to when the last time Joe Smith was the relief pilot on your Dubai trip.
Fully customizable, and completely integrated with LogTen Pro for the Mac, LogTen Pro Universal really puts your flight time in your hand. LogTen Pro does not require an internet connection so you can update your logbook anywhere, check totals in the bush, or show off your type ratings at FL340!
Harrison Ford
While he’s more famous for his roles as Han Solo and Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford’s engagement as an advocate for the aviation community has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Hollywood A-lister has lent his star power to nearly every facet of the industry, making regular trips to Washington to fight for pilots’ rights, encouraging tomorrow’s generation of aviators through his involvement with Young Eagles, and taking an active part in a number of charitable organizations like the Citation Special Olympics.
Pilots may catch a glimpse of the star at EAA AirVenture or the annual NBAA convention, where he is a regular attendee, or standing next to the president of AOPA, GAMA or a number of other aviation associations as they work to ensure better conditions for all of us who love to fly. As for Harrison's own flying career, he wanted to pursue flying lessons while in college, but didn’t have the funds. Thanks to the phenomenal success of his acting career, Harrison was able to finance and fulfill the dream of getting his pilot’s license at the age of 53. He has put that license to use ever since, flying everything from his beloved de Havilland Beaver to his Bell 407. That genuine deep love of flying combined with his reputation as a hero on screen gives an incomparable credence to his advocacy work and has made him a real-life hero to those of us in the aviation community who reap the fruit of his efforts.
Live Chat
Website
View Online
Forward
