Legal Experts Fear Major Brexit Disruption for Aviation

March 2017

PUBLICATIONS Av i a t i o n Vol. 49 No. 3 $9.00 International News® www.ainonline.com

Safety Bizav’s safety record AIN takes an in-depth look at the industry’s safety record from 2010 to 2016, and the results are impressive, especially for Part 91K. However, a significant number of accidents were the result of the crew’s improper preparation. page 12 Airports and FBOs New FBO at Santa Ana Signature is contesting the county’s decision to award ACI Jet the leasehold the chain has held for 20 years. page 10 Rotorcraft Establishing IBF standards Inlet distortion limits and power assurance checks remain the major issues to be ironed out before the FAA issues a policy statement. page 52 LEAVING SANTA MONICA Opinion The besieged Southern California airport faces closure in 2028 now that the FAA Fixing the pilot shortage has capitulated and abandoned its support for efforts to keep the field open. But interim measures are already casting a pall on operations at SMO. JetSuiteX was There is a simple solution to the shortage, says one service veteran: planning to offer regular air service from the field using ERJ135s, but those air- let us use VA benefits for primary flight craft (and even smaller jets such as this CJ3) operating under Part 135 face ex- training. page 43 clusion by the city’s stated intention to shorten the runway to 3,500 feet from its current 4,973 feet. SMO proponents vow to continue the battle and prevail. Page 8

Business Aviation AND THE and its partners and customers in the EU—arguably faces the Legal experts fear major The industry stands ready to meet new in- greatest uncertainty from Brexit. ternational regulations, as it has for years For instance, how will UK-based embraced environmentally friendly ops as a commercial operators be able means of keeping costs in check. Page 20 Brexit disruption for aviation to fly for hire within the EU if they lose their cabotage rights? by David Donald Will the UK remain a member of the European Aviation Safety Eight months ago, Britain since the referendum, the EU’s of labor. The UK’s Conserva- Agency? If not, how will it replace voted in a referendum to leave political leadership has made tive government is refusing to EASA regulations with its own? the European Union (EU), it clear that the UK will be compromise, insisting that the “There is no doubt that Brexit embarking on an uncharted excluded from access to its sin- country can thrive outside the could be hugely disruptive to path and plunging the business gle market if it refuses to honor EU by forging new trading alli- aviation from an operational community as a whole into a existing agreements covering ances with countries worldwide. and regulatory perspective.” spiral of uncertainty. By the end areas such as the free movement The UK aviation industry— Continues on page 49 u of this month, the UK government is expected to initiate the so-called Article 50 clause that will mark the point of no return As airline groups court U.S. President, in the complex Brexit process, through which the country bizav vows to fight separate ATC will abandon its EU membership after a two-year period of by Kerry Lynch negotations with the remaining 27 states. Business aviation and other interests are stepping aviation system, but warned against placing con- Advocates of Brexit say the up their campaigns against a push for a user- trol of the system in the hands of one segment UK is poised to enjoy a golden funded independent ATC system in light of a within the industry. age of economic independence meeting between President Donald Trump and “We’re delighted that, in today’s meeting, the in which industry and com- airline and airport interests. In a statement fol- President made clear that aviation moderniza- merce will be free from the lowing the February 9 meeting, NBAA president tion is important; that’s a goal with which we supposed shackles of EU legis- and CEO Ed Bolen said he is encouraged that the agree, and the business aviation community will lation and regulation. However, President is giving attention to the needs of the Continues on page 50 u PHENOM 300: SAFETY, ADVANCED AVIONICS, COMFORT

“What inspired my purchase was a combination of the passion and love of aviation and to pilot a jet like the Phenom 300. But also for business purposes, I can fly around the world and meet with vendors who supply us raw materials. I can meet with retailers, so it’s very exciting to fly very quickly to them and avoid the delays and cancellations of commercial air travel. Plus, you can fly into smaller airports that are closer to your destination.

And what got me so excited about Embraer was its DNA building airliners, the ERJs. I always tell people Embraer forgot it’s building executive jets. They still believe they’re building airliners for endurance, safety, redundancy.

Embraer treats me as well or better than its airline customers. The company goes out of its way to keep the plane upgraded with service bulletins, improving the systems of the plane, improving every aspect of the airplane. I like the fact that Embraer is just constantly improving the Phenom 300, and they do a phenomenal job of keeping parts in stock.

The plane is very stable. Passengers like the combination of the safety of the airplane, the advanced avionics, combined with the comfort of the plane. The lavatory being externally serviceable is awesome for both the owners/operators and passengers.

I wanted the latest, greatest, best, safest technology, and Embraer had it all, from the avionics to the engines to the systems.”

- Wayne Gorsek, Founder & CEO, DrVita.com Watch Wayne’s story and request more information at EmbraerExecutiveJets.com/Wayne

The Phenom 300 — the most-delivered business jet in the world — is a clean-sheet-design light aircraft that delivers best-in-class speed, climb and field performance, next-generation avionics, a spacious cabin and a largest-in-class baggage compartment. Its comfortable, highly intuitive cockpit, with large displays and state-of-the-art avionics, enhances situational awareness. Delivering superior comfort and style, the OvalLite™ cabin provides ample leg and head room and the largest galley and windows in its class, for abundant natural light. Up to 11 occupants also enjoy the best cabin altitude in the category. Contributing to its enviable presence on the ramp, the signature air stair leads to the largest entrance door in its class. The Phenom 300’s superior overall performance, combined with class-leading fuel efficiency, contribute to its breakthrough status and strong acceptance in the marketplace. PHENOM 300: SAFETY, ADVANCED AVIONICS, COMFORT

I wanted the latest, greatest, best, safest technology, and Embraer had it all, from the avionics to the engines to the systems.”

- Wayne Gorsek, Founder & CEO, DrVita.com Watch Wayne’s story and request more information at EmbraerExecutiveJets.com/Wayne

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – Charles Alcock EDITOR - AIN MONTHLY EDITION – Nigel Moll EDITOR - U.S. SHOW EDITIONS – Matt Thurber EDITOR - INTERNATIONAL SHOW EDITIONS – Ian Sheppard Business Aviation NEWS EDITOR - AIN MONTHLY, AINonline – Chad Trautvetter AND THE MANAGING EDITOR - AIN MONTHLY – Annmarie Yannaco MANAGING EDITOR – Mark Phelps SENIOR EDITORS – Bill Carey, Curt Epstein, Kerry Lynch Gregory Polek – Air Transport Long before the relatively recent push to CONTRIBUTORS clean up its act for the sake of the planet, Gordon Gilbert John Goglia – Columnist business aviation has spent an entire Mark Huber – Rotorcraft lifetime striving to do more with ever less 52 Amy Laboda – Safety fuel. That said, the industry recognizes James Wynbrandt GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER – Tom Hurley its duty to defeat gravity with an even 53 Bell opens training center in Spain AVIONICS and ATC PRODUCTION EDITOR – Martha Jercinovich lighter footprint. We provide a status Colocated with Textron’s Citation service ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION EDITOR – Lysbeth McAleer report on progress. Page 20 center in Valencia, facility serves operators in 55 ADS-B for senior jets GRAPHIC DESIGNERS – Mona L. Brown, John A. Manfredo, Europe and beyond. Grzegorz Rzekos Garmin dealers are stepping up with NextGen DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGNER – Colleen Redmond kit for operators of older business jets as 53 U.S. fatal accident rate improves LEAD WEB DEVELOPER – Michael Giaimo AIRPLANES, ENGINES and UAVs deadline draws nearer. Rotorcraft safety is on the upswing for the WEB DEVELOPER – Evan Williams third consecutive year, according to FAA data. VIDEO PRODUCER – Ian Whelan 55 Fans for 604 16 Citation production balance shifting EDITORIAL ASSISTANT – Samantha Cartaino Textron shifting production away from legacy Canadian company earns FAA approval for its 54 HEMS safety brighter too jets in favor of newer models. Challenger 604 Fans STC. This historically risky segment of rotorcraft GROUP PUBLISHER – David M. Leach operations is turning the corner, with an PUBLISHER – Anthony T. Romano AIRPORTS and FBOs CHARTER and FRACTIONAL accident rate half what it was in 2002. ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – Nancy O’Brien ADVERTISING SALES - NORTH AMERICA 14 Globe Air fleet plans INDUSTRY and MANAGEMENT Melissa Murphy – Midwest +1 (830) 608-9888 8 FAA capitulates on SMO Nancy O’Brien – West +1 (530) 241-3534 Agency’s white flag allows Santa Monica to European VLJ operator, relying thus far on Anthony T. Romano – East/International close its embattled airport in 2028. It’s not 15 Mustangs, likes the look of the Phenom 1 Brexit Joe Rosone – East/International/Middle East over yet though. 100EV. By its international nature alone, aviation +1 (301) 834-5251 stands to be particularly affected by Britons’ Victoria Tod – Great Lakes/UK 10 Signature vs SNA ADVERTISING SALES - INTERNATIONAL – Daniel Solnica - Paris FLIGHT OPS, SAFETY, SECURITY, TRAINING decision to eject from the European Union. John Wayne Airport wants to dislodge MARKETING MANAGER – Zach O’Brien 10 GAMA’s 2016 numbers AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – Jeff Hartford Signature and give FBO lease to ACI Jet. The 12 Seven-year accident review chain is not happy. Aircraft deliveries and billings both declined MANAGER OF ONSITE LOGISTICS – Philip Scarano III AIN analyzes the business jet and turboprop last year, but the turboprop segment provided GROUP BRAND MANAGER – Jennifer Leach English accident data for the years 2010 to 2016. a rare bright spot. SALES ASSISTANT – Nadine Timpanaro AIRSHOWS and CONVENTIONS ADVERTISING/SALES SECRETARIAL STAFF – Cindy Nesline 40 Asian potential HANDS ON DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & HUMAN RESOURCES – Michele Hubert 12 ABACE Preview At last month’s Aero India gathering in ACCOUNTING MANAGER – Marylou Moravec Event next month will serve as barometer for 44 Icon A5 Bangalore, a Dassault executive spoke of the how industry is coping with less support from ACCOUNTING/ADMINISTRATION STAFF – Mary Avella Our resident jet jockey gets his sport- potential for growth in Asia. Bobbie Bing historic pillar of China. amphibian water wings through Icon’s much 40 Pre-owned stats U.S. EDITORIAL OFFICE: 32 Aero India anticipated training course. 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432 After rising steadily from the 2009 trough, Tel: +1 (201) 444-5075 Indian business aviation takes stock of its used business jet transactions slid last year. role and prospects at annual gathering in WASHINGTON, D.C. EDITORIAL TEAM: 44 Bill Carey (air transport and defense) Bangalore. MAINTENANCE, MODS and COMPLETIONS [email protected] Tel: +1 (202) 560-5672; 34 Schedulers & Dispatchers Mobile: +1 (202) 531-7566 Annual conference continues to grow, 66 Mx bill audits Kerry Lynch (business aviation) attracting record numbers of attendees and Retired Cessna A&P finds new life reviewing [email protected] Tel: +1 (201) 345-0082, +1 (703) 969-9195 exhibitors––in bigger booths this year. maintenance bills for business jet operators. EUROPEAN EDITORIAL OFFICE: Ian Sheppard; [email protected] PEOPLE Hangar 9, Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey RH1 5JY, UK AIR TRANSPORT Tel: +44 1737 200948 Mobile: +44 7759 455770 U.S. ADVERTISING OFFICE: 56 MRJ moves right again 16 Peggy Gilligan 81 Kenosia Ave., Danbury, CT 06810 Mitsubishi Regional Jet now not expected to FAA’s safety chief retiring after 37 years with Tel: +1 (203) 798-2400 Fax: +1 (203) 798-2104 HELICOPTERS and POWERED-LIFT AIRCRAFT enter service until 2020. Systems revisions the agency. EUROPEAN ADVERTISING OFFICES: Daniel Solnica; [email protected] cited. 52 Inlet barrier filters 78 rue de Richelieu, 75002 Paris, France Standards-setter SAE enters the fray to help REGULATIONS, GOVERNMENT, ENVIRONMENT Tel: +33-1-42-46-95-71 57 Etihad: changes at the top Italian Representative: CEO James Hogan and CFO James Rigney with two difficult technical hurdles. Diana Scogna; [email protected] leaving Abu Dhabi-based carrier. 1 Airlines get their word in Trump’s ear Tel: +33-6-62-52-25-47 52 Third AW609 flying And business aviation is quick to present RUSSIAN ADVERTISING OFFICE: 57 Sukhoi support Civil tiltrotor AC3 entered flight-test in a counter-perspective on privatized ATC Yuri Laskin, Gen. Dir., Laguk Co. Ltd.; [email protected] SCAC president (and Boeing alumnus) Philadelphia before heading to Michigan for Russia, 115172, Moscow, Krasnokholmskaya Nab., 11/15 - 132 separate from the FAA. Tel: +7-05-912-1346, 911-2762 Fax: +7-095-912-1260 Gaynutdinov raises bar on Superjet SSJ100 icing trials. aftermarket efforts. THE CONVENTION NEWS COMPANY, INC. – AIN PUBLICATIONS 53 Airbus’s 2016 DEPARTMENTS Aviation International News (ISSN 0887-9877) is published 57 U.S.-China trade: Boeing bullish Fallout from the Super Puma crash and monthly. Periodicals postage paid at Midland Park, N.J., and Chicago-based behemoth says it is grounding, in concert with a sluggish market, additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 64 Accidents Aviation International News, P.O. Box 47628, Plymouth, MN 55447 encouraged by Trump’s pro-business signals. made for a challenging year. USA. Allow at least eight weeks for processing. Include old address 56 Air Transport Update as well as new, and an address label from a recent issue if possible. Subscription inquiries: +1 (203) 798-2400 or email: subscriptions@ 55 Avionics Update ainonline.com. 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4 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com MAX SPEED: MACH 0.925 • MAX RANGE: 5,000 NM • MAX ALTITUDE: 51,000 FT

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Aviation International News print As we go to press

FIRST GLOBAL 7000 to Learjet volumes,” according NBAA petitions court to review LOGS 100 HOURS to its 2016 annual report issued February 16. While a The Global 7000 program is spokeswoman told that “progressing” solidly, Bombardier AIN SMO shutdown agreement the company can’t provide a Aerospace announced February breakdown of expected deliveries 16. The sole flight-test vehicle, by Matt Thurber Av i a t i o n this year by series, this comment FTV1, has logged 100 hours hints at the possibility that Learjet of flight-testing; and FTV2 is NBAA and other Santa Mon- remains committed to aggres- Meanwhile, Santa Mon- deliveries could be in the single complete and has been moved to ica Airport (SMO) stakehold- sively supporting unrestricted ica mayor Ted Winterer assured digits this year. Business jet a dedicated pre-flight bay ahead book-to-bill was 0.7:1 last year ers have jointly petitioned the business aviation access to SMO, attendees at an anti-airport rally of first flight, which is expected and the backlog ended the year U.S. Court of Appeals, District through this petition and other on February 4 that the city will “shortly.” Alain Bellemare, at $15.4 billion, almost $2 billion president and CEO of parent of Columbia Circuit, to review available channels.” shorten the runway within six less than the year-ago period. company Bombardier, said that the FAA’s settlement agreement Joining NBAA in the peti- months. Funds for the runway the production wing for the Global GULFSTREAM G650/ER with the city of Santa Monica, tion are the Santa Monica Air- shortening will come from air- 7000 is now in final design and EARN CHINA APPROVAL which would allow the airport to port Association, SMO-based port revenues, and he said the city expected to fly on a production- be closed at the end of 2028. The maintenance businesses Bill’s Air will not take any federal money to conforming airplane later this The Gulfstream G650 and year. Bombardier cited issues G650ER received type certificate agreement also allows the city Center and Kim Davidson Avia- help pay for the runway modifica- related to the Global 7000 wing validation from China’s Civil to shorten SMO’s single 4,973- tion and local operators Redgate tions to avoid taking on additional in its decision for a two-year Aviation Administration foot runway to 3,500 feet, which Partners and Wonderful Citrus. grant assurance obligations. program delay in 2015, and in late last month, confirming the would reduce jet traffic at the air- NBAA and others are con- December wing supplier Triumph authorization given by the FAA Parties Explain Settlement filed suit against Bombardier over and removing the last barriers port by an estimated 44 percent. tinuing to pursue other legal wing development costs. The for the aircraft to be registered in NBAA president and CEO options, including administra- Aviation stakeholders were sur- Global 7000 is slated to enter the Asian country. The approval Ed Bolen sees the agreement tive complaints that are not sub- prised at the FAA’s agreement to service in next year’s second half. marks the 26th country approval to allow the city to close SMO ject to the settlement agreement. allow Santa Monica to close its for the G650 and the 16th for the G650ER. At Mach 0.85, the G650 as not only restricting aviation These include a Part 16 com- airport, especially considering EMBRAER CHOOSES access throughout Southern Cal- plaint filed by NBAA and air- the fact that the city signed an EXECUTIVE JETS HEAD offers a range of 7,000 nm, while the longer-legged G650ER can ifornia but also in the rest of the port supporters, “alleging that instrument of transfer in 1948, In an unexpected move travel 7,500 nm. announced February 16, Embraer U.S. “Santa Monica’s airport is a the city has mishandled airport in which it agreed to keep the tapped business aviation finance LEADERSHIP CHANGES vital asset to our aviation system, finances, landing fees and other airport open in perpetuity. Win- veteran Michael Amalfitano AT TEXTRON AND BELL both locally as well as nationally, terms, in part through continued terer acknowledged this dur- as president and CEO of its Textron has changed senior and serves as a critical transpor- failure to offer leases to long- ing the rally, telling members of Executive Jets division in leadership at its aviation tation lifeline for the entire Los standing aviation-related busi- the crowd that the city council Melbourne, Fla., effective March properties, moving Michael 1. He succeeds Marco Tulio Angeles basin,” he said. “NBAA nesses on the field.” voted (by a four-to-three margin) Thacker to Bell Helicopter and Pellegrini, “who will assume to sign the settlement agreement transitioning Brad Thress and another leadership position [at Kryia Shortt into new roles with the FAA because there was Embraer] to be announced soon.” at Textron Aviation. Thacker, no guarantee that the city would Amalfitano joins Embraer with 35 who had been senior v-p of years of experience in business prevail in the ongoing lawsuit engineering at Textron Aviation, aircraft finance, having held with the FAA. Many in the anti- joins Bell as executive v-p of leadership positions at equipment airport crowd criticized the city technology and innovation. leasing companies such as Thress takes the role of senior for agreeing to keep the airport Stonebriar Commercial Finance, v-p of engineering for Textron open for another 12 years. Banc of America Leasing, Fleet Aviation. Shortt, who had been Capital and GE Capital. “Those of us who voted for senior v-p of sales and marketing this consent decree did so for two at Textron Aviation, succeeds reasons,” he explained. “First of BELL SET TO DELIVER Thress as senior v-p of customer FIRST JET RANGER X service. Rob Scholl was promoted which, the prospect of a lengthy Bell Helicopter has rolled out the to fill the senior v-p of sales and litigation regarding our claims first production 505 Jet Ranger marketing position. He had served at Santa Monica Airport. We X light single in Mirabel, Quebec. as vice president of parts and bought a lot of lawyers, and those The helicopter in question first programs in customer service. flew—unpainted—on January very expensive lawyers, rather 22 and will be delivered “soon.” GE PULLS BACK FROM than taking a payday to continue The 505 gained preliminary THURBER MATT lawsuits for years to come, recom- BOSTON HELIPAD At an anti-airport rally held on February 4, Santa Monica and Los Angeles citizens type certificate approval from General Electric has backed off mended that this deal is the best Transport Canada in December. who live near Santa Monica Airport criticized the city’s agreement with the FAA seeking a state-built, public-use allowing it to close the airport in 2028. Continues on page 50 u Bell holds letters of intent for helipad near the company’s new four hundred 505s and is in the Boston headquarters, telling city process of converting them into and state officials that operating firm orders. Company CEO Mitch its helicopter from Signature JETSUITEX DELAYS SANTA MONICA SERVICE PLAN Snyder said late last year that Flight Support at Boston Logan he expected Bell to produce International Airport “has been JetSuiteX had planned to begin serving Santa Mon- customers after announcing the service on December fifty 505s this year and for the positive.” But the company helicopter to have a soon-to-be ica Airport (SMO) on February 6 but delayed the 14. At press time JetSuiteX had cancelled all SMO also told officials, “We agree launch after entering into a standstill agreement with flights from February 6 through 24 “to avoid uncer- confirmed base price in the with the city and state that a region of $1 million. helipad should be part of the the city of Santa Monica. The public charter opera- tainty and confusion…and will issue full refunds for all overall transportation strategy tor had planned to begin flying Embraer EMB135s on affected customers.” BOMBARDIER BIZJET for Boston.” Boston and state scheduled flights between SMO, Carlsbad and San More than half of the ticket buyers were residents DELIVERIES DOWN 18% officials revived the idea of a Jose, Calif., on February 6, but “agreed not to oper- of Santa Monica, and the charter operator planned Bombardier Business Aircraft downtown helipad as part of the ate at Santa Monica before February 15,” according to offer discounts to any Santa Monica resident after delivered 163 jets last year: 24 $120 million incentive package for Learjet 70/75s, 62 Challenger GE selecting Boston for its new to a JetSuiteX statement. The city of Santa Monica their first ticket purchase to encourage residents to 350s, 26 Challenger 605/650s world headquarters. The city’s signed a settlement agreement with the FAA in late benefit from using SMO. “I think we need to give the and 51 Global 5000/6000s. last two public helipads closed in January, allowing the city to close SMO at the end of city and the residents a reason to use the airport,” This was down from 199 jets in 1999 to make way for the Boston 2028. The consent agreement also allows the city, in JetSuiteX CEO Alex Wilcox told AIN in December. 2015—32 Learjets, 68 Challenger Convention and Exhibition the meantime, to shorten SMO’s 4,973-foot runway “Given the uncertainty surrounding the status 300/350s, 25 Challenger 605s, Center. Plans to construct a new one Challenger 850 and 73 one fizzled in 2008 in the face of to 3,500 feet with 30 days’ notice. With only 3,500 of the airport,” he said, “we have entered into this Globals. The Canadian aircraft strong local opposition. Because feet of runway at SMO, none of the JetSuite airplanes standstill agreement to provide time for an orderly manufacturer expects to deliver of interest by other area-based that fly JetSuiteX trips (Phenom 100, Citation CJ4 process to negotiate with the city. We apologize to 135 business jets this year, companies, plans for the helipad and ERJ135) could use the airport. our clients…who have been adversely affected by the “mainly reflecting an adjustment are reportedly continuing. According to JetSuiteX, it sold flights to 1,000 recent events concerning SMO.” —M.T.

8 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com BBA_AIN_insert_170205.pdf 1 2/15/17 8:56 PM

CMY

K NEWS BRIEFS Compiled by Chad Trautvetter z U.S. Bizav Flying Starts ’17 on Right Foot Deliveries Business aircraft flight activity in North America posted a 2-percent year-over-year gain in January, according and billings to Argus International. Results by operational category were positive across the board, with Part 135 and fractional activity each climbing by 4 percent from a year declined ago. Part 91 flying eked out a 0.2-percent improvement. Once again, large-cabin jets led in activity by aircraft last year category, climbing 7.9 percent year-over-year in January. This was followed by a “solid” 3.2-percent by Kerry Lynch rise in midsize jet flying, while light jets declined by 0.2 percent and turboprops were flat. Argus data provides Business and general aviation “flight-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure The HondaJet was a bright spot in the 2016 delivery totals. billings for last year were down information on all IFR flights in the U.S., Canada and by double digits as shipments of the Caribbean.” large business jets softened and the we hoped for.” He noted that the Legacy models (the 450 and 500), z TNA Releases Towbarless Tug for largest aircraft, BBJs and ACJs, mix of deliveries, with fewer heavy Embraer shipments also fell as endured one of their weakest years jets, and used-aircraft pricing held Phenom deliveries dropped. Tex- Midsize Jets yet, according to the General Avi- down billings overall. Billings were tron’s results benefited from a TNA Aviation Technologies, a St. Augustine, Fla. builder ation Manufacturers Associa- down 14 percent to $20.719 billion. jump in Latitude shipments (Lat- of aircraft tugs and towing devices, has introduced tion. Overall, fixed-wing business New turboprops such as the itude deliveries did not begin until the TowFlexx 120e HG. Designed for aircraft up to and general aviation shipments Daher TBM 930 and Piper M600 late August 2015), but its legacy a midsize business jet (28,000 pounds of capacity), declined by nearly 70 airplanes helped provide a boost to that sec- models were down. the electric towbarless tug lets one person move the to 2,262 and rotorcraft shipments tor, and Pilatus had a strong year, “When they are down that aircraft. Its 24-volt, 1.8-kW (2.45-hp) motor is driven by were down by 175 units to 861, delivering 21 more PC-12s last year much, companies reset with right- a rechargeable lead-acid battery pack that can also be according to GAMA. than in 2015. That helped offset a sizing and layoffs. From that per- used as a ground power supply. It can typically operate GAMA, which released its dip in Beech King Air deliveries. spective, 2016 was just not a great two to three days on a charge, according to TNA. annual industry shipment and year,” Bunce said. billings data on February 22, ‘Not a Great Year’ Many of the business jet mak- z Lawmakers Seek To End reported that business jet deliv- Airbus Corporate Jets and Boe- ers announced layoffs at some Aircraft Managed Fee Tax eries last year dropped by nearly ing Business Jets delivered five point last year, and Bunce said he U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio) reintroduced legislation 8 percent, to 661, and piston air- aircraft between them, a third of would not be surprised if that con- (H.R.896) last month clarifying that aircraft management craft deliveries inched down by 3.5 what the two companies handed tinues this year. “There’s a lead- services are not subject to federal excise taxes (FET). percent to 1,019. Turboprop deliv- over in 2015. Nearly all the busi- lag factor,” he said, noting that Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) also introduced a Senate eries, however, were up by 4.5 per- ness jet makers had a down year. companies are still implementing companion bill. The bills are in response to a March 2012 cent to 582. Gulfstream’s large-aircraft deliv- layoffs announced late last year. IRS Chief Counsel opinion that aircraft owners using “We’re glad turboprops were eries slid to 88 last year from 120 “I think there will still be some aircraft management services who also allow the use up. That’s a good thing,” said in 2015. Dassault’s total dropped adjustments.” of the airplane for occasional charter should have the GAMA president and CEO Pete by six aircraft, and despite a He added that the business

7.5-percent “ticket tax” assessed on aircraft management Bunce. “But 2016 was not the year jump in deliveries of the new Continues on page 40 u fees. In May 2013, the IRS put the opinion on hold pending further clarifying regulations. This status quo a request for qualifications (RFQ) continues today. NATA president Martin Hiller said that SNA chooses new FBO, for both FBOs on the field and imposing FET on management fees amounts to double received half a dozen responses. taxation on aircraft owners who seek to defray ownership The process involved an evalua- costs by chartering out their aircraft. Signature vows challenge tion system that rated Signature z CAA, World Fuel Team on Int’l Services as the top-ranked FBO, followed by Kerry Lynch by Atlantic Aviation. California- Contract fuel provider Corporate Aircraft Association based ACI Jet, which provides (CAA) has partnered with fuel supplier World Fuel Services The Board of Supervisors in 24 meeting, Supervisor Shawn charter, management, mainte- (WFS) on a program to give CAA members exclusive Orange County, Calif. late last Nelson noted that he had received nance and ground handling ser- international rates through preferred provider WFS/Colt month was evaluating its decision complaints that Signature and vices, originally was ranked fifth. Trip Support, as well as an enhanced Avcard program for to switch one of the FBO lease- Atlantic Aviation, the other FBO eligible members. Set to launch in the second quarter, holds at Santa Ana John Wayne on the airport, had nearly matched Selection Process Questioned the program will expand access to negotiated prices to Airport (SNA) from Signature each other on pricing that was The board opted to retain Atlan- 2,050 international fueling locations. It will be supported Flight Support to ACI Jet, which above market rates. Some attend- tic and voted in favor of having a by WFS’s 24/7 logistics team, FuelFinder website and a it awarded a short-term lease ees at that meeting urged a switch second FBO that was more locally toll-free telephone number. The secure website lets CAA through December next year. The in FBOs, saying pricing was as run rather than part of a national members quote rates and set up fueling services. board was scheduled to revisit much as 20 percent above market chain. Nelson said the board that decision on February 28. rates. Other businesses at the air- chose to retain Atlantic because z ADs Resume after Three-week Break On January 24 the board had port urged caution, worried that it was “more responsive.” After a three-week hiatus, Airworthiness Directives voted four to one in favor of the a switch could affect their existing In response to the vote, Signa- (ADs) from the FAA once again returned to the Federal switch amid complaints by some agreements and operations. Both ture v-p Geoff Heck said, “The Register on February 7. The FAA had not published operators about fuel pricing. Sig- FBOs had lowered prices after decision by the Orange County any ADs since U.S. President Donald Trump issued nature Flight Support, which has complaints were brought to light. board…ignored the unanimous an executive order for a 60-day halt on new rules for a operated an FBO at the airport for Atlantic Aviation CEO Louis decision of its citizen airport com- regulatory review. That order also called for a withdrawal 20 years, vowed to pursue “all ave- Pepper and Julie Broderick, the mission, as well as a strong rec- of new rules that had already been sent to the Federal nues available” and subsequently area director for Signature, based ommendation by the John Wayne Register. A memorandum from Reince Priebus, assistant filed a Part 13 complaint with the at SNA, told the board that their Airport staff.” He agreed that the to the President and chief of staff, however, referenced FAA faulting the bidding process. goals are the same as the coun- decision to award a short-term exceptions for “emergency situations or other urgent Signature also urged the board of ty’s. Broderick added she would lease as the airport finalizes a circumstances related to health, safety, financial or supervisors to revisit the process. work to address concerns. master plan seemed sound, but he national security matters.” During the three-hour January Last fall the county had issued Continues on page 38 u

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CA108696_Cockpit B50 Orange_275x352_Aviation International News (AIN).indd 1 16/01/2017 10:30 NEWS BRIEFS Compiled by Chad Trautvetter period happened on April 2, Seven-year Bizav Accident Review: 2011, when a Gulfstream G650 z Euro Bizav Flying Off To a ‘Strong Start’ crashed on takeoff for a planned Business aircraft flight activity in Europe got off to a The tables tell the tale test flight. The four occupants “strong start” this year, with 50,335 departures reported were killed. in January, up 4.4 percent year-over-year, according to by Gordon Gilbert Private versus Air Taxi data from WingX Advance. While the 12-month trend A review of accidents involving jet operators suffered five nonfatal A closer examination of the data is slightly positive, overall flying is still trailing the pre- U.S.-registered turbine business mishaps and fractional turboprops in the accompanying charts and crisis 2008 benchmark by 15 percent, it said. Bizjet airplanes between 2010 and 2016 were in three nonfatal accidents tables tells the rest of the story: activity experienced 2-percent growth in private flights reveals that over the seven-year during the study time frame. more accidents and fatalities and an 11-percent increase in the charter segment, but period there were 406 accidents: In the seven-year period stud- befell turboprops than jets. In turboprop and piston activity was flat year-over-year. 141 involved jets, 265 befell turbo- ied, the worst year for jet fatal both the jet and turboprop seg- Intra-European activity was up 5 percent in January, props. The least number of fatali- accidents and fatalities was 2012, ments, Part 91 operations had but arrivals into Europe from Russia declined 7 percent. ties occurred in 2010 for both jets when 31 people died in five acci- more accidents and deaths than Inbound flights from North America fell 1 percent, but and turboprops. In that year, there dents. A strikingly similar tally Part 135 missions. Air-taxi oper- flights from Europe to North America were up 6 percent was one fatal business jet accident followed in 2014, when 30 peo- ators incurred fatal accidents in year-over-year. (Part 91) in which two people lost ple died, in six accidents. For tur- two of the seven years for jets. their lives. In 2010, twelve peo- boprops, 2013 saw 45 deaths in However, for turboprops, air-taxi z Sheltair Acquires AvAero Facility at PIE ple were killed in four accidents 15 accidents. There was one fatal flights were involved in fatal acci- Aviation development company Sheltair has acquired involving turboprops, three under accident each for a public/govern- dents for all but one year. Part 91 AvAero Services’ operation at Florida’s St. Pete- Part 91 and one under Part 135. ment operation and a manufac- jets and turboprops were involved Clearwater International Airport (PIE). The facility has two There have never been any fatal turer’s test flight over the study in fatal accidents every year from hangars, a 20,000-gallon fuel farm, ramp space and 20 accidents involving Part 91K tur- period. The single fatal accident 2010 through 2016, with the acres of land. The two new hangars encompass 100,000 bine airplanes. However, fractional by a manufacturer in the study exception of 2011, when there sq ft that can accommodate large-cabin aircraft. were no Part 91 fatal jet accidents. The only jet accident in 2011 was z EFVS Landing Rule Delayed One Week U.S. Bizav Accidents 2010-2016 the aforementioned G650. The effective date of a new rule on enhanced flight The single Part 91 fatal acci- vision systems (EFVS) has been pushed from March 13 Business Jets Total Part 91 Part 91K Part 135 Pub/Gov Mfg dent in 2010 happened on January to March 21. The new rule allows pilots of airplanes with Total accidents 141 114 5 18 3 1 5 when a Learjet 35 on a position- EFVS to fly certain IFR approaches in the U.S. all the way Nonfatal accidents 118 94 5 16 3 0 ing flight in day VMC crashed to landing “in lieu of natural vision” from the previously while maneuvering in the traf- Fatal accidents 23 20 0 2 0 1 allowed elevation of 100 feet above touchdown zone. fic pattern for landing. The two The new rule opens up EFVS approach capabilities at Fatalities 114 94 0 16 0 4 pilots were killed. The NTSB con- more runways with a larger number of approach types; Business Turboprops Total Part 91 Part 91K Part 135 Pub/Gov Mfg cluded that control of the air- applies it to Part 91, 91K, 121, 125 and 135 operations; Total accidents 265 208 3 47 6 1 plane was lost for undetermined and allows commercial operators to dispatch when Nonfatal accidents 200 155 3 36 5 1 reasons. Nevertheless, the Safety destination weather is worse than currently allowed, Board said the CVR showed mul- Fatal accidents 65 53 0 11 1 0 including initiating and continuing an approach when tiple instances that when the air- Fatalities 181 142 0 37 2 0 visibility is below minimums. plane was below 10,000 feet msl All charts: All data preliminary. Sources: FAA, NTSB, Aviation Safety Network, AIN research the pilots were in discussions “not z Brazil Launches WTO Challenge Continues on page 36 u Early last month, Brazil formally requested consultations with the Canadian government at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over public financial support for ORGANIZERS READY FOR ABACE 2017 Bombardier’s Global 7000 and C Series programs. The move followed an announcement by the federal The 2017 Asian Business Aviation at earlier events, and 160 exhib- industry is coping with less support government that it would grant Bombardier C$372.5 Conference & Exhibition kicks off itors set up shop at the show. For from the historic pillar of China. million ($283 million) in interest-free loans for both the next month (the annual event runs several years the show had a strong NBAA president and CEO Ed C Series and the Global 7000. Embraer applauded the April 11-13), presented by NBAA run on the crest of bullishness about Bolen noted last year that like the Brazilian government’s move, for which it has lobbied in partnership with the Shanghai business aviation in China, but this aircraft on display, the attendee mix since the provincial government of Quebec granted Airport Authority (SAA) and co-host subsided with the government’s had also become more diverse. “I Bombardier its own C$1 billion in loans last year. the Asian Business Aviation Associ- austerity drive. The industry put on see delegates not just from China, ation (AsBAA). Last year’s ABACE a brave face, but beneath the smiles but also from the Philippines, z World Fuel Expands Canada Footprint welcomed a more diverse display was unease. ABACE this year will Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and World Fuel Services has expanded its branded fuel of aircraft in the static park than serve as a barometer for how the many other countries,” he said. network in Canada, adding 34 locations north of the NBAA expects “more than 100 U.S. border that were formerly served by ExxonMobil exhibitors from across the globe” and/or Imperial Oil. As part of the network, the new next month and said that indica- locations—among them the Sky Service FBO chain’s tions are “the upcoming event will four bases, Executive Aviation Fuels’ three FBOs and be at least as large and dynamic, Lockhart Aviation Services’ two facilities—will have and perhaps more so, than previous access to World Fuel’s business and general aviation editions of the show.” Some 35 aircraft will be on static display FBO services. this year. The schedule will present z ZenithJet Launches Global Program sessions on safety culture, finance Montreal-based business jet broker and technical and airport access, maintaining services firm ZenithJet is now offering an acquisition aircraft values through proper main- program for Bombardier Globals. Dubbed Gains, for tenance and care, security best Global Acquisition In-Service, the program covers practices, legal disputes, Open Skies as it affects GA, and the advantages market assessment; aircraft identification; letter of intent of helicopters and UAVs. There will and purchase agreement negotiation; oversight of pre- be a Business Aviation Development purchase inspection and discrepancy rectification; Forum and an event dedicated to closing; refurbishment, if required; and entry-into-service. DAVID McINTOSH DAVID DAVID McINTOSH DAVID careers in business aviation. —I.S.

