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MAY 2019 | ainonline.com

ABACE 2019

The business aviation industry once again gathered in Shanghai, looking ahead to a larger market, as buyers take

INTOSH interest in smaller models. DAVID M c DAVID

Safety Vista Global buys JetSmarter One fatal accident Q1 record page 12 by James Wynbrandt

In a deal announced April 9, Vista Global access programs (VistaJet, Vista Lease), told AIN. “We saw how well this worked.” Air Transport Holding (VGH), the asset-light model busi- with corporate-style on-demand and sub- The transaction “was conducted on the E195-E2 gets nod from ness aircraft access provider, acquired what scription-based service in between (XOJet). basis of an equity swap,” Flohr said. “We’re it calls the last “pillar” of its strategic growth The deal will also further the reach of VGH’s not disclosing the financial terms.” three authorities page 4 plans, and that pillar, charter broker/market recently launched TechX technology division. continues on page 70 disruptor JetSmarter, found a parent/pro- JetSmarter said it will now “enter the Technology tector to ensure its future and exploit its next innovative phase of its history… allow- Read Our PILOT REPORT mobile technology on a global scale. The ing JetSmarter to fully realize its poten- Electric systems studied acquisition marks “an important milestone tial to advance the private aviation travel page 36 for Vista Global: accelerating and execut- experience.” at ‘The Grid’ ing our vision of digitizing the entire private Dubai-based VGH was launched just last Global 7500 aviation offering,” said VGH founder and August and the following month purchased Bombardier is taking its long-range chairman Thomas Flohr. “Customers today XOJet, owner and operator (O&O) of the Global 7500 on a global demonstration want speed, reliability, and value…JetSmart- third-largest U.S. charter company, based tour, and AIN was among the first to fly AEA celebrates industry er’s technology will digitalize Vista Global’s on flight hours. Flohr traced VGH’s interest the model. The fly-by-wire airplane was advancements page 53 market-leading customer offering to pro- in JetSmarter to the purchase of XOJet, for easy to fly and will be an easy transition gram members and on-demand customers.” whom the broker/app developer provides an for any Global pilot. If approved, the transaction will create a exclusive mobile sales channel, bringing the Airshows page 20 credible global lift provider positioned to offer Fort Lauderdale company to Vista’s attention. Geneva ready to every form of business aircraft access from per- “XOJet had a very close partnership seat charter (JetSmarter) to luxury large-cabin with JetSmarter for a digital front,” Flohr welcome EBACE page 17 Global Reach

Local Service These days, opportunity can knock right next door, across an ocean or across a hemisphere. So, isn’t it good to know that the Executive Jet support network covers the globe?

There’s always an Embraer Service Center nearby with experienced technicians who know our airplanes inside-out. In fact, our teams are so highly trained that they’ve helped us earn the FAA’s coveted AMT Diamond Award for maintenance excellence for the last five years.

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services.embraer.com Global Reach

Local Service These days, opportunity can knock right next door, across an ocean or across a hemisphere. So, isn’t it good to know that the Embraer Executive Jet support network covers the globe?

There’s always an Embraer Service Center nearby with experienced technicians who know our airplanes inside-out. In fact, our teams are so highly trained that they’ve helped us earn the FAA’s coveted AMT Diamond Award for maintenance excellence for the last five years.

Whether you need routine technical and engineering support or more comprehensive maintenance packages, our Service Centers offer it all in one place.

We are with you wherever you may go. services.embraer.com As We Go To Press

TEXTRON AVIATION DELIVERIES HKBAC: BIZAV SLOT TRIAL SOAR IN FIRST QUARTER EXTENDED INTO 2020 Textron Aviation saw double-digit There is now sufficient parking for percentage gains in jet and business aircraft at Chep Lap Kok deliveries, in addition to profits and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), revenue, during the first quarter. Citation according to Hong Kong Business Aviation deliveries for the three months ended Centre (HKBAC). Slots, while still hard March 31 totaled 44, a 22 percent to get at times, are more manageable increase over the 36 jets it shipped a after the airport designated six daily slots year ago, while turboprop deliveries also that are guaranteed for use by business

totaled 44, up 51 percent from 29 in last aviation operations, daily between 16:00 EMBRAER year’s first quarter. Aviation segment and 20:59. Henry Ho, HKBAC assistant On April 15, Embraer secured approvals for its E195-E2 from authorities in , the U.S., profit in the quarter was $106 million manager-business development, said and Europe. on revenue of $1.1 billion, up 47 percent a trial period that lasted until March 31, and 12 percent, respectively, from a 2019, has been extended until March year ago. During an April 17 conference 31, 2020, following “positive feedback” call with analysts, Scott Donnelly, CEO from operators. Ho added that in With three signoffs in hand, of parent company Textron, said he general slot applications are required expects deliveries of the long-delayed “14 days in advance” but these slots are super-midsize Citation Longitude to routinely available at shorter notice. E195-E2 ready for service begin in earnest in the third quarter. Meanwhile, he said the EBAA CALLS FOR INCLUSIVITY by Mark Phelps and SkyCourier are each expected IN EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK to achieve first flight by year-end. EBAA secretary general Athar Husain Embraer celebrated the triple-certification low-cost and fleets.” Khan has emphasized the need to of its E195-2 on April 15, having received Slattery talked about the performance ABACE 2019 IS A UNIQUELY include business aviation in a European nods from ANAC (the Brazilian aviation advantage, citing hot-and-high range ASIAN EVENT aviation framework to enable “improved agency), the U.S. FAA, and Europe’s numbers from high-elevation airports ABACE is increasingly becoming an connectivity, efficiency, competitiveness, EASA. Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, such as International. The E195-E2 international show with a uniquely Asian and regional cohesion across the Embraer president and CEO, praised his has 900 nm more range on a summertime touch, NBAA president and CEO Ed continent.” Khan said that due to engineering and program teams, noting takeoff from Denver than its predecessor. Bolen said as the show drew to a close an expected doubling of global air the E195-E2 joins the E190-E2 in achiev- “And from sea-level airports, the E195-E2 on April 18. Now in its eighth year in passenger traffic by 2037, “new standards, ing the three-tier certification hat trick. can take off in 1,800 meters [5,905 feet] at Shanghai, ABACE now features more technologies, harmonized regulations, “They’ve built, and now have certification maximum takeoff weight compared with speakers and exhibitors from and adequate infrastructure” will be for, the most efficient single-aisle jet on 2,200 meters for the E1.” and Asia, with about 40 percent of the required to accommodate this growth. the market. And they’ve done it again right That translates to improved route exhibitors now being from this region. These improvements and technological on schedule and exceeding specification.” flexibility, and opens up new markets for Bolen said the presence of the various advances “will only be made possible The E195-E2 tested out with fuel burn , including conventional network companies this year underscores their if the EU is able to provide adequate numbers 1.4 percent better than antici- airlines complementing their larger-air- commitment to the Asian market, despite infrastructure for business aviation pated; a total of 25.4 percent better than craft fleets, but also low-cost and ultra- some uncertainty in the marketplace. operators in Europe,” he said. “In the current-generation E195. low-cost carriers, Slattery said. He added For example, Gulfstream had its particular, access to airports and airspace Indeed, Embraer counts heavily on the that current Embraer customers included largest-ever presence at the show, and remain major hurdles for our sector.” fuel efficiency and performance flexibility 70 operators in 50 countries, and the Bombardier showing off the new Global in marketing its E2 series. In the case of strong cockpit commonality between the 7500 for its first airshow debut “is a 200TH CITATION LATITUDE the E195-E2, John Slattery, president and E1 and E2 series gives the OEM “a strong strong statement,” he added. ABACE ROLLS OFF CESSNA LINE CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, incumbent base.” 2019 also included a panel dedicated to Textron Aviation produced its 200th told AIN, “Operational and performance In discussing Embraer’s 20-year mar- eVTOL technology for the first time. Cessna Citation Latitude midsize jet and specifications are something we’ve been ket projections, Slattery said the company marked the milestone last month with its keeping close to our chest, but with certi- expects to see some 25 to 30 percent of its AVIATION GROUPS LOBBY FOR employees at a special ceremony at the fication, we can now open up and release sales in North America (where its E175 is BIODIESEL INCENTIVE EXTENSION company’s Wichita plant. The model has some comparisons.” strongly established); 25 to 30 percent in Business and other general and led Textron Aviation’s Citation deliveries Compared with the A220-100, Europe; and another 30 percent in South- commercial aviation industry groups are for the past three years, and the Latitude he said, the E195-E2 is 10 percent more east Asia, where he said he is particularly urging Congress to extend a now-expired fleet has accumulated more than 150,000 efficient per seat; and on a per-trip basis, optimistic, given the performance charac- biodiesel tax incentive that they say flight hours since its entry into service it is 10 percent more efficient than the teristics of the E2 series. He is also bullish on would ensure future production and in third quarter 2015. Fractional aircraft A220-300. Embraer further claims its Latin America and the Middle East, where growth of sustainable alternative jet provider NetJets will take delivery of entry’s cumulative margin to ICAO Stage he said the E195-E2’s high-bypass Pratt & fuels (SAJF). On April 12, the consortium this milestone midsize jet later this year. IV noise limit ranges from 19 to 20 EPNdB, Whitney geared (GTF) engines delivered letters to Senate Finance 4.0 EPNdB better than the A220. On the “will serve well in the harsh environment.” Committee Chairman Charles Grassley JETAVIVA REPORTS STRONG maintenance side, both the E190-E2 and Finally, Slattery, who will lead the and Ranking Member Ron Wyden QUARTER FOR AIRCRAFT SALES E195-E2 go 10,000 flight hours between joint venture between Embraer and Boe- requesting extension of the incentive. “An Without disclosing financial details, basic checks with no calendar limit for ing once the deal is completed, said that extension of this credit will provide the broker JetAviva saw a 25 typical operations. “This means an addi- while his company now competes with industry with the stability necessary to percent increase in revenue and a 22 tional 15 days of aircraft utilization over ’s 737 single-aisle jets, he antici- continue investing in technology that will percent jump in preowned business a period of 10 years compared to cur- pates working with Boeing on offering generate economic and environmental aircraft sold in the first quarter versus rent-generation E-Jets,” said Embraer. airlines opportunities with the matching, benefits with globally significant impacts,” the same three-month period a year Slattery added that overall maintenance complementary fleets. “Boeing’s market states the letter signed by Airlines for ago, the City firm announced costs are 20 percent lower. footprint is some 400 [customers] larger America, Air Line Pilots Association, Cargo on April 12. Company leaders attributed “Airlines are going to love this airplane’s than Embraer’s,” he told AIN. “I’m look- Association, GAMA, NATA, NBAA, this growth to an expanded team economics,” he said, “The E195-E2 is ing forward to getting the transaction and the Association. structure and new, internal processes. the ideal aircraft for growing regional closed and working with Boeing. Our air- business and complementing existing line customers will be the winners.” n

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PIL0419_AIN_CloserAirports.indd 1 4/1/2019 2:26:09 PM INSIDE this issue 42 JAMES HOLAHAN (1921-2015), FOUNDING EDITOR WILSON S. LEACH, MANAGING DIRECTOR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – Matt Thurber EXECUTIVE EDITOR - AIN PUBLICATIONS – Mark Phelps NEWS EDITOR - AIN PUBLICATIONS – Chad Trautvetter MANAGING EDITOR - AIN PUBLICATIONS – Annmarie Yannaco SENIOR EDITORS – Curt Epstein, Kerry Lynch Gregory Polek – Air Transport Ian Sheppard – International ASSOCIATE EDITOR – Jerry Siebenmark CONTRIBUTORS Pete Combs David Jack Kenny – Safety 31 Gordon Gilbert Jennifer Leach English John Goglia – Columnist Richard Pedicini Mark Huber – Rotorcraft James Wynbrandt GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER – Tom Hurley Feature PRODUCTION EDITOR – Martha Jercinovich GRAPHIC DESIGNERS – John A. Manfredo, Grzegorz Rzekos 24 LEAD DEVELOPER – Michael Giaimo With Expanded DEVELOPERS – Nathan Douglas, Ryan Koch Envelope Exercises, VIDEO PRODUCER – Ian Whelan one pilot wants to GROUP PUBLISHER – Dave Leach ‘inoculate’ pilots ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – Nancy O’Brien ADVERTISING SALES against loss-of- Georges – Western Europe, +33 6 80 21 17 93 control in flight Melissa Murphy – Midwestern U.S., +1 (830) 608-9888 Nancy O’Brien – W estern U.S./Western /Asia Pacific, at a price point +1 (530) 241-3534 accessible to many. Anthony T. Romano – Northeastern U.S./Eastern Canada/Mexico/Brazil Joe Rosone – Mid-Atlantic U.S./Southeast U.S./Caribbean, 55 +1 (301) 693-4687 Diana Scogna – /Northern Europe/Middle East, +33 6 62 52 25 47 Victoria Tod – Great Lakes U.S./, +1 (203) 733-4184 Yury Laskin – Russia, +7 05 912 1346 AIRPLANES and ENGINES FLIGHT OPS, SAFETY, SECURITY, TRAINING AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – Jeff Hartford 10 Flaris LAR1 makes first flight 12 U.S. bizjets suffer one fatal mishap in Q1 MARKETING AND CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER – Lisa Valladares 10 Supersonic AS2 to be biofuel-compatible 18 NTSB: Bizav crews subject to alcohol testing abroad MANAGER OF ONSITE LOGISTICS – Philip Scarano III ONSITE PRODUCTION – Zach O’Brien 14 Piper inks large trainer order 48 TRU delivers first CL-415 water bomber sim SALES COORDINATOR – Nadine Timpanaro Last month’s Sun ’n‘ Fun event proved a boon for the SALES ADMINISTRATOR – Cindy Nesline airframer, which is seeing a resurgence in trainers. INDUSTRY and MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & HUMAN RESOURCES – Michele Hubert 16 HondaJet Elite gets Canada nod 16 Dassault to divest SABCA ACCOUNTING MANAGER – Marylou Moravec 20 Pilot Report: 34 Foreign pilots face restrictions in Indonesia ACCOUNTS PAYABLE – Mary Avella 32 UTC reveals hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator 36 Collins eyes electric future ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE – Bobbie 39 TBM 910 gets G1000NXi avionics 40 GE asset transfer system aimed at airlines, lessors U.S. HEADQUARTERS 41 Epic E1000 on course for FAA approval 44 Saudi operator sees bright future in the Kingdom 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432, +1 (201) 444-5075 Advertising Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 50 G650ER sets record for longest flight 50 invests in staffing tech [email protected] Circulation Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 [email protected] AIRPORTS and FBOs MAINTENANCE, MODS, and COMPLETIONS WASHINGTON, D.C. EDITORIAL OFFICE: Kerry Lynch (business aviation) 28 Riyadh’s traffic to gain on Jeddah’s 42 European firms sign on for Global 7500 mx [email protected] 42 West Star anchors down in Chattanooga Tel: +1 (703) 969-9195 AIRSHOWS and CONVENTIONS 44 At Macon, Stevens adjusts to new identity EUROPEAN EDITORIAL OFFICE: Ian Sheppard; [email protected] 17 EBACE preview Hangar 9, Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey RH1 5JY, UK 38 Aero Friedrichshafen review REGULATIONS, GOVERNMENT, ENVIRONMENT Tel: +44 1737 821409, Mobile: +44 7759 455770 8 U.S. proposes tariff on EU-built aircraft and parts THE CONVENTION NEWS COMPANY, INC. AIR TRANSPORT The proposal comes in response to what the U.S. contends AIN PUBLICATIONS EXECUTIVE TEAM 4 Embraer E195-E2 secures three nods are illegal EU subsidies to build fixed-wing Airbus models. Wilson Leach Jennifer Leach English Matt Thurber Dave Leach 58 Adria abandons plans for Superjet 48 FAA sets policy for operating without ADS-B Michele Hubert Nancy O’Brien 58 Firefly set for Seletar launch Aviation International News (ISSN 0887-9877) is published monthly. 59 Airbus updates A320 flight-warning software ROTORCRAFT and UNMANNED SYSTEMS Periodicals postage paid at Midland Park, N.J., and additional mailing offices.­ Postmaster: Send ­address changes to Aviation International 59 MRO investment heats up in Southeast Asia 14 CHC plays role in cruise ship rescue in Norway News, P.O. Box 8059, Lowell, MA 01853 USA. Allow at least eight weeks 59 Trent 1000 TEN woes ground 787-10s at SIA 31 Drone home delivery begins in for processing. ­Include old address as well as new, and an address label from a recent issue if possible. Subscription inquiries: +1 (203) 798-2400 or 55 , Volocopter to test UAM avionics email: [email protected]. AVIONICS and TECHNOLOGY 55 Russian Mi-171 and Mi-26T2V hit milestones Aviation International News is a publication of The Convention News Co., Inc., 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432; Tel.: +1 (201) 444-5075. 41 Firms team to offer global wx and flight data 55 Russian seeks EASA approval for VRT500 model Copyright © 2019 All rights ­reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part 41 Aero Charting app adds functionality 57 Defiant joins U.S. Army’s FVL program ­without permission of The Convention News Co., Inc. is strictly prohibited. The Convention News Co., Inc. publishes Aviation International News, 52 BendixKing unveils AeroVue Touch 57 Mars helicopter ready for Red Planet flight AINalerts, AIN Air Transport Perspective, AIN Defense Perspective, AINtv, Business Jet Traveler, BJTwaypoints, ABACE Convention­ News, Dubai 52 GE execs outline digital future Airshow News, EBACE Convention­ News, News, 53 AEA celebrates avionics advancements HAI Convention News, LABACE Convention News, MEBA ­Convention DEPARTMENTS News, NBAA Convention News, Airshow News, Singapore 70 Airion space-based ADS-B system goes live 64 Accidents | 58 Air Transport Update Airshow News, Mobile Apps: Aviation International News; AINonline. PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40649046 ­RETURN UNDELIVERABLE­ 57 Avionics Update CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: PITNEY BOWES INTERNATIONAL­ MAIL, STATION A, CHARTER and FRACTIONAL 66 Completions Update P.O. BOX 54, WINDSOR, ON, N9A 6J5, returns [email protected]. 1 Vista Global acquires JetSmarter 67 Compliance Countdown 31 IADA starts broker approval tests 62 Hot Section 39 Royal Jet upbeat on Middle East and 8, 10, 12, 14, News Briefs PUBLICATIONS 39 PrivateFly integrates SkyJet buy 68 People in Aviation | 56 Rotorcraft Update 46 SkyPrime planning fleet expansion 18 Torqued | 60 Touching Bases For feedback, letters to the editor, or other editorial needs, please contact AIN’s Editors at 66 Clemens refreshes its managed fleet | Calendar [email protected]

6 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com How does CAE elevate your training experience?

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Work with the team that works with you. Visit us at EBACE – Booth J89 | cae.com/business-aviation ABACE Clips ASG: Asian Civil Turbine Helo Fleet Growing Despite turmoil in the offshore oil and gas (O&G) market, the Asian civil turbine rotary-wing fleet size still expanded 4.6 percent last year thanks in part to growth The H135 is one in the medevac segment, according to of a number of Asian Sky Group’s latest Fleet Report. Airbus models that Overall, the civil turbine helicopter fleet will be negatively in the region grew to 4,265 aircraft at affected by the the end of 2018. ASG managing director proposed tariffs. Jeffrey Lowe pointed to “rays of sunshine,” including increased demand for light helicopters as the emergency medical services (EMS) market expands. Australia remained the largest market in Asia-Pacific, U.S. proposes tariffs on aircraft and parts followed by Mainland China, Japan, and . easily accounts the largest share, with 1,810 in response to EU subsidies to Airbus rotorcraft in Asia-Pacific, representing 42 percent of the region’s civil turbine fleet. by Mark Huber Bell follows at 27 percent share, with 1,159 helicopters in the region, followed by The long-simmering feud between the four member states that are the principal business jet models weighing more than Leonardo at 10 percent (445 helicopters). U.S. and the European Union (EU) over sponsors of Airbus—France, , 33,000 pounds “unladen.” Those include the latter’s continued subsidization of and the UK—provided Airbus with the Falcon 7X and 8X. That includes sales of Cessna-Avic Joint Venture Airbus threatens to trigger an all-out trade $18 billion in subsidized financing from new aircraft and parts for existing aircraft. Receives XLS+ Order war. Last month, the Office of the United 1968 to 2006, including “launch” aid that The proposed weight limitation would China’s Flight Inspection Center (CFIC), States Trade Representative (USTR) for- the WTO concluded caused U.S.-based appear to exclude the prospect of tariffs part of CAAC, signed an agreement April mally began the process to initiate tariffs Boeing to lose the sale of more than 300 on parts for Airbus civil helicopters in the 15 with the Textron Aviation-Avic Aircraft against select imports from the EU due to aircraft worldwide. In response to the U.S. or the assembly of new civil helicop- joint venture for eight new Cessna what it charges are illegal subsidies the EU 2011 finding, Airbus removed some, but ters in the U.S., namely the H125 single Citation XLS+s. Delivery of CFIC’s eight provides to Airbus fixed-wing aircraft. The not all, subsidies. Left in place were $5 bil- and EC145 twin, currently assembled for new will take place between proposed tariffs would cover almost all lion in launch and other subsidies for the the North American market at its Colum- 2019 and 2021. The agency will use the civil Airbus aircraft—fixed-wing and heli- A350 and A380. A May 2018 WTO appel- , Mississippi production plant. The new jets, which will be fitted with special copters—and parts imported into the U.S. late report found those subsidies caused majority of production at Columbus con- equipment, along with its existing fleet of In a statement released to AIN April 11, Boeing to lose sales of B787s and B747s sists of UH-72As, variants of the EC145, Citation Excels for flight inspection duty. Airbus spokesman James Darcy strongly in markets including the EU, Australia, destined for the U.S. military. This includes “inspection and certification challenged the premise for the proposed tar- China, , Singapore, and the UAE. Last year, Airbus delivered 356 heli- missions for the communication, navigation, iffs. “This proposal is unjustified. Airbus has In response to the appellate report, the copters worldwide and 57 to North radar, and flight programs of newly built taken all necessary measures to comply with U.S. requested authority to impose $11.2 America. Should tariffs be imposed, airports, as well as to perform regular the relatively minor elements highlighted billion worth of countermeasures on the they could adversely impact the prices flight inspection missions for airports by the WTO in May 2018 (which, even then, EU. The EU has challenged that amount of popular models sold in the U.S. that already in operation.” This fleet expansion were less than 6 percent of all of Boeing’s and the matter is currently before a WTO are not assembled in Columbus. Those comes as China implements its Thirteenth subsidy claims) regarding alleged aid to Air- arbitrator who will issue a ruling shortly. models include the H130 single, a main- Five-Year Plan for the Development bus,” he wrote. “By contrast, Boeing has not Meanwhile, the USTR has issued a stay of the U.S. helitour market, and the of China Civil Aviation, which includes shown any willingness to comply with the 13-page proposed retaliatory tariff target list H135 light twin, a model popular with air construction 44 new commercial and March 28, 2019 WTO decision regarding the of a wide range of EU products from France, ambulance operators. 200 general aviation airports, expanding massive subsidies received by Boeing that Germany, Spain, and the UK, and Airbus air- However, in previous interviews with 139 airports, and relocating 19 airports. are clearly in contravention of WTO rules. craft are at the top. The total value of goods AIN, Airbus Helicopters Inc. president The adoption expected this week of the on the list is estimated at $21 billion by the Chris Emerson said that adding produc- Vnukovo-3 Plans Expansion WTO report will allow EU to start sanctions USTR. They include all new non-military tion of either model in Columbus would for Business Aviation proceeding with far larger countermeasures helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and related pose minimal difficulty, particularly in the The -Vnukovo airport against the U.S. This all leads to unnecessary parts, including major subassemblies— case of the H130, which shares many core administration wants to erect a new trade tensions, and that shows the only rea- sections, wings, wing assemblies, components with the H125. Airbus already terminal at Vnukovo-3 FBO and put sonable solution is a negotiated settlement.” and horizontal and vertical stabilizers—for is believed to have developed plans to pro- an already completed “helidrome” in USTR Robert Lighthizer said in a pre- aircraft weighing more than 33,000 pounds. duce the H135 in Columbus as part of its full-scale operation. Located about six pared statement, “This case has been in lit- These provisions appeared aimed at stall- campaign to offer it to the U.S. Navy as a miles southeast of Moscow, Vnukovo is igation for 14 years, and the time has come ing production of civil aircraft at the Air- replacement training aircraft for the TH-57. Russia’s largest destination for business for action. The [Trump] Administration is bus A220 and A320-series plant in In the coming weeks, the U.S. Interna- jets. Today, Vnukovo-3 has two terminals preparing to respond immediately when Mobile, Alabama. Production of the A220 at tional Trade Commission, as part of an serving business aviation. The largest one, the (WTO) Mobile is scheduled to begin in 2020. Of the interagency committee, will be seeking purpose-built in 2006 for international issues its finding on the value of U.S. approximately 540 A220 orders currently public comment any new proposed tariff flights, has a capacity of up to 40 travelers countermeasures. Our ultimate goal is to booked, approximately 190 are from U.S. targets. The first public hearing is scheduled an hour. The second one, able to serve reach an agreement with the EU to end all carriers such as Delta, JetBlue, and Republic. for May 15 in Washington, D.C. It will also up to 15 VIP travelers, was completed in WTO-inconsistent subsidies to large civil Adding the A220 line in Mobile is expected accept written comments through May 28. 2000 and now serves domestic flights. aircraft. When the EU ends these harm- to create 600 new jobs. Through December Teal Group aviation analyst and vice pres- However, the latter is deemed too small ful subsidies, the additional U.S. duties 2018, the Mobile plant had produced 100 ident Richard Aboulafia toldAIN that any for the current level of traffic, so a new, imposed in response can be lifted.” aircraft. It delivered its first aircraft, an A321, proposed tariff, if implemented, would likely 12,000-sq-ft terminal, “approximately the Specifically, the USTR cited the filing from Mobile in April 2016. negatively impact consumers. “Like all tar- same size” as the one serving international of a 2004 U.S. complaint followed by a The proposed tariffs also have the iffs, ultimately it’s the consumer that pays. flights, will be built. The goal is to obtain 2011 WTO finding that the EU and the potential to impact larger Dassault Falcon That means airlines and passengers.” n permission to start construction this spring.

8 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com 6X_8X_TECHNOCOCKPIT_275x352_AIN_uk.indd 1 18/01/2019 15:03 ABACE Clips /CJet JV Looks Aerion plans for Ahead to Daxing FBO its AS2 supersonic With Beijing’s new Daxing International business jet to fly Airport (ZBAD) due to debut in September, on 100 percent Million Air Beijing—the joint venture biofuel. The between the U.S.-based FBO chain and manufacturer Capital Jet (CJet)—is currently at work says it will on what will become its flagship facility. dedicate one flight It expects to open in summer 2020 as a test article fully second general aviation access point to to biofuel use Beijing. The under-construction FBO at in an attempt to Daxing will have more than 90 parking accelerate the stands, all consolidated on the dedicated fuel’s operational general aviation ramp adjacent to the use. private aviation terminal. In addition, Million Air/CJet’s Daxing terminal will be four times larger than the one at its Beijing FBO.

an energy density that is two-to-three AsBAA Helps to Broaden Supersonic Aerion AS2 percent greater than that of traditional Bizav Vision Across Region petroleum-based jet-A, for improved The Asian Business Aviation Association operational efficiency and extended range. (AsBAA) has been making organizational to be able to fly with biofuel Currently, the per-gallon cost of biofuel changes so it can be more effective in is on average six times that of jet-A, but promoting business aviation throughout by Curt Epstein Aerion expects that differential will drop the Asia-Pacific region, while ramping considerably as production of sustain- up efforts to educate politicians and Aerion Corp, which expects to begin flight use also resulted in a reduction in sulfur able alternative jet fuels (SAJF) ramps up. regulators about the value of the freedom testing its supersonic AS2 business jet in oxide and particulate matter, and a 15 to 25 “The cost of biofuel varies significantly to fly from anywhere to anywhere. One 2023, plans for the $120 million aircraft to percent decrease in carbon monoxide and today based upon the feed stock and of the areas that was addressed recently be able run on pure biofuel, as well as the unburnt hydrocarbons. process used,” said Holloway. “Aerion is led to further refining the association’s currently mandated jet-A blends that are Aside from those environmental con- tracking multiple biofuels with slightly membership structure, adjusting categories seeing increasing use in commercial and siderations, Holloway pointed out other varying chemical properties and created and tiers unveiled in 2017 to better fit the business aviation. benefits to be derived from using pure from several feedstocks, because we membership. In addition, the association According to the Business Aviation sustainable fuel. SAJF has a significantly understand that as biofuel becomes more set out to incorporate more chapters to Guide to the Use of Sustainable Alterna- lower freezing point than standard jet available worldwide, significant amounts reach out beyond its Hong Kong base. tive Jet Fuel (SAJF), published last year fuel, which is important for sustained will be produced locally from regionally by a consortium of industry organizations operations at high altitude, and it has available feedstocks.” n Jetex Adds Third FBO in Japan including GAMA, NATA, IBAC, NBAA and International aviation service provider EBAA, the blend limits are to ensure the Jetex has announced a new FBO at Japan’s appropriate level of compatibility with Kansai International Airport. The 3,300-sq- the aircraft fueling systems, mainly due ft Premier Gate provides private parking, to ensuring a minimum level of aromatics, lounge, conference room, reception which are necessary to maintain the seals counter and 24-hour customs, immigration, in the systems. “The question regarding and quarantine service. For Jetex, this aromatics and fuel seal performance is at new facility represents its third location the heart of SAJF operational compatibil- in the country; it has been operating in ity,” said Gene Holloway, the airframer’s Narita and Haneda Airport since 2015. vice president for environmental respon- sibility. “The aromatic compounds found Global Jet Capital in traditional or blended Jet A/A1 fuel Bullish on Bizav in Asia encourage the necessary seal expansion Private aviation lender Global Jet Capital for engine/fuel system operation.” (GJC) predicts that, over the next decade, Last October Aerion and GE unveiled the Asia-Pacific region could receive as the engine program that was selected to many as 581 new midsize to large-cabin power the AS2, and according to Holloway, Flaris LAR1 makes first flight business jets worth approximately $20.9 advances in the material engineering now billion. Over that period, GJC estimates the being used in new engines will render that Nearly six years after it was announced during the first flight were reported as gusty value of new deliveries to the region will concern a non-issue. “From a technical and after multiple schedule slippages, the and there was a cross-wind component. climb 10.9 percent annually—the fastest standpoint, we don’t see any obstacles at Polish Flaris LAR1 single-engine personal Altogether, 26 takeoffs and landings were in the world. The Asia-Pacific business this time,” Holloway told AIN. “The mod- jet made its first flight on April 5 at Babi- conducted during the initial flight. Flight aircraft fleet currently has one of the ern materials used in today’s seals do not most Airport in Zielona Gora under the test leader Rafal Ladzinski called the con- world’s highest percentages of midsize require aromatics to promote proper sealing. command of test pilot Wieslaw Cena. ditions “difficult.” to large-cabin jets—at 71 percent—and Our engine, the GE Affinity, incorporates The $1.5 million five-seat jet is powered Flaris features rear-hinged main cabin the Chinese market, in particular, has long seals that allow for 100 percent biofuels.” by a single 1,900-pound-thrust Williams doors reminiscent of 1960s Lincoln swayed toward new aircraft acquisitions. SAJF is slowly being embraced by the avi- FJ33-5A turbofan, has a targeted top speed Continental cars, detachable wings and However, GJC COO David Labrozzi ation industry for its environmental bene- of 380 knots, stall speed of 62 knots, esti- stabilizers, a fuselage fuel tank, electric believes that is slowly changing. Indeed, fits. At a recent Wings Club event in New mated maximum range of 1,400 nm, and deicing, an in-the-nose whole-aircraft the company expects to see more than York, Aerion CEO Tom Vice noted that the ceiling of 45,000 feet. On the initial test ballistic parachute, and Garmin G600 2,200 transactions in used midsize and use of biofuels will reduce its aircraft emis- flight, Cena checked the jet single’s optimal avionics. The aircraft is being built by larger business jets across the region sions by at least 40 percent. A recent report takeoff and landing configurations, as well Metal-Master and is partially funded by over the next 10 years. As a result, the from the Commercial Aviation Alternative as its control and stability. Wind conditions the European Union. M.H. company recently opened an enlarged Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) noted that SAJF office in Hong Kong’s Admiralty District.

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© Copyright Embraer 2018. All rights reserved. airplane landed “hard and a tire either News Briefs Fatal mishap mars 1Q19 popped or the tore off.” About two-thirds of the way down the runway, FlightSafety, TRU Form the airplane slid off the right side of the Aviation Training JV U.S. bizjet accident stats tarmac, went through a ditch, and struck FlightSafety International and Textron’s a perimeter fence before coming to a stop. TRU Simulation + Training have established by Gordon Gilbert The right main and nose landing gear a joint venture to combine training on were collapsed and damaged. There was all 48 Textron Aviation aircraft—Cessna, The March 18 crash of a U.S.-registered was unlatched and open and the right also damage to the right wing, right inboard Citation, Beechcraft, Beechjet, King Israel Aircraft Industries Westwind 1124 was thrust reverser was closed and latched.” , nose of the airplane, and the vertical Air, and Hawker—using 89 simulators the sole fatal accident involving business The Safety Board said the airplane was stabilizer. Although the NTSB prelimi- at 16 locations. The venture includes jets worldwide in the first quarter, accord- equipped with a CVR, but “the audio nary report lists the aircraft as operating the formation of a new company, ing to data compiled by AIN. There were no on the CVR indicated the last events under Part 91 at the time of the accident, it FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training, fatal mishaps of N-numbered business jets recorded were from 2007,” said the NTSB. describes the flight as a “charter.” that will be led by CEO Brian Moore, who in the first three months of 2018. Meanwhile, At the time of the crash, the aircraft was was previously FlightSafety’s executive the number of nonfatal accidents escalated on a Part 91 IFR flight plan in day VMC. Landing Short on Shorter Runway director of operations. TRU’s pilot to three this year compared with two in the Of the two nonfatal accidents involving On March 9, a Gulfstream GIV on a Part 91 training centers for Textron Aviation same quarter last year. U.S.-registered business jets in the first flight was involved in the second nonfatal aircraft in Carlsbad, California, and According to the NTSB’s preliminary quarter, the first occurred to a Bombar- mishap of the first quarter. The airplane Tampa, , as well as its Aviation report on the Westwind accident, the dier Challenger 600 on a Part 91 IFR flight was substantially damaged when during Maintenance Academy in Wichita, will be was on final approach, but as it in day VMC. On January 12, the twinjet landing it touched down about 10 feet operated under the new joint venture. neared the end of the runway it began to suffered substantial damage following a short of the threshold of 3,967-foot-long climb, rolled left, and became inverted runway excursion at Ox Ranch private air- Runway 34 at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport. Citi Sees Potential for before crashing. Both pilots were killed. port in Uvalde, . None of the eight Upon the aircraft’s arrival into the Follow-on Examination of the wreckage showed on board were injured. Atlanta area, ATC advised the crew Run- Analyst Citi is anticipating that Gulfstream that the landing gear and wing flaps were According to the NTSB, “A represen- way 34 was in use, and Runway 21L/ 3R, will reveal a new product extended. Also, “the left thrust reverser tative for the airport reported that the which is 6,001 feet long, was closed until this year, and believes it likely will be an 4 p.m., “which was about 20 minutes from enhancement to its flagship G650/650ER. then.” The crew requested to hold until In a recent report, the firm expressed its AIN tables show “incidents” as well as “accidents” to distinguish mishaps based on their the longer runway opened, but shortly belief that Bombardier’s Global 7500 has degree of severity. Investigators often draw fine distinctions between the two events, but, thereafter, they decided to land on the no real and has created a new typically, incidents result in minor or no damage and their investigations are sometimes shorter runway. The pilot said during the market that is “clearly the go-to” for the delegated to local officials. landing flare, he felt an “unusually hard biggest. On the product development front, Accidents are events that range from minor damage to destruction and/or injuries. Also, impact.” Subsequent inspection revealed Citi added, “leap-frogging is common in some incidents ultimately get upgraded to accident status during the investigative process. substantial damage to the fuselage. this industry, so we expect a new product In the first three months of this year, from GD this year.” Pointing to a possible there were no fatal accidents involving G650 enhancement, Citi suggested such Accidents/Incidents Worldwide (1Q/2019 vs. 1Q/2018) non-U.S.-registered business jets, com- an initiative could have a larger fuselage, a pared with two crashes that resulted in 12 new engine, updated cockpit, and maybe U.S.-registered Business Jets and fatalities in the corresponding period in a new wing. Such changes would avoid Total Part 91 Part 91K Part 135 Public/Gov’t Mfr. 2018. However, on March 18, the driver of cannibalizing the current G650 but also Business jets 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 an airport vehicle died when it was hit by ensure a quick path to service entry. Total accidents 3 2 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 a Malaysia-registered Challenger 300 on Nonfatal accidents 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 its landing roll at Kuala Lumpur. Study Sees Competitive Fatal accidents 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 The number of fatal occurrences (three) SAFJ Prices in Future Fatalities 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 and the number of fatalities (seven) in acci- According to a new study by the U.S. Incidents 17 16 13 10 0 0 4 6 0 0 0 0 dents of U.S.-registered business turboprops Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley was identical for both comparative quarters. National Laboratory, sustainable, plant-based Business Total Part 91 Part 91K Part 135 Public/Gov’t Mfr. While there was just one fatal accident of a jet biofuels could provide a competitive turboprops 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 non-U.S.-registered business turboprop in alternative to conventional jet fuels if Total accidents 4 5 4 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 both quarters, two people died in the recent currently planned development and scale-up Nonfatal accidents 1 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 period compared with one last year. initiatives continue to progress. While the Fatal accidents 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 An N-numbered turboprop-powered cost of biofuels is currently around $16 a Fatalities 7 7 7 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 DC-3 that crashed on takeoff on Janu- gallon, compared to $2.50 for conventional Incidents 10 11 8 8 0 0 1 3 0 0 1 0 ary 21 was one of the four fatal accidents jet fuel, the researchers demonstrated All data preliminary. Sources: FAA, NTSB, Aviation Safety Network, AIN research worldwide involving general aviation tur- that all five current sustainable alternative boprops in the first quarter. All but one of jet fuels (SAJF) production pathways Non-U.S.-registered Business Jets and Turboprops them occurred under Part 91 or equiva- could create fuel products at that target Total Private Charter Other* Unknown lent rule. On February 28, the two people price, providing the leftover biomaterial Business jets 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 aboard a Piper DLX JetProp died when from the process could be developed Total accidents 3 3 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 the airplane crashed into a river. into and sold as a profitable byproduct. Nonfatal accidents 3 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 The pilot, flight paramedic, and a flight Fatal accidents 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 nurse died on January 29 when their Ray- Sundt Air Ups Its Fatalities 0 12 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 theon B200 King Air crashed into Freder- Carbon Neutralization Incidents 4 4 3 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 ick Sound at about 6:10. p.m. following a Norwegian aviation services provider loss of control while on approach in VMC Sundt Air has operated as a carbon Total Private Charter Other* Unknown to Kake Airport, Alaska. The airplane was neutral company for the past several Business turboprops 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 being operated under Part 91. The Janu- years via its participation in a mangrove Total accidents 2 4 2 0 9 3 0 0 0 1 ary 30 crash of a Canada-registered B200 forest restoration program in the Thor Nonfatal accidents 1 3 1 0 8 2 0 0 0 1 King Air that killed the two pilots was the Heyerdahl Climate Park in . This Fatal accidents 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 only non-U.S.-registered turboprop fatal year, its charter division will make flights Fatalities 2 1 2 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 accident in the quarter. The twin was fly- even more sustainable by pledging to Incidents 4 1 2 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 ing for a charter company at the time of double the contribution required to *For example: ambulance, survey, ferry, training, testing, manufacturer, government (non-military), and head of state. the accident. n cancel the carbon emissions generated.

