AVweb’s search of aviation news around the world found the latest offerings in Jeppesen’s popular EFB, Garmin’s update on an upcoming G5000 suite, certification news from Thrush Aircraft, and a milestone for engine maker Williams International. Jeppesen recently introduced new features for Mobile FliteDeck version 2.7 to enhance situational awareness and provide data for both IFR and VFR flying conditions. A new VFR theme provides general and business aviation pilots with the ability to switch between IFR and VFR data on the real time, data-driven enroute map. The ability to import route information and third-party flight planning data is also now available, and the iPad-based electronic flight bag (EFB) solution is also compliant with the iOS 9 operating system.Garmin International announced the achievement of several major milestones toward the certification of the G5000 in the Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP aircraft. System architecture and installation details, High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF), and Lightning and Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) testing to support group approval are among a number of milestones that have been completed as part of this program.
The FAA has issued patrol category certification for the legendary Thrush 710P, which has been enhanced to take on special missions – including patrol and surveillance work – for environmental, military and government operations worldwide. The patrol category certification allows the Thrush 710P to add patrol work to its already impressive resume of agricultural capabilities – meaning the airplane can now also be used for missions such as border patrol, pipeline inspection and environmental oversight, among others. Williams Internationalannounced that it recently delivered its 5,000th FJ44 engine, and that the FJ44 fleet has accumulated 10,000,000 flight hours. When Williams introduced the original FJ44-1A engine in 1992, many in the aviation industry doubted that a relatively small, unknown newcomer could break into a turbine engine market dominated by household names Pratt & Whitney, General Electric and Rolls-Royce. Cessna was the first adopter, choosing the FJ44-1A to power its first CJ, and the growth of the popular CJ family paralleled the growth of the FJ44 family.
