Boeing-Aerion Link-Up a Big Step

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Vol.50 | No. 3

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MARCH 2019 | ainonline.com

In a shock announcement on February 5, Boeing has partnered with Aerion on the AS2 supersonic business jet and also made a “significant investment” in the Reno, Nevada company. Government Legislators agree on FAA funding page 12 Training Pilot learns to fly behind a desk page 24 Safety NTSB sharpens focus on Part 135 ops page 16 Industry

AERION CORP. Super Bowl draws traffic to Atlanta page 42 Boeing-Aerion link-up a big step Air Transport Airbus ending A380 by Chad Trautvetter production page 50 Boeing announced a partnership with invested several hundred million dollars for The move also resulted in a major Aerion Corp. on February 5 and further an approximate 40 percent share in Aerion. shake-up of Aerion’s board of directors, made a “significant” investment in the This replaces Lockheed Martin as Aerion’s with Boeing now holding two of five seats Reno, Nevada-based supersonic business aircraft manufacturing partner for its Mach and the departure of billionaire backer, and jet (SSBJ) developer that aims to “accel- 1.4 AS2 SSBJ—a development that, when now former chairman, Robert Bass. (Bass erate technology development and aircraft announced in December 2017, displaced Airbus remains a “very committed and enthusias- design, and unlock supersonic air travel from this central position. Under last month’s tic investor” through Aerion Partners Ltd., for new markets.” While financial terms of agreement, Boeing will provide engineering, Aerion executive v-p of marketing and com- the deal were not disclosed, sources with manufacturing, and flight-test resources, as munications Jeff Miller toldAIN .) knowledge of the deal told AIN that Boeing well as strategic vertical content, for the AS2. continues on page 36

Read Our SPECIAL REPORT GAMA: deliveries up in 2018 Schedulers & by Kerry Lynch

Dispatchers Business and general aviation fixed-wing Global fixed-wing airplane shipments Now in its third decade, NBAA’s annual aircraft and helicopter deliveries edged up increased 4.7 percent overall from 2,325 event continues to attract schedulers across the board last year, marking the first units in 2017 to 2,443 units last year. Piston and dispatchers for its educational and time since 2013 that all shipment catego- and turbine helicopter deliveries, mean- networking opportunities. ries showed improvement, the General Avi- while, combined for a 5.4 percent increase ation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) from 926 in 2017 to 976 in 2018. Since page 20 reported on February 20 during its annual Leonardo has not yet reported its full-year State of the Industry update. continues on page 36 DIFFERENT BY DESIGN. DISRUPTIVE BY CHOICE.