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© SmartSky Networks, LLC 2019. All Rights reserved. CHC helo fleet plays pivotal role in News Briefs France’s Wijet Begins HondaJet Flights in Europe massive cruise ship rescue in Norway Air-taxi company Wijet took delivery of its first two HondaJets, registered as LX-WJA by Mark Huber and LX-WJB, in late March and immediately began flying charter customers in The largest passenger ship rescue in mod- Europe. The company has an order for ern times took place off the coast of Nor- 16 twinjets from Aircraft. The first way at the end of March. Heavy helicopters, Wijet HondaJets are operating from the including CHC Sikorsky S-92s and Airbus company’s Paris Le Bourget headquarters. AS332s, hoisted 479 people to safety over The aircraft operator certificate under the course of 18 hours from the crippled which the HondaJets are flying is listed cruise ship Viking Sky in harrowing con- as Luxembourg-based Flying Group Lux. ditions that included winds up to 45 knots Customers can charter Wijet’s HondaJets and waves that approached 50 feet. for flights within Europe, “excluding a The ship was in imminent danger of few [airports] in which we are not able foundering into a rocky coastline after to operate due to operational reasons,” its engines shut down on March 23 near according to a Wijet spokesperson. Hustadvika. The ship was en route from

Tromso to Stavanger on a 12-day cruise CHC BACA Calls for More Action that began in Bergen and was scheduled to CHC recently effected the largest modern passenger-ship rescue when it was called to assist on Gray Charter end at Tilbury, UK. Its engines failed due the crippled Viking Sky ship in difficult weather conditions. Following debate over the legality of to low oil pressure exacerbated by heavy the flight that ended in the death of seas, according to the Norwegian Mari- responded with six crews from its bases of Justice, began joisting the injured off Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala and time Authority. The ship managed to set at Floro, Heidrum, Statfjord, and Sola and the deck. A second AS322L from Heidrun pilot David Ibbotson, association anchor between Alesund and Trondheim, support from its Stavanger operations arrived on scene shortly thereafter. Some BACA has told a BBC Wales investigation a mere 300 feet from hitting submerged center. The crews included 12 pilots, six 15-20 passengers were lifted off the ship at that regulators need to play a more active rocks and 900 feet from shore. Inside hoist operators, seven rescue swimmers, a time. It soon became apparent that more role in investigating illegal, or “gray,” charter the 749-foot vessel, interior cabin panels one systems operator, and two ground helicopters could be needed and CHC’s flights. BACA, which represents air charter collapsed onto passengers and furniture support engineers. The crews flew four operations center put out the call for two brokers, has reacted with incredulity to was strewn about on a Poseiden-like CHC aircraft to the ship—two all-weather, more SAR helicopters to be dispatched a series of multiple such flights leading adventure for the 1,373 customers and SAR-configured S-92s and two AS332s. Two from Kristiansund. From the shore, a Norsk up to the flight from Nantes, France, to crew aboard. At least 17 were injured. The more S-92s were used in the effort; one for Luftambulanse Airbus EC145 transported Cardiff, Wales, in a Piper Malibu that Viking Sky was delivered new in 2017 to crew transport and another standing by the injured to area hospitals. crashed north of the Channel Islands, near -based Viking Cruises. at Bronnoysund to cover for an S-92 dis- As evening approached, nearby the France, on January 21. “We did our research CHC received a call for assistance from patched from Heidrun. By 2:30 p.m. local cargo ship Hagland Captain also experi- into these flights. We’ve identified which Norway’s National Rescue Service (HRS) time, the first CHC helicopter, an AS332L1 enced an engine failure. The CHC heli- aircraft they were and the routes they at 2 p.m. local time Saturday, March 23. It on contract with the Norwegian Ministry copter based at Floro was redirected to flew, and that gave us rise for significant this ship and that helicopter, along with concern,” said BACA chief executive Dave a Sikorsky Sea King from the Norwegian Edwards. “There’s enough for us to feel Ministry of Justice, hoisted nine crew- that the authorities need to be looking members to safety. By late Sunday morn- very closely at this to make sure everyone Sun ‘n’ Fun ing, the Viking Sky was able to restart three is keeping the interests of the traveling of its four engines and was accompanied public at the forefront of their minds.” to Molde by two tugs where the remaining passengers and crew disembarked. Embraer Delivers The Viking Sky hoist-off operation is 500th Phenom 300 reminiscent of when the Greek passen- Embraer shipped the 500th Phenom ger ship Oceanos lost power and listed 300 series business jet on March 25, over in 40-knot winds and 30-foot seas handing over a Phenom 300E at its off Coffee Bay along the coast of South customer center in Melbourne, Florida, Africa in August 1991. In that case, 16 res- to Freeman Pickett III, who upgraded cue helicopters, including 13 South African from a Phenom 100. According to JetNet, Defense Force Pumas, hoisted 225 persons the Phenom 300 joins only three other

AIN CHAD TRAUTVETTER/ off the deck after the captain and most of current-production business jets to reach the crew abandoned ship, leaving the pas- or exceed 500 deliveries: Gulfstream Continuing to build sales momentum, sengers to fend for themselves. Additional G550, Bombardier Challenger 300/350, assistance was provided by a nearby cargo and /XLS/XLS+. Piper inks its largest order for trainers ship and all 571 onboard were saved. Launched in 2005, the Phenom 300 In the aftermath of the Viking Sky res- entered service in December 2009. L3 Commercial Aviation placed an order for growing demand for L3’s cadet pilot pro- cue, CHC’s general operations manager up to 240 new Piper Aircraft piston singles grams amid the global pilot shortage. for Norway, Andre Rykhus, said, “I am Comlux Receives First of and twins last month at Sun ’n‘ Fun 2019, “We are delighted to sign this long- really proud of the CHC team behind this Three Airbus ACJ320neos representing Piper’s largest civilian fleet term agreement with L3, knowing that massive effort. Their ability to quickly col- Airbus has delivered its first of three Airbus order in its history. The aircraft will modern- trusted Piper trainer aircraft will once laborate with the HRS team ensured we Corporate Jet ACJ320neos to business ize L3’s training fleet at its airline academies again launch thousands of aspiring pilots’ provided a well-organized and effective aviation, transaction, and completion in Florida; Ponte de Sor, Portugal; and the UK. careers around the world,” said Piper Air- air operation that helped keep these pas- services provider Comlux. The aircraft Under the contract, the first 26 aircraft—19 craft president and CEO Caldecott. sengers safe in challenging conditions.” will be outfitted with a VIP interior at Piper Archer TX piston singles and seven “Our advanced training aircraft are the “This is what we train for and can Comlux Completion in Indianapolis. Airbus Piper Seminole twins—will be delivered by ideal classrooms for cadets to learn and execute when we are called upon,” said has orders for 11 of the airplanes, with year-end. The new aircraft will support the first experience the joy of flying.” C.T. CHC chief SAR pilot for Norway, Patrick Switzerland-based Comlux representing Gerritsen. n the aircraft’s biggest customer.

14 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com connect together embrace your loved ones wherever they are

atr-intolife.com © Gettyimages

275x352-AviationInterNews.indd 1 25/03/2019 17:21 Dassault announces plans to divest Belgian firm SABCA by Cathy Buyck

Weeks after acquiring the near totality Group, is SABCA’s majority shareholder of the shareholding of SABCA, Group and in March bought the 43.57 percent Dassault last month divested the Brus- stake from Aerospace for €7.5 mil- sels-based OEM that employs some 1,000 lion ($8.47 million)—valuing the company staff across three sites in and at €17 million. The move prompted specu- one facility in Casablanca, Morocco. In a lation that Dassault had purchased the near statement released April 10, SABCA CEO totality of SABCA to then spin off the asset Thibauld Jongen vowed the company will and reduce its presence in Belgium, a move Canada gives nod to HondaJet Elite “continue to be involved in several major resulting from Belgian government’s deci- The HondaJet Elite has received type proud of the strong relationships we have Dassault programs, including the Falcon sion last year to choose Lockheed Martin certification from , with with aviation bureaus worldwide, includ- 6X business jet.” F-35 fighters to replace the country’s aging deliveries of the twinjet expected in Can- ing Transport Canada.” SABCA offers a range of services to the F-16, rather than Dassault Rafales. Accord- ada expected to begin immediately, Honda Thus far the HondaJet Elite has received civil, space, and military aviation markets ing to Jongen, Dassault’s decision to sell Aircraft announced on April 11. Unveiled in nods from the U.S. FAA, EASA, Mexico and recently expanded into the commer- SABCA “is part of a more global strategy, May last year, the Elite version offers a DGAC, Brazil ANAC, India DGAC, and cial drones market as a platform designer specific to the group, which also acknowl- 200-pound payload increase and 17 per- Japan JCAB. Honda Aircraft’s sales and and manufacturer. It supplies parts for edges the fact that we have made significant cent more range, to 1,437 nm, compared service footprint spans territories in North the Airbus A320, A350, A330, and A380, progress in recent years to make SABCA to the original HondaJet. America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and and is active on almost all Falcon busi- robust, profitable and competitive again.” “Following the positive reaction to the the Middle East. Skyservice Business Avia- ness aircraft models. The company also SABCA recorded a profit of €5.2 million last HondaJet in Canada, we are pleased the tion is the HondaJet dealer in Canada. manufactures the composite horizontal year, up from €2.6 million in 2017. HondaJet Elite has now also received type The HondaJet fleet now numbers 118 stabilizer structure, supplied to Fokker Dassault has enlisted investment bank certification in the region,” said Honda aircraft worldwide and has demonstrated Aerostructures for integration and deliv- Rothschild & Co to conduct the sale. “No Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa a dispatch reliability of 99.7 percent, ery to Gulfstream, for the G650. impact is anticipated on current programs Fujino. “As the popularity of the HondaJet according to the Greensboro, North Car- Dassault Belgique Aviation, a fully or on all other contracts and prospects,” Elite increases around the globe, we are olina-based aircraft manufacturer. C.T. owned subsidiary of France’s Dassault said SABCA. n

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Piper_Half_Page_M600UCP_AIN_June_2019.indd 1 4/10/19 4:12 PM 16 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com of the 10 ambassadors who represented the European business aviation industry in Octo- EBACE 2019 ber at the One Young World Summit at The Hague, . There will also be dozens of informational Event and safety-related sessions. The final day is themed “Careers in Business Aviation Day” and will be dedicated to students, who will to highlight get an introduction to career paths they could

pursue in the business aviation industry. n MARK WAGNER technology revolution by Chad Trautvetter It’s What’s Europe will once again be the focal point for the business aviation com- munity when EBACE 2019 opens on May 21 in Geneva, Switzerland. InsIde that With some 50 aircraft on static display and more than 400 exhibi- tors, this year’s event is on par with previous years. The three-day show, Counts. which is jointly organized by NBAA and EBAA, will bring together all the latest business aircraft and avi- Thank you for making ation equipment manufacturers, industry and government leaders, us the #1 FBO! operators, and services suppliers, among others. Last year’s EBACE marked the launch of business aviation’s sus- tainable alternative jet fuels (SAJF) initiative, and this year’s show will ramp up the focus on SAFJs as part of the industry’s long-standing commitment to reduce its emis- sions footprint. In fact, EBACE 2019 will include SAJF-powered flights from multiple European airports, a dedicated SAJF day at TAG Farnborough Airport, and a panel discussion on these jet biofuels at the Innovation Zone. The opening-day kickoff ses- sion will be hosted by EBAA secretary general Athar Husain Khan and NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen at 9 a.m. on May 20. That session will feature key- note speaker Florian Reuter, the founder and CEO of Volocopter, From cabin reconfigurations to technology upgrades, you can one of the companies leading the electric vertical takeoff and count on Pentastar to make your aircraft exclusively yours. landing (eVTOL) transportation revolution. CEO Andre Schneider will also be on VISIT US AT MAINTENANCE MANAGERS CONFERENCE BOOTH #401 hand to highlight the importance of business aviation to the city. Meanwhile, EBAA will use the PentastarAviation.com | [email protected] show to further promote its Expand- ing initiative, which aims 248-866-8982 | to spread recognition of business aviation as an “accessible, indis- Design & Engineering | Custom Cabinetry | Custom Upholstery pensable, and desirable” transpor- tation option throughout Europe. Custom/Tailored Carpets | Cabin Management Systems | LED Lighting Thus, EBACE attendees will see Cabin Entertainment Systems/Connectivity Solutions | Sound Deadening & Insulation signage and marketing featuring individuals working throughout ©2019 Europe’s business aviation com- munity. This will include portraits

ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 17 TORQUED Bizave crews subject to alcohol Full-throttle opinion from former NTSB member John Goglia testing abroad, Max grounding raises questions about Int’l cooperation NBAA warns

As I write, many long-time aviation acci- media, have generally proceeded in a an safety consultant. Business aviation pilots and cabin dent investigators like myself are reel- deliberate manner to gather facts, ana- The objective of accident investigations crews are facing a new level of scru- ing from the events of the last few days lyze them, and reach conclusions about under ICAO is clearly stated and crit- tiny in some countries as authori- and weeks. Two tragic airline crashes what occurred. Sure, there have been ical to bear in mind: “The sole objec- ties begin testing them for alcohol with significant loss of life just a few hiccups and behind-the-scenes disagree- tive of the investigation of an accident consumption during ramp inspec- months apart in brand-new aircraft are, ments, but for the most part decisions or incident shall be the prevention of tions at airports, according to NBAA. of course, tremendously concerning. have been fact-based and meticulously accidents and incidents. It is not the After recent meetings with EASA in Usually, aviation experts quickly and analyzed. That’s why complex investi- purpose of this activity to apportion , Germany, NBAA learned methodically tackle the investigations gations can seem excruciatingly long blame or liability.” It is very important that officials in the Netherlands, Ger- of the accidents to determine what sometimes. The NTSB and its coun- to emphasize that the only objective is many, and Japan have already begun occurred and how to prevent it from terparts around the world have issued to determine what occurred, and why, the testing while officials in Singa- occurring in the future. recommendations based on meticulous in order to prevent future accidents or pore started on March 31 at Changi That did not happen after the crash of analyses and conclusions. incidents. When I was at the NTSB, that (SIN) and Seletar (XSP) airports. Flight ET302 that fol- was always the code under which we Brian Koester, NBAA senior manager lowed five months after the Lion Air Flight Uniformity of Approach operated: to determine what happened of flight operations and regulations, 610. A breakdown in the normally orderly International aviation cooperation has a to prevent the same or similar acci- told AIN on Wednesday that those process of accident crash investigation long and noble history. The process for dents from happening again. It was so countries are “ahead of the curve” on a was taking place before our eyes, along international cooperation in aviation well-known that that was how we con- new EASA requirement that takes effect with an apparent dismantling of the usual was hammered out in a groundbreaking ducted our investigations that I’m not in August 2020 calling for random alco- cooperation among those crash investi- agreement in 1944, known as the Conven- even aware of any attempts by Congress hol testing of non-commercial flight and gators from around the world. Not only tion on International Civil Aviation, more or the Executive office to influence or cabin crews during safety assessment did China and other countries ground commonly referred to as the Chicago change our accident reports. of foreign aircraft (SAFA) inspections. the Max with seemingly lit- Convention because that is where the rep- I concur with the statement issued Koester said 49 countries are signa- tle or no coordination with by the Flight Safety Foun- tory participants in the SAFA inspection the U.S.—the country that dation, and I believe it program. “It sounds like anyone who is issued the aircraft its type bears repeating in full: subject to a SAFA inspection is subject certificate—but it also did “This globally haphazard to this,” he added. so with little analysis, or at The sole objective of the approach to an important Testing stems in part from the 2015 least transparency, of the investigation of an accident airworthiness issue was Germanwings accident and other inci- reasons for its grounding. most unfortunate, but we dents that pointed to alcohol, drugs Other norms—such as or incident shall be the prevention understand the need to and mental health issues as contrib- securing the accident site— reassure the traveling pub- uting factors, Koester said. Crews will also seemed to have fallen of accidents and incidents. It is not lic. We continue to believe, be tested by breathalyzer, and results by the wayside with reports however, that global avia- that are more than 0.02g of alcohol of extensive looting before the purpose of this activity to tion safety is best served by per 210 liters of breath are considered crash investigators could apportion blame or liability.” timely, harmonized deci- positive. In the event of a positive arrive. The importance of sions based on facts and breathalyzer, the crewmember will be the on-scene investiga- evidence, not conjecture, relieved of duty and tested a second tion cannot be overstated politics, or media pressure. time. Two positive results will result in since important clues can oftentimes be resentatives from the original signatories Moving forward, we must allow aviation the notification of the aircraft opera- found in the wreckage itself or even in the met. Today, there are 192 signatories to safety professionals—investigators, reg- tor and, potentially, local law enforce- wreckage pattern. the Chicago Convention who all agree to ulators, engineers, and pilots—to calmly ment, NBAA said. It was also troubling to see how long comply with the standards established by and objectively analyze the data, collabo- “The other thing that comes up here it took for the black boxes—once they the International Civil Aviation Organiza- rate, and implement permanent, correc- is sort of what happens if I just used were retrieved—to be sent for analysis. tion. Those standards cover aircraft, per- tive fixes to ensure a tragedy like this can mouthwash and there’s a false posi- Although I understand the hesitancy in sonnel, and air navigation and also include never happen again.“ tive of some sort?” Koester explained. sending them to the U.S. because of its an entire section, or Annex, on accident Ultimately, the data may reveal that “Most of these countries have a 0.02 relationship to Boeing, it is disturbing investigations. The goal was to ensure the Boeing 737 Max should have been threshold…and that accounts for that nonetheless that it took so long to find a the safety and efficiency of air transpor- grounded. But the process to arrive at that use of mouthwash, or if there’s a country willing and able to do the anal- tation across international boundaries by decision bears scrutiny for the future of medication that may indicate a false ysis. And that it still took several days setting up a framework for uniformity aviation accident investigations. We have positive, or whatever else it may be, for the recorders to actually be sent. Of and standardization. While individual reached such a safe period in aviation system error, calibration error, that course, after the aircraft were grounded, countries, or States as they are referred travel that aircraft accidents—especially sort of thing. Again, I don’t think this the concerns from a safety perspective to by ICAO, retain their sovereign right airline accidents with significant loss is going to be an issue for most folks— may be less critical…if the crash was to disagree with any ICAO standard, they of life—garner 24/7 media and politi- hopefully all folks.” the result of an aircraft design or man- are required to file their disagreements or cal attention. Those are often not the It is Koester’s understanding that ufacturing flaw. But if it was something differences with ICAO so that other mem- best circumstances for deliberative and the testing will be done in private. else, then time remains important. If the ber States are aware of them. thoughtfulYOUR SOURCE evidence-gathering FOR AVIATION NEWS and deci- “They want to make sure it’s not con- black box data, for example, highlights Annex 13, the section applicable to sion-making.www. ainonline.com n ducted in view of the public, in view a flaw in pilot training that’s applicable international accident investigations, of the passengers,” he noted. “They across aircraft models, then reading the has been the framework for working don’t want to cause alarm or damage flight data recorders as soon as possible with other countries for as long as I the reputation of the pilot or the air remains a priority. have been an accident investigator, first carrier, so they’re sensitive to that ENEWSLETTER FOR BUSINESS AVIATION Over the years, aircraft accident inves- as an airline employee, later as a mem- sort of thing.” J.S. www.ainonline.com/alerts tigations, even when in the of the ber of the NTSB and most recently as

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more than 30 knots precluded me from displays (PFDs) in front of each pilot and Bombardier Global 7500 flying the takeoff and landing. For this two multifunction displays (MFDs) in the flight, I sat in the jump seat during and center. by Matt Thurber takeoff and landing and switched into the The Collins HUD with enhanced and left seat with Sibenaler when we climbed synthetic vision is standard equipment, When Bombardier announced two new and future Bombardier models might also above 10,000 feet. This afforded me the along with the Collins MultiScan radar jets in the Global series—the Global benefit from all that development spend- opportunity to spend some time check- (windshear prediction is optional), the 7000 and 8000—in 2010, the clear inten- ing and effort. ing out the massive four-zone cabin’s latest performance-based navigation tion was that the Canadian manufacturer Bombardier’s first-delivered Global remarkably low noise levels and also features, and controller-pilot datalink planned to take away the mantle of build- 7500, which is busy fulfilling the many to shoot some video of the takeoff and communications. ing the largest purpose-built business jet requests for demo flights around the landing, which can be viewed on AIN’s With just the three of us onboard, the from Gulfstream Aerospace’s 7,500-nm world, conveniently touched down at YouTube channel. Global 7500 carried 15,250 pounds of fuel, G650ER. Originally the two new airplanes Teterboro Airport in late March. Engi- far less than the usable 51,850 pounds were meant to complement each other, neering test pilot Andrew Sibenaler and Vision Flight Deck that it can carry for maximum-range with the larger 7000 projected to fly 7,400 demo pilot Kerry Swanson took some Although branded as Vision, the 7500’s trips. Maximum takeoff weight is 114,850 nm, while the shorter 8000 would fly the time out from their busy schedules to avionics are the latest version of Col- pounds, and with our light load, our take- farthest at 7,900 nm. meet me at Stewart International Airport lins Aerospace’s Pro Line Fusion system, off weight was just 77,100 pounds. V1 and But times, and markets, change. Bom- in Newburgh, , where we fig- which has been flying in the Global 5000 rotation speed were calculated at 108 bardier engineers carved out 300 nm ured the reduced congestion compared to and 6000 since 2012 and also pioneered knots, with V2 at 123 knots. Takeoff field more range for the 7000—for a Mach .85 Teterboro would make flying a bit easier. synthetic vision imagery on the Collins length was less than a third of Stewart’s NBAA IFR range of 7,700 nm—and the As it turned out, our timing coincided head-up display (HUD). nearly 12,000-foot runway, at 3,074 feet. jet’s moniker was changed to Global 7500. with the back side of a cold front and In the 7500, there are four large displays At maximum takeoff weight, the 7500 Bombardier also went through some seri- resulting strong gusty winds, which at arranged in a T format, with primary flight needs 5,800 feet of runway for takeoff ous financial challenges, resulting in the under standard atmospheric conditions. sale of its C Series program to The plan was to fly to a block of air- Airbus. And while the company says that space north of Stewart from 14,000 to the Global 8000 remains an ongoing pro- 17,000 feet for some maneuvering demon- gram, not much progress seems to be hap- strations. Although it’s fun to climb to an pening, and perhaps the market doesn’t airplane’s maximum altitude (51,000 feet see the need for anything other than the for the 7500) and measure performance Global 7500. at more efficient mid-40s altitudes, we Now Bombardier is producing CRJs on didn’t have time for that, and I wanted the commercial airline side and the Glo- to feel how the FBW helps pilots fly bals (soon to include the upgraded 5500 this large jet. In any case, we know the and 6500), Challenger 350 and 650, and 7500’s performance has exceeded origi- 70/75 for business aviation cus- nal projections, not only because of the tomers. Although it no longer owns the growth in range but also because of recent C Series program, some of the money record-breaking flights. Sibenaler and spent on developing what is now the Air- Swanson piloted the March 4 flight from bus A220 helped bring the Global 7500 to Singapore to Tucson, , at the time life, specifically the new jet’s fly-by-wire the longest purpose-built business jet (FBW) flight control system. Both types flight at 8,152 nm and a new speed record

share the same FBW system architecture, WHERE INDICATED THURBER EXCEPT MATT FOTOS: for that leg, landing with 4,300 pounds of

20 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com A first widebody completion transforms the VIP airliner world

With its distinctive Comlux Angel flag flying in the U.S., Malta, Aruba, San Marino, and , and at its Zurich, Switzerland headquarters, Comlux the Aviation Group’s global leadership—“the 10 fingers,” as chair- man and CEO Richard Gaona calls the tight-knit executive team—is rarely together in one place. But in late March the division leaders stood on the tarmac at Comlux Completion in Indianapolis watching a VIP , freshly outfitted with a Comlux custom luxury interior, taxi out for its first VIP Aviation’s Super Group certification test flight. For the VIP airline operator and services provider, the completion rep- resents several milestones: for one thing, it’s the company’s first wide- body project, and it elevates Comlux to a new tier in the VIP airliner world. As Gaona noted, “The number of centers that can perform a widebody completion is extremely limited.”

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The project also marks the implementation of Comlux Tech, a new through its subsidiary, Kazakhstan, Comlux Aviation can ensure that process that integrates expertise from across all Comlux offerings to each aircraft is registered and operated under provisions most benefi- serve each client’s needs, and demonstrates the breadth of its bespoke cial to their owners’ needs and goals. The experience is invaluable in the services, a combination of capabilities that has established the com- completions process, as well. pany as VIP aviation’s undisputed supergroup. “It happens many times that we take part in the design of the cabin,” “The 330 shows our competencies, from transactions to comple- said Andrea Zanetto, CEO of Comlux Aviation. “We have the operational tions and operations,” said Gaona sometime after midnight, as he and experience and the feedback from the clients that fly on our aircraft for all hands relaxed following the successful conclusion of the aircraft’s charter, and from the owners of the aircraft we manage.” 14 hour-plus test flight. He recapped the project’s history in explanation: As a Continuing Airworthiness Maintenance Organization (CAMO)— “We decided to buy a widebody for our charter airline. We found and maintaining as well as operating VIP transport-category platforms—the bought the aircraft, we brought it here for completion, we designed the Comlux division offers owners unrivaled experience and knowledge in interior, and we installed the cabin. Then a customer came and wanted servicing and protecting the value of these assets with cost-effective it, so we sold it. Now we will operate it for the customer.” solutions. “We are very cost conscious as a company,” Zanetto said. The widebody news complements the company’s growing recog- “Even if we are in VIP aviation.” nition as a center of excellence for next-generation single-aisle airliner Comlux Aviation registers its VIP widebodies—including its own B767 completions. The conference room window that framed Gaona that and a client’s all-first-class B777—in Aruba. It’s the only registry with pro- night overlooked the facility’s vast completion bay, where the world’s visions facilitating private VIP charter operations of wide-body aircraft. first BBJ Max 8, received in February, and the first VVIP ACJ320 neo, in- Comlux has been there since 2011. ducted in March, were visible behind him, their completions well under- The company operates its single-aisle VIP under Maltese reg- way. The complex is an Airbus- and Boeing-approved completion cen- istry. Though Malta is now a popular location for business aircraft regis- ter, and a Bombardier Authorized Service Facility. tration, Comlux was the first operator to register business aircraft there. In many ways, the purpose-built facility, designed to optimize the Transactions are a key component in the Comlux growth strategy, completion process, and the structure of the Comlux Group mirror each as the company often manages the aircraft it helps clients acquire. As other: all disciplines and skills, mutually supportive, are under one roof. with operations and maintenance experience, the Group’s transactional Though completions and refurbishment services were part of its expertise—particularly buying for its own fleet—pays dividends beyond long-term plan, Comlux was founded in 2003 as a VIP aircraft operator its benefits to buyers and sellers. As an OEM customer, Comlux has and management and transactional firm. access to resources, data, and expertise that are unavailable to many other service providers. Engineering Luxury “We have the enormous advantage of buying aircraft from Airbus, Today Comlux Aviation, its operations division, is the world’s largest op- from Boeing, and from Bombardier—and we are operating their aircraft,” erator of VIP airliners, leveraging more than 15 years of experience flying said Arnaud Martin, COO of Comlux Management. “The relationship an the world’s wealthiest and most powerful individuals around the globe aircraft manufacturer has with an owner or an operator is entirely differ- with assurance of luxury, security, and reliability. With aircraft opera- ent from the relationship with a maintenance facility.” tor certificates (AOCs) from Malta, Aruba, San Marino, Switzerland, and, The completion project for Slice of Life, as Comlux dubbed the VIP

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A330, provided the opportunity and impetus to bring all these capabili- ties together in a formalized process. Comlux names the aircraft whose interiors it creates, reflecting its motif or theme. It chose Slice of Life to express the aircraft’s and life’s perfection, which a fortunate few can experience during the sliver of their existence spent onboard. Under the banner of engineering luxury—harnessing all the best tech- nical expertise available in the service of creating an ultimate personal- ized luxury interior—Comlux Completion has a track record of introducing innovation while consistently delivering aircraft under mandated weight and sound levels, on time and on budget. At least three new innovations or improvements are found in every completion. The A330 created fresh opportunities and demands to expand the design envelope. “Because the aircraft is bigger, the cabin is wider, customers are “Because the aircraft is asking for more,” said Gaona. “And we are here to engineer luxury.” But the scale creates challenges, as well. “When you’re working in a bigger, the cabin is wider, widebody, you get three times more size to populate the cabin with in- novations,” said Daron Dryer, CEO of Comlux Completion, “but you have customers are asking for more.” to ensure you have the right resources, planning, and supply-chain man- –CEO Richard Gaona agement, so the product doesn’t take three times as long to deliver.” Early in planning, leadership realized, “Having the same group of technical experts supporting this type of project is a great advantage,” said Martin. “So, we created Comlux Tech—we have pilots, CAMO peo- ple, maintenance specialists from Comlux Aviation and Comlux Com- pletion, and engineers from Comlux Completion, all under the same um- brella. We’re using the power of our synergies for the benefit of all our customers, whether it’s here in Indianapolis, in Malta, during a transac- tion or maintenance, anywhere in the world.” Added Zanetto, “We do not work separately in silos anymore.” Indeed, Comlux Aviation “got involved when the [A330] project started,” said Zanetto, the division’s technical experts sourcing the aircraft from the commercial fleet, reviewing logs and maintenance records, and later having its pilots fly candidate aircraft, ensuring an ideal was selected. Preliminary engineering and design work

AIN PUBLICATIONS | SPECIAL ADVERTISING INSERT | 2019 was already underway at Comlux Completion. Thanks to technology ecutive president Domingo Ureña, who served as CEO of several major upgrades introduced with the company’s Comlux 3.0 initiative, all pro- Airbus subsidiaries, including its military aircraft division, noted similarities cesses are digitally driven, making access to the aircraft almost super- between the military and VIP markets: “We configured the [military] air- fluous until it’s time to install the cabin components. craft to the specific demands and requirements of each customer,” said Ureña. “The platform is the same, but each set of aircraft is different.” Extraordinary Experience Ureña came to Comlux with a mandate “to help the organization For Slice of Life, “the main concept was to create a five-star hotel experi- continuously improve, to be more competitive, and to be number-one ence,” said Dryer. That extraordinary experience begins at the circular in the market.” Meanwhile, Gaona is clear on the company’s direction. entryway, featuring a domed latticework ceiling of custom-cut glass “I’m known to be a hard competitor,” he said. “I want 50 percent of the and one of the innovations: curved pocket doors, which remove any market share of Neo and Max in completion in this facility. And now suggestion of the tubular frame of the surrounding structure. The cabin from the facility we can do any 330 and [Boeing] Triple 7, and if one day, innovations also include a 52-inch curved screen monitor in the rear bar something happens, we have the space to put a 747 inside.” lounge, its contour perfectly matching that of the wall behind it, and a new ultra-quiet wide-body air conditioning air distribution system. For a VIP area, engineers designed a custom pod system for seats that are “beyond first-class,” Dryer said. Passengers can exercise on equip- ment in the spa to keep fit on 16-hour-plus flights. Yet the interior weighs about 5,000 kg less than that of a commercial A330. Slice of Life’s completion marks another milestone for Comlux Com- pletion, coinciding with the divisions 10th anniversary. But with the two Next-Gen single-aisles in the hangar and more slated for induction, Com- +1 317 472 7370 | www.comlux.com lux is looking ahead. Group board member and Comlux Completion ex- 2910 S High School Road Indianapolis, IN 46241