12 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com

NEWS BRIEFS Compiled by Chad Trautvetter Euro VLJ operator Globe Air mulls z Gulfstream Deliveries Down in 2016 Revenue at General Dynamics’s aerospace division, which includes Jet Aviation and Gulfstream Aerospace, fell 5.5 several models for fleet refreshment percent last year, to $8.362 billion, but earnings climbed to $1.718 billion, up 0.7 percent from 2015. Gulfstream by Charles Alcock delivered 115 outfitted aircraft last year, down from 154 A decade on from the very light in 2015. The delivery outlook for this year is 90 to 95 jet (VLJ) revolution that was large-cabin and 25 to 30 midsize Gulfstreams, according stopped in its tracks by the finan- to General Dynamics CFO Jason Aiken. The former is cial crisis of 2008, Austria-based expected to include an unspecified number of outfitted Globe Air is keeping its 15-strong G500s in the fourth quarter, he added. Meanwhile, fleet of Cessna Citation Mustangs Gulfstream had “good order intake” last year, especially busy as it contemplates a possi- in the second half, Aiken noted, with that trend continuing ble replacement for a model that it into this year. Total backlog at the aerospace division was believes might go out of produc- just shy of $11 billion at the end of last year, down from tion this year. Embraer’s Phenom $11.5 billion at the end of September. 100EV appears to be the likely choice, according to Globe Air z Luxaviation Launches Helo Management CEO Bernhard Fragner. Luxaviation Group has launched a private helicopter For its part, Textron Avia- management company offering crew provisioning and tion insists that it will “continue training, maintenance coordination, charter services, sales to produce the Mustang to meet and acquisitions. With a presence in “key locations” in current market demand.” The Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas company pointed out that it also Globe Air CEO Bernhard Fragner sees potential for the company to grow by another 20 and the Middle East, Luxaviation Helicopters will manage offers the larger, faster and longer- percent as potential clients embrace booking on their phones and other devices. private helicopters for individuals and businesses. The range Citation M2 (priced at $4.5 any third-party work. “We cre- that you would need to have a sec- company claims Luxaviation Helicopters will be one of the million), introduced in 2013 as ated a sort of micro-ecosystem ond crew available each day and it first private helicopter operators in Europe holding EASA a follow-on from the Mustang for ourselves and never consid- would be a logistical nightmare,” approval to fly to and from yachts and cruise liners. (priced at $3.4 million). ered any other business models,” he explained. “We are pushing Embraer’s Phenom 100EV (at commented Fragner. the European Commission for z Quest Delivers Record 36 Aircraft $4.495 million) is the most obvi- In 2016, the Globe Air Mus- change, and this might come in Quest Aircraft delivered a record 36 Kodiak 100s last ous rival for Globe Air’s affec- tangs flew to 384 of 1,200 Euro- two or three years.” year, among them the 200th copy of the utility turboprop tions, with almost directly compar pean airports from which they can Another regulatory change in December. Shipments have ramped up steadily since able speed and field length perfor- operate. The company competes that European charter operators 2012, as demand for the Kodiak has grown. The 200th mance, but with less range (1,178 with NetJets and France’s Wijet. are pining for is the anticipated Kodiak went to Japanese membership-based private nm) than the M2 (1,550 nm). relaxation of field length require- travel service Sky Trek. There are already 50 Phenom 100s Opportunities for Growth ments for commercial flights from in service in Europe, among them According to Fragner, travelers’ the current restriction to 60 per- z Transponder Blamed in Near Midair four with German charter opera- concerns in the wake of a wave cent of available runway length A Dassault Falcon 900 operated by Volkswagen and tor Arcus Air. Globe Air says it of terrorist attacks in Europe— to 80 percent. This is anticipated a LOT Embraer E170 flying from Warsaw to Istanbul will seek the input of customers especially events like last year’s next year and could open many came close to a midair in Bulgarian airspace on June before making a final choice. bomb attack at Brussels Airport more airports to charter flights. 30, 2015, passing within 0.9 nm while both were flying at Last year the Globe Air fleet in Belgium—have been a factor Another issue the charter sec- FL370. According to a recently issued final report from logged 7,300 sectors on flights in in the growing interest in charter. tor is having to confront is a pilot Bulgaria’s Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU), the Europe averaging an hour and 25 He also credited new online char- shortage. On this score, Fragner near-collision was caused by loss of the transponder minutes, generating high rates of ter booking sites, such as Strata- says the industry has only itself signal from LOT Flight 7293 because the transponder utilization averaging 686 flight jet, Fly Victor and Jet Smarter, to blame. “We did not do enough was in “standby mode” and subsequent “unintentional hours. The average passenger load for improving consumer access to training and since 2006 we haven’t interruption of air traffic service.” The LOT pilots did not was 1.3 per flight and, with total charter flights. “Today, 40 percent given people enough incentive to revenue of €22 million ($23.8 mil- of our revenue comes from these be pilots,” he told AIN. notice the discrete tcas off message, nor did their E170 lion), average revenue per flight new platforms, and four years ago In the meantime, Fragner sees have updated Honeywell Primus load software that would stood at $3,260. it was less than 5 percent,” he said. 2017 as another year in which he have displayed a more prominent warning. The incident “People are surprised by how “These guys are doing a phenom- pursues growth for Globe Air was exacerbated by Romanian air traffic controllers, who affordable our prices are, and I’m enal job at marketing the industry. despite the fact that he has no mistakenly believed that LOT 7293 “overflew the sector an convinced that VLJs can be even The main investment isn’t in the expectations of economic recov- hour before” and “deleted LOT 7293…without a reason, more successful when the market technology; it’s in the marketing ery in Europe. “The VLJ sector is and…did not try to establish radio communication.” picks up,” Fragner told AIN. He budget. It’s a race to be the next growing mainly through downsiz- z NBAA Backs EC’s EU-ETS Exemption believes that the success of a com- Uber and maybe one or two of ing by customers for midsize air- pany formed in the golden age of them will survive.” craft, and we believe that we can NBAA praised the European Commission decision to European business aviation in 2007 Globe Air guarantees aircraft grow another 20 percent with continue its exemption of non-European Union operators stems from the decision to focus availability with 48 hours’ notice, more and more people book- from the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme purely on air-taxi work, rather or 24 hours for its biggest and ing flights through apps on their (EU-ETS), saying the decision supports the need for than diluting its effort in fields most loyal customers. Fragner phones,” he predicted. a global aircraft emissions policy. On February 3, the such as aircraft management. said that chasing empty-leg book- This year, Globe Air expects to European Commission announced it is amending the Globe Air is almost completely ings isn’t a priority if this means add three more Mustangs—pre- ETS scheme to make it “fit for tackling CO2 emissions” self-sufficient, operating its own compromising availability for its owned aircraft—and it could see following the ICAO agreement on a global standard. maintenance facilities at Linz in main customers. a case for adding two more as it The amendment is designed to accommodate smooth Austria and the Italian city of To achieve this responsive- aspires to annual revenue of €30 implementation of the ICAO global market-based measure Genoa. It claims to hold a parts ness, the operator has invested million ($32.5 million). So for this scheme. As part of that effort, the commission proposed inventory larger than that stored in IT to help it manage the avail- European operator at least, while retaining the current geographic scope of EU-ETS. The at Textron’s warehouse in Dus- ability of both aircraft and crew. the VLJ revolution may have exemption for non-EU operators covers international seldorf, Germany, and has a pair According to Fragner, current proved to be overstated, the evolu- flights, NBAA said, adding that flights within the EU must of trucks driving spares around European Union flight time lim- tion toward the use of more cost- still comply. Europe to keep aircraft flying. Its itations make it impossible to effective light jet charter options support facilities do not take on increase aircraft utilization. “For has proved to be rewarding. o

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z More Details Emerge on Presidential TFR at PBI In late January at the NBAA regional forum at Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), FAA air traffic manager at PBI Robert Berlucchi provided more details about the presidential TFR when President Trump is at his Mar-a-Lago residence, which is 2.14 nm east of the centerline of Runway 10R. The TFR, which is active only when Trump is at Mar-a-Lago, has a less restrictive 30-nm outer ring that affects Fort Lauderdale Executive and Stuart Airports, but Lantana Airport is “the most affected” under the TFR because it is within the more restrictive 10-nm ring. For the foreseeable future, when the TFR is active no operations are allowed at Textron Aviation will trim production Lantana except for arrivals from gateway airports. of legacy jets such as the Citation X+ and Sovereign+ as it expands output When the TFR is active, PBI also requires the use of of newer models, such as the Latitude one of the five gateway airports for arrivals and also and, later this year, the Longitude. has TSA screenings—available daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but requiring 24-hour advance reservations— for departures. At press time, Trump had visited his Florida residence for three consecutive weekends sales diminish as the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (Jpats) last month. Textron shifts production program winds down. The com- z Volcanic Ash Detector for Jets to newer Citation models pany’s Beechcraft sector supplied Passes Ground Tests the T-6 Texan II turboprop single for the program. An in-aircraft volcanic ash-detection system by Kerry Lynch While the market remains soft, developed by Norway-based Nicarnica Aviation, and Textron Aviation expects to boost Donnelly said, “it just reached Textron continues to invest in new paired with Elbit Systems’ ClearVision enhanced- Citation Latitude output by nearly pricing where it doesn’t make programs and plans to bring the vision system, has successfully completed ground 30 percent this year, but at the same sense for us to build the aircraft.” Longitude to market by year-end. trials. Nicarnica’s Airborne Volcanic Object Imaging time is planning to cut production Latitude sales have remained It expects to certify the aircraft, Detector (Avoid) is an awareness device intended to rates by almost as much throughout strong, he added, and he expects which would be its largest yet, by provide imagery of volcanic ash, which can damage the rest of the Citation line, com- the greater production there to be the end of the year and deliver turbine engines. Information is supplied to the pany executives told analysts dur- split evenly between NetJets and the first few to customers, Don- cockpit from two infrared cameras that can detect ing the company’s fourth-quarter other customers. nelly said. Production ramp-up hazardous volcanic ash particles up to 54 nm/100 earnings call last month. Textron However, Latitude pricing also will follow. km ahead. During the recent ground trials, the Avoid expects revenue for Textron Avi- has been “very difficult,” Don- Textron Aviation continues to system demonstrated “unprecedented” volcanic ash- ation this year will remain flat at nelly said. “It has been improv- develop the Hemisphere under a detection capability. roughly $5 billion. ing but…we’re clearly not happy strategy to move into the large- The forecast comes on the heels with it.” cabin sector as market preferences z Bell Commercial Deliveries Down, of a fourth quarter in which deliv- Textron Aviation saw turboprop have shifted in that direction. o Orders Improve eries of both business jets and tur- Bell Helicopter delivered 35 commercial helicopters in boprops slid for the Wichita-based the fourth quarter, down from 56 a year earlier. The dip manufacturer, causing revenue to SAFETY CHIEF PEGGY GILLIGAN in commercial deliveries, coupled with a softening on dip by $52 million and profit to RETIRING AFTER 37 YEARS AT FAA the military side, caused Bell revenue for the quarter slip by $3 million. Textron Avi- to drop to $887 million, down from $1.035 billion in ation delivered 58 Citations and FAA associate with numerous honors for her work the same period in 2015. Despite the down results, 28 King Airs in the fourth quar- administrator for in improving safety, including the Textron chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly said, “On ter of last year, down from the 60 aviation safety Robert J. Collier Trophy that was Margaret “Peggy” Gilligan is retir- awarded in honor of her and the the commercial side, after a difficult period in the jets and 33 King Airs it shipped in ing March 31 after a 37-year career industry’s contributions through the market with several quarters of low order flow, we saw the fourth quarter of 2015. As a with the agency. Gilligan has been Commercial Aviation Safety Team. a significant increase in order activity in the back half result, revenue dropped to $1.436 billion and profit to $135 million the FAA’s chief officer steering “Peggy has been the heart and of 2016.” He noted that the company is seeing a strong in the fourth quarter of the year. safety, oversight and certification soul of the FAA’s effort to improve conversion of letters of intent to orders on the 505 Jet For all of last year, revenue was up since 2009, and before that had aviation safety for many years,” said Ranger X, which is expected to earn FAA approval by $99 million to $4.921 billion, been deputy associate administrator National Air Transportation Associ- in the first quarter. Bell also hopes to restart 525 but profit was down by $11 mil- of the aviation safety organization ation president Martin Hiller. “The Relentless flight-testing shortly. lion to $389 million. Backlog also for 14 years. results of her work are demonstrated z Daher Delivers First 2017 TBM 930 inched downward in the quarter During her tenure, the agency in something the public now takes by $73 million, to $1 billion. stood up the Part 91K rule for frac- for granted: ever-improving accident In January Daher delivered the first 2017 TBM 930, Scott Donnelly, chairman, tional operations, completed a rates. NATA also deeply appreci- which incorporates new standard equipment and cabin CEO and president of Textron government/industry review of Part ated her commitment to improving features. On the flight deck, the turboprop single now Aviation parent Textron, attrib- 135 standards and, more recently, the interaction between the agency comes with a Garmin GTX 345 ADS-B in transponder, uted the decision to adjust pro- issued the final Part 23 rewrite. In and aviation business community.” which can receive traffic and weather information in duction of legacy Citations to addition, her organization has made a General Aviation Manufactur- the U.S. Certain features that previously were options pricing pressures that escalated in major push on risk-based approaches ers Association president and CEO are now standard on the 2017 TBM 930, such as a the fourth quarter. Donnelly did to oversight and safety in general. Pete Bunce agreed. “She has always stick shaker linked with the underspeed protection not break down cuts for the indi- In announcing her retirement, been willing to work with industry to system and the Flight Stream 210 gateway that enables vidual models but said the total FAA Administrator Michael Huerta improve aviation safety, including wireless connectivity for two mobile devices running the would be about the same as the praised “her knowledge, passion efforts to use a data-driven approach Garmin Pilot app. The cockpit and cabin now also have gains in Latitude production. and commitment to ensuring safety.” to dramatically reduce the number of built-in USB charging ports. Noting that demand is “not Gilligan has been recognized aviation fatalities in the U.S.” —K.L. there” for aircraft at higher prices,

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FLIGHTSAFETY ADVANCED TRAINING AD - AIN - NOVEMBER 2016 ISSUE - Trim: 10.8125” w x 13.875” d Bleed: 11.0625” w x 14.125” d Full-throttle opinion from former NTSB member John Goglia FLEXJET/FLIGHT OPTIONS ORDERED BACK TO BARGAINING TABLE Listen to your employees’ concerns John Goglia is a safety consultant. A U.S. District Court judge for the I started out writing this article for accidents or FAA enforcement actions. He welcomes your e-mails Northern District of Ohio ordered small operators: the Part 135 air taxis; But when I looked at the list of airlines, at [email protected]. Flexjet and Flight Options in late the Part 125 operators that carry cargo repair stations and others that have January to return to the bargain- for a few companies or passengers for ASAP, I saw that many have gaps in ing table with the International several sports teams; and the small repair their employee coverage. For example, concerned about the costs of adopting Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT stations—whether certified or not— even some large airlines have ASAP an SMS program. But at very small Local 1108), which is represent- that provide maintenance for certificate for pilots but not their maintenance entities, SMS can be pretty bare bones ing the 600 pilots who fly for the holders large and small. technicians or flight attendants or and still provide safety benefits. The operators. The January 24 deci- I meet many of these operators on ramp workers. most important aspects are a system for sion marks the second time in my travels, and most don’t have the identifying hazards and evaluating risks eight months that a federal judge time or staff to keep up with all the Enforcement Program Changes and disseminating that information has called on Flexjet and Flight changes that go on at FAA headquarters. So how does ASAP protect a company within the company. That’s where Options to bargain in good faith. Many seem to want to talk after they’ve from FAA enforcement? Most of the ASAP comes in. Most of us know that Flexjet and Flight Options gotten a visit or a letter from an FAA people I talk with are unfamiliar with in many cases, managers and executives have been locked in legal bat- inspector—or worse, a legal notice from changes the FAA made to its compliance have no idea how frontline workers tles with Local 1108 for nearly a an FAA attorney—and are concerned and enforcement program about a year- make an operation actually function. that enforcement action is going to and-a-half ago that they could be taking Getting that safety information from year following the merger of the ruin them. The cost of hiring their own advantage of. So I thought it would be the frontline workers, analyzing it and two carriers and the agreement attorney to fight charges—even when worth going over those changes and how using it to take corrective action is by the pilots for representation they are sure they have done nothing even the smallest operators can improve critical to avoiding future problems. by the IBT. Disputes have sur- wrong—can be a huge expense. But you their operations and earn an enforcement It’s also a way—under the FAA’s rounded seniority lists, voluntary really can’t go it alone when it comes to pass from the FAA. compliance philosophy—to avoid legal separation packages and deci- legal enforcement. If you’re facing legal In 2015 the FAA announced a enforcement sanctions. sions to move aircraft. sanctions you must have an attorney, new compliance philosophy that is The heart of the FAA’s compliance The court found that the com- preferably one with specific experience intended to reward companies and philosophy: The Compliance Philosophy pany “failed to bargain in good fighting the FAA. other certificate holders that find and represents a focus on using—where faith by failing to execute doc- But what many of the operators correct safety problems by limiting appropriate—non-enforcement methods, umentation of the voluntary I speak with are not aware of is or eliminating punitive enforcement or “Compliance Action.” Compliance separation program agreement” that they can take steps to insulate actions. The FAA recognized that the Action is a new term to describe the FAA’s and said, “The parties are ordered themselves from enforcement action threat of enforcement sanctions limits non-enforcement methods for correcting to finalize an agreement.” While and make their operations safer and the willingness of certificate holders— unintentional deviations or noncompliance the court granted the union’s likely more time and cost effective. both individuals and organizations—to that arise from factors such as flawed request to order the company to Sound too good to be true? Not if come forward and share information systems and procedures, simple mistakes, bargain in good faith, it rejected you understand the FAA’s compliance with it. The agency also recognized that lack of understanding or diminished skills. the request to halt transfers of philosophy and, among other things, for safety information to be shared more A Compliance Action is not adjudication, aircraft, since that was antici- tap the knowledge of your employees freely, it needed to adopt a “just culture,” nor does it constitute a finding of violation. pated to be part of arbitration. to find the problems in your operation one that has both an expectation of, A Compliance Action is intended as an The court also dismissed the and take steps to correct them. The and an appreciation for, self-disclosure open and transparent safety information request that the company rescind FAA’s Aviation Safety Action of errors. A “just culture” allows for exchange between FAA personnel and you. the voluntary separation agree- Program (ASAP) is the best way to due consideration of honest mistakes, Its only purpose is to restore compliance ments that the pilots had already get voluntary employee participation especially in a complex system like the and to identify and correct the underlying accepted. Both sides agreed such in reporting safety issues. National Airspace System (NAS),” causes that led to the deviation. a move would present “logistical While its protections don’t apply to according to the FAA. “Examples of Compliance Actions difficulties,” the court said. every case—most notably intentional With its enforcement philosophy, the include on-the-spot corrections, counseling “The court’s ruling provides us or criminal acts—its purpose is to FAA was finally aligning itself with the and additional training and remedial with a basis to move forward in encourage employees voluntarily to safety management principles that many training. Generally, if you are qualified a positive direction,” said David report “safety information that may other countries—Canada and the United and both willing and able to cooperate, the Bourne, director of the Team- be critical to identifying potential Kingdom among them—have supported FAA will resolve the issue with compliance sters Airline Division. “The union precursors to accidents.” It encourages for many years. There was little hope of tools, techniques, concepts and programs. wants to secure much-needed employees to share information SMS working if the FAA’s enforcement Only on discovery of behavior indicating pay increases, benefit and work- by protecting them from FAA actions didn’t support the underlying an unwillingness or inability to comply, ing conditions improvements for enforcement action and company principles of finding and correcting safety or evidence that, for example, supports an these dedicated pilots. disciplinary action. (It’s important lapses and appropriately communicating intentional deviation, reckless or criminal Flexjet called the ruling “both to keep feeding safety information to the lessons learned. While the new SMS behavior, or other significant safety risk, a victory and a disappointment,” NASA through the Aviation Safety regulations—found in Part 5 of the does the FAA consider an individual saying it solidifies the voluntary Reporting System—known to many as Federal Aviation Regulations—currently ineligible for a Compliance Action. separation program as originally “NASA immunity”—but the benefits apply only to Part 121 air carriers, it’s If you think your air-taxi or repair offered. But, Flexjet added, “It is a to individuals are less than through likely they will eventually apply to other station is too small to manage an ASAP disappointment in that this union ASAP. NASA immunity prevents the certified entities. there are at least two organizations that continues to use our pilots as FAA from imposing a sanction in In any event, safety management will handle the administrative burdens for pawns to push its agenda. We will certain cases but you still end up with systems have benefits that all certified you: the Air Charter Safety Foundation continue presenting to the union a violation on your record.) and non-certified entities should consider and the Medallion Foundation. It’s solutions that ensure strength I started out thinking small adopting. In my experience working worth looking into before you get an operators are the least likely to be with entities adopting SMS, the biggest enforcement letter from the FAA. o and health for our business, that aware of the Aviation Safety Action benefit for the bean counters in charge of are also fair and generous to the Program and how that could be used— many corporate departments is that SMS pilot group. We remain commit- usually in conjunction with a safety helps find and correct problems that cost ted to providing the safest and management program—to learn about money. For those of us who care about best service, which will never be safety problems or violations in your improving safety, it also has that benefit. compromised.” —K.L. operation before they become tragic Many smaller certificate holders are

18 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com

Business Aviation AND THE

by Kerry Lynch

on its environmental footprint, self-interest. The lighter you in the efficiency of business avi- load: technology improvements, Industry and as the CO2 and Corsia can make the aircraft and the ation products over the past 40 infrastructure and operational agreements came together, the less fuel you burn, the lower the years. But, with that success, the improvements, alternative fuels industry insisted on participat- cost of operation and the more organizations acknowledged and market-based measures. finds a ing. “We fought to be included,” universal good.” the need to accomplish even Technology has been a key said Ed Smith, senior v-p of Second is what Brown refers more. “Our community recog- driver of efficiency improve- international and environ- to as societal culture, which is nizes that we must do our part ments to date. The primary seat at mental affairs for the General shaping corporate sustainability to reduce aviation emissions fur- source is engine improvements, Aviation Manufacturers Asso- goals. “Many companies have ther even as we grow to meet ris- but airframe design, avionics, ciation. The global aviation environmental elements within ing demand for transportation,” new materials and even retro- the table community initially thought their corporate responsibilities,” they said. fits such as winglets play their that business aviation did not he said. The three basic goals: part too. The leaders predicted need to be involved. Carbon-neutral growth by that a business aircraft built in s government and But business aviation leaders Long-term Vision 2020 2050 will be 45 percent more fuel industry came to a insisted on joining the dialog for While the global community An improvement in fuel effi- efficient than those built in 2005. historic agreement last two reasons. One was a worry reached agreement on a CO2 ciency averaging 2 percent Past successes suggest that this A year on the first-ever that whatever was decided for standard last year, the aviation per year until 2020 is achievable. “The things that have standard for aviation air transport would be applied industry has long been shrinking A reduction in total CO2 been effective so far have been the carbon-dioxide (CO2) to business aviation without the footprint made by each flying emissions of 50 percent by things we really know how to do emissions and the associated any understanding of the oper- seat. Both the airlines and busi- 2050 relative to 2005. and have been doing for some time, carbon-offset market-based pro- ational and industry differences ness aviation had established their These goals nearly mirrored such as continuous improvement gram, most eyes focused on the between the two segments. But own emissions goals years earlier. those already established by inter- in engine technology,” Brown said. airlines. Formally called Carbon second, business aviation lead- In 2009 GAMA and the national airports, airlines and “Every new engine that gets certi- Offset and Reduction System for ers recognized that the industry International Business Avia- other organizations. The only dif- fied is a couple of percent more International Aviation (Cor- must be a strong advocate on the tion Council, which represents ference is that the airlines sought efficient than the one that pre- sia), the market-based scheme environmental front. business aviation organizations an annual reduction of 1.5 per- ceded it. That’s been a routine primarily targets the airlines, It’s a matter of dollars and worldwide, jointly released a cent per year until 2020, with the commendable achievement on the exempting all but the largest sense, business aviation leaders document titled Business Avi- goal of reaching carbon-neutral part of industry.” business aviation operators. agree. Environmentally friendly ation Commitment on Cli- growth from 2020 and beyond. While technology is an Most of business aviation was operations mean more efficient mate Change. The document Business aviation leaders con- important piece, infrastructure afforded this protection because operations. “We’ve always had outlined an environmental ceded that these were aggressive and operational improvements of its de minimis contribution to an incentive to be more efficient agreement signed by GAMA goals, requiring a sustained compromise to bring even greater global emissions; business avia- because it costs us money not to president and CEO Pete Bunce mitment throughout the industry gains, Smith said. He defines tion accounts for 2 percent of all be,” Smith said. and then IBAC director general as well as a strong government/ infrastructure improvement as aviation emissions and 0.04 per- NBAA COO Steve Brown Donald Spruston. The organi- industry partnership. the modernization that moves cent of global emissions. agreed. “Two things drive a zations acknowledged business To achieve the goals, the lead- ATC from a ground-based sys- Even so, business aviation strong desire to reduce our aviation’s accomplishments thus ers identified four pillars that tem to space-based. The industry has remained sharply focused carbon footprint. The first is far: a 40-percent improvement must work together to carry the has less control of this, because

20 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com Business Aviation

it depends on initiatives such as for gains, industry leaders agree, NextGen and Sesar. While they noting that much has been and PW800, and the results are might be rolling out more slowly accomplished technologically in Engines and measurable. The PW307, which than everyone would like, these recent years. But this long-term incorporates the company’s efforts are moving ahead, Smith solution is still facing cost and Technology for Advance Low noted, providing more direct distribution questions. airframes drive Nox (Talon) combustion tech- routing, performance-based nav- With biofuels still off in nology, is 30 percent ahead of igation (PBN) approaches and the future and air traffic man- where ICAO standards say it improved separation manage- agement initiatives still being efficiency gains needs to be on emissions. The ment, among other benefits. implemented, Smith said tech- new PurePower PW800 builds The FAA found that flights nology improvements alone may Business jet makers are looking at Optimizing engine performance on that, providing a 50-percent using PBN approaches cover not get the aviation commu- completely new technologies, such and burning fuel as efficiently as improvement in NOx, along with on average 14 fewer miles and nity to carbon-neutral growth as electric and hybrid systems, to possible is the ultimate goal, Di a 35-percent improvement in car- shorten delays by two minutes. by 2020. This is where market- make dramatic steps in improv- Bartolomeo said. bon monoxide emissions. “This saves 6.5 million gallons based measures such as Corsia ing their efficiencies and reducing To get there, manufacturers The PW800 further has a of fuel per year, which in turn come in, he said, as the “gap their environmental footprint. But look at bypass area, clearances, 10-percent improvement in fuel reduces carbon dioxide emissions filler.” They apply specifically in the interim, manufacturers are airflow, core temperatures and burn, relative to previous gen- by 62,000 tons,” the agency said in to international aviation, and continuing to build on a long tra- improved materials that can han- erations in the same class, Di its U.S. Aviation Gas Greenhouse 65 nations (representing 85 per- dition of steady improvements Gas Emissions Reduction Plan. cent of international traffic) through evolving engine and air- Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800 Separation management is esti- have already signed on to the frame technologies. mated to save 1.4 million gallons program, which will be phased “Aviation has always looked of fuel per year and reduce CO2 in from 2021 through 2035. In to become more efficient, and it emissions by 13,000 metric tons. the short term, both Brown and has been pretty steady over time,” While those estimates are for the Smith concede that it is difficult said Greg Bowles, vice president entire aviation industry, with air- to measure business aviation’s of global innovation and policy lines accounting for the lion’s year-to-year progress. Each goal, for the General Aviation Manu- share, Brown notes that all apply to Smith explained, is designed as a facturers Association (GAMA), business aviation. Business aircraft look-back measurement. noting that the gains have aver- will follow the same approaches, Business aviation does not aged about a percentage point and properly equipped aircraft have detailed emissions track- each year. “An improvement of can take advantage of some of ing mechanisms in place that 1 percent year in and year out the more advanced procedures, he are more readily available to the adds up. Over 60 years, we are said, adding that business aircraft airlines. Honeywell, however, is about 60 percent more efficient.” operators tend to be early adopt- among those researching more Walter Di Bartolomeo, v-p of ers of technologies. accurate measurement, said Bill engineering for Pratt & Whitney More specific to business avia- Traxler, director of marketing Canada, said that while environ- tion are other operational efforts. and product management for mental regulatory requirements Business aircraft operators have Honeywell Aerospace. Asked drive these improvements, com- looked at multiple means for if the ICAO goals are realistic, petition is an even bigger motive. dle higher temperature, Bowles Bartolomeo said. “Ten percent shrinking their footprint, Brown Traxler, said “absolutely,” adding “Being ahead of the game and said. “We’re looking at even more is a big deal. It’s a large step in noted, such as limiting APU run that the community has worked staying ahead of regulation is exotic materials, more exotic ways reducing fuel burn.” time, cutting down on catering, closely with regulators to ensure a must. But from a competitive to cool and better efficiencies.” The PW800 also benefits avoiding carrying excess fuel, flight the industry is prepared to meet perspective there is an advan- At P&WC, “we are always from some of the technology planning for the most direct routes the goals for the long run. On tage to being more fuel efficient working new technologies on how incorporated in Pratt & Whit- and preparing better for weather the basis of “really rough data,” and having fewer emissions,” Di effectively we burn fuel,” he said. ney’s Geared Turbofan program. accommodations. Smith noted, “we are fairly opti- Bartolomeo said. “Operation- He agreed with Bowles that new Selected for the Gulfstream G500 OEMs and industry groups mistic we are on track.” Brown ally, fuel costs everyone money. materials and the ability to run and G600, the PW800 shares a have also held sessions with oper- agreed with that assessment. Everyone competes to be more the engine hot are key factors in common core with the PW1500 ators on how to wring the most “We have put in place the efficient,” Bowles agreed. “It’s these changes. “There is a con- turbofan. “We worked together efficiency out of their aircraft, international regulatory struc- a great story because aviation is tinuous effort to improve alloys to develop that core, compres- Smith said, citing awareness of cg ture and framework,” Smith driven to be more efficient for and materials in the turbine end sor technology, combustor tech- and thrust requirements. “This is added. “What we don’t have pretty much every reason. The of the engine,” he said. But he nology and turbine technology, not falling on deaf ears or preach- right now are the numbers, but only thing preventing us is phys- also pointed to the aerodynam- leveraging what we’ve learned ing anything, because operators [the business aviation environ- ics. We have to do everything we ics side and use of computational from both product lines,” he said. love to save fuel and save money,” mental framework] has been can to try to figure out how to fluid dynamics. Long term, P&WC is look- Smith said. designed, it has been agreed, it navigate physics properly.” Some of these advances are ing at technologies that the Biofuels, the third pillar, offer is going to be put in place and it Many of the efficiency gains making their way into the Pratt company believes can reduce the single greatest possibilities is going to have an effect.” o to date center on the engine. & Whitney Canada PW300 Continues on next page u

www.ainonline.com • March 2017 • Aviation International News 21 Business Aviation AND THE

Beyond the engine, aircraft manufac- president of engineering and mainte- turers continue to refine their designs, nance for GAMA. Aviation Partners resulting in an overall package that (API), which has been in the forefront burns less fuel. “You’re seeing efficiency of winglet technology, has had its wing- in the airframe design, higher-aspect- lets forward fit or retrofitted to a host ratio wings and higher wing loading,” of airliners and Falcons, Hawkers and said Bowles. “The aircraft that can go older Gulfstreams. Some 7,000 aircraft around the world really take advantage are equipped with API winglets, which of new understanding in aerodynamics are designed to reduce the drag caused by and computational fluid analysis tools.” wingtip vortices. API estimates its wing- Dan Nale, senior v-p of programs, lets have saved six billion gallons of fuel, engineering and test for Gulfstream Aero- representing a reduction of CO2 emis- space, pointed to advanced aerodynamics sions of 64 million metric tons. With its incorporated to reduce drag and improve business growing, API believes the fuel fuel efficiency on the G650/650ER, a savings could jump to 10 billion gallons design that was adapted for the G500 by 2019. and G600. Hybrid and Electric Airframe Enhancements Looking into the future, manufacturers Like the engine makers, airframers are are eyeing brand-new technologies. “The placing an emphasis on materials. “Gulf- step change that everyone is focused on stream has a dedicated team devoted to right now is hybrid and electric propul- composites research to look at new ways sion,” Bowles said. There’s been so much aircraft can benefit from composite struc- attention on it that GAMA established tures to cut weight and improve fuel effi- the Electric Propulsion Innovation Com- ciency,” he said, noting that composites mittee (Epic) a year ago, and membership are used in the pressure bulkhead, hor- has already swelled to 40 companies. “In a izontal stabilizer, winglets, floor panels, year, we went from zero to 40,” he noted. furnishings, fairing and control sur- “These 40 members don’t come in with faces and cabinetry veneers of the G650, hands in their pockets,” added Di Bartolo- G650ER, G500 and G600. Environ- meo. “They all bring boxes of information mental improvements are showing up in and work they’ve been doing indepen- Honeywell TFE731 nearly every area of the airframe: struc- dently. They bring their capabilities.” tural optimization, systems refinements, As it founded Epic, GAMA began fan, which he said could save 40 pounds aerodynamic improvements and flight accepting new associate members with Engine, airframe designs and improve SFC. deck capabilities, he said. those areas of expertise. Bowles noted uContinued from preceding page The engine maker is adding advanced But improvements have also found that it is attracting new companies, NOx by up to 80 percent from both materials and has made considerable their way in through retrofits such as among them Siemens, that bring a back- combustion and engine performance strides in coatings that would allow the winglets, added Walter Desrosier, vice ground in energy and power. Committee improvements. core to run hotter. “It’s a combination of Honeywell Aerospace also has seen better performance and advanced coat- significant strides through its technol- ings and materials,” Traxler said. Tim- ogy research. The TFE731 has a long his- ing and the ultimate design of the engine tory of improvements, with each variant will be shaped by the customer, he added. offering new capabilities and efficiencies. Honeywell is participating in a five- The introduction of the HTF7000, which year public/private research effort, the powers a number of super-midsize jets, Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions brought a new generation of technology and Noise (Cleen II) program, which with it, resulting in a 5-percent reduction takes a multifaceted approach to intro- in fuel burn. ducing much more environmentally The Phoenix, Ariz. engine maker friendly technologies to civil aviation is now looking forward to its next- by 2026. generation engine core demonstrator pro- The company is testing a Single Annu- gram, with a goal of extending range by lar Combustor for Emissions Reduction 10 to 15 percent, said Bill Traxler, director (Saber) compact, low-emissions combus- of marketing and product management tor and an advanced turbine blade outer for Honeywell Aerospace. “To enable that air seal in an effort to cut fuel burn by 27 we need to [develop] an engine that pro- percent and beat the ICAO NOx emis- vides more fuel efficiency, more power sions standard by 53 percent. density and reduced weight,” Traxler said. Manufacturers also underscore the Honeywell is looking at targets such role additive manufacturing (3D printing) as an 8-percent reduction in total specific is beginning to play in these technology fuel consumption. This is being weighed improvements. The process allows man- against possible constraints on fan diame- ufacturers to use more exotic materials, ter that would reduce drag and save weight, improving heat tolerance, Bowles said. but possibly give up SFC gains in return. Traxler noted that additive manufactur- “We’re running the equations to fig- ing allows manufacturers to develop more ure out how to optimize the aircraft on complex parts that advance technology the SFC side and power-density side,” and shed weight. It enables Honeywell he added. On the power-density side, the to develop a part much more quickly as Honeywell HTF7000 company is looking at a one-piece blisk a single component, he said.