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INTRODUCING THE NEW As We Go To Press Flexjet sues NJASAP for 2018 AVIONICS SALES Eviation. Siemens and Eviation will work on REACHED A RECORD $2.7B propulsion-system integration, including ‘intimidation’ in union vote Worldwide business and general aviation electrical integration, fly-by-wire system avionics sales increased 17 percent year- connectivity, thermal-management system by Chad Trautvetter over-year in 2018, reaching a record $2.7 development, and mechanical mounting. billion, according to the Aircraft Electronics Alice will be displayed at the Paris Air Flexjet said its lawsuit against the Net- Association’s year-end Avionics Market Show and is slated to achieve first flight Jets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots Report. This total, which was up from $2.3 later this year. Certification is scheduled (NJASAP) and NetJets pilot Jeffrey Stein billion in 2017, includes some $1.5 billion for 2021, with deliveries to follow in 2022. will move forward now that a Cuyahoga in retrofit sales and more than $1.1 billion County (Ohio) common pleas judge has Flexjet in forward-fit. North America accounted JET AVIATION COMPLETES denied the defendants’ request to dismiss chairman for nearly 78 percent of 2018 sales, with SAN JUAN FBO PURCHASE the case on a technicality. Kenn Ricci other international markets accounting Jet Aviation has completed its purchase The complaint alleges that the NetJets leads the non- for the remainder. That compares with a of the former Pazos FBO at Puerto Rico’s pilot union “and its operatives” sent hun- union Flexjet breakdown of 74 percent North American Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport. It dreds of “vulgar, threatening, and mali- organization. sales and 26 percent international in had been operating the location under a cious mailings” to the homes of Flexjet 2017. The reported dollar amounts are management agreement since March 2017, company managers and employees who “We are pleased that the Judge is letting net sales price and cover all business when it was rebranded as Jet Aviation San spoke up in support of a May 2018 union the case go forward against these defen- and general aviation aircraft electronics Juan. It features a 12,500-sq-ft terminal, decertification election. “In at least one dants for their shameful behavior,” said sales for the flight deck and cabin. with an in-house U.S. Customs facility, instance, a recipient called a fire depart- Flexjet chairman Kenn Ricci. “Unions such passenger lobby, pilot lounge, flight- ment and explosives experts in response as NJASAP who were not at all involved with AERION NAMES SPIRIT planning area, showers, two conference to receiving a box full of plain white enve- the recent decertification election need to FUSELAGE PARTNER ON AS2 rooms, and large catering preparation lopes with no return address,” Flexjet said. understand they cannot do or say anything Airbus and Boeing supplier Spirit and storage kitchen. A hangar offering Although sent anonymously, a postal inves- they want without consequences. This AeroSystems will collaborate with Aerion 20,000 sq ft of aircraft storage and 2,500 tigation revealed the identity of the sender. was not campaign speech or meant to do Corp. on the preliminary design of the sq ft of office space will open in the first Flexjet’s lawsuit seeks damages for these anything other than maliciously threaten forward pressurized fuselage of the AS2 quarter to replace the small, older hangar “acts of menacing and intimidation.” The those who spoke up in favor of decertifi- supersonic business jet, the companies destroyed by Hurricane Maria in 2017. postcard mailings occurred during a 28-day cation. This is just another example of how announced on February 21. Wichita- voting period when Flexjet pilots were vot- unions such as NJASAP are completely out based Spirit—which manufactures the UK’S INFLITE BUYS ing on whether to decertify their union, the of touch with employees and why union forward fuselage of all in-production EXCELLENCE AVIATION SERVICES International Brotherhood of Teamsters membership continues to decline.” Boeing jetliners, including the composite UK-based Inflite The Jet Centre, which (IBT) Local 1108. Ultimately, the pilots voted NJASAP said it could not comment on 787 Dreamliner—said it expects operates an FBO and MRO at London 318 to 220 to reject union representation. pending legal action. n to immediately begin preliminary Stansted Airport, has purchased development. Aerion’s 12-passenger, Mach Bombardier aircraft maintenance specialist 1.4 trijet program has seen an uptick in Excellence Aviation Services (EAS). The development announcements in recent acquisition includes the Part 145 repair months, including a new partnership operation and continuing airworthiness with Boeing (see page 1). It expects to management organization, as well as the begin flight testing the AS2 in 2023. Excellence Aviation aircraft management business. This move allows EAS to DASSAULT EXPANDS expand its offerings from line service to CERTIFICATIONS FOR FALCONEYE full base maintenance for Challengers The FAA and EASA have granted and Globals, in addition to continue certification for operational credit for providing line maintenance at London low-visibility approaches to 100 feet in Oxford, Luton, and Farnborough Airports. Dassault Falcon 900LX, 2000LXS, and 2000S jets equipped with the FalconEye BIZJETS GET MORE combined vision system. The 100-foot HANGAR SPACE AT SUBIC BAY