AIN PUBLICATIONS | SPECIAL ADVERTISING INSERT | 2019 fuel remaining. That record was broken indicators and verifying the proper view not cluttered with too many buttons. On developing CVS for the Global 5500 and March 29 by Gulfstream in a G650ER, through the Collins HUD, I flicked the top is a split-design trim switch, auto- 6500. It must be a clue that CVS is com- which flew the same leg in 44 minutes less rudder pedal adjustment switch forward pilot/priority switch, and a CVS CLR ing for the 7500, however, based on the while covering 8,379 nm. Clearly, this is a of the tiller to get the pedals at a com- switch, which clears enhanced vision labeling of the CVS CLR switch and also class of business jet that will see strong fortable reach. I then set the height and system (EVS) or synthetic vision system references to “combined vision system competition in coming years. angle adjustors on the left armrest so my (SVS) imagery from the HUD. A micro- imagery” and “CVS” in the 7500 flight Once the electrically operated main hand lined up with the sidestick. Global phone toggle switch is on the front of the crew operating manual description of the cabin door is closed and with the two 7500 pilots will want to note their height sidestick. HUD controls. In the meantime, pilots pilots seated up front, I pulled the jump- and angle preset numbers in the little Although Bombardier hasn’t can select either EVS, SVS, or just normal seat into position. With such a large flight windows on the side of the armrest for announced whether it plans to offer com- flight symbology displayed on the HUD, compartment, there is plenty of space for easy resetting when swapping seats with bined vision system (CVS, a simultaneous and these choices don’t affect whatever a decent jumpseat that doesn’t require fellow pilots. overlay of enhanced and synthetic vision) the pilot has selected on the PFD. For contortions to unfold; just slide it from The sidestick is clean and simple, and imagery on the Global 7500’s HUD, it is example, turning off SVS on the HUD the left side behind the pilot’s seat, make doesn’t switch SVS off on the PFD. sure it locks in place, rotate to face for- The Global 7500’s FBW system is a ward or rearward, then fold the seat down. trim-stable system, so basically it repli- Sibenaler, in the left seat, and Swan- cates the flying qualities of an airplane son brought the Global 7500 to life and with mechanical controls. Wherever the started the engines. The jet’s dark-cock- trim is set, the airplane will maintain that pit philosophy makes preparation for pitch attitude. This is the same FBW phi- engine start a less-than-10-minute oper- losophy that Boeing and Gulfstream have ation. During the start of the 7500’s selected for their FBW models, and it can 18,650-pound-thrust GE Passport engines, make transitioning to a FBW airplane the Fadec automatically calculates any simpler for non-FBW pilots. delay required for rotor bow, limiting N2 Most flying in the 7500 is done in nor- core speed to a low level while dry crank- mal FBW mode, while direct modes are ing for 15 to 78 seconds, then allowing the for when equipment fails, leaving the pilot engine to start. with full control of the airplane but not as Nosewheel steering is via a tiller many or none of the protections offered mounted on the left side, outboard of the by FBW. sidestick, and it can turn the nose 82.5 There is one key difference, apart from degrees and within a minimum pavement the protections, between normal and width of 75 feet. Maximum nosewheel direct mode, and that is the trim system. steering with rudder pedals is 9 degrees. In normal mode, the trim switches on the While turning on the ground, pilots need sidestick adjust a trim speed bug on the to consider 4 feet 2 inches of wing creep Bombardier Global 7500 PFD airspeed tape. In direct mode, the as the wingtips grow through an arc that Specifications and Performance trim switches control the horizontal sta- is greater than the wingspan. bilizer to trim the airplane. Each pilot has a permanently mounted Price: Max takeoff In normal FBW mode, primary flight tablet holder with USB power, outboard controls are electrically controlled and of the panel displays. As a FBW airplane (typically completed and equipped) weight: moved by hydraulic power control units with sidestick controls, the 7500 has a $72.8 million 114,850 lbs near each control surface. Three pri- flight deck that is roomy and comfort- Engines (2): Balanced field length mary flight control computers, in which able. Telescoping “dinner tables,” another normal control laws reside, are avail- at mtow: (sea level, standard) sidestick-enabled attribute, fit neatly into GE Passport, 18,650 lbs thrust able, with one providing FBW control 5,800 ft a recess on the forward sidewall. The side- Avionics: Pro and the other two acting as standbys. wall also is fitted with a cupholder. These computers receive input from Line Fusion (Bombardier Vision) Landing distance: pilot controls, air data and inertial ref- 2,520 ft Taking Off Passengers: (typical) erence systems, airplane configuration, We taxied out to Stewart’s long Runway 3 crew + 14 pax (maximum Length: and control surface position to properly 27 while Swanson briefed the takeoff. occupants 22) 111 ft actuate control surfaces. Once lined up on the runway, Sibenaler Between the flight control computers advanced the power levers until the auto- Range: Wingspan: and hydraulic power control units are 11 throttles took over and set maximum (w/NBAA reserves, 200-nm alternate) 104 ft remote electronic units. These send com- power, and the Global 7500 accelerated 7,700 nm at Mach 0.85 mands from the flight control computers rapidly, pushing me firmly into the jump- Height: to the power control units and also the seat. FBW pilots learn that at V1, there’s High-speed cruise: 27 ft horizontal stabilizer motor control elec- no yoke to grab with the right hand so Mach 0.90 tronic unit. they usually reposition their hand from Cabin: There are three direct modes to main- the power levers to their right leg. Long-range cruise: tain control of the airplane in case of During takeoff the FBW system limits Mach 0.85 Volume: 2,637 cu ft various, and highly unlikely, failures. The nose-up pitch to 17.5 degrees to prevent a Width: 8 ft primary flight control computers them- tailstrike. After three seconds, this changes Fuel capacity: 51,850 lbs selves can operate in direct mode if air to the normal 30-degree inflight pitch Max payload w/full fuel: Height: 6.2 ft data or inertial inputs become unavailable limit. Despite the gusty conditions, Sibe- 1,890 lbs to any of the three computers. naler easily maintained the 200-knot tar- Length: (seating area) 54.4 ft The remote electronic units contain get speed while hand flying and the 7500 Ceiling (certified): Baggage capacity: (exterior) their own set of control laws, and they can plowed solidly through the bumpy air. 51,000 ft 195 cu ft/2,500 lbs operate a direct mode in case the primary With a few quick calls to the area con- computers fail or can’t communicate with trollers as the 7500 climbed rapidly, we Cabin altitude at ceiling: FAA certification: the remote units. In this case, the pilot were soon at 14,000 feet, and Sibenalar 5,680 ft FAR Part 25 inputs bypass the flight control comput- and I switched seats. After positioning ers and go directly to the remote units. the seat and lining up the eye reference continues on next page

ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 21 PILOT report

continued from preceding page same in a steep turn to the right, and the Finally, each control axis can be con- 7500 responded promptly, making the trolled with an alternate flight control unit maneuver a smooth exercise. in case all of the remote electronic units We then turned the off for that flight control fail. In this case, only and decelerated with the power levers at the control with the failed remote units idle. “It takes a while to decelerate,” Swan- would be operated by the alternate flight son said. As the 7500 slowed below the control unit; the other flight controls engagement speed or Vmin would continue operating normally. trim speed, the autothrottles engaged For the pilot, it almost doesn’t matter and moved to climb power briefly and what direct mode is driving the controls, accelerated the airspeed back to the 200- but just what being in direct mode means knot bugged speed as set on the airspeed for flying the airplane. tape. While this was happening, we had In normal mode, built-in protections to turn to remain inside our cleared air- are available. Pitch protections include space, and we could see that during the load factor, pitch attitude, high angle-of- turn the Vmin trim speed climbed as the attack, overspeed, tail-strike reduction, lift vector moved away from vertical. The and elevator surface command limiting. same happened to Vmin trim speed as Soft and hard pitch stops on the sidestick I deployed the spoilers; there was zero automatically limit positive and negative g rumble or change in attitude while the loads in all configurations. Angle-of-attack spoilers extended and retracted, and limits are displayed on the PFD speed tape, I could move them as fast as I wanted with the soft limit showing as a half-red thanks to the FBW system. box above the solid red hard limit. Aural Next came configuration changes, warnings start when speed remains below starting with the flaps 1 setting, which the soft limit for more than one second, just extends the wing slats to 22 degrees. culminating with continuous alerts and a I did some turns at 200 knots with slats stick shaker when speed remains below the extended, then we slowed to 160 knots soft limit. The FBW won’t allow the 7500 to and added flaps 2 then slowed to 140 knots slow below the hard limit, based on angle- and extended flaps 3 and finally stopped of-attack. If excess thrust is available, the slowing down at 118 knots with full flaps added power will keep the airplane from and landing gear down. This was about descending, but if there is no excess thrust five knots above Vref for our weight. The available, then the FBW lowers angle-of-at- The Global 7500’s Vision avionics system is Bombardier’s interpretation of Collins Aerosace’s handling felt just as crisp as in any other tack to prevent a stall. Pro Line Fusion touchscreen system. It incoporates four displays filling multiple roles. configuration, and the 7500 flies hands- The FBW won’t allow exceedance of off when trimmed. “It’s amazingly stable,” nose-up and nose-down pitch limits or Rudder surface commands are limited, Moving the trim switches on the yoke Swanson said. “This is what it’s going to angle-of-attack limits as well as high- depending on structural loads and han- changes the bugged airspeed on the PFD feel like on approach.” There was a small speed limits. Pitch authority lowers as dling requirements and they decrease as speed tape. Just like on a conventional amount of rumble with full flaps and land- the airplane nears pitch limits, and these speed increases. During one-engine-out airplane, if I want to fly faster than the ing gear down, and a bit more noise. limits are displayed as green markers on operations, the FBW automatically applies trimmed speed, then I need to push for- To replicate getting too slow in the the PFD pitch scale. rudder toward the operating engine, but ward on the sidestick, or pull to fly slower. traffic pattern, I turned to the left at a Two ailerons on each wing provide some yaw remains to help the pilot per- But releasing the pressure returns it to 45-degree bank and pulled the sidestick lateral control, but only the inboard aile- ceive the failure, and return to coordi- the trimmed/bugged speed. back to the soft stop. As we slowed to ron actuates at speeds above 295 knots. nated flight must be achieved by stepping I flew some gentle turns to get the feel the half-red box on the airspeed tape, Between 275 and 295 knots, the outboard on the operating-engine-side rudder. for the controls, and the 7500 was surpris- we heard the “speed” aural alert, but aileron deflects proportionally less as Electrical failure is the big concern for ingly responsive and easy to control pre- the airplane just remained stable in the speed increases. Below 275 knots, both FBW airplanes, but these designs must cisely. FBW enables engineers to fine-tune turn while the autothrottles prevented ailerons move together. Multifunction also meet stringent certification require- handling so large airplanes are much more the jet from slowing further. “It’s pretty spoilers assist the down wing during turns, ments for reliability. In the 7500, the pleasant to fly, and Sibenaler and Swan- benign,” he said. “It’s hard to mismanage and the spoiler deflection is reduced in backup for total electrical failure is a ram- son agreed that they enjoy hand-flying the the airplane.” primary flight control computer and air turbine (RAT). Normal FBW mode is 7500 whenever possible. At less-than-30- I wanted to feel the 7500’s handling in remote electronic unit direct modes, with maintained to as low as 110 knots, and degree banks, the 7500 maintained the a one-engine-out situation, so we next no spoiler deflection available in alternate below that, FBW reverts to direct mode. turn and also compensated for the loss slowed to 160 knots with flaps 2, and flight control unit direct mode. The FBW system is powered by two of lift. I tried some steeper turns, which turned the autothrottles off, then pulled Roll and yaw axis protections include FBW power converters, each of which is require back pressure to maintain altitude, the right power lever to idle. There was roll-rate limiting, bank-angle limiting, supplied by DC BUS 1 and 2. Permanent then let go of the sidestick to see how it little feel of any yaw as the FBW compen- wing-maneuver-load alleviation, in-flight magnet generators on each engine supply returned to 30 degrees. sated for the “dead” engine. The 7500 is partial engine-out compensation, and backup power to the converters, which For steep turns, I set the speed selector certified to fly with autothrottle on for the rudder-surface-command limiting. convert AC power from the two backup to 230 knots and trimmed the bug speed good engine, so I switched this back on At up to 30 degrees of bank, the FBW generators to DC for the FBW system. to match, so that the autothrottles would the for left engine, and power advanced automatically maintains the bank angle Before the RAT would be needed, the two help maintain the selected airspeed. Start- to maintain the selected speed. when the pilot lets go of the sidestick. engine-driven variable-frequency genera- ing a turn to the left, I banked to just below Before returning to Stewart, I prac- Above 30 degrees, releasing the stick tors would have to fail, followed by the APU 60 degrees and added some back pressure ticed some hand-flying at varying speeds returns the bank angle to 30 degrees. generator, the two engine-driven perma- to the stick—it didn’t take much—to keep in clean configuration, changing trim set- Maximum bank angle is 80 degrees, and nent magnet generators, then the 28-amp- the flight path vector on the zero pitch tings and setting power manually just to at maximum angle-of-attack, roll rate is hour NiCad main ship and APU batteries. line. To add a little challenge, I changed get some more feel for the 7500’s handling. lowered to 10 degrees per second from speed during the turn, retrimming to I set up the RNAV 27 approach to the normal 20 degrees. Flying FBW 250 knots while Swanson reset the speed Stewart on the Collins avionics, which I To alleviate wing maneuver load, below I started by turning off the autopilot, and selector to 250 knots. I then returned to found easy using the Depart/Arrive but- 30,000 feet and in maneuvers exceeding when that happens, the FBW automati- 230 knots while still turning, trying not ton on the FMS. This pulls up the desti- 1.55 g, the FBW raises ailerons to reduce cally trims to match the current airspeed to trim too quickly to keep the maneuver nation airport and a selection of arrivals wing root bending. and pitch attitude. smooth and maintain altitude. I did the continues on page 30

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as audible warnings, flashing lights, etc.). According to Wischmeyer, “Data sug- gests that LOC occurs when the pilot does not or cannot process all of the available cues and information. This phenomenon is called cognitive unavailability, an innova- tive concept, casually based upon concepts such as cognitive overload and cognitive The Extended resilience. If the airplane is uncompro- Envelope mised, the pilot is unimpaired, and there Exercises keep are no freak atmospheric events, then costs down by LOC is almost always a result of cognitive using ordinary unavailability. LOC occurs in ‘scenarios aircraft rather where pilots should have been able to than the get the airplane on the ground but were specialized unprepared or distracted.’ This concept aircraft for upset recognizes that cognitive unavailabil- prevention and ity contributes in the same way to LOC, recovery or regardless of whether the underlying cause simulator time. of cognitive unavailability is [personal

PHOTOS: MATT THURBER MATT PHOTOS: factors], channelized attention [tunnel vision], cognitive capture, task completion error, startle factor, confusion or task satu- ration, or anything else.” Inoculating pilots against loss-of-control The E3 maneuvers aren’t yet part of any formal training program, and Wischmeyer by Matt Thurber doesn’t intend that CFIs simply adopt the maneuvers and begin training them. What Ed Wischmeyer has spent endless hours are relatively simple for an instructor to The LOC Challenge he would like to see are industry experts, trying to figure out how to prevent pilots learn and then share with students during The problem with LOC and trying to such as larger flight training university from losing control of their airplanes and initial training or with experienced pilots, teach pilots how to prevent it is that, to programs, take the concept and develop crashing. His inspiration comes from fel- say, during a flight review or proficiency most pilots, the concept is meaningless. it into training that helps pilots fly safer. low pilots and not wanting to keep adding training. It should be noted that similar Although the NTSB included LOC on its “My objective is to make these ideas suc- to the list of friends who have died in acci- work is underway by the Society of Avia- Most Wanted list in 2017-2018, the Board ceed, not my program,” he said. dents. He was also inspired by the Exper- tion and Flight Educators (SAFE), under dropped LOC from the 2019-2020 list. That said, Wischmeyer also believes imental Aircraft Association’s Founder’s its new “CFI-Proficiency Initiative” or Still, safety advocates cite ongoing high that the current FAA Airman Certification Innovation Prize competition, which “SAFE CFI-PRO” effort. LOC accident statistics, and a significant Standards (ACS) that govern pilot prac- incentivizes entrepreneurs to create prod- number of accidents do result from LOC. tical testing come up short on teaching ucts and techniques to help prevent loss Part of the problem is that pilot training pilots what they need to know. “Broadly of control (LOC), with winners recognized Ed Wischmeyer has shifted away from basic stick-and-rud- generalizing,” he said, “E3 is a response annually at the EAA AirVenture show. has developed der skills to more management of the avi- to a lack of what’s in the ACS. The ACS That contest, however, seems to be a series of onics and systems. Pilots are being trained doesn’t want you close to the bogey- overly focused on gadgets, and Wischmeyer exercises for to be comfortable only within a narrow man—a stall—while E3 says if you get believes there is a better way to “inoculate” instructors portion of the normal flight envelope. there, it’s not your first rodeo.” pilots against the dreaded LOC disease. to help pilots “Lots of pilots get nervous at plus-30-de- Some of the E3 maneuvers are derived What he has developed is a series of exer- avoid loss of gree banks, or they never learned full rud- from types of flying that most pilots will cises that any flight instructor can teach to control. der or aileron deflection,” Wischmeyer said. never experience. For example, glider new and experienced pilots. These exer- “That’s part of what E3 does,” helping get pilots often fly near or even into a stall cises are designed to help pilots get more pilots comfortable flying in an expanded while turning. So turning stalls is one comfortable flying outside of their comfort My objective is yet still safe envelope. “It’s an ongoing phi- of the E3 maneuvers. Others are simply zone while remaining within the aircraft’s losophy. People say we don’t teach stick- exercises in controlling the airplane pre- normal or utility envelope that is generally to make these and-rudder anymore. E3 is a descendant cisely and with more confidence. considered safe. of that, and it answers the question: how As Wischmeyer explained in his Found- Wischmeyer calls his concept Expanded ideas succeed, not my could we teach stick-and-rudder skills?” er’s Prize submission, “E3 is an innovative Envelope Exercises (E3), and their biggest program.” The E3 exercises don’t get near aero- concept of fun, enjoyable, and challenging benefit is the low cost of implementation. batic maneuver limits. But by teaching flight exercises to reduce cognitive unavail- While upset prevention and recovery Wischmeyer’s intent, once the E3 exer- pilots to get comfortable with flying their ability by expanding the pilot’s experience training (UPRT) is hugely beneficial, it is cises are fully developed, is to recommend airplanes up to and not beyond pitch and and comfort zone from the narrow mid- expensive, and it’s not likely that a large that flight instructors (CFIs) either demon- bank limits where aerobatics start, pilots dle-of-the-envelope presently taught out percentage of pilots will ever be able to strate the E3 exercises during their own will have more “cognitive availability to to flight regimes that may be precursors experience such training. UPRT usually checkrides or that they have limited priv- handle other events,” he explained. to LOC. E3 seeks to transfer more of fly- requires special aircraft, highly trained ileges until they demonstrate E3 mastery. In Wischmeyer’s submission for the EAA ing from System 2, (implicit or requiring instructors, and a suitable location. There For example, a new CFI might not be able Founder’s Prize, he explained “cognitive concentration) to System 1 (explicit or is a recent trend to offer UPRT in simula- to get an additional instructor rating until unavailability.” Another way of putting this second nature). E3 exercises are within tors that are modified with software that endorsement by an experienced E3 CFI. The is the computer geek’s reference to “brain the capabilities of almost all ‘standard allows flight into the stall regime, and this same would be true for being qualified to cycles,” which makes an analogy between class’ airplanes. While upset training and is also effective. But affordability is also teach pilots for their commercial certificate, human brains and computer processors, spin training teach remedies for LOC after an issue here; a day’s worth of UPRT in a to provide endorsements for flight reviews, suggesting that when all the brain cycles it has occurred, E3 vaccinates pilots against full-motion simulation can cost thousands tailwheel, complex, high-performance, and are being used, few remain to focus on, LOC before it occurs—easily, affordably, of dollars. And again, a highly qualified high-altitude operations, and perhaps the say, avoiding a stall-spin accident. Some acceptably. And because E3 requires no instructor must teach this type of UPRT. ability to sign off student pilots for certain pilots call this “tunnel vision,” when the hardware, the entire general aviation fleet The E3 concept, which is still in testing, privileges. “These ideas obviously need fine brain focuses exclusively on some aspect is already E3-capable.” consists of a series of flying exercises that tuning,” he said. of flying and ignores all other input (such continues on page 26

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continued from page 24 keep the nose on a specific point, some- and he is hoping to expand the interest requirement that pilots continue learn- thing that takes some trial and error. beyond the initial universities that are ing until they get involved in profes- E3 program seeks to For the low-speed spirals, we pretended now exploring E3. sional flying. “If professional pilots are that we were distracted while turning in In fact, Michael Hollister, assistant required to go through annual recur- boost LOC training landing configuration and then allowed the professor at the Utah Valley University rency training where, in some cases, nose to drop. Surprisingly, we quickly lost (UVU) School of Aviation Science, coined deficiencies are being found during sit- Flying the E3 Maneuvers 600 feet before recovering. As Wischmeyer the term E3, and he has been working uations most would consider ‘Pilot 101’ According to the FAA, “A loss of control pointed out, if we were turning base to final with flight instructors at UVU on testing stuff, I find it curious that for most in (LOC) accident involves an unintended for landing, we would have hit the ground the maneuvers. Hollister is planning to GA, once you have the certificate, it’s departure of an aircraft from controlled before realizing what had happened. devote significant time in the next few ‘have a good life, be safe.’ I know there flight.” LOC is the primary cause of gen- While in a steep bank, I tried stalling years to helping develop E3. is the flight review, but honestly, is that eral aviation fatal accidents, the FAA says. and recovering but remaining in the same “As a CFI,” he told AIN, “I have believed really enough? I don’t think so. Wouldn’t By this definition, what happened during steep bank. This took a lot of effort, and for some time that the FAA—well-inten- it be great, or at least a step in the right a night flight that I did a few months ago I ended up staying in the stall buffet for tioned though they may be—has been direction, if a certificated pilot could to regain night currency qualifies as LOC. I too long instead of stalling and quickly moving away from past training require- participate in an E3 training [refresher] was flying in a Piper Cherokee 180 at 2,000 recovering. It was challenging to try to ments that actually create a better-pre- course, without having to go upside feet, and I looked down at the iPad mounted maintain at least a 45-degree bank while pared pilot. In other words, I believe down, pulling g’s, while flying airplanes on the kneeboard strapped to my leg to stalling and recovering. training is too benign these days and the that fly nothing like the airplanes the find the frequency for an airport where I The 60/90 serpentines require turning industry is doing a disservice to those we pilot actually flies?” planned some takeoffs and landings. When 90 degrees one way using a 60-degree bank award a pilot certificate to.” Hollister sees E3 helping the aviation I looked up, the Cherokee was in a steep- with full aileron deflection then turning in Hollister has flown more than a industry, especially with the pilot short- ening bank, the nose was down, and speed the opposite direction. It takes practice to dozen flights trying out E3 maneuvers age forcing operators to lower experience was increasing. This, Wischmeyer later get used to using full aileron deflection. with volunteer CFIs, whose average requirements. “If there is an increase in confirmed, was the beginning of a spiral. I voices throughout the industry advocat- returned the wings to level then raised the ing for better training and even those going nose and continued on. beyond the minimums required, I believe The point is that the spiral could easily the fewer safety issues the industry will see have worsened. The FAA notes that there in the coming months and years.” are five precursors that contribute to At LeTourneau University in Texas, LOC: disorientation can occur when con- pilot students earn their private pilot tinuing a VFR flight (intentionally or inad- license in American Champion Citabria vertently) into instrument meteorological taildragger trainers. According to Flight conditions; sometimes accidents occur Science Department chair Bruce Chase, when there is a distraction by something LeTourneau students already learn more on the ground or in the airplane; an inap- stick-and-rudder skills than most new propriate response to an emergency event pilots, but he is discussing the E3 maneu-

or “startle response” can delay or inhibit THURBER MATT vers with university leadership. the pilot’s reaction to hazards that occur Wischmeyer has been testing E3 training in his responsive amateur-built RV-9A experimental. “We’re on the same page with a lot of suddenly; rusty aircraft handling skills this,” he said. “Some things, like stalls in have contributed to loss of control, par- Vertical S maneuvers again required lots flight time is about 600 hours. He has a turn, we’re already doing. Other maneu- ticularly in crosswind operations; inad- of concentration to climb and descend at a flown nine exercises with the CFIs, with vers are new and interesting, and I can see equate risk management has led many specific airspeed with wings level. his favorite the 60/90. “This exercise where they could be valuable. pilots into situations where they lacked Back at Savannah/Hilton Head Inter- provides the highest level of sensory “Philosophically, we’re very much in the skill to cope with the hazard. national Airport, Wischmeyer asked the input for the pilot, while requiring full agreement with what Ed [Wischmeyer] My spiral could have developed fur- tower for permission to fly S-turns on aileron deflection to a 60-degree bank is trying to do. We think the pilot train- ther, with at least three of those precur- final approach. He then gave me instruc- and a 90- degree turn. Once reached, ing aspect is more important than another sors involved: disorientation, distraction, tions to line up first with the left side of the pilot then immediately rolls the technological piece. Another warning or and inappropriate response. Could this the runway, then the right side, then to aircraft in the opposite direction to annunciator is just another thing to get have resulted in an accident, especially line up on short final with the centerline, 60 degrees of bank and turns back 90 ignored in periods of high stress.” if it happened to a low-time pilot who then to land one expansion joint to the degrees to the original heading. I am of Meanwhile, SAFE launched its CFI- hadn’t flown in a long time or otherwise right of the center line. This exercise was the opinion that a training program that PRO program at the Sun ’n’ Fun show in was unprepared? Could these factors be just more practice at flying precisely. We goes beyond the certificate, but short of April. The workshop, designed for CFIs, is related to John F. Kennedy Jr.’s fatal LOC flew two flights that day. upset recovery or aerobatic training, is a two-day event, with ground and flight accident in 1999? After experiencing some of the E3 a very viable and warranted endeavor. training, with the first scheduled October I have been practicing some of the E3 maneuvers, I agree that it makes sense to It has been my experience that those 2-3 in Frederick, . Cost is $375. maneuvers in the Cherokee and also spent offer CFIs additional tools to help their pilots I have flown with, CFI’s who are According to SAFE, “The program a day with Wischmeyer in Savannah, Geor- students gain confidence in and extend now teaching the next batch of pilots, offers CFIs a path to improved skill, gia, learning more about the E3 concept their flying skills. I think the maneuvers all needed and benefited from even knowledge, and confidence in aerody- and flying some maneuvers in his RV-9A also give CFIs something new to teach their one-time exposure to E3 during namics and aircraft control, especially in experimental amateur-built airplane. students, either as a way to bring pilots our flight together.” the less-often-explored areas of the nor- Compared to the Cherokee, the RV-9A back for more beneficial training or as The value of E3 is that it exposes pilots mal flight aerodynamic envelope. is much more responsive and easier to fly something to demonstrate and practice at to flying closer to the limits of their air- According to SAFE executive director precisely, but both airplanes worked fine flight review time, but as a separate event. craft while adding confidence and more David St. George, the training doesn’t for E3 maneuvers. appreciation for their aircraft’s capabilities, involve aerobatics or upset recognition In the RV-9A, we did slow Dutch rolls, Where To Next? he explained. “A student pilot never once and recovery but “offers CFIs a chance low-speed spirals, stalls while turning, Wischmeyer isn’t trying to create and being required to experience a stall while in to explore seldom-visited corners of the 60/90 serpentines, vertical S’s, and run- market the E3 maneuvers as a packaged a 45-degree bank, and then recovering while flight envelope.” He added, “We have a way sidestep exercises. system ready for use by CFIs, but would still in a bank, is an example of the disser- tested syllabus and use only normal and Some of these exercises are easier, rather encourage industry members to vice I spoke of before. Such a flight condi- utility category aircraft and stay within while others require some practice. For take on the task of proving their effec- tion is, of course, not required currently.” their limitations. Since typical pilots use example, the slow Dutch rolls specify tiveness and promoting their use. To that We all remember being told that our only about 5 percent of a standard cate- rolling at a constant rate of one degree end, he is working with aviation univer- first pilot certificate is a license to learn, gory aircraft’s flight envelope, there’s lots per second while using opposite rudder to sities that have done some work with E3, but as Hollister points out, there is no to explore without going aerobatic.” n

26 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com THE PINNACLE OF LUXURY TRAVEL

OJets is an indirect air carrier and works with fully certificated carriers for all flights. Bombardier Business Aircraft has certified seven of its line maintenance stations in Europe for maintenance of the Global 7500 . European firms sign on to provide Global 7500 mx by Jerry Siebenmark

With Bombardier Business Aircraft’s The stations are part of Bombardier’s introduction into service of the Global maintenance support network in the 7500, the Canadian airframer and region that includes its mobile response Ser- team as well as its London Biggin Hill ser- vices (LBAS) have put in place options vice center, which is able to perform tip- to support servicing of the flagship jet in to-tail heavy maintenance on the aircraft. Europe, the companies announced early In addition to performing line main- last month. Bombardier has certified tenance at Berlin Schoenefeld, the EASA seven line maintenance stations for the approval also permits LBAS to offer AOG 7500, while LBAS has received EASA Part services to the aircraft type at any of its 145 approval for line maintenance on the locations worldwide. “In the near future aircraft at its Berlin Schoenefeld facility. we will be able to offer the complete range The moves follow delivery earlier this of line and base maintenance services for year of the first of Bombardier’s ultra- this aircraft type,” said LBAS CEO Sascha long-range, large-cabin jets in the region. Leitner. “Our hangar in Berlin Schoenefeld Bombardier’s seven certified stations has already four maintenance bays capable are in Paris, Nice, and Cannes, France; of receiving the Global 7500. Furthermore, Luton, UK; Linz, Austria; and Olbia and our NDT, batteries, and wheels shops are Linate, Italy. They are now qualified to per- prepared to handle the extra requests.” form standard scheduled line maintenance, LBAS is partly owned by Bombardier and and unscheduled and AOG maintenance services the airframer’s Globals, Challeng- support on the 7500, Bombardier said. ers, and . n

Riyadh traffic to gain on Jeddah’s

Riyadh’s importance to business aviation at the recent Saudi Airshow in Riyadh. will increase in comparison to Jeddah’s For 2018, the report estimated general in the next decade, according to a report aviation passenger throughput at around commissioned by PrivatAir Saudi Arabia 200,000 in Riyadh, 190,000 in Jeddah, (PASA), landlord at the kingdom’s three and 450,000 in Dammam, the kingdom’s leading private aviation terminals. three main international airports, and fore- The “General and Business Aviation cast 2019-30 passenger [annual growth Forecast” Traffic Report was prepared rates] of 3.9 percent, 2.7 percent, and 1.8 by Fairfax, -based management percent, respectively, for each airport. consultancy ICF. “In Riyadh, data projec- Particularly until 2009, Jeddah handled tions to 2030 show there will be [average the lion’s share of the general aviation traf- annual] growth of 3.9 percent in passenger fic in the kingdom, but Riyadh has been movements. Of that, 5.4 percent is inter- steadily gaining. “Differences in [Jeddah national and 3.5 percent domestic, which in] the domestic/international split are shows that the market is not only growing, notable, with Jeddah having a much higher but that international is growing much international presence, whilst Riyadh is quicker than domestic, which is always increasing its domestic passengers as a a good mix in general aviation,” Mansour result of…events held [in] the capital,” the Alsharif, PASA managing director, told AIN report said. P.S-S

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continued from page 22 and approaches that I could choose from using the cursor control device.

An Interior Peek After I swapped places again with Sibe- naler, I went for a walk in the quiet cabin, which is equipped with 14 seats. Adding to the low-noise environment is the lack of traditional gaspers for passengers. Instead, Bombardier designed a retractable gasper that generates less noise. The GE Pass- port engines are almost impossible to hear throughout most of the cabin and on the flight deck, not only because of the excel- lent soundproofing but also the engines’ integral “blisk” integrated fan disk. Cabin air is 100 percent fresh and flows through a HEPA filter and another filter with acti- vated carbon. Heating and cooling is com- fortable and provides speedier temperature changes, thanks to Bombardier’s “turbo” heat and cool environmental system. At FL450, the cabin altitude is 4,500 feet. Opposite the galley is a crew rest area with its own monitor and two large win- dows. Bunk beds can be installed if needed, but it looks more comfortable in the nor- mal single-occupant configuration. The (Clockwise from upper left) he Global 7500’s galley is huge, with more than enough cabin features four distinct zones, including storage space as well as two large chiller berthable “Nuage” (cloud) passenger seats drawers and a big trash receptacle. There is and divans. The private “Zone 4” suite enough room also for both a coffee maker includes a lavatory that can accommodate and espresso machine. The hot beverage an optional shower. Lufthansa Tecknik’s area is lined with metal so owners can nice Touch cabin managment system is low bring their own coffee maker on board if profile and includes USB 3.0 ports at every preferred. This 7500 features two ovens, passenger seat. a microwave/convection oven on top and below that a convection/steam oven. A retractable faucet pulls down into the sink The next zone features an asymmetrical charge devices or transfer content either Honeywell JetWave system that runs on so the sink can be fully covered when not conference grouping, with two-one seating to or from the airplane. The system ’s ka-band satellite network). needed. The forward lavatory is aft of the configurations opposite each other. In this includes two media centers that provide In the rear, the large baggage compart- galley, so passengers using that lav don’t zone, the two-seat grouping facing aft sits on-demand audio and video in any zone ment is accessible at any altitude up the have to walk past the flight attendant. opposite one seat facing forward, and vice and aggregate media content. 51,000-foot maximum as it is located out- With such a large cabin, there are four versa for the other grouping. Each grouping In the private suite—zone 4—this 7500 side of the engine rotor-burst zone. zones for passengers, with each zone hav- has an unusually shaped table between the is fitted with a full-size bed opposite two ing three of the 7500’s large 14-inch-wide seats, and the shape’s purpose is evident seats. A queen bed is an option, but that Final Approach by 22-inch-tall windows. Zone 1 starts when the center leaf is installed, making would take up some room in the center I returned to the jumpseat, then Sibe- with four of Bombardier’s Nuage seats in a large dining or conference table in this of the zone walkway. The lavatory can be naler flew the landing, demonstrating the club configuration. zone. Of course, when the leaf is installed, equipped with an optional shower. 7500’s automatic elevator nose-down fea- Bombardier engineers spent seven it blocks passage fore and aft, but with two With all-LED lighting throughout, there ture after touchdown. All the pilot has to years developing the Nuage (French for lavatories, this isn’t a problem. are many options available for preset cabin do during touchdown is leave the sides- “cloud”) seats and divans, and these are The Nuage divan in zone 3 sits oppo- lighting, ranging from ordinary to dynamic tick alone, and the nose automatically and a key feature in the 7500. What is new site a credenza holding a 40-inch monitor, schemes tied into the airplane’s FMS. One smoothly lowers. The landing was smooth, about the Nuage configuration is that making it a comfortable entertainment preset, for example, mimics the outside despite the winds, which were still gusting when the seat back is reclined, the seat suite. Doors close off this zone so other lighting experience, which changes min- above 30 knots. pan on which the passenger sits dips occupants won’t hear the excellent sound ute-to-minute as the sun moves through Having flown a variety of FBW business down in the rear, allowing for more body from the nice Touch the sky, with clouds occasionally filter- jets, this flight in the Global 7500 more contact with the seat when reclined and cabin management system. The bottom ing the light, and the position of the sun than piqued my interest, and I would like thus helping muscles relax more. The of the divan slides out to provide more changing relative to the horizon. Another to spend more time exploring its many fea- Nuage seat’s headrest tilts as well as comfort for viewing movies, and it also preset illuminates upper lights in the cabin tures. For a large airplane, it is easy to fly raises and lowers, and this allows the turns into a bed. A unique Bombardier as passengers board, then turns on side and will be a relatively simple transition passenger to adjust the headrest to the feature with the Touch system is the lights as they sit down. for experienced Bombardier Global pilots. right angle to maximize comfort at the OLED retractable side-ledge dial nestled Of course, a variety of interior configu- The 7500 ups the ante in performance correct spot at the head-neck junction. within the side-ledge at each seat, provid- rations and materials are available—up to and range, and at the Mach .85 long-range The seats also sit on a “floating base” ing touch control of functions within the 10,000, according to Bombardier—making cruise speed, can fly legs such as New York- swivel mechanism, which eliminates tra- passenger’s immediate environment. moot the question of whether the 7500 is Hong Kong, London-Singapore, and Dubai- ditional seat rails and keeps the center of The nice Touch system runs on a customizable. All completions are being Los Angeles. At a base list price of $72.8 gravity of the seat and occupant directly high-bandwidth fiber-optic backbone, done by Bombardier at its facility. million, Bombardier expects to deliver 15-20 over the center swivel axis. One control with two wireless 802.11ac dual-band What some might consider the most Global 7500s during 2019, and the model is on the forward right armrest allows the Wi-Fi access points, USB 3.0 ports at important part of a cabin is airborne con- sold out until 2021. NetJets holds an order passenger to move fore and aft, sideways, every seat, and three Bluetooth 4.0 mod- nectivity, and the 7500 comes standard for 20 Global 7500s and 8000s, and will and to swivel. ules. The USB ports enable passengers to with Bombardier’s Wave satcom (the take delivery of its first 7500 in 2021. n

30 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com Drone home delivery begins in Australia IADA starts broker by Mark Huber approval tests