22 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com Sustainability a key concern for FBO and MRO operations

Decades ago, environmental sustainability was company’s Associated Air Center facility in not a central concern for many aviation busi- Dallas, Texas, had a surplus Boeing Business nesses. Stories have it that some would even Jet fuselage that was going to be scrapped. use avgas to control weeds around their facili- Instead, the center found a new use for the ties. But those days are long gone. A culture of fuselage, donating it to a local scuba diver sustainability has taken root throughout the park for training. Another example he cited industry, for businesses as varied as MROs, was packing material that was repurposed FBOs and even manufacturing facilities. for padding on floors where mechanics need StandardAero, one of the largest MRO to kneel. Many of these ideas come from the chains in business aviation, says that sustain- company’s employees, he said. ability is a central focus in nearly every aspect Like many aviation firms, StandardAero of the business, from the facilities to the pro- has made a substantial investment in switch- cesses to the management of materials. This ing to LED lighting. “It is saving us literally Honeywell additive manufacturing philosophy has required a substantial invest- millions in kilowatt hours per year,” he said. ment and buy-in of employees, but the com- Natural-gas heaters have been replaced with members have been busy with numer- Bowles. “Today we are about 60 per- pany has seen returns, said John Teimeyer, infrared heaters, also saving on energy. ous individual projects. cent shy of liquid fuel once you make director of global environmental, health, StandardAero further has invested heav- Collectively, Epic devised a everything common.” Battery energy safety and security at StandardAero. ily in separating hazardous waste from rinse worldwide standard for measure- density has been improving by 3 per- Each of the company’s facilities has earned water. This capability in its Los Angeles facility ment of hybrid and electric pro- cent a year. “We believe that trend will ISO 14000 certification (an environmental man- enables reuse of uncontaminated rinse water. pulsion in general aviation aircraft. continue. We see nothing stopping it,” agement system) from the International Orga- In San Antonio, the company was one of the Released on February 3, the stan- he said, noting that “three percent on nization for Standardization, making it one of first to install a closed-loop system that treats dard provides a common set of three percent on three percent starts few in the field to receive such recognition. The hazardous waste contamination in water and measurements for hybrid and elec- to really mean something.” Progress approval drives how StandardAero approaches recycles the cleansed water. In Springfield, the tric aircraft performance, includ- made in the light end is “a great prov- every aspect of the business, from the lifecycle company has begun to solve a problem that ing a 30-minute reserve for typical ing ground to figure out the infrastruc- of the materials used in maintenance and repair has plagued it for years: how to reduce the flights. “We don’t typically stan- ture and logistical needs of electric operations—from the supply chain to the waste use of methylene chloride in paint stripper. dardize a technology until we feel propulsion” for heavier aircraft. management—to how it recycles everyday items The company tried alternatives from chemi- it’s taking hold,” Bowles said. “This In the nearer term, a hybrid of such as packing material, Teimeyer said. cal products to walnut shells. The shells work sector is really starting to turn up.” electric and traditional fuel-pow- “It goes so far as we examine our engine fine, he said, but not on an entire aircraft. “We With a number of projects in devel- ered propulsion is becoming more testing fuel from the standpoint of where finally got to the point last year where we have opment, Epic seeks to ensure manu- of a reality for larger aircraft, par- does it come from, how far does it have to be eliminated the majority of its use.” facturers take a similar approach to ticularly turboprops, Bowles said. transported and what is the blend. It’s that “People are looking at hybrid-elec- level of detail,” he said. Waste management FBOs Go Green Electric propulsion in tric designs in the larger size and is a significant emphasis, he said, noting that FBOs, meanwhile, have long faced a series of that’s really exciting…because it is the company is able to recycle or “divert” state and federal environmental regulations, light aircraft provides available now.” about 50 percent of waste that would nor- along with airport lease requirements, partic- With hybrid, energy can be gener- mally head to a landfill. “We have only so ularly in the areas of fuel spills, underground insight into what is ated on the ground and stored in the much room in our landfills. If we can repur- storage tanks and storm-water runoff. This airplane battery. The energy is then pose waste, we will,” he said. has led to practices such as implementing required to apply it combined with traditional engine He pointed to one instance where the Continues on next page u power to optimize the flight from to heavier aircraft. takeoff to landing. “Instead of having the measurement of aircraft power an engine at full capacity at takeoff and their claims of capabilities. thrust and pulling it back for cruise, If one excludes the energy ex- you can run at one design point, rais- pended by the manufacturing cy- ing efficiency. Hybrid designs are cle, pure electric propulsion is com- looking at that,” Bowles said. pletely “green” from an operational “Where the industry is going is standpoint, Bowles said. The field continued aircraft system optimi- is advancing rapidly, he said, noting zation,” added Di Bartolomeo. “So that this year’s Aero Friedrichshafen much energy is used on an aircraft will feature the world’s first airshow that isn’t optimally produced and/ demonstrating electric-powered air- or consumed.” Hybrid systems are craft. Bowles expects a handful of proving promising in uniform pro- aircraft will participate. duction and their use of energy in For the lighter end of general avi- flight, optimizing performance and ation—two- to four-seat aircraft— becoming much more efficient. electric is demonstrating two-hour He added that he could see this capability (an hour of flight and an begin to become more prevalent in hour in reserve), he said. While pos- the next wave of new aircraft over sible for smaller aircraft, all-electric the next five to 10 years. “Hybrid propulsion is still in the distance for systems are going to be a bigger Rather than scrap a BBJ fuselage, anything larger. “The challenge is the part of the industry,” Di Bartolo- Associated Air Center donated it to energy density of the battery,” said meo predicted. o a scuba diving park for training.

www.ainonline.com • March 2017 • Aviation International News 23 BusinessBusiness Aviation Aviation ANDAND THE THE A

have been ASTM certified so far are hydrogenated esters and fatty acids; Fischer-Tropsch based on biomass; and renewable Synthe- sized Iso-Paraffinic fuel. Among the other options the association cites are hydrogenated pyroly- sis oils. Bio-jet fuels have been made from oil crops and waste fats, and scientists are evaluating sources such as biomass sugars, algae and halophytes. Whichever source is used, industry leaders agree that it must not be a food source. United Airlines is the first A Gulfstream G450 crossed the Atlantic in 2011 major carrier to burn biofu- burning a 50-50 blend of jet fuel and biofuel. els on regular routes. The airline struck an agreement with has approved several pathways issue. With the price of a bar- Paramount, Calif.-based refin- Biofuels show promise, for the development of drop-in rel of oil as low as it is today, ery AltAir Fuels to take up to fuels from various feedstocks, the industry is not excited to go 15 million gallons of biofuel a and flights aboard airliners and out and find alternatives.” Di year for three years. The airline while market waits business jets are proving that use Bartolomeo added, however, is using a blend of 30 percent of the fuel is technically feasible. “eventually the price of a barrel biofuel and 70 percent fossil- Research into biofuels contin- market forces will ultimately “The technical issues have will go up” and said the indus- based jet fuel for flights out ues to make great strides, with drive any transition. been solved,” Smith said. “The try needs to be prepared when of Los Angeles International demonstration programs under “Enormous progress” has problem is the commercialization it does. Pratt & Whitney Can- Airport. United estimates that way in both airline and business been made in research and test- of it, and that is a much more dif- ada, among the manufacturers 15 million gallons would fuel aviation operations. But while ing of biofuels in recent years, ficult valley to cross because of that have collaborated on biofu- 12,500 flights from Los Ange- business aviation leaders believe said Ed Smith, senior v-p of the current price of oil.” els testing for years, has found les to San Francisco. a transition to biofuels likely will international and environmental Walter Di Bartolomeo, vice performance characteristics sim- be necessary to achieve the seg- affairs for the General Aviation president of engineering for ilar to fossil fuels, he said. Bizav Stakeholders ment’s long-term environmen- Manufacturers Association. The Pratt & Whitney Canada, agreed. According to Airlines for The airlines are a major driver tal goals, they also concede that standards-setting agency ASTM “There is a supply-and-demand America, the fuel categories that in the research, but business aviation has been involved too. A Dassault Falcon 20 operated by Canada’s National Research Honeywell made history in June Council, flew powered exclusively by ReadiJet biofuel in 2012. 2011 with the completion of the first transatlantic flight fueled in part by biofuel when a Gulf- stream G450 made the crossing on a 50/50 blend. A year later, the National Research Council of Canada became the first entity to fly a jet (a Dassault Falcon 20) fueled by 100 percent biofuel, called ReadiJet. Like United, Gulfstream has become a regular user. In 2015 the OEM signed a three-year agreement with World Fuel Services to Continues on page 30 u FBOs and MROs facilities in Newark, N.J., and San One of the biggest changes at Lektro electric tugs, which he construction materials and light- Jose, Calif. The former Landmark FBOs is LED lighting, he said. said are now ubiquitous at FBOs. ing control centers, among others. u Continued from preceding page Aviation pursued Leed certifica- One company that many FBOs Aircraft and aircraft suppli- At Pratt & Whitney Canada Storm Water Pollution Preven- tion when it opened a new facility use is Every Watt Matters, which ers are looking to make manu- (P&WC), attention is given to tion Plans that provide a frame- in San Diego. Rectrix and Chatta- offers a program that replaces facturing processes and facilities understanding energy expended work to comply with EPA and nooga Airport also have pursued existing lighting with LEDs, charg- more environmentally friendly. in every part, from the removal local rules on storm-water dis- such recognitions. ing a monthly fee based on energy Gulfstream committed in 2010 to of the raw materials, to the ship- charge. FBOs also have added Leed certifications have savings over a period of time. building its new facilities to Leed ping and to the production, said spill-kits on their trucks. become a design consideration at FBOs are moving toward standards, and this standard has Walter Di Bartolomeo, vice pres- Beyond the regulations, many FBOs, added Douglas Wil- more efficient radiated heat and been incorporated in production, ident of engineering. This extends though, this environmental focus son, president and senior partner incorporating simple solutions distribution, maintenance and from suppliers, operations and has expanded to looking at facili- at FBO Partners. Some of those such as switches that moderate research facilities, said Dan Nale, facilities to details such as clean- ties, equipment and lighting. Sig- design plans are encouraged by heating and cooling when the senior v-p of programs, engineer- ers and strippers. nature Flight Support reports that incentives from local authorities, hangar doors open. “These are ing and test for the Savannah, Ga.- “From the president on down, it has spent $100 million over the Wilson said, but “when you look simple changes that cost little, based manufacturer. The effort has the company has a directive to past five years on “eco-friendly” at the financial analysis, using deliver significant savings and involved low-emitting construc- ensure that everything we design, design, construction and oper- proper windows, proper insula- are environmentally friendly,” tion materials, reflective roofing everything we produce, the way we ations, including U.S. Green tion and proper heaters drives Wilson said. Another com- materials, highly efficient heating service them has a reflection on the Building Council Leed-designed down operating costs.” mon change is the move toward and cooling systems, low-emitting impact to the world,” he said. o

24 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com

Business Aviation AND THE

2018 approval sought for unleaded avgas

A government/industry coopera- fuel that works with the majority tive and a number of other com- of the fleet,” added David Oord, panies are individually pushing senior director of government forward to begin a transition to affairs for the Aircraft Owners a viable unleaded alternative to and Pilots Association (AOPA). aviation gasoline in the next few But getting the lead out has years, recognizing that such a presented a significant challenge, transition might be necessary to Desrosier conceded. “All the pis- ensure the future vitality of gen- ton engines and all the airplanes eral aviation. in the last 40-plus years were “Going to an unleaded avgas designed, developed and certified is one of the biggest things we around leaded avgas. Our entire are doing from the environmen- operating history and our main- tal perspective for recreational tenance history is around leaded [aircraft] and the light end of avgas,” he said. general aviation,” said Walter Desrosier, v-p of engineering and Leaded Avgas Alternative maintenance for the General Avi- GAMA and AOPA are among ation Manufacturers Association a cross-section of industry orga- (GAMA). Desrosier noted that nizations that have been work- groups such as the Friends of the phase out or eliminate leaded Total and two from Swift. These this is a critical move for general ing with the FAA on the Piston Earth, plans to release a finding aviation gasoline. fuel offerings moved to a Phase aviation, because the future of Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI), this year that leaded aviation Hence the PAFI timeline for a 1 testing program consisting of leaded fuel is in doubt as coun- launched to develop such an alter- gasoline is a danger to public replacement. PAFI has received basic fit-for-purpose and chem- tries move to phase it out. Gen- native. PAFI seeks approval of at health and welfare. Under the $6 million in federal funding for ical property laboratory eval- eral aviation is the primary user least one drop-in replacement by schedule proposed before the each of the past three fiscal years uations, six rig tests, materials of the additive tetra-ethyl lead. the end of next year. Trump Administration took and is in the middle of a five-year compatibility testing, engine test- “It has to be done. For the Any delays could be costly to office, the EPA would finalize program that evaluated 17 candi- ing and a toxicity and environ- health and future of general avia- the industry. The Environmental the endangerment finding next date fuels from six groups or com- mental impact evaluation of the tion, we have to identify, test and Protection Agency (EPA), facing year, triggering a requirement panies and whittled the choice to chemical components of the fuels. ultimately approve an unleaded litigation from environmental for regulation that would either four: one apiece from Shell and Continues on page 30 u

The aviation industry has aviation and also airlines is with descending again in steps. “The Avionics wring out always pursued efficiency improve- modern flight management sys- CDA is a significant driver in ments, primarily in response to tems (FMS) and avionics equip- lowering emissions, probably the pressure to keep operating costs ment that allows operators to biggest one with the most sav- more efficiency gains as low as possible, but in recent take advantage of new perfor- ings,” Herdegen said. years those efforts have also tar- mance-based navigation proce- Honeywell’s cost index, avail- by Matt Thurber geted reduced emissions. The dures that are part of the FAA’s able in earlier FMSs and refined events of President Obama’s last and other regulators’ ATC mod- in the NG FMS, gives pilots a n the afternoon of inauguration day, January 20, when former flight on Air Force One illustrate ernization efforts. numerical index to target fuel sav- OPresident Obama and his family winged their way to vaca- how lack of equipment and train- ings during climbs and descents ing can make a difference, prevent- Honeywell while optimizing fuel burn and tion in Palm Springs, Calif., on their last flight aboard Air Force One, ing completion of the mission and Since its introduction FMS has time. The higher the index num- the pilots of the presidential Boeing 747 (VC-25) ended up divert- pumping more emissions into the “been the tool that has helped ber, the more fuel is saved, he ing to March Air Reserve Base, following two missed approaches atmosphere. As more new Next- operators fly more efficiently,” said, “and those translate into for weather. The missed approaches and diversions added at least Gen instrument procedures and said Marc Herdegen, Honeywell savings on CO2 emissions.” even en route procedures are senior director of marketing and The NG FMS also helps half an hour to the trip, resulting in the unnecessary burning of hun- implemented, this kind of ineffi- product management. Honey- pilots select the optimum alti- dreds of gallons of jet fuel. ciency event is going to become well’s latest airliner and business tude, taking into account wind There are three instrument approaches to Palm Springs Inter- more common, adding pressure jet FMS—the NG FMS—ben- models to calculate the most to operators to update their air- efits from years of refinement efficient flight level. With air- national Airport, two of which are Rnav (RNP) to either end of the craft to meet new requirements and is easier to upgrade to borne connectivity, near real- airport’s 10,000-foot runway. Both of these approaches are “autho- and ultimately, benefitting the future capabilities, he explained. time wind data is becoming rization required,” which means not only that the aircraft must be environment and helping opera- The NG FMS allows efficiency more available via Honeywell’s tors cut the cost of flying. in three main areas: fuel savings Weather Information Service, equipped with the right kind of avionics but also that the crew must Avionics have grown in through optimizing power, reduc- allowing further improvements be trained and have received authorization to fly the approaches. importance as a factor in ing track miles and helping in in altitude optimization. Apparently, either the crew wasn’t trained and authorized or Air improved efficiency, but now the altitude selection. Rockwell Collins Force One isn’t equipped with modern avionics or both. The result industry is poised to leap into a The continuous descent future of further improvement, approach (CDA) offers large “FMS plays a predominant role,” was that after two attempts at shooting the VOR or GPS-B approach, thanks not only to avionics efficiency improvements for NG agreed Rockwell Collins princi- which has much higher minimums and is circling-only, the Air Force developments but also massive FMS users, Gulfstream G650 pal marketing manager Chuck One pilots elected to divert to March Air Reserve Base, where there changes to the navigation infra- operators among them. The FMS Wade. Like all FMS, Rockwell structure concurrent with new smoothes out the descent using Collins products have long pro- are plenty of ordinary approaches with lower minimums and no spe- avionics technology. lower power settings, instead of vided performance information, cial authorization required. Where this is affecting business descending, leveling off, then Continues on page 28 u

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technology is a key driver and Avionics push has already led to significant efficiency gains changes at 56 airports in the U.S. where departure clearances uContinued from page 26 (DCL) are now available. Air- but new FAA NextGen capabil- craft equipped for future air ities built on satellite navigation navigation system (Fans) opera- will lead to significant efficiency tions can take advantage of DCL improvements. “The central and not only obtain clearances aspect is Waas-SBAS technol- digitally on their FMSs, but ogies,” said Wade, “they’re not also modify and update clear- constrained to ground-based ances, all without using radios navaids any more, and this has for voice calls with controllers. opened up much more efficient Arinc Direct facilitates use of routes. Because of ADS-B and DCL for equipped aircraft, and Waas position accuracies, the these aircraft are often able to FAA will be able to start reduc- depart before non-DCL-capa- ing spacing between airplanes. ble aircraft. Now we can create a much more The next step is en route efficient terminal area. The key datalink communications, and is our Waas and ADS-B technol- “plans are to start offering en ogy and keeping our FMS up to route services, like in Europe,” date becauADSBse it uses that said Andrew Onken, princi- Waas GPS sensor in keeping pal manager program man- GE Aviation everybody on the correct path.” agement at Arinc Direct. In Rockwell Collins is making all Europe Arinc Direct provides of these new capabilities avail- aeronautical telecommunica- able from its newest flight decks tions networks to support data- in Bombardier Globals down to link services. “The FAA effort is older Pro Line 21 and 4 systems. ramping up, and I know they’re Business aviation will soon quite excited about it,” he said. start flying more performance- “There is a vision among the based navigation (PBN) proce- industry of making data the pri- dures as air navigation service mary means of communication, providers (ANSPs) adopt them but I think that’s seen as long more widely. Airlines have been term. No one is looking to do using PBN already, he said, and away with voice. But the goal is business aviation is changing to to make data your go-to for rou- meet the new requirements. In tine communications.” Universal Avionics Garmin Southern California, the FAA has restructured some 90 arriv- Universal Avionics ability to depart and arrive in vast improvement in how they ADS-B in capabilities, while als to make them PBN-compli- FMS is the heart of Universal’s areas where radar coverage is fly their aircraft and the overall not mandated, will become ubiq- ant and improve efficiency, and avionics system, said Universal unavailable, he explained. efficiency and capability of what uitous as the world’s ANSPs those equipped to fly those pro- Avionics director of sales Robert Universal has long offered they can do.” incorporate ADS-B. “This lets cedures will be the ones to realize Clare. With that in mind, “Over fuel management functions on ATC reduce separation,” Stone the benefits. “If you are not able time we have built in functional- its FMSs. “It uses inputs from Garmin said. “There is technology com- to sequence into the system,” ity and benefits to assist pilots various fuel flow and quantity Pilots flying with Garmin inte- ing, especially in larger aircraft, Wade said, “especially during and operators to help them to sensors and provides real-time grated flight decks, especially the such as interval management high-density times in the morn- get better direct routing and fuel management, extensive fuel G3000/G5000 systems in many and in-trail procedures. We’re ing or afternoon, you could be LPV approach capability to information and calculations in late-model jets, have access to doing research on that. For both sent into a holding pattern if not get into areas they’re not nor- the fuel management section of graphical displays of efficiency. ADS-B and PBN, the real effi- properly equipped.” mally able to get into,” he said. the FMS,” Clare said. “This can For example, range rings give an ciencies are realized when the Further improving effi- “We’re constantly getting feed- help eliminate unnecessary fuel instant view of available range at majority of operators are appro- ciency is the ability to take off back that using our FMS with stops and hone specific range current power settings. And the priately equipped.” and land in poor weather, and LPV has really saved operators and endurance.” The FMS also vertical situation display shows the FAA’s new enhanced flight money. They can see the return helps pilots evaluate alterna- wind information delivered via Esterline CMC vision system (EFVS) regulation on investment on the installation tives when weather changes Sirius XM, Garmin Connext via Esterline CMC’s FMS products makes that possible for properly in as short as a couple of years.” en route. Iridium satcom or ADS-B in, are targeted primarily at the air equipped aircraft. “That’s a keen Universal equipment also facil- In the PBN arena, Univer- helping pilots pick the best alti- transport market, although the interest of ours,” said Wade, as itates Fans operations and the sal is enabling operators to fly tude while en route. company is seeking opportuni- Rockwell Collins manufactures new DCL system. new procedures, he explained, Garmin-equipped aircraft ties in business aviation. CMC head-up displays and sensors that Even older aircraft equipped “not only approaches but en can also take advantage of FMSs feature a performance- enable EFVS operations. “If you with Universal FMSs can be route like PRnav in Europe and PBN RNP procedures, accord- Vnav function that offers oper- cut the number of diversions by upgraded to modern units. RNP [required navigation per- ing to avionics product man- ators an index of the optimal 50 percent a year, that’s a lot of “There are thousands of those formance], which is part of the ager Bill Stone. “PBN is much path for fuel efficiency or speed. fuel and environmental savings.” Citations and Learjets flying PBN initiative. Every major soft- more accurate than ground- In the next few years, more air- On the operational side, with our FMS,” he said, and they ware change we’ve had increased based navigation,” he said, “and craft will employ the time-based Rockwell Collins Arinc Direct can easily be upgraded to the lat- the capability and support for it allows more efficient sequenc- element to allow ATC to man- works with both operators and est version with LPV approach the latest PBN requirements.” ing and fewer holds. This directly age reduced traffic separation ANSPs to support NextGen capability and ADS-B out. Once This enables those aircraft prop- addresses the efficiency issue and and time-based traffic flow. “It technologies that will improve equipped with ADS-B out, there erly equipped for the new capa- reduces emissions, track miles really helps with planning,” said operational efficiency. Datalink are efficiencies as a result of the bilities to realize, he said, “a and fuel burn.” Continues on page 30 u

28 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com

Business Aviation AND THE

to make the transition safe and replacement candidate. GAMI ELECTRIC MOBILITY: 2018 goal for smooth. This means the fuel or founder George Braly noted that COMING TO A CROWDED CITY NEAR YOU? unleaded avgas fuels (both candidates ultimately GAMI elected not to partici- could be approved) must be able pate in PAFI primarily because Some forward-looking designers are fielding new electric aerial vehicles uContinued from page 26 to mingle with the current 100LL it would be required to start over that promise to solve the problem of efficient transport in highly con- In March last year PAFI nar- low-lead avgas. in the certification process. gested urban areas. Two of the more significant efforts are the EHang rowed the field to two candidate “Evaluation and assessment “We had already conducted 184 autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) and the CityAirbus urban vehicle. fuels for Phase 2 testing—one by of the fuels in the PAFI pro- our first 150-hour on-aircraft Chinese drone maker EHang introduced the EHang 184 AAV in January Shell and the other by Swift. This gram considers the entire infra- endurance test,” Braly wrote in 2015, and says it has begun flight-testing. The electrically powered testing, involving engines and structure, from development of the January edition of the Amer- four-rotor AAV is designed to carry one passenger safely and reliably propellers, has already begun at the fuel to its distribution to ican Bonanza Society magazine. point-to-point in urban environments, with the passenger using a smart- several sites. Lycoming and Con- general aviation airports,” Des- GAMI has demonstrated mate- phone to set the destination before takeoff. tinental are conducting engine rosier said. An unleaded fuel rials compatibility and is now in EHang engineers are well aware that there is more to designing checks and aircraft testing is might open up distribution ven- final detonation testing required a passenger-carrying autonomous vehicle than simply scaling up a beginning. Along with Lycoming ues currently off limits to the for FAA STC approval. smaller drone. According to the company, “As the EHang 184 might be and Continental, airframers such leaded avgas, he added. GAMI reported, “We have the multi-rotor aircraft with the world’s largest propellers, in order to avoid as Textron Aviation, Piper and Noting that “it is not a flip one more 150-hour engine dura- the problem of ‘control divergence’ in its autonomous flight, we need to Cirrus are engaged, as well as Can- the switch,” Oord said a working bility test to complete (on a big- do a variety of algorithm optimizations for the flight control system to ada’s National Research Council. group is being stood up involv- bore Continental engine). At that ensure that such a large multi-rotor aircraft can fly in the air stably.” The review has to be compre- ing the American Petroleum point GAMI will write the final All AAV flights will be monitored in real time by the EHang command hensive; the fuel has to work in Institute, the FAA, PAFI mem- reports and we should then be and control center, which will be able to communicate with passengers, as many aircraft as possible and bers and other organizations in able to obtain a fleet-wide STC monitor flight data and keep an eye on weather conditions. We are told tested in conditions that could be distribution and production to for an unleaded avgas that will that in the event of an emergency, the AAV will be able to land by itself. found from Florida to Alaska, he define what will be necessary for function transparently to pilots Airbus Helicopters is serious about exploring the electric VTOL said. “We are trying to make it distribution, materials compati- for all engines in the general avi- market and plans to begin flight-testing the four-seat, all-electric as drop-in as possible.” bility, education and communi- ation fleet,” Braly wrote. CityAirbus next year, with manned flights starting in 2019, according to Participants are planning to cations during a transition. Oord noted other options such CEO Guillaume Faury. work with Congress to put lan- as 94-octane unleaded and an auto- To speed the CityAirbus to market, the company is planning for initial guage in the next reauthoriza- Additional Efforts motive fuel that works for a por- operations to be flown by a pilot, followed by autonomous operations as tion bill that will give the FAA While PAFI has been a corner- tion of the fleet. that becomes possible operationally and from a regulatory perspective. the authority to provide a blan- stone of the effort, Oord noted The ultimate replacement(s), Because it has four seats, the concept for the CityAirbus would be for ket approval that lists as many that a number of other initiatives he said, must be available for the shared passenger operations. Passengers would book an available seat models as possible. are under way outside PAFI. long haul. When PAFI concludes via a smartphone app then take off from the nearest helipad. “A flight The initiative is focusing pri- One such project is from its work, GA will have a solution would cost nearly the equivalent of a normal taxi ride for each passenger, marily on technical aspects General Aviation Modifications for the vast majority that can be but would be faster, more environmentally sustainable and exciting,” related to the engine and airframe, (GAMI), which has been devel- used immediately for the long according to Airbus. —M.T. but PAFI is also researching how oping its own alternative drop-in term, Oord concluded. o

with the FAA on the Contin- to get a performance model said, adding that “Gulfstream is Avionics push uous Lower Energy Emissions for that aircraft in real time, Biofuels promise, committed to maintaining and and Noise (Cleen) program, is by incorporating weather and market waits using our renewable-fuel sup- efficiency gains developing ways to extract the adjusting the aircraft model.” ply and helping that industry uContinued from page 24 uContinued from page 28 best performance from a specific So far GE has done this in grow. We continue to look for Tarek Savanekh, production aircraft. “If you look at the way simulation by modeling real supply 300,000 gallons of AltAir new opportunities to support marketing manager for naviga- we’ve typically managed perfor- flight profiles, then using algo- biofuel annually. The first ship- renewable fuel efforts by creat- tion and integrated systems. “If mance,” said Gary Thelen, FMS rithms to see how the aircraft ment arrived in Savannah in ing demand, promoting sustain- you know a bunch of aircraft software product manager, “it’s performs. “We’re currently try- April last year, and a month later able practices, and continuing to can enter the airway at this par- around establishing fixed mod- ing to get it onto an aircraft and Gulfstream flew a G450 and monitor advances in next-gener- ticular time, it helps.” els for aircraft and putting in validate it through flight-test- G550 from Savannah to Geneva ation renewable fuels.” The Sukhoi Superjet is already fixed factors in the FMS to sim- ing,” Thelen said. The simulation for the European Business Avi- Gulfstream gets its fuel from equipped with a CMC FMS with plify it. But this leads to mak- shows that there will be signifi- ation Convention & Exhibition California, but industry lead- PBN functionality, and CMC is ing assumptions for the total cant efficiency benefits, such as using biofuel. Gulfstream also is ers believe that supplies will upgrading Air Transat A310s fleet of that aircraft and how flying defined routes with smaller using a 30/70 blend of biofuel to become available regionally as with the same capability, as well it’s going to operate. If we can fuel reserves, greater range and traditional jet-A. renewable fuels make more of a as Canadian military Airbuses. come up with a way to dynam- lower maintenance costs. “Each gallon of renewable mark, thereby reducing cost and In the business aviation ically change the performance In the business aviation mar- fuel used reduces greenhouse gas alleviating distribution issues. market, the opportunity is for of an individual aircraft, we can ket, GE’s data concentrator emissions by more than half, rela- The content of the fuel will vary upgrading older airplanes with get significant savings from the network (DCN) is a key part tive to petroleum-based jet fuel,” depending on which feedstock CMC’s FMS. “Our FMS is fed- standpoint of fuel and operat- of the avionics and electronics said Dan Nale, senior v-p of pro- is available locally, Smith said. erated,” he said, meaning it can ing cost.” installation on the Gulfstream grams, engineering and test for The programs remain in be more easily installed in older Because GE also makes tur- G500 and G600 fly-by-wire Gulfstream. “This fuel blend also the demonstration phase, but jets without highly integrated bine engines, it is able to con- jets. Derived from its work on emits less sulfur and fewer fine- NBAA COO Steve Brown flight decks. nect the FMS and engines and the 787 and upcoming 777X, the particle pollutants than jet-A.” emphasized, “Our members monitor inputs from airframe DCN consists of 10 data con- Gulfstream uses the renew- have indicated clearly that GE Aviation sensors, then make adjustments centrators networked together. able fuels in all models of its they want access to it when it Some 12,000 GE Aviation FMSs to improve efficiency. “If we The DCN significantly reduces demonstration, flight-test and becomes available.” are flying, primarily in Boeing can detect and measure those wiring between electronic com- Field and Airborne Support Brown also underscored the and Airbus airliners but also in changes and reflect them in the ponents, saving weight and Team aircraft. “We consider importance of a transition: “Bio- military aircraft. To help its cus- performance of the FMS, that’s allowing inputs from a variety our efforts a significant step in fuels contribute the most toward tomers improve efficiency, GE, where we get real performance of devices that simply hook into developing the rapidly growing reaching the industry’s goals to in conjunction with its work benefits,” he said. “We’re trying the network. o renewable fuels business,” Nale reduce carbon emissions.” o

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35755 Beechjet G5000 TakeOff Ad-10.8125x13.875-AIN.indd 1 11/8/16 8:14 AM AeroIndia by Neelam Mathews For instance, charter companies Aircraft operating under the wanting to operate under the RCS RCS must have two engines. “If Indian bizav left out of regional plan now need to complete a new cer- a single-engine aircraft is good tification process to qualify under to operate as a charter, why is it Business aircraft operators are under the program, intended have bid to add service at 19 of the new designation of scheduled not good under the SCA?” asked encountering barriers to partic- to boost service to 325 airports these airports. commuter airline (SCA). “This is Kapur, who was participating in a ipating in India’s Regional Con- and airstrips around the coun- “It is a good policy that has an extra-conservative approach,” conference on “Enabling Business nectivity Scheme (RCS), which is try, are slated to operate this fallen short of implementation,” said Kapur, questioning the neces- Through Air Connectivity” on the supposed to stimulate cost-effec- month, according to the Air- said Rohit Kapur, former presi- sity of introducing a new layer eve of last month’s Aero India. At tive air service to second- and port Authority of India (AAI). dent of India’s Business Aviation of approval for existing charter the same time, he complained that third-tier cities. The first flights To date, prospective operators Operators Association (BAOA). operators. authorities are not doing sufficient due diligence on some new companies applying to be accepted into the RCS program. RK Chaukiyal, executive director of AAI, which is implementing the RCS, told the conference that most operators applying are looking to provide flights with aircraft seating between 20 and 80 passengers. RCS is expected to run for 10 years, and Chaukiyal indicated that changes could be made along the way. However, aviation consultant Mark Martin questioned the AAI’s rationale for operating the RCS. “It looks like a work in progress,” he told the conference. “If they keep changing the policy, what will happen to the initial bidders?” With a fragmented and unde- Nonstop elegance. rutilized business aircraft fleet in India, the BAOA is looking at ways to consolidate these air- Nonstop excellence. craft, said association president Jayant Nadkarni. “There has to be a seamless link between oper- At Castle & Cooke Aviation, “full-service FBO” is an understatement. ators with a transparency. Only then will utilization start increas- We are here to meet your every need as a traveler. ing,” he said. Bottom line, we’ll strive to assure that your experience with us surpasses your expectations. Some 45 percent of India’s business aviation fleet is under- utilized, said Kanika Tekriwal, Castle & Cooke Aviation. The highest standards. And climbing. CEO and founder of charter broker JetSetGo. “This is a reason why we do not encourage people to buy aircraft in India.” o

ACASS AND INVISION JOIN FORCES

Mumbai, India-based aircraft management and charter company Invision Air launched a joint venture with Canadian business aviation services group Acass last month. Montreal-based Acass sources flight crew, provides regulatory and management support and handles aircraft sales. CEO Andre Khury told AIN that despite slower- than-anticipated growth in the Indian business aviation sector, Van Nuys, California Honolulu, Hawaii / Lanai, Hawaii Everett,Washington he believes that the new venture 818.988.8385 808.548.2948 425.355.6600 will allow Acass to capitalize on opportunities in a potentially huge marketplace. Sourcing qualified flight crew and support personnel is a particular challenge in India. Acass castlecookeaviation.com believes it can alleviate this by drawing on a database of 17,000 pilots and mechanics. n

32 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com rolls-royce.com

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Trusted to deliver excellence. SCHEDULERS & DISPATCHERS by Curt Epstein

the two key principles industry members need to take into account when developing their career trajectory. Many of the 31 educational sessions held over the course of the conference were geared toward professional development in the industry, and were eligible for credit under the NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) program or acknowledgement through the SDC Training Initiative. Many of the information offerings at this year’s conference were intended to help attendees focus their career goals, with topics such as workplace diversity, earning a dispatcher’s license, engaging with corporate HQ, understanding the department budget, and eliminating orga- PHOTOS: CURT EPSTEIN, EXCEPT WHERE INDICATED PHOTOS: CURT nizational blind spots. Others were aimed together in 1947 with a goal of protect- at improving occupational safety and per- ing general aviation access to airspace formance: Weather and Its Impact on NBAA’s annual event and airports. He noted that not much has Traffic in the National Airspace System, changed in that respect 70 years later, as Managing a Medical Emergency, Aircraft the same battles are being waged today. Performance Basics, Fatigue Management another recordsetter “We still have significant challenges in for the Scheduler & Licensed Dispatcher, access to airspace and keeping our air- Exceptional FBO and Flight Department As the saying goes, everything is bigger The survey results suggest to ABSG ports open,” Bolen told the audience, add- Partners, International Trip Planning–– in Texas, and that was certainly the case that confidence in the economy by For- ing that for the past 20 years the airlines Going on Your Own, and Your Essential for this year’s NBAA Schedulers and Dis- tune 500 aircraft operators will grow have pushed an agenda of privatizing ATC, Role in Safety Culture Development. patchers Conference (SDC). The 28th edi- throughout the year, driving a gradual funded by user fees and controlled by an This year, NBAA’s International Oper- tion of the annual conference, which took climb in business aviation flight hours. airline-dominated board. “There’s noth- ations Committee hosted several sessions place over four days at the Fort Worth That would translate into a steady 2.5 to ing new about the idea; there is something on global missions, covering Central & Convention Center, was a record breaker, 4 percent gain per month in the latter half new about the magnitude of the challenge,” South America, Africa and the Mid- with more than 2,900 attendees and a of the year, which will spur demand for warned Bolen, urging the audience mem- dle East, Asia and Europe, with experts sold-out show floor with 541 exhibitors, repair and refurbishment on the MRO bers to express their views to elected offi- detailing the challenges and opportunities consisting of FBOs, fuel providers, trip side of the industry, along with avionics cials, using the tools NBAA has developed. in individual countries in those regions. support companies, caterers, aircraft char- upgrades. Aviation fuel prices will con- “All of us have got to find a way to work Newly added functionality allowed ses- ter providers, ground transportation sup- tinue to follow the market price of oil. collectively to make sure our elected repre- sion attendees to submit questions to the pliers, maintenance companies, helicopter They are expected to level out as oil sta- sentatives know what is at stake.” moderator through the show app. operators and ancillary service providers. bilizes at between $55 and $60 a barrel, The morning session concluded with a “It’s a professional development confer- Some attributed the record turnout to the and FBO operators will seek to differen- presentation on positive personal commu- ence first and foremost,” said Gordon, who show’s centralized location this year, mak- tiate themselves by delivering a consistent, nication skills by author and professional turned over her position as S&D commit- ing it easily accessible from both coasts. quality customer service experience. speaker Sarita Maybin. A second general tee chair to Robyn Carpenter, training and On the eve of the conference, the Avi- session on Thursday afternoon featured support manager with Professional Flight ation Business Strategies Group (ABSG) Past and Present Jamaican Olympian bobsledder Devon Management, at the end of this year’s con- released the results of its annual FBO The opening session at NBAA’s first major Harris, who inspired a movie about his ference. “I think we’ve continually stepped industry confidence survey and, according show of the year unofficially marked the unlikely exploits. up our game to offer valuable and relevant to respondents, 2016 was a “mixed bag.” start of the organization’s 70th anniver- With this year’s conference theme education experiences for all of our attend- One-third reported lower fuel sales, while sary, and NBAA president and CEO Ed of “Steer Your Career,” SDC commit- ees, whether they’re scheduler, dispatcher nearly half said they saw gains ranging from Bolen gave a brief history on the ideals tee chairwoman and Pentastar Aviation or aviation service provider, or one of our 1 percent to 8 percent over 2015 totals. behind the founding of the organization, communication specialist Danielle Gor- exhibiting companies.” “It was bittersweet for the industry, as describing how 19 companies banded don noted that direction and motion are Typically for attendees, much of the net- 30 percent of the FBOs surveyed showed a working activity takes place on the show decline, yet the very top performers, 20 per- floor, and among the 541 exhibitors this cent, reported fuel sales up by 8 percent,” year there were 66 non-U.S. companies noted ABSG co-founder and industry vet- from as far away as Europe, Dubai and eran John Enticknap. “Recovery in the Pakistan, demonstrating the show’s reach. number of hours flown by the business avi- “There are lots of people here in the U.S. ation aircraft fleet is slow to come, although who might not know so much about Swe- 2016 showed incremental movement from den or that we actually have an FBO where month-to-month compared to 2015.” He you can expect to get really good service,” surmised that the prolonged presidential said Johan Emmoth, CEO and FBO man- election cycle could have caused unease and ager of Swedish service provider Grafair, uncertainty in the economy, which might which just established its second FBO in have also dulled the recovery. the Stockholm area. “I’m thinking if there’s Some 93 percent of the respondents someone, let’s say in Albuquerque, who has predicted they would have either the same never been to Sweden, if they now come to level of fuel sales for this year or see gains. Sweden they will think about us.” When asked if the economy is headed in Lori Arnold, vice president and CFO of the right direction, more than half indi- Jet Centers of Colorado, and one of a couple cated yes, while 8 percent disagreed. of hundred first-time show attendees, found “This is a bullish outlook,” said ABSG SDC worthwhile for her company. “The inter- co-founder Ron Jackson. “In last year’s action between participants and exhibitors Exhibitors at S&D try hard to attract visitors to their booths. Irving Aviation, hailing from hockey-crazed survey only 27 percent said the economy Canada, featured an air hockey table where guests could win a prize if they defeated flight service coordinator was positive and there was a constant flow was headed in the right direction.” Rebecca Hollohan, by no means an easy task. of participants who came by our booth,” she

