Eurocopter EC-145
Eurocopter EC 145 is a twin-engine light utility helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. Originally referred to as the BK 117 C2, the EC 145 is based upon the BK 117, which became a part of the Eurocopter line-up in 1992 when the company was formed through the merger of the Messerschmitt-Bölkow and Aérospatiale. The EC 145 is a twin-engine aircraft and can carry up to 9 passengers along with 2 crew, depending on configuration. This helicopter is well suited for corporate, air taxi and EMS. The EC-145 is a very durable machine that can endure the punishment of high cycle operators such as sightseeing. Its ample cabin may be outfitted in many configurations including a luxury corporate model designed by IAS.
- Crew: 1 or 2 (pilots)
- Capacity: 9 passengers
- Powerplant: 2×Turbomeca Arriel 738 shp each
- Max Speed 145 kts
- Cruise speed 133 kts
- Range 370 nm
- Link to Technical specs. from Eurocopter
Ivan Klugman www.inavsol.com
Here is an interesting video featuring the EC-145 you may enjoy.
Creating a “Flying Home”: By Capt. Ivan Klugman
Having been in the aviation industry for over 30 years as an aviation department manager, major airline captain, aircraft completion consultant and President of Integral Aviation Solutions Inc, I feel uniquely qualified to discuss the completion or conversion process of an airliner into a “Flying Home”. Long before Boeing was producing the Boeing Business Jet and Airbus the Airbus Corporate Jet. We were converting Boeing and Airbus airliners to corporate, personal and “Head of State” service.
Once you establish that an airline is suitable for your flight operations there are many choices to make; the first step is to set a budget. A new BBJ or ACJ start around 55 million “Green”, that’s without any interior. An average completion on one of these aircraft is between 18 and 35 million depending on you personal choices. There are many less expensive ways of getting a similar aircraft without the 75 million dollar price tag. There are many pre-owned airlines available that can be converted cost effectively.
The timeline has changed rather dramatically recently with the weak economy. Today there are new aircraft positions that can be purchased and room in the completion center hangars so the overall project time from start to finish for a new aircraft is reduced quite a bit. We have always been able to accommodate our client’s needs in a more timely fashion than the mega-operations however today it’s even easier. Expect the process to take between nine month and eighteen months depending on your design and size aircraft. There are pre-owned aircraft available for those that need one sooner. Please get assistance prior to purchasing an aircraft there are many areas a non-professional can overlook.
Once you get an aircraft the fun part starts designing the aircraft of your dreams. I usually send my design team to meet with my client’s in their home. This allows the team to get a feel for the personality of the client in order to help them decide of the style they desire in their aircraft.
We have designed some very traditional aircraft what I call “the flying board room”, ultra-modern sleek European and even some that reflect a corporate identity. Our design team creates a LOPA(Layout of Passenger Accommodations) as well as designs for the desired rooms including: main salon, dining, bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, conference rooms, bars, galleys, surgical suites, SPA rooms, prayer rooms etc.
State of the Art cabin electronic system allow for en-route business meetings though broadband Internet connections, VIOP and satellite telephones. To help pass the time entertaining Satellite television is available. Passenger can even use their own handheld devices; Blackberry’s and iPhones . The technology is advancing so rapidly we sometime are provisioning the aircraft for equipment that is not even certified yet. We stay in tune to the manufacturers product pipeline so our clients don’t end up with an obsolete system. We even have the capability to equip the aircraft with high tech security systems and missile defense systems.
Being as most of the furnishing and cabin systems are custom designed and engineered, the client has a lot of freedom in their choices however they must meet rigid FAA standards. This is where I come into the process guiding both client and designer toward maximizing the safety and cost effectiveness of the interior layout. Quite frankly almost anything is possible” IF” you have enough time and money. We know that most people don’t want to wait years and send extra millions for extensive engineering and tests on something very radical when with a little change, they can be airborne months sooner and save a tremendous amount of money. Of course there are those that already have an aircraft that don’t mind the time or the cost.
I’d like to discuss our role in the process; I compare myself to the “general contractor” on a home construction project. I work very closely with the world-renowned lead design engineer “Manny” Loret de Mola. We have designers, engineers, manufacturing capabilities and like most other companies in the business, we also sub-contract portions of the completion. Being a boutique operation is a major advantage to our clients. They get personal attention of our principals and first string of employees. Not one of the thousands of employees at the mega houses.
There many of the design houses that have no operational experience. We feel they are missing an important indigent. Our staff includes members that have years of experience flying and maintaining airliners. We are capable of assisting our client from acquisition though operations.
While may of these amenities sound like luxuries, I can assure that these features are very cost effective and in fact traveling by any other means would be doing stockholders an injustice by wasting executive time and not providing a safe work environment for the companies most valued talent. Remember when flying on an airliner with 300 other people there is no way to assure the safety and security of these key executives, “Heads of State” or high net worth individuals.
The primary goal on a project of this nature must always be safety!
Ivan Klugman
Integral Aviation Solutions Inc launches the “IAS Express” Learjet
Pre-owned Learjet can be converted into high performance, fuel sipping business tools for a fraction of the cost of a new aircraft. The “IAS Express” modification of Learjet 35/36 and 31 series aircraft increases speed, range and useful load while reducing operating costs. They can be operated out of small airports at higher altitudes to more distant destinations than standard Learjets.
IAS will be happy to convert your own Learjet or acquire one for you.