Google/Alphabet unit Wing has launched gelato, and over-the-counter medicines Palmerston, and Franklin. Wing expects The International Aircraft Dealers drone-to-home delivery service in select from merchant partners via the Wing to gradually expand to more customers Association (IADA) began testing indi- neighborhoods in Canberra, Australia. mobile app and have their goods within in Harrison and Gungahlin in the coming vidual aircraft sales brokers last month Consumers can order beverages, food, minutes. For now, deliveries are limited to weeks and months. for its new certification. More than 20 and drug store items such as coffee, select consumers in the suburbs of Crace, Wing has been testing drone deliv- individuals will be involved in the first ery in Australia since 2014. Over the round of testing; those who pass will past 18 months, it has delivered food, thus become the first IADA Certified small household items, and over-the- Aircraft Brokers. counter drugstore products more than Broker certification, which tests for 3,000 times to Australian homes in the individual knowledge, skill, and ability, communities of Fernleigh Park, Royalla, comes after the more than 25-year- and Bonython. The company said the old organization formerly known as feedback it received during those deliv- National Aircraft Resale Association ery trials helped it to refine its opera- began the process in March toward tions and that it will continue to expand accreditation of its member dealers. operations. The accreditation and certification are Wing’s delivery service required moves by IADA to establish standards approval from Australia’s Civil Avia- of broker conduct and increase trans- tion Safety Authority (CASA), which parency in aircraft transactions. attached a variety of conditions, includ- Joseph Allan Aviation Consulting ing no flight over major roadways and developed the certification examina- none before 7 a.m. Monday through tion for brokers, as well as the accred- Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sundays. Flight itation standards for dealers. It has over persons is permitted within the experience developing and managing boundaries of five meters above and curriculum and examinations that mea- two meters laterally. Wing announced sure knowledge-based competencies, Wing is starting drone home delivery service in a small area of Canberra, Australia, but it its intention to launch a similar service IADA said. J.S. expects to expand its delivery zone in the coming months. in Finland last December. n

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ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 31 power systems historically powered by demands, UTAP intends to develop higher UTC reveals hybrid-electric hydraulics or pneumatics. power density motors, generators, and UTAP points out that current bat- power electronics capable of reliably han- tery-only electric-powered flight has dling associated loads. This will require aircraft demonstrator inherent limitations due to battery weights the use of advanced ceramic-based semi- and capacities, making it only suitable for conductors, packaging methods, thermal by Mark Huber small 1-4 seat general aviation aircraft fly- management, and manufacturing tech- ing missions of no more than 108 nm. In a niques. UTAP said the Project 804 engi- The newly formed United Technolo- typical commuter mission is 250 nm and P804 white paper issued in March, UTAP neering team will develop products that gies’ Advanced Projects (UTAP) division that 99 percent are under 500 nm. points out, “Hybrid-electric propulsion is approach, and sometimes even exceed, 20 (see article on page 40) unveiled its initial According to UTAP, the engine and a more interesting proposition for busi- kW/kg—surpassing the power densities hybrid-electric demonstration aircraft last electric motor will each generate one ness, regional, and large commercial avia- available today. The engine and electric month, which it said will yield 30 percent megawatt of power in parallel hybrid tion domains.” Of the two existing hybrid motor will each generate about 1 mega- fuel savings on a typical one-hour mission. configuration. The system uses off-the- options, serial, which uses electrical energy watt of power in a parallel hybrid config- Dubbed “Project 804” (P804), the aircraft shelf battery cells with a custom-designed from hydrocarbon engine generators aug- uration on the P804 aircraft. is expected to fly within three years. It is a packaging and battery management sys- mented by a battery system, and paral- UTAP plans to initially use lithium-ion reworked Bombardier Dash 8-100 twin tur- tem. The battery, its power management lel, which augments hydrocarbon engine batteries for the system. “We want to boprop, re-engined on one side with a two system, and the power electronics will be propulsion with electric energy, UTAP use technologies that are commercially megawatt-class propulsion system and installed in the aircraft cabin, while the opted for parallel because a parallel sys- available and off-the-shelf,” Chua said. an engine optimized for cruise efficiency hybrid-electric propulsion system will be tem enables the hydrocarbon engine to be UTAP said the system has other airframe augmented by a battery-powered electric mounted on a modified nacelle. downsized by augmenting it with stored applications including category “A” heli- motor that assists during the 20-minute UTAP attributes the fuel savings to electrical energy during peak demand flight copters, APUs and some . Chua takeoff and climb sequence. new engine efficiencies and those derived phases such as takeoff. This reduces stress said the system could be scaled “up and The test aircraft will have the hybrid from electric power and that the system is on the hydrocarbon engine, allowing it to down,” suggesting that it could be applied system installed on one side of the aircraft suitable both for retrofit on existing air- be operated at lower tempera- to business turboprops. for test flight, according to UTAP execu- craft and clean-sheet designs. tures and increases engine parts life. UTAP’s goal is to make the system avail- tive director Jason Chua, and the 30 per- ’ Collins Aerospace The UTAP white paper illustrates why able at the same price as a typical engine cent fuel savings achieved over the course unit already has substantial experience solutions other than a hybrid system will replacement. For now, the project is focus- of a one-hour flight assumes the system is with aircraft electrical power systems on not work with today’s battery technology, ing on bringing aboard more manpower installed on both sides. So installed, the “more electric” aircraft as it provided the noting that to power a typical regional tur- and partners with specialized expertise in maximum range of the aircraft drops to six generators on the Boeing 787. The air- boprop flight for one hour would require areas such as battery systems and aircraft 600 nm from the typical range of 1,000 plane’s electrical system produces nearly a battery system that would exceed the modifications. He said the project should nm due to the system’s weight and its 1.5 megawatts (MW) of onboard electrical aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight. be ready for an aircraft preliminary design impact on fuel load. UTAP claims the power and replaces many of the aircraft’s To meet anticipated power level review within the next few months. n

pass it to MapLarge to develop a visual Several firms team to offer weather forecast for us, and then pass it to Inmarsat for delivery to the cock- pit,” said Fernandez. “Instead of a four- global wx and flight data hour-old weather report, pilots can have updated weather every hour.” by Kim Rosenlof Formed in 2009 to provide “big data” visualization services, MapLarge com- Partnerships between two global giants 8 inches to each side. “Each of our 3U bines millions or billions of data points and two relative newcomers are working satellites performs three functions: GPS with GIS data to visually depict infor- toward providing increasingly accurate Radio Occultation (GPS-RO) for weather mation for various industries including weather, flight data, and aircraft tracking data collection, ADS-B aircraft tracking, health care, utilities, oil-and-gas, insur- information to pilots and flight depart- and maritime ship tracking. We have sev- ance and risk management, and aviation. ments. Executives from GE Aviation, enty-two 3U satellites currently in low Information can come from databases, Inmarsat, Spire Global, and MapLarge orbit, and we’ll be up to 175 satel- sensors, or other sources. discussed innovations in cockpit data lites within the next two years.” Creating custom mapping solutions and flight analytics at the GE Waypoints GPS-RO interprets the refraction of a based on customer requirements and conference in in February. signal from a geospatial satellite to a satel- datasets, MapLarge is working with var- “At Inmarsat, our whole business model lite in low Earth orbit caused by tempera- ious aviation entities to find operational is based on partners,” said Matar, ture, pressure, and water vapor content. William Fernandez,of Spire Global, holds one efficiencies and flight optimization. “Air regional director for Inmarsat in North Measuring this refraction as the GPS sat- of the company’s 3U satellites. Asia is taking [GE] EMS data off of the America. “We provide the infrastructure, ellite passes through different levels of engines, working with the flight ana- the IP pipe to the cockpit, but other com- the atmosphere provides precise weather said Spire’s ADS-B tracking solution “is lytics group, and putting that data into panies create the applications that require data at various altitudes. According to priced competitively with other ADS-B MapLarge to create a fuel savings model the pipe.” Fernandez, Spire’s network currently data services that don’t use space-based based on calibrating approaches,” said One of those relatively new firms is captures and analyzes 10,000 RO pick- systems” and has the benefit of poten- Bishop. “You could tweak the model even Spire Global, a data and analytics company ups per day, surpassing the resolution and tially seeing low-altitude drones equipped more by adding the wind data from Spire, based in San Francisco that uses a net- data collected by NOAA satellites. When with ADS-B transceivers since the space- determining best altitude based on winds work of small satellites to track weather the full constellation of 175 satellites is based system can detect ADS-B all the aloft before takeoff.” systems and other global resources. complete, Spire will collect 120,000 RO way to the surface. Fernandez agreed. “Being able to inte- “We can see the surface, globally, all pickups per day, increasing horizontal Spire’s partnership with Atlan- grate GE EMS data, live tracking from the way to 242,000 feet with a vertical resolution to 1 km everywhere on Earth. ta-based MapLarge combines weather ADS-B, and precise weather informa- resolution of 500 feet,” said William Fer- Spire’s Airsafe product suite also pro- data and/or ADS-B aircraft tracking tion from Spire on a MapLarge platform nandez, business development executive vides space-based ADS-B to allow aircraft with detailed geographic information allows airlines to look at a true picture of for Spire Global, displaying a 3U cubesat tracking in the parts of the world where systems (GIS). “One of the programs the flight environment around the world,” measuring approximately 4 x 4 x 12 inches aircraft can still “fall off the radar.” For we’re working on right now is to take the Fernandez said. “You can’t do that any with folding solar panels adding another corporate flight departments, Fernandez weather information from the satellites, other way without this partnership.” n

32 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com Atlantic Dedicated Final l.pdf 1 4/10/2019 11:54:44 AM

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K instructors hired by flying schools, helicopter 11 percent of the estimated 4,800 Expat pilots face restrictions pilots, and pilots working in remote parts of employed in the industry. The the country. Ministry of Transport (MOT) country’s 16 flying schools produce official Robi Ihsan said authorities haven’t yet about 160 graduates every year. in Indonesia | by William Dennis finalized all the terms of the policy, but they Indonesia’s national unemploy- will give ample notice of its implementation ment rate is currently 5.34 percent, Even with a growing pilot shortage challenging to limit the employment of copilots to two once they decide the date. up from 5.13 percent in January 2018. airlines all over the world, foreign “expat” air- years and captains to three years. The ruling While the ranks of the unemployed in That represents some 6.87 million line pilots intending to work in Indonesia face applies to pilots with type ratings in their spe- Indonesia include about 550 local pilots, for- people out of work. Since 1982, the fresh restrictions. The government has plans cific aircraft, but is expected to exempt foreign eign flight crewmembers account for about unemployment rate has reached a peak at 11.2 percent in 2005, with the lowest quarterly accounting at 2 per- cent around 1985. Indonesia, a mem- ber of G20 and classified as a newly industrialized country, is considered to be the largest economy in South- east Asia and one of the emerging market economies of the world. It represents the 16th largest economy in the world by nominal GDP. Authorities plan to impose the restrictions in an effort to boost employment opportunities for local pilots who are beginning their careers and help those with experi- ence to gain seniority. According to Ihsan, the authori- ties recognize the need for rapidly expanding carriers to hire experi- enced foreign pilots, however the government also must consider the wider social benefits of employ- ing Indonesian graduates. Ihsan said the presence of local pilots not only engenders pride but also WHERE OUR SKILLS keeps costs in check. A senior airline pilot who spoke with AIN on condition of anonym- ity said, “Local graduates have first MEET YOUR DREAMS to enhance their knowledge and skills before seeking employment.” While he acknowledged that for- eign pilots cost more to hire, they also bring the necessary experience. AMAC Aerospace is a world leader in Maintenance and Completion The MOT has begun reviewing services for both narrow and wide-body VIP aircraft. Our bespoke each airline’s personnel needs and handling of VIP maintenance projects is world-renowned criteria for hiring foreign pilots. n and our ‘Return to Service’ are world class for completions.

AMAC’s hangars are fully equipped with the latest technologically advanced equipment and manned by certified personnel. NEWS note We offer a full spectrum of maintenance services The international general avi- and welcome the opportunity to serve you in any capacity. ation community is reopening a survey to operators to gather more complete data on GA air- craft and operations in Europe. Releasing the initial survey results last month, Kyle Martin, director of European regulato- ry affairs at the General Avia- tion Manufacturers Association (GAMA), and Michael Erb, senior v-p of the International Council of Aircraft Owners and Pilot Associ- ations (IAOPA) Europe, stressed the importance of gathering data to establish a baseline for safety regulation. “We don’t know how many aircraft are airworthy and flying in Europe,” Martin said. www.amacaerospace.com Overall, the survey drew 2,650 responses from operators of 5,853 aircraft. T

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Visit us at EBACE 2019 – Stand #M107 signaturefl ight.com/aviationcard UTC’s Project 804 re-engined Dash 8 Series 100 will be the first to take advantage of Collins Aerospace’s new Grid lab. With ‘the Grid’ facility, Collins eyes electric future by Kerry Lynch

Eyeing the future of hybrid and elec- will comprise four separate labs that will tric-powered aircraft, Collins Aerospace have the flexibility to interchange proj- on April 4 revealed its plan to establish a ects and run them simultaneously. The $50 million, 25,000-sq-ft lab, “the Grid,” first of the projects to take advantage that will pull together expertise through- of the grid will be the recently revealed out the company and its parent United Project 804, a hybrid demonstrator that Technologies to make step changes involves a re-engined de Havilland Dash 8 toward electric flight. Series 100 stationed at Pratt & Whitney’s “Collins has a long and a strong history in facility in Montreal, . Spearheaded electrical systems,” said Collins Aerospace by the recently formed United Technolo- CEO Kelly Ortberg last month in Rockford, gies Advanced Projects (UTAP) team, the , during an event that unveiled the demonstrator is designed to showcase plans for the new facility. The Grid will the economic viability of hybrid-electric enable the company to design and test the propulsion, involving a 2-megawatt-class next generation of electric aircraft across propulsion system. This project is antici- business aviation, commercial air trans- pated to demonstrate a 30 percent savings port, military, unmanned, and urban air in fuel consumption. mobility markets. Plans call for flying the demonstra- tor within three years. The idea isn’t to Cooperative Research Efforts certify this particular project but to gain To be housed within Collins Aerospace’s knowledge on a roadmap to the ultimate nearly 100-year-old site in Rockford, the goal of electric and hybrid flight. This Grid will build on knowledge the company includes systems integration and involves has gained as a power systems supplier a human factors element, working with over multiple platforms for decades. This pilots on what will work best from the includes the development and certification flight deck. In addition, added Jason Chua, of what Ortberg called the “world’s largest executive director of UTAP, the project flying micro-grid,” a 1.5-megawatt pow- will involve engaging with regulators to er-management and distribution system demonstrate the safety of the systems and aboard the Boeing 787. pave the way for a certification basis. In addition to the background on elec- But the project underscores the phi- tric systems at Collins Aerospace, the lab losophy of the team of working quickly also will pull in know-how from fellow by tackling doable projects that can be companies and outside suppliers to solve certified. This includes working with issues surrounding weight, power density, off-the-shelf technologies, such as bat- thermal loss, and high-voltage distribu- teries. Collins Aerospace has in-house tion that are critical in making significant expertise in battery integration but will steps forward in electric propulsion. work with others with a background in Tim White, president of Collins Aero- battery cell technology. However, Col- space Power and Controls, called the Grid lins Aerospace is not yet ready to detail a “tool” to enable the team to innovate which vendors it may be collaborating on hybrid and electric systems developing with at this point. multiple multi-megawatt-class genera- The Grid is not as much intended to tors, motors, and motor controls that can look at the smaller motors involved in the be certified and operate safely in every generation of a small eVTOL commuter, environment and failure mode. White said. Collins Aerospace is more To begin operating in about 12 months looking at larger propulsion systems that and be fully operational by 2021, the Grid could drive the range of aircraft. n

36 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com ALPHA BRAVO COLLINS

We are Collins Aerospace. With our customers we chart new journeys and reunite families. We protect nations and save lives. We fuse intelligence and partnership to tackle the toughest challenges in our industry. And every day, we imagine ways to make the skies and spaces we touch smarter, safer and more amazing than ever.

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Client: Rockwell Collins - Business Aviation Ad Title: ALPHA BRAVO COLLINS Publication: Aviation International News - May 2019 Trim: 10-13/16” x 13-7/8” • Bleed: 11-1/16” x 14-1/8” • Live: 10” x 12-7/8” But Aero Friedrichshafen was host to many more products than just aircraft. Aero Friedrichshafen Visitors were able to learn about advance- ments and changes in propulsion, includ- ing electric and hybrid systems along with Annual event puts focus on innovation sustainable fuel and power2liquid, in the Engine Area. by Kerry Lynch Avionics Europe’s 27th Aero Friedrichshafen show a special conference held for the first time from Norway’s OSM Aviation. ADS-B was a strong area of interest in the brought in a record 757 exhibitors from in concert with the German Business Avi- Other manufacturers unveiled new Avionics Avenue, but many other products 40 countries and an estimated 35,000 ation Association on April 11. concepts, such as Flight Design, which were on display, including navigation and visitors, despite the rainy weather in Topics covered the varied uses and showcased an electric version of its new collision-warning devices, and flight plan- April. Show organizers believe the posi- value of business aviation, along with F Series family of aircraft, the F2e. And ning apps, along with a Headset Test Area. tive results were propelled by the array issue areas such as ADS-B Out and spe- Diamond noted it was testing the concept The European Aviation Safety Agency of investment in emerging technologies, cial interest areas such as fixed-wing air of an electric aircraft through flight trials formally awarded approval for Garmin’s such as electric aircraft, drones, and verti- ambulance transport. of an electric DA40. retrofit GFC 500 autopilot on the second cal takeoff and landing vehicles (VTOLs). The show drew debuts of new busi- Meanwhile, on the VTOL front, Ger- day of Aero Friedrichshafen 2019. The The exhibitor tally bested the then-re- ness aircraft, such as the first exhibit of man startup Jetcopter debuted a full-scale EASA nod follows U.S. FAA supplemental cord-setting 707 exhibitors in 2017. The Daher’s recently introduced TBM 940. In mockup of a five-seat vehicle that would be type certification more than a year ago April 10-to-13 show, set next to Fried- addition, it showcased strong sellers such powered by two 500-hp piston auto engines. and covers a range of Beechcraft, Cessna, richshafen Airport in Germany, brought as Cirrus’s SF 50 Vision Jet, which topped Near the manned aviation area of Grumman, Piper, and Mooney light aircraft. in names that once were not attached 100 deliveries within the first few years of the e-flight-expo was the AERODrones/ This approval was the culmination of a to a light general aviation show, such as receiving certification. UAS Expo special exhibition. Aero multi-year effort involving Garmin, EASA, Airbus and Boeing, as well as many new Friedrichshafen focused on various appli- and the FAA to find a certification basis start-ups displaying their wares for the E-Market cations and issues such as drone-driving to bring safety equipment to the market first time, such as AutoFlightX. Launched 10 years ago, Aero Fried- licenses, including hosting a special section sooner, said Trevor Pegrum, manager, Roland Bosch, head of Aero Fried- richshafen’s e-flight expo has continued for police use. A Flight Zone for Unmanned EMEA aviation sales and marketing for richshafen, also said he was encouraged to expand with new aircraft types and Aerial Systems will be staged and for the first Garmin, adding the sign-offs are “an by the growth in innovation on display at propulsion systems. When the exhibition time, and Aero Friedrichshafen will host a example of what can be achieved with the annual event and the record number open communication and cooperation.” of exhibitors. He praised the investment Also at Aero Friedrichshafen, Garmin being made to bolster the industry, saying revealed it is conducting a datalink weather that securing investment funding can be broadcast demonstration program using challenging. a ground-based Universal Access Trans- The show, which began more than 40 ceiver (UAT) based at Friedrichshafen Air- years ago with glider manufacturers, stayed port (EDNY). While it is already available true to those roots with single and dou- in the U.S., Garmin is hoping to demon- ble-seaters on display, from training gliders strate the value of the technology in Ger- to the Super Orchidee. While German man- many and possibly other areas of Europe. ufacturers have had a strong showing in the The station broadcasts weather infor- glider market, the exhibition also featured mation to aircraft equipped with certain glider technologies from Eastern European Garmin ADS-B In products and displays and South African manufacturers. the data on Garmin avionics and porta- Ultralights, in general, ranged from bles. The weather information is being gyrocopters, gliders, and powered air- The Aero Friedrichshafen event marked the debut of the recently announced TBM 940. offered for free during the trial period. craft, beginning with a 120-kilogram (264- Along with the various forms of pound) single-seat aircraft up to aircraft for electric aircraft was first held, the closed trade event for police departments. flight and aircraft products, Aero Fried- in the 600-kilogram (1,323-pound) class. concept “still seemed futuristic,” said As for more conventional aircraft, most richshafen turned its attention to pilot This comes as Europe has moved to Aero Friedrichshafen organizers. Now, the major and smaller manufacturers recruitment with the continuation of its increase the maximum takeoff weight for long-standing corporations and start-ups displayed their wares. Diamond Aircraft Be a Pilot program that enables visitors three-axis ultralights—or “microlights”— are developing a range of aircraft, includ- revealed plans to bring the DA50 single interested in flight training to meet with from 472 kilograms to 600 kilograms ing electric aircraft that can be ordered to market next year with a 300-hp Conti- training representatives. under the new basic regulation. and eVTOL air taxis. nental CD-300 jet-A-burning engine and Other issues were covered, such as Germany was the first to implement Among these was Airbus, which is explor- retractable landing gear. the need for reliable general aviation the new weight thresholds, and on April ing eVTOL and air taxi concepts. Andreas Along with the electric version, Flight data in Europe. General aviation leaders 10 at Aero Friedrichshafen, Pipistrel Thellman, program manager for Airbus Design unveiled an entirely new family of announced the reopening of a survey to became the first manufacturer to obtain Urban Air Mobility, outlined Airbus’s piston singles, the F series, including F2 operators to gather more complete data EASA approval for an aircraft in the 600- approach to conducting demonstrations and F4 (two- and four-seat versions). on general aviation aircraft and opera- kg weight class: its Virus SW 600D and engaging in helicopter operations in Smaller and newer manufacturers tions in Europe. Kyle Martin, director of Jo Konrad, the first chairman of the São Paulo, Brazil to see how such a concept appeared to make announcements, such European regulatory affairs at the Gen- German ultralight flight association, was could integrate into the airspace system. as Sonaca Aircraft, which last year received eral Aviation Manufacturers Association encouraged that the long-awaited thresh- Meanwhile, many other e-aircraft con- EASA approval and handed over its first (GAMA), and Michael Erb, senior v-p old increase to 600 kg for ultralights was cepts were on display, including the V600 aircraft, the Sonaca 200 single-engine light of the International Council of Aircraft finally put in place, saying this would two-place technology demonstrator from trainer. This year, the company rolled out Owners and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) provide a boost to the sector, opening German startup AutoFlightX that was on a second version, the Sonaca 200 Trainer Europe, stressed the importance of gath- the market to more aircraft and, more the cusp of its first flight. Pro, with Garmin glass avionics. ering data to establish a baseline for importantly, paving the way for existing The trade fair proved fruitful for Bye On the aerobatic front, XtremeAir safety regulation. “We don’t know how aircraft to add safety equipment. Aerospace, which rebranded its two- and announced it was reaching into the rec- many aircraft are airworthy and flying in four-seat family of electric aircraft for- reational sport-flying market with a new Europe,” Martin said,. Expanding into Bizav merly known as “Sun Flyer” to “eFlyer.” XA42 “Gold” version of its XA42 model In all, more than 200 lectures, confer- On the other end of the spectrum, The two-seat version this year began and expressed hopes to bring in a new ences, and workshops were planned with Aero Friedrichshafen also is placing an flight trials. Bye further announced it had generation of flyers with its XA22 trainer industry, association, and government increased focus on business aviation with received letters of intent for 60 eFlyers under development. leaders on hand to discuss key issues. n

38 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com constant drive to use intelligent functionality system SurfaceWatch, Baro Vnav approach Sun ‘n’ Fun in further improving safety and operability, capability, and visual approach procedures. and are firsts for production aircraft in the In the cabin, Daher has incorporated rede- TBM’s category,” said Nicolas Chabbert, senior signed seats that are more ergonomic, added v-p of Daher’s airplane business unit. “These thermal insulation for the cabin sidewalls, TBM 910 new standards redefine the ultimate private and incorporated a new central shelf that aircraft: user-friendly, safe, and efficient for can hold tablet computers. The cabin also both pilots and passengers.” includes 115-volt electrical outlets and more gets The TBM 910’s improved G1000NXi avi- USB ports, bringing the latter to six for pas- onics suite adds ground-based anti-collision sengers and three for pilots. n G1000Nxi CHAD TRAUTVETTER avionics by Chad Trautvetter

Daher is adding a multitude of avionics, safety, and interior upgrades to its 2019-edition TBM 910, the French aircraft manu- facturer announced last month at Sun ‘n‘ Fun 2019 in Lakeland, Florida. These enhancements include Garmin G1000NXi avion- ics and an automatic icing detec- tion system, the latter of which is also on the new TBM 940 that was unveiled in March. SERVICES When icing or ice accretion is ACCESSORY OVERHAUL detected by an externally mounted AVIONICS sensor, the TBM’s automatic icing detection system will activate deic- AVIONICS SPARES ing for the airframe, windshield, pro- COMPOSITE REPAIR peller, and engine particle separator. ENGINEERING “This added protection is part of our ENGINES & APU FUEL & RAMP MAINTENANCE AOG/MRT PrivateFly PAINT & INTERIOR PARTS & COMPONENTS integrates WINDOW REPAIR Skyjet buy Business aircraft charter bro- CHALLENGER ker PrivateFly has completed CITATION its integration with Skyjet, with CONQUEST the two companies now oper- EMBRAER ating as a single entity under FALCON the PrivateFly brand within Directional Aviation’s OneSky GLOBAL EXPRESS portfolio. Directional Aviation GULFSTREAM acquired online charter book- HAWKER ing firm PrivateFly in September. KING AIR According to Directional, LEARJET the integration makes Private- PIAGGIO Fly “OneSky’s singular on-de- mand offering for private jet travel in both North America and Europe” and comple- ments other lift options from its two sister companies—frac- tional provider and jet- card provider Sentient Jet. PrivateFly founder Adam Twidell is leading the com- WESTSTARAVIATION.COM bined entity, which brings Pri- ALN I GJT I CHA I PCD I PWK I APA I ASE I CXO I SDL I MSP vateFly’s U.S. and European teams together with Skyjet’s U.S. sales team. C.T.

ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 39 GE asset transfer system WELCOME TO aimed at airlines, lessors by Kim Rosenlof

During GE Aviation’s Waypoint 2019 con- the IATA Spec 2500 standard and allows ference in Dallas in February, the compa- customization of those checklists for var- ny’s Digital Solutions team demonstrated a ious project types such as unique require- new Asset Transfer System (ATS) module. ments for collecting documentation or It’s part of GE’s AirVault aircraft mainte- specific maintenance events. For lessors, nance records management system for advantages include the aforementioned airlines and other fleet operators. Air- Lessor Checklist, remote document review, Here you don’t just land, Vault centralizes software configurations, and integration with the Asset Manage- administration, support, and computer ment System. For all users, ATS provides processing to bi-directionally connect the a user-friendly collaboration application you arrive! internal and external operation records that can increase productivity and rein- and data of globally distributed fleets. vestment for both transitions and audits. Debuted in December 2018, AirVault ATS “AirVault is really a comprehensive streamlines the transfer of maintenance records management system,” said Stone. OLBIA COSTA SMERALDA AIRPORT records and other asset information “We started out with going paperless; digi- between lessors/lessees or buyers/sellers. tizing documents. Then we started thinking “Lessors and airlines need holistic leased about connections with other systems, such asset management solutions,” said GE Avi- as information coming off of MRO Connect There are many reasons to choose Eccelsa Aviation ation Digital Solutions Product Manage- and really expanding that network of data. for your trips to Sardinia: ment representative Monica Stone during We’ve managed all of the records coming the Waypoint presentation. “The real vision through, and we’re now ready to transfer of ATS is to facilitate the rapid transition that asset back over to the lessor, bringing · The only real FBO in Olbia of documents between lessee and lessor, that information together and collaborating. State-of-the-art dedicated Business Executive Terminal · and do the audit as quickly as possible in For the airline, it’s going to be a standard- · Gateway to Costa Smeralda and Sardinia since 1963 * a compliant and organized way. Anything ized way to do these transfers. For the lessor, · 3 km from the Marina of Olbia and 25 km from Porto Cervo that can shorten the time frame during the you’ll have the records ready and be able to · Complete under the wing services for aircraft up to A340 and B747 transition adds value to both sides.” integrate with the Asset Management Sys- · Tailored passenger services Oklahoma-based Critical Technologies tem, and then you’ll have this single reposi- introduced AirVault in 2007 as an online tory for the ATS data.” · Full plannig for crew stay(s) at preferential rates digital document management solution Hangarage recovery · for records. The ini- Capabilities Expanding · Maintenance service in cooperation with Meridiana Maintenance tial rollout included indexed maintenance Stone said that in the near future, AirVault · Slot- and PPR-free landing and take-off ** and engine records for advanced docu- ATS capabilities will expand to include a · Great value-for-money services and easy payment methods ment searches. In 2010, AirVault capa- complete leased aircraft solution includ- · Award-winning professional and experienced multi-language staff bility expanded with the MRO Connect ing asset management integration, com- module, which facilitates digital delivery pliance management, configuration However, you can forget about all of them. of shop records to airlines. GE Aviation management, a physical inspection mod- acquired Critical Technologies in March ule, and lease analytics. In fact, what you’ll really appreciate is how you will feel. 2017, keeping the AirVault brand and look- “We also are looking into a dashboard And that’s all the difference between simply landing and truly arriving. ing at ways to expand system capabilities. that will indicate how well we are doing So whatever your reason for visiting Sardinia, keep in mind The 2018 launch of AirVault ATS provides with a transfer, highlight pain points when you are always welcome to Eccelsa Aviation. project management, lessor checklists, it comes into a debt, and how you’re per- and offline upload capabilities tailored to forming against other transfers you’ve asset lease or sale transactions. had,” said Stone. “By 2020 we’re starting to look at ‘what’s the value of that asset?’ Records Management and dig into the financials that are looked The ATS project management capability at when doing transfers.” includes enabling third parties or non-Air- Incremental updates throughout 2019 Vault users to upload documents. “Not only and 2020 will also increase ATS’s compli- can you collect documentation, but you can ance tracking capabilities. also have workflow management within the “We’ve heard from customers about * Eccelsa Aviation inherits the dedicated ground assistance application,” said Nate Hicks, senior prod- how to track SB [service bulletin] and AD service of private carrier Alisarda. ** Slots may be assigned to your flight for causes pertaining uct leader at GE Aviation. “You can enable [airworthiness directive] compliances, your station of origin/destination, on-route traffic or other. a third party to interact with you digitally so we’re looking at potentially going into and remotely. So if you’re the lessor and you the regulatory agencies and pulling that want to work with an airline that doesn’t information out,” said Stone. “We’ll start use AirVault, you can enable them to load running those checks for you within ATS their documents into a working area where and generating the SB and AD list for your you can review, approve, and audit. If you components by aircraft or by asset.” n The Only Certified FBO at Olbia Airport find errors or documentation challenges, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, 07026 Olbia, Italy you can route an issue back to the user who Air Freq. 131.675 | Fax +39 0789 563 481 | Tel +39 0789 563 480 has been working with you.” [email protected] | www.eccelsa.com Stone said that AirVault ATS pro- vides several advantages to both airlines YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS member of EBAA and lessors. For airlines, ATS organizes www.ainonline.com records in the Lessor Checklist based on

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FOR NEWS VIDEO FROM EBACE according to Schrader. Meanwhile, FT2 has Epic E1000 Sun ‘n’ Fun been used to evaluate the production inte- rior, environmental system, and Garmin G1000NXi avionics, as well as the fuel and hydraulic systems. Epic E1000 Epic finished flutter testing in December and all structural tests are now complete, Schrader said. The company currently holds on course orders for more than 85 of the $3.25 million

turboprop singles. C.T. CHAD TRAUTVETTER for nod from FAA The March crash of an Epic LT turboprop single that killed Nata- lia Fileva, the wife of Epic Aircraft owner and board member Vla- dislav Filev, won’t have any effect on funding or certification efforts for the Epic E1000, Epic Aircraft director of sales and marketing Mike Schrader told AIN at the Sun ’n‘ Fun Fly-In and Expo in Lake- land, Florida, last month. “Despite this tragic event, Filev is still sol- idly behind the company. We are solely focused on finishing certi- fication by the end of this year for the E1000,” he said. The Bend, Oregon-based com- pany is flying two conforming proto- types of its all-composite turboprop single as it finishes final perfor- mance testing and prepares for cer- tification flights with FAA personnel. Flight into known icing or non- paved runway operations approvals will be done post-certification. The first flight test aircraft, FT1, has been conducting performance testing in Tucson, Arizona; Moses Lake, Washington; and Bend,

Aero Charting app adds functionality

Eagle Cap Software last month released v1.1 of its iPad dedicated Aero Charting app. It now includes VFR sectionals and IFR en route charts and extends coverage to include the Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii. The app is available for download at the Apple App Store. While the Aero Charting app is a free download, indi- vidual 12-month subscriptions for IFR en route charts and VFR sectional charts each cost $49 or can be purchased as a bundle, along with ad removal, for $69. C.T.

ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 41 West Star anchors down in Chattanooga by Kerry Lynch

Within months of moving into its expan- sive addition at its facility at Chattanooga Airport in Tennessee (CHA), West Star Aviation already has a full hangar, back- log of work, new authorizations, and long- range plans for even more growth. West Star opened that expansion late last fall, adding a newly built hangar, paint facilities, and initial backshop and administrative space spanning more than 110,000 sq ft, bringing its total footprint The original hangar at Chattanooga was designed to accommodate primarily small and midsize aircraft, but to address the popularity of larger at CHA to more than 175,000 sq ft. models, the company constructed the new 40,000-sq-ft hangar to accommodate the largest and longest range jets. Plans for that addition began shortly after West Star moved into Chattanooga. in Perryville, Missouri. These, too, are the companies also shared the need for Built for the Future The company laid out a vision to build the augmented with satellite facilities. The mechanical expertise. “We’re both driving Significant to the location was that it site into another major center that could MRO chain further has expanded into a lot of labor into Chattanooga and cre- had reached an agreement in 2017 with provide an anchor in the Eastern U.S. the Southwest, along with its specialty ating opportunities that have been pretty Embraer to become an authorized center West Star gained a foothold in the services, with its acquisitions in recent successful. It’s challenging at times. But for Phenoms, Legacys, and the Lineage Chattanooga market with its 2015 acqui- years of companies including Dallas we’ve been pretty successful in doing so.” over time. This agreement factored into sition of a hangar formerly owned by Aeronautical Services, Avant Aerospace, This effort has included building part- West Star’s design considerations as it Jones Management Services. Even before and Flite Components. nerships with local schools. One such part- laid plans for the major expansion. Goede West Star was ready to reopen that facility CHA offered a chance to build up an nership involving Brainerd High School in noted that the tail of the Lineage is nearly for its MRO operations in early 2016, it East Coast presence. “We have a big cus- Chattanooga provides an internship with a 34 feet high. Few business aviation hangars found a need to ensure that a second shift tomer base coming from the East Coast. path to repairman certification. The com- can accommodate that. As a result, the was staffed there. When West Star held They had flown over a lot of our compe- pany also is investing by donating aircraft new facility was designed with a 28-foot- its open house that spring, it announced tition to get to [Grand Junction or East skins, scrap accessory components, wheels high door, but also with an additional plans to construct another hangar on a Alton]. So Chattanooga was a desirable and tires, and other parts to schools to stacked opening, or “tail door” that can 13-acre tract on the opposite side of the location. You have Nashville, Knoxville, spark interest in maintenance among go up to 36 feet. The Lineage authoriza- airport, along with a paint facility that Huntsville, and Atlanta all within two younger people and to help develop skills. tion was formally granted earlier this year, would rival that at its major Grand Junc- hours. This location has easy access.” Fur- With this outreach and other recruit- just a few months after the new hangar tion, Colorado location. ther, it provides a draw for international ment efforts, West Star has built up an opened. “The relationship with Embraer customers, he added. “Florida is kind of a employment base of roughly 140 at CHA, is very strong,” he said, adding that its touching point for international custom- and Goede said the company has been presence on the East Coast has led to the ers to come in for U.S. customs clearance. hiring. He added that he could see the authorizations across the OEM’s business Chattanooga is not far away.” base eventually grow to the size of Grand aviation lines. Local and regional authorities made Junction or East Alton, which each sup- But the design considerations weren’t Steve Goede, the location even more attractive to West port about 450 employees. limited to Embraer aircraft. The new West Star Star. Goede pointed to strong support But the foundation began with the shift 40,000-sq-ft hangar was designed to Chattanooga from the city of Chattanooga, the state of of about 20 employees from Columbia to accommodate the largest and latest lines general Tennessee, and the local airport authority. Chattanooga. West Star also shifted initial of aircraft, he added. The Gulfstream manager This was critical in the decision because tools and equipment from Columbia to G650 and Bombardier Global 7500, he the company previously had a smaller its new CHA site. said, “are visionary planes that require a base in Columbia, South Carolina, but a The MRO began in the original Jones lot of thought. Those aircraft take up a East Coast Foothold lack of support from the region caused hangar with a range of capabilities, but lot of real estate.” They not only require For West Star, building a base at the the company to move out of the area. initially, the company would “cross-uti- width for the wingspan but like the Lin- small city on the southeast corner of “Chattanooga is one of the fastest grow- lize” assets of its other locations for cer- eage, height for the tail, he said, adding Tennessee was a key part of its future ing airports in the eastern region. And tain work such as those involving avionics, all of this was taken into account. “When growth strategy, because it gave the within Tennessee, it was the most devel- interior, and paint. we went into thinking about the con- company a presence that could be easily oped and brought on the most workforce “We weren’t doing full detail or extrav- struction of this facility, we’re long-term: accessed by operators in the East and the last year,” he added. “There was the vision agant paint jobs. It was more touch-up,” what’s the next business line, what’s the South, said Steve Goede, who stepped in that Chattanooga is really willing, want- Goede said. “We had the capabilities at next product, what are the OEMs building as the new general manager of West Star ing, and able to work with us.” other sites, and we had the vision and the today and what are they going to release CHA late last fall as the expanded facility Along with the strong support for its direction that we wanted to go down here. in the future. We want to be ready.” came online. presence at CHA, another draw was the So we got our feet wet.” The design goes beyond hangar size to West Star had built up a presence in support for the company to build up the That original hangar mostly focused tools and capabilities. West Star is working the West and Mountain regions with labor force, an effort helped by plans for on the midsize and smaller aircraft, such with OEMs to support maintenance mon- its Grand Junction location and aug- Volkswagen to also expand in the region. as Hawkers, Citations, and Learjets, but itoring to efficiently diagnose problems. mented that with satellite locations. In “We kind of piggyback off of each other in it did accommodate some larger aircraft. And while not ready to discuss details, he the Midwest, West Star has its major a sense that Volkswagen has a lot of paint- That hangar is still in use, primarily for said, “there are a few things going in the facility in East Alton, Illinois, as well as ing need, as do we,” Goede said, adding smaller and midsize aircraft. background that we’re working on.” But

42 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com he stressed it all comes back to the To that end, West Star uses its own on-site a second floor that for now is empty, but “Because it’s already in place, it’s a less employees on the floor. “West Star designers and is adding structural and elec- could provide space for immediate needs costly way to go. Going up is easier than has a huge commitment each year trical engineers. The location already has that might pop up. “With the needs of our going out, sometimes,” he said. to training,” he said, not only for numerous authorizations, including from the business, oftentimes we need to expand The company further sees land develop- new hires but ongoing education FAA, Transport Canada, and EASA, among quickly,” he said, citing work that material- ment opportunities both north and south for its technology to keep up with others. In addition, it holds organization izes for accessories, avionics, interiors, and of its existing hangars that would provide the latest technologies. designation authorization and designated other backshop requirements. West Star the ability to double or even triple the A jewel of the CHA campus is airworthiness representative approvals. already has 25,000 sq ft of back-shop space space they have now. “There are future the 48,000-sq-ft state-of-the-art Goede expects the site’s expansion will in use at the new hangar, but using the sec- plans,” Goede said, adding. “Obviously, it’s paint hangar. Based on the paint continue. The new hangar was built with ond floor could double that space. performance-based.” n hangar opened in 2015 at Grand Junction, the CHA facility is built with a downdraft system that pulls air directly down and pre- vents overspray and controls the direction of paint. The facility also uses a cross draft and more envi- ronmentally friendly chilled water. Wisdom. While these are not new technol- ogies, the combination of these Intelligently delivered. features “all play into the end product,” improving efficiency and workmanship, Goede said. Throughout the facilities are Every deal, every client, is unique. LED lights, which not only are With over 45 years of experience, more environmentally friendly but will reduce costs. we understand what it takes to West Star continues to fill out its interior shops with new achieve success, and we possess finish booths, eight new sewing operations, and a sanding down- the wisdom and tools to get it done draft either recently installed or coming shortly. “We’re investing right. It’s not just about knowing, pretty heavily into our interior build out. That’s an expansion it’s about knowing how. that’s currently going on and is going to complement the business very nicely,” he said. The company is seeing a steady flow of paint work from major operators—with a backlog that extends for several months— along with completions and refurbs. Like everyone else, West Star CHA is getting substantial inquiries for ADS-B upgrades. And while the shop prefers to bundle BROKERAGE & ACQUISITIONS work, it also keeps space dedi- cated for just the ADS-B upgrade. +1 303 444 6766 • JETSALES.COM “The backlog is an issue,” Goede said, “but we’re not turning any- thing away.” Another strong area is Wi-Fi upgrades “Everybody wants it and it’s kind of an expectation,” he said. West Star has been investing in sheet-metal technicians, a spe- cialized expertise that is required for such installations. “It’s a very fine art,” he said, adding that such experts are not easy to find. “In order to [limit] downtime, we’re doing multiple shifts with sheet metal,” he said. Goede believes the opening of the newest facilities came at the right time, just as major mile- stone inspections are kicking in for Bombardier Globals and Embraer Phenoms. “We defi- nitely want to have the capacity and the capability to be the one- stop shop and complete every- thing on site.”

ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 43 At Macon, Stevens

adjusts to In late March Stevens Aerospace new identity and Defense Systems— by Mark Phelps formerly Stevens Stevens Aerospace and Defense Sys- Aviation— tems—the freshly rebranded name for welcomed Stevens Aviation—recently welcomed the public to the public to its newest facility at Middle tour its new Georgia Regional Airport in Macon. Ste- facility at vens is moving its large-cabin business Middle Georgia jet operation from the company head- Regional quarters facility in Greenville, North Airport.

Carolina, to Macon. Bombardier previ- PHELPS MARK ously occupied the 48,000-sq-ft hangar. Late last year, Stevens signed a three- brokers who intend to sell them, are might require his personal attention. Central Georgia Technical College could year agreement with the Bibb County in for ADS-B avionics upgrades, Gogo As McGrail sat, representatives from Bibb help supply trained workers. Commission, which operates the city- connectivity suites, and interior refur- County stopped by to chat about the suc- Stevens director of sales and market- owned airport, and holds two five-year bishment. “We hope to be able to add a cessful integration of Stevens in the county. ing Phil Stearns discussed the recent extension options. paint shop here in Macon,” said McGrail, With his friends and neighbors, he discussed rebranding. “We’re still getting the new Stevens chief financial officer Neal a Macon resident who currently spends local infrastructure issues, such as a historic business cards and company shirts,” he McGrail told AIN at the grand opening Mondays through Fridays at Stevens’s water-treatment plant. “If there’s one thing said. Stearns explained that the new name celebration he’s very pleased with the headquarters in Greenville, about a we have in Bibb County, it’s plenty of water,” brings into focus the military and indus- rapid ramp-up in Gulfstream business. three-and-a-half-hour drive from Macon. he said. Abundant water supply is important trial capability that has existed for sev- “We’re already generating revenue,” he Some of his colleagues joked that they for modern paint shop facilities. The new eral years. “There are always a lot of olive said, nodding to a pair of G450s on the were watching to see if he would begin facility is expected to eventually create 150 drab and gray aircraft on our ramp up in hangar floor. The two jets, owned by to spot “critical issues” in Macon that jobs for the region’s workforce. The nearby continues on page 46

NasJet looks to change, rosier Saudi future the Saudi Vision 2030, as well, are a big ini- “Restrictions on foreign investors have tiative of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.” been removed. If you look at Vision 2030, Saudi bizjet management and charter oper- companies, to enhance levels of service.” The Red Sea project is off the coast at they are opening up for foreign companies ator NasJet sees a bright future for manage- Hafiz toldAIN that NasJet had recently Jeddah and Yanbu. “They’re building small to come in and invest. There are govern- ment in the kingdom, as the old ownership sold one of its aircraft, in addition to earlier islands. There’s going to be a requirement ment websites like SAGIA [the Saudi Ara- model falls out of favor, COO Yosef Hafiz sales last year, bringing fleet size down to 18. for aircraft flying in and out of that area, bian General Investment Authority], and so told attendees at the Corporate Jet Investor “We’ve sold a [number] of our Hawkers, but just like the Maldives, probably seaplanes, on, that can assist with companies setting Dubai meeting on April 1. that’s proven to be very beneficial,” he said. maybe smaller aircraft. Neom City [is] up their own entity. They do not require a Hafiz began by saying that, in his opin- “Even though we may have reduced fleet size, another big megaproject that’s being built Saudi partner anymore. So that’s changed, ion, Saudi Arabia was the topic of the day. we’re actually making money now. We’re in the northwest corner of Saudi Arabia. The as well. They’re trying to give a boost to “What are we doing in Saudi Arabia?” he making a profit, which is where companies largest entertainment park in the world will outside investors to come into Saudi Arabia, asked. “What’s happening? What’s going need to go to sustain themselves.” be south of Riyadh.” invest, and open up.” on? I tried to Google it yesterday when I Although NasJet operated a single Cita- He said megaprojects would push the avi- Outside companies and consultants, was preparing this presentation. I couldn’t tion Excel, the focus was on larger aircraft, ation industry to provide more lift and more including a helicopter operator in Abu Dhabi, find anything. So I know that people are such as Gulfstreams, Legacys, and Globals, aircraft. “We see [many] ministers and govern- are spurring a drive toward helicopter mar- hungry for information [on] what’s happen- he said. ment officials wanting private business jets, ket development. “Today, you’ll see primarily ing in Saudi Arabia.” NasJet saw good margins in aircraft man- and using aircraft which maybe they haven’t government helicopters either run by Aramco Saudi aviation regulator the General agement, he said. “That’s our core business. used before. It’s [a] very interesting…dynamic.” or the Saudi Red Crescent,” he said. “But Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) recently We do supplement that with charter. Many of Under new regulations, he said, GACA there are no helicopters offered for private introduced new rules for registering pri- the aircraft we operate are on a commercial had also taken a strong stance against non- transport today. We’re going to see a big vate aircraft, he said. “[We are] operating airline operator certificate. So there’s a high compliant owners and operators. “There’s a change over the next five years, with [200] under two different sets of regulations for demand, especially from the government big push back from some of the aircraft own- helicopters coming into the region.” private business jets. It’s going to be either sector, for charter flights. That helps our ers, but eventually they’re all going to have He stressed the primacy of aircraft man- a GACA Part 125 operator’s certificate for aircraft owners offset some of their costs.” to comply. There’re only two choices: either agement in Saudi Arabia’s future. “I think private business jets, or a Part 121, for com- a private configuration 125; or 121 Special it’s not about ownership. We’ve learned mercial operations.” Projects Boost Market Unscheduled. And those are the only two that over the past 20 years. We started out There are six commercial AOC holders in Increased government spending had led choices that owners have.” as NetJets in the Middle East. We used to the kingdom, he said. “[A]ircraft management to many positive outcomes. “We see a lot Gray market charter has been almost do fractional ownership. We used to do ad competition has risen and [this is] going to of initiatives from the Saudi government eliminated. “It’s almost nil,” he said. “Cab- hoc charter. We used to own the assets. continue…Competition has [also] led aircraft [aimed at] improving services and… Saudi otage has been eliminated completely. I’m That doesn’t work. We’ve learned over the owners to seek operators who can provide Arabia overall. Megaprojects have led them sorry for the UAE operators who used to past few years, and the changes that we’ve them a better level of service. So that’s to utilize private business jets on a much be able to come into Saudi Arabia and fly made have really shown positive results for helped us internally, at NasJet, and other higher scale. The future megaprojects and Riyadh-Jeddah. That no longer exists. us as a company.” P.S-S.

44 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com siae.fr ,half of 2019, we’ll be back on track; 2020 Sky Prime Fleet Sky Prime looks to operate will see industry growth.” Originally both parts of the same com- OEM Type No. pany, Sky Prime and Alpha Star went fleet of 35 aircraft by 2020 their separate ways in 2018. Today, each Airbus 340-600 1 company handles different aspects of the Airbus 340-200 1 by Shaw-Smith charter business in Saudi Arabia. “[Sovereign wealth fund] The Public Airbus A330 1 Saudi commercial charter operator Sky “I think the show is a very good start for Investment Fund was elected to segregate Prime Aviation Services has set itself a the aviation industry in Saudi Arabia. I’m the companies,” he said. “[Alpha Star] will Airbus A320 1 goal of almost doubling fleet size to 35 air- anticipating the creation of a new Saudi be serving the government sector, while 1 craft by the end of 2020, as the business Arabia, especially with young people Sky Prime will be focusing on the com- aviation climate in the kingdom contin- joining the industry now or entering the mercial side, on supporting the aviation Gulfstream G450 4 ues to improve. market. This is a very attractive market industry. So basically, this is the focus “Maybe we could reach in 2020 hope- for manufacturing and that type of thing.” behind the new organization, and I think it Gulfstream G400 1 fully no less than 30 to 35 aircraft, between He implied that Saudi Arabia is about will be serving both companies’ interests Gulfstream GV 1 owning and managing,” Capt. Mamdooh to turn a corner, after political develop- better than to be joined together, because Mokhtar, CEO and vice president of flight ments in the Kingdom over the last 18 otherwise they would face a number of Gulfstream G550 1 operations, told AIN in an interview at months led to a marked decrease in the conflicts of business interests.” the Saudi Airshow at Al Thumamah Air- number of aircraft in operation. Asked to characterize the type of mis- Embraer Legacy 500 1 port in Riyadh March 14. “At the moment, we are recovering sions Sky Prime’s aircraft undertook and Embraer Phenom 300 3 “As you know, the region has a large num- strongly. Things have started moving for- the kind of clientele that used its services, ber of aircraft owned by either small oper- ward. The government is supporting us he singled out high-net-worth individuals Total 16 ators or people with their own aircraft,” he in all aspects of the business. So business and government officials. SOURCE: SKY PRIME said. “We are targeting them, because we is back again. On spending in the second “We have individuals from the higher have a very good infrastructure plan for income segment, up to government are working very hard to partner with the services, such as fuel arrangements, ground level—authorities, princes, or commis- FBOs to forecast the market and improve handling, and all those requirements that sions,” he said. In Saudi Arabia, author- it in the near future.” are going to reduce the costs on aircraft ities and commissions are government Sky Prime is one of only six aviation owners or small operators by introducing Capt. Mamdooh entities overseeing specific sections of companies in Saudi Arabia with a Part 121 economies of scale. We are targeting these Mokhtar, Sky the economy. Special Unscheduled air operator’s certifi- segments of the aviation industry in Saudi Prime CEO and “Basically we are focusing on that side, cate (AOC). The others are Saudia Private Arabia, and also in the region.” vice president and we are trying to attract more people Aviation (SPA), Aviation Horizons, NasJet, He indicated that the focus of the com- of flight from those segments. That’s why the air- PrivatAir Saudi Arabia, and Haya Aviation pany in the next two years would be bring- operations show has helped us to get more of a refo- Services. ing managed aircraft into the fleet as well cusing for the company, service levels and As to the competitive landscape in as buying new aircraft for ownership. the procedures by which we are serving Saudi business aviation, while the cur- “This is one of the things that we are our clients.” rent state of the market meant no new focusing on. Sky Prime is undertaking a Maybe we could Mokhtar is pleased with the devel- operators were required, he said that very deep restructuring plan on the term reach in 2020 opment of the FBO service sector in fresh market entrants could be needed [lifespan] of our aircraft. We are trying to the kingdom, largely the result of Pri- next year. “In 2019-20, I think that what modernize the fleet. So basically we are hopefully no less than vatAir Saudi Arabia’s (PASA) mandate we have now is good enough to serve going through several discussions around 30 to 35 aircraft, to develop private terminals at airports the industry. Based on the forecasts, in the world with the aircraft manufacturers in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. “It’s a 2020, the industry may need restructur- on how to renew the fleet, if needed, with between owning and good effort,” he said. “We have a good ing, if there’s a [requirement] for addi- new aircraft. So hopefully 2019 or 2020, managing.” restructuring plan on the FBOs and we tional aircraft.” n we’ll have plans we can reveal.” Today, Sky Prime operates a fleet of 20 aircraft, of which 16 are owned (see box) and four are managed. continued from page 44 Screen said Stevens’s target market work once they get to know the company. Mokhtar declined to comment on for Gulfstream operators starts once the Stevens also anticipates a lot of which aircraft manufacturers the com- Rebranded Stevens factory warranty expires. He believes the FANS 1/A compliance work; initially for pany is in communication with today location, reasonably close to Savannah, operators who plan to fly internationally. regarding new aircraft orders. shows Macon facility is an advantage, as potential customers Terry Hawkins started out sweeping would have been acclimated to traveling floors for Stevens in Greenville fresh out Saudi Arabia a Regional Bright Spot Greenville,” he said, “but now, when peo- to the area. Shifting to Macon from Savan- of high school in the 1970s and worked Asked to comment on the general state of ple not familiar with us see the company nah should not be too big of a leap, he said. his way up through most of the jobs there. business and general aviation in the King- name, they can tell right away that we’re He added he’s satisfied he’s built a good He is now a regional sales manager based dom today, and what the next 12 months more than a business aviation company.” team of experienced Gulfstream techni- in Greenville. “I thought back then it was could bring, he hinted that Saudi Arabia cians who can provide the most efficient going to be a summer job before going would take a preeminent position in the Steady Demand service for operators of legacy models. off to college,” he toldAIN , “but I never aviation affairs of the six-member Gulf Stearns described Rick Screen, who was “This is a great market. You can pick one left.” He said Stevens’s family atmo- Cooperation Council, which also includes brought in to serve as the operations of these up for $3- to $5 million, and it’s a sphere and “being proud of the quality of the UAE. manager in Macon, as a Gulfstream “guru.” very capable international airplane.” what we do” keeps him motivated. “I can “At the Saudi Airshow, we do find that Screen told AIN he’d worked at Gulfst- One reason for the quick ramp-up in tell customers what goes on on the shop the government and the organizers of ream for many years, and has great respect activity is the coming ADS-B equipage floor because I’ve been there,” he said. the show have put Saudi Arabia in the for the factory service center in Savannah, mandate, and regional sales manager With its 6,500-foot main runway lead now,” he said. “We did not think Georgia, about two-and-a-half hours’ drive Jeff Hannie said he had just signed a deal (5,000-ft second runway), KMCN that the show would attract so many to the east. “But for older Gulfstreams, we to bring in a third G450, starting with recently added an Embraer maintenance businesses and people to Saudi Arabia. can provide more flexible options. The an avionics upgrade, but also involving facility, for now, dedicated to regional jets. But on the first two days, it was marvel- factory wants to do everything to facto- other work. The crowded ADS-B land- As Stevens settles in, perhaps adding a ous, with the number of people attending ry-new standards, and sometimes that’s scape is seen as a good kickstart to getting paint shop in the near future, the airport very high. Several companies contacted not the most practical solution. I mean, new customers familiar with Stevens in is making a name for itself as an attractive me at the airshow. changing a tire is…changing a tire.” Macon, and potentially leading to further MRO location. n

46 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com AIRCRAFTEXCHANGE.COM

THIS IS GROUNDBREAKING. EVEN AT 30,000 FEET.

Trust the only aircraft dealers and brokers in the world to have earned independent accreditation andcertification.They’reexclusivelymembersofIADA,theInternationalAircraftDealersAssociation. LearnmoreandfindtheaircrafttheyrepresentatAircraftExchange.com what the aircraft does. And the author- ity said in his years of doing this, this was the most exciting qualification he’s ever been involved in.” Viking’s Bergeron said he, too, had a chance to fly the sim- ulator in a variety of mission scenarios. “It’s a remarkable piece of engineering,” Bergeron said. Simulator qualification by ENAC was completed in late December, Allen said, and it is in its first quarter of service. The simulator also has been qualified by EASA, he said, with FAA qualification expected later. Its entry into service came a couple of months before Viking announced an avionics upgrade program for the CL-415, on March 18. “The type of upgrade it is would be hard to make the existing sim- ulator convertible between the two,” he TRU Simulation said. “Certainly the aircraft as deployed + Training’s first with the existing avionics suite, you need CL-415 water to train on that as well, so the discussion bomber simulator about how they’re going to train on those resides at Ansett aircraft when they’re delivered, I think, is Aviation Training something that’s coming downstream.” in Milan, Italy. Allen explained that operators have been adding more avionics to their existing fleets of CL-415s, such as auto- pilot and flight management systems. “We’ve enhanced that water model and “This is starting to be added more and TRU delivers first CL-415 it was part of the CL-415 [program], which more as standard, so we are talking with had the additional complexity—or require- Ansett this year about adding autopilot ment—of being able to scoop water,” Allen and FMS to [the simulator], which, in water bomber sim to Ansett said. “So you’re interacting with flying fact, allows it to fly into some airports over the water, but you actually have your where there are more restrictions on by Jerry Siebenmark scoops down and you’re picking it up. So navigation capabilities.” those two programs are related.” And because the second-largest fleet of Two years after establishing a business training point of view, you can do things During the simulator’s qualification CL-415s resides in North America, TRU case for developing and manufacturing a in a simulator that you can’t actually do process by regulators, they simulated isn’t completely discounting the possibil- full- for the CL-415 water in the aircraft,” Allen said. “On this par- landing in a lake, scooping water, and ity of manufacturing a second simulator. bomber, TRU Simulation + Training has ticular aircraft, where you’re [simulating] flying in the mountains at low altitude, “We would be happy to deliver another delivered the level-D-qualified simula- scooping water, you’re flying at low alti- he said. “They’re flying through the fire one,” Allen said. “The question is whether tor to Ansett Aviation Training’s facil- tudes through mountains, through fires and—you can imagine, actually, the tur- there’s a business case to have one ity in Milan, Italy. “What’s really quite which are heavy in smoke [and] turbu- bulence, the updrafts that come from all deployed in North America.” He noted extraordinary is the training on these lence, and then you have a failed engine. this heat. From a visual point of view, the that while he was at Ansett in Italy, the aircraft [to date] is completely done It adds a level of complexity to the pilot, smoke is such that you can barely see company was booking simulator hours in the aircraft,” TRU v-p of technology but in fact [improves] safety [compared anything. I mean, it’s really modeling with a North American customer. n and innovation Thomas Allen told AIN. with] trying to reproduce these situations “From a safety point of view, this is obvi- in the real aircraft.” ously causing some concern, and also To reproduce those operations, TRU from a quality of training point of view. rented a CL-415, loaded it with test So we saw a business case for producing equipment to collect data for the simu- FAA sets policy for operating without ADS-B a simulator for an aircraft there’s not a lator’s varied missions, and flew a range large volume of.” of scenarios. “The type of data-gather- The FAA issued a policy statement estab- controllers performing their duties in order Viking Aircraft of Vancouver, British ing was a bit different than the normal lishing the requirement for operators to to prioritize and manage authorizations Columbia, holds the type certificates for aircraft, because we actually did a num- obtain ATC authorizations to fly aircraft that for operators of non-equipped aircraft. the CL-415 and its variants, including ber of tests on the water, different sea are not equipped for ADS–B Out through “As plans to divest radar begin to take the CL-215 and CL-215T. It received the states and weather conditions to collect ADS–B-mandated airspace beginning in effect, the authorization policy will nec- certificates as part of acquiring Bombar- the data we use in the validation pro- January 2020. However, the policy makes essarily evolve as accommodation of non- dier’s amphibious aircraft program in cess,” Allen said. it clear that obtaining authorizations is not equipped aircraft in ADS–B Out airspace 2016. Christian Bergeron, head of Viking’s guaranteed and could be difficult. becomes more complicated.” Additionally, aerial firefighting program, told Water Operations Experience Under the policy, the operator must the FAA anticipates that the need to obtain AIN there are 162 CL-415s and variants Simulating water operations is some- make the request to ATC for an authorized authorizations “will quickly diminish over in active service, with more than 90 in thing with which TRU has familiarity. It deviation at least one hour before the pro- time as universal equipage grows.” Europe and nearly 70 in North America. also manufactured a level-D Twin Otter posed flight in ADS-B airspace. Requests Consistent with that policy, the FAA also Ansett chose Italy as the simulator’s base, Series 400 full-flight simulator that was are addressed on a “case-by- case basis” notes that it “will be difficult” for unsched- because the largest part of the fleet is in delivered in 2018 to Pacific Sky Aviation, and ATC might not be able to grant autho- uled operators conducting flights at capac- Europe, Allen said. a sister company of Viking Aircraft. The rizations for a variety of reasons, including ity constrained airports (the major facilities The simulator, which TRU designed Twin Otter project gave TRU develop- workload, runway configurations, air traf- in class B airspace) to obtain authorizations. and produced at its air transport division ers familiarity with incorporating things fic flows, and weather conditions. “Unscheduled operators with a need to in Montreal, Canada, was designed to sim- pilots look for when landing on or taking What’s more, the FAA said it does not access this airspace on more than an occa- ulate conditions identical to those under off from water, such as the direction of intend to divert ATC facility resources from sional basis should equip with ADS–B Out which the CL-415 operates, including fire- waves, wind streaks, or the direction a other critical functions that directly support to ensure no disruption to operations.” G.G. fighting operations. “From a quality of boat is moored in the water.

48 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com SA2020_Exhibitor01_AIN - Business Jet Traveller_229x273mm.pdf 1 15/2/2019 5:12:09 PM

 Gulfstream G650ER G650ER sets record for longest business jet flight

Gulfstream notched a new city-pair speed record for the farthest business record for its flagship ultra-long-range jet flight in history, the company G650ER, and in the process established a new announced April 8. The records are pending approval by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association. On March 29, the ultra-long- range G650ER flew from Singapore to Tucson, Arizona, in 15 hours and 23 minutes, with fuel in excess We’re pleased to announce of NBAA IFR reserves, eclipsing the previous record set earlier last month by a Bombardier Global a new annual publication. 7500 by 44 minutes. The Gulfstream twinjet departed Changi Airport at 4:53 a.m. local time on March 29, and arrived in Tucson at 5:16 p.m. local es...skilled technic time, covering the 8,379 nm at an hang ians y c ...a average groundspeed of 626 statute log nn no ua miles per hour. This also bested the ch l t e ra t in 8,152-nm distance flown last month id i p n a g r . during that same Global flight. .. .. c . o g m “Worldwide, you can’t go farther in p l faster, and this record proves it,” n i i a a n r c said Gulfstream president Mark t . e . . . .

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r . . s y e t i c r u Jet Aviation invests in staffing tech

Jet Aviation is investing in a SOLUTIONS startup technology company to advance its development of a platform connecting freelance and contract aircrews for work IN BUSINESS AVIATION with operators. The investment and collaboration agreement with hullo Aircrew serves to improve upon Jet Aviation’s own flight-crew staffing platform, the In this annual resource guide, industry-leading businesses will explain the innovations business aviation services com- they’ve introduced and the services they can provide to you throughout the year. pany announced last month. “The hullo Aircrew plat- Solutions in Business Aviation will arrive in the mail alongside the form available today for crew and operators to effortlessly August issue of Aviation International News and will be available at AINonline.com. book trips will continue to be enhanced over the coming months under this new agree- ment,” said Elaine Lapotosky, senior director of Jet Staffing, an arm of Jet Aviation. “Addi- tionally, we will further develop If you are interested in advertising, please reach out to your sales rep or the platform for our Jet Aviation customers that we expect to be contact Nancy O’Brien at [email protected]. launching to the market in the fourth quarter this year.” J.S.

50 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com ATTEND THE 2019 NBAA WHITE PLAINS REGIONAL FORUM

Thursday, June 6, 2019 Westchester County Airport (HPN)

LEARN MORE www.nbaa.org/2019hpn AVIONICS & technology BendixKing GE Aviation executives outline future of unveils AeroVue digital applications for business aviation Touch flight deck by Kim Rosenlof BendixKing unveiled its new AeroVue Touch integrated flight deck for Part A small but productive force of nearly facial recognition, aircraft component 23 airplanes last month at 2019 Aero 600 software engineers, data scientists, predictive systems must detect failures Friedrichshafen 2019. The system and customer representatives compris- in critical items that perhaps have not starts at $99,000 and is primarily ing GE Aviation’s Digital Solutions team failed before, or the failure may not look aimed at aircraft weighing more than continues to introduce and refine digi- the same each time. 6,000 pounds, the Honeywell subsid- tal data solutions for aircraft operators. Jon Dunsdon, “It’s a very domain-specific approach to iary said, though it can be used for With products geared directly toward GE Aviation analytics,” said Dunsdon. “The accuracy lighter aircraft if desired. It is available four groups of customers—commercial digital chief that you need in our predictive systems for both forward-fit and retrofit appli- airlines, military, business and general technology is much higher than simply identify- cations, and the first installation is aviation, and lessors—the GE Aviation officer ing whether something is a dog or a cat, expected to be completed by year-end. Digital team uses aggregate data from and you must determine whether your Because AeroVue Touch’s three thousands of engines and aircraft to analytics are actually confident in the high-resolution touchscreen displays provide asset lifecycle and performance C-FOQA is a question they’re being asked. Sometimes incorporate all required hardware, the management, flight-risk management, fantastic we’ve never seen a failure like that before, panel-mounted flight deck eliminates and other data-driven services directly so we cannot be sure, but we can say, multiple, separate computing mod- to operators. example where we not ‘Look, we think something is wrong.’” ules. This reduces the weight of the For the business and general aviation only provide the tool While applying AI/ML to predicting system by 30 percent to 50 percent, segment, GE Aviation Digital applica- but also have our component failures is a technologically according to BendixKing. Each can be tions such as Corporate Flight Operation daunting challenge, the GE Aviation Dig- used independently to fly the aircraft, Quality Assurance (C-FOQA) Centerline experts look at the ital team can build on the expertise and increasing reliability and safety by pro- and Prognostic Health Management Plus data and advise you technology developed by GE’s Digital viding triple redundancy, it said. provide a way for small operators to reap division, which has its own set of asset predictive data benefits similar to airlines on your own asset.” performance management services for through aggregate data collected and ana- industrial applications. lyzed by GE. with the aircraft to interrogate what “One of the benefits of GE being a global “If you are a major carrier with 800 air- was going on, and that flight continued is that we get to share tech- craft, you have a big data set within your because of the crew’s confidence in what nology between the business units,” said

own airline,” Jon Dunsdon, GE Aviation we could detect.” John Mansfield, GE Aviation chief digital BENDIXKING Digital chief technology officer, toldAIN . officer. “Healthcare has actually been “Whereas if you operate a single business Currect Tech Enhancements leading the push on AI image process- jet, the fact that data is being shared Dunsdon listed three areas of digital ing. They do it from CT scans, MRIs, etc., BendixKing unveiled its new AeroVue across the industry allows you to be more technology that are beginning to make a determining how to detect tumors more Touch integrated flight deck for Part aware of what might be happening to your significant impact on aircraft operations: quickly by looking at images. A lot of that 23 airplanes on April 10 at Europe’s aircraft, how your aircraft is different on-aircraft processing of data using edge technology is making its way into the Aero Friedrichshafen 2019 show. The than all of the others.” computing, connectivity solutions includ- material science world.” system is aimed at aircraft greater C-FOQA can be traced back to 2004 ing bringing broadband to the cockpit, than 6,000 pounds mtow. when Flight Safety Foundation and NBAA and application of artificial intelligence/ committees worked with a handful of machine learning (AI/ML) processes to “We’re taking a very different tech- operators to collect and process flight flight and component data analytics. nical approach with the AeroVue data that corporate flight departments “The ability to run processing at the Touch,” said BendixKing president could use to analyze their operations. edge on the aircraft, update your ana- Gregg Cohen. “Using smart displays Handed over to Austin Digital before GE lytics and not have to go through a long, as the basis of our system architecture Aviation’s acquisition of the company in complex, recertification process to make John enables us to create the best possible 2012, the C-FOQA Centerline database those changes is a huge differentiator,” Mansfield, GE advanced solution while reducing encompassed approximately 60 aircraft said Dunsdon. “Then there’s connectiv- Aviation chief complexity, weight, and cost.” in 2012, but now includes data from more ity: the ability to get data on and off the digital officer The flight deck also provides a con- than 500 aircraft and 800,000 flight hours, aircraft. We’re looking at ways to manage nected cockpit that enables live flight- thanks in some part to GE Aviation’s part- satellite communications, multiple satel- As CDO, Mansfield says that his job is data streaming to the ground in real nership with Gulfstream. lite links, ACARS messaging, Wi-Fi, and to look ahead five to eight years to pre- time for enhanced search and rescue “The work we’ve done with Gulfstream, how to put broadband over those links. dict where technology is going and how and flight analysis. AeroVue Touch’s being part of their solution, aggregating You need a very flexible solution to con- to coordinate research activities to “get navigation charts can also be updated that data across the Gulfstream fleet, nectivity because companies keep launch- ahead of the curve.” wirelessly, BendixKing said. allows Gulfstream to provide much bet- ing more types of satellites and you need “We’re even thinking about things like In addition, the system can be cus- ter service for their customers,” Dunsdon to keep up, which comes back to edge taking information off of a pilot’s smart tomized to create a unique interface said. “C-FOQA is a fantastic example computing becoming really important; watch and correlating that with the actual that shows information applicable to where we not only provide the tool but because you’ve got to be able to change flight path,” said Mansfield. “I used to be different platforms, including electric also have our experts look at the data and software much faster.” a pilot and it was ‘three hours of bore- aircraft and future vehicles for urban advise you on your own asset.” There has been some movement toward dom and 10 minutes of terror.’ You just air mobility, the company added. C.T. Customer involvement and communi- applying AI and ML for asset performance didn’t know when the 10 minutes was cation with GE Aviation representatives management and failure prediction, going to happen. That was the problem. are key to getting the most out of the especially in the MRO arena. Dunsdon So you start marrying that structured and service, according to the company. “We said the challenge in applying AI/ML in unstructured data together. You can get recently had a Gulfstream aircrew in flight this arena is that while most technology some great insights that you just couldn’t YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS radio back with an issue,” said Dunsdon, companies are building their AI systems get before. It was all gut instinct before. www.ainonline.com “We established two-way communication to recognize images or implement video Now we’re going to base it on data.” n

Aviation International News May 2019 ainonline.com 52 \ \ ENEWSLETTER FOR BUSINESS AVIATION www.ainonline.com/alerts

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FOR NEWS VIDEO FROM HELIEXPO