34 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com told AIN, adding that the show is an ideal venue to make new contacts and visit with Paying It Forward people. “This conference is all about the doers in aviation; they are truly the hands-on indi- Giving back to the community has been one of the hallmarks of needy by Dress for Success Dallas/Fort Worth and Workforce viduals who get things done day-to-day.” NBAA’s Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference, which strives to Solutions of Tarrant County, both of which provide employment “This event is focused; you practically leave its host city better than when it arrived. As such, the com- coaching, résumé assistance and training for less fortunate get every dispatcher from New York to mittee once again sponsored a pair of charity initiatives this year. people looking to obtain a job and get their lives back on track. L.A. here,” said Isha Jordan, corporate Starting in 2011, show organizers began a clothing drive at the “The group of schedulers and dispatchers and the vendors sales manager for first-time exhibitor Chi- conference, encouraging attendees to donate gently used busi- here are just absolutely amazing,” said MedAire’s Debbi Laux, cago Helicopter Experience. “We got a ness attire to local charities that help disadvantaged unemployed scheduler and dispatcher advisory council chair for the pay-it- really good reception from all the attend- people prepare for job interviews. It has expanded dramatically forward program. “We’ve gotten things shipped in from people ees; they’re excited to know that there’s over the years, as industry partners began making large dona- who couldn’t come to Fort Worth.” helicopter service in Chicago.” tions of new clothing along with the individual garment donations. Another initiative saw 100 volunteers gather at the conven- One change on the show floor was the This year Universal Weather and Aviation raised the bar when tion center on the eve of the show to pack laundry baskets with retirement of the longstanding 10-foot- it held a company-wide clothing drive in anticipation of the cleaning supplies, to benefit the “Ana’s Baskets” program of Safe by-10 foot booth size mandate for all event. Collectively, the Houston-based trip support provider Haven of Tarrant County. The baskets are distributed to victims exhibitors, as companies could now donated 300 pounds of clothing, which will be distributed to the of domestic violence who are attempting to start new lives. n obtain longer booths, up to 40 feet long in some cases. There were also several stand- alone 20-foot by 20-foot booths at the back of the hall. “The option is available to all exhibitors,” NBAA explained. “This refinement has allowed exhibitors more flexibility in their presentation, without taking from the traditional look, feel and experience of the event.” The change had partisans on both sides. “We couldn’t be happier with it,” said Patrick Sniffen, Signature Flight Sup- port’s vice president of marketing, who noted it allows his company to showcase the entire Signature group and its services in one cohesive booth. “It just makes a lot of sense given the fact that we were NBAA already occupying four separate booths One of the hallmarks of S&D is givng back to the host community. Left: MedAire’s Debbi Laux and Air Service Hawaii’s Mi Kosasa, along with NBAA president and CEO Ed to make it just one, and we really applaud Bolen, display some of the thousands of business garments donated by attendees, which will be distributed through local employment assistance charities. Right: Nearly NBAA for this decision.” 100 volunteers arrived early at the Fort Worth Convention Center on the first day of the show to pack donated cleaning supplies destined for victims of domestic violence. Others found it less favorable. “I think it’s disappointing,” explained Sue Som- mers, vice president of sales and marketing with Atlantic Aviation. “One of the beauties of the S&D was that everybody Awards and Scholarships was on a level playing field, whether you were a little guy who was a charter oper- Aymie Thornton, corporate flight operations manager with JCPen- as well as serving as a member of the corporate response team. “I’ve ator or you were Jetex or Atlantic Avi- ney’s Dallas-based flight department, was selected to receive the always considered Aymie the brain and heart of our operation,” said ation. We all got to advertise on 10 by ninth annual Schedulers & Dispatchers Outstanding Achievement JCPenney aviation director Vincent Simone. “She makes everything 10. That was it, and it avoided the com- and Leadership Award. Established in 2008, the award recognizes happen, from maintenance to our pilot group. It all starts with her.” pulsion to build these giant ‘Taj Mahal’ a person within the schedulers and dispatchers community each Last year, Thornton was presented with the company’s high- booths, which took away from what we year who has shared his or her business aviation industry exper- est honor, the Warrior Coin, for loyalty, passion, courage and ser- are really here to do at S&D and that is to tise, provided extraordinary service, exhibited leadership and made vice. She was a founding member and past chair of the Dallas/ establish and cement relationships.” She significant contributions to the job. Fort Worth Corporate Aviation Schedulers group, which since its believes the change could spark a booth- During her two-decade career, Thornton has worked for several 2003 establishment has grown to 200 members. A long-time building war, which could drive some of Fortune 500 companies in the Dallas area and currently acts as member of the S&D committee, particularly active in the edu- the smaller companies away. the department liaison while handling passenger and aircrew travel cational development subcommittee, she is also pursuing her After three full days of programming scheduling, budgeting, fuel negotiations and tax and legal reporting, NBAA Certified Aviation Manager certificate this year. Outside and events, the show closed with the her career and family duties, she also serves as the coach of the customary farewell networking recep- Fort Worth regional Special Olympics cycling team. tion, and most attendees returned home At the show, the S&D Scholarship committee presented $40,000 armed with new business contacts and in grants to seven recipients, to help them achieve career goals new industry information to share with through continuing education. Contributors were Ac-U-Kwik, Car- their flight departments. olina Aviation Professionals Association, Jet Aviation, Million Air, “The record-setting attendance and Phillips 66, Rockwell Collins, Signature Flight Support, SkyVector sold-out exhibit floor highlight the fact and Universal Weather and Aviation. The program has awarded that SDC continues to provide high- $670,000 since 1997. quality education, networking and busi- A related program, the S&D Training Scholarship Program, ness development opportunities for this which was established in 2004, selected 14 recipients to receive important segment of the business avia- hands-on training courses. Sponsors were Academy College, tion industry,” said Mike Nichols, NBAA’s Airline Dispatchers Federation in conjunction with Flamingo Air vice president of operational excellence Schools, Above and Beyond Corporate Flight Attendant Training, and professional development. “Fort CornerStone Strategies, Corporate Aviation Solutions, Embry- Worth proved to be an excellent venue for S&D committee chairwoman Danielle Gordon (l) and NBAA president and Riddle Aeronautical University, FlightSafety International, GA Food this year’s conference.” SDC next year will CEO Ed Bolen presented this year’s Schedulers & Dispatcher Outstanding Safety Professionals, Jeppesen, King Schools, NBAA Air Traffic be held in Long Beach, Calif., on Febru- Achievement and Leadership Award to Aymie Thornton, JCPenney’s corporate Services, ServiceElements International, UnitedHeathcare Global ary 6 through 9. o flight operations manager. and Universal Weather and Aviation. n

www.ainonline.com • March 2017 • Aviation International News 35 115-total_accidents_v3 Tables tell the tale U.S. Business Jet Fatal Accidents and Fatalities 2010-2016 uContinued from page 12 There were no fatal accidents in the Part 91K or public/government sector in the period. consistent with a sterile cockpit environment.” In addition, the Safety Board Total fatal accidents Fatalities found that the pilots appear to have con- 40 Part 91 10 Part 135 5 Manufacturing ducted checklists in a “generally infor- mal manner.” 35 8 4 There were other fatal accidents in 30 which the NTSB placed blame on the 25 crew. The one during the study period 6 3 that generated the most repercussions for 20 2 the business aviation community was the 15 4 May 31, 2014, crash of a Gulfstream IV 10 that took the lives of all seven occupants. 2 1 The aircraft, on a planned Part 91 flight, 5 crashed while attempting to take off from 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass. Among 0 0 0 115-total_accidents_v3 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 many causal factors cited by the Safety Board was the discovery that the pilots All U.S.-registeredU.S.All Business U.S.-registered Jet Accidents Jet Fatal Jet Accidents Accidents andAll FatalitiesU.S.-registeredAll U.S.-registered 2010-2016 Jet Fatalities Jet Fatalities had a history of not using checklists or There were no fatal accidents in the Part 91K or public/government sector in the period. checking for full and free movement of 35 U.S.35 Business(141) Turboprop(141) Fatal Accidents35 35and Fatalities(114) 2010-2016(114) the flight controls before takeoff. Seri- There were no fatal accidentsTotal infatal the accidents Part 91K or manufacturingFatalities sector in the period. ous accidents that involve not conform- 30 30 40 30 30 10 5 ing to recommended procedures, such Part 91 Total fatal accidentsPart 135 Fatalities Manufacturing as in the aforementioned Learjet 35 and 35 25 25 GIV examples, are not a rarity for either 50 Part 91 208 Part 135 3.04 Public/Government 30 25 25 Part 91 or 135 flights, according to Safety 20 20 2.5 Board reports. 2540 6 3 15 15 15 Part 135 Jet Fatals 20 20 20 2.0 30 4 2 Sixteen people were killed in two Part 15 10 10 Number of Accidents Number of Fatalities Number of Accidents 1.5 10 Number of Fatalities 135 jet accidents during the study period. 10 15 20 15 2 1 On Dec. 9, 2012, all seven people on an 5 5 1.0 N-numbered Learjet 25 lost their lives 5 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 when the twinjet, cruising at FL280 in 010 10 0 0.50 201010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2010 2011 2012 20130 2014 2015 20160 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Mexican airspace, suddenly entered a 2010 2011 2010 2012 2011 2013 2012 2014 2013 2015 2014 2016 2015 2016 2010 2011 2010 2012 2011 2013 2012 2014 2013 2015 2014 2016 2015 2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 high-speed descent and crashed in moun- 0 0 0 tainous terrain at 9,000 feet msl. The air- 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 craft did not have a CVR, and although U.S. Business Turboprop Fatal Accidents and Fatalities 2010-2016 there was an FDR, investigators were There were no fatal accidents in the Part 91K or manufacturing sector in the period. unable to recover any information. The Mexican DGAC concluded that there was Total fatal accidents Fatalities a “loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.” 50 Part 91 20 Part 135 3.0 Public/Government On Nov. 10, 2015, a Hawker 125 on an air-taxi flight stalled and crashed on 2.5 40 approach to Akron, Ohio. The nine peo- 15 ple aboard were killed. The NTSB faulted 2.0 the pilots for “mismanagement of the 30 approach and multiple deviations from 10 1.5 company SOPs, which led to an unsta- 20 bilized approach, a descent below MDA 1.0 5 without visual contact with the runway 10 environment, and an aerodynamic stall.” 0.5 By far the most numerous type of acci- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 dent during the study period was the run- 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 way excursion—primarily on landing, but a few on aborted or attempted takeoffs too. In most cases, the damage was minor All U.S.-registeredAll U.S.-registered Turboprop Turboprop Accidents Accidents All U.S.-registeredAll U.S.-registered Turboprop Turboprop Fatalities Fatalities and there were no injuries. Still, investi- (265) (181) 50 50 (265) 50 50 (181) gators blamed many of these mishaps on the flight crew’s lack of proper approach procedures, or failure to recognize and be prepared for likely circumstances that 40 40 could result from, for example, a wet, icy 40 40 or snowy runway. AIN selected 2010 as the starting 30 point for this study because that was the 30 Number of Accidents

first full year that AIN began in-house Number of Accidents researching of accident and incident 30 30 Number of Fatalities data. Before then, AIN reported on sta- Number of Fatalities 20 20 tistics provided by a reliable but exter- nal source. By compiling data in house, AIN can more thoroughly analyze accident reports and publish even more accu- 20 20 10 10 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 rate numbers. o 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

36 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com GLOBAL NETWORK OF FBOs

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Powering your ﬂ ight with more than just fuel. AVFUEL CONTRACT FUEL • AVTRIP REWARDS • AVPLAN TRIP SUPPORT • AVSURANCE Signature to fifth place.” Signa- of SNA’s grant assurance agree- The letter charges that the the decision, Heck said. He also Signature fighting ture “was unable to participate ments and sent a letter to the decision “improperly and ille- characterized as baseless conjec- SNA FBO award in the [closed-meeting] discussion county saying the decision “must gally ignores its established ture the board’s comments about and, most important, was unable be overturned” because it vio- bidding procedures, rendering pricing: “Pricing varies by airport uContinued from page 10 to hear the board’s rationale for lates procurement law. “The illusory any evaluation,” and based on our costs of operating questioned the decision in light of making the decision to re-rank selection of ACI was improper, “violated procurement law by at a respective airport. We care- the scoring process. Heck noted the bidders,” he added. illegal and ill-advised,” the let- failing to identify the criteria fully take these issues into con- that during “closed session…the Signature filed a Part 13 ter states. “The decision resulted upon which it awarded ACI a sideration when we establish our board of supervisors reordered complaint with the FAA, alleg- from one attempt after another contract—a clear abuse of dis- market fuel pricing.” the rankings, placing ACI first, ing that problems with the bid- to circumvent fair and open bid- cretion.” Signature’s customer Most of its customers bene- Atlantic second and dropping ding process were in violation ding and meeting requirements.” base has “reacted with shock” to fit from loyalty and other pricing programs, Signature said. Nelson had acknowledged Sig- nature’s pricing differential, but countered that pricing is important to all of the tenants. Signa- ture also called public statements made against its chain “unwarranted and damaging,” and said it “cannot allow inaccurate statements or allegations that nega- tively impact our well established brand and our customer loyalty to go unanswered.”

Short-term Lease For ACI Jet, the SNA leasehold would add a fourth location. “We are excited to bring our award-winning, independent FBO to Orange County’s John Wayne Airport,” William Borgsmiller, president of ACI Jet, said of the decision. “A When choosing a facility for major MRO work, I always look for duopoly of sorts has existed at recommendations from fellow members of the aviation community. Santa Ana for the past several Prior to working with Elliott Aviation, I heard great things about their years between the chain FBOs, and competitive fuel pricing and quality and commitment to stand behind their work. Our first major service has suffered as a result.” project involved a total overhaul of our King Air for a Phase 1 through 4, ACI Jet was awarded a short- Garmin G1000, Blackhawk engines and a complete customized paint term lease, through Decem- and interior refurbishment. That project being completed on budget and ber next year, to take over the ahead of schedule made the decision easy to bring our Falcon to Elliott east-side FBO and west-side for complete paint and interior. Throughout the process, the paint and hangars at SNA. During that time, the county plans to eval- interior design was incredible, the project management was exceptional uate future changes in its FBO and the final product was flawless. When we work with Elliott, we are facilities, including possible new not just a customer we feel like we are part of their family. facilities that can accommodate much larger business jets. It will Brendan Goss also assess its FBO needs, among Chief Pilot them whether two would be sufficient or a third should be added. Ballengee Aviation - Dallas, TX ACI Jet was originally expecting to take over existing operations on or around March THE WORLD WIDE LEADER IN GARMIN G5000 RETROFITS 1, and had ordered $1.5 million At Elliott Aviation, we have done more Garmin G5000 installations than all other dealers in the world, combined. The Garmin in new equipment and sought out the requisite permits for G5000 has many benefits including synthetic vision, electronic charts, WAAS/LPV, new autopilot, touchscreen controls and more! a smooth transition. Andrew In addition to being the first dealer to install a G5000, our exclusive 400E interior can save up to 360 pounds in your aircraft. As Robillard, vice president of an authorized service center for the 400A/400XP, we can handle your maintenance, paint, interior, accessories and more! FBO and facilities of ACI Jet, has been steering the transition At Elliott Aviation, you’ll land a better experience... at Santa Ana. The company, which operates FBOs at San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Oceano, has planned to offer Signature employees the opportunity to interview to work with ACI Jet SNA. ACI Jet also has plans to relocate aircraft in its charter and management fleet to the new location. But Signature is hoping to convince the board to reverse MOLINE DES MOINES MINNEAPOLIS 800.447.6711 ElliottAviation.com the decision and bring in an independent party to evaluate the providers. o

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SD_AIN_2017_FP_020217.indd 1 2/2/2017 11:53:15 AM Disappointment and hope in JetNet pre-owned stats by Mark Phelps

The pre-owned business jet market has for almost 2,500 of those. Business jets always been a useful mirror of the overall and turboprops are also taking less time state of the industry. Since the 2008 eco- to sell: nine days less than 2015 for jets; nomic decline, the number of used air- 22 days less for turboprops. One reason craft in the for-sale inventory has stood might be that asking prices declined by 7.3 persistently high, prices have dipped, and percent, which correlated directly with the the average calendar time an aircraft sits 7.3-percent decline in actual selling prices. on the block has stretched. The accepted dividing line between a But the creeping worldwide recovery sellers’ or a buyers’ market has tradition- has improved prospects for sellers, albeit ally been set at 10 percent of the active slowly. In its most recent market sum- fleet on the fleet-for-sale market. At the Source: JetNet—Pre-owned Whole & Lease Transactions Presentation and Analysis by Chase & Associates mary, bizav statistician JetNet analyzed nadir of the recession in December 2009, the most recent numbers as “underwhelm- that statistic peaked at 16.3 percent. As of ing,” but expressed hope that 2017 will the last JetNet report, the number was 11 mark the start of an accelerating recovery. percent, 2,315 aircraft, edging down from be obtained by aircraft being retired).” research shows across-the-board reductions In January, the fleet-for-sale percent- 2,359 (11.5 percent) at the end of 2015. As the chart above shows, the number in all weight classes of business jet. There ages were lower than in December, with The JetNet report asks, “Will we see a of full retail sale transactions for business were 8.9 percent fewer transactions in heavy business jets down 0.5 percent and turbo- sellers’ market return in 2017? For that jets dropped in January after six consecu- jets, with medium-jet sales not far behind, props down 0.6 percent. Across all mar- to occur, there would need to be a reduc- tive years of monthly increases. This down- dipping by 8.2 percent. Light jets took hon- kets, including airliners, JetNet reported tion of more than 200 business jets ‘for turn cut across all business aircraft market ors for the most transactions at 862, rep- 8,278 full retail sale transactions last year, sale’ or a similar reduction in the number sectors except turboprops, which increased resenting 35 percent of the 2,442-strong including leases. Business jets accounted of business jets in operation (which could by 0.2 percent. In addition the company’s overall fleet. o

Indonesia are emerging as prom- prices,” said Brana. Dassault sees potential ising markets across Asia. He According to Dassault, the told AIN that growth in these Falcon 8X’s FalconEye com- countries mainly starts with pre- bined vision system is a benefit for growth in Asia owned aircraft sales, but is likely for operators in the Indian mar- to lead to deals for new aircraft. ket, where some airfields are quite by Neelam Mathews “We have faced competition challenging. One particular local as a result of Bombardier cut- challenge is that it is not uncom- The delivery in January of are Taj Air and Air Works, both ting prices,” Brana commented. mon for animals such as cows Falcon 8Xs to an Indian cli- based in Mumbai, but with sat- “This resulted in customers and jackals to cross the runway at ent boosted Dassault’s confi- ellite facilities in other locations. viewing prices of pre-owned short notice in a way that would

dence that Asia will generate According to Brana, Thai- aircraft as too high compared not be easy to see from the cock- NEELAM MATHEWS sales growth. To bolster its posi- land, the Philippines and to the relatively low new aircraft pit without assistance. o Carlos Brana tion in the Asian market, the French manufacturer is preparing to open a service center in the struggles as the oil and gas mar- not being lived up to on this side the forefront. Lawmakers and Malaysian capital Kuala Lum- Deliveries and ket remained weak. Turbine of the Atlantic.” He did not indi- their staffs are asking for input, pur later this year. billings slide in ’16 helicopter deliveries—without cate whether the lack of progress Bunce said. “Both Republi- Speaking at last month’s Aero uContinued from page 10 factoring in Leonardo shipments stems from a slowdown during cans and Democrats are listen- India show in Bangalore, where in either year—were down by the transition in U.S. Presidential ing.” Transportation Secretary Dassault displayed a Falcon 8X jet market has hit a “transition 120 aircraft to 637, while piston administrations. “In the end, [the Elaine Chao also has pledged to and a 2000LXS, senior vice pres- period,” with several new mod- helicopter shipments are down sought-after] validation is a risk- listen to input from everyone, he ident Carlos Brana said that the els slated to reach market later 20 percent to 224. As a result, based approach proven to save added. “We take her at her word resurgence of economic growth this year and next. Among these billings by the reporting man- resources and duplicative efforts,” that she is going to do that.” He in India will drive business avia- are the Gulfstream G500, Tex- ufacturers were down by $200 he said. “There’s absolutely no believes an ATC reorganization tion growth. He noted the emer- tron Longitude and Bombardier million, to $3.6 billion. reason why we would not be able proposal will resurface, but he gence of more wealthy Indians Global 7000. “We’ve got a num- to move out according to the time- was unsure what shape it will younger than 40, suggesting ber of products that will be deliv- Regulatory Challenges line that was agreed to.” take. “It’s still early. I’m hop- that these prospective custom- ered, and that definitely will help.” As GAMA members watch mar- While work continues on val- ing that President Trump allows ers might be less inclined to view But he was unsure on whether ket conditions, they are also idation, so too do efforts to put Secretary Chao to work the pro- business aircraft as unwarranted market factors will provide any keeping an eye on political and new Part 23 regulations in place. cess…and something emerges elitist status symbols—a percep- momentum. “There’s some opti- regulatory factors that could “We are early in the stages,” he from there that really moves the tion issue that some believe has mism,” he said. “Some people affect their business, among them said, noting that the implementa- ball forward.” constrained growth in the Indian saw a bump at the end of the smoothing out international vali- tion will come this summer. The But Bunce expressed exasper- market. There are currently 25 year. That may be a reflection of dation processes. U.S. officials are industry is working with the FAA ation at statements that NextGen Falcons operating in India. what we saw in the stock market. working with Canada, Europe, on training for the new regula- isn’t working. “In Washington, Dassault now has a spares I believe companies are encour- Brazil and the International Civil tions. “Then we are going to have when you say things enough warehouse in Mumbai, contain- aged by the discussion of overall Aviation Organization on the to have companies go through the times—even if they’re not true— ing $5 million worth of inventory. corporate tax reform. Flying is issue, but Bunce expressed dis- process…and we’re going to learn people start to believe them. This It also has a sales office in Ban- up in the U.S.” But “there are so may at progress. “There’s a lot of from them,” he said. Some of the constant drumbeat that Next- galore, and local operators can many different factors out there,” work to be done,” he said, add- approaches used in Part 23 are Gen isn’t working and isn’t hap- get authorized line maintenance that it is hard to predict how this ing, “In our current position the being looked at for Part 27 and 29, pening just isn’t true. The FAA support from Ligare Engineering will ultimately drive the market. problem is not on the other side but that is still in the early stages. is executing on every single thing in Delhi. Other third-party main- The rotorcraft sector of the Atlantic. Some commit- FAA reauthorization and the airlines have asked them to tenance providers for Falcons also showed signs of further ments were made and they are possible ATC reform remain at execute on.” o

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order that halted all regulatory activ- certain airplanes. Sorry, I didn’t mean ity sure didn’t think about the conse- to add new rules, but this does need to FAA regulations could use quences. Airworthiness directives (AD) be addressed, and, hey, it’s also a two- are regulations. So if the FAA found for-one rule replacement. a fair amount of trimming something unsafe in an aircraft, it Maintenance: The 100-hour inspec- couldn’t issue ADs to warn us, although tion. There is zero data to support the by Matt Thurber it turns out that there was only a three- requirement that essentially an annual week hiatus before the FAA resumed inspection be done on a light air- So our new president decided to can- regulations that govern nearly every- publishing ADs. I suppose the FAA in craft every 100 hours just because it is cel all new government regulations by thing we do. Aviation isn’t immune, the meantime could have issued a Sup- being flown commercially or for flight budgeting zero dollars to pay for new and we all spend a ton of time trying plemental Airworthiness Information instruction. Never mind that light air- regulations. This isn’t exactly a novel to understand and then comply with Bulletin (SAIB), which is a recommen- planes are not designed to be torn apart idea; many new presidents have tried our regulatory burden. dation that carries no legal weight, but every 100 hours and that inspecting to tackle the overwhelming number of Sadly, whoever crafted the executive those have limited benefit, especially wing attach bolts and spars every 100 for a serious safety issue. When was the hours is completely useless and redun- last time you heeded the information in dant. The FAA can’t even come close an SAIB? to justifying this rule; the only reason Like (most) ADs, some other regu- I could ever find for this rule is that lations are also good, like the new sim- apparently the OX-5 engine that pow- plified Part 23. Would it make sense to ered the Curtiss JN-4 biplane way back cancel those? Or the elimination of the when (circa World War I) was so unre- medical certificate requirement for cer- liable it had to be overhauled every 100 tain non-commercial types of flying? hours, and when it came time to write Does anyone (besides maybe a few med- the rule, some genius at the FAA latched ical examiners) want to cancel those onto that number. I can’t begin to count rules? Actually, according to AOPA the the wasted hours mechanics spend tak- new BasicMed rules remain on sched- ing apart and inspecting flight school do it all ule for implementation on May 1. The airplanes, time they could better spend new Part 23 rules were finalized last fixing the stuff that goes wrong instead do movies December and should automatically of staring into wing inspection holes become law on July 15. We’ll see. and trying desperately not to collapse do music from mind-numbing boredom. I have do photos Candidates for Cuts been there, done that, and I have also Just for fun, let’s look at some existing proved that eliminating the 100-hour do maps regulations that I think ought to go by inspection resulted in more availability, the wayside. The government seems to greater reliability, a significant reduc- do business want this to happen, and the executive tion in wasted maintenance man-hours order also requires the elimination of and also a large reduction in mainte- two regs for every new one. (Confusion nance costs. This rule goes out the win- abounds: does that mean every new para- dow, tout suite! graph, sub-paragraph or sentence? Who Letters of authorization: RVSM the heck knows?) Anyway, here are some LOA, you’re outta here! This can’t hap- of my candidates. pen quickly enough. LOAs are another Medical: The FAA could have made ridiculous FAA concoction, and when things much simpler on this one. Instead they get written into rules, as happened of adding a new regulation that says pilots with RVSM, the result is utter chaos. can fly without a medical certificate up to The operator of every single aircraft that six-seat aircraft non-commercially and they flies in RVSM airspace must apply for an must have had a medical exam in the past LOA, and if that aircraft is flown under 10 years and must go through a checklist of both Part 91 and 135, then two sepa- items with their doctor, blah, blah, why not rate LOAs must be sought for the very just eliminate the medical requirement for same exact thing. How in the world does private pilots entirely? There would be lit- this make sense? There are LOA require- tle if any added safety risk and fewer para- ments for other operations that basically graphs in Part 61. are like the FAA requiring special autho- Pilots: Eliminate 61.31(f), the high- rization to fly an ILS approach. Again, performance endorsement rule. Why why in the name of sanity do people in do pilots need an extra signoff from an the FAA think this adds any benefit to The do CAPSULE from FDS is the instructor saying that they can safely safety? The LOA approval process for fly an airplane powered by an engine RVSM has improved, I’ll admit, but most advanced wireless IFE system with more than 200 horsepower? What the bottom line is that FAA inspectors for business aviation. is so magic about that? This is a stu- have zero time to look over RVSM LOA pid rule, especially considering that applications, and their time is much bet- • Endless entertainment the FAA allows a newly minted pri- ter spent monitoring real safety issues. • Easy installation and operation vate pilot with complex and high- LOAs should be used only in extraor- performance endorsements in relatively dinary circumstances, not for what have • No expensive internet required simple piston airplanes to fly a vastly become ordinary flying techniques. more complicated single-engine tur- That’s enough for now. I could go boprop like a TBM 850 or PC-12 with on and on, but suffice it to say that Call 800.513.1672 for details. zero additional training. This is a glar- aviation is the most highly regulated ing hole in the rules that is filled only self-regulated industry in the world. by insurance requirements that pres- There is an endless supply of regula- sure pilots to obtain additional training tions, but it’s in all our best interests to FDSAvionics.com/do before blasting off in their new turbo- operate safely, and on the whole we do prop. Eliminate the complex and high- so despite—not because of—the rules. performance endorsements and replace In the end, there ought to be only one them with a type rating requirement for regulation: don’t crash. o

42aaAviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com a private pilot certificate, the private pilot commercial drone market evolves from community will grow by 46,200. Assuming small to medium to large drones—as Pilot shortage solution: allow the cost of initial flight training is $10,000, Amazon, FedEx and UPS envision—it is $462 million would flow into the general inevitable that the FAA will make manned VA funding for primary training aviation flight training market by doing flight experience a future requirement to nothing more than allowing veterans to fly drones. This is the future, but right by Charlie Loomis use an education benefit from a program now there is a more pressing problem. they paid into and earned through military The airlines are experiencing a pilot U.S. military veterans have a desire to and college, I finally earned my bache- service. Practical flight experience would shortage and the U.S. military is expe- learn to fly, and the money they would lor’s degree and decided it was time to fol- have helped me out immensely as I transi- riencing its own fighter and UAV pilot spend doing so could be directly responsi- low my dream and learn to fly, but what tioned from the service to civilian life. shortages. Expanding the private pilot ble for injecting $462 million into the U.S. I found standing in my way was shocking My lack of practical flight experience pool by tens of thousands of potential general aviation training market. This and disheartening. cost me good job after good job. Twenty new commercial pilots via the highly effi- much needed revenue boost depends on I had tens of thousands of dollars years in the USAF, a bachelor’s degree, cient use of veterans benefits to pay for changing the policy that prevents veter- in Montgomery GI Bill benefits but I two associate’s degrees, Army and USAF flight training while stimulating general ans from using VA education benefits to couldn’t use a single penny to pay for Commendation medals and two Bronze aviation revenue and reducing veteran earn their private pilot certificate at any initial flight training outside an avia- Star medals for actions in Afghanistan unemployment is just plain brilliant. flight training school rather than just tion degree earning school. Driven by and Iraq, and I couldn’t secure a part- The most efficient and effective strat- at aviation colleges or universities. This the premise that I am not the only vet- time job parking cars. egy to solve the commercial and military obstacle must be removed to increase eran who wanted to learn to fly, I polled Even though my entire background is pilot shortages is to create more private the flow of revenue to every state, FAA- my fellow servicemen and recorded some aviation, without flight experience I’m not pilots. Private pilot certification is the approved flight school and airport and surprising results. Thirty-four percent competitive in the job market. Removing first step to more advanced pilot training. be the catalyst that will reinvigorate U.S. said they were interested in learning to this VA funding obstacle will make tens Veterans want to learn to fly and they general aviation and support the Trump fly, 33 percent said they would use their of thousands of retiring and separat- have education benefits to pay for flight administration’s plan to invest in aviation veteran education benefits to pay for ing veterans, like me, competitive in the training. It is my mission to make paying infrastructure. flight training, and 34 percent said they commercial job market as they leave the for flight training less restrictive so that My fight to remove this obstacle is would apply their private pilot certifi- military. And with the FAA’s recent reg- flight training is more accessible to vet- personal and professional. As a 20-year cation toward an aviation degree. If the ulation on commercial drone usage, cre- erans, but I need help from others who USAF veteran, I have always been drawn percentages remained the same through- ating a potential $82 billion market and think it’s a great idea to reduce veteran to aviation. I spent my first eight years out the entire 1.4 million active-duty 100,000 new jobs over the next 10 years, unemployment, expand the private pilot in the military as an F-15 Eagle avionics population, this suggests there’s a tre- practical flight experience will differenti- population by 46,200 and inject $462 mil- technician and the last 12 years calling in mendous number of service members ate potential job candidates. lion into U.S. general aviation. o airstrikes in support of U.S. Army opera- who are interested in learning to fly. Manned flight experience isn’t cur- tions in Afghanistan and Iraq. After years If only 10 percent of veterans who are rently required to fly small drones, but E-mail the author at chuck_loomis2000@ of juggling work, deployments, family interested in learning to fly actually earn the drone market is in its infancy. As the yahoo.com

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www.ainonline.com • March 2017 • Aviation International Newsaa43 Hands On

Training in the Icon A5 Amphibious LSA

by Matt Thurber

Does the pilot training program match Icon Aircraft’s ambitious goals? IIs in the Marine Corps, and Shane “Sully” Sullivan, a Navy P-3 and F/A- AIN travels to Vacaville to find the answer. 18 pilot, is director of the Vacaville IFC. I had flown the A5 for the first time with Hawkins at the EAA AirVenture The Icon A5 light-sport amphibious air- airplane they want to own. Once checked Cirrus built the major airframe struc- show in 2015, and I was impressed by plane promises adventure, and that is out and properly certified, pilots can rent ture for the initial batch of A5s under the airplane’s handling qualities and the indeed what this unique light-sport air- A5s from the IFCs, although experience contract, but Icon has elected to build a built-in safety in what Icon calls a spin- plane (LSA) delivers. AIN was invited to within the past 30 days is required, and factory in Chihuahua, Mexico, to manu- resistant airframe design. At the time, experience full immersion in the A5 world, a checkout will also be necessary when facture composite components. The first Icon promised a comprehensive and and I recently spent four days at Icon Air- renting from a different IFC for the first parts are scheduled to ship from Mex- safety-focused training program, and craft’s headquarters in Vacaville, Calif., time. Rental rates are $250 per hour for ico in May for final assembly in Vacav- now I was curious to see if the company learning how to fly the A5 and earning A5 deposit holders and $300 per hour for ille. Icon expects the production rate to met those expectations. I also wanted to my LSA seaplane rating. non-buyers; there is also a monthly fee of reach 10 per month by year-end, eventu- learn more about the performance of the For Icon Aircraft, which markets the $50 to cover insurance and, for non-buy- ally ramping up to 30 or 40 per month A5 and how its systems work. A5 as the ultimate fun device for the ers, a $500 initiation fee. to fill a backlog of orders for 1,800 air- The quality of the Icon training pro- adventure sports fanatic, a significant The IFC flight line is populated by craft secured by $2,000 deposits. An A5 gram is impressive. Rather than the challenge is balancing that sporty atti- the first A5s built at Icon’s Vacaville costs about $250,000 with typical options. lackadaisical, unstructured and non- tude with helping buyers, especially those headquarters. At the time of my train- Icon Aircraft founder and CEO Kirk standardized general aviation flight train- new to flying, develop a strong dedication ing in December, 16 A5s had been com- Hawkins flew F-16s in the U.S. Air Force, ing that I have experienced at many small to safety while still having fun. The completed and half a dozen were in various and the two FTC instructors with whom airports, the IFC provides focused, company does this through Icon Flight Cen- stages. Five had been deployed to the I flew are former military aviators. Greg prehensive, safety-oriented instruction, ters (IFCs, two of them so far, in Vacaville Tampa IFC. “Groucho” Zackney flew AV-8B Harrier along with plenty of fun in the process. and Tampa, Fla., with a third slated to Spending time training in the A5 with open in Texas this year, likely in the Aus- military pilots who have flown nap-of- tin area). The IFCs train new Icon pilots the-earth at 400-plus knots or hovered a and those who are adding a seaplane rat- Harrier means that fun is going to break ing to their tickets, and they offer mul- out sooner or later, and indeed it did. tiple ways to experience the A5, from a demo flight to ab initio LSA training for new pilots and LSA seaplane transition PREP MATERIALS courses for existing floatplane pilots or Before I headed to Vacaville, FTC flight pilots with no water experience. Having operations coordinator Ariel Andrus sent never flown a floatplane or amphibian, me a package of training material and set I went through the course for those with me up with an account in the online Icon no water experience. learning management system (LMS). I Until production ramps up later this wanted to evaluate the LMS, so I started year, the IFCs are the place where buy- Users can easily fold the wings of the Icon A5 to transport the amphib. Folding the wings (a manual process) at ground zero with the Icon Sport-Flying ers can experience what it’s like to fly the takes one person two minutes. When you get to the lake the amphib’s trailer unloads like a boat, says Icon. Academics course, which a new student