credit was certified last year on the Falcon Aviation Concepts Technical Services RECTRIX AVIATION 8X. FalconEye allows both infrared and (ACTSI) has signed a 25-year lease Ross Aviation’s purchase of Massachusetts-based Rectrix Aviation includes the low-light camera-based enhanced and with the Philippines’ Subic Bay company’s five-year-old flagship facility at Boston-area Laurence G. Hanscom Field as synthetic vision system imagery to be Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for a well three others in the state and one in Sarasota, Florida. All will retain the Rectrix name. displayed at the same time on the head-up nearly 18,000-sq-m (193,750-sq-ft) display (HUD). Dassault expects to receive hangar at Subic Bay International certification of a dual-HUD FalconEye Airport for business jet operations. With Rectrix FBO acquisition, configuration next year, and this will ACTSI plans to refurbish the former U.S. Ross Aviation adds five facilities enable EFVS-to-land capability. The HUD Navy hangars by the third quarter, using is optional on the Falcon 2000LXS, 2000S, the space for business jet parking and Ross Aviation has given its network a big Rectrix also runs a Part 135 aircraft char- 900LX, and 8X, and will also be offered MRO services. The company holds Part 145 boost with the acquisition of Rectrix Avia- ter/management operation and MRO facil- on the 6X when it enters service in 2022. approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority tion and its five FBOs. As customary with ities at Westfield and Sarasota. of the Cayman Islands and Bermuda and is Ross, Rectrix’s four Massachusetts loca- The acquisition brings the chain to 16 FBOs EVIATION TAPS SIEMENS FOR working toward expanding its capabilities to tions—Boston-area Laurence G. Hanscom at 14 airports in the U.S. “Rectrix Aviation has ALICE’S ELECTRIC MOTORS include similar approval from the U.S. FAA. Field Airport, Worcester Regional Air- done an excellent job of providing customers Eviation Aircraft has selected Siemens to “With the added push coming port, Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, with luxury facilities and exceptional cus- provide high-power electric propulsion from government, we will be able to and Cape Cod Barnstable Municipal tomer service,” said Ross Aviation president systems for the nine-passenger Alice. jointly launch ACTSI’s services this Airport-Boardman/Polando Field—and and CEO Jeff Ross. “We are excited to expand The all-electric airplane is expected to year together with Subic Airport’s a base at Florida’s Sarasota/Bradenton the Ross Aviation footprint on the East Coast be able to fly 650 nm at a speed of 220 24/7 capability,” said SBMA chair and International Airport will retain their orig- and believe the Rectrix locations will be very knots on a single charge, according to administrator Wilma “Amy” T. Eisma. inal names. complementary to our existing portfolio.” C.E.

4 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com We’ve long had aviation down to a science. Our customers inspire us to reach higher. Every day, we spark innovation, apply passion and perfect details. We advance aviation to an art form. INSIDE this issue

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – Matt Thurber EXECUTIVE EDITOR - AIN PUBLICATIONS – Mark Phelps NEWS EDITOR - AIN PUBLICATIONS – Chad Trautvetter MANAGING EDITOR - AIN PUBLICATIONS – Annmarie Yannaco SENIOR EDITORS – Curt Epstein, Kerry Lynch Gregory Polek – Air Transport Ian Sheppard – International ASSOCIATE EDITOR – Jerry Siebenmark CONTRIBUTORS Pete Combs David Jack Kenny – Safety Gordon Gilbert Jennifer Leach English John Goglia – Columnist Richard Pedicini 50 42 Mark Huber – Rotorcraft James Wynbrandt GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER – Tom Hurley PRODUCTION EDITOR – Martha Jercinovich GRAPHIC DESIGNERS – John A. Manfredo, Grzegorz Rzekos Feature LEAD DEVELOPER – Michael Giaimo DEVELOPERS – Nathan Douglas, Ryan Koch VIDEO PRODUCER – Ian Whelan

