A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

In the Middle East—just as in the Antarctic—merely starting an engine can excessively tax an aircraft.&nbsp;“Whether it’s extremely hot or cold, the temperature starts to inhibit a battery’s ability to perform,” said Eve Storm, president of Start Pac (Booth 975), which makes portable starting and ground power units (GPUs). The resulting inefficient starts can put excessive wear on both the engine and battery.

 


U.S.-based Start Pac is displaying at MEBAA 2018 a selection of its units, which can power up any electrically started business aircraft or helicopter engine while “helping to extend turbine life and battery life,” said Storm.

 


With the region’s dust creating a need for frequent engine pressure washings, Storm also noted an auxiliary unit can power the process, again saving engine and battery wear and tear.

 


Start Pac’s wide selection of portable starters and GPUs, all single-phase, come in 24-&nbsp;and 28-volt capacities (the latter providing faster, cooler starts), in both lithium-ion and lead-acid battery models. Though slightly more costly, lithium-ion units weigh about 40 percent less and are some 30 percent smaller than lead-acid batteries of comparable power&nbsp;and last about twice as long. The iron phosphate chemistry that power Start Pac’s lithium-ion batteries are free from the threat of thermal runaway seen in some lithium battery-powered devices, said Storm, and about 8,000 of its lithium-ion battery power units are in use worldwide.

 


In addition to off-the-shelf products, Start Pac custom designs units to customer needs without extra charge, Storm said. “We’re pretty agile, and we can usually get the design into their hands in 30 to 60 days. We really do our absolute best to be responsive.” Start Pac recently delivered 26 custom GPUs to the U.S. FBI, Storm said.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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