Jetrader - July/August 2008 - 16

be addressed at the front end of the aircraft development stage as development of the training system is integral to both certiﬁcation and the ﬂight test program. It is widely accepted today that ﬂight simulators will be used for pilot training. To meet the rigorous FAA mandates for ﬁdelity, the aircraft manufacturer must collect vast amounts of aerodynamic, operating and control data through the aircraft ﬂight test program. This data must be validated and built into algorithms and coded for incorporation in the ﬂight simulator training devices. The development of software to replicate complex, fully integrated avionics systems is a major undertaking, and coupled with the requirement to modify and change avionic menus, graphics and operating routines on an ongoing basis requires extensive use of conﬁguration management and testing techniques. Flight Crew Training Courseware development begins when system designs and operating procedures are established. The courseware involves many forms of media delivery, including paper, computer-based-training, parttask trainers, distance learning and the old standby—the classroom. Maintenance training requires hands-on equipment, such as a landing gear assembly or an engine to impart a full range of learning. All of these activities demand long lead times and are best subcontracted to suppliers who are expert in the development of courseware and simulation hardware. Pilot training offers the most visible opportunity for delays and for safety issues to arise. The VLJ market will be heavily populated with pilots who are transitioning from non-turbine-powered aircraft and who have, for the most part, ﬂown in the low altitude region of the national airspace system. Flying at the upper regions of the trafﬁc system, ﬂight level 350 (35,000 feet) to ﬂight level 410 (41,000 feet), introduces an entirely new set of circumstances associated with piloting the aircraft. Speed becomes an advantage and a dynamic to be managed constantly. Fuel management is a critical focus of attention and tied closely to ﬂight planning and overall management of the ﬂight. The training task becomes more complex with new tasks and a broader scope. Acknowledgement and acceptance of this premise is imperative and critical for the safety of the users and the overall success of the aircraft program. Further complicating the problem is the fact that a maintenance support organization requires signiﬁcant training of personnel. Certiﬁcation by the FAA for Part 145 operations requires a lengthy and comprehensive application process and is strictly regulated. To support international operations, particularly in Europe, the process must be repeated with EASA, an agency which, while working closely with the FAA, has proven to be a demanding regulator whose requirements often surpass those of the FAA. Conclusion The purchasers and ﬁnanciers of VLJs need to examine both the performance characteristics of the aircraft and the manufacturer’s ability to provide adequate aftermarket support. Both are essential, and there is a signiﬁcant risk that some VLJs will prove to be marginal investments for both their operators and ﬁnanciers because their manufacturer fails to the full range of production, certiﬁcation and aftermarket support that these new aircraft need. VLJs have the potential to revolutionize business travel and to make business use of private aircraft an affordable reality. These aircraft represent a new way of thinking about how people will travel and what it will cost. Moreover, they provide a solution to congested terminals at major airports and a means of connecting smaller communities to larger business centers. However, all this potential will be lost if the VLJ buyers and manufacturers fail to address it. Ken McNamara is an expert in training and customer support. The ﬁrm’s Web site is www.aca-assoc.com. Don Schenk is the President of ACA Associates, a New York aviation consulting ﬁrm with extensive experience in certiﬁcation and after market issues. 364466_redeye.indd 16 The ofﬁcial publication of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading 1 1/25/08 8:42:17 AM

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Jetrader - July/August 2008

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