Mar-Apr 2007 On The Radar

The savings Raytheon has realized from strategic sourcing plans and gains in production efficiency are being passed on to customers. For the Bonanza, 2007-model pricing is being reduced 14%. The suggested selling price (SSP) for a typically equipped 2006 Bonanza G36 was previously $667,000; the 2007 SSP will be $574,000. A typically equipped 2006 Beechcraft Baron G58's SSP was $1,186,000; with a 12% price reduction, it will now cost $1,046,000. Additionally, prices for common options, such as SkyWatch and Stormscope, are being reduced by as much as 20%.

And along with the price reductions comes increased cabin space and comfort. All 2007-model aircraft will feature new interiors and sidewalls. The entire aircraft sidewall has been redesigned for more space and convenience. Maximum width has been accomplished with the addition of up to three inches of elbowroom for absolute comfort.

All 2007 Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Baron G58 aircraft come standard fully IFR equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics and GFC700 integrated flight-control systems. To save on your next Beechcraft, log on to www.raytheonaircraft.com.

And along with the price reductions comes increased cabin space and comfort. All 2007-model aircraft will feature new interiors and sidewalls. The entire aircraft sidewall has been redesigned for more space and convenience. Maximum width has been accomplished with the addition of up to three inches of elbowroom for absolute comfort.

Diamond Jet Hits The Road
As Diamond's new single-engine jet continues flight-testing and development, the full-scale cabin mock-up of the D-JET, featuring the jet's complete avionics suite and luxurious five-place cabin, is hitting the roads on a tour of North America.

The D-JET has a Garmin G1000 glass cockpit suite and offers generous, first-class comfort for five, while scooting along at its 25,000-foot ceiling at 315 knots.

At this writing, second quarter 2008 is the target for type certification. The proof-of-concept aircraft is flying and making daily progress. Serial number 002 is under construction and will join the flight-test effort in 2007's second quarter. A total of four aircraft will be involved in the certification process.

Based on the numbers of orders Diamond has booked thus far, a new retail customer can expect delivery late 2009 or early 2010. Diamond plans to produce and deliver 200 D-JETs annually. Check out www.diamondaircraft.com/news for the updated schedule.

Columbia Debuts New Model For 2007, Sets Delivery Record
Columbia Aircraft has introduced new paint schemes as well as new standard and optional features for its 2007 product line. The multitude of colors and combinations available to Columbia customers reflects its penchant for show-car-quality paint and detailing. Three new schemes are available: two for the 400 model (the "Cascade" and "Classic" themes) and one for the model 350 (the "Vernal" paint scheme). Fees for custom paint colors have been eliminated.

To supplement the previously standard wing and leading-edge protectant, Columbia is adding that same protective film to the wheel pants and nosegear strut at no extra charge.

New standard features inside the luxurious cabin include the addition of an integral cup holder/approach plate holder, headset hanger/flashlight holder and a map pocket. Also new are two-position rudder pedals and custom-fit seat height adjustment capability, courtesy of Oregon Aero SportSeats.

In another industry first for Columbia, new aircraft in SL and SLX trim will be available with a remote keyless entry system, previously only available on the 2006 Columbia 400 LCE (Limited Commemorative Edition). The keyless entry system unlocks the pilot-side door and activates the interior cabin lighting and exterior step lighting at the press of a button.

Columbia Aircraft also set a delivery record in 2006. Despite delays in the certification of their Garmin G1000 installation and a torrential hailstorm that delayed the refinishing of more than 60 aircraft, the company delivered 185 aircraft in 2006. To see how much more like a luxury automobile an aircraft can be, click over to www.flycolumbia.com.

With a 4-to-1 membership-to-aircraft ratio, iFly puts an emphasis on high availability. "Now more than ever, personal aircraft travel has the ability to transform your lifestyle," commented founding partner Erik Lindbergh, grandson of Charles Lindbergh. "You can go where you want to go when you want to go."

The aircraft fleet is based at six FBOs in Southern California, and there are plans to expand on a national level. Equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics, the Columbia 350s cruise at 191 knots and have a range of 1,300 nm. To learn more, visit www.iflysmarter.com.

There's yet another way to become a Cirrus pilot, as well. iAviate in Virginia has launched a new ownership program that offers fractional share (from 1⁄8 to 1⁄2), partnership and lease options in new Cirrus SR22-GTS aircraft. Ownership burdens are taken care of for participants, who'll also benefit from a comprehensive training program run by factory-certified instructors. Three aircraft have already been delivered to iAviate, with 12 more on the way. To learn more, visit www.iaviate.aero.