44 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com pilot would have to study as part of the with a boat-hull fuselage topped by a LSA course work. 100-hp Rotax 912iS four-stroke four- The online course replicates the cylinder engine turning a pusher pro- printed book, making it easy to move peller, a T tail, retractable landing gear between them, although the printed ver- and a strong-looking wing with a distinct sion doesn’t have the quizzes that the stu- leading-edge profile change about half- dent must take after each module. The way across the span. LMS is well designed and it gives students That is just one element of the extraor- who prefer learning online easy access dinary design detail that went into the A5 to the material. After finishing the aca- (see box at right), and the wing plays an demics, I moved on to the meat of what important role in the A5’s spin-resistant I needed to learn, the Sport Flying Oper- airframe (SRA) design. The big difference ations book, which gets into detail on between the A5 and a more traditional amphibious seaplane operations in the airplane is what happens at the stall. The A5. Because I was traveling, I brought A5 can be stalled, but three key design the books with me for surefire access on goals dictate what happens at the stall. long flights and in hotel rooms with dubi- First: it must be resistant to spinning. Sec- ous Internet connectivity. ond: it must be controllable in a stall. And There’s a clear focus on making the sub- third: it must have a descent rate during a jects easy to understand for new students, power-off full stall low enough for a crash with explanations that give all the infor- to be survivable. mation necessary without overwhelm- In Icon’s SRA video, the A5 is shown ing the student with endless discussions flying near a Cessna 150. Both pilots of general aviation arcana. The writer make the same inputs to slow their air- of these manuals did a great job, espe- planes, stall, then kick the rudder. The cially the explanations of basic aerody- 150 quickly enters a spin while the A5 just namics and the description of lift as equal burbles along straight without any wing to angle-of-attack (AOA) plus airspeed. drop. It’s a dramatic demonstration of the The A5 is equipped with an AOA indi- newer airplane’s spin resistance. What this DESIGN FEATURES cator, and this is a big part of flying the means for the new pilot and even experi- The Icon website presents the A5’s design fea- temporary manner, locking the brakes when airplane that is well covered in the train- enced pilots is that the A5 doesn’t react to tures in a series of professionally produced it is applied, but eventually bleeding off so a ing material. I was impressed not only a stall by suddenly dropping a wing, even videos that showcase the industrial design- locked door doesn’t keep ground crew from that Icon gave AOA a prominent role when stepping on the rudder, so the pilot ers’ skills. For example: all boats have a way of moving the A5 if necessary. in the A5 panel, but also that the com- is in a position to recover quickly from the tying up to a buoy or dock, and so do amphib- The doors that cover the landing gear pany teaches AOA right from the begin- stall before losing control. ious airplanes. But where most manufacturers are part of the hull structure, which is tough ning of the training program. This fits The A5 is equipped with an air- would select a dead-standard circular ring, that enough to allow beaching with the landing well with the instructors’ military back- frame parachute, and Icon recommends wouldn’t do for Icon. Instead, the A5’s shapely gear retracted. One problem with the gear grounds, given that AOA has long been using it in case of a midair, engine fail- bow ring doubles as a handle for moving the doors is the gap where the door is hinged to at the core of military aviation. ure over hostile terrain or a loss of con- nose around in the water or on the ground. the hull, an area that easily catches stray sea- trol, for example after an unrecoverable The landing/taxi lights, too, demon- weed and other debris. The Icon designers THE A5 DESIGN IMC encounter. As an amphibian and an strate this attention to design detail. Most placed small shark fins in front of the doors LSA, the A5 offers many more options aircraft manufacturers choose aircraft parts to deflect debris. From outward appearance, the all- for landing in case of an emergency, so for this function; after all, the incandescent The gear system must have lights, but composite Icon A5 looks fairly simple, Continues on next page u GE 4509-size landing-light bulb is a long- because the A5 is amphibious, a blue light time standard, now replaced by 4509-sized indicates gear up (safe to land on water) LED lamps, but still a round bulb that no one and an orange light with a landing-strip icon would think needs to be changed. For the shows that the gear is down (safe to touch A5, Icon’s designers selected LEDs, but they down on land). The pilot can also view the realized, as have many automotive designers, landing gear in mirrors mounted onto the that individual LED bulbs can be patterned extended leading edge panel on the out- to create lighting that not only best suits the board wing section. task but also contributes to the A5’s “differ- As much as buyers might wish that the entness.” The landing light has five LEDs wings would fold and unfold electrically and in the top row shooting a bright, narrow automatically, that would have been costly 10-degree beam; below that are three LEDs and probably too heavy for such a small providing 180 degrees of light for taxiing. airplane. To unfold the wings, one person The total output is 4,800 lumens while using simply grabs a tip handle on the trailing only 4.8 amps, and they should last far lon- edge near the wingtip. It takes about 33 ger than incandescent bulbs. pounds of pressure to release the holding One way to save weight and simplify an pin that keeps the wings in the folded posi- airplane is with a castering nosewheel, and tion. Then slide the wing back about 18 the A5’s can move through 360 degrees to inches and walk it forward and to the side, make ground handling easy. But this presents rotate the leading edge down, then push the an engineering challenge: how to straighten wing smoothly in toward the root. A locking the wheel for the seven-second retraction handle holds the wing in the flying position cycle. An Icon video shows the solution to via two pins, and an indicator in the cockpit be a small spring strut that rides on a cam; confirms that it is properly secured. when the nosewheel leaves the ground, the The seawings have two clever features. cam rotates the wheel to the aligned position. Their tips are easily replaceable in the field The landing gear uses wheels and by the pilot/owner, held on by just one bolt brakes by French manufacturer Beringer, and four pins, in case they get damaged and they weigh three pounds less than bumping into something. But when the competing brands, according to Icon. tips are removed, the Icon with folded The parking brake—a lever next to wings will fit into a standard shipping The A5’s Rotax 912 engine produces 100 hp and gives the two-seater a maximum speed of 95 kcas. The most the left seat—acts in an unusual container. —M.T. prominent feature on the instrument panel is an angle-of-attack indicator, in the center of the pilot’s field of view. Its prominence fits well with the instructors’ military backgrounds.

www.ainonline.com • March 2017 • Aviation International News 45 Hands On | Training in the Icon A5 Amphibious LSA. uContinued from preceding page popping the parachute might not be the first choice, but it is part of the SRA design and thus required equipment.

TRAINING BEGINS Because I had no previous water-flying experience, to get my seaplane rating I would need the full TX-L course (transition land): three days of training and a proficiency ride on the fourth day. I started out on a Monday with Zack- ney. Like any good training organization,

Icon begins flights with ground school THURBER MATT and a detailed briefing on the planned Thurber, an experienced landplane pilot, completed the company’s four-day course for pilots with no water or floatplane experience. flight. All water training is done at nearby Lake Berryessa, a huge body of water Sullivan demonstrated the preflight was no need to carry the extra weight of the wind. We practiced a deck-angle drill, that even in windy conditions has calm inspection by following the checklist full fuel, so we were loaded with half a where I set up the A5 close to the water coves and sheltered areas that allow train- and pointing out some slight changes to tank (10 gallons), plenty for our lesson with the AOA in the yellow, then used ing to continue. Outside the protected the A5 airframe resulting from operating and a reserve; the Rotax burns only four power to climb and descend while hold- zones, there are plenty of opportunities experience. Unlike ordinary landplanes, to six gph. Max takeoff weight is 1,510 ing that AOA. This helps get the new A5 for practice in rougher water, and only the A5 lacks a squat switch for the landing pounds, and our flights started at about pilot comfortable with flying at low alti- on the windiest days is much of the lake gear, making the airplane more reliable. 100 pounds below mtow. tude using AOA and power to maneu- unflyable. It takes 12 minutes to fly from In addition, such a switch isn’t necessary It is a little strange to think about ver in confined areas precisely. Sullivan Nut Tree Airport (VCB) to the lake. because there are no systems that rely retracting the landing gear on a light demonstrated a confined-area landing on On the first morning, Zackney went on landing-gear position as on a more sport airplane, but it soon becomes sec- the lake, and it was impressive how little over all the ground training modules in complex airplane. This reminded me that ond nature, just another part of the climb space is needed. the sport flying operations textbook that landing-gear position in an amphibian is checklist. I turned left slightly after take- Returning to Nut Tree, I did a nor- we would be applying in the A5 and made entirely up to the pilot; there is no warn- off and headed for Putah Creek, which mal, soft- and short-field landing. For sure I understood them thoroughly before ing horn to alert the pilot that the gear drains the overflow from the dam that the last landing, I purposely came in high the flight lesson. My first flight that after- is up when landing on a runway or that contains Lake Berryessa. All inbound and slipped to lose altitude. The A5 slips noon was with Sullivan. I was happy to the gear is down when landing on water. A5 training flights fly at 2,500 feet along smoothly, with nary a burble. Hawkins discover that Icon doesn’t leave anything The Icon factory and IFC is located the creek, while outbound aircraft stay at later told me that this wasn’t a design to chance; every flight is overseen by a just off the northeast end of Nut Tree’s 2,000 feet. We also used a common fre- goal, but the ability to slip smoothly crew chief who warms up the engine and Runway 02/20, and the prevailing wind quency to broadcast our intentions to makes the A5 much more flexible and loads the fuel needed for the lesson. The normally favors taking off and landing on other aircraft flying around the lake. On will instill confidence in pilots learning crew chief also meets every returning Runway 02, so it’s a fairly long taxi to the the way to the lake, I did some maneu- how to do that maneuver. flight to fix anything broken right away active runway. With no nosewheel steer- vering to get the feel for the A5 and then and puts all the airplanes inside at the ing, the A5 relies on brakes for steering. slow flight and power-on and -off stalls. end of the day. The rudder pedals are adjustable since the Sullivan demonstrated a power-on stall DAYS 2 AND 3 On the first flight, Sullivan and I per- seats are fixed. On the ground it feels like using full power and how the A5 contin- I flew twice on the second day; the first formed the normal Rotax engine burp- I’m sitting fairly low, but the seat is com- ued climbing while stalled. During the lesson was with Hackney. We discussed ing process before checking the oil level, fortable and the visibility from the cock- pre-lesson briefing, Sullivan had said the emergency procedures during the brief- checked the fuel level with a dipstick and pit is fantastic, with little to impede the A5 “is pretty easy to fly and forgiving.” ing, including proper use of the bilge looked for water in the fuel using a syringe forward view. The A5 can be flown with He was right. pump when the “purge bilge” indica- to suck some fuel from the bottom of the the side windows removed, in which case We spent the rest of the lesson flying tor illuminates; the fuel pressure light, tank, but the crew chief usually does this. small air deflectors must be mounted. splash-and-goes and full-stop landings, which can indicate a clogged fuel filter; The 20-gallon fuselage-mounted tank isn’t Normal takeoffs are made with flaps practicing idle turns and faster plow turns, power-off landings, which can be done fitted with drain valves in the bottom of the zero. The takeoff checklist is short (this is maneuvering on the step and getting me gear-up on a soft surface such as grass; fuselage, so the only way to check for con- a relatively simple airplane), but I appre- familiar with the Lake Berryessa environ- electrical malfunctions; use of the para- tamination is by using the syringe to suck ciated Sullivan’s diligence in making ment. The weather was perfect that day, chute; checklist flows; and water take- some fuel from the bottom of the tank. sure I followed it. Pushing the console- with blue sky and calm wind, and it was offs and landings. It wouldn’t make sense to mount a drain mounted throttle full forward got the hard to assess wind direction from the After a short-field takeoff with flaps valve down low where it would be subject to A5 accelerating smartly and we lifted air, so we landed in the middle of the lake set to 15 degrees, as we neared the dam hydraulic pressure from water operations. off in just a few hundred feet. There and allowed the A5 to weathervane into the fun started when Hackney pulled the throttle over Putah Creek and told me to glide to a landing on the water just beyond the dam. Hackney showed me how to draw an imaginary sight line between the side window latches, and how the A5 can glide to any place below that line. I established a glide, setting the AOA on the white line for best glide, then ran the landing checklist, making sure the gear indicator showed blue for water. The water was calm, almost glassy, and as I flared and held the A5 level, I watched the AOA gauge climb to the top of the yellow as the hull kissed the surface of the water then rapidly slowed the A5 as I pulled the stick all the way back. The A5 settled into the water gently, decelerating smoothly and using very little length of

MATT THURBER MATT water for the touchdown. The A5 has a water takeoff distance of 1,470 feet (840-foot water run) and a water landing distance of 2,140 feet (700-foot water run). Continues on page 48 u

46 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com Fill an empty seat with hope.

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2017 AVA BJT 9 x 10.75 ad.indd 1 1/17/17 5:08 PM Hands On | Training in the Icon A5 Amphibious LSA.

Icon conducts its training at nearby Lake Berryessa, which has calm coves and sheltered areas to allow training even in windy conditions.

into the lake. We flew along the right side of the creek at about 2,000 feet, then I turned left and pushed the nose down, picking up speed in the descent and leveling off about 50 feet above the water. I kept the power in as I followed the creek’s course and descended below the level of the bare drowned trees that lined the banks. As the creek widened where the lake took over, I pulled up to climb well above a bridge topped with unmarked power lines to give us plenty of margin. This is something I wouldn’t do in a landplane, but in an amphibian flying low along the river felt comfortable and safe; there were many places where I could have landed if there was a problem with the engine. The entire A5 training experience was uContinued from page 46 how he selects then approaches an area the stronger wind demonstrated the diffi- uniquely fun, especially the last flight. We spent some time trying differ- suitable for beaching and always makes culty of turning on the water from upwind All of the Icon instructors are keenly ent landing techniques: more power-off sure he has an escape route if there are to downwind. During the rough-water focused on safety and professionalism, touchdowns, step turns and more deck- any problems. We overflew a spot that landings, I could feel the waves smacking and it shows in their training practices, angle drills. Although it was fairly calm Sullivan had used before and landed the hull, although this dissipated quickly but they also like to make the experi- again, step-taxiing was challenging as I nearby. As we neared the spot, Sullivan in a full-stop landing. If the water is too ence enjoyable. found I had to add a lot of power to get opened the canopy and we unhooked our rough, it’s a simple matter to go around the A5 planing on the step, then care- seatbelts. Sullivan likes to practice aban- after touching the surface and seeing what fully reduce power to maintain 25 to 30 doning the approach to the spot at least it’s like. Taking off in rough water results TRAINING BUYERS knots groundspeed (as indicated on the once before committing, so we turned in a skipping action as the hull bounces The Icon training is well tailored to the Garmin 796’s GPS-based instruments). away then headed back in. Once close off the waves, and it’s important to hold product, but the company faces a chal- Of course, the difficulty of this maneu- to the beach, I switched the engine off the nose steady until the A5 lifts off. You lenge in matching a safe training environ- ver varied depending on the roughness and we floated in, with Sullivan walk- just can’t force it off the water. ment to the sporty attitude it projects in of the water, as I was to find out on day ing the rudder to give us a little push. We tried sailing with the engine off, its marketing. three. Hackney demonstrated some more He then jumped out and pulled the A5 using the rudder to manage our direc- “This is recreation,” Hawkins acknowl- aggressive on-the-water maneuvering by slightly onto the shore while I shut off tion of movement, but the water was too edged. The military has the advantage applying full rudder in a step turn, some- the master switch, secured the cockpit rough to open the canopy, which is typi- of screening for pilots from a group of thing that is not possible in a floatplane. and stepped off onto the beach. It was cally done while sailing. young people at the peak of their per- We also tried some turning takeoffs and strange to have flown in an airplane to Lake Berryessa was still too low— formance. Icon obviously wants to sell as landings, which work fine in the A5 and this remote spot without a runway––a this was before the steady rainstorms many airplanes as possible while ensur- are useful in confined areas. great demonstration of an amphibious that deluged California during the win- ing that buyers fly safely. “It’s harder for We then flew some formation (with airplane’s capabilities. ter of 2016/2017—so we couldn’t try a us,” he added. “We want to make it fun, Hackney at the controls) with another During this flight, Sullivan surprised ramping, where the A5 is taxied onto a palatable and easy but safe.” A5 over the lake before practicing a me with a simulated engine failure while I boat ramp or smooth beach. One disad- Doing this involved writing the train- glassy-water landing. This is a maneuver was flying low over the water. This is great vantage of a boat-hull amphibian such ing manuals in a way that engages stu- where the assumption is that the water is practice and something that can be done as the A5 is that its wings sit rather low, dents without throwing a bunch of what so smooth that it is impossible to judge only in an amphibian or floatplane, and so when docking or ramping, it’s criti- Hawkins calls “tech geeky pilot talk” at height just by looking at the surface, and it tests the student’s recognition of the cal to assess the area to make sure the them, although Icon does provide a sup- it is generally considered an emergency. need to push the nose down quickly to wingtips won’t hit anything. Docking, plemental manual with a deeper dive into Icon advises A5 pilots to seek out ripply maintain best glide speed. The first time too, was out of the question because of aerodynamics for those who are inter- water elsewhere rather than try to alight this happened, I reacted the wrong way the strong wind. ested. The other big factor in making on glassy water. and pulled the nose up, which slowed us, We did practice evaluating potential the Icon experience safe is the airplane The glassy-water landing relies on set- and Sullivan pushed the power and stick ramping areas by flying the minimum- itself. “The airplane is better than we con- ting up an approach that gives a 100- to forward to keep us from stalling. “The radius-turn maneuver. This is done at templated,” he said. “It’s easier, safer, fun 150-fpm descent (as seen on the Garmin tendency is to pull up, the water is com- high power and in about a 60-degree bank and aesthetically better than we imagined. 796 because there is no VSI in the A5), ing,” he said. “You have to trust the AOA. with the AOA in the yellow, but at low We’re proud of that.” and then flying right onto the water but And you’ve got to push right away or you altitude, usually about 200 feet. The A5 Hawkins is aware that the A5 looks focusing primarily on the instruments and won’t have enough energy.” is rock steady in this configuration, and like a cute little LSA that is simple to not fixating on the water’s surface. It took My final training flight the next day, if it nibbles at the stall, there is no ten- design and build, but it is the culmina- me a few tries to understand the impor- again with Sullivan, revealed a lake trans- dency to diverge; all that I would have tion of a lengthy and almost obsessive tance of setting up the approach over a formed from the calm and almost glassy to do is move the stick forward slightly design process, with extended debate close visual reference such as a peninsula surface that had greeted my first three or shallow the bank, while remaining in about what might seem to be minor items or island and also not to turn below 200 flights. The wind was blowing at 12 knots, the turn. This is a dramatic—yet safe— such as the shape of a needle on a gauge. feet. The procedure works well, but it feels whistling along from the northwest and maneuver, and it looks like the wing is The effort was worthwhile, and in the case strange not to flare while the A5 finds its roiling the water into near whitecap con- pointing straight down. of the AOA gauge it established a clever way to the surface, then pulling the power ditions. When whitecaps are visible, that’s wing-shaped needle as well as other sub- back to complete the landing. pretty much the limit for the A5, which can tle features. During the afternoon flight with Sul- handle up to 12-inch waves. Fortunately, PROFICIENCY CHECK The entire A5 development process, livan, we flew some accelerated stalls on Lake Berryessa has lots of protected areas The wind had calmed for my final flight, Hawkins said, involved “people at the top the way to the lake, then reviewed the so we could practice all the maneuvers the proficiency check with Zackney. of their game who put in their heart and glassy-water landing procedure, practiced to prepare for the next day’s proficiency This was a no-pressure review of all the soul for the pure love of making it great. spot landings and flew around searching check and do some rough-water flying. maneuvers I had done so far, capped by a It was a massive design project, a sym- for a suitable place to practice beaching. Getting on the step and staying there thrilling low-level flight along the north- phony of parts, each instrument starting Sullivan took plenty of time to explain was much harder in the rough water, and west end of Putah Creek where it feeds to play together to make great music.” o

48 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com two years. Driving the down- concern that there is insufficient unlikely it could be concluded having been overtaken by EU- Experts fear turn are the fall of sterling and time to implement new rules and within the two-year notice wide agreements are now obso- Brexit disruption the trickle of global business regulations. Disentangling 40 period, even without the issues lete and require renegotiation. uContinued from page 1 from London to other financial years of close cooperation with a associated with getting the 27 However, they do at least pro- centers in the EU. This effect is trading partner that, on a wider remaining EU member states vide a starting point for dis- With those words Marko partially offset by the greater economic scale, accounts for 45 to agree. cussions. In some instances the Ninkovic, head of marine and number of visitors traveling to percent of the UK’s exports and There is a mechanism by bilateral agreements have either aviation claims for Brit Insur- the UK to take advantage of 55 percent of its imports is not a which the two-year deadline can been repealed or never existed in ance, kicked off a seminar held lower prices, but as the UK’s air process that can be undertaken be extended to buy more time the first place. January 26 at the Royal Aero- traffic comprises 55 percent out- overnight. History has shown for negotiation, but it requires UK operators after Brexit nautical Society’s headquarters bound passengers (that is, UK- that trade deals can take many a large majority of the EU will no longer have the right to in London, hosted by the soci- based passengers departing and years to bear fruit. heads-of-state to agree, and also fly between any two points in ety’s Air Law Group. In front returning to the nation) the over- “The easiest way forward is requires ratification in the Euro- the EU, and seventh freedom/ of an audience packed with avi- all effect is negative. just to replicate all the EU laws pean Parliament. In the current cabotage operations will no lon- ation lawyers and associated After the dip, IATA expects in the UK,” remarked Profes- political climate an extension is ger be possible. Moreover, flights professionals, including legal UK air traffic to grow again at sor Richard Williams, associate unlikely to be granted. between UK and EU destina- representatives of leading UK a significant rate, in line with professor of Swansea Univer- tions will be governed by two airlines, speakers set forth their overall global traffic. However, sity’s Institute of International Access and Ownership sets of regulations, meaning views on “Brexit: the Legal and in the case of a “hard Brexit” the Shipping and Trade Law, “which At present all EU operators more paperwork and possibly Operational Implications.” recovery from the dip is forecast then begs the question: why have enjoy considerable freedom to new licenses. A clear danger is One issue the seminar high- to take longer to achieve growth we done it?” Similarly, gaining conduct business throughout that the possible divergence of lighted is the lack of guidance than is the case with a “soft access to EU markets via the sep- the Union, but for those flying UK and EU regulations over so far from the UK government Brexit,” in which the UK retains arate mechanism of the Euro- into and out of the UK that will time might further complicate concerning aviation matters and many existing trade ties with the pean Economic Area (EEA) is change after Brexit. Regarding travel between the two. the likely nature of the environ- EU. That now seems unlikely to also an unlikely route as it fails access for operators, what now Ownership of operators is ment in which the post-Brexit be the case and leaves the “hard to meet the specific aims of the seems likely is that on leaving the another area with serious ram- UK aviation industry will find Brexit” growth forecast lagging Brexit movement. EU the UK will have to resurrect ifications. Currently EU “com- itself. As in all commerce, avi- behind that of the “soft” option. On the other hand, cherry- old bilateral access agreements munity carriers” have to be ation companies are anxious to Is there sufficient time? picking elements of the over- with the individual EU member majority-owned by an EU know what is intended for the In addition to the lack of all EU deal would be extremely states. Many of these agreements national entity, but this would sector so that they can be more aviation-specific guidance is the time-consuming, and it is remain on the statute books, but Continues on next page u confident in their own planning. Compounding the problem is that the Brexit phenomenon is without precedent: to date only Uncertainty of Brexit Weighs on UK Operators the territories of Algeria, Green- You have to admire the mainly optimistic spirit of our business around, but if you have only a UK AOC Agency. Historically, the CAA had a reputation for land and Saint Barthélemy have charter operators caught in the confusion of Brexit, the worst-case scenario for Brexit is far more diffi- being one of the most rigorous (some would say left the European Union since but there is no escaping the underlying anxiety about cult,” Hansen said. pedantic and obstinate) regulators in Europe. “In re- its precursor organization was the many unresolved issues swirling around the UK’s As the Brexit process gathers pace, UK opera- ality, EASA regulations have been less of a burden for established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957. Never has such impending exit from the European Union (EU) and tors with the means to do so may well try to estab- UK operators,” said Mumford. an economic powerhouse as the how it will affect the country’s business aviation sec- lish AOCs in user-friendly EU states such as Malta. “From an operator viewpoint, one of the big- UK opted out of such a major tor. In fact, few want to go on the record to discuss But he warned that this might not be straightforward: gest concerns is how much legislation will in- economic and political alliance. the situation, but AIN was able to get some perspec- to hold an EU AOC, a company has to be majority- crease and whether we will still have rules such as Faced with this lack of spe- tive from those on the front lines. owned by an EU citizen, a rule that would exclude flight- and duty-time limitations and maintenance cific policies for aviation, fore- Luxaviation, based in EU member Luxembourg, British citizens after Brexit. “So this could involve approvals,” said BACA council member Neil Han- casters and planners in the acquired the UK’s London Executive Aviation in some complex restructuring of company owner- nabus, CEO of charter broker Freedom Air. “The aviation world can only look to 2014. At the time, the British government had not ship,” Hansen warned. main concern is how much this will affect costs. the broader political statements confirmed there would be a Brexit referendum, and According to Richard Mumford, chairman of The businesses that will win under Brexit are those that have been issued by the even if it had, few predicted that the country would the UK’s BACA air charter association, the potential that are agile. I don’t necessarily agree that this fa- government. When it ruled out vote to leave the EU. “I didn’t consider this at the loss of traffic rights and uncertainty about how the vors large operators.” membership of the European time,” said Luxaviation CEO Patrick Hansen. “If we country’s aviation industry will be regulated post- Flight support company Flightworx—based at single market the UK govern- had, we might have been better off putting the mon- Brexit are the biggest concerns. “We don’t know London Stansted Airport—confirmed that uncer- ment signaled that the avia- ey in the stock market. But, seriously, this is one of what will happen, and we will have to wait until the tainty about the final terms of the Brexit divorce set- tion industry would also face a those situations where size does matter and opera- end of the Brexit negotiations to be sure,” he told tlement is taking its toll on operators. “There is real “hard Brexit,” being forced to tors smaller than us would not have the resources to AIN. “But there is going to be an impact and it could concern that there simply will not be time to adjust to withdraw from its Europe-wide deal with such a complicated situation.” make things more difficult and expensive [for UK the terms of the deal, and the [UK] government just associations and organizations. In addition to its UK air operator certificate, Lux- operators].” doesn’t get how unsettling this is for companies,” Tim Marland, a barrister at aviation has AOCs in Luxembourg, Germany, France Somewhat ironically, there is now concern said managing director Andy Shaw. Quadrant Chambers, remarked, and Belgium within the EU. So it has the option of among UK companies that the regulatory environ- When negotiations between the EU and the UK “The harder the Brexit, the shifting its fleet to ensure market access even if UK ment could get tougher for them if they revert to are complete, the British government is supposed to greater the potential impact.” operators are denied the rights to fly within an EU the full jurisdiction of the UK Civil Aviation Authori- present the deal to the country’s Parliament. Howev- That view is underlined by anal- country or between two EU countries. “We can move ty (CAA), as opposed to the European Aviation Safety er, the government has refused to clarify what would ysis conducted by IATA Eco- nomics. Not only is the shock to happen if Parliament rejects the deal. The concern economic certainty huge in the is that by then it would be too late—and legally im- case of Brexit—and to a lesser possible—to try to change the terms of Britain’s exit extent in the election of President from the EU. Trump—but the “hardness” or Apart from other concerns, Shaw predicts pricier otherwise of Brexit has an effect fuel for UK operators as a result of the continued de- on the rate of future growth. cline of the British pound against the U.S. dollar. He According to IATA’s analy- also points out that many UK business aviation com- sis, the UK’s air traffic—itself a panies employ multilingual EU nationals, and that thermometer of GDP—will dip there are now doubts as to whether these people will significantly as the immediate be permitted to continue living and working in Britain economic effects of Brexit take Luxaviation Legacy 650 after Brexit. —C.A. hold, a process that could take

www.ainonline.com • March 2017 • Aviation International News 49 meeting, said Trump praised the the League of Rural Voters and also against it. of airline CEOs.” Bizav to fight airlines and airports for moving the Air Care Alliance, early last “That really speaks to how While the business and rural ATC reform two million passengers per day in month released the results of a people have an understand- interests outlined their concerns uContinued from page 1 spite of outdated equipment and poll showing 62 percent of the ing of the unique role the FAA and latest poll results, an organi- “pledged to work closely with the respondents oppose privatiza- plays in our ATC system,” noted zation that represents consumer continue to be at the forefront of airline industry to modernize the tion of the nation’s ATC system, Air Care Alliance executive vice interests, the Americans Against aviation’s modernization efforts,” technology system.” while only 26 percent support it. president Charles (Lindy) Kirk- Air Traffic Privatization, also Bolen said. “That said, we are Afterward, Airlines for Amer- Conducted by Global Strate- land. “We’re really happy to see came out with warnings follow- concerned that in the meet- ica president and CEO Nicholas gies Group, the poll involved 800 the results confirm what most of ing the Trump meeting. ing, it appeared that some air- Calio had said he was “encour- interviews of registered voters, us think and believe.” “[The] meeting between Presi- line interests wanted to shift the aged by [Trump’s] in-depth representing various age groups, “We all agree that we need dent Trump and airline executives conversation away from taking a understanding of our industry educational backgrounds, com- to modernize our ATC system,” pulled the curtain back on the true bipartisan approach to modern- and the need to reform our air mercial flying habits and politi- added Alliance for Aviation incentives behind privatizing our ization, to focus instead on their traffic control system.” cal affiliations. The poll found a Across America executive direc- nation’s ATC system: corporate decades-long objective of privatiz- fairly even split to privatization tor Selena Shilad. “The issues control at the exclusion of working ATC, funding it with new user Limited Public Support of governmental functions as a of modernization and privatiza- ers and taxpayers,” spokeswoman fees and placing it under the gov- But Bolen countered, “The fact concept—43 for versus 46 percent tion have gotten a bit conflated. Julia Alschuler charged, adding erning control of a self-interested, is, in this important debate, against—but much more oppo- The proposal to put ATC under that the “meeting makes clear that airline-centric board of directors.” there are two sides. The Pres- sition with privatization of the the purview of a private board… this would be an unprecedented Bolen cautioned that giv- ident may have heard the air- FAA. The poll also found that the makes us extremely nervous.” giveaway to special interests in ing airline interests “sweeping lines’ position…. but surveys of FAA drew a 74 percent positive She added that alliance mem- Washington. o authority” over the aviation sys- everyday Americans have repeat- rating overall, and 87 percent of bers are wary of a system that tem would equip them to make edly shown that, by a significant respondents rated the FAA’s han- would primarily be accountable decisions such as which cities majority, citizens oppose the dling of ATC operationsas either to commercial operators. and airports get served. notion of creating a privatized “good” or “excellent.” “It’s clear that there are real Santa Monica uContinued from page 8 During the meeting Trump ATC system. The concerns of Jeff Pollock, president of the and significant concerns about the appeared receptive to a push by these citizens are well founded; Global Strategies Group, added notion of ATC privatization funded they’d ever seen from the FAA. airlines for ATC reform, char- after all, the nation’s aviation sys- that the opposition to FAA priva- through new user fees,” Bolen noted, The FAA’s never agreed to close acterizing the current system as tem is a public asset, intended to tization cut across all groups, saying, “It’s important that the Pres- an airport like this. ill-equipped and badly managed. serve the entire public.” with 65 percent of frequent fli- ident hear from all voices in the “We had filed a constitutional White House press secretary The Alliance for Aviation ers opposing and 61 percent of debate over this matter, and not just claim against the 1948 instru- Sean Spicer, summarizing the Across America, along with those who do not fly frequently from a small, special-interest group ment of transfer, an agreement the city of Santa Monica entered into to operate this airport in Experts fear There is some precedent for behalf of all member states. may even be some desire among perpetuity. We filed that lawsuit being a member of the EASA Certainly the Great Repeal member states to punish the UK three years ago, it was dismissed, Brexit disruption without being in the EU, as is Bill raises major issues in terms for leaving. remanded back to [the judge] on uContinued from preceding page the case with Switzerland and of jurisdiction and enforcement. Regarding the continued appeal, [and would be heard] at the non-EU EEA states (Iceland, Currently the ultimate arbiter of openness of aviation in Europe, the end of 2017. Four years of no longer apply to UK-based Liechtenstein and Norway), but EU law is the European Court John Balfour, consultant at litigation just to get back where air carriers after Brexit. It could the political noises coming from of Justice, but that would not Clyde, suggested that the UK’s we started. We face the prospect be that the UK relaxes its rules the UK government suggest that apply to a post-Brexit UK. In the best hope is “to convince the rest of that then being appealed, concerning ownership to stimu- this is less likely than complete enforcement of judgments, the of the EU that’s in their inter- potentially being remanded back late business, although EU mem- withdrawal. UK would have to gain consent ests. We should persuade our to [the judge], many more years bers might view this as a hostile Air traffic is another area with from EU states to ensure enforce- EU colleagues that it’s good for of litigation, all that time during action. Alternatively, a UK- implications, especially as the ment within those countries. them too.” But a key worry for that litigation, that airport over only policy might be introduced, UK/Ireland airspace block cur- There is a considerable gray EU members at both the higher there would operate exactly the which could hurt UK-based car- rently handles 80 percent of all area concerning contracts, political level and in aviation is way it’s operating today.” riers such as KLM UK, Thomas transatlantic air traffic. The UK leases and the like that have that the UK’s trade deals with The FAA claimed that it Cook and TUI, which are owned is also a key part of the Bore- been drawn up under EU law other nations—notably the signed the settlement agreement by EU companies. Access to the alis Free Route Airspace. As but that will fall under UK law U.S.—could come into conflict because “it strikes an appropri- lucrative UK market for non- with regulation, there is some after Brexit. Similarly, agree- with the Union’s interests when ate balance between the public’s UK airlines that currently enjoy precedent to remain part of the ments being considered cur- negotiating its own deals with interest in making local decisions seventh freedom rights, such as European Single Sky, since Swit- rently, while the UK is still a the UK, especially if protection- about land-use practices and its Norwegian, Ryanair and Wizz, zerland and the EEA states are member of the Union, are also ist tariffs are introduced. interests in safe and efficient avi- could also be affected. included. subject to some uncertainty. “The prevailing feeling in ation services.” Aviation lawyers such as Anna Europe is that it’s lose-lose,” is The planned reduction of Regulations and Air Traffic Legal Issues Anatolitou, a partner at Ince, are how Dr. Peter Urwantschky, a SMO’s runway not only will Once out of the EU the UK will Many other areas of the avia- advising companies to revisit all partner at Urwantschky Dan- curtail operation of larger jets at also likely be leaving the Euro- tion industry will be affected by their contracts to ensure that gel Borst, described the effects the airport, but it will also pre- pean Aviation Safety Agency Brexit, such as passenger rights, they are adequate for a post- of Brexit on aviation at the sem- vent many jet charter operations (EASA). All regulatory issues accident investigation and air- Brexit world, to sort any claims inar. “The UK’s leaving is seen from using SMO because of reg- will then be the purview of the crew licensing. It is expected that include an EU element now, as a great loss in Europe as it has ulatory runway length require- UK Civil Aviation Authority, that, in most cases, the current and also to enforce any judgments pushed aviation in a liberal direc- ments. JetSuiteX had planned and it is likely that safety regu- EU legislation will be taken in that come under an EU ruling tion. This will be missed. Protec- to begin flying customers out lations will revert to those pre- unchanged form into UK law, at before the UK leaves. tionism is a disease.” of SMO to Carlsbad and San viously outlined by the CAA. least temporarily. Urwantschky noted that the Jose, Calif., on February 6, but However, the CAA does not Transferring EU rules into A View from Europe initiative to harmonize Euro- recently entered into a standstill have the manpower to rewrite English Common Law in itself From the other side of the Eng- pean air traffic will be diminished agreement with the city of Santa all the required regulations, is not regarded as being much lish Channel comes a generally without the UK, and that the UK Monica, due to the uncertainty many of its former staff hav- of an issue, the conversion being sympathetic view, albeit tinged was also a positive driving force surrounding the airport’s status. ing transferred to the EASA. handled under what is known as with some suspicion of how the within the EASA. “Overall there’s (See article on page 8.) Once Bringing some back could the Great Repeal Bill. However, UK will conduct its exit from the regret, but no thought of retalia- the runway is shortened, none alleviate the problem, but it is some current EU laws cannot be EU. There is some will, at least tion,” he concluded, but warned, of JetSuiteX’s—or parent com- unlikely that the CAA will be matched by UK law automatically, at the political level, to prevent “that could change if the UK pany JetSuite’s—airplanes would able to fulfill demand in key and others are based on treaties the UK from cherry-picking the enters into an anti-EU alliance be able to fly into Santa Monica areas such as certification. that were signed by the EU on good bits of the EU, and there with Trump.” o on charter trips. o

50 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com Great Entrepreneurs Know Something About Moving Fast.