FOR NEWS VIDEO FROM EBACE offer service beginning in June over areas Garmin G700 TNi where 80 percent of business jet flights (by flight hours) take place, followed by continental U.S. coverage by the end of the year. StandardAero will complete SmartSky installations at its Augusta, Georgia, Springfield, Illinois, and Houston locations. The company is developing additional SmartSky STCs for the Embraer 450/500, Falcon 50EX, 7X, and 8X. “The demand for a more compelling user experience is driving our customers to new [airborne connectivity] networks and services like those SmartSky has demonstrated to the marketplace,” said StandardAero certifica- tion services director John Miedwig. SmartSky will be offering two versions of its air-to-ground service: SmartSky Lite for smaller aircraft and 4G LTE for larger aircraft. The 4G LTE service will launch first with subscription plans ranging from 15 GB/month for $3,800 to 100 GB/month for $4,500. The Lite service will start at $75/hour. These are introductory prices. The 4G LTE system requires two anten- nas, a high-performance blade weighing 13.5 pounds and 30 inches long and a full-duplex quad antenna weighing 6.5 pounds and 15 inches long. The Lite ser- Aircraft Electronics Association event vice requires just the full-duplex antenna. In addition to a cabin router, the onboard equipment includes a base radio, which celebrates advancements in avionics weighs 12.1 pounds. SmartSky network speeds allow multiple users at the same by Matt Thurber time and video streaming. SmartSky’s total funding is nearly $350 The 62nd annual Aircraft Electronics True Blue Power. The 2019 AEA Associate million, following closing in February of a Association International Convention Member of the Year is Applied Avionics. funding round of $104 million, “including & Trade Show welcomed nearly 2,000 At the new product introductions held $75 million in debt commitments from attendees from avionics manufactur- after the opening session, 28 companies funds managed by the Global Credit team ers, repair stations, installers, and other highlighted new avionics, electronic compo- at BlackRock and equity investments by general aviation companies to the Palm nents, and test equipment. Attendees were private equity firms Tiger Infrastructure, Springs Convention Center in California able to participate in 70 technical training WP Global, Platform Partners, and Mer- in late March. and professional development courses. Mike Adamson, itage Investors,” according to SmartSky. At this year’s convention, long-time incoming chief AEA president and CEO Paula Derks JetTech STCs Garmin TXi of AEA Garmin Certifies G3X Touch in handed over the reins to incoming leader Displays in Citations GA Piston Singles Mike Adamson. “As I walk off the stage JetTech has received FAA approval of its include fully coupled WAAS/LPV instru- The long-awaited move to bring Garmin’s for the last time after 40 years [at AEA],” supplemental (STC) for ment approaches and VNAV guidance to G3X Touch integrated flight displays to Derks said at the opening session, “I Garmin touchscreen G600 and G700 TXi help with flying complex RNAV arrival certified aircraft has finally come to pass, consider myself such a woman. [I displays in the Cessna Citation 500, 501, procedures, according to JetTech. The with Garmin announcing at AEA that G3X know] I’m leaving the AEA in the most 550, 551, S550, and 560 business jets. The TXi displays come with synthetic vision, Touch is certified in nearly 500 aircraft capable hands of Mike Adamson.” G700 TXi can be installed in the model HSI mapping overlays, and customizable and would be available in early April. List Adamson praised Derks for her leader- 500, 550, S550, and 560 equipped with crew profiles. TAWS-B is optional. prices with the display, installation kit, ship as president and CEO for the past 23 the Sperry SPZ 500 autopilot, while the JetTech has installed the TXi displays GPS antenna, AHRS sensor, and magne- years, helping grow AEA to nearly 1,300 G600 TXi is STC’d for the model 501 and in its Citation II and demonstrated the tometer start at $7,995 for a single 7-inch members in 40 countries. 551 equipped with the SPZ 500. The TXi setup at last October’s NBAA convention. display and $9,995 for a 10.6-inch display. AEA announced the winner of the 2019 displays measure 10.6 inches. Included in those prices are Garmin’s AEA Member of the Year Award, Todd Customers can opt for either a single- StandardAero Gains 1st Connext wireless connectivity and syn- Winter, president and CEO of Mid-Conti- or dual-display installation, paired with Embraer SmartSky STC thetic vision. nent Instruments and Avionics and CEO of Garmin’s GTN 650/750 GPS touchscreen The FAA awarded a supplemental type The G3X can operate as a standalone navigators. certificate to StandardAero for SmartSky VFR navigator; for IFR, it can be paired “It's a natural upgrade path, which allows air-to-ground connectivity equipment in with Garmin navigators and navcoms existing customers to include flight man- the Embraer ERJ135/140/145 and Legacy such as the new GPS 175/GNX 375, Todd Winter, agement system functionality through an 600/650. The STC will support SmartSky GTN 650/750, GNS 430W/530W, GNS president intuitive touchscreen interface,” said customer JetSuiteX and its ERJs, and it 480, SL 30/40, and GNC 255. The Con- and CEO of Irwin, founder and member/manager of comes as SmartSky’s 4G LTE airborne next capability allows wireless flight plan Mid-Continent JetTech. “The result will be faster planning, connectivity network nears service entry transfer and sharing traffic, weather, and Instruments chart rendering, single-finger zoom control, in June. backup attitude information with a com- and Avionics and plenty of options for PFD, MFD, and “We’re cranking,” said Nancy Walker, patible mobile device. and CEO of True EIS [engine-indicating system] functions.” SmartSky Networks chief commercial G3X Touch can display VFR sec- Blue Power Other benefits of the TXi installation officer. The U.S. network is expected to tional, IFR enroute, and geo-referenced

ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 53 instrument approach charts. When con- manufacturers that will build products space. The certified units are approved as nected to the GEA 24, engine information branded and supported by BendixKing. primary instruments, so they can replace for engines up to six cylinders can be dis- The newest products are engine monitors the aircraft’s original engine instrumenta- played on G3X Touch, including “engine made by JPI Instruments and autopilots tion. The xPoint 100 retails for $795, while gauges, color bands, alerts, fuel, and other manufactured by TruTrak Flight Systems. the AeroPoint 200 costs $4,278 and the vital information,” according to Garmin. BendixKing also announced a new partner- 300 is just over $5,000. Buyers can opt for the GMA 345/342 ship with Avidyne, to rebrand Avidyne nav- BendixKing’s new partnership with audio panels, which add auto squelch, igators under the BendixKing brand name Avidyne was on display at the BendixKing 3D Audio, and Bluetooth connectivity. and provide sales and product support for AEA exhibit, with the Avidyne IFD440, The G3X Touch can control two comm those units. 540, and 550 rebranded as the AeroNav T-RX radio and pulse tester radios such as the GNC 255 navcom, “This is going to be an eventful year for 800, 900, and 910. “We’re doing similar GTR com, and GTN 650/750 navigators. BendixKing,” said Stephane Fymat, vice things that we’re doing with TruTrak, to then automatically populates specific Garmin’s GTS 800 active traffic system president of marketing and product man- help bring their product to more mar- fields in the work order. is also an option. agement for BendixKing. kets,” said Roger Dykmann, vice president “The goal is to modernize avionics radio For aircraft owners who have already of sales, Americas, for BendixKing. “It’s testing, reporting, and purchasing,” said installed a Garmin G5 electronic flight a great navigator, and we’ve integrated Chris Bartlett president of CCX Tech- instrument, this can now be a backup them very tightly with our display sys- nologies. “Our T-RX tablets are available instrument for the G3X display. The G500 tems, and it works very well with our online and built with the latest technolo- autopilot can be installed with a G3X autopilot. I think we can work together gies. They are designed with the next gen- Touch display providing attitude infor- with our friend [Avidyne president and eration of technicians in mind, those used mation, so the G5 is not needed for the CEO] Dan Schwinn and make that prod- to simple, powerful mobile interfaces.” n autopilot (although it might be handy as uct even more popular than it is today.” a backup instrument). In a G500 installa- The BendixKing avionics ecosystem tion with a G3X and G5, if there is a mis- AeroCruze is built around open-architecture design, compare between the two displays, “the which makes it easier for these products GFC 500 autopilot will choose the best “We had over 20 percent growth last to work together. “Why not have an open Demand growing available source and continue to function year,” said BendixKing president Gregg architecture in the aircraft,” asked Fymat, normally,” according to Garmin. Cohen, “and our international growth was “with all the benefits that can provide? The for Aspen Coupled IFR and visual approaches, a little bigger than domestic. We're getting information technology industry proved including fully coupled go-arounds our legs underneath us on products from that hands down. And so why not do a Evolution Max during missed approach sequencing, are our engineering team,” he added, but at similar thing in the aviation world?” available when the G3X Touch is paired the same time BendixKing is expanding Andrew Barker, president of TruTrak, Demand for the upgrades to the new with the GFC 500 autopilot and a GTN its relationships with partner manufac- agreed. “We prefer that open architec- Max configuration of the Aspen Evo- 650/750 or Garmin’s new GPS 175 or GNX turers. The benefit of the partnerships, ture where we will interface with and lution glass displays is strong, accord- 375 navigators. Cohen explained, is that avionics manu- work with anybody that wants to do so. ing to Aspen president and CEO John At the AEA show, Garmin also unveiled facturers can reach a larger international And we love to provide people with addi- Uczekaj. Certification of the Max dis- two new GPS navigators, the GPS 175 market served by BendixKing, which also tional features.” plays is expected in the second quar- and GNX 375 with included WAAS/LPV provides its own global product support ter of 2019, and they will be installable approach capability. Both units measure network to support the products. CCX Unveils Mobile Radio Tester Suite under an approved model list STC for 6.25-inches wide by 2 inches tall, making The TruTrak-manufactured products , Canada-based CCX Technologies more than 600 aircraft types. installation easier where panel space is tight. include two autopilots, the XCruze 100 launched the new mobile-based T-RX Avi- “Our corporate philosophy from the The new navigators feature a color for the experimental aircraft market and onics Radio and Pulse Tester product line time we introduced the Evolution 1000 touchscreen display, and they are already the AeroCruze 100 for certified aircraft. at the AEA Convention today. The three PFD 12 years ago was to offer new certified for more than 700 aircraft Both are available now and include two devices in the T-RX line feature 10-inch functions and safety features our cur- makes/models (Class I/II aircraft weigh- servos, a wiring harness, and the installa- touchscreens, an internal antenna, and an rent customers could adopt affordably,” ing less than 6,000 pounds). tion kit. The experimental XCruze retails accessory kit with a lithium-ion battery, he said, “and provide future owners The two units offer similar capabilities, for $2,600 and the certified AeroCruze for charger, carry case, and shoulder strap. An the peace of mind that their investment including moving map, flight planning, $5,500. Both feature GPS nav and steer- external antenna is optional. is protected as technology evolves.” display of Garmin SafeTaxi charts, and ing, altitude hold, vertical-speed select, The T-RX Radio Tester, T-RX Pulse The Max displays feature improved more, while the GNX 375 has a built-in altitude preselect and select, automatic Tester, and T-RX RP+ Tester are each 400-by-760-pixel active-matrix glass transponder and provides ADS-B Out and pitch trim, and more. designed to test specific radio types—up and redesigned electronics with faster dual-link ADS-B In. The new engine monitors are manu- to 16 systems each—and cover more than processing speed and font and window Some of the features of the two naviga- factured by JPI Instruments and include 100 tests. These include VOR, ILS, VHF enlargement. Also included are GPS- tors include Connext wireless cockpit con- the xPoint 100 for experimental aircraft comm, DME, ELT, HF comm, transponder aided AHRS to provide attitude infor- nectivity for transferring flight plans with and the AeroPoint 200 and 300 for cer- Mode A/C, transponder Mode S, ADS-B mation in case of pitot-static failure; Garmin Pilot and FltPlan Go EFB apps as tified single-engine and twin-engine 1090 and 978, Selcal tone generation, audio panel interface; altitude inter- well as sharing GPS position and backup aircraft respectively. All three fit in a Arinc 429 receive/transmit, and TCAS. cept based on climb rate; and for the attitude information with compatible standard 3.125-inch instrument panel The three T-RX testers will be available MFD500 and MFD1000 Max displays, devices. The GNX 375’s ADS-B In weather cutout, although the external rectangular mid-2019, but CCX offered AEA attend- chart and countdown timers, 350 nm information can also be displayed on mobile instrument face takes up additional panel ees who pre-purchased the units special zoom levels, height above ground level devices, along with Garmin’s TargetTrend bundles with free accessories and services. on navigation and terrain maps, and and TerminalTraffic (on Garmin Pilot). To help avionics shops serve custom- Metar flags on navigation map. Both navigators are available in April. ers, the information generated with the The Max upgrade is available also for The GPS 175 retails for $4,995 and the GNX T-RX testers can be saved on a secure the EFD1000 E5 electronic flight instru- 375 for $7,995. Pilots can learn how to oper- server and identified by the aircraft’s ment, at $4,995 for upgrade to the full ate the new units with Garmin’s free GPS registration number, by the technician TSO’d Max display. Pricing for a single 175/GNX 375 trainer app for iOS devices. who did the test, and by the job’s work Evolution PFD to Max is $2,995, and order. This makes it easy to include the Evolution 1500/2000 to Max is $4,995, BendixKing Deepens test information as a report in the cus- or Evolution 2500 to Max is $5,995. Partnerships with Avionics OEMs tomer’s work order. Larger avionics ser- New Max display pricing is $9,995 Avionics manufacturer BendixKing vice providers can take advantage of the for the Evolution Pro 1000 Max PFD; unveiled new autopilots and engine T-RX’s data collection feature, which $5,495 for the MFD500 Max; and monitors at the AEA show, part of addi- allows use of an API that they can con- $8,995 for the MFD1000 Max. n tional partnerships with other avionics AeroPoint 300 nect to their work order system, which

54 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com ROTORCRAFT & unmanned systems Honeywell and Volocopter team to test UAM avionics Honeywell and Volocopter have signed solutions for . “Our an agreement to jointly test and develop global outlook stems from years of work- new navigation and automatic landing ing alongside organizations such as the systems for the latter’s vertical takeoff Federal Aviation Administration and the and landing urban air mobility (UAM) European Aviation Safety Agency. This aircraft. Honeywell said it will apply its collaboration has allowed us to explore existing aviation hardware and software the challenges, opportunities, and safe products, including navigation technol- integration of technologies and aircraft ogies and fly-by-wire flight controls, to in civil airspace.” the test program, as well as the avion- Esposito said avionics solutions to be ics manufacturer’s autonomous sensing, applied to the Volocopter will build on inertial measurement units and attitude technologies it developed under Europe’s heading reference solutions, to solve the Clean Sky 2 and Single European Sky Air challenges of UAM flight. Traffic Management Research (SESAR)

RUSSIAN HELICOPTERS “Alongside Volocopter, we will be 2020 industry and government collab- The Mi-171 equipped with VK-2500-03 engines has been approved by China’s CAAC, opening building on our fundamental expertise oration programs. Volocopter’s imme- the door for Russian Helicopters to sell the helicopter in the country. of navigation sensor solutions plus other diate goal is to fly Honeywell’s inertial landing expertise, moving us closer to measurement-based attitude reference the reality of urban air mobility,” said system aboard one of its aircraft this Mi-171 certified in China, Carl Esposito, president of electronic year, it said. M.H. as Mi-26T2V tests conclude by Mark Huber

The Civil Aviation Administration of At the same time, Russian Helicopters China (CAAC) has issued a national type successfully completed preliminary flight certificate for the Mi-171 equipped with tests of the Mi-26T2V heavy-lift helicop- VK-2500-03 engines, clearing the path for ter. The eight-blade Mi-26 has been in Russian Helicopters to sell the helicop- production since 1980, can carry a payload ter in China. The VK-2500-03 engine is of up to 44,000 pounds, and still holds the more powerful than the previously stock record for the heaviest mass lifted by a TV3-117VM powerplant in part due to helicopter—125,153.8 pounds. More than improved design, including the incorpora- 300 have been produced. tion of heat-resistant materials, BARK-78 The Mi-26T2V is a variant that first flew digital automatic controls, and an emer- last August and is fitted with significant gency power mode for one engine inoper- upgrades. They include an NPK90-2V dig- ative (OEI) operations. This combination ital avionics suite; a sophisticated autopi- gives the Mi-171 a higher load capacity and lot that flew the helicopter down to final Volocopter’s immediate goal is to fly Honeywell’s inertial measurement-based attitude service ceiling. approach; a night-vision-goggle-com- reference system aboard one of its aircraft this year. During demonstration flights in China patible cockpit; an improved navigation last year, the Mi-171 equipped with the system and satcom; new energy-absorb- new engine conducted firefighting and ing crew seats; and the Vitebsk onboard cargo missions to altitudes up to 10,826 aircraft defense system. Vitebsk defends feet when loaded with three tons of cargo against radar, laser, optic-electric, and Russians to vie for EASA approval of and nine passengers and also carried 3.5 thermal threats with a combination of an metric tons of water in an external bucket ultraviolet and infrared directional finder, VRT500 single-engine model to an altitude of 9,842 feet. laser and radar detection, optical-elec- Currently, 20 civil Mi-8/17 helicopters tronic suppression, active radar jamming, Russian Helicopters will apply for Euro- VRT500 is being designed to achieve a operate in China. Russian Helicopters and chaff dispensers. pean Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) cer- top forward speed of 134 knots, a maxi- CEO Andrey Boginsky said the operators The Mi-26 is used mainly by the Rus- tification for its VRT500 coaxial helicopter mum range of 464 nm, and a payload of of these helicopters are interested in the sian military to transport heavy military this year and begin flight testing in 2020, 1,600 pounds. It is intended to compete new Mi-171 variant for its more modern equipment such as mobile ballistic mis- according to company VR-Technologies with the Bell 505 and Robinson R66. technologies and reduced operating costs. siles and armored personnel carriers. n general manager Alexander Okhonko. The coaxial design features two Russian Helicopters said serial production three-blade main rotors with shaped could begin as early as 2021 at its Ulan- carbon-fiber blades to cut noise emis- Ude helicopter aviation plant at Buryatia sions, extensive composite construction, Russian in Siberia. glass-panel avionics, and sliding rear Helicopters Russian Helicopters presented a cabin doors. Plans call for its made the mockup of the VRT500 light single at Milan engine to be Western-sourced, possibly first flight of Design Week last month. The mockup from . In 2017, Russian Helicopters the heavy- was displayed by ItalDesign, a previously received major financing from Russia’s lift Mi-26T2V unannounced development partner on the state-owned Vnesheconombank (VEB) last August. project. The five-passenger, single-engine for the project. M.H.

ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 55 ROTORCRAFT & unmanned systems News Update Bankrupt PHI Lost $141 Million in 2018 Blade’s Bell 206L-4 will Bankrupt helicopter services company see plenty of use shuttling PHI posted a $141.5 million loss last year, passengers between according to the company’s annual 10-K the West 30th Street filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Heliport in Manhattan, and Commission (SEC). The loss included $109 John F. Kennedy International million of impairment charges recorded Airport. Per-seat price for in the fourth quarter related to goodwill the brief flights, which will and inventory. Overall revenues for the bypass traffic, year increased to $674 million, a gain is $195, comparable to the of $81 million compared to 2017, thanks cost of a luxury car service. largely to PHI’s acquisition of former HNZ Offshore operations in select foreign markets and a slight uptick of activity in the legacy market of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. that passengers on an American flight The increased revenue helped PHI trim Blade expands service ops, at JFK can be transferred from airplane its oil-and-gas segment loss for the year to helicopter using American’s Five Star to $10.2 million, down from $29 million Service with the service purchased either from the year-ago period. The company’s sees future with eVTOL using the Blade app or from American. technical services division recorded a profit Blade said it plans a location in the lobby of $6.8 million for the year, up from $5.6 by Mark Huber of the soon to be opened TWA Hotel million from 2017. However, profit from at JFK where guests can immediately PHI’s Air Medical division was off sharply Blade Urban Air Mobility has launched the JFK helipad and all commercial ter- arrange for flights to Manhattan or to any from the $35.8 million in 2017 to $12.5 continuous, shared helicopter service minals. Blade says the $195 price is aligned other Blade destination. million. Revenue for the segment was flat between Manhattan and John F. Kennedy with the approximate cost of an SUV ser- Blade recently raised $38 million from year-over-year at $257 million. PHI filed Airport (KJFK) every weekday from 7 a.m. vice doing the same route during rush hour. Airbus and investment firm Colony for U.S. Chapter 11 federal bankruptcy to 7 p.m., the company announced in late Blade Lounge West is located 1,000 feet Northstar to continue developing UAM protection on March 14, citing its inability March. Blade calls the new service “the from Hudson Yards, soon to be home to infrastructure in major cities. Last year to repay debts totaling $700 million. largest Urban Air Mobility (UAM) initiative more than 50,000 employees from com- Bell agreed to provide Blade with a 206L-4, in the United States.” Flights will operate panies including WarnerMedia, HBO, CNN, operated by Zip Aviation, for the new CHC Helicopter Opens Safety between Blade Lounge West at the West Blackrock, and the investment firm KKR. JFK service. Bell plans to use operating Summit Registration 30th Street Heliport and JFK airport, with The new service comes as Blade and data from the flights in shaping its UAM Texas-based CHC Helicopter has opened ground transportation included between recently announced strategy and eVTOL aircraft. In February, early registration for its annual CHC Blade entered into a similar arrangement Safety and Quality Summit, which will be with Sikorsky’s Associated Aircraft Group held from October 1 to 3 in Dallas. The (“AAG”), with the latter providing an summit, now in its 15th year, typically S-76C+ for New York area operations. The attracts more than 500 people in the Metro makes gains with EC145e, simulators agreement gives Blade access to AAG’s industry from nearly 30 countries, and worldwide fleet including S-76 charter focuses on the latest in safety best Metro Aviation continues to gain EMS new EC145e will be equipped with a Metro-­ service that runs from the Biggin Hill Air- practices and human factors in safety. helicopter market share with its Airbus supplied EMS interior and the Outerlink IRIS port to central London. Blade already flies Helicopters EC145e program. In March system that enables 10-second tracking Sikorsky S-76s on Manhattan-Boston and Bell’s eVTOL, Unmanned Efforts Metro won a tender to supply Madison, backfilled to the second for more accurate -Washington, D.C. routes. Draw Japanese Partner Wisconsin-based UW Health Med Flight billable mileage capture, live aircraft data Blade eventually plans to swap out con- Bell’s nascent eVTOL and unmanned with three of the Airbus Helicopters reporting, and live EKG data transmissions. ventional helicopters for eVTOL aircraft programs appear to be getting another medium twins and also secured an order Metro currently operates 140 aircraft for 35 and said that move will enable it to offer boost from a major Japanese partner. for one by HealthNet Aeromedical Ser- air ambulance programs in the U.S. “lower prices for fliers as well as more Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo vices in Charleston, West Virginia. Metro Separately, Metro and FlightSafety landing zone options in the future.” announced that it is pairing with Bell to will replace as the supplier of International marked five years of part- In the meantime, Blade is expanding create a “new logistics and transportation helicopters and crews for the UW contract, nership at the Metro Aviation Training its helicopter service offerings worldwide service with Electric Vertical Take Off effective this month. Center in Shreveport that is equipped beyond its established New York and Los and Landing aircraft (eVTOL).” Sumitomo The UW program currently operates a with EC135 and EC145 level-D simula- Angeles markets. It recently announced said its goal is to use Bell’s unmanned pair of EC135s from bases in Madison and tors used by Metro to qualify and train that it would test on-demand flights drones and air taxis to provide a variety Mineral Point, Wisconsin. The additional its pilots and by FlightSafety to serve connecting San Francisco International of aviation services by the mid-2020s. helicopter will allow it to open a third base other operators. “This is the first time Airport, Oakland International, Palo Alto, In the interim, it said it will “conduct north of Madison at Divine Savior Health- FlightSafety International has partnered San Jose, Monterey, and the Napa Val- market research, improve upon existing care in Portage, Wisconsin, and extend with an operator on this type of venture, ley. Blade is granting codes to 200 select technologies and build new businesses to its reach into northern/north central Wis- and I have always appreciated the fact individuals that allow them to unlock a provide high-quality services at affordable consin. The state currently hosts only two that they joined forces with us to bring full special section of the Blade app to book prices within the air mobility space.” Level 1 Trauma centers, one at UW Health motion level-D simulators to our industry on-demand transport in the Bay Area. Chad Sparks, director of Bell’s in Madison and the other in Milwaukee. that did not previously exist,” said Metro Airbus’s Voom program, also based in the technology and innovation strategic UW said it opted for the EC145e in part CEO Mike Stanberry. Stanberry said that Bay Area, already is operating out of Mex- campaigns, said the company is “excited due to its longer range and larger cabin. Metro was the first air medical operator ico City. Last November Blade announced to partner with Sumitomo Corporation In West Virginia, HealthNet’s IFR-capable to equip its entire fleet with night-vision that it was expanding into Mumbai, India. to explore new forms of technology EC145e will be delivered in the summer goggles, the first to require that all of its Blade India is scheduled to begin service and change the way our passengers and of 2020 and replace an EC135 based in pilots are IFR current and qualified, and this month. Due to Mumbai’s extreme goods are transported.” Bell is currently Charleston. HealthNet currently operates also the first to use simulators as part of ground traffic congestion, Blade says it developing the Nexus air taxi and a series one EC145, five EC135s, and six EC130s. Its its training curriculum. M.H. can reduce four-to-eight hour car rides of unmanned air delivery vehicles called to 35-minute flights. n Autonomous Pod Transports (APTs).

56 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com NASA’s Mars helicopter ready for Red Planet flight by Mark Huber

NASA’s Mars Helicopter is completing go somewhere and find that. You have to Earthbound flight testing and is being make it,” Aung said. The test team also had incorporated into the mission package for to simulate Mars’s gravity in the simulator— a July 2020 Cape Canaveral launch aboard about two-thirds of that found on Earth. It an Atlas V rocket bound for a landing on accomplished this by attaching a motorized the Red Planet in February 2021. “The lanyard called a “gravity offload system” to next time we fly, we fly on Mars,” said the top of the helicopter to simulate the MiMi Aung, project manager for the Mars appropriate gravitational forces. Data sets Helicopter at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab- from the helicopter were obtained to con- oratory (JPL). JPL tested the four-pound firm its ability to fly autonomously in the helicopter in the laboratory’s space sim- thin Martian atmosphere. Two test flights NASA’s four-pound helicopter is expected to fly on Mars in 2021. ulator, a 25-foot-wide vacuum chamber were performed in the vacuum chamber injected with carbon dioxide to mimic the totaling one minute of flight time at an flight-grade aluminum, silicon, copper, encase them in sealed tubes, and leave atmospheric composition and pressure altitude of two inches. foil, and foam. It will be paired with the them on the planet’s surface for potential found on Mars, where the atmospheric Before that, JPL conducted 75 minutes Rover and used to conduct geo- future retrieval. The Mars Helicopter is density is 1 percent of Earth’s. of flight time on an engineering model logical and environmental assessments, scheduled to begin actual test flights on “Our test flights could have similar atmo- designed to approximate the Mars Heli- assess life signs, natural resources, and Mars within a few months of its arrival spheric density here on Earth, if you put copter. The Mars Helicopter consists of hazards. Scientists will use the rover to there. Initial flights on the planet will be your airfield 100,000 feet up. So you can’t 1,500 individual pieces of carbon fiber, identify and collect rock and soil samples, up to 90 seconds long. n

of 135 nm, optionally piloted capability, Speedy Defiant joins slow Army program and manned-unmanned teaming with drones. And the Army wants all this for by Mark Huber the same flyaway price at the current Boeing AH-64 Apache, about $30 million The Trump Administration affirmed its up to 280 knots and is designed to carry be small and nimble enough for urban per unit, and is looking to have aircraft in support for the Army’s Future Vertical a crew of 4 and 15 troops with an effec- warfare. Sikorsky already has proposed flight test by 2023 Lift (FVL) program with a $790 million tive combat radius of 500 to 800 nm. The a smaller variant of the Defiant for that FARA would be the Army’s fourth FY2020 research and development pro- SB-1 is designed for a maximum forward mission, more akin to the footprint of the attempt to devise a replacement for gram funding request in March. Days later speed of 250 knots with a crew of 4 and S-97 Raider. Bell says it has an aircraft in the Bell OH-58 Kiowa over the last four the Boeing-Sikorsky team announced 12 combat-equipped troops. Both aircraft mind for FARA but has yet to reveal it, decades, having abandoned the pricey its SB-1 Defiant compound helicopter are designed to meet the Army’s specifica- but it likely could be a fatter version of RAH-66 Comanche program in 2004 after had made its first flight on March 21 at tions for Vertical Lift Capability Set 3, also its proposed unmanned V-247 tiltrotor. spending $7 billion and building just two Sikorsky’s West Palm Beach test site. known as the Future Long-Range Assault Other OEMs are likely to jump into the prototypes; the less ambitious ARH-70 The aircraft builds on the technology Aircraft (FLRAA), designed to replace FARA competition as well, with Airbus Arapaho, a military variant of the , Sikorsky developed for the X2 and S-97 the 4,000 UH-60 series Black Hawks cur- saying it will offer its Racer compound in 2008 after per unit costs ballooned to Raider demonstration aircraft and fea- rently in the DoD inventory. helicopter and Leonardo possibly offer- $14.5 million; and the Armed Aerial Scout tures two composite coaxial main rotors The Army also plans to hold a future ing an armed AW609. A conventional program in 2013, after estimated program and an after propulsor. The 30-minute competition for a smaller FVL Set 1, helicopter would seem hard-pressed to costs grew to $16 billion. first flight was devoted to slow speed also known as the Future Armed Recon- meet the Army’s FARA requirements: a The competition for the larger, and maneuvers and the propulsor was not naissance Aircraft (FARA), designed to top speed of 205 knots, a combat radius potentially far more lucrative, FVL engaged. The Defiant’s first flight comes Set 3 aircraft will offer a classic match-up 15 months after its main FVL competi- between the attributes of helicopter ver- tor, Bell’s V-280 third-generation tiltro- sus a tiltrotor. Defiant proponents point tor, made its first flight. Both aircraft are out that it is more maneuverable and has designed to show the increased speed a smaller disk area than the V-280, while and range their respective designs afford advocates for the latter claim it is more compared to traditional rotorcraft. The survivable, faster, and amply maneuver- Defiant’s flight delay was due in part to able for the military’s needs. The Set 3 initial difficulties related to fabricating program could be worth as much as $100 its rigid main rotor blades. billion to the winner, excluding foreign During the delay, the Army appeared military sales. to be “slow walking” FVL; having wanted Meanwhile the Army is continuing to initiate the technology development modernization programs on its legacy phase of the program by mid-FY2019. It helicopter airframes—UH-60, AH-64, and now plans to issue a formal FVL request CH-47—designed to keep those models for proposals at the end of FY2021. FVL is operational possibly until 2060. In Feb- part of the Army’s strategy to move away ruary, the Army awarded GE Aviation a from legacy weapons systems and into $517 million contract to complete devel- the realm of new technology with a vari- opment work on the new ITEP (improved ety of weapons due to be fielded starting turbine engine program) T901-GE-900 in 2030. The V-280 has already demon- engine designed as replacement power on strated the ability to fly at forward speeds The SB-1 Defiant made its first flight on March 21 at West Palm Beach, Florida. UH-60s and AH-64s beginning in 2025. n

ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 57 AIR transport

airspace over Pasir Gudang, Johor, lead- News Update ing to an infringement on “national sov- ereignty” and height restrictions on new Wow Air Ends Operations buildings. In early January, a Notam went Just days after reaching a deal with into effect, preventing all civilian aircraft debtholders and expressing confidence from entering the airspace set from 2,000 about finding new investors, Wow Air feet to 5,000 feet without prior approval on March 28 grounded its fleet and from the Royal Malaysian Air Force. ceased operations, leaving passengers In December, Firefly halted plans to stranded in Europe and North America. relocate from Changi Airport and shelved “We have run out of time and have all its flights to Singapore due to ongo- unfortunately not been able to secure ing tensions between the two countries; the funding of the company,” Wow the $4.9 million projected flight cancel- Air founder and CEO Skúli Mogensen lation loss of monthly revenue affected wrote in a letter to employees cited by around 13,000 passengers. The move to Bloomberg. “I will never be able to forgive relocate Firefly’s turboprop operations to myself for not taking action sooner.” a new passenger terminal at Seletar was Wow started operations in 2012 and ran Firefly’s ATR 72s will begin flying out of Singapore’s Seletar Airport on April 21. intended to open capacity at Changi. into financial difficulty in 2018 after years Following months of negotiations, the of rapid expansion, during which it offered governments of Singapore and Malaysia rock-bottom fares to gain market share struck a deal late Friday to end their dis- in the Europe-North America transfer Airspace settlement allows pute over airspace and flight procedures market using Reykjavik’s Keflavík Airport for Seletar. In a joint statement released as its base. The ULCC restructured into on April 6, Singapore vowed to withdraw a much smaller operation by the end Firefly’s Seletar launch its new ILS procedures. In return, Malay- last year and nearly halved its fleet from sia will indefinitely suspend the restricted 20 to 11 single-aisle Airbus aircraft while by Jennifer Meszaros airspace label it placed on Pasir Gudang, searching for new investors. Talks with U.S. Johor. Both parties made the agreement private equity fund Indigo Partners and Malaysia Airlines wholly owned subsid- connectivity between the two countries “in the spirit of bilateral cooperation,” the two sets of negotiations with iary Firefly received approval to resume before adding that another Malaysian statement read. Group, however, proved unsuccessful. service to and from Singapore’s Seletar carrier, Malindo Air, is looking to launch With the ban lifted and a new agree- Airport on April 21, putting an end to flights to Seletar. ment in place, the two sides will resume Jet Airways Suspends Ops a nearly five-month-old flight suspen- The deal came after talks between the talks over Malaysia’s intentions to Jet Airways, India’s first, private, full- sion due to an airspace dispute between two Southeast Asian neighbors broke reclaim control and management of air- service airline, “temporarily” suspended Malaysia and Singapore. Speaking at a down last December over Singapore’s space over Johor state. Currently, Sin- flights on April 16. The carrier’s largest joint press conference with Singaporean plan to implement a new set of instrument gapore’s Civil Aviation Authority covers lenders, which are owed around $1.2 counterpart, Khaw Boon Wan, Malaysian landing system (ILS) procedures at Sele- air traffic control operations over south- billion, refused to give in to a request transport minister Anthony Loke told tar. In response, Loke said the new ILS ern Johor under an agreement signed for critical interim funding. While Jet reporters of his willingness to increase air flight path would encroach on Malaysia’s between the two countries. n was looking at an initial funding package of $225 million, it reduced this to $57 million on April 16 during a board meeting. The banks rejected this too. “Since no emergency funding from the lenders abandons plan to re-fleet with Superjets or any other source is forthcoming, the airline will not be able to pay for Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company (SCAC) has SCAC noted in an emailed statement to asserted. CityJet’s website makes no men- fuel or other critical services to keep seen the prospect of its Superjet SSJ100 AIN that the preliminary agreement involv- tion of SSJ100s and says its fleet includes the operations going,” said a Jet press operating in Europe dim following Adria Air- ing the delivery of 15 aircraft to Adria Air- 25 Bombardier CRJ900s and 13 BAE Sys- release issued to the Stock Exchange. ways’ decision to abandon plans to expand ways in 2019 was supposed to become a tems RJ85s. Jet, which was running on just six of its its fleet with 15 of the Russian regional jets. firm order. “The institutions that were to Though it forcefully rejected “many false once-119-strong fleet, had already shut The Slovenian carrier in November last year provide the financing, after consideration and misleading reports in recent months down international operations. Earlier in signed a memorandum of understanding the Adria Airways financial report for 2018, about the business condition” of the com- April, a lessor repossessed an aircraft in (MOU) with SCAC to add 15 SSJ100s via a recommended [to] SCAC to cancel the deal pany, Adria Airways at the end of last year , leaving passengers stranded. . long-term lease arrangement and an MOU to in order to factor out the losses,” the com- embarked on a recapitalization program. establish a joint MRO operation at Ljubljana pany said. “The recommendations were Its German owner—4K Invest—injected a Airbus Lands Major Airport. It expected deliveries to start at the accepted, and the work was stopped. The first tranche of €4 million into the airline Chinese Order beginning of this year, but the delivery of the aircraft is impossible without in December and had planned to provide Airbus and China Aviation Supplies airline on Tuesday communicated that its the firm order.” a further €10 million in the first quarter of Holding Company (CAS) on March shareholders and management had agreed This is not the first time SCAC and an 2019, but the latter recap won’t take place. 25 signed a general terms agreement not to continue with the SCAC partnership SSJ100 customer differed on the reasons “Given that Adria doesn’t need to finance the (GTA) covering the purchase by Chinese and Superjet acquisitions. While stressing for the end of a contractual engagement. In transition to a new aircraft type anymore airlines of 300 Airbus jetliners. The GTA, that the aircraft type “per se still seems very February, SCAC and CityJet cited diverging and based on its positive business plan, no signed in Paris by Airbus Commercial attractive,” Adria Airways pointed to “grow- explanations for why the Irish regional air- additional capital increase is planned,” it Aircraft president Guillaume Faury ing concerns about SCAC’s commitment to line decided to end SS100 operations. said. “The structure of Adria fleet will remain and CAS chairman Jia Baojun during a fair and stable long-term partnership as That feud appears ongoing. In a March unchanged and Adria will continue to focus a state visit by Chinese President Xi well as lacking a common vision of further 27 statement on its website, SCAC said on operational reliability and stability with Jinping, calls for the sale of 290 A320 strategic development of the company” for that six SSJ100s remain part of the CityJet the proven fleet of existing aircraft types.” narrowbodies and 10 A350 widebodies. its inability to finalize the contractual clauses fleet. “Any decisions about the return of Adria currently deploys three Airbus According to Airbus’s latest China with the Russian company. the aircraft to the owner as far as the legal, A319s, nine Bombardier CRJ900s, two market forecast, China will need some AIN could not immediately reach the technical, or financial or other aspects are Bombardier CRJ700s, and six Saab 2000s 7,400 new passenger and freighter aircraft airline for comment on the nature of its concerned are possible only after multi- on a mix of scheduled, charter, cargo, and in the next 20 years, accounting for concerns of the Russian OEM’s commitment. lateral negotiations and consultations,” it ACMI flights. C.B. more than 19 percent of the total world demand for over 37,400 new aircraft.