The “IAS Express” modifications include some of the following:
Cockpit Modernization
Cabin refurbishment
Empty weight reduction program by IAS
Engine upgrades
ZR lite system by Raisbeck
R/X modifications: fins and tanks by Avcon
Aircraft are delivered with fresh inspections, paint and interior.
Each aircraft is evaluated by our staff and modifications are prescribed to maximize performance keeping in mind your ROI.
Ivan Klugman www.Learjetconsultants.com www.inavsol.com ivan@inavsol.com
BBJs(Boeing 737) nose to nose in KEWR (Newark, New Jersey USA)
The BBJ’s are back in Town
You can now acquire A Boeing Business Jet without the previously required 3 to 5 year waiting period. Being an aviation consultant having extensive experience with the Boeing Business Jet also known as a Boeing 737. I keep my finger on the pulse of the BBJ market place and feel now is the time to enter the market. Although many corporate operators shy away from the BBJ due to their lack of experience with aircraft in this category, I have flown this model aircraft around the world for many years. With a little pre-planning it can be operated as easily as you drive your car around the block. IAS can help you with all aspects of the acquisiton and operation of a corporate airliner.
Ivan Klugman inav@inavsol.com www.HeadofStateAircraft.com www.inavsol.com
From Green to Gold
Buying your first aircraft is a giant leap into the unknown. I’ll try to provide an overview of the process of aircraft completion once an aircraft arrives at the completion center.
When the designer first shows you all of the different wood selection and fabrics in abundance it seems overwhelming. This is normal and is always exciting the sky is the limit with what ever you choose. With no interior of any kind inside your aircraft you can have the freedom of working with a clean slate and designing something that fits your lifestyle. Detailed drawings and paint schemes are provided for your approval.
When a green aircraft first arrives it is given a detailed overview inspection to note scratches, dents, dings all which are logged down and taken care of buy the OEM or the completion center. This is to ensure that once the aircraft is delivered is holds it value and is safe to fly.
There is a phenomenally large amount of people and actions that all need to be inter-mesh for completion/refurbishment of an aircraft to be accomplished within a set time limit. All departments are assembled into one room to make sure that all details are put on the table, and that there is no missed information.
Having a working knowledge of all of the departments give us a better insight into the process. An aircraft which is like a giant puzzle needs to be assembled in a certain order. We insure that it all flows at a steady pace and no detail is missed.
The first step is to get all of the avionics installed including LCD’s and switch panels. Cabin entertainment, HD Theater, satellite phones and WIFI system are also placed in the aircraft. Installing the wire bundle looks likes 25 workers wrestling a 40 foot anaconda. This is the beginning of your dream aircraft coming to life.
Next the sheet metal installers rivet all necessary bonding points to the interior to hold windows, side walls, bulkheads, and headliner. This is a major portion that is critical to the structure of the aircraft.
All galleys, bulkheads, headliners and even seats parts are made from honeycomb composite which lightens the total weight of the aircraft. Speaking of weight this is always one of the most crucial areas of concern during a project. All aircraft are weight limited and it’s best to use as little as possible on the interior so that it is available for payload.
All of the soft goods are handled with care and delicacy because they are the seats, window line, headliners all the touchy items. We insure they are not damaged and stick out like a sore thumb. We inspect to see you get that fantastic 6″ deep look on a stained or natural finish bulkheads, dividers, credenzas and storage.
The completion process for a new aircraft takes about 30 weeks. During the process IAS uses a team approach in its aircraft completion oversight program. We have experienced A&P mechanics, FCC licensed avionics techs and ATP licensed pilots who have all been through this process many times supervise your project to insure your safety and see you realize the full value from your aircraft. We are there keeping a watchful eye on your investment though out the entire project. Why hire an aircraft completion management/oversight firm??
We are the only ones in the process that have only your safety and best interest as our only primary concern.
After the aircraft is assembled it is inspected, all systems are tested and it is test flown.
Aircraft ownership is a worthwhile adventure and brings the world a lot closer.
At Integral Aviation Solutions we are totally committed to providing a safe and reliable aircraft that will retain its value. We work with every department to ensure that all aspects of your personal aircraft are completed above and beyond the standards of all the others. So when you want to upgrade or downsize your airplane we are the only company that you choose to help you.
Paul Troutman www.inavsol.com
Bombardier FLL service center visit
Greetings,
Today I visited Bombardier’s Fort Lauderdale service center at FLL. I was very warmly welcomed by Murtaza “Murt” Hassan the Operation manager of the Challenger/Global program at FLL. The FLL facilities are much smaller than the Tucson AZ facility which we are much more familiar with. We were quite impressed by the friendly can do attitude of the people here at FLL. Bombardier is set up to service all three lines of their aircraft there Learjet, Challenger and Global. In addition to full service engine and airframe maintenance capabilities in FLL, Bombardier has the in house services of Frabricare for upholstery and woodwork as well as a relationship with an excellent paint facility across the field to give them one stop completion capability. Speaking of Fabricare, I was greeted by their Manager J.P. Rivest who was kind enough to give me a tour of their impressive facilities. J.P. was the kind of person who is willing to go the extra mile to please his customers. All work is completed under the Bombardier umbrella so you know you are getting the highest quality work available.
Thanks Murt and J.P. you made our visit very informative and enjoyable. We look forward to working with you in the future.
Ivan Klugman www.inavsol.com www.headofstateaircraft.com