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maneuvering and patterns around NEWS UPDATE the airport, concluding with hover landing. Additional flights up to 4,000 feet with short takeoff and z USHST Infrastructure Summit Held landing (STOL) are planned shortly. Sponsored by the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team, the Leonardo said it has commit- second annual gathering of aviation safety leaders ments for “nearly” 60 AW609s. from government and industry continued discussion Flight-testing of the AW609 to improve the low-altitude environment of the AC3, the third Leonardo Helicopters AW609 civil tiltrotor, will soon resumed in August last year after the head to Marquette, Mich., for cold-weather testing and icing trials. National Airspace System. Among the topics on the fatal crash of AC2 in October 2015. agenda were database integrity standards, accident Announced performance: a max- investigation check list for infrastructure, infrared imum forward speed of 275 knots, a lighting standards for NVG and NVIS operations, ceiling of 25,000 feet, a hover out of single-engine IFR aircraft certification, low-level IFR Third AW609 airborne, ground effect of 5,000 feet, hover in routing criteria and implementation, HEMS weather ground effect of 10,000 feet and a tools, real-time mesoscale analysis and in-cockpit icing trials set to start useful load of 2,500 pounds. Short- weather improvements. takeoff capability will be added to by Mark Huber the certification basis to increase z Bell 525 Certification Shifts to 2018 the helicopter’s maximum takeoff Bell Helicopter has received a two-year certification The third Leonardo Helicopters of production aircraft is scheduled to weight to 18,000 pounds from 16,800 extension for the original five-year FAA application AW609 civil tiltrotor (AC3) recently begin there next year. Leonardo reaf- pounds. Standard range is 700 nm, for the 525 Relentless super-medium twin, which began flight-testing from the com- firmed its intent to gain FAA certifica- and 1,100 nm with aux fuel. Leon- has been grounded since last July after a fatal pany’s plant in Philadelphia and will tion for the AW609 next year. ardo has not released a price for the crash. That would push certification out to the end soon head to Marquette, Mich., for As of early last month AC3 had AW609. of next year. Two completed prototypes remain and icing trials. Meanwhile, AC1 has been performed several weeks of unre- Stefano Bortoli, Leonardo Heli- returned to Italy for avionics and air- strained ground testing and, more copters senior v-p for sales and mar- two others are under construction. Bell indicated frame updates and for homogenizing recently, flight trials that allowed keting, said, “We are about to enter a last year that it intends to complete flight-testing test equipment. AC4, the first aircraft avionics and all systems to be fully campaign of significant flight activ- with four test aircraft. with production avionics, is under tested. During initial flights, the air- ity.” He called the upcoming icing z U.S. Cabri Fleet Growing Rapidly assembly in Philadelphia. Manufacture craft performed basic hovering and trials “a significant milestone.” o The U.S. importer for the Guimbal Cabri G2, Precision Helicopters of Newberg, Ore., told AIN last month that it expects to bring at least 12 of the two- SAE to tackle helicopter IBF standards seat trainers into the country this year. That would take the domestic fleet to 28. The FAA certified the by Kerry Lynch G2 in 2015. Separately, Airbus announced that it will fly an unmanned version of the G2, the VSR700, later The FAA, which has long been be able to remain in the IBF mar- the things I would like the SAE com- this year. Guimbal has manufactured 190 G2s since working on a policy statement for ket should the draft policy become mittee to explore is whether it is possi- the EASA approved it in late 2007. rotorcraft inlet barrier filter (IBF) final as originally written. ble to make the inlet distortion limits installations, has turned to the stan- FAA officials have said they will a part of that information.” z Robinson: Bright Future for Cadet dards-setting organization SAE carefully consider the comments, Power assurance checks are a CEO Kurt Robinson told AIN that the company International for help on two of the and Lorie Symon, executive direc- technology issue, Symon said, not- delivered 12 two-seat R44 Cadets last year and most difficult technical aspects sur- tor for Aerometals, noted that the ing that existing power check data expects to raise production numbers as the rounding that policy. “huge industry response during the already takes into account effects of helicopter is certified in more markets. “We think it The SAE was tasked with devel- public comment period really got the potential losses of power from IBF is going to do well given its price and the options it oping a “recommended practice FAA to see how important an issue installations. gives you. The Cadet will serve a bigger market than standard” on an alternative means to this is to operators and to the heli- “We have to resolve these two just training because of the cargo space in back and substantiate that the IBF modifica- copter industry.” issues because they are major,” the available air conditioning. There are a lot of jobs tion does not exceed engine inlet dis- Symon said that outdated regula- Symon said. “If we cannot come where you need only one or two people.” At the end tortion limits. The FAA also asked tions created some of the obstacles to up with an alternative means for of January the University of North Dakota’s flight the organization to define a means satisfying the FAA’s requirements in us to be able to prove that we are training program took delivery of its first Cadet. to determine and verify power avail- the draft policy. “The FAA agreed that not affecting inlet distortion, we are ability for IBF-equipped rotorcraft. this is a safe technology. We were just done. If the engine and airframe z New CEO for Russian Helicopters The FAA made the request as it has running up against regulations that are manufacturers say, ‘No you can’t Andrey Boginsky, the former Russian Federation been hashing out concerns expressed decades old and written in such a way have that data,’ then we are done.” deputy minister of industry and trade, took the helm in response to a proposed IBF pol- that it was hard to figure out alterna- But Symon expressed hope that at Russian Helicopters on January 30. Boginsky icy it released a year ago. That draft tive methods of compliance.” the SAE committee will be able to has been on the company board since 2015. From policy generated so much opposition Many of the issues of the origi- work through these issues. “Unfor- May 2012 he served as director of the Department that the agency extended the comment nal draft policy statement have been tunately it is not a short process, but period and then held a public meeting worked out, but the two remaining it is a good first step.” of Aviation Industry at the Ministry of Industry and to receive industry input. issues—inlet distortion limits and The FAA has not announced a Trade of the Russian Federation. Boginsky has Operators, aftermarket provid- power assurance checks—remain timeline for release of a final policy set out some blunt goals for the company. “Our ers and other industry groups have unresolved. The issue of inlet dis- statement. Timing of the SAE stan- goal for the near future is to focus on developing expressed concern that the pol- tortion limits “comes right down to dards was unclear too, but an SAE new products and improving quality of after-sales icy would require detailed proprie- whether or not we can get the infor- spokeswoman said that on average, service. In particular, we need to create a service tary engine data that manufacturers mation we need from the manufactur- the development of standards and system that meets the best international practice,” tend to be reluctant to share pub- ers. We’ve got to solve that dilemma recommended practices could take he said. licly. In addition, industry executives before we can discuss all the different between 18 and 24 months. expressed concern that the original means of compliance,” Symon said. The SAE’s S-12 Helicopter Pow- z No More MD Explorers for UK Police policy included the potential for per- Obtaining proprietary data “is erplant Committee is taking the lead The last of six MD Explorer light twins will fly its formance penalties that would ren- probably one of the biggest issues on the standards with help from the last mission for the UK’s National Police Air Service der IBFs impractical and would that the SAE committee is going to S-16 Turbine Engine Inlet Flow Dis- (NPAS) at the end of this month for the base at Carr drive up certification costs consid- struggle with,” she said. But she noted tortion Committee. Aftermarket Gate. The NPAS is changing to a fleet of Airbus erably. The primary aftermarket that manufacturers are required to providers, OEMs, operators and oth- Helicopters H135s. —Mark Huber providers, Aerometals and Donald- release certain data through their ers will participate. A meeting will be son, questioned whether they would type certificate data sheets. “One of held during Heli-Expo. o

52 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com South American operators have expressed interest in training at the facility. Bell is U.S. HELO ACCIDENT RATE To reach European operators, in the process of obtaining approval from IMPROVES AGAIN the regulatory bodies in Argentina, India, Bell opens Spain training site Nigeria, Brazil and Chile. Rotorcraft safety is on the upswing for The second bay in the simulator room the third straight year. The U.S. heli- by Ian Sheppard is currently empty but Textron is con- copter accident rate and the fatal sidering occupying it with a device for helicopter accident rate have fallen for Bell Helicopter took a major step forward screen/display with 11 projectors creat- fixed-wing (Cessna Citation) pilot train- the third consecutive year, according to in customer service and support on Feb- ing a 240-degree horizontal by 80-degree ing. Bell hopes the second simulator will data the FAA released last month. ruary 14 when it opened its first train- vertical field of view. It also has a second be installed by year-end. The overall accident rate fell to 3.19 ing center outside the U.S., in Textron’s motion platform to vibrate the cockpit, The EASA Bell 429 type rating (IFR) accidents per 100,000 flight hours last Citation service center at Valencia Airport making for a more realistic experience. takes two weeks (10 working days) with year compared with 3.67 accidents in Spain. The first training being carried A single instructor can run a session, 24 hours of training—12 hours in the sim- in 2015. The fatal accident rate fell out at the new center is initial, type and using an iPad instead of the instructor ulator and 12 hours of ground school. slightly to 0.51 accidents per 100,000 recurrent training in a new Level-D sim- station. The recurrent course takes seven hours flight hours last year compared with ulator configured as a Bell 429 and man- The new Bell Training Academy marks of training over three days (4.5 of those 0.52 in 2015. The rate is down from ufactured by TRU Simulation + Training, the first step in the company’s ambitions hours in the sim). The EASA also requires 0.65 in 2014 and 1.02 in 2013. There a sister company in the Textron group. to situate training and support closer to a minimum of two hours actual flying in were 106 helicopter accidents last year, The device has a curved, continuous customers. To the company’s surprise, the helicopter, as well as a skill test. o 17 of them fatal. That is a 12-percent improvement over the previous year and 27 percent better than in 2013. “The FAA and the helicopter industry have worked together to educate the civil helicopter community about safe practices, to drive these improved results,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “The FAA and the industry also are taking an active role in advancing safety through new technology, collaborative policy changes and proactive outreach.” Last month Bell inaugurated its In recent years the FAA has worked training center at the Textron closely with the U.S. Helicopter Safety service center at Valencia, Team to promote various initiatives such Spain. For now, students can train in a Bell 429 Level-D sim. as creating a safety culture and stream- The company plans to install lining the approval process for installing a second simulator, likely a safety equipment. —M.H. Citation, by year-end.

will join the program early this operators, among them Bristow year. Airbus Helicopters will Group with 27 in its fleet, have Airbus Helicopters reflects begin taking orders for the type kept the type grounded world- this year and says it already has wide even though the EASA and a “significant number” of letters FAA have cleared it to fly again. on sluggish 2016 market of intent for it. Bristow CEO Jonathan Bal- The company plans to fly the iff said in February, “We also by Mark Huber Clean Sky2, a high-speed com- will continue to actively support pound helicopter demonstrator efforts with our regulators, cli- Despite an overall difficult year the 395 it delivered in 2015, in H145 light twins and 23 Super derived from the X3, at the end ents and other stakeholders to and the shadow of the H225 a market that CEO Guillaume Pumas. Overall order backlog of 2019 or the beginning of 2020 achieve a safe return to service crash and grounding, Airbus Faury called “the most difficult stood at 766 helicopters at year- and will reveal more details about for the H225. But we are doing Helicopters delivered more heli- year for the helicopter industry end. Airbus continues to main- it at the Paris Air Show in June. more. As we actively monitor the copters last year than it did in since 2008.” tain a 47-percent share of the Faury also said the company outstanding litigation against 2015, and deliveries of mili- Airbus Helicopters logged world civil market for helicop- will conduct the first unmanned Airbus related to the H225 and tary helicopters accounted for a gross orders for 388 helicopters ters weighing more than 1.3 tons. flights of the “City Airbus” all also are examining all options to larger share of the mix. Airbus last year, versus 383 in 2015. The new H160 medium twin is electric, VTOL, four-seat urban protect our stakeholders.” In an says it delivered 418 rotorcraft Last year customers signed for undergoing cold-weather testing vehicle (see page 30) next year interview with AIN, helicopter last year, a 5-percent gain over 188 light singles, 163 H135/ in Canada and a third prototype and manned flights in 2019. lessor Milestone Aviation Group Development of a full-scale air- CEO Daniel Rosenthal called the craft started last month in Ger- H225 controversy “fundamen- many. The X6 heavy helicopter, tally important to the indus- intended to replace the H225, try” this year. Milestone owns remains in the “concept phase,” 28 H225s. Rosenthal said, “I with Faury characterizing it as a don’t think we fully understand “long-term investment.” what the right future for the air- Faury said Airbus looks for- craft should be from a safety per- ward to restoring trust in the spective. We need to know what H225 following the North Sea the picture looks like. Obviously crash last year that killed 13 and there is the deeply personal side prompted a temporary EASA of whether or not people want to grounding order that was lifted operate the H225, which we will after a problematic planet gear leave to our customers and their was identified and a stricter customers.” Rosenthal said the inspection regime imposed. The current environment has created The H160 is undergoing cold weather testing this winter in Canada. type remains grounded in the much uncertainty about H225 UK and Norway, and several residual values. o

www.ainonline.com • March 2017 • Aviation International News 53 Rotorcraft

(25 percent), mechanical (24 per- individual patient transports. number is 979 and it could be cent), controlled flight into ter- However, flight hours per ship as high as 1,048 if you count Helicopter EMS sector rain (21 percent) and landing and patient transports appear non-operational spares. But zone mishaps (9 percent). Blu- to be gradually creeping up over one thing is certain, “This is the improving safety record men noted that when weather the last year. But the historical first year ever there has been is added to the brew it is lethal: data shows that the average air- a contraction in the number by Mark Huber two-thirds of weather-related craft flew 800 hours in 1994 of helicopters,” Blumen said. accidents end in fatalities. and 600 hours between 2003 Consolidation in the number of Dr. Ira Blumen is the program/ perspective, Blumen empha- The type of equipment and 2008, at which time flying HEMS programs nationwide is medical director for the Uni- sized. From 1972 to 2016 there flown appears to matter. In the dropped precipitously after the continuing, perhaps a sign that versity of Chicago’s Aeromed- were 342 helicopter EMS acci- period between 1998 and 2016 crashes of 2008 and the ensuing the industry has reached full ical Network (UCAN) and dents. Of those, 329 involved an almost equal number of negative publicity. maturity. In 2002 there were 231 for the last 17 years has been aircraft dedicated to EMS and singles and twins (116 versus “People said, ‘We are not programs operating 377 aircraft; one of the nation’s foremost 13 involved dual-purpose air- 105were involved in HEMS acci- sending our patients in heli- today 218 programs operate the researchers on the helicopter craft; 123 of those 342 resulted dents, but the rate of accidents copters,’” Blumen noted. Now current fleet. EMS industry, administering a in at least one fatality. Some for single-engine helicopters is the number of flight hours per Without a doubt HEMS is nationwide annual survey that 1,053 personnel were involved climbing disproportionate to helicopter is moving up again, safer now than it was in its early gleans an 85-percent response in those accidents; 328 died, their percentage of the HEMS averaging 490 in 2016. Flight years. In 2002 it had five acci- rate. He shared his data mosaic 116 sustained serious injuries, fleet. Singles accounted for 35 hours are up 25 percent, but the dents per 100,000 flight hours; and the trends it suggests dur- 136 had minor injuries and 473 percent of the Part 135 HEMS number of patients is down by today the rate is 2 to 2.5 per ing a presentation at the recent were uninjured. Of the dead, 266 fleet in 2003; today those heli- 22 percent. Blumen attributes 100,000 hours. Over the course Air Medical Transport Confer- were crew, 13 were dual-purpose copters account for 53 percent. this in part to the continuing of the last 37 years, 5.5 percent of ence in Charlotte. Among the crew (such as a sheriff’s helicop- Since 2009 singles have had a consolidation of rural health- the programs and 3.5 percent of trends Blumen noted: a lower ter transporting a patient); 40 clear and disproportionate share care resources. While there are the helicopters could be expected accident rate holding steady, were patients and nine were oth- of the accidents; while only 53 fewer patients, often they need to have an accident every year; fewer patient transports, a slight ers such as patient family mem- percent of the fleet this year they to be flown greater distances. over the last 19 years those num- uptick in the number of hours bers or ride-alongs. Looking at will account for 75 percent of The average U.S. EMS helicop- bers dropped to 4.7 percent and flown, a record number of flight this data, this is what jumps out all HEMS accidents. This is sig- ter transports 350 patients per 2 percent, respectively. In 1980, hours for the fleet as an aggre- at Blumen. “There were 725 sur- nificantly above the trend from year, and EMS helicopters fly a HEMS crewmember had a 1 gate and—for the first time— vivors, [meaning] 68.8 percent 1998 to 2016, when singles com- 300,000 patients annually. Since in 50 chance of being in a fatal a net decline in the number of survived. The survival rate was posed 45 percent of the fleet and 1980, operators have flown 6.37 accident; today that number dedicated operational EMS heli- better than two-to-one.” accounted for 59 percent of all million patients. Aggregate fleet is 1:850. Blumen has one final copters in the U.S. Looking at the data from the HEMS accidents. flight hours exceeded a record compelling statistic. Blumen began collecting data more recent period of 1998 to 400,000 for the second year in a “Carelessness and compla- in 2000 at the behest of his then 2016, there were 222 accidents Flight Hours and row after hovering in the 300,000 cency accounted for 40 per- section chief, who wanted to involving 214 dedicated aircraft Transport Missions to 350,000 range for years. cent,” of HEMS accidents. gain a more thorough under- and eight dual-purpose ones; 73 Blumen noted some other inter- Unfettered competition has “Absolutely assume nothing. standing of how helicopter EMS had at least one fatality. Among esting trends. First, the number allowed the nation’s HEMS fleet Accountability, not just safety compared with other types of the 669 personnel aboard, there of helicopters has grown, while to mushroom from 151 aircraft and rulemaking, that’s got to be flying in terms of safety. Aside were 187 fatalities, 76 serious the number of flight hours each in 1986 to 309 in 1996 to 648 in the secret weapon. If you think from an excoriating 1988 NTSB injuries, 73 minor injuries and individual helicopter flies has 2006 to 852 today. If you add an accident can’t happen to you, report that chronicled the indus- 333 uninjured. Of the 187 dead, shrunk, as has their number of in dual-purpose aircraft, the you’re wrong.” o try’s abysmal safety record in its 153 were crew, seven were dual- early days—an overall accident purpose crew, 21 were patients rate twice that of other Part 135 and six fell into the “other” operators and a fatal accident category. Airbus Helicopters garnered half of the market share for new helicopters in rate 3.5 times higher—precious Here’s what is significant in North America last year, delivering 60 little data had been collected in all this, Blumen said. “In the rotorcraft in the region in 2016. The tally the ensuing years. “You can’t fix early days of helicopter EMS, included a pair of H135 twins handed what you can’t measure,” Blu- 40 percent of accidents resulted over to California Shock Trauma and men noted. in at least one fatality. From Rescue (Calstar) in June. 1990-1997 that number rose to Historical Data 46 percent. From 1998 to 2016 it While the industry’s safety declined to 32 percent, while the record was downright grim in number of uninjured rose to 51 the 1980s—crewmembers had percent. We’re doing something a 1:100 chance of being killed, right. More people are surviv- Blumen noted—overall the ing with no injuries. And we are safety record has been improv- seeing a much lower percentage ing, save for the accident spike of fatalities.” of 2008 in which there were 13 But it’s different in the dark. accidents and 29 fatalities and While the split between daylight helicopter EMS crews gained and night accidents is almost the dubious distinction of tem- equal—night accounts for 49 porarily having the most dan- percent—nighttime accidents gerous profession as measured are far more lethal, with 67 per- AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DOMINATES NORTH AMERICAN MARKET by the National Safety Coun- cent resulting in fatalities, even cil. However, while there is still after the widespread adoption Airbus Helicopters claimed top prize for 2016 deliver- including five new helicopter owners. Overall book- a helicopter EMS accident on of night-vision goggles. Between ies of turbine helicopters into the civil and parapublic ings in North America last year included 33 H125 average once every 31 days, the 1998 and 2016 HEMS operators markets in North America, delivering 60 new helicop- AStars that are built at the company’s production number of annual accidents flew 5.2 million flight hours; 36 ters—50 percent of all deliveries in this region. It also plant in Columbus, Mississippi; nine H130; seven has declined over the last sev- percent of those were at night. took orders for 64 more helicopters in North America H145s and five earlier derivatives; and seven H135s. eral years to an average of 8.3, Forty-two percent of accidents last year, an estimated 73 percent of new bookings in Airbus also delivered 35 more UH-72A Lakotas to the down from an average of 12.75 arise on patient missions on this market, according to the company. U.S. Army and secured a five-year support contract from 1998 to 2005. scene responses. Human factors The company received orders from 20 new Air- with a potential values of $972 million for the Army’s It is important to keep played a role in 94 percent of all bus Helicopters customers in the region last year, 393-strong UH-72A fleet. —M.H. those numbers in historical accidents, followed by weather

54 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com Avionics

this solution requires buying Gar- NE WS UPDATE min’s Flight Stream wireless datalink (either the 110 or 210), and then FIS-B weather and TIS-B z JSSI, Constant Collaborate on traffic can be displayed on porta- ADS-B, Fans-1/A Upgrades ble devices. The Flight Stream 210 Jet Support Services (JSSI) is collaborating includes AHRS for attitude indi- with Constant Aviation on a new program to cator displays on Garmin Pilot bring customers in compliance with automatic and ForeFlight Mobile apps. The dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) ADS-B out solution for Tcas II- equipped jets has antenna diver- and future air navigation system (Fans)-1/A One of the most significant benefits of the ADS-B STCs is that it keeps older aircraft flying, requirements. Under the program, JSSI will without requiring an investment that is greater than the value of the aircraft. sity (antennas mounted on the top and bottom of the fuselage), which work with its clients and Constant Aviation to means the jet would be capable of schedule ADS-B and Fans-1/A upgrades as Garmin dealers develop using space-based ADS-B services part of its hourly maintenance program. when those become widely available. “By working with the highly skilled technical Garmin is working with avion- team at Constant Aviation,” said JSSI program ADS-B STCs for older jets ics dealers on adding more mod- development manager Donald Ridge, “we can els to the ADS-B out AML-STC secure a convenient slot for this required upgrade, by Matt Thurber list. Meanwhile, avionics shops are at a preferred rate, well before the deadline. It starting to get busy as the 2020 man- also means we can offer our clients relief from When it comes to ADS-B upgrades, feed the transponder. Some mod- date approaches. “Some shops are this out-of-pocket expense by rolling it into their aircraft owners and operators are ifications we’re seeing cost in the booked through the summer now,” existing airframe hourly maintenance program.” faced with many choices, but for $200,000 to $250,000 range. Tying Stone said, “and I think that’s going Constant Aviation, which has developed ADS-B older business aircraft the decision those two [FMS and Waas] together to continue to be the theme for the upgrades for 45 aircraft models, has dedicated has as much to do with plans to con- ends up being costly.” next few years.” o a maintenance line for JSSI clients seeking the tinue flying as it does with which By separating the upgrading of upgrades, said Jay Rizzo, the company’s vice equipment to install. Fortunately, the FMS, which might not be nec- president of sales and business development. manufacturers such as Garmin are essary just for ADS-B out, from the Mid-Canada Mod Adds “We can also schedule any maintenance that stepping up with new approved requirement for an accurate GPS might be needed at the same time to minimize model list supplement type certif- position sensor (and a Waas receiver CL604 FAA Fans Approval downtime and reduce overall costs,” Rizzo said. icates (AML-STCs), which spread does qualify), it’s possible to keep the The FAA has approved the Mid-Canada certification costs over many avail- cost of an ADS-B out upgrade to Mod Center (MC2) Fans supple- z Lufthansa Technik STCs able aircraft types and ultimately as low as $30,000 to $40,000 for a mental type certificate (STC) for the Dual Ka-band Radome for BBJ1, 2 lower the cost for owners and oper- non-Tcas-equipped jet to $70,000 to Lufthansa Technik has developed a two-in-one ators of older jets. $80,000 for a jet with Tcas II. The Challenger 604. The STC was previ- tail-mounted radome that houses both Ka-band The Garmin AML-STCs owner can always upgrade the FMS ously approved by Transport Canada, announced late last year cover a to Waas capability later if necessary, and it offers a lower-cost option for satcom and satellite TV antennas, as well as an variety of older jets. “The majority but at least complying with ADS-B 604 owners and operators looking HD camera. The radome package—which provides onboard high-speed Internet, TV connections are third-party STCs [see box], and out meets the Jan. 1, 2020 FAA to upgrade to Fans 1/A+ capability, we partnered with avionics shops to mandate as well as ADS-B require- which is required in much of the North and a tail-view video feed—has received STC take on Part 25 STCs, using folks ments in other countries. Atlantic Track System airspace (this approval for the BBJ1 and BBJ2 from the FAA who are experts in those airframes,” When choosing the Garmin year the requirement grows to include and EASA. Lufthansa Technik has also registered said Bill Stone, Garmin senior busi- upgrade path, owners of the above FL350 to FL390 in the NATS). a patent for the new radome housing design. ness development manager. Both jets but without Tcas II can select The STC incorporates the True- In combination with the installation of the aircraft with and without Tcas II Garmin’s new GTX 345R/335R North Avionics TN1007-100 Iridium antenna system in the rear fuselage of the aircraft, are covered by the STCs. remote-mount ADS-B transpon- datalink, which was tested with an the radome package not only saves space but The key to keeping costs down for ders, which offer the option of Inmarsat SwiftBroadband satcom also reduces weight by up to 220 pounds/100 kg. older aircraft ADS-B out upgrades including the required GPS sen- installed in the 604 used for certifica- The company has offered a two-in-one is to make it worthwhile for the sor. The GTX 345R adds ADS-B tion, to ensure that there was no inter- radome for Ku/L-band antennas since 2000. owner of an aircraft that might have in for reception of free FAA FIS-B ference between the two systems. The However, that radome was not suitable for little useful life left or have a value so weather information, which can be Fans-over-Iridium datalink “is a much Ka-band frequencies with high data rates, so low that it isn’t worth spending too sent wirelessly to portable devices less expensive alternative to the use of Lufthansa Technik developed a material layer much on upgrades. Some upgrades, running the Garmin Pilot and Inmarsat for Fans datalink communi- structure that allows frequencies in the Ka for example, cost well over $100,000. ForeFlight Mobile apps. cations,” according to MC2. band to pass through, which “provides double- “That’s tough to justify if the air- For Tcas II-equipped jets, the In addition, the STC adds a speed data transfer for passengers,” it said. craft is worth six figures,” Stone said. solution involves Garmin’s GDL 88 Universal Avionics UNS-1Lw FMS in “So many of the solutions that may ADS-B datalink, which includes the z the center pedestal, and this FMS’s AirSatOne Lowers Airtime Rates be available require upgrading the GPS sensor, and GTX 3000 mode-S As satellite communications company Inmarsat has control-display unit is used for all Fans FMS to Waas, then using that to transponder. Adding ADS-B in to lowered its prices, service provider AirSatOne has datalink messaging. reduced airtime rates for SwiftBroadband satcom “Adding capability to an aircraft by an average of 10 percent and up to 18 percent, Avionics Shops That Developed the Garmin AML-STCs ‘fleet’ as large as this one brings oper- according to AirSatOne president Jo Kremsreiter. Butler Avionics (Learjet 20/30/60 series) ational advantages and cost efficien- “This is the second time AirSatOne has been able cies that owners will quickly realize,” Columbia Avionics (Citation 550/560/560XL, 650) to reduce airtime prices for our customers.” said MC2 v-p Bill Arsenault. AirSatOne says it makes its “custom network Elliott Aviation (Hawker 750, 800A, some models of the 800XP, 850XP, 900XP, “While the OEMs are doing a good with worldwide teleports and Internet point- 1000; Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP; Premier I/IA) job of supporting their legacy aircraft, of-presence with advanced network security independent modification providers Gulfstream (G150/G200) available at prices that are the same as the are able to find alternative and some- generic network used by the competition.” The JetTech (Citation 550/560/560XL) times more customized solutions with network provides AirSatOne’s Flightstream Southeast Aerospace (Learjet 20/30 series, 55, 55B, 55C; Citation 650; somewhat more flexibility in pricing. SA services, with web filtering, compression, We now have several STCs to answer Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP; Hawker 700A/700B, 800A/800B; Beechcraft consumption tracking and a firewall designed the [Jan. 1, 2020] mandate, and more for mobile communications. —Matt Thurber MU-300, 400; Falcon 20/50/200/900) coming,” he added. n

www.ainonline.com • March 2017 • Aviation International News 55 Air Transport

NE WS UPDATE

z Calio New Boss of Pratt Commercial Pratt & Whitney named Christopher Calio president of its commercial engines business on February 1. He replaces Greg Gernhardt as the company addresses a delivery backlog tied to persistent production problems involving the PW1000G Geared Turbofan airliner engine. Gernhardt became president of the division in 2014 and will continue to work for the company in another capacity. Calio last served as chief of staff for United Tech- nologies chairman and CEO Greg Hayes. He led the commercial engines division’s legal department during development and launch of the Airbus A320neo, which suffered delivery delays associated first with the PW1100G’s extended restart intervals and later with defects in the geared turbofans’ aluminum- Mitsubishi Regional Jet FTA-1 is one of three titanium fan blades. MRJs undergoing flight-testing from Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Wash. Pratt credits Calio for helping lead the company’s acquisition of Rolls-Royce’s program share in the IAE collaboration. Elsewhere in the organization, he served in leadership roles at Otis and UTC Aerospace Systems. z IATA Reports 6.3 Percent Pax Growth Mitsubishi MRJ delayed once again, World airline passenger traffic climbed by 6.3 percent last year compared to 2015, driving a record 3.7 bil- now scheduled to enter service in 2020 lion passenger trips, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The growth, measured in by Gregory Polek revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), outpaced the 10-year average annual growth rate of 5.5 percent. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) those tests remain valid. However, August 2015 in collaboration with International passenger traffic rose by 6.7 percent and subsidiary Mitsubishi Aircraft Fukuhara added that Mitsubishi locally based AeroTec specifically to year over year, while airline capacity was up by 6.9 have delayed first delivery of the possibly will need to add new flight- administer MRJ testing in the U.S. A percent and load factor declined to 79.6 percent. All MRJ90 from the middle of next test airplanes to the program to test fifth prototype will remain in Japan regions recorded year-over-year gains in demand, year to mid-2020, attributing the the new design. “We will make air- to conduct autopilot tests. IATA said on February 2. lapse to revisions to certain systems craft to test these design changes,” All Nippon Airways remains the Middle Eastern carriers claimed the strongest and electrical configurations to meet he said. “But we will determine later program’s launch customer. How- regional growth for the fifth year in a row, with an the latest certification requirements. how many additional aircraft will ever, even before the last delay, it 11.8-percent improvement in RPKs. Capacity growth Mitsubishi already stood liable for be used.” remained unclear when the two of 13.7 percent outpaced demand, with load factor four major delays of the MRJ90, the Although Fukuhara would not customers that account for most declining 1.3 percent, to 74.7 percent. most recent of which moved planned disclose the estimated costs asso- of the MRJ’s backlog—SkyWest certification from the second quar- ciated with the latest delay, he Airlines and Trans States Airlines Domestic air travel was up by 5.7 percent last ter of 2017 to the second quarter insisted that MHI “can afford and of the U.S.—would take their first year. Capacity climbed by 5.1 percent and load fac- of 2018. If this latest schedule set- can accommodate all the costs of MRJ90s. In fact, the MRJ90 still tor inched up to 82.2 percent—0.5 percentage points back proves the last, the MRJ would development.” does not fit within the weight lim- over 2015. All major markets except Brazil showed reach the market some seven years Separately, MHI said it estab- itations stipulated by pilot union growth. India and China saw RPKs expand by 23.3 later than originally planned at its lished a so-called business pro- scope clauses among the big three percent and 11.7 percent, respectively. program launch in 2008. motion committee chaired by U.S. network carriers, leaving Sky- z ATR Biofuel Demonstrator Flies Speaking with reporters during its president and CEO, Shunichi West and Trans States unable to An ATR 72-600 operated by Swedish carrier BRA (for- a conference call from Tokyo in late Miyanaga, to oversee the program commit to firm delivery dates. merly Braathens Regional) took off from Stockholm- January, Mitsubishi Aircraft vice as of last November 28. Meanwhile, Embraer has moved Bromma Airport on February 1 for a flight to Umeå president of sales and marketing “Since the historic MRJ first back its schedule for entry into Yugo Fukuhara said that the latest flight in November 2015, we have service of the E175-E2 by about fueled with 45 percent used cooking oil, marking the delay stems from the design’s place- made significant progress in both a year, from 2020 to 2021, for the first biofuel-powered flight of an ATR. ment of certain components and engineering and test, and now three same reason. BRA provides an essential air service to link its wiring harnesses in the airplane’s aircraft are in flight-test in the Most recently, Delta Air Lines main hub of Stockholm-Bromma to 12 Swedish re- avionics bay. During a review last United States,” MHI said in a state- pilots ratified an agreement on gions served with a fleet now in transition from Saab autumn, certification authorities ment. “Under the MRJ Business December 1 that maintains until 2000s to ATR 72-600s. determined that the design did not Promotion Committee’s oversight, 2020 the 86,000 pound mtow and Several research and development initiatives have properly account for “extreme situ- we will continue to make prompt 76-seat capacity limits on airplanes started in Sweden to produce biofuels from different ations” such as water leakage or an decisions and remain firmly com- operated by their regional affiliates. types of wood. Forests cover half the country, and grow explosion in the area, he explained. mitted to the development of the A contract extension that main- at a rate of 120 million cubic meters annually. Making Mitsubishi has already started a MRJ to offer our customers an air- tains similar restrictions reached domestic air traffic in Sweden completely fossil-free new preliminary design review and craft with world-class performance with United Airlines pilots in Janu- would require less than 2 percent of the total annual for- expects to start the new design’s and compatibility with latest indus- ary runs until 2019, while American est growth, according to government estimates. critical design review in a matter of try certifications.” Airlines’ contract becomes amend- BRA chief executive Christian Clemens remains months, said Fukuhara. Of the program’s four flying pro- able in 2020. critical of proposals within the Swedish government Mitsubishi emphasized that totypes, three participate in trials at Fukuhara insisted, however, that aimed at meeting CO² reduction goals, however. because the design change will not Grant County International Air- the circumstances surrounding the “Sweden is currently debating a new tax on aviation,” affect the airplane’s performance, port in Moses Lake, Wash., where scope clauses did not influence Mit- said Clemens. “It will have a minimal impact on emis- fuel consumption or systems func- the company plans to conduct most subishi’s decision on the length of sions, and will unfortunately slow down the pace at tionality, the four flight-test air- of the flight testing for certifica- the delay. “This revision [resulted which we can continue to make aviation more sus- planes already in operation will tion. Processing of flight-test data from] the design change, and has no tainable.” —Gregory Polek continue their duties as planned and takes place at Mitsubishi’s engineer- relationship with the scope clauses,” that certification data gleaned from ing center in Seattle, established in he concluded. o