58 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com Singapore Airlines (SIA) on April 1. The new MRO investment heats up in Southeast Asia contract calls for SIAEC to provide MRO services and fleet management support by Jennifer Meszaros for a two-year period, with an option to renew for a further two years. The new deal A region of rapid growth and huge poten- up to C checks for Boeing 737 and Airbus Elsewhere this week, SIA Engineering replaces SIAEC’s 2015 agreement with SIA. tial, Southeast Asia continues to witness a A320-family aircraft. Plans include adding Company (SIAEC) inked two agreements In a separate development, SIAEC and surge in aerospace activity as providers of facilities for interiors, wheels and brakes, including a new $1 billion comprehensive low-cost carrier NokScoot formed a new all sizes vie to capitalize on rising mainte- hydraulics, and safety equipment. services agreement with its parent company line maintenance joint venture (JV) on nance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) demand. March 31 to support the carrier’s Boeing Recently several companies announced 777-200s and fleet-expansion plans. Singa- intentions to expand their presence and pore Airlines’ Scoot Tigerair owns 49 per- support the region’s growing fleet plans. cent of NokScoot, while Thailand’s Nok Air Among the latest contenders—Malaysia­- holds the remainder. based newcomer Sapura Technics—sig- The new JV will carry a registered capi- naled its entry into the market on April 2 tal base of approximately $2 million, with with an opening ceremony led by Malay- NokScoot holding a 51 percent stake and sian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir SIAEC holding the remaining 49 percent. Mohamad. Owned by Sapura Resources Initial plans include providing line main- Berhad, the narrowbody MRO eyes a tenance at Don Mueang International Air- July launch date once it receives Part 145 port before expanding to other airports approval from Malaysian authorities. across Thailand. The agreement boosts With two hangars at Senai Interna- SIAEC’s current network of line mainte- tional Airport, Sapura Technics will first A new JV involving SIAEC and NokScoot will support the low-fare carrier’s fleet of Boeing nance stations to 34 airports in seven coun- concentrate on line and base maintenance 777-200ERs. tries outside of Singapore. n

identify the source of the alert as an angle information from an information source, Airbus updating A320 of attack discrepancy, which the NAV ADR it is important that alerts and procedures DISAGREE procedure advised had a risk of be designed to ensure that the pilots can triggering an undue stall warning. correctly diagnose the source of the erro- flight warning software Given the multiple system alerts, which neous information,” said Nagy. to the flight crew appeared unrelated, “Further, unless it is absolutely clear that by Gregory Polek the pilots thought the stall warning that it is erroneous, pilots should appropriately activated during the approach was spuri- respond to stall warning alerts.” Airbus has begun updating the software on engine-related alerts programmed with a ous and therefore did not apply the stall Airbus is currently in the process of its A320s to ensure pilots receive alerts at an higher priority but in this case not requir- recovery procedure. Angle of attack—not updating the A320’s software to give the appropriate level of priority during periods ing immediate action by the crew. airspeed—triggers stall warnings, and NAV ADR DISAGREE alert priority over of multiple alerts and high workload, the The crew’s high workload meant the instruments gave no indication of a mal- the associated engine alerts. In the case Australian Transport Safety Bureau reported pilots didn’t initially act on the procedures functioning angle of attack system. of multiple alerts generated by unreliable on April 4. The update follows an ATSB for the alerts and could not address the ATSB executive director for transport airspeed, it will take precedence over the investigation into an unreliable airspeed “NAV ADR DISAGREE” alert for about eight safety Nat Nagy said many layers between other associated alerts and be immediately indication and stall warning involving a Vir- minutes, by which time the airspeed dis- the source information and the pilots can visible to the pilots. gin Australia Regional Airlines Airbus A320 crepancies had corrected themselves. exist in modern aircraft with multiple inter- In addition, engineers will remove the near Perth Airport on September 12, 2015. The ATSB found the sequencing of alert acting systems. ‘risk of undue stall warning’ message from While passing through 8,500 feet, the priorities and the alert’s associated proce- “The ATSB’s safety message from this the aircraft status related to the NAV ADR aircraft’s autothrust and autopilot dis- dure might have led the pilots to incorrectly investigation is where there is erroneous DISAGREE alert. n connected and multiple system faults pre- sented. The captain took manual control of the aircraft and continued the climb to 20,000 feet, and leveled off to troubleshoot the issues and plan a return to Perth. Trent 1000 TEN woes force 787-10 groundings at SIA On approach to Perth Airport while align- ing with the instrument landing system, the Singapore Airlines found premature blade It cautioned, however, that because the affect most of the population of Package C stall warning activated. The warning stopped deterioration on some Rolls-Royce Trent replacement airplanes might carry less engines, however, because Rolls already had after six seconds and the pilots continued TEN turbofans powering its Boeing 787-10s, capacity, some passengers might experience fitted a new standard of blade in them as the approach for a successful landing. forcing the carrier to ground two of the big- travel “inconveniences.” part of an earlier effort to mitigate durability The ATSB found the autothrust and auto- gest Dreamliners early last month. The air- “SIA is working closely with Rolls-Royce deficiencies. pilot disconnect resulted from erroneous line said it found the problem during routine and the relevant authorities for any addi- That snag involving the Trent 1000 came airspeed indications during the takeoff and inspections and has “proactively identified” tional follow-up actions and precautionary less than three months after Rolls launched climb due to blocked pitot tubes. The pilots other Trent 1000 TEN engines in the group’s measures that may be required going for- a “precautionary” redesign in the intermedi- did not detect the erroneous airspeeds, but 787 fleet to undergo precautionary inspec- ward,” said the airline. ate-pressure compressor in the Package B the aircraft’s systems did, triggering the tions. It has completed all inspections on the Last year, durability concerns centering and Trent 1000 TEN engines, adding another disconnect and generating multiple alerts mainline’s 787-10 fleet and planned to finish on the TEN’s precursor—the Trent 1000— dimension to a saga that began in mid-2016 including a “NAV ADR DISAGREE” alert. a remaining check on a 787-9 flown by low- prompted the UK engine maker to further with the well-publicized afflictions involving This alert requires the pilots to cross- cost subsidiary Scoot by April 3. reduce the life of intermediate-pressure Package C engines in Boeing 787s operated check the three airspeed indications and The removal from service of the two turbine blades in certain Package C engines by All Nippon Airways. Since the problems assists them in determining if the source airplanes has affected some destinations to avoid premature failure. Company guid- first came to light, some 15 airlines felt some of the alert involves an airspeed or angle served by the 787-10, said SIA, which added ance to operators issued last September effect, most notably ANA, LATAM, Virgin of attack disagreement. However, limited that it would operate other aircraft on those required removal of some 30 to 40 engines Atlantic, , Norwegian, and Air space in the alert message area meant services to minimize schedule disruptions. sooner than expected. That problem did not New Zealand. G.P. it was initially pushed off the screen for

ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 59 TOUCHING bases FBO and Airport news by Curt Epstein

Sheltair Adds Hangars sister company JetNetherlands, ASL at New York Bizav Hub operates more than 30 aircraft. Previ- Aviation service provider and real ously, it had supplied ground-handling estate developer Sheltair opened a services exclusively for its own fleet. new hangar complex at its FBO at But last month it opened its doors in Republic Airport on New York’s Long Antwerp and Groningen to all private Island as part of a $55 million develop- and corporate jets using the airports. ment project. The first phase includes Services include: short- and long-term three hangars, each with 31,000 sq parking (outdoors, with limited hangar ft of aircraft storage space, 28-foot- space available), refueling, line service, high doors, and 4,000 sq ft of office line maintenance, customs and immigra- space, which brings the location to tion (in coordination with airport police nearly 180,000 sq ft of hangar floor. and customs), catering, flight planning “A tremendous amount of time facilities, crew lounge, and car rentals. and effort has been invested in the While ASL already has its own hangar design and construction of these Sheltair has added 106,000 sq ft of new energy-efficient hangar space at its Republic Airport and lounge facilities, it plans to add facilities,” noted Todd Anderson, the FBO on New York’s Long Island. This is the first phase of a $55 million development project. further FBO infrastructure within the Florida-based company’s senior vice new General Aviation Terminal at Ant- president for real estate and develop- Avflight Tapped is completed and adjoining 3,000-sq-ft werp. Located adjacent to the parking ment, citing the thermal pane windows for New FBO in Michigan terminal—specializes in quick turns ramp, the facility has a VIP lounge, just beneath the roofline to allow FBO chain operator Avflight has been and offers U.S. Customs, deicing, crew crew lounge with rest area, and will natural light, and the heated hangar selected to establish the second FBO cars, and a comfortable lounge. soon feature a large reception/meeting/ door tracks to permit smooth opera- at Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford Inter- “We’re thrilled to expand our offer- event area available by prearrangement tions even in winter. “Energy-efficient national Airport. The company has ings as Great Falls Jet Center,” Coryell with ASL. Founded in 1997, ASL plans features are found throughout the agreed to a capital investment between said. “By unifying a complete suite of to further expand its FBO offerings design, and the administrative spaces $6 million and $7 million on a five- aviation services on the KGTF field at other airports where it operates. are capable of being configured to meet acre site on the east side of the Grand under one strong brand, we’ll be able the unique needs of each tenant.” Rapids airport, which is currently to better serve Great Falls traffic with According to Sheltair, two of the three served by Signature Flight Support. the service and care they deserve.” Louisiana Airport Moves new structures are already fully leased. Avflight expects to break ground Ahead with Runway Expansion The second phase of the project will on the new facility later this year. Louisiana’s Shreveport Airport Author- include three additional hangars and a “The planned facility will include all Four New FBOs ity has kicked off construction on a new 10,000-sq-ft FBO terminal that is the comfortable amenities to which the Coming To Saudi Arabia runway extension for the secondary expected to be completed later next year. modern traveler is accustomed in a high- Bizjet charter and private aviation runway at Shreveport Regional Air- end FBO, including a pilot lounge, spa- terminal operator PrivatAir Saudi Arabia port. The $9.1 million project will cious modern lobby, conference room, (PASA) has plans to add another FBO add 850 feet to Runway 6/24, bring- Jet Aviation Completes kitchenette, maintenance area, catering in Riyadh, two in Jeddah, and install ing it to more than 7,000 feet. Australia Rebranding kitchen, and office space,” said Garrett a new one within existing facilities at The work, paid for by airport Jet Aviation has completed rebranding Hain, the company’s v-p of finance. Dammam Airport, according to PASA improvement grants from the FAA the Hawker Pacific FBOs in Australia Avflight, which is affiliated with managing director Mansour Alsharif. and the state Department of Trans- following its May 2018 acquisition of the aviation fuel distributor Avfuel, oper- Four operators are currently in portation, will also include a similar facilities, the Switzerland-based subsid- ates facilities at 21 other airports across place in Riyadh: Saudia Private extension for Taxiway C. It is expected iary of General Dynamics announced. North America and Europe, including Aviation (SPA), Jet Aviation, Sky to take 18 months to complete. The rebranded Jet Aviation FBOs are six in its home state of Michigan. Prime, and NasJet-ExecuJet. The authority will also soon launch located in Sydney, Cairns, Darwin, The private aviation terminal there is a secondary runway and taxiway and Perth, as well as two facilities undergoing a massive overhaul, set for expansion at Shreveport Downtown in Brisbane. Hawker Pacific facilities Montana FBO Changes completion in June 2020, and expected Airport to improve safety conditions in Singapore and Shanghai continue Ownership, Name to almost triple floorspace to 13,500 sq and enhance operations. To reduce to retain their original branding. Front Range Jet Center, one of two FBOs m (145,313 sq ft), and more than double the risk of runway incursions, it will “We are seeking to capitalize on the at Montana’s Great Falls International the apron size to 20,500 sq m (220,660 displace the western end of Run- strong global recognition of Jet Aviation Airport (KGTF), has been sold to aircraft sq ft). A separate standalone facility will way 5/23 by 200 feet, and extend the to continue to connect with our inter- management and brokerage provider give one undisclosed FBO operator extra eastern end by 1,200 feet, making its national market and grow our customer Eagle Jet Solutions and subsequently space, while the other four players will new total length 4,200 feet. Com- service offerings throughout Asia,” said rebranded as Great Falls Jet Center. share common-user spaces and govern- bined, the two projects will cost Jet Aviation senior v-p of Asia-Pacific Before the transaction, Eagle Jet ment services but run separate lounges. more than $16 million in grants. regional operations Joe Reckling. “The had begun construction on a 40,000- Meanwhile, Alsharif said two FBOs “The FAA and LADOT both rec- Australian FBOs have a history of sq-ft hangar on the field that, when would be added in Jeddah, where SPA ognize that both airports are huge strong performance and will continue completed this spring, will be able and Jet Aviation currently operate assets to the community,” said Mark to deliver exceptional customer ser- to shelter aircraft up to a Boeing BBJ. facilities, but refused to confirm the Crawford, the authority’s marketing vice under the Jet Aviation brand.” Equipped with a 150-foot-wide, 45-foot- identity of the new entrants. No FBO and public relations manager. “This The rebranding is expected to high door, full foam fire-suppression exists today in Dammam, so PASA is investment will help continue to fuel strengthen Jet Aviation’s position system, and heated floors that extend installing a facility on the ground floor economic development growth in as a leading global business aviation out on to the ramp to keep snow of the existing terminal building. Shreveport and the Ark-La-Tex region.” service provider, the company said. and ice from the entrance, the han- With Hawker Pacific, Jet Aviation gar will be the largest in the state. operates 34 FBOs across America, “We chose to develop in this com- European Operator ASL Genav Terminal Opens at Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In munity for a reason,” noted Eagle Jet Adds FBO Services São Paulo Guarulhos Airport addition to its FBOs, Jet Aviation president Carson Coryell. “Great Falls is ASL Private Jet Services, a Europe-based Guarulhos International Airport provides maintenance, completions an ideal central hub for anyone looking aircraft manager/operator has made FBO (GRU) recently inaugurated a new and refurbishment, engineering, and for a hangar home in the region.” The services available to outside operators general aviation terminal that is being personnel services. Its aircraft man- Avfuel-branded FBO—which includes at Antwerp Airport (EBAW/ANR) in operated by a consortium formed agement and charter divisions jointly a 10,000-sq-ft hangar that will be used Belgium and Groningen Airport (EHGG/ by CFly Aviation and Jetex Flight operate a fleet of 300 aircraft. for maintenance once the new structure GRQ) in the Netherlands. Together with Support, with ground handling by

60 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com Dnata. The dedicated general aviation piston aircraft to $500 for a heavy jet. It terminal can handle up to 200 VIP will operate Thursday through Monday FBO PROFILE: Sacramento Mather Jet Center passengers an hour, the companies from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., but will be said. It opened as a “proof of con- closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. cept” with a temporary structure “Adding a customs facility on the assembled from 39 shipping con- airport field is a major step to accom- tainers in 45 days, with a permanent modating more needs, particularly structure planned in mid-2020. for international operators looking The ramp area, previously rated for reliable, quality FBO services in for 12 business jets, can now han- South Florida,” noted Dan Capen, dle 39 with the high-density parking president of Stuart Jet Center, one techniques used by CFly for the 2014 of two service providers on the World Cup in Rio. Expanded ramp field. “The addition of customs will area and a heliport await an envi- be great for the airport, the com- ronmental permit, while there are munity, and those who visit us.” longer-term plans to build a hangar. Business jet use of Guarulhos had Elevation, a specially commissioned art installation by Sacramento (California) artist Maren been hindered by lack of parking, NetJets Donates $1.2 Million Conrad, graces the brightly lit lobby of the Sacramento Mather Jet Center. The local artist which required repositioning; lack to OSU Airport Improvement used aeronautical charts to depict the legend of a Koi fish transforming into a flying dragon. of slots; and the need for passengers Fractional-ownership pioneer Net- to take a van to the main terminal to Jets continues its financial support pass through customs and immigra- of the Ohio State University Airport Jet Center is a Sacramento fixture tion alongside airline passengers. in Columbus, donating $1.2 million The general aviation terminal con- toward an airport-modernization If you have flown into California’s capital on month, and cost another $5.5 million. Han- tains physical facilities for immigration project. NetJets focused its support on business, you’re likely familiar with Superior sen expects that new hangar to book out and customs, but availability of govern- the new Austin E. Knowlton Execu- Aviation Company (SACjet) which operates quickly as well, and stage three is planned ment personnel to run it is still in nego- tive Terminal and Aviation Learning the lone FBO at three of the city’s four air- for further down the road. tiations with the respective agencies. Center. NetJets branding will be ports. The company traces its roots back to In collaboration with airspace prominent in the main lobby and the 1946 and now has facilities at Sacramento Consistent Traffic Levels control organization DECEA, the observation deck, which features a International, Executive, and Mather Airports. “Because Sacramento is the capital of airport has increased the num- Piper J3 Cub hanging from the ceiling. The last airport, with its 11,301-foot main California, and California has the world’s ber of possible operations to 55 per Beginning operation during World runway, is the company’s newest location, sixth largest economy, we see a little bit of hour, with new procedures allowing War II, the airport has filled the as it won the RFP over the incumbent ser- everything coming through here,” Hansen simultaneous use of both runways. role of “learning lab for future pro- vice provider in 2014. Upon moving into told AIN. While the FBO doesn’t have a fessionals, a hub of research, and a the FBO there, and renaming it the Sac- peak season per se, he noted private air- highly regarded facility for civilian ramento Mather Jet Center, SACjet imme- craft activity may increase when the state Customs Comes To and small-business aircraft,” accord- diately began a renovation project on the legislature is in session, as companies Florida’s Witham Field ing to the airport authority. 1990s-era facility. “We took over whatever and lobbyists descend on the capital. “It Arriving international flights are now NetJets executive v-p of operations was there,” said company president Joe all comes through Sacramento.” able to be cleared at Florida’s Mar- Alan Bobo said, “The new observa- Hansen. “We’ve completely rehabilitated But given the company’s contract to tin County Airport/Witham Field in tion deck and lobby will welcome the site.” The 7,500-sq-ft terminal includes manage, maintain, and operate the air- Stuart, following the opening of a new, passengers to the city of Columbus, a well-furnished passenger lobby with spe- port’s Epic Fuels-supplied tank farm, from standalone U.S. Customs facility. The where NetJets’ headquarters has cially commissioned aviation artwork by a an employee perspective, the airport’s bus- culmination of nine years of planning, been based for more than 50 years.” local artist as a focal point, pilot lounge, iest time comes between Thanksgiving and the 3,210-sq-ft structure is the first The two-story, 29,500-sq-ft terminal a pair of snooze rooms, shower facilities, Christmas as package carriers UPS and DHL intermodal clearance facility of its kind and education center houses the air- flight-planning area, 20-seat conference swiftly deplete the 150,000-gallon jet-A sup- in the state and will allow pilots, boaters, port FBO, flight school classrooms and room, refreshment bar, business center, ply tanks every day, and spur a near-end- residents, and visitors to the city to be simulators, a student flight hub, private onsite car rental, and crew cars. less queue of tanker trucks to refill them. processed without having to first travel aviation services, administrative offices, The FBO’s leasehold comprises 55 Between the cargo operations, a flight to Fort Pierce or West Palm Beach. and meeting rooms. The observation acres with room for anything with wings school, and the GA traffic, the airport sees The project, funded through an 80/20 deck’s large windows overlooking the and a vast blank slate for expansion. But approximately 300,000 operations a year. grant partnership with the Florida airport have proven popular among until last year, the FBO did not have any The FBO owns all the ground service Department of Transportation Aviation children throughout the Columbus hangar space, according to Hansen. That equipment at the airport as well, and the (Multimodal) Division and the Airport community, the airport reports. Look- changed with the completion of phase one fleet consists of three 10,000-gallon and Enterprise Fund, will rely on user fees to ing back, NetJets donated $2 million in of the company’s development project, a two 5,000-gallon jet-A refuelers, and a cover the cost of operations, with fees 2011 to establish Ohio State University’s 65,000-sq-ft hangar complex consisting of 3,500-gallon avgas truck, the latter supplied ranging from $30 for a single-engine Center for Aviation Studies. n a 40,000-sq-ft clearspan hangar capable from the airport’s 12,000-gallon 100LL tank. of sheltering the latest big business jets, a Those trucks are operated by the FBO’s quartet of 5,000-sq-ft corporate hangars, NATA Safety 1st-trained line service staff. and 5,000 sq ft of office space. These were The facility is open 24/7/365 days a year. the first hangars constructed at the airport While the company rotates its 85 employ- since the 1950s. So far, SACjet has spent ees among the three bases, at least 30 are more than $9 million on improvements and deployed to Mather every day. additions at the facility. In terms of customer service, a CSR With approximately 40 based tur- greets each arriving aircraft on the ramp bine-powered aircraft at the FBO ranging with the red carpet and a “Welcome to from a pair of Gulfstream Vs down to a King Sacramento” sign identifying the agent at Air 90, those new hangars immediately the desk who will help them. “Everyone filled up, leading the company to schedule who comes here wants one of two things: phase two. Groundbreaking on another a glass of water or to know where the bath- 40,000-sq-ft hangar along with another room is, and who to ask when they get in The new U.S. Customs facility at Stuart’s Witham Field is a first of its kind for Florida, with the 7,500 sq ft of offices will take place this there,” said Hansen. C.E. ability to process both air and sea passengers.

ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 61 MRO/ hot section Maintenance news by AIN Staff

Dassault Buys Elliott Gets PMA Nod for TAG Aviation’s Europe Mx Ops Prizm Lighting, Shades Dassault Aviation has reached an Elliott Aviation was granted U.S. FAA agreement to acquire TAG Aviation’s parts manufacturer approval (PMA) for European maintenance operations, its Prizm brand LED cabin lighting and the companies announced. TAG’s electronically dimmable Smart Vision main service location for the region is Shades brand electronic window shades, Geneva, where it operates a “one-stop clearing the way to sell both products shop” in a 64,600-sq-ft (6,000-sq-m) to other Part 145 repair stations. To hangar. Also in Switzerland, TAG Sion be sold under the Elliott Technologies provides maintenance activities from brand, both the lighting and shades a 34,400-sq-ft facility. Other loca- received supplemental type certifica- tions include the popular business tion in a Citation Excel late last year. hubs of Farnborough and Paris Le Prizm provides full-color spectrum Bourget airports, as well as Lisbon. Bombardier Business Aircraft's Singapore Service Centre will expand by 330,000 sq ft in a mood lighting that can be controlled “The acquisition of TAG Aviation, a plan the Canadian airframer announced in late February. through either a mobile app or existing major MRO provider, will allow Das- cabin lighting controls. The lighting is sault Aviation to reinforce its European Bombardier To Quadruple Aero-Dienst Offers scalable to fit in most turbine-powered service center network,” said Dassault Singapore Mx Center ADS-B Out Solution aircraft and can be used for upwash, chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. “With downwash, lower accent, galley, lav- TAG Maintenance Services, we intend to Bombardier Business Aircraft will EASA has approved an STC for Aero- atory, and cupholders with preset develop further a network of excellence quadruple the size of its Singapore ser- Dienst’s GPS/satellite-based augmen- configurations available, Elliott said. and to support TAG’s different aircraft vice center and nearly double its employ- tation system (SBAS) installation, The Smart Vision Shades, which are clients with the same commitment to ment there to support an increasing fleet which the Nuremberg, Germany-based dimmable inner window panes, also can service quality, while expanding the of its airplanes in the region, the Cana- business aircraft services provider be controlled via app or built-in con- share of Falcon maintenance activities dian airframer announced. The foot- said is the basis for cost-­effective trols and are 99 percent UV blocking. controlled by the Dassault Group.” print of its Singapore site will expand ADS-B Out for Learjet 60s equipped TAG Group president Mansour Ojjeh from 100,000 sq ft to 430,000 sq ft. with Collins Aerospace’s Pro Line noted his company has built up its The expansion will include new 4 avionics. Aero-Dienst’s sensor Global Jet Wins Mx Training maintenance division, specializing in customer facilities; a 37,000-sq-ft paint system includes a FreeFlight Sys- Endorsement from Dassault Dassault and Bombardier business jets, facility; a 10,000-sq-ft integrated parts tems GPS receiver and antenna. Dassault Aviation has named Global over the past two decades. “Given the depot; heavy structural and composite Combined with CMD Flight Solu- Jet Services a factory-authorized many challenges faced by independent repair capabilities; expanded compo- tions’ EASA STC for a transpon- maintenance training provider for the MROs in the current industry environ- nent, repair, and overhaul facilities; der upgrade that fulfills the latest French airframer’s classic line of Falcon ment, we are pleased to sell this segment and advanced interior finishing. DO-260B (V2) standard, the package business jets. The authorization allows of TAG Aviation to a respected OEM The center has more than 20 certifica- achieves ADS-B Out requirements Global Jet to provide maintenance who values its employees and shares tions and authorizations from interna- mandated by EASA, Aero-Dienst said. training for the Falcon 10, 20/20-5, TAG’s high business standards,” he said. tional regulators and provides scheduled Aircraft are required by EASA to have 50/50EX, 2000/2000EX, and 900/900EX. Once the necessary approvals on and unscheduled maintenance and AOG ADS-B Out by June 7, 2020, while the The Part 147 B1 and B2 training the transaction are received, Das- support. It is also recognized as a center FAA has a January 1, 2020 deadline. The provider said it employs several sault expects the integration to take of excellence for complex retrofit work, EASA mandate applies only to aircraft instructors with nearly 100 years of place over the next few months. which includes avionics and Ka-band that weigh more than 5,700 kg (about combined experience on these Falcon satellite communications installations. 12,500 pounds) or have a maximum types. Established in 1992, Global Jet The new facility is expected cruise speed of more than 250 knots. offers on-site, interactive business StandardAero Returns to be operational in 2020. aviation maintenance training to to Carlyle Portfolio airframe and powerplant mechanics has closed on its Jet MS Completes 7,800 and avionics technicians. It also offers acquisition of StandardAero, marking Raisbeck Appoints Landings Inspection on CL604 professional development and safety a return of the global maintenance, New Dealer in Texas Vilnius, Lithuania-based Jet Maintenance training to those in the industry. repair, and overhaul organization to the Turboprop maintenance and modifica- Solutions (Jet MS) has become one of the investment firm’s aerospace portfolio. tion specialist Aerospace Instrument first third-party business aircraft MROs Terms of the acquisition from Veritas Support (AIS) of Denton, Texas, was worldwide to complete the 7,800-landings MRO Insider Expands Capital were not disclosed, but finan- named an authorized dealer for Rais- inspection on a Bombardier Challenger Registered Aircraft Base cial reports had estimated the value beck Engineering. The announcement 604, it announced last month. According MRO Insider, the website founded in of the deal at about $5 billion. That follows a modification project by AIS to the Avia Solutions Group subsidiary, “A 2016 to connect corporate operators is nearly eight times the estimated of 10 factory-new Beechcraft King Air 7,800-landings inspection for this aircraft with qualified maintenance shops, price Carlyle paid in 2004 when it first 250s equipped with Raisbeck systems. type is quite rare in the market, as most recently topped 500 corporate aircraft acquired the then Dunlop Standard “These mods were done in rapid 604s have not yet reached that mile- registrations on its maintenance quoting Aerospace, at the time an entity with succession and allowed us to per- stone. This particular aircraft was used marketplace. “With the ADS-B dead- four major facilities in North America fect our process and deliver an very intensively in short-haul flights; it line nearing, we are seeing an increase and Europe that employed 2,600. excellent product with as minimal has made from 30 percent to 90 percent in registrations and avionics requests Carlyle sold the MRO provider in a downtime as possible,” said AIS more landings than the average 604.” sent through the website,” said Andy $1.9 billion deal packaged with Land- president Andy Johnson. “Rais- To perform this inspection, Jet MS Nixon, co-founder and v-p of sales for mark Aviation to Dubai Aerospace beck’s support and commitment engineers had to remove the engines, MRO Insider. “Owner-operators or Enterprise (DAE) in 2007. Veritas to quality during this project were inner and backside fuel tanks, stabilizer, directors of maintenance can compare subsequently acquired StandardAero unmatched, and we are proud to be and many other major components, ADS-B quotes side-by-side to find a in 2015, and by that time its value offering their product lines to our which were inspected via non-­ solution that best meets their needs, had grown to $2.1 billion. Today, current and future customers.” destructive tests (NDT), including x-ray, including scheduling and downtime.” StandardAero has more than 6,000 Founded in 1994 as an instrument ultrasonic, eddy current, and magnetic. MRO Insider provides a venue for employees at 38 primary locations and repair facility, AIS has since expanded “NDTs usually make up to 3 percent of registered operators to obtain mainte- dozens of field service and sales offices to include airframe inspections, struc- all base maintenance workscope, but nance quote requests for 11 different across five continents. The company’s tural repairs, engine repairs and over- in this particular inspection they made maintenance services. Aircraft oper- revenues reached $3 billion last year. haul, and paint and interior repair. up almost 30 percent,” Jet MS noted. ators can select an aircraft, choose

62 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com which service is needed, specify a locations in Melbourne and Gold Coast. The facility introduced an interior maintenance and support events are timeframe, and send equipment lists, The appointment allows Premiair to pro- shop implementation project last handled by Ruag’s dedicated PC-12 maintenance-tracking documents, or vide Textron Aviation customers from year to expand the portfolio of ser- team at Geneva-Meyrin, Switzer- photos. Maintenance shops that sub- those sites aircraft maintenance and vices available for its customers. land, which includes line, base, and scribe to MRO Insider are then notified support, including avionics services and heavy maintenance, as well as AOG, of a request for quote and can respond upgrades, scheduled and unscheduled avionics upgrades, and cabin mod- or seek additional information. maintenance, structural and component Bombardier Launches Mobile ifications. That facility also is an repair and overhaul, and refurbishment. Response Jet in Europe authorized service center for Das- Bombardier Business Aircraft has sault Falcon and a service center for Naples Jet Center Gets pressed its first European-based the Embraer Legacy, Bombardier Brazil ANAC Nod for Mx Ruag Australia Gets Mobile Response Team (MRT) jet—a Challenger 604/605, Hawker Beech- Naples Jet Center at Florida’s Naples EASA Part 145 Nod Challenger 300—into service. The craft, and Piaggio's P.180 Avanti. Municipal Airport has received Brazil Ruag Australia has gained EASA Part first mission from its base in Frank- ANAC approval to provide airframe, 145 approval, allowing the Bayswater, furt, Germany, provided assistance to a engine, and avionics services for Victoria-based MRO to perform European customer with unscheduled Safran Helicopter Engines, certain jets and turboprops regis- component MRO and line support maintenance, according to Bombardier. CHC Sign MRO Contract tered in Brazil. “The ability to service for European-registered aircraft. The MRT Challenger 300 will aug- Safran Helicopter Engines inked a Brazil-registered aircraft is vital to This certification, which builds ment the shipping of parts from Bombar- maintenance contract with CHC our continued growth in southwest on Ruag’s Australian Civil Aviation dier’s main European parts distribution Helicopter for maintenance sup- Florida,” said Matt Hagans, CEO and Safety Authority Part 145 designa- hub at Frankfurt International Airport. port of Turbomeca Arriel turboshaft founder of Naples Jet Center and tion, applies to aircraft components Its 3,065-nm range and top speed of engines for CHC’s Sikorsky S-76 and parent company Eagle Creek Aviation. in systems such as air conditioning Mach 0.83 allow the aircraft to timely Airbus Helicopters AS365 fleets. According to Hagans, the facility and pressurization, engine/APU, fuel, reach from Frankfurt the jet manu- The four-year maintenance, repair, has partnered with Embraer Executive pneumatic and vacuum, and ice/rain/ facturer’s installed base of more than and overhaul contract covers some 70 Jets and worked with ANAC since the fire protection. It also allows it to 700 aircraft in Europe and the Middle engines, including support for Arriel Embraer Phenom 100’s introduction perform non-destructive testing, to East, Bombardier said. The Challenger 1S, 2S1 and 2S2 engines on CHC's to the U.S. market in 2008. In fact, include fluorescent penetrant inspec- is Bombardier’s second MRT aircraft S-76s and Arriel 2Cs on its Dauphins. he said, “Our first Phenom 300 cus- tion and magnetic particle inspection. worldwide. It has an MRT The contract will be managed by tomer from Brazil has already arrived based in Chicago, where Bombardier the corporate support department of in Naples to complete the scheduled operates a parts-distribution hub. Safran Helicopter Engines’ worldwide 72-month airframe inspection series Ontic Takes on Aftermarket support model. CHC engines will be and hot-section engine inspections.” Engine Parts Work repaired at centers in Tarnos, France; Aircraft legacy parts manufacturer and Apex Aviation Expands Reach Grand Prairie, Texas; and Xerem, Brazil. aftermarket support provider Ontic has into Mexico with DGAC Nod Duncan Aviation Gets Charged entered an exclusive license agreement Apex Aviation received sign-off from the up by Battery Mx Growth with a UK-based OEM to manufacture Mexican Direccion General de Aero- StandardAero UK Center Growth in Duncan Aviation’s MRO engine pressure transmitters, fuel flow nautica Civil (DGAC) as an approved Gets EASA, Honeywell OKs business has prompted an expansion transmitters, and fluid-monitoring chip maintenance organization, clearing the StandardAero has secured European of its in-house battery services busi- detectors. Ontic said those components way for the Las Vegas MRO to per- Aviation Safety Agency approval for ness at its Lincoln, Nebraska location, are used on engines that include the GE form repair and maintenance services its facility in Fleetlands, UK. The the company announced. It has thus CF6 turbofan, Pratt & Whitney Canada on aircraft registered in Mexico. “Las nod follows Honeywell signoff of nearly doubled the size of its aircraft PT6 turboprop, and GE T700 turboshaft. Vegas is an international tourist desti- the Fleetlands facility’s test cell in battery shop there to nearly 1,400 sq ft. Under the agreement, Ontic will nation, so it makes sense for us to be March. Honeywell had reached an Along with the facility expansion, continue Part 21 new-build manu- able to service aircraft from Mexico,” agreement with StandardAero last Duncan has added a new battery cooler facturing and Part 145 repairs and said Apex Aviation CEO Scott Bullock. year for the Fleetlands shop to serve and new advanced test sets, including spares for the unidentified UK com- as an authorized TFE731 heavy-en- 2,400-watt programmable DC electronic pany. Ontic said users of those parts gine maintenance provider for the load banks, lead-acid analyzers, and account for a large installed base of Pilatus Renews region encompassing Europe, the main NiCad charger analyzers. Bench aircraft that includes the , Ruag’s PC-12 Mx Credentials Middle East, Africa, and India. space has also increased, as has the 757, and 767; and A330; Pilatus Aircraft has renewed its autho- The Fleetlands facility is approved number of its technicians, which now Pilatus PC-9 and PC-21; Beechcraft rized PC-12 service center agreement to provide support for TFE731-2/-3/- total seven. That’s nearly double what King Air; and Bombardier CRJ900. with Ruag MRO International, build- 4/-5/-20/-40/-60 engine series models. Duncan had in Lincoln five years ago. ing on its PC-12 status StandardAero further is authorized to The company handles 85 to 100 batteries that’s been in place for 11 years. perform line level maintenance on Hon- a week in Lincoln, with an average of 75 Embraer’s Sorocaba MRO An average of 150 aircraft eywell 36-series APUs at the facility. n percent of them checked, charged, and Sees First Legacy 600 Refurb returned to customers within five days. Embraer Executive Jets’ service center in Sorocaba, Brazil, has undergone its first complete renovation of a Leg- Textron Aviation Expands acy 600. According to the company, Premiair’s Service Authority the 2006-vintage aircraft was pur- Premiair Aviation Maintenance has chased by a South American customer received an expanded authorized who wished to customize the entire service facility appointment from super-midsize jet with a new interior, Textron Aviation to include the systems upgrades, and paint scheme. Wichita-based airframer’s full prod- Included in the project were new uct line at more Premiair service seating, carpets, ceiling material, side locations in Australia. That product panels, and varnish for all the furniture. line includes Cessna Citations, Car- The galley received new flooring, the avans, and pistons; Beechcraft King divan was reupholstered, and the cur- Airs and pistons; and Hawkers tains replaced. In addition, the landing Founded in Perth in 2002, Premiair gear was overhauled, and ADS-B Out has since expanded to include service was installed along with a GPS upgrade. Ruag MRO International has been an authorized service center for the Pilatus PC-12 since 2008.

ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 63 ACCIDENTS by David Jack Kenny

PRELIMINARY REPORTS and a Canadian Coast Guard helicopter. reported to be her father and the airplane’s struck a ridgeline not far from another An estimated 85 military personnel were pilot. In addition, two people on the saddle at an elevation of 5,305 feet. Wreckage, CVR Recovered assisted by the Provincial Police ground were killed when their vehicle col- The pilot, safety officer at the Globe From Downed King Air and teams of volunteers organized by the lided head-on with a police car responding base, died shortly after impact. The flight victims’ families. At press time, the Trans- to the accident scene. The three officers nurse initially remained conscious and KING AIR 200, JAN. 29, 2019, KAKE, ALASKA portation Safety Board of Canada had not involved suffered serious injuries. alert but succumbed to a combination yet released a report on its investigation. The single-engine turboprop was nearing of chest injuries, internal bleeding, and Salvagers have recovered the cockpit the end of a flight from Cannes-Mandelieu hypothermia after sunset. The helicop- voice recorder and substantial portions Two Deaths in Gulf Accident Airport in southern France when it went ter’s emergency locator transmitter did of the wreckage of the Guardian Flight down in an asparagus field. The wreckage not activate and personnel monitoring air ambulance that crashed into Frederick BELL 407, MARCH 10, 2019, OFFSHORE was largely consumed by fire. As of this the flight via satellite at the operator’s Sound on January 29 but failed to locate FROM LAFOURCHE PARISH, LOUISIANA writing, German authorities have not dis- national communications center failed the remains of its three crewmembers. closed any details of their investigation. to notice its disappearance for some two In a statement released on March 27, the The pilot and sole passenger were killed hours and 10 minutes, delaying search- company reported ending its search for when a Bristow US helicopter crashed into FINAL REPORTS and-rescue efforts. However, the NTSB the crew “after exhausting all avenues of a marsh moments after taking off from the concluded that the severity of the nurse’s exploration and recovery.” An additional company’s heliport in Galliano, Louisiana. Low-altitude Flight Ended injuries made it unlikely that he would helicopter search is planned to scout for The flight was intended to reach an off- By ‘Servo Transparency’ have survived even if the search had whatever additional wreckage might wash shore oil platform in Viosca Knoll about begun immediately. up along the shore. 69 nm east-southeast of Venice, Louisiana. AIRBUS HELICOPTERS AS350 B3, DECEMBER A performance study concluded that Following detection of the CVR’s According to an NTSB preliminary 15, 2018, SUPERIOR, ARIZONA aerodynamic loads crossed the threshold “pinger” by a towed sonar tracker on Feb- report, ceilings at Galliano’s South for the onset of servo transparency six ruary 11, investigators located “a large Lafourche Leonard Miller Jr. Airport The loss of an EMS helicopter with two seconds before the end of the flight and debris field” containing an estimated 85 about five miles west of the accident site of the three persons on board has been continued to increase until the last sec- to 90 percent of the aircraft along a rocky were 600 to 800 feet around the time traced to the pilot’s last-second effort to ond of data recording. bottom some 400 to 500 feet below the of the accident, with 10 miles visibility avoid hitting a ridgeline during a high- surface. The CVR was recovered by a beneath. About eight minutes after take- speed, low-altitude flight through passes Loss of JetRanger Attributed remotely operated submersible on March off, the helicopter departed cruise flight at in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains. In to Spatial Disorientation 19 and turned over to the NTSB. The an altitude of 300 feet. Winds were light, its finding of probable cause, the NTSB device, which was described as showing with temperatures about two degrees Cel- cited “the pilot’s decision to perform BELL 206 B3, MAY 30, 2018, both impact and water damage, has been sius above the dew point.Thrust low-level, high-speed maneuvers through ALDBOROUGH, NORTH YORKSHIRE, UK transported to the NTSB’s Washington, mountainous terrain” as having contrib- D.C. Vehicle Recorder Laboratory. To date, Reverser Found Unlatched uted to his “operating the helicopter Britain’s Air Accidents Investigation the lab has not announced whether it has After Fatal Westwind Crash outside the performance envelope of its Branch determined that the pilot of a Bell been able to extract any usable data from hydraulic system and encountering the JetRanger became disoriented in clouds the recorder or whether it was activated ISRAEL AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIES servo transparency phenomenon.” Servo and low visibility, causing his death during the accident flight. 1124 WESTWIND, MARCH 18, transparency occurs when the aerody- and the destruction of the aircraft. Wit- The King Air was en route to pick up 2019, YUKON, OKLAHOMA namic loads “acting to change the pitch nesses saw the helicopter climb steeply a patient in the coastal village of Kake of the rotor blades exceed the hydraulic into low clouds. After emerging, it spun when it abruptly turned off course and After an IAI 1124 Westwind rolled inverted servo actuators’ capability to resist those counterclockwise through one and a half descended rapidly out of radar contact at low altitude and crashed off the left forces,” resulting in a sudden and dra- turns before descending steeply into the during the intermediate segment of an side of the runway, its left engine’s matic increase in the control pressures ground, rolling inverted, and catching fire. instrument approach. Communications thrust reverser was found unlatched and apparent to the pilot. The condition Radar track data showed a series of rapid with air traffic control had been routine, open. The right engine’s thrust reverser self-corrects quickly if the pilot eases con- climbs and descents during the flight’s and no distress call was received. remained closed and latched. The acci- trol pressures rather than fighting them. last minute. dent took place while the jet was on final The helicopter was returning to its The 70-year-old private pilot was fer- Missing Helicopter Located approach at the end of a flight from Pan- base in Globe after transporting a patient rying the aircraft from its home base at After Week-long Search ama City, Florida. Both pilots, its only to the Baywood Heart Hospital in Mesa Husthwaite in North Yorkshire to Wal- occupants, were killed. with a subsequent fuel stop at the Phoe- ton Wood for its annual inspection, due ROBINSON R66, MARCH 4, 2019, The NTSB preliminary report described nix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Skies in the the following day. Weather along the NEAR TIMMINS, COCHRANE the airplane as nearing the approach end vicinity were clear, typical of Arizona in route was low, with visibilities of two DISTRICT, ONTARIO, CANADA of Sundance Airport’s Runway 18 before December. From the airport, it followed to five miles reported below overcast it began to climb, rolled left, and crashed an east-northeasterly track at about 500 ceilings of 300 to 600 feet. An air ambu- One week after it disappeared during 209 feet east of the runway. No informa- feet above ground level until reaching lance pilot who responded to the scene a flight from Sudbury to Kapuskasing, tion was disclosed on why the pilots might the southern edge of the Superstition described conditions as “challenging… Ontario, Royal Canadian Air Force search have initiated a go-around. The CVR had Mountains, which it traversed at alti- which required his local knowledge and teams located the wreckage of a Robin- not recorded any flight since 2007. tudes as low as 30 feet agl. After passing air ambulance exemptions to operate.” son R66 in a wooded area west of the through a saddle on the east side of Rog- Exhaustive examination of the wreck- Timmins airport. The bodies of the heli- Russian Airline Tycoon ers Canyon, it descended and accelerated, age found no evidence of any mechanical copter’s owners were found at the scene. Killed in Germany reaching a maximum speed of 148 knots anomalies prior to impact. The pilot’s The accident site was partially covered in just before its Appareo GAU2000 data logbook documented just 255 hours of snow, which hindered identification of EPIC LT, MARCH 31, 2019, NEAR logger “recorded an abrupt increase in career flight experience, which included the accident site. RCAF Captain Marty EGELSBACH, GERMANY the helicopter’s pitch rate and right roll 224 in the same make and model but only Zimmer, who directed and coordinated rate, consistent with right and aft cyclic one 30-minute flight in the previous 10 search efforts, estimated that crews had Natalia Fileva, co-owner of Russia’s S7 inputs.” The flight paramedic, the sole months. Acquaintances described him overflown the scene eight times before Airline and one of that nation’s wealthiest survivor of the accident, recalled hearing as flying only in good weather. While spotting the debris. women, was among three people killed the pilot utter “an expletive in a panicked the inspection deadline could have been Seven RCAF aircraft were joined in the in the crash of an experimental Epic LT voice…[he] looked up and saw a ridgeline extended, his busy personal schedule search by three aircraft operated by the during a visual approach to Frankfurt’s immediately in their flight path and ter- would have complicated finding an alter- Civil Air Search and Rescue Association Egelsbach Airport. The other victims were rain filling up the view.” The helicopter native date for the flight. n

The material on this page is based on reports by the official agencies of the countries having the reponsibility for aircraft accident and incident investigations. It is not intended to judge or evaluate the ability of any person, living or dead, and is presented here for informational purposes.

64 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com CONNECTING THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

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A former Beechcraft production test winglets that are installed by Textron Avi- pilot’s company in Kansas is breathing ation technicians, he estimates about a 15 new life into an old, out-of-production percent improvement in the 400A’s max- airframe. Clemens Aviation, an FBO, imum range of 1,500 nm. “We can get an The World Leader in Aviation Market Intelligence charter, maintenance, and aircraft sales easy four hours out of the airplane,” Cle- 800.553.8638 +1.315.797.4420 +41 (0) 43.243.7056 jetnet.com and management company founded by mens said. Its 12-person shop—most of Dwayne Clemens, is wrapping up modifi- whom are A&Ps—does the interior refur- cation and refurbishment work on its 14th bishing, while Ballard Aviation does the Beechjet 400A. paint at its shop in Winfield. The combina- Clemens, who started the company in tion of upgrades along with the Beechjet’s 2003 after 18 years as a test pilot at the for- reliability and 45,000-foot ceiling makes mer Raytheon Aircraft Co., flew Beechjets it “a great, economical airplane,” Clemens frequently during his career and is con- added. “It’s a great bang for the buck.” vinced it’s one of the best light business jets His foray into the aircraft management on the preowned market today. “There’s business and as unofficial spokesman of really nothing out there with its speed, size the Beechjet 400A started 16 years ago, of cabin, and range,” Clemens told AIN. when he purchased Lloyd Stearman Field Nearly all of the 14 Beechjets in the Cle- Airport (1K1) on the edge of tiny Benton, mens Aviation fleet are owned by individ- about 21 miles northeast of Wichita. uals or partnerships. A couple are owned Since then, Clemens has expanded the by the company. The Beechjets also make company, adding a Part 135 charter oper- up the majority of its fleet, which totals ation and aircraft management to its FBO about 21 airplanes and includes Beech- services—which include managing a fuel craft King Airs, a Beech Baron, Hawker farm—and aircraft sales. 800XPs and a Bombardier Challenger 601. With 40 T-hangar units and 10 large The Beechjet became the staple of Cle- hangars encompassing 100,000 sq ft mens Aviation’s managed fleet largely now at Stearman, Clemens is looking through Dwayne Clemens’s recommen- to extend his company’s operations to dation to clients seeking to purchase a Col. James Jabara Airport (AAO), a pub- business jet, he said. lic general aviation airport on Wichita’s The model’s final year of production east side that’s five nm west of Stearman. was in 2003 after a 17-year run—initially Part of the reason he’s looking to expand as the 400 and a few years later as the is the need for more space for Clemens 400A with selected refinements. What Aviation’s operations. The other is 90 Clemens Aviation has done to refresh its percent of the owners of the airplanes his stable of 400As is install new avionics, company manages live within four miles add winglets, refurbish the interior, and of Jabara, Clemens said. The company is apply new paint. He estimates the turn- awaiting approval from the Wichita Air- around time on refreshing the Beechjets port Authority to build an FBO at Jabara is about 90 days. that would include 8,000 sq ft of office Clemens said the Garmin G5000 avion- and terminal space, and 60,000 sq ft of ics installed by Wichita-based Bevan Avia- hangar space. “We need more runway. We tion gives the airplane 300 more pounds of need more hangar space. And we’re in the available useful load. Combined with the FBO business,” he explained. n

66 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com COMPLIANCE countdown by Gordon Gilbert

Within 6 Months July 1, 2019 May 18, 2019 and Feb. 18, 2020 Australia: Drone Registration EASA: Halon Banned A staged implementation process is planned whereby registration Under new EASA Part 26.170 and and accreditation are progressively 26.400, operators of large airplanes introduced for remotely piloted and large helicopters for which the first aircraft operators in Australia. Ini- individual certificate of airworthiness tial registration-only requirements is issued on or after May 18, 2019, shall are scheduled to start on July 1. The ensure that portable fire extinguishers mandate will apply to commercial do not use Halon as the extinguish- operators of drones of any size DUNCAN AVIATION HAS 17 ing agent. This ban applies to built-in and to recreational users of drones ENGINE RAPID RESPONSE lavatory extinguishers on aircraft newly weighing more than 250 grams. certified on or after Feb. 18, 2020. The LAUNCH LOCATIONS WITH goal is to gradually mitigate the environ- MORE THAN 35 ENGINE Within 12 Months mental impact that Halon extinguish- TECHNICIANS IN THE ing agents in firefighting equipment Jan. 1, 2020 8 Months to Deadline FIELD DEDICATED TO have on the ozone and climate. U.S./: ADS-B 24/7 AOG SUPPORT. May 27, 2019 Out Mandate EASA: Aircraft Cybersecurity ADS-B Out equipment must be operational starting Jan. 1, 2020, in The European Aviation Safety Agency aircraft that fly in the U.S. under has issued a Notice of Proposed IFR and where transponders are Amendment (NPA) that aims to miti- currently required, and in Tai- gate the potential effects of cybersecu- wan IFR airspace above FL290. rity threats to aircraft electronics. The requirements would replace the use of Jan. 1, 2020 special conditions to meet these threats Aircraft CO2 Emissions with dedicated requirements under spe- cific airframe TC and STC specifications The first international standards for and expand the mandate to all aircraft CO2 aircraft emissions enacted by sizes. Comments are due May 27. ICAO initially apply to large subsonic jets for which a type certificate is June 1, 2019 submitted on or after Jan. 1, 2020. Canada: Drone Registration

Transport Canada has issued rules that Beyond 12 Months require drone pilots to register their June 7, 2020 13 Months to Deadline aircraft and obtain a pilot certificate Europe: ADS-B Out Mandate by June 1, 2019. The requirements apply to drones weighing between 250 The ADS-B Out retrofit requirement grams and 25 kilograms (8.8 ounces in Europe takes effect June 7, 2020. and 55 pounds) that are operated This mandate applies only to aircraft within the pilot’s visual-line-of-sight, with a mtow exceeding 5,700 kg regardless of whether the drone is (12,566 pounds) or having a maximum flown for fun, work or research. cruising speed greater than 250 knots, and received its individual certificate June 4, 2019 NEW of airworthiness on or after June 8, FAA: High-altitude Airports 2016.

Amendments have been proposed to Jan. 1, 2021 certain FAR Part 25 airworthiness regula- EASA: Cockpit Voice Recorders tions applicable to cabin pressurization systems to accommodate operations Cockpit voice recorders with a record- at airports with elevations at or above ing duration of at least 25 hours will be 8,000 feet msl. Currently, the FAA required on commercial airplanes with an makes a finding of an equivalent level of mtow of 60,000 pounds or more manu- safety (ELOS) when a manufacturer or factured from Jan. 1, 2021. modifier proposes to certify pressuriza- tion systems for operations at airports Jan. 1, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2028 Experience. Unlike any other. at or above 8,000 feet. In addition, the Aircraft CO2 Emissions www.DuncanAviation.aero/engineRRT FAA grants exemption requests from the automatic oxygen mask deploy- Standards for CO2 emissions apply to ment requirements for operations at deliveries of current in-production Aircraft Acquisition & Consignment | Airframe Maintenance airports with elevations at or above large aircraft starting Jan 1, 2023. All Avionics Installation | Emergency Assistance (AOG) 14,000 feet. This proposed action would covered in-production airplanes must Engine & APU | Engineering & Certification Services relieve the burden on industry and meet the standard by Jan. 1, 2028. Jet Government & Special Programs | Paint & Interior the FAA that results from project-spe- airplanes with an mtow under 12,500 Parts, Avionics, Instruments & Accessories cific ELOS requests and petitions for pounds, and piston-engine airplanes exemption to accommodate opera- and turboprops below 19,000 pounds' tions at these high elevation airports. mtow, are exempt. n

AIN_DuncanAviation_April2019.indd 1 3/29/2019 9:45:00 AM ainonline.com \ May 2019 \ Aviation International News 67 PEOPLE in aviation Compiled by Kerry Lynch

MARC BOULIANE NICK GUERRA MARIO SAMBLOTTE JJ FRIGGE EMILY DEATON

Dror Yahav stepped into the role of CEO for that is part of the Directional Aviation group Cadence Aerospace appointed Nick Guerra lead professional development activities such Universal Avionics (UA) on April 10. Yahav suc- of companies. Ricci most recently was v-p of chief technology officer. Guerra most recently as the Certified Aviation Manager program and ceeded Paul DeHerrera, who retired after 25 client services for Corporate Wings. was v-p of engineering and manufacturing the Professional Development Review Commit- years of service with UA. Yahav joined UA par- Hal Martin joined Aerion as v-p of global technology for Perfekta, the Cadence Center tee. She will also steer its efforts to address the ent Elbit Systems in 2001 and had served as supply chain. of Excellence in Wichita, Kansas. industry’s labor challenges. Also, Dina Green v-p of commercial aviation in the Aerospace Jet Aviation is promoting Dave Paddock, Western Aircraft hired Mario Samblotte as was promoted from senior director of confer- Division for the past eight years. In addition, currently senior v-p of regional operations interior sales manager. ences and forums to v-p of events and will be in Marc Bouliane joined Universal Avionics as USA, to president of the Jet Aviation group, Boston JetSearch promoted John Beve- charge of the team responsible for registration v-p of strategic business development. Bou- effective July 1. He is stepping in forRob ridge to president, while Drew Callen assumes and sponsorships. liane spent 12 years at Esterline Avionics Sys- Smith, who is moving to the marine systems the role of CEO. Beveridge has served with Aviaa is growing its customer success tems and CMC Electronics, where he was most business of parent company General Dynam- Boston JetSearch since 2007, most recently team with a number of recent additions, recently product director for Avionics Display ics. Paddock has served with Jet Aviation as senior v-p. including the appointment of Don Hitch as Solutions. Finally, Tal Golan was appointed to since January 2007. NBAA promoted Mike Nichols from v-p of v-p of customer success. In addition, Lori the newly created position of rotorcraft busi- BACA—The Air Charter Association elected operational excellence and professional devel- Jones recently became director of customer ness development manager. Nick Weston to serve as its next chairman. opment to head a new division within the Wash- success. She formerly served with charter USAIG announced a number of promotions Weston succeeds Richard Mumford, who has ington, D.C.-based organization as senior v-p operator West Coast Aviation. Sarah Holian, and other responsibility changes: Glenn Val- steered the group since 2016. of strategy and innovation. In addition, he will formerly with StrataJet in London, is support- lach was named senior v-p and General Avia- Kirk Meissner joined newly created sales oversee NBAA’s professional development ini- ing Aviaa’s UK, European, and Middle Eastern tion Claims Division manager; Katie Callahan and support specialist AOne Parts & Logistics tiatives. Joanne “Jo” Damato, most recently members. Also newly on board as director was promoted to claims manager in the Air- as v-p and founding member. senior director of educational development of customer success is Matthew Suedkam, line Claims Department; v-p Timothy Goldrick Hartzell Propeller appointed JJ Frigge and strategy, was named v-p of educational who was most recently director of flight oper- was appointed accounting manager; Andrew executive v-p and general manager, serving strategy and workforce development and will ations for SpaceX.  Whitaker, who is in the Eastern branch office, as the company’s business leader with a became senior underwriter; Beatriz Palanza focus on long-term strategy. is now claims-services supervisor in the Gen- Emily Deaton was named v-p of sales for eral Aviation Claims Department; and, Phyllis jetAviva. Deaton formerly held sales and cus- FINAL FLIGHTS Abshire, who is in the Dallas branch office, was tomer support roles with Embraer Executive promoted to senior underwriting assistant. Jets and most recently led a team in implement- Skip Koss, the former v-p of marketing Lockheed’s Burbank Skunk Works facility. Elizabeth Ricci was named CEO of Cor- ing artificial intelligence and machine learning for Concorde Batteries who was a driver A member of the Experimental Aircraft porate Wings, an aircraft management firm at the Brazil-headquartered manufacturer. in the introduction of lead-acid batter- Association and Professional Aviation Main- ies into the aviation industry, died on tenance Association, Koss was active in the March 19. He was 83. FAA committee that developed U.S. aircraft A long-time aviation mechanic, Koss battery specifications and donated numer- began his career as a teenager, taking a ous hours to pilot and mechanic education. AWARDS and HONORS job washing and polishing airplanes and He was awarded the FAA’s Charles E. Taylor sweeping hangar floors at Detroit City Air- “Master Mechanic” recognition. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Guard with the Laurence P. Sharples Award; port in 1949. After he turned 18, he served (AOPA) awarded its 2019 Hoover Tro- and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) with the as a licensed A&P for General Motors’ Air Former Jet Aviation chairman and CEO phy to Clay Lacy in recognition of his con- Joseph B. “Doc” Hartranft Award. Transport section for 13 years and sub- Thomas Hirschmann passed away on tributions to aviation, inspiration to pilots, The British Business Aviation Associa- sequently as director of maintenance for April 3 in Zurich at the age of 64. The and support of young people in aviation tion (BBGA) recently presented its Michael Midwestern Airlines, Omni Aircraft Sales, second son of company founder Carl careers. Originally from Wichita, Lacy has Wheatley Award to Penny Stephens, CEO and Sunstream Jet Center. Hirschmann, he joined Jet Aviation in 1974 logged 53,000 hours in more than 300 air- of Inflite The Jet Centre. The award recog- Koss began to build his knowledge in and succeeded his father in heading the craft types, earned 32 type ratings, set 29 nizes outstanding services to the general batteries in 1978, when he joined Aero organization from 1990 through 2003. world speed records, and flown more than aviation industry. Stephens learned to fly at Quality as a sales manager. There, Con- Under his watch, Jet Aviation launched its 2,500 film missions from his home in Los 17 and began working at Thurston Aviation, corde said, he became a leading industry completion business, built up its marketing Angeles. He established an FBO at Van Nuys initially as a secretary and later moving into authority on aircraft batteries and worked and communication department, increased Airport more than 50 years ago, and that administration. She joined Inflight, becoming with engineering expert Joe Mibelli, of its U.S. operations, and expanded to Asia. business now has a presence in nearly two- involved in all aspects of the MRO business, JFM Engineering, to develop the “Super- “I am greatly saddened to learn of dozen locations and employs 500. Lacy was signing up legacy airlines such as Aer Lin- seder,” the first charger-analyzer that Thomas Hirschmann’s passing,” said further recognized for his efforts in helping gus and Lufthansa to support their BAE 146 could charge and discharge high currents Jet Aviation group president Rob Smith, to develop the next-generation workforce. regional jets. More than a decade later she at low voltage. who expressed condolences on behalf Also honored during the ceremony redesigned the offices and agreed to support After later becoming manager of OEM of the entire company to the Hirschmann were ForeFlight founders Tyson Weihs the new Embraer Legacy. Now, the MRO is sales at Teledyne Battery Products and family. “By all accounts, Thomas was and Jason Miller with the General Aviation the largest EMEA authorized service center then Marathon Power Technology, Koss a well-liked leader, who maintained a Safety Award; Hawaii state Sen. Kai Kahele for Embraer business jets. By 2012, as CEO, joined Concorde Battery, where he spent strong customer focus and was able to (D), a commercial airline pilot and commis- she had steered the business into an interna- his next 30 years. There, he embraced lead- build relationships with Jet Aviation’s key sioned officer in the Hawaii Air National tional center catering to VVIP guests.  acid battery technology, introducing it to clients around the world.” 

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2017 AVA BJT 9 x 10.75 ad.indd 1 1/17/17 5:08 PM continued from page 1 and dedicated charter are not different,” Flohr clearly likes the O&O charter Unlike JetSmarter, no whiff of des- Flohr continued. “One flight has a lead fleet model. Unencumbered by owners’ peration surrounds JetSuite. It appears Vista Global buys passenger who pays for everything, and if schedules or individual asset deprecia- to have solid foundation with backers you bring in the crowdsourcing element, tion concerns, these fleets typically regis- including JetBlue founder David Neele- JetSmarter you’re basically lowering the cost for the ter much higher hours per airframe than man. But Vista has the global access and lead passenger. They operate under very average charter aircraft, and the O&Os likely much greater capital resources to JetSmarter investors Clearlake Capital similar execution rules.” don’t pay 85 percent of the revenues to enable JetSuite to expand more aggres- and Jefferies Financial Group will gain a As for doubters in the model’s future: “If aircraft owners. But like per-seat char- sively. Gazing into the future, one must stake in Vista Global; Jefferies LLC acted you would have asked the world five years ter, the charter industry has long viewed wonder how Wilcox envisions the com- as financial advisor to JetSmarter. ago about the Uber pool concept, the world O&Os as unworkable, notwithstanding petitive landscape ahead if he had to con- Absent from news of the deal was would have said no,” Flohr said, noting a the seeming success of JetSuite, XOJet, tend with the technology and will Vista the voice of JetSmarter founder Sergey Vista executive in New York City used the and VistaJet itself, all established on the would bring to his market in furtherance Petrossov, whose personality was inextri- service daily. “One has to stay very open- model. Hence, individually owned air- of its global ambitions. VGH also owns cably linked to the company’s brash style. minded in the shared economy trend we’re craft operated by management companies Vista Lease, offering owner-like access to Founded in 2012, JetSmarter’s per-seat in,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a reverse comprise the great majority of the on-de- luxury long-range aircraft without long- charter model and free-seat offering drew gear on the shared economy.” mand charter fleet. Flohr also likes tech- term commitment or capital costs. VGH thousands of members and large media In addition to its own per-seat offer- nology, as does JetSuite; the latter was the has ordered 30 Bombardier Global 7500s attention, before changes in program ings, JetSmarter provides access to seats first charter company to offer guaranteed for both VistaJet and Vista Lease custom- rules and heavy-handed management on JetSuiteX, the California-centered online pricing and booking. ers, Flohr told AIN. tactics provoked a backlash among cus- airline-style per-seat offering from Jet- With JetSmarter onboard, VGH has With the expansion of full-service tomers and extensive negative publicity. Suite that uses Embraer 135s in 30-seat all the “key ingredients” for growth, and access solvers VGH and Directional Avia- Yet the proprietary booking technology configurations. plans no more strategic acquisitions, tion Capital (the latter offering Flexjet for underpinning JetSmarter’s operations has JetSuite, an O&O with a light-jet dom- Flohr said. But he added that, “If we see fractional and lease; Sentient Jet for cards; long enjoyed industry respect. inated charter fleet (Embraer Phenom in years to come a component of this OneSky for on-demand; and PrivateFly The transaction comes on the heels of 100s and 300s), is marking in 2019 its industry [worth acquiring], we will stay for technology and low-cost charter), JetSmarter’s reported agreement to set- 10th anniversary since rebranding in very open-minded.” Could JetSuite qual- independents may find growth, if not sur- tle a class action arbitration stemming 2008. Over that challenging decade, the ify as such an asset? That would clearly be vival, challenged. Wheels Up, the Kenny from members’ claims the company’s scrappy low-cost operator, led by founder a tactical rather than a strategic acquisi- Dichter bizav access vehicle, also lays rules changes vitiated promised benefits. and CEO Alex Wilcox, a JetBlue founding tion but could make sense for both, par- claim to providing full spectrum service Several lawsuits have also been success- executive, has demonstrated a formula for ticularly in providing a way to accelerate through tiered memberships, including fully filed. success in the low-margin but potentially expansion of the JetSuite offering into a new shared-flight product, and out- “We’re obviously not commenting on high-demand light-jet charter market. more regional markets. side-fleet charter brokerage, in addition any alleged lawsuits,” Flohr said. “Vista- to its core fleet of Beechcraft King Air 350i Jet and its shareholders, after extensive turboprops and Citation Excel/XLS mid- due diligence, came to the conclusion [the size jets. But Wheels Up currently evinces acquisition] will add a lot of value.” no interest in the global long-range luxury No changes at JetSmarter are antic- market, unlike Directional, which in addi- ipated should the transaction close tion to orders for Gulfstream’s new G500s (anticipated this quarter), Flohr said. and G600s, has options for 20 Aerion AS2 “JetSmarter was built by a lot of very, supersonic business jets, an agreement very smart people. It’s the intention to some derided as a PR stunt when it was keep this great workforce. This isn’t about announced in 2015, yet that appears more consolidation of human resources,” he prescient with the passage of time. continued. “We’re not looking at layoffs, The shrinking world of stand-alone we’re looking at using the global scale we O&Os includes Travel Management have to extend the platform.” Company (TMC) and its light-jet fleet, which consistently remains under the Integration Expected This Year radar. Vista Global’s purchase of XOJet, Once cleared to proceed, “We’re expect- which operates Citation X and Challenger ing a 20-week period of execution” for 300 super-mid jets, from investment system integration, Flohr said, after firms Mubadala and TPG Capital, made which “the [JetSmarter] technology will headlines, though TPG and Mubadala be embedded throughout Vista Global Aireon’s space-based system is operational after eight years of development. announced it was for sale a year before, Group.” That will bring immediate bene- along with a timeline for its planned dis- fits to online offerings including catering, Space-based ADS-B system goes live position. But TPG also owns TMC, and flight tracking, concierge services, and Phil Dobyk, TMC’s CEO, told AIN at the “future value drivers,” as he called such Aireon’s space-based ADS-B air traffic The system, which has been in the time VGH bought XOJet that TPG had no services. “It’s all going to happen on the management system is now fully opera- works for eight years, uses the Iridium plans to sell. That was before the reality first day.” Meanwhile, “VistaJet customers tional and in trial use over the North Atlan- Next satellite constellation, which com- of Vista Global’s vision was manifest as will always have a human interface, a ded- tic, the company announced on April 2. pleted deployment in January. Aireon it is now. icated services person” available,” Flohr The system can track all ADS-B equipped since has completed payload testing, But a VGH/TMC acquisition/sale may said, though “there are elements of fulfill- aircraft worldwide in real time, Airion said, validation, and calibration. Under the not seem as compelling a transaction. ment going very fast and strongly toward adding the announcement ushers in a new trial, controllers will be able to reduce TMC remains under the radar because, the digital” channels. era of safety. in-trail separation distances from 40 nm unlike JetSuite and other well-known As for the viability of per-seat charter, “Our air transportation system has oper- to as little as 14 nm. With improved visi- providers, it sells primarily to the whole- JetSmarter’s signature offering, “I had ated with a safe but less-than-efficient bility and control over previously un-sur- sale market: charter brokers, jet cards, to be educated about it,” Flohr said. “It system in the 70 percent of the world that veilled airspace, operators will be able and management companies that need could have merit on certain routes, it does not have real-time surveillance,” said to fly at more optimal routes and speeds, supplemental lift. The charter market could be an alternative to the airlines. We Aireon CEO Don Thoma. “With the launch saving money and reducing emissions, depends on this essentially excess capac- believe it’s a valid business model. We of our space-based ADS-B service, Aireon Aireon added. ity. But as long as an operator has access need to see on what routes this is going now provides a real-time solution to that Nav Canada and NATs are the first air to it, and doesn’t have to worry about to be accepted.” challenge, one that will radically optimize navigation service providers to use the slack times, would it make sense for an “From a sourcing and operational flight safety and efficiency.” space-based service. K.L. uber provider to own it, even if one had excellence point of view, seat sharing the wherewithal? Perhaps we’ll find out. n

70 Aviation International News \ May 2019 \ ainonline.com Join over 25,000 industry professionals for the most important three days of business aviation, with 1,100 exhibitors, 2 static displays of aircraft – one inside the exhibit hall and the other outside at Henderson Executive Airport, and more than 50 education opportunities. Save the date and visit the NBAA-BACE website to learn more. www.nbaa.org/2019 FalconResponse_Planes_275x352_AIN_uk.indd 1 18/03/2019 10:12 calendar

EBACE 2018 PARIS 2017 PHOTOS: MARK WAGNER PHOTOS:

FSI 64TH BUSINESS AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT… APRIL May 2-3, Denver, Colorado. AUGUST Info: https://flightsafety.org/summit-seminar/bass2019/. SUN ’N‘ FUN INT’L FLY-IN EXPO…April 2-7, LATIN AMERICAN BUSINESS AVIATION Florida Air Museum, Lakeland, FL. HELIOFFSHORE CONFERENCE & AGM…May 3-6, Athens, CONVENTION & EXHIBITION… Info: www.flysnf.org/. Greece. Info: http://helioffshore.org/event/. August 13-15, São Paulo, Brazil. Info: https://labace.com.br/. COMMERCIAL UAV EXPO EUROPE…April 8-10, NBAA MAINTENANCE/FLIGHT ATTENDANTS/FLIGHT RAI Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. TECHNICIANS CONFERENCE…May 7-9, Info: www.expouav.com/europe/. Fort Worth, TX. Info: (202) 783-9000; SEPTEMBER https://nbaa.org/events/2019-maintenance-conference/. AEROPODIUM AIRCRAFT LEASING: COMMERCIAL, LEGAL, AND CITATION JET PILOTS CONVENTION…September 4-8, TECHNICAL ISSUES…April 9, , London, UK. USCAS, US CORPORATE AVIATION SUMMIT…May 9, Colorado Springs, CO. Info: http://aeropodium.com/leasing.html. Fort Lauderdale, FL. Info: www.citationjetpilots.com. Info: http://aeropodium.com/uscas.html. AERO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN…April 10-13, Messe Friedrichshafen, INTERNATIONAL BRAZIL AIR SHOW…September 11-13, Friedrichshafen, Germany. Info: +49 7541 708-404, EUROPEAN BUSINESS AVIATION CONVENTION GRU Airport-São Paulo International Airport, www.aero-expo.com/aero-en/. & EXHIBITION… May 21-23, Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil. Palexpo Convention Center, Geneva, Switzerland. Info: +55 11 97664-7750; [email protected]; AVIAPAGES SWISS PRIVATE JETS SHOW…April 11, Info: [email protected]; https://ebace.aero/2019/. http://internationalbrazilairshow.com.br/en/. Airport, Switzerland. Info: http://Aviapages.com; Email: [email protected]. BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION JUNE ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT… ASIAN BUSINESS AVIATION September 12, The International, Bolton, MA. CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION…April 16-18, NBAA REGIONAL FORUM…June 6, Info: www.massbizav.org. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai, China. Westchester County Airport, White Plains, NY. Info: www.nbaa.org. Info: [email protected]; https://abace.aero/2019/. MEBAA SHOW MOROCCO…September 25-26, PILATUS OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL Marrakech Menara Airport, Morocco. REGIONAL ASSN. SPRING CONVENTION…June 6-8, Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Info: www.mebaamorocco.aero. CONFERENCE…April 23-25, Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Info: http://pilatusowners.org/popa-annual-convention/. Villas, Scottsdale, AZ. Info: https://www.raccaonline.org/ racca-spring-conference-registration/. NBAA SECURITY CONFERENCE…June 10-11, OCTOBER Westin Bellevue, Bellevue, WA. Info: www.nbaa.org. RTCA SC-135 ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING PLENARY…April 26, NBAA TAX REGULATORY & RISK MANAGEMENT… RTCA Headquarters, 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 910, Washington, PARIS AIRSHOW…June 17-23, Exhibition Center of October 20-21, Las Vegas, NV. DC 20036. Info: (202) 330-0654; [email protected]; Le Bourget, Paris, France. Info: www.siae.fr/. Info: www.nbaa.org. www.rtca.org/content/upcoming-committee-meetings. ISLE OF MAN AVIATION CONFERENCE…June 27, NBAA-BACE BUSINESS AVIATION US AIRCRAFT EXPO…April 26-27, Centennial Airport, Denver, CO. Villa Marina, Douglas, Isle of Man, UK. CONVENTION & EXHIBITION…October 22-24, Info: https://usaircraftexpo.com/locations/kapa. Info: www.iomaircraftregistry.com/events/ Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas NV. isle-of-man-aviation-conference/. Info: (202) 783-9000; www.nbaa.org/events/bace/2019/. AUVSI XPONENTIAL…April 29-May 2, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. Info: 703 845-9671; www.xponential.org. JULY NOVEMBER ASA ANNUAL CONFERENCE…July 14-16, DUBAI AIRSHOW… November 17-21, MAY Hotel OMNI Mont-Royal, Montreal, Quebec. Airport Expo, Dubai, UAE. Info: +97 1 4286 7755; Info: www.aviationsuppliers.org/annual-conference. www.dubaiairshow.aero. NBAA BUSINESS AVIATION TAXES SEMINAR… May 2-3, Marina del Rey, CA. EAA AIRVENTURE… AFRICAN AIR EXPO… November 27-29, Info: (202) 783-9000; https://nbaa.org/ July 22-28, Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, WI. King Shaka International Airport, Durban, South Africa. events/2019-business-aviation-taxes-seminar/. Info: www.eaa.org/en/airventure. Info: http://africanairexpo.com/.

Indicates events at which AIN will publish Indicates events for which AIN will provide Indicates events at which AIN on-site issues or distribute special reports. special online coverage or e-newsletter. will ­produce AINtv.com videos.

See ainonline.com for a comprehensive long-range aviation events calendar. CustomerServices_275x352_AIN_uk.indd 1 12/04/2019 15:42