Bill Forelli used GROUP PUBLISHER – Dave Leach ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – Nancy O’Brien X-Plane and ADVERTISING SALES PilotEdge ATC to Georges France – Western Europe, +33 6 80 21 17 93 accelerate the Melissa Murphy – Midwestern U.S., +1 (830) 608-9888 Nancy O’Brien – W estern U.S./Western Canada/Asia Pacific, learning process, +1 (530) 241-3534 soloing in less than Anthony T. Romano – Northeastern U.S./Eastern Canada/Mexico/Brazil Joe Rosone – Mid-Atlantic U.S./Southeast U.S./Caribbean, 10 hours. +1 (301) 693-4687 Diana Scogna – Italy/Northern Europe/Middle East, +33 6 62 52 25 47 Victoria Tod – Great Lakes U.S./United Kingdom, +1 (203) 733-4184 53 24 Yury Laskin – Russia, +7 05 912 1346 AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – Jeff Hartford MARKETING AND CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER – Lisa Valladares MANAGER OF ONSITE LOGISTICS – Philip Scarano III ONSITE PRODUCTION – Zach O’Brien AIRPLANES, ENGINES and UAVs INDUSTRY and MANAGEMENT SALES COORDINATOR – Nadine Timpanaro 1 Boeing partners with Aerion on SSBJ 1 GAMA: deliveries up in 2018 SALES ADMINISTRATOR – Cindy Nesline Boeing’s “significant” stake in the supersonic bizjet is spelling 12 Industry unites on FAA funding bill DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & HUMAN RESOURCES – Michele Hubert new interest from customers, Aerion reports. On opposite sides in the ATC debate, bizav and the airlines join ACCOUNTING MANAGER – Marylou Moravec 14 Falcon 2000 cockpit assembly completed in India forces to support FAA funding. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE – Mary Avella 16 Global 7500 gets EASA nod 28 Collins bets big on additive manufacturing ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE – Bobbie Bing 40 TBM 850, 930 journey over Antarctica 29 Bombardier buys Global 7500 wing program U.S. HEADQUARTERS 30 Argus: expect growth in bizav flying this year 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432, +1 (201) 444-5075 Advertising Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 AIRPORTS and FBOs 30 Preowned inventory shrinks in 2018 [email protected] 4 38 Circulation Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 With Rectrix buy, Ross adds five FBOs Krimson commits to building bizav in Ethiopia [email protected] 38 Groups unite to defend a bizav airport in Brazil WASHINGTON, D.C. EDITORIAL OFFICE: Kerry Lynch (business aviation) 42 Super Bowl traffic prompts questions about slots MAINTENANCE and MRO [email protected] 14 Gulfstream evolves plan for Latin America support Tel: +1 (703) 969-9195 AIRSHOWS and CONVENTIONS 40 Piper boosts M600 warranty hours EUROPEAN EDITORIAL OFFICE: Ian Sheppard; [email protected] 20 NBAA’s Schedulers and Dispatchers conference 52 OEMs, MROs fill demand for mobile mx Hangar 9, Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey RH1 5JY, UK Tel: +44 1737 821409, Mobile: +44 7759 455770

AIR TRANSPORT REGULATIONS, GOVERNMENT, ENVIRONMENT THE CONVENTION NEWS COMPANY, INC. 50 Airbus terminates A380 program 26 Updated regs spell changes for charter brokers AIN PUBLICATIONS EXECUTIVE TEAM The “painful” decision was inevitable after Emirates Airline 40 Controllers attend State of the Union address Wilson Leach Jennifer Leach English Matt Thurber Dave Leach reduced its order for the super-widebody model. Michele Hubert Nancy O’Brien 50 Etihad restructures widebody orders ROTORCRAFT and UNMANNED SYSTEMS Aviation International News (ISSN 0887-9877) is published monthly. 51 Bombardier launches 3-class, 50-seat CRJ 8 Bristow faces heavy financial headwinds Periodicals postage paid at Midland Park, N.J., and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Aviation International 51 Delta Air Lines’ first A220s enter service 32 DJI suffers $150 million loss to fraud News, P.O. Box 8059, Lowell, MA 01853 USA. Allow at least eight weeks 51 UK aerospace feels Brexit effect 47 Airbus pitches H160 for U.S. EMS market for processing. Include old address as well as new, and an address label from a recent issue if possible. Subscription inquiries: +1 (203) 798-2400 or 47 HEMS flight crashes after others decline flight email: [email protected]. AVIONICS and TECHNOLOGY 48 Leonardo opens Louisiana support facility Aviation International News is a publication of The Convention News Co., Inc., 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432; Tel.: +1 (201) 444-5075. 44 ForeFlight app shows Airport 3D previews 48 Helo ops key to Greater Bay Area bizav plan Copyright © 2019 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part 44 G1000NXi available for Citation Mustang 49 Canadian firm sets drone world record without permission of The Convention News Co., Inc. is strictly prohibited. The Convention News Co., Inc. publishes Aviation International News, 45 Garmin inReach Mini, low-cost communications 58 Dubai’s drone registry nears 5,000 UAVs listed AINalerts, AIN Air Transport Perspective, AIN Defense Perspective, AINtv, Business Jet Traveler, BJTwaypoints, ABACE Convention News, Dubai 45 JetSuiteX signs on with SmartSky Airshow News, EBACE Convention News, Farnborough Airshow News, 46 AeroVue upgrade installed on King Air B200 HAI Convention News, LABACE Convention News, MEBA Convention DEPARTMENTS News, NBAA Convention News, Paris Airshow News, Singapore 56 Accidents | 50 Air Transport Update Airshow News, Mobile Apps: Aviation International News; AINonline. PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40649046 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CHARTER and FRACTIONAL 44 Avionics Update CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: PITNEY BOWES INTERNATIONAL MAIL, STATION A, 4 Flexjet sues NJASAP for intimidation in union vote 62 Calendar P.O. BOX 54, WINDSOR, ON, N9A 6J5, returns [email protected]. 34 PlaneSense welcomes second PC-24 59 Compliance Countdown 52 Hot Section FLIGHT OPS, SAFETY, SECURITY, TRAINING 8, 12, 14, 16 News Briefs PUBLICATIONS 16 NTSB Most Wanted list puts focus on Part 135 34 Other Voices 18 Charter pilots fare well in Australian fatigue study 60 People in Aviation | 47 Rotorcraft Update For feedback, letters to the editor, or other editorial needs, please contact AIN’s Editors at 18 Aerocor OK’d for Eclipse training 18 Torqued | 54 Touching Bases [email protected]