56 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com BOEING REMAINS BULLISH ON U.S.-CHINA TRADE RELATIONS New SCAC boss Gaynutdinov In late January Boeing declared itself encour- administration’s actions would help ensure aged by what it sees as pro-business signals Boeing wins a fair portion of those orders. sent by the U.S. administration of President Muilenburg was specifically asked to raises bar on SSJ100 support Trump, apparently ignoring repeated rhetoric respond to Trump’s critical comments about from the new leader about his plans to coun- Boeing’s plans for a 737 completions center by Gregory Polek ter what he has characterized as unfair Chinese in Zhoushan, near Shanghai. “Actions being trade policies. Speaking during the company’s taken to ensure U.S. competitiveness are pos- While Sukhoi Civil Aircraft (SCAC) con- Mitsubishi’s customers, among them Sky- fourth-quarter earnings call, Boeing CEO Den- itive actions, and we support those,” he said. siders the SSJ100 one of the most capable West Airlines and Trans States Airlines of nis Muilenburg stressed the importance of a “Regarding our China finishing center, that’s and advanced regional jets on the market, the U.S., in an effort to convince them to healthy trade relationship between the U.S. an important part of the partnership equation the Russian manufacturer recently com- consider the SSJ100 as an alternative to and China, while avoiding questions about here. That finishing center is in a location where mitted to showing that it can support its the Japanese regional jet. “We’re a busi- concerns that the Chinese government might we’ll be able to add value in China, and every product to an equally worthy standard. ness; we definitely need to go after every retaliate for Trump’s threat to airplane that goes to that center Most recent plans call for the April 1 opportunity as our competitors would,” declare the country a currency is being built here in the U.S.” opening of a modern parts distribution he emphasized. manipulator by cancelling In Muilenburg’s view, more center at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport Of course, SCAC’s competitors orders for Boeing aircraft from business with China resulting as part of an exercise to move warehouse likely didn’t lament the recent ground- state-controlled carriers. from partnerships such as the capacity from two locations in the city, ing of several SSJ100s after routine “I’m confident that the 737 completions center means allowing for faster response times and bet- inspections discovered a tail stabilizer incoming administration under- more U.S. manufacturing jobs. ter service. Speaking with AIN from his defect in late January. While Aeroflot, stands [the importance of a In fact, while 90 percent of Moscow offices recently, SCAC president the SSJ100’s largest operator, needed strong U.S.-China trade rela- Boeing’s employment resides Kamil Gaynutdinov explained that the to address the problem on six aircraft, tionship],” said Muilenburg. in the U.S., 75 percent of its project reflects a broader effort to erase Interjet of Mexico had to temporarily “President Trump is engaged product gets delivered outside with business. We’ve had the Boeing CEO the country, helping create a some of the perceptions of the SSJ100 ground half of its 22-strong SSJ100 fleet Dennis Muilenburg as simply a niche Russian until it completed checks and privilege of having an open dia- positive trade balance for the product. Nevertheless, he defect-rectification work. logue with him on business issues and all of U.S. aerospace industry as a whole. would not claim that SCAC Dublin-based CityJet, which the actions that are being taken around things “If you look at global trade, aerospace has by any measure reached now flies three SSJ100s, con- such as tax reform, regulatory reform, focus continues to be the strongest sector in the its potential in terms of sup- tinued flying its airplanes as on trade policy; those are all things that are United States in terms of trade balance, with port capabilities. usual after performing requi- going to allow us to grow economically and a positive trade balance of $80 billion per “I’m not satisfied per- site checks on December 24 add manufacturing capacity in the U.S.” year. Boeing is a big part of that,” he noted. sonally because I expect and finding no anomalies. Calling the aerospace environment The Boeing Group’s total revenue for much more,” he acknowl- Rather than staining the highly competitive, the Boeing CEO charac- 2016 dipped by 2 percent to $94.6 billion. edged. “I’m used to raising airplane’s reputation, the terized as positive any policies that ensure However, the company’s combined divisions the bar continuously and we unfortunate episode in a U.S. companies get fair access to markets achieved record levels of operating cash flow are pouring a humongous way helped prove SCAC’s in China and elsewhere. Citing projections of $10.5 billion, which was 12 percent up on Sukhoi Civil Aircraft that China will account for 6,800 airplanes 2015. Overall sales backlog totaled $473 amount of investment into president Kamil Gaynutdinov ability to address challenges development of the spares not uncommon in a relatively out of a 20-year global demand for 39,000, billion, a figure dominated by 5,700 airliners distribution network…And we are build- young program quickly and effectively, Muilenburg sounded encouraged that the valued at $416 billion. —G.P. ing a great digital service package for our Gaynutdinov suggested. customers—something they’ve come to “I personally received impressive expect from Boeing and Airbus.” comments about how quickly our guys Named president of SCAC last Sep- reacted,” said Gaynutdinov. “I know how JAMES HOGAN TO STEP DOWN AS ETIHAD CEO tember, Gaynutdinov last served as direc- complicated these things can be. These Etihad Aviation Group confirmed in late Jan- Airways unveiled plans to create a new Euro- tor of sales and business development for things can happen and the airplane uary that CEO James Hogan and CFO James pean leisure airline group in a joint venture Boeing in Seattle. With 11 years of expe- OEM’s job is to react to it quickly to the Rigney will leave the company in the second with TUI AG. It also announced a codeshare rience at the U.S. company, Gaynutdinov satisfaction of its customers. In this case half of the year. Hogan, a high-profile industry agreement with Lufthansa and an aircraft brings a fresh, perhaps more outward- I’m proud of how our team has reacted figure and long-time fixture as head of Eti- leasing agreement between Air Berlin and Luf- looking perspective to SCAC, more in and definitely the feedback from the air- had, prepares to leave as financial difficulties thansa. Meanwhile, it stressed that it remains line with its aspirations to be counted line executives speaks to that.” at several of the airlines in which the company an active participant in the next phase of Ali- as a true global player in the civil air- Gaynutdinov also credited program holds large stakes weigh on the profitability talia’s restructuring plan. craft industry. partner Superjet International, the joint of the Abu Dhabi-based car- “We must progress and “It’s a pretty new and big decision for a venture between Italy’s Leonardo and rier. In a statement, Etihad said adjust our airline equity part- Russian company to decide to hire a for- Sukhoi that provides SSJ100 sales and the Board and Hogan began nerships even as we remain mer Boeing guy,” he said. “That’s pretty support and performs cabin completions, the “transition process” last committed to the strategy,”Al telling relative to the intentions and expec- for its role in the quick resolution to the year with the formation in May Mazrouei added. tations to take this business global and problem. Although Leonardo recently of the Etihad Aviation Group, Asked by AIN in December win a much larger market share.” announced it would sell its remaining which now serves as the par- to confirm reports of Hogan’s Although the SSJ100 now flies with 5-percent stake in SCAC, the Super- ent company of Etihad Airways. eventual departure, an Eti- two Western airlines (Mexico’s Interjet jet relationship remains strong, he said. “To position the com- had spokeswoman conceded INTOSH and, more recently, Ireland’s CityJet), However, he alluded to some changes pany for continued success that the airline had begun to Gaynutdinov sees far more opportunities coming in the near future.

in a challenging market, the M c DAVID undergo organizational reviews in places such as Brazil, where he said a “We’re streamlining operations board and management team Etihad Aviation Group and a “controlled restructur- group of investors has expressed serious between the two companies,” he noted. will continue a company-wide CEO James Hogan ing” that would result in a interest in the airplane. But he said the “We still have a great future. Our Ital- strategic review,” said Etihad group chairman “measured reduction” in headcount. biggest prize perhaps resides in the U.S., ian partner will remain a great partner Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei. “We “Etihad Airways is operating in an increas- a market SCAC has failed to penetrate of ours, and there is even a potential for must ensure that the airline is the right size ingly competitive landscape, against a despite years of intense marketing effort. some development of certain capabilities and the right shape.” backdrop of weakened global economic con- But now, an opening might have pre- on the engineering side.” o Al Mazrouei’s comments effectively conditions,” the airline said in a written statement. sented itself as one of the SSJ100’s direct firm that the airline has begun to reassess “To ensure we remain agile and competitive in competitors—the Mitsubishi MRJ—suf- some of its equity partnerships. The airline this environment, we constantly explore and fers through yet another two-year delay holds stakes in Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air pursue new ways of driving productivity and (see article on facing page), moving back Berlin, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways improving efficiency so that we can continue expected certification to mid-2020. Gay- and Virgin Australia. Late last year Etihad to deliver on our mandate and vision.“— G.P. nutdinov said he has approached all of

www.ainonline.com • March 2017 • Aviation International News 57 Hot Section by Curt Epstein and Kerry Lynch Maintenance News noted that after completion of the VECTOR SECURES FAA OK FOR process, both offices stated that Sierra LIGHT HELO ADS-B RETROFIT Completions’ manuals will be used as an example for others seeking certification. Vector Aerospace has received U.S. FAA STC approval to install ADS- LIVE AIRCRAFT TRACKING COMING B-compliant equipment in light FOR JETNET AERODEX SERVICE helicopters. Under the approval, Vector can offer either the L-3 Lynx JetNet is launching live aircraft NGT-9000 or Garmin GTX-345 tracking services for FBOs, MROs transponder for the Airbus Helicopters and flight-line service providers. H120/EC120, H125/AS350, H130/ Users of the JetNet Aerodex service EC130 and H135/EC135. will be able to see FAA-registered Both transponders provide ADS-B flights with activity from England, in and out capabilities, internal GPS, Ireland, Canada, the U.S., Mexico and 1090 MHz extended squitter and the Caribbean. The Aerodex service UAT ADS-B in, along with Wi-Fi for

DAVID McINTOSH DAVID automatically tracks and updates use with portable electronic devices. As many as a dozen Embraer Legacy 450s (like this one) operated by fractional provider AirSprint will be 21,674 business jets, 15,045 turboprops Vector is working toward approval for enrolled in Honeywell’s maintenance service plans for engines and APUs. and 5,207 piston aircraft worldwide, the ADS-B offerings in South America down to the serial-number level. and Europe this year. AIRSPRINT ENROLLS LEGACY 450s inspection, it said. The decision Available data includes aircraft IN HONEYWELL MX PLAN saved the customer time and money, information, such as ownership, GERMANY’S ATLAS AIR SERVICE noted Mark-André Mann, the Swiss landing cycles and base of operation; EARNS FAA MX APPROVAL Canadian fractional ownership MRO provider’s head of business jet company fleets; certifications; chief provider AirSprint is enrolling up to 12 sales. “Our Challenger 604 technical pilots; directors of maintenance; liens/ Atlas Air Service has received FAA Embraer Legacy 450s in Honeywell’s expertise and our specialists for cabin lien releases; and viewable scanned certification as a Part 145 repair maintenance service plan (MSP) interior refurbishment combined their FAA documents. station and is now authorized to covering engines and auxiliary power efforts, achieving the entirety of the Combined with the flight-tracking perform limited repairs on U.S.- units. The plan, which marked 40 project within just 10 weeks.” data, the Aerodex Airport Uplift registered aircraft for accessories, years of operation last year, provides The company’s in-house aircraft search capabilities will focus on airframe, instruments and the AirSprint fleet with inspections, painting and mechanics shops flight patterns, fuel consumption powerplants, as well as non-destructive upgrades and support. supported all work related to the and enhanced predictors for key inspection, testing and processing. According to Honeywell, MSP heavy maintenance check, while the maintenance and inspection events. The Bremen-based MRO provider also supports 75 percent of business cabin refurbishment replaced all soft carries authorizations from the EASA aircraft that use the company’s engines goods, leathers, fabrics and carpeting. GDC TECHNICS EARNS FAA ODA and Russian, Ukrainian and Georgian or APUs. The Legacy 450 is powered aviation authorities. by the HTF7500E turbofan and has CHALLENGER HEAVY INSPECTIONS GDC Technics has been awarded “With this extension of approval the 36-150 APU. BRING BOMBARDIER TOTAL TO 200 organization designation authorization coverage, we can immediately (ODA) by the FAA, which will allow offer the entire service package for INFINITY AIRCRAFT EXPANDS Bombardier Business Aircraft’s service the Fort Worth, Texas-based company N-registered aircraft as a full repair MX SERVICES INTO CHICAGO AREA center network has conducted two to work through the majority of the station: maintenance, repairs and hundred 96-month heavy inspections aircraft modification certification regular inspections in accordance Palm Beach, Fla.-based Infinity on Challengers. The Canadian process with its unit members and with FAR 91.409(f)(3); pitot-static Aircraft Services (IAS) has expanded manufacturer, which announced the internal quality systems, on the FAA’s and transponder checks for Citations, maintenance and repair services to milestone on January 17, has 1,600 behalf. As such, the company will Embraers and King Airs; and EASA the Chicago area. IAS technicians Challengers in operation worldwide, now have much more authority than form one dual release,” said Atlas are now on site at the B. Coleman and they have logged 7.3 million flight it normally would have, according to quality manager Bernd Dummer. Aviation FBO at Gary/Chicago hours and made 4.3 million landings. GDC Group CEO Charles Celli. International Airport. The maintenance process, which “We can perform a majority of HAMPTON AVIATION NAMED IAS services available at Gary/ is conducted during the aircraft’s the functions with minimal FAA AUTHORIZED CENTEX MOD DEALER Chicago Airport: scheduled eighth year in service, involves a oversight,” Celli said. “Ultimately, maintenance inspections; avionics thorough inspection of the airframe, as we gain in delegations within our Arkansas-based maintenance provider installation and service; conformity other structures and landing gear. ODA, we’ll be able to issue our own Hampton Aviation recently joined and pre-purchase inspections; Bombardier is expanding its service STCs. But initially, we’re going to rely the network of authorized dealers Wi-Fi and cabin entertainment center network with the addition on an element of FAA support as we and installers for CenTex’s aircraft systems; engine and auxiliary power of facilities in Tianjin, China, and confirm our processes.” The company modifications. These include the unit services; and light interior London Biggin Hill Airport in holds similar approvals designation Halo 90, 250 and 275 increased gross refurbishments for business and the UK. from the EASA. Continues on page 60 u general aviation aircraft. AOG services are also available at Gary/Chicago SIERRA COMPLETIONS and Chicago Midway International GETS FAA PART 145 NOD Airports. B. Coleman Aviation announced a hangar expansion project Sierra Nevada subsidiary Sierra expected to start in the second quarter. Completions has earned an FAA Part 145 repair station license, a year after RUAG COMPLETES CABIN REFIT the Colorado-based company began DURING CHALLENGER CHECK the application under the agency’s new repair station protocols for safety Ruag Aviation recently completed assurance systems (SAS) and data a cabin interior refurbishment on a collection tools. Challenger 604 while the twinjet was According to Phil Baker, Sierra undergoing a heavy-maintenance Nevada’s airworthiness manager, the check. The aircraft was returned to the certification was the company’s most Middle Eastern customer on schedule. challenging yet, involving FAA Flight The interior project was completed Standards District Offices from both The recent award of an FAA ODA will allow GDC Technics to work through its aircraft modification process with at the same time as a 192-month the Seattle and Denver regions. He minimal FAA oversight. The approval will come in handy as it works on completing nine Boeing 787s.

58 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com

Hot Section Maintenance News

uContinued from page 58 already has experience refurbishing weight (IGW) conversions, saddle tank and upgrading entertainment systems conversions and engine upgrades for and interiors on the large-cabin the King Air 90, as well as the Fadec rotorcraft. Sikorsky provided training Individualized Charter Services conversion for the Cirrus SR22 and to help Harrods run the specialist Fly everywhere in the world with our fleet of the Halo 250 performance software, Alternate Service Life Extension exclusive business jets – Bombardier Global 5000, engine upgrades and IGW option for Program, along with Marshall Bombardier Challenger 604, Embraer Legacy 600, the Beech Baron 58TC and 58P. Aerospace and Defense Group. Last Cessna CJ1+ and Beechcraft Premier 1A or any Hampton Aviation has been a King year, Harrods worked on six S-92s that other preferred aircraft. Air inspection and repair facility for required this specific program. Aircraft Management Services the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Army Besides its Sikorsky S-92 and S-76 Entrust us with your administrative demands and since 2003. The company joins other accreditation, Harrods’ Stansted operational needs, such as: aircraft operations, CenTex dealers such as Beechcraft, facility supports the Leonardo AW139 staff recruitment, maintenance coordination, Elliott Aviation, Fast Air, Landmark and Airbus H155. accounting, controlling of expenses and aviation Aviation and Stevens Aviation. legislation compliance. You can benefit from our vast fleet discount scheme on fuel, insurance JSSI ENROLLS FIRST and ground handling. We offer EASA Part NCC RCA AVIONICS COMPLETES CHALLENGER 650 POWERPLANT compliance. Or have your aircraft commercially ACQUISITION OF SCOTTSDALE MRO operated under our Swiss or EU AOC. Austria’s International Jet RCA Avionics recently completed Management (IJM) is the first its acquisition of Executive Aircraft operator to have the engines and Maintenance (EAM) in Scottsdale, auxiliary power unit of a Challenger Ariz., from Copperstate Turbine 650 covered by Jet Support Services Engine. The deal includes the (JSSI) maintenance programs. The Executive Aircraft name and both the independent maintenance provider maintenance and avionics operations. charges a fixed hourly rate for the EAM is a Class III FAA Part 145 aircraft’s two GE CF34-3Bs under its repair station. Term Engine Program. For the APU, According to RCA, the a fixed annual fee covers expenses acquisition will allow EAM to for life-limited components and expand its maintenance and avionics both scheduled and unscheduled capabilities, which currently include maintenance. King Air, Twin Commander and Citation inspections and line STANDARDAERO INSTALLS flying urban nomads maintenance and sheet metal repairs/ FALCON 900EX RETROFIT +41 31 960 2000 www.nomadjet.com [email protected] modifications, as well as Raisbeck and Blackhawk modifications. StandardAero completed a full Elite II avionics retrofit on a Falcon 900EX FAA APPROVES RUAG TO PROVIDE at its facility in Springfield, Ill. The G550 SUPPORT IN MUNICH retrofit, which was delivered to a Seattle-based operator three days early, The FAA has approved Ruag Aviation installed Elite II upgrade packages to provide maintenance for U.S.- with Waas GMS, DU-875 LCD cockpit registered Gulfstream G550s at displays, CDU-830s, FMS-6.2 software, WHEN THEY facilities in Munich, Germany. This Fans 1/A+, CPDLC and ADS-B. follows the recent Part 145 approval As part of the Dassault Elite II WANT IT, from the European Aviation Safety package for the Falcon 900EX, the that means now. Agency for the same model. Approved Honeywell Primus 2000 flight maintenance includes avionics, cabin deck received an upgrade, along with Your client knows the range, the features, interior design and refurbishment, other enhancements to address the budget, and the aircraft painting and in-flight future mandates. business that depends entertainment. on a reliable helicopter. JET AVIATION PERFORMS HARRODS AVIATION APPROVED AS GLOBAL EXPRESS DU-875 UPGRADE We know just where S-92 SERVICE CENTER to look. Jet Aviation’s maintenance facility in London-based Harrods Aviation Geneva, Switzerland, completed its earned service center accreditation first Honeywell DU-875 Elite cockpit to support the Sikorsky S-92. The display upgrade on a Global Express maintenance and FBO group invested XRS. The new software, which in staff training, equipment and supports future situation awareness specialist tooling for the S-92 at its enhancements and advanced London Stansted Airport facility. It graphics, was installed along with a new cockpit printer. Jet Aviation conducted the upgrade at the same time as a required 120-month check, marking the facility’s second such KNOW MORE. inspection on a Global. Besides the flight deck installation, the aircraft exterior received paint touch-ups, polishing and a Teflon The World Leader in Aviation Market Intelligence coating. Cabinetry pieces were also 800.553.8638 +1.315.797.4420 jetnet.com repaired and restored. Overall, the Harrods Aviation was recently approved as a service center for the Sikorsky S-92. Air Harrods, a sister project took 6,000 man-hours and was company, offers helicopter management and crewing delivered ahead of schedule after a services. check flight. o

60 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com Join thousands of top business aviation leaders, entrepreneurs, and other purchase decision-makers for the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2017). This is the perfect venue for investors considering aviation as a business opportunity; companies thinking of using an aircraft for business; and flight departments who have long used aircraft as a valuable business tool. Visit the website to learn more and register today.

REGISTER TODAY www.abace.aero/ain Touching Bases by Curt Epstein FBO and Airport News family-owned company, which has been improvement in the mining industry in operation for a quarter century. in QLD, there is an expected lift in the Slated for completion in July, the fly-in, fly-out sector,” said Graham environmentally friendly terminal will Owen, the company’s vice president of offer multiple pilots’ lounges, a pair of Australian FBOs. “Hawker Pacific is snooze rooms, a 12-seat A/V-equipped focused on ensuring we continue to meet conference room, business center and growing demand in this segment of the kitchen facilities. GJC offers 115,000 market and further cement our position sq ft of heated hangar space; the most as the leading FBO in the region.” recent addition, a 40,000-sq-ft third hangar, was certified to Leed gold PUERTO RICAN FBO OPENS standard in 2014. CO-LOCATED U.S. CUSTOMS FACILITY FBO TO RISE IN DALLAS AREA The Pazos FBO at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Aviation real estate specialists The Puerto Rico, has added a user-fee U.S. Business Aviation Group was recently selected to redevelop a 16-acre parcel of CHARTER NEWS NOTES land at Dallas-area Addison Airport, following an RFQ process that attracted several bidders. Initial plans call for > Tradewind Aviation and British Airways the construction of an FBO complex have launched an interline agreement, consisting of a 22,500-sq-ft, two-story allowing customers of the airline to book Acquisition of StarPort at Orlando Sanford Airport puts Constant Aviation in the FBO business. terminal with a rooftop observation flights directly to St. Barths in the French deck and restaurant, as well as 56,000 sq West Indies, using a single ticket that covers ORLANDO FBO SOLD complex encompasses six hangars, ft of hangar space capable of sheltering baggage transfer as well. After flying to Cleveland-based Constant Aviation has 10 acres of ramp space and a newly the latest big business jets, along with Antigua on British Airways, passengers acquired StarPort, a full-service FBO renovated terminal that includes on-site complimentary office space. Another will board a Tradewind PC-12 for the final and MRO provider, which has served customs and immigration services, VIP feature will be a separate indoor auto leg. Tradewind operates PC-12s in the Florida’s Orlando Sanford International lounge, flight-planning center, executive spa with lifts and valet service. Caribbean and PC-12s and Citation CJ3s in Airport for the past 17 years and sees conference room and on-site car rental. A second phase of the development the northeast U.S. 3,500 operations annually. The 18-acre There was little time for a leisurely would see the addition of 62,500 sq ft > The Baltic Air Charter Association has location has a 7,000-sq-ft terminal transition as the location handled 350 of aircraft storage and office space to reached the highest number of members, offering a pilots’ lounge with snooze arrivals in the first week under Jet accommodate flight departments in 225, since its founding in 1949 as the room, shower facilities, pilot shop, Aviation management. According to the growing region. Business Aviation Airbrokers Association, part of the Baltic business center, flight briefing room, a John Langevin, vice president of North Group will conduct its own RFP process Exchange. On September 12, BACA, pair of 12-seat A/V-equipped conference American FBO operations, the 50 to select a partner, which will manage London Biggin Hill Airport and Air Charter rooms and a children’s play area. The staffers at IAD were bolstered by 17 Jet the location at the airport as well as Expo are holding ACE 2017, a conference purchase includes 70,000 sq ft of hangar Aviation employees from other locations. possibly contribute to the facility’s for charter brokers and charter operators. space capable of sheltering the latest big He noted the Saturday immediately design. Construction on Phase One, At the event, according to BACA chairman business jets. following the January 20 event was the which carries a 30-year lease, is slated Richard Mumford, “brokers and industry “After a great deal of thoughtful busiest day, with 130 departures. By the to begin next year. Upon completion of colleagues can interact professionally and consideration as to who we would end of the weekend, the FBO’s staff had Phase Two, the lease on the property will share ideas with like-minded individuals.” ultimately turn stewardship of StarPort pumped 135,000 gallons of fuel. reset to 40 years, according to company > Charter broker Air Partner’s private jets over to, we chose Constant Aviation,” co-founder and partner David Vaughn. team arranged 100 flights carrying 400- said Jacqueline Cambata, president of CHICAGOLAND FBO STARTS plus passengers for sports industry clients StarPort. “Constant Aviation maintains HAWKER PACIFIC last year, “with the strongest demand a family-centered culture, built on MAJOR EXPANSION PROJECT EXPANDS DOWN UNDER coming from football and golf clients,” passion, dedication and values. These Gary Jet Center (GJC), one of two according to the company. The commercial principles, combined with the drive FBOs at Gary/Chicago International Hawker Pacific has acquired the jets team booked 250 group charter flights to deliver an unparalleled customer Airport, has broken ground on a Adagold FBO locations in Cairns and carrying 21,000 passengers. service experience, made this agreement corporate flight center at the Indiana Brisbane, Australia, strengthening the > Bliss Jet is launching per-seat travel the right decision for the future of gateway. At 8,000 sq ft, the new network and bringing the roster to eight between New York La Guardia and London StarPort.” terminal will double the space of FBOs. At Brisbane Airport, which Stansted airports on G450s and G550s Constant operates four MRO the existing structure, which will expects to open a new runway in 2020, operated by White Cloud Charter and Jet facilities around the country; this be retained for tenant offices and the company will operate from both Access Aviation. Up to 10 seats will be acquisition marks its first FBO expansion of the company’s aircraft its existing FBO facility and from the available on each flight, at $11,995 per operation. maintenance department. newly acquired location in the general seat each way, and the flights will depart “This corporate flight center is the aviation precinct, while the addition of New York on Sunday and return from crowning piece in Gary Jet Center’s goal the Cairns location further improves JET AVIATION ACQUIRES London on Thursday. of providing the finest flight experience the company’s capacity to serve growth D.C. FBO AHEAD OF INAUGURATION in the Chicago aviation market,” said in Queensland. > Abu Dhabi-based GI Aviation began PC-12 Just days before the U.S. Presidential Wil Davis, chairman and CEO of the “With the recent announcements of charter services on January 22. The new inauguration Jet Aviation made a major services will initially focus on trips to Doha, addition to its North American FBO Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Sir Bani network when it acquired the Ross Yas from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Aviation FBO at Washington Dulles > Albuquerque, N.M.-based CSI Aviation International Airport (IAD), marking received international operations approval the company’s ninth location in the from the FAA and is offering worldwide Americas. The move came six months charter services. “This is an exciting time after Ross Aviation acquired the former for CSI Aviation,” said president and COO Landmark Aviation facility at Dulles William Collins. “With the expansion of from Signature Flight Support, which our international operating authority, CSI’s had to divest six FBOs as part of aircraft can fly to remote or hard-to-reach Signature’s absorption of Landmark. airports in other countries.” n The Washington Dulles FBO An artist’s rendering of the 8,000-sq-ft Gary Jet Center under way at Indiana’s Gary/Chicago Int’l Airport

62 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com FBO and Airport News FBO PROFILE: South Air, Keflavik, Iceland Customs facility for general aviation. ODYSSEY BRANCHES BACK INTO U.S. The new general aviation facility was Caribbean-based Odyssey Aviation has built in compliance with U.S. Customs expanded back into the U.S., partnering and Border Protection (CBP) standards with the Quantem FBO Group to and guidelines to inspect international rebrand locations at Detroit’s Willow flights and travelers. Run Airport and Orlando’s Kissimmee According to Pazos FBO services Gateway Airport as Odyssey FBOs. president Jose Maldonado, “Having Steven Kelly, CEO of Odyssey Aviation CBP co-located within our new FBO Bahamas, and Quantem CEO Ken will make entry into the U.S. a secure Allison were formerly partners who and pleasant experience for travelers. established the Odyssey Aviation brand It will also shorten the time between in 2008. Allison sold off his seven U.S. disembarking from a private aircraft and FBOs in 2011, while Kelly continued to entering CBP.” operate the locations in the Bahamas, A CONVENIENT STOP FOR the 10,000 passengers who visit the facil- which now number three full-service NORTH ATLANTIC BIZAV TRAFFIC ity each year stay in the country overnight STELLAR AVIATION GROUP FBOs and two ground handling stations. or longer, yet the company has access to Last year, Allison acquired the two For many aircraft transiting the North a NATO-owned 40,900 sq ft (3,800 sq m) BUYS FACILITY IN ILLINOIS U.S. FBOs to start Quantem. “I am Atlantic, Iceland is a key stepping stone, heated hangar that can accommodate any- Stellar Aviation Group, an FBO network looking forward to once again serving with Keflavik Airport, a 45-minute drive thing up to a 737. On any given night it started by three former Galaxy Aviation the general aviation community with from the capital Reykjavik, serving as the also has several hotel rooms in the nearby executives, recently acquired the Horizon our two FBOs, and I am excited about primary international gateway. town of Keflavik on reserve. “The smaller Aviation FBO at Abraham Lincoln the future,” said Allison. “My Quantem The airport was built by the U.S. military airplanes, they have been flying for maybe Capital Airport in Springfield, Ill. This team and I plan to expand the Odyssey during World War II and was turned over four or six hours, they are stopping here marks the third location in the Stellar Aviation U.S. network as opportunities to the Icelandic government after the war. and they appreciate when we can help Aviation FBO chain, which has facilities present themselves.” In 1951, as the Cold War began to heat up, them with a hotel just 10 minutes away,” at Palm Beach County Park Airport in the U.S. military returned to re-establish an Johannsson told AIN. “We take them there Florida and New Castle County Airport ST. THOMAS GETS air base at Keflavik that it would occupy for and pick them up in the morning.” in Wilmington, Del. the next 55 years. Security is strict at the airport, as all pri- The former Horizon FBO complex NEW SERVICE PROVIDER The closure and withdrawal from the vate passengers and crew heading to any offers a private air terminal, three Standard Aviation, the newest of four Keflavik air base by the U.S. in 2006 left of the service providers must pass through corporate aircraft hangars, six private FBOs at Cyril E. King International many buildings unoccupied and created an a screening checkpoint that is co-located aircraft hangars and several T-hangars, Airport on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin opportunity for some companies, among with the South Air terminal. Currently the spanning 60,000 sq ft. A new FBO Islands, has begun operations from a them South Air, one of three FBOs at the checkpoint is open and staffed from 6:30 terminal will also be constructed and 1,200-sq-ft temporary facility, providing airport. It started operation as a flight school a.m. until 7 p.m., making re-entry to the air- several hangars refurbished in a project jet-A and avgas, catering and on-site car and charter tour provider in the early 1970s port outside those hours problematic. Cars, expected to be completed by the end of rental. It expects to break ground by and began FBO services in 1994. In 2007, once screened, are allowed to drive to the next year, a Stellar Aviation spokesman the end of this month on a permanent David Johannsson, who had served as the aircraft on the ramp. told AIN. 26,000-sq-ft location, which will offer general manager since 1999, along with As at most other European FBOs, fueling According to Stellar Aviation a 2,000-sq-ft terminal with offices, several other partners, made an offer to then at the Avfuel-affiliated location is conducted Group president Jonathan Miller, new ramp space and a hangar that can owner Air Atlanta Icelandic (an aircraft les- by a separate provider, but the company “This new location is the cornerstone accommodate four G550s at once. The sor) to purchase the struggling FBO, which can help expedite fuel orders, as well as for our growing FBO network as we company expects to complete the $6 was located in a building owned by fuel order catering from Icelandair’s ground look to expand further throughout million facility in Charlotte Amalie by provider Exxon. handling service, and provide Type II de- the Midwest.” the end of next year. The offer was accepted, but when icing from a pair of trucks. Staff can help Standard is open from 7 a.m. until Johannsson later asked his landlords to with hotels in Reykjavik, organize ground AMERICAN AERO, FORT WORTH 7 p.m. with after-hours callout service make needed improvements to the build- transport, or even air tours of the country’s available. The facility operates several ing, they declined, and he turned his eye breathtaking scenery. REFRESH FACILITIES AT MEACHAM executive tour buses to shuttle crews and to the larger, former U.S. Air Force termi- Peak season for private aviation at the The city of Fort Worth and American passengers to hotels and the marina. nal, which had stood vacant since the base airport is summer, when there is nearly 24 Aero FTW held a ribbon-cutting closed. It took three years of negotiations hours of daylight. While the traffic year- ceremony for a renovated 85,000-sq- AVFUEL EXPANDS CUSTOMER BASE before South Air was allowed to take over round is predominantly international, what ft administration building at Meacham the building last July. little domestic traffic the country generates International Airport that was a result of Avfuel has added several FBOs to its makes itself known at that time. Winter, with a public/private partnership. American U.S. network, most notably the Castle Facility Improvements its overwhelming darkness and weather, is Aero FTW, which is a Signature Select & Cooke Aviation chain with its three The company spent $500,000 renovating generally slow for private traffic, though location, will be the prime tenant in the locations in Honolulu; Everett, Wash.; 5,400 sq ft (500 sq m) on the ground floor Johannsson noted this January was much newly opened facility. The city primarily and the recently expanded location at of the terminal, creating a pair of enlarged busier than the same time last year, and he funded the makeover with an investment Los Angeles-area Van Nuys Airport. passenger lounges, a family room with anticipates business this year could return by American Aero FTW. “Our goal is to expand and children’s play area, upgraded bathrooms to the levels seen before the global reces- American Aero FTW’s new facilities strengthen the Avfuel network,” with showers, two conference rooms (one sion of 2008. in the building will provide modern said Mark Haynes, vice president 12-seat A/V equipped, and the other with South Air also provides limited ground passenger lounges and conference of sales for the Ann Arbor, Mich.- eight seats), a refreshment area and the handling at the country’s other international rooms, along with pilot and crew based company. “That means not just operations center. Rental cars from a local airports such as Akureyri and Egilsstaðir, lounges complete with a large-screen increasing the number of locations, but company can be delivered planeside, and which see far less private aviation traffic smart TV, fully reclining seating, work adding quality locations.” Icelandic customs and immigration auto- than the 2,000 flights a year handled by stations, a soundproof sleep room, Another addition to the company’s matically meet each arriving aircraft. the Keflavik location. It has a staff of 22, shower, kitchen and flight-planning 650 branded dealers is Rider Jet Center, Work continues on the second floor of most of whom have been there at least as room. The company added technology, the lone FBO at Maryland’s Hagerstown the building, which the company plans to long as Johannsson, providing a sense of such as electrochromic windows that Regional Airport/Richard A. Henson make available as offices to aviation com- familiarity and continuity to regular custom- automatically tint to reduce heat while Field. The family-owned location offers panies. The former glass-enclosed control ers. He advises them to find out what cus- making the most of natural light; a brand-new 10,000-sq-ft terminal with a tower cabin will eventually be turned into tomers need before they ask for it, and to sound masking; and a wireless fuel pilots’ lounge, snooze rooms and 40,000 another conference room, offering pan- treat them so they will remember the facility meter system for on-ramp transactions. sq ft of heated hangar space. “Avfuel’s oramic views of the airport. and the service. To reinforce those memo- The new terminal follows the recent team values the same level of customer The location specializes in quick turns. ries, each aircraft departs with a package addition of three hangars that doubled service as our operation,” said FBO Johannsson estimates that only a quarter of of Icelandic cookies. —C.E. shelter area. owner David Rider. o

www.ainonline.com • March 2017 • Aviation International News 63 Accidents by Amy Laboda FINAL REPORTS PRELIMINARY REPORTS