Blackhawk Delivers 100th XP Engine Upgrade
Waco, Texas-based Blackhawk Modifications recently announced the delivery of its 100th XP engine upgrade. Number 100 was installed on a King Air F90.

Blackhawk specializes in upgrading turboprop aircraft engines and focuses its efforts on converting King Air 90 and 200 series aircraft, as well as the Conquest I and Cheyenne series twins.

In October 2006, Blackhawk received FAA approval to upgrade the King Air F90 series with the more efficient Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135A engines. The price for the modernized, factory-new engines is in line with the cost to overhaul the old-generation engines. The added assurance of a 1,000-hour factory warranty coupled with a solid speed increase of 15 knots makes the upgrade especially attractive. For more, log on to www.blackhawk.aero.

In Memoriam: Bill Kerchner
Bill Kershner, the legendary flight instructor and well-known author of flight-training manuals, died at home on January 8, 2007. Kershner garnered many awards and honors during the course of his career and was inducted into the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame at Oshkosh, Wis., in 1998.

While Kershner is well known for his popular and best-selling series of training manuals, with more than one million sold, he's also a widely respected authority on aerobatic and spin training, having amassed more than 4,300 hours of aerobatic instruction and more than 8,000 separate spins of up to 25 turns. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the William and Elizabeth Kershner Scholarship Fund at the University of the South, the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C., or the Tennessee Aviation Museum in Sevierville, Tenn. Another option is to take someone who has never flown before up in an airplane.

Eclipse Delivers
With more than 2,500 aircraft ordered and on backlog, it must feel great to get one out the door. Indeed, at least seven other aircraft have completed final assembly and are being prepared for delivery, and another 37 airframes are on Eclipse's production line in various stages of assembly. The first customer Eclipse 500 was delivered to co-owners David Crowe, a private owner, and Jet-Alliance, a shared jet ownership company in Westlake Village, Calif. While Crowe plans to use his time with the jet primarily for recreation, Jet-Alliance will be using it to serve the needs of its growing list of co-ownership clients.

Eclipse is poised to begin ramping up production rates. The company is leveraging advanced manufacturing methods not traditionally used in aviation to dramatically increase manufacturing efficiency. These include proven automotive manufacturing techniques, such as moving assembly lines and robotics. The company's current facilities are designed to support the production of approximately 1,000 aircraft a year, or four aircraft per day.

"For many years, the promise of this day has fueled the passion and perseverance of everyone associated with Eclipse," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. "Today, as we deliver the first Eclipse 500, our dream of opening up the world of private jet travel to a new realm of customers has become a reality." To see the Eclipse in action, log on to www.eclipseaviation.com.

The Kings Teach The Garmin 430/530
With the King Schools Flying the Garmin 430/530 interactive video course, pilots will gain mastery of the Garmin 430 and 530.

According to John King of King Schools, "The course has hundreds of video lessons that demonstrate how to use the 430/530. These are followed with interactive questions, many using the King built-in procedures trainer that lets you practice what you just learned."

The course covers all aspects of the Garmin 430/530, including moving maps, flight plans, course reversals, missed approaches, system customization and how to handle possible 430/530 malfunctions. Flying the Garmin 430/530 contains seven CD-ROMs and runs approximately four hours before interactive questions. To learn more, literally, visit www.kingschools.com.

Sierra Industries Breaks Its First Stallion
Based on the Cessna Citation 500/501SP, the Sierra Industries Stallion is the latest iteration of Sierra's Citation product improvement program. The Sierra Stallion enjoys the added power and smoothness of the Williams FJ44 engine, but retains the thinner, classic wing of the Citation I. Increased performance allows pilots to climb directly to 43,000 feet and realize enhanced fuel specifics, about 620 pounds per hour, increased range and, with new electronic engine management, greatly simplified operation.

First delivery of this new model was in December 2006; the new owner immediately flew his new steed from Sierra's base in south-central Texas, nonstop to Calgary, Canada, at 43,000 feet in less than four and a half hours against an average headwind of 22 knots. This flight was a dramatic demonstration of the enhanced range and speed of the FJ44 Stallion modification. To mount up, mosey on over to www.sijet.com.