PC-12 DISPLAY MALFUNCTIONED IN IFR the ATSB determined that both antennas associated GRAND CARAVAN LANDS SHORT AFTER HAWKER 800XP NOSE GEAR with the radalt system had failed after more than 9,000 LOW-FUEL INDICATION COLLAPSES ON ROLL-OUT Pilatus PC-12/47E, June 18, 2016, Paraburdoo, service hours. The antennas did not have a life limit, but Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, Dec. 27, Hawker 800XP, Jan. 2, 2017, Scottsdale, Western Australia—A Pilatus PC-12 47E experi- were required to be replaced “on condition.” 2016, Fort McMurray Airport, Alberta, Ariz.—A Hawker 800XP operated by enced severe display and data anomalies after a night The aircraft operator has advised the ATSB that it Canada—The pilot and his three passen- Pinnacle Air Charter as a personal Part takeoff on an IFR flight plan in western Australia. As has replaced the radalt antennas across its fleet and gers were uninjured after he landed 1,400 91 flight was substantially damaged when the aircraft climbed through 250 feet agl at 110 knots amended the minimum equipment list to include syn- feet short of the runway in a Cessna 208B the nose landing gear collapsed during the the pilots noticed the radio altimeter (radalt) wind thetic vision. Pilots were alerted to the potential haz- Grand Caravan near Fort McMurray landing roll at Scottsdale Airport (KSDL), down to zero. The radalt low altitude awareness ard of a synthetic vision failure and the event has been Airport, Alberta, Canada. The aircraft Scottsdale, Ariz. There were no injuries. display rose to meet the altitude readout. The syn- discussed by the training and check department, which sustained substantial damage. The flight, conducted by two ATP-certified thetic vision image on both pilots’ Honeywell Primus is also reviewing the possibilities for incorporating into On a VFR flight from Camrose to Fort pilots, originated in Tucson, Ariz, flying to Apex Smart View primary flight displays (PFDs) then check flights scenarios related to ambiguous/incorrect McMurray, the pilot noted that his “reser- KSDL in VMC on an IFR flight plan. showed the runway move rapidly left and off the information from the primary flight display. voir fuel low” warning light illuminated. On the approach to KSDL, the pilot screen, and the ground representation on the PFD Honeywell issued a Pilot Advisory Letter (PAL- He completed the emergency checklist and reported to ATC that the nose land- appeared to rise rapidly to meet the zero-pitch ref- APEX-01) to all pilots, chief pilots and flight opera- told ATC that the aircraft had an engine ing gear light was red, indicating that the erence line. The pilot flying reacted by pulling back tions describing the event and advising pilots that the issue; however, he did not declare an emer- nosewheel was not down and locked. The on the control column, and the flight path indicator use of synthetic vision is for situational awareness. gency. The pilot joined the base leg for pilot left the traffic pattern and referred moved up to about 15 degrees, according to the flight The company is also exploring ways to make the sys- Runway 25 at Fort McMurray and was to the emergency checklist. The pilots data. No warnings or cautions illuminated, the stick tem more robust. beginning a turn to final when the engine used the hand pump to lower the landing shaker stall warning did not activate and the crew did lost power. The pilot elected to land on a gear manually, but the red light still in- not receive any oral alerts from the terrain awareness CESSNA 441 HIT WIRE ON LANDING service road east of the airport, but settled dicated that the nose gear was not down and warning system (Taws). Cessna 441 Conquest II, Sept. 5, 2016, Coorabie in a field off airport property, southwest of and locked. The pilot asked the tower for The pilot flying reported that the synthetic vision ALA, South Australia—A charter pilot flying a tur- the runway threshold. a landing-gear check and the tower re- image created the impression that the aircraft was boprop Cessna 441 from Adelaide, Australia, to the plied that it appeared that the nose gear sinking rapidly toward the ground, and they responded Coorabie aircraft landing area (ALA) for the first time S-92A LOSES TAIL-ROTOR AUTHORITY was down and straight. The pilot executed instinctively by pulling back on the control column. hit a powerline on final approach to a sloping runway, ON LANDING AT NORTH SEA WELLHEAD a normal landing, and as the airplane There was no vestibular sensation that the aircraft resulting in minor damage to the aircraft. There were Sikorsky S-92A, Dec. 28, 2016, West passed through 35-40 knots, the nose gear was descending, nor had there been any indication of nine passengers on board. Franklin wellhead platform, North Sea, collapsed. The airplane came to rest 50 a strong wind that might have caused the aircraft to The pilot was following a company aircraft that UK—A Sikorsky S-92A transporting pas- yards farther down the runway. drift off the runway centerline. The resulting sensory landed successfully at the airport. He received an sengers from Aberdeen, Scotland, to the confusion caused the pilot flying to experience motion advisory 30 miles from the airport to land on the Elgin-Franklin Offshore Field in the North MU-2 RUNS OFF sickness. The combination of the runway and the rad- down-sloping Runway 32. On short final the pilot Sea experienced a loss of tail-rotor effec- SNOWY RUNWAY ON LANDING alt speed tape moving up created a strong illusion that reported that the aircraft decelerated suddenly. At tiveness on approach and set down hard at Mitsubishi MU-2, Jan. 7, 2017, Niles, Mich.— the aircraft was going to hit the ground. The pilot flying the same time, there was a slight shudder of the the West Franklin wellhead platform. No A Mitsubishi MU-2 flown by a private pilot reported that they realized something was wrong, but right engine and a change in the sound of the propel- one was injured in the incident; however, on a personal IFR flight was damaged when initially could not process it. The image of the ground ler pitch. The pilot immediately increased the power the helicopter sustained left outer main- it ran off the left side of a snow-covered run- rising up and the runway disappearing rapidly side- to both engines and leveled the aircraft. He checked wheel rim distortion, a seized tail-rotor way after completing the Rnav 33 approach ways took the focus of the pilot flying away from any- the engine instruments and the annunciator panel pitch change shaft (TRPCS) bearing and at Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport (3TR) in thing else, he told Australian Transport Safety Bureau and saw no abnormal indications. a servo piston fracture. There was minor Niles, Mich. The pilot pulled back the power (ATSB) investigators. The pilot aborted the approach anyway, flew the damage to the platform helideck. levers into beta range on touchdown and the The check pilot looked outside (there was no circuit and landed successfully. After aircraft shut- Disassembly of the tail rotor revealed airplane made an unexpected left turn off the standby instrument on the right side of the cockpit), down the pilot noticed damage to the right propel- signs of severe overheating, with extreme runway, coming to rest in a snow-covered and was able to discern the horizon in the moonlight. ler blades and suspected he had hit the powerline wear on all thrust races and barrel-shaped field, sustaining substantial damage. He cautioned the pilot flying that the aircraft had a crossing the approach end of Runway 32. bearing rollers. The roller bearings seized The automated weather observation nose-high attitude, which prompted the pilot flying to The Australian Transport Safety Bureau deter- to the inner member. The outer race roller station at South Bend (Indiana) Interna- switch focus to the electronic standby instrumentation mined that better orientation might have kept this had excessive axial play (0.5 in), such that tional Airport (KSBN), nine miles south system (ESIS) and closely monitor the attitude and the pilot from succumbing to the visual illusions gen- the tail-rotor driveshaft imparted a tor- of the accident site, recorded wind from airspeed tape there. erated by the down-sloping runway and undu- sional load to the tail-rotor servo, causing 250 degrees at 14 knots. The pilot flying lowered the nose to regain an eight- lating terrain, which made him set up the final the primary piston rod to fracture inside The airport snow-plow operator said he degree pitch attitude and the flight data showed that approach at a flat one-degree glideslope instead the servo. This caused the secondary pis- checked the runway conditions on the morn- the airspeed increased from 101 knots back to the of a standard three-degree glideslope. Australian ton sleeve to separate axially from the pri- ing of the accident and noted a light dust- target airspeed of 110 knots. As the aircraft climbed regulations do not require marking of powerlines mary piston, resulting in total loss of tail- ing to a half inch of snow, but the pavement through 850 feet, the synthetic vision display corrected such as the one crossing the final approach path rotor control. was still visible. When he returned after the itself and all indications returned to normal, where they to Runway 32 at Coorabie ALA; however, the pow- The components were shipped to accident he saw two or more inches of snow remained for the duration of the flight. erline operator has since marked that cable with Sikorsky for analysis. Initial findings in- on the runway. The pilot said he found no After the incident, an engineering assessment by standard orange ball markers. n dicate rapid (less than 4.5 hours) bearing Notams relating to snow on the runway. failure, according to the operator’s health CITATION 525 COLLIDES WITH The material on this page is based on the NTSB’s report (preliminary, factual or final) of each accident or, in the case of and usage monitoring system (Hums). recent accidents, on information obtained from the FAA or local authorities. It is not intended to judge or evaluate the ability TREES AFTER RUNWAY EXCURSION of any person, living or dead, and is presented here for informational purposes. The operator instituted a review of all Hums data, fleet-wide borescope inspec- Cessna Citation 525S, Jan. 16, 2017, tions and a requirement that Hums be ser- Howell, Mich.—A private pilot flying a and two other passengers, was killed when Tucson International Airport (KTUS). viceable before flight. It also reduced the Citation 525S on a Part 91 instrument the twin turboprop crashed in heavy rain off A witness saw the airplane take off time between Hums analysis to five hours. flight in VFR conditions from Batavia, the coast near Paraty Airport, Brazil. The from Runway 11L and pitch up in the Sikorsky issued an All Operators Let- N.Y., was seriously injured when the air- cockpit voice recorder was recovered from initial climb. Some 100 to 150 feet above ter (AOL), CCS-92-AOL-16-0019, three craft hit a fence and trees after overrunning the wreckage the day after the crash and is the runway, the airplane suddenly yawed days after the incident, describing the event Runway 13 at Livingston County Airport being analyzed. to the left. The left wing dropped and the and emphasizing the use of the Hums Tail (KOZW) in Howell, Mich. The Citation airplane rolled left, the nose dropped and Gearbox Bearing Energy Tool. It then is- was substantially damaged. KING AIR 300 CRASHES the airplane struck the ground inverted. sued an Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) man- ON TAKEOFF FROM TUCSON Another witness described the airplane dating a one-time inspection of the TRPCS KING AIR C90 CARRYING BRAZILIAN Beechcraft King Air 300, Jan. 23, 2017, yawing from left to right while climbing. and bearing assembly before the next flight SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CRASHES Tucson, Ariz.—A King Air 300 operat- The airplane then rolled left and went in- from a maintenance facility. Analysis of the Beechcraft King Air C90, Jan. 19, 2017, ing under Part 91 on a personal flight was verted. After impact, the airplane slid 650 malfunction continues by the UK Air Ac- Paraty, Brazil—Brazilian Supreme Court destroyed and its pilot and a passenger were feet across the ramp and collided with a cidents Investigation Branch and Sikorsky. Justice Teori Zavascki, along with a pilot killed when it hit the ramp on takeoff from concrete wall, engulfed in flames. o

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2501 SE Aviation Way, Stuart, FL 34996 Phone: 772-288-6700 • Fax: 772-288-3782 • Toll free: 877-735-9538 www.stuartjet.com Completion & Refurbishment by James Wynbrandt

the maintenance team encountered some bizliner completion specialist. Zen incor- Firm offers problem. “They will go and replace that porates the colors and motifs of the four and then do all the operational checks on seasons, as in the floral patterns of cherry that particular discrepancy, when in reality blossoms (spring), lotus (summer), chry- review of you’ve already paid for that on the phase santhemums (autumn) and plum blossoms inspection,” explained Meitner. “That’s (winter) that help define the cabin zones. where you should start getting into a con- The design provides a multifunctional tatami mx bills versation about where these hours should room “for meditation, or casual meetings be and where they shouldn’t.” West Star Aviation recently updated the cabin of a or just lying around,” said Chan. HPJC can by Curt Epstein Global Express, including the aircraft’s CMS. create the Zen cabin—also adaptable to a Practical Knowledge BBJ interior—for any interested owner, but Sometimes you find a job; sometimes a job Identifying many of those billing discrep- West Star Refurbs Global Express the concept is intended as a starting point for finds you. That’s the moral Wichita resi- ancies requires knowing how long a certain West Star Aviation completed the exten- developing a more personalized interior. “If dent Eric Meitner learned after he retired task should take and how much it should sive refurbishment of a Global Express, they like 50 percent of the elements, that’s from a 22-year maintenance career with cost based on labor hours. With the indus- which included the MRO’s first installation a great place to get people talking,” said Cessna. An A&P technician who served try currently undergoing a turnover in expe- of a Rockwell Collins Venue CMS in this Chan. “I don’t know 100 percent of what my as maintenance manager at the Wichita rienced mechanics, some shops are finding member of the Global series. The refresh- wife wants, let alone a billionaire.” Citation Service Center, and then head of themselves with less seasoned staff, and are ment installed a reconfigured floor plan, Chan noted certification efforts typically the post-production flight-test division for looking to pass the associated on-the-job LED cabin lighting, belted divan for takeoff focus on meeting FAA and EASA require- the 525 series and Caravans, Meitner was training costs on to the customers. “When and landing, new soft goods and wood ments, but China’s CAAC certification rules prepared to enjoy his retirement when the you start bringing new people into the field, accents, and new touchscreen control are gaining importance in completions work, phone started ringing. Several of his for- it takes time for them to get up to speed,” display units for the cabin. The Venue instal- and HPJS—the only Airbus and Boeing mer customers at the Citation service cen- said Meitner. “There’s a certain amount lation, supporting business, entertainment authorized completion facility in the Asia- ter tracked him down and began calling of time it takes to become productive and and conference calling in flight, underscores Pacific region—works with all three agencies. to chat about problems with their aircraft everyone’s worried about the bottom line, West Star’s commitment “to strengthen our or to ask if Meitner would be interested in so obviously those costs get shifted. The Global support,” said Marty Rhine, director Duncan Aviation Battle Creek taking a look at a maintenance invoice they owner/operator of the aircraft shouldn’t be of sales for the East Alton, Ill. company. Upgrades Paint Capability received from a shop. paying for that training.” Duncan Aviation added a 12,000-sq-ft paint It started as a once-every- The scope of the compa- GDC Technics Signs hangar in Battle Creek, Mich., which gives few-months job, but as word ny’s projects varies from vet- Large Order for 787 Completions the facility more paint capacity and sched- spread others began calling. ting invoices to on-site event GDC Technics will complete nine 787s in uling flexibility, according to paint manager After three years of this ad- supervision, and before show- combi executive/commercial configurations Doug Bohac. The facility, sized to accom- hoc advising, Meitner’s clien- ing up on any site, the first under contract to Boeing and an undisclosed modate aircraft as large as the Global tele “politely twisted my arm thing Meitner’s company does buyer, GDC CEO Charles Celli reported. Express, was created from a former aircraft and said I need to get back in is sit down with the customer Engineering work is slated to start next stripping hangar and uses a computer-driven the business.” He contacted and discuss expectations. “One year and stretches GDC’s backlog to 2022. sidedraft airflow system that triple-filters air, several former Cessna col- of the things that we try to Two other 787 completions, scheduled for allowing aircraft to be stripped, primed and leagues, as well as some from bring to the table is value, and delivery in the second and third quarters of painted in the same hangar. The bay also other OEMs with similar back- part of that value is looking at next year, are under way at the Fort Worth, incorporates adjustable, energy-efficient LED grounds, and established a con- Eric Meitner them and saying, ‘Here’s what Texas-based completer’s facility. lighting. The renovation was managed by sulting company a year ago. it will cost if you want me on Meanwhile, GDC has been developing Tectonic Management Group. In addition to all Cessnas, the compa- the project every day,’” he said. Then Meit- multiple STCs for Honeywell Ka-Band ny’s staff of six provides expertise on Gulf- ner and his team contact the shop, whether JetWave installations to meet anticipated streams and Bombardier jets (Learjets too) it’s the manufacturer or an independent demand for Inmarsat’s Global Xpress and has the necessary contacts to handle MRO provider. service, and now has approvals covering the Falcons. In the year since the company “As we’re giving them the discrepancies A320 series and the 737, 747 and 777, and started in earnest, it has helped 60 aircraft and bringing the airplane in, we’re letting expects to have an STC for the A330/340 owner/operators and serves on retainer for them know that as a representative of the series by the end of the first quarter. The some customers. customer, we’re going to be watching every- first customer aircraft, an A319, is expected “The easiest way to explain [the company] thing and we’re going to expect answers in a to arrive for the installation this spring. The to people is ‘rent a director of maintenance,’ pretty timely way,” Meitner noted. JetWave upgrade takes two to three weeks, Duncan Battle Creek added a 12,000-sq-ft paint hangar. but it really encompasses more than that,” One might imagine that Meitner’s and can be performed during scheduled Meitner told AIN. “We assist on pre-pur- role as a customer-designated ombuds- maintenance, GDC said. Sabena Takes On A310 Completion chase inspections, and we assist people when man would foster an antagonistic rela- Sabena Technics will refurbish an Airbus they bring their airplanes in for maintenance, tionship between his company and the Greenpoint Takes on Head-of-state Project A310 for Saudi Arabia’s Al Atheer Aviation. making sure that things are done that were repair providers, but he insists that hasn’t Boeing completion specialist Greenpoint The aircraft’s bedroom, bathroom, private squawked, and then making sure the paper- been the case. “I’ve not had anyone look Technologies is re-customizing a head- office and lounge will undergo extensive soft work is correct on the back side.” Those are at me as if to say, ‘Oh, here he comes.’ of-state 787-8 the company was already furnishing replacement, including seat and the two most requested services, Meitner It’s typically, ‘Hey, I’m glad you’re here. completing, following its sale before rede- divan upholstery, with a contemporary design noted. “The final common request is a fran- The customer is upset. Let’s see what we livery. The reworked airliner “will be incorporating Arabian motifs. Additionally, tic call from someone saying, ‘I can’t under- can do to work through this.’” He then personalized to accommodate the new the IFE system will be upgraded with an HD stand my invoice; it seems high, but I can’t combs through the invoice to see if there owner’s mission and requirements,” screen. Heavy maintenance C-checks will figure it out. Can you look at it?’” is any merit to the customer’s concerns. according to the Kirkland, Wash. company. be performed simultaneously, with the entire The company has encountered billing “If there’s not, I go back to the client and Originally scheduled for last month, rede- project slated for completion in three months. discrepancies in all of the cases it has han- tell them it’s a good honest invoice, which livery is now slated for early next year. Al Atheer CEO Daif Alsolamy said, dled over the past year, according to Meit- is all anyone wants.” The interior currently features a contem- “The reduced downtime of the project ner, and has obtained accommodations Overall, Meitner suggests applying due porary executive style with glossy wood is extremely important to meet with our on the customers’ behalf in all of them. diligence to all documentation, which is veneer, white paneling and headliners, and specific operations,” adding that the Paris- “Everybody has automated their systems, where he says the majority of mistakes patterned carpet in light neutral tones. based MRO has “the right combination and they are so busy they don’t have time can be found. “If you’re not a mainte- of maintenance and VIP cabin refurbish- to review the service orders the way they nance person who’s used to reviewing Haeco Zen Interior a ‘Jumping-off Point’ ment skills.” Sabena’s vice president of VIP should,” said Meitner. “We’ve seen some these things, then by all means get some- Haeco Private Jet Solutions (HPJS) has intro- programs, Pascal Jallier, cited his compa- that were substantially higher because of one in there on your behalf to look over duced Zen, a “minimalist, modern and ny’s “turnkey program with a single inter- a duplication of efforts in the paperwork.” the work order itself, compared to the stylish” cabin concept for the A320neo, face for design, materials and systems, as As an example of duplication of effort, maintenance transaction reports,” he said. “a billionaire’s retreat from the busy hustle well as associated EASA STCs” for its ability he noted cases where an aircraft was “Make sure it all makes sense and if it and bustle,” said Henry Chan, commercial to maintain quality while meeting the brought in for a periodic inspection and doesn’t, ask the questions.” o vice president of the Xiamen, China-based tight schedule. n

66aaAviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com Compliance Countdown by Gordon Gilbert

Within 6 Months utility, acrobatic and commuter categories, and replace current “prescriptive design u March 21, 2017 requirements with performance-based” EFVS Approved for IFR Landings airworthiness standards. These standards also The FAA has approved the use of enhanced replace the current weight and propulsion flight vision systems (EFVS) to fly certain IFR divisions with “performance- and risk-based approaches all the way to landing in lieu of divisions of airplanes with a maximum seating “natural vision” from the previously allowed capacity of 19 passengers or less and a mtow elevation of 100 feet above the touchdown of 19,000 pounds or less.” The new rules enact zone. The rule goes into effect March 21, 2017. additional airworthiness standards to address certification for flight in icing conditions, u March 24, 2017 NEW enhanced stall characteristics and minimum Opioids To Be Added to Drug Testing Rules control speeds for multiengine airplanes. The U.S. DOT is proposing to amend its drug Additionally, revised rules will apply to Part 91, program to add four opioids—hydrocodone, 121 and 135 operations to correspond with the hydromorphone, oxymorphone and new airworthiness standards. oxycodone—to urine testing requirements applicable to certain pilots, mechanics Within 12 Months and other covered employees in specified transportation services. Also proposed are u Dec. 7, 2017 and Jan. 30, 2020 modifications to provisions that cover the North Atlantic Datalink Com Expansion handling of urine specimens; removal of Phase 2 of the North Atlantic datalink mandate provisions that no longer are necessary (such as began with Phase 2a in February 2015, at which obsolete compliance dates); and the addition of time flights within the North Atlantic Tracks ON-SITE, Productivity AT HOME clarifying language to other provisions (such as (NAT) between FL350 and FL390 were required updated definitions and web links). Comments to be equipped with Fans 1/A controller-pilot OR IN THE HANGAR are due March 24, 2017. datalink communications (CPDLC) and ADS-C. The program expands to these altitudes in the u April 24, 2017 entire ICAO NAT region on Dec. 7, 2017, and Part 135 Rotorcraft Radio Altimeters to all flights in this region above FL290 on Jan. Under revised Part 135.160, rotorcraft must 30, 2020, a month sooner than the previous be equipped with an operable FAA-approved revised date. radio altimeter, or an FAA-approved device that incorporates a radio altimeter, after April Beyond 12 Months 24, 2017. Deviations from this requirement can be authorized for helicopters in which radio u Nov. 8, 2018 altimeters cannot physically be installed in the ICAO Adopts 15-min. Position Reporting cockpit. The request for deviation authority is The International Civil Aviation Organization applicable to rotorcraft with an mtow no greater Council adopted a tracking standard for certain than 2,950 pounds. international flights that requires crews to report their aircraft’s position at least every u April 30, 2017 15 minutes. It will become applicable Nov. Estimated Finish for SoCal ATC Redesign 8, 2018. The new requirement will be made From November 2016 through April 2017, formal as Amendment 39 to Annex 6— the FAA will phase in the Southern California Operation of Aircraft, Part I. The new standard Metroplex (SoCal Metroplex) Project, which is the outcome of recommendations stemming involves replacing dozens of conventional ATC from the disappearance of the 777 operating procedures with satellite-based procedures. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 while en route Before publishing the procedures, however, from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, China, on March the agency will conduct public meetings to 8, 2014. The search for the 777 was called off inform people about the changes. Dates for in January this year. these meetings will be announced on the FAA’s NextGen Community Engagement website for u Dec. 31, 2019 the SoCal Metroplex project. The project will Taiwan ADS-B Compliance Delayed affect instrument arrivals and departures for 21 The Republic of China has postponed for Duncan Aviation’s airports in Southern California. three years—to Dec. 31, 2019—compliance myDuncan project management with ADS-B out equipment within the u May 1, 2017 NEW Taiwan FIR above FL290. China is forced to system lets customers be productive Private Pilot Medical Certification delay compliance because too few aircraft wherever they happen to be. Of the 2,343 Private pilots may fly certain small aircraft are equipped to render the original ADS-B under limited conditions without having to plan achievable. aircraft projects delivered in 2016, more than meet FAA medical certification requirements half were managed off-site, allowing the under this new rule. Pilots who meet eligibility u Jan. 1, 2020 aircraft representatives to stay current on requirements and qualify for an FAA medical U.S. ADS-B out Mandate project status, item approvals and budget while exemption are limited to small airplanes ADS-B out equipment must be operational (turbine or non-turbine) with no more than six starting Jan. 1, 2020, in aircraft that fly in keeping up on things at work and at home. seats, a maximum airspeed of 250 kias and a the U.S. under IFR and where transponders maximum altitude of 18,000 ft msl. The flight are currently required, namely class A, B and may be flown IFR or VFR but may not be for C airspace. hire or compensation. u June 7, 2020 u Aug. 30, 2017 European ADS-B out Mandate New FAR Part 23 Effective Date The ADS-B out retrofit requirement in Europe myDuncan.aero The FAA’s rewrite of Part 23 small airplane takes effect June 7, 2020. This date is about six Experience. Unlike any other. certification rules goes into effect on Aug. months later than the U.S. ADS-B out mandate. 30, 2017. The revised airworthiness standards The ADS-B out requirement in Europe had will apply to airplanes in the normal, been June 8, 2016 for new aircraft. o

AIN_DuncanAviation_Feb2017.indd 1 2/7/2017 7:09:42 AM www.ainonline.com • March 2017 • Aviation International News 67 People in Aviation Compiled by Kerry Lynch

Quest Aircraft has selected Robert tus after serving as president since 1997. Zinda aircraft sales consultant. Prenzler Wells to take the helm as CEO. Wells suc- Most recently vice president, Taylor joined formerly served with SkyQuest as a Quest ceeds Sam Hill, who retired from the role JB&A in 1983 after serving with CVT Ma- Kodiak sales subagent and pilot in Africa. after a 50-year career in the aviation indus- chine Tool in Dallas. The Walsh Group named Thomas Haag try. Hill will remain as an advisor to the Stu Willcuts returned to the position national director of aviation. Haag has 17 company and member of the board of di- of president and CEO of Air Serv Interna- years of aviation experience, previously as rectors. Wells, who brings 40 years of avi- tional. Willcuts stepped in for Dave Carl- v-p of global aviation at Parsons. ation experience to Quest, most recently strom, who held the role from 2009-2016 Stan Younger has joined the senior spent 15 years with TAG Aviation, where and helped steer the organization through leadership team of Constant Aviation. he had been CEO of the holding company. financial difficulties and expand its humani- Younger most recently was v-p of service Dart Aerospace promoted Alain Madore tarian reach. Willcuts previously was presi- centers for Bombardier. to president and CEO. Most recently v-p of dent and CEO of Air Serv from 2000-2006. Global Jet Capital appointed Ben Mur- commercial operations and aftermarket ser- Jon Cobin was promoted to executive ray senior managing director of asset man- vices, Madore succeeds Bill Beckett, who is v-p and chief commercial officer for Gogo. agement. Murray previously spent four Jon Taylor retiring. In addition Steve Ghaleb, formerly Cobin most recently was senior v-p of proj- years as president of aircraft management director of sales, was promoted to v-p of ect and operations management for Gogo. and charter for Landmark Aviation and has commercial operations; Ryan Williamson, Piper Aircraft named Drew McEwen held senior positions at XoJet, NetJets and formerly general manager of the Eugene fa- v-p of international and direct sales. Mc- General Aviation Services. cility, has been appointed v-p and general Ewen joined Piper in 2010 as director of manager of the Hawkesbury, Eugene and Monroe Aerospace hired John Ratcliffe sales for the Americas and later held the Calgary facilities; Gordon Hill, formerly v-p to be general manager, responsible for the roles of head of global sales and business and general manager of the San Diego facil- company’s facilities in Melbourne, Fla., development and v-p of sales and market- ity, has added the Broussard facility to his and Las Vegas. ing. Ron Gunnarson joined the company responsibilities; and Emmanuel Paillier has Robert Aliaga has joined Simcom as v-p of sales, marketing and customer joined the firm as v-p of product strategy Training Aviation as manager of the Orlan- support. Gunnarson most recently was v-p and business development. do Parksouth training center. Aliaga most of marketing at Textron Aviation. Alex Overstrom was named to head recently was an instructor, examiner and Eagle Cap Software hired Gary Minard PNC Aviation Finance. He succeeds program manager for FlightSafety. to serve as v-p of business development. Wayne Starling, who is retiring after a 40- TAG Aviation appointed Vladimir Vele- Jon Cobin Previously Minard was director of sales year career in business aircraft financing. bit manager of the charter department in and service at Jeppesen. Formerly COO of PNC Corporate Bank- Geneva. Velebit, who began his business ing, Overstrom joined PNC from Goldman Mente Group appointed Vincent Res- aviation career in 2007 working within Sachs eight years ago. tivo as vice president. Restivo spent 25 TAG Aviation’s charter sales department, years with Gulfstream Aerospace and also Jon Taylor was promoted to presi- returns to the company after serving as di- has served with Hawker Beechcraft and dent of JB&A Aviation. He succeeds Jerry rector of business development and aircraft his own firm, Addo Virtus Advisors. Smith, who becomes chairman emeri- management sales for ExecuJet Europe. Traxxall Technologies named Rich Juraj Pikna has joined C&L Aerospace Anzalone v-p of customer experience. as regional sales manager for Europe, Rus- Anzalone joins Traxxall from Camp Sys- sia and Africa. Pikna brings to his new role Final Flight tems, where he recently was v-p of cus- a 10-year background in ATC, MRO, sales tomer support and sales. and support for aircraft parts. James Welsch, Chris DeGuis joined Simhawk as chief Summit Aviation hired Matt Tarczynski Jr., former technology officer. DeGuise was a co- as a regional sales representative. president and founder of Pragmatic Technologies, an IT Vincent Restivo Biggin Hill-based private jet opera- partner of consulting company located in Burling- tor Interflightappointed Trevor Jones ac- aircraft bro- ton, Vt., and has held leadership roles at countable manager. ker Welsch Dealer.com and Dealertrack after they ac- Aviation, died quired Pragmatic Technologies. Elliott Aviation added three people to its staff: Kerry Olson was named project January 20 Gulfstream Aerospace appointed Bin manager; Casey Ritz, regional sales man- after a short ill- Zhang general manager of the service cen- ager; and Cindy Stepanski, airframe parts ness. He was ter in Beijing. Zhang has previously served sales specialist. Olson most recently was 81. Welsch began his 54-year career as director of business development and vice president of production operations in aviation in 1960, joining the firm general manager for Morgan Advanced and sales at Compass Strategic Services. that his father, also James Welsch, Materials in China and general manager of Stepanski most recently served as purchas- founded a decade earlier. Together, the Goodrich Aerostructures (now United ing manager at Wing Aviation Service. they were among the pioneers in the Technologies) facility for nacelles and Ritz was formerly special mission proposal thrust reversers in Tianjin, China. corporate aircraft brokerage busi- manager for Textron Aviation. ness, selling DC-3s, Convairs, JetStars Scott Macpherson, founder and presi- Rich Anzalone and eventually Gulfstreams. Over dent of TrainingPort.net, was appointed GrandView Aviation has named Rebec- ca Sipes charter sales coordinator. time Welsch Aviation expanded to chairman of the International Business four offices across the U.S. Aviation Council (IBAC) governing board. Metro Aviation hired Holly Weber as Welsch was born in Cincinnati, A pilot and manager in corporate aviation director of customer revenue cycle sup- Ohio, on Oct. 12, 1935, and got his for 25 years, Macpherson has been the Ca- port. Weber has served as vice president first airplane ride three months later nadian Business Aviation Association rep- of business development and transfor- when his father took him up in an resentative to IBAC since 2012 and vice mation at Syncordia Technologies and Healthcare Solutions. open-cockpit, single-engine biplane. chairman of the IBAC board since 2014. After graduating from Hofstra In addition, Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, founding Professional Aircraft Accessories ap- University, he served in the U.S. chairman of the Middle East and North pointed Jody Bullock director of strategy and Africa Business Aviation Association (ME- Army. He joined his father’s firm sales performance and Fernando Ramos BAA), was elected to a three-year term at the end of his active duty, and regional sales director for Latin America. as vice chairman of the IBAC governing retired from the business in 2014. Bullock previously served as a consultant board. Alnaqbi was previously treasurer of Welsch is survived by Gail, his to Lockheed Martin Commercial Engine. the governing board. wife of 58 years; daughters Kristin Ramos has 19 years of aviation experience, Thomas Haag previously as customer service manager for and Leslie; and two grandchildren. n SkyQuest International has named Eu- gene Prenzler director of sales and Steve Aero Precision Repair and Overhaul. o

68 Aviation International News • March 2017 • www.ainonline.com Join European business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel and all those involved in business aviation for the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2017). Visit the website to learn more and register today.

REGISTER TODAY www.ebace.aero/ain Calendar See www.ainonline.com for a comprehensive long-range aviation events calendar.

ABACE 2016 DAVID M cINTOSH DAVID

MARCH INTERNATIONAL OPERATORS CONFERENCE… AERO EXPO PANAMA PACIFICO…April 20-21, AAAE CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION… AUGUST March 13-16, Atlanta, GA. Panama Pacifico International Airport, Panama. May 7-10, Long Beach Convention and BUSINESS AIRCRAFT FINANCE, REGISTRATION Info: (800) 783-9000; www.nbaa.org. Info: [email protected]; Entertainment Center, Long Beach, CA. LATIN AMERICAN BUSINESS AVIATION CON- & LEGAL CONFERENCE…March 5-7, Hyatt http://aeroexpo-panama.com/en/. Info: www.aaae.org/annual2017. FERENCE & EXHIBITION…August 15-17, Regency Coconut Point Resort, Bonita Springs, REGIONAL FORUM…March 23, Fort Worth Congonhas-São Paulo Airport, São Paulo, Brazil. FL. Info: (202) 783-9451; www.nbaa.org/events/ Meacham Airport, Fort Worth, TX. CORPORATE JET INVESTOR DUBAI…April 25, s AUVSI’S XPONENTIAL…May 8-11, Kay Bai- Info: www.abag.org.br/labace2017. finance-registration-legal-conference/2017. Info: www.nbaa.org/events/forums/2017FTW/. The Ritz Carlton, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai. ley Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, TX. Info: [email protected]; Info: www.xponential.org/xponential2017/public/ ACSF SAFETY SYMPOSIUM March 7-8, SEPTEMBER … INTERNATIONAL BRAZIL AIRSHOW (IBAS)… https://corporatejetinvestor.com/dubai-2017/. enter.aspx. NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, VA. Info: (888) March 29-April 2; Galeão International Airport, REGIONAL FORUM…September 7, 723-3135; www.acsf.aero/symposium/. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Info: +55 11 3032-5633; AOPA FLY IN…April 28,-29, Camarillo Airport, s l u EUROPEAN BUSINESS AVIATION Morristown Airport, Morristown, NJ. www.sators.com.br. Camarillo, CA. Info: www.aopa.org/community/ CONVENTION & EXHIBITION…May 22-24, NATA FBO SUCCESS SEMINAR…March 7-8, Info: www.nbaa.org/events/forums/2017MMU/. events/aopa-fly-ins/2017-aopa-fly-ins. Palexpo Convention Center, Geneva, Switzerland. Chateau Lemoyne, New Orleans, LA. Info: Info: (202) 783-9000; www.ebace.aero/2017. AOPA FLY IN…September 8-9, University http://nata.aero/Events/2017-FBO-Success- APRIL of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport, Norman, Seminar-New-Orleans.aspx. MAY s SUN ’N’ FUN…April 4-9, Lakeland, FL. JUNE OK. Info: www.aopa.org/community/events/ s l u HELI-EXPO…March 7-9, Dallas, TX. Info: www.sun-n-fun.org/. MAINTENANCE CONFERENCE…May 2-4, West aopa-fly-ins/2017-aopa-fly-ins. Info: (703) 683-4646; www.rotor.org. Palm Beach, FL. Info: www.nbaa.org/events/ MODAERO AVIATION FESTIVAL AND AIR AERO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GLOBAL SHOW… maintenance-conference/2017/. SHOW…June 2-4, Conroe-North Houston OCTOBER ACSF AUDITOR TRAINING WORKSHOP… April 5-8, Friedrichshafen, Germany. Regional Airport, Conroe, TX. March 8-9, NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, VA. Info: www.aero-expo.com/. AIRPORT SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE… Info: [email protected]; DRONE WORLD EXPO…October 3-4, San Jose Info: [email protected]; www.acsf.aero/events/ May 3-4, Centro Banamex, Mexico City, Mexico. https://modaero.net/festival/modaero-2017/. Convention Center, San Jose, CA. Info: s u ASIAN BUSINESS AVIATION CONFERENCE acsf-auditor-training-workshop/. Info: www.airportsolutions.com/mexico/. [email protected]; www.droneworldexpo.com. & EXHIBITION…April 11-13, Shanghai FLIGHTSIMCON…June 10-11, Sheraton Hotel at s AEA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & TRADE Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre, BUSINESS AVIATION TAXES SEMINAR… Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT. Info: info@ AOPA FLY IN…October 6-7, Groton– SHOW…March 13-16, New Orleans, LA. Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai, China. May 4-5, Marina del Rey, CA. flightsimcon.com; http://flightsimcon.com/. New London Airport, Groton, CT. Info: Info: www.aea.net/convention/2017. Info: www.abace.aero. Info: www.nbaa.org/events/taxes-seminar/2017/. https://www.aopa.org/community/events/ FLIGHT ATTENDANTS/TECHNICIANS aopa-fly-ins/2017-aopa-fly-ins/. CONFERENCE…June 12-15, Long Beach, CA. Info: www.nbaa.org/events/fa-ft/2017/. s l u NBAA BUSINESS AVIATION CONVEN- EBACE 2016 NBAA 2016 TION & EXHIBITION…October 10-12, 2ND ANNUAL CARIBBEAN AVIATION MEETUP Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV. CONFERENCE…June 13-15, Saint Maarten. Info: (202) 783-9000; www.nbaa.org. Info: [email protected]; www.caribavia.com/. INTERNATIONAL AIR SAFETY SUMMIT… MEDITERRANEAN BUSINESS AVIATION… October 23-25, Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, June 16, The Palace Hotel, Sliema, Malta. Dublin, Ireland. Info: [email protected]; Info: [email protected]; https://flightsafety.org/event/iass2017/. www.aeropodium.com/mba.html. AOPA FLY IN…October 27-28, s l u PARIS AIR SHOW…June 19-25, Peter O. Knight Airport, Tampa, FL. Exhibition Center of Le Bourget, France. Info: www.aopa.org/community/events/ Info: [email protected]; www.siae.fr/. aopa-fly-ins/2017-aopa-fly-ins. BALTIC BUSINESS AVIATION…June 29, BOMBARDIER SAFETY STANDDOWN… Tallinn, Estonia. Info: [email protected]; October 31-November 2, Hyatt Regency Hotel, www.aeropodium.com/bba.html. Wichita, KS. Info: (316) 946-7876; JULY www.safetystanddown.com/. u Indicates events at which AIN will ASA ANNUAL CONFERENCE…July 9-11, publish on-site issues or distribute Hyatt Regency, Reston, VA. special reports. Info: www.aviationsuppliers.org/annual-conference. s Indicates events for which AIN will provide special online coverage or e-newsletter. s EAA AIR VENTURE…July 24-30, Oshkosh, l Indicates events at which AIN will produce AINtv.com videos.

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