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GJCPR 23237- AIN Full Page - March.indd 1 2/12/19 11:32 AM News Briefs Advisory Seeks To Prevent Explosive Door Openings Several occurrences of explosive passenger door openings on parked aircraft resulting in injuries, and even fatalities, have led EASA to issue a Safety Information Bulletin about them. The main factor leading to these occurrences The softness in the was excessive differential pressure oil-and-gas market between the inside and the outside of has taken a toll on the aircraft. Crews of business aircraft Bristow, which last with bottom-hinged main doors should month canceled take special note of this advisory. In two investors calls fact, EASA singled out the Jan. 5, 2018, as it reassessed accident in Finland where the captain financial of a Gulfstream G150 died from injuries statements and sustained when the passenger door hinted that a blew open as he was trying to open bankruptcy filing it. While the jet was being readied for could follow. flight, the flight attendant was inside with the APU running and cabin heat on. Investigators said the cabin was “over-pressurized” and once the door locking mechanism was released, it “blew Bristow faces heavy financial headwinds open by force, striking the captain.” by Mark Huber Clay Lacy Debuts New VNY MRO Facility Things are about to get rougher in the to the fact that “certain pledged and leased filed with the SEC. Certain equipment Clay Lacy Aviation has opened a new offshore oil patch. Bristow Group could helicopter engines were not matched lending/lease covenants at Bristow 24/7 aircraft MRO facility for its Part be headed for restructuring or acquisi- to specific pledged or leased helicopter require filing audited financial annual 145 repair station at California’s Van tion. On February 11 the helicopter ser- airframes or returned to such airframes statements (Form 10-K) “without any Nuys Airport. The complex occupies vices company that primarily serves the within specified periods, as is required going concern explanation or limita- more than seven acres and features offshore energy market broadly hinted under certain of the secured financing tion.” If Bristow is forced to insert a a 66,000-sq-ft hangar and 86,000 sq that its next move could be bankruptcy, and helicopter lease agreements.” “going concern” warning in prior finan- ft of office and shop space, including barring successful renegotiation with According to Bristow, removal and cial statements, then a “going concern” an expanded parts and rotables lenders. Twice in less than a week’s time, replacement was part of its normal and waiver would need to be obtained from department, interior design suite, the company abruptly canceled analyst ongoing maintenance operations. How- the appropriate lenders/lessors. battery refurbishment center, client conference calls. It also formally ended ever, “since certain of those helicop- Bristow further said the delay in filing offices, and conference room. It will its attempt to acquire Columbia Heli- ter engines and airframes are pledged its latest quarterly report (Form 10-Q) provide light and heavy maintenance and copters for $560 million, filed notifica- to lenders or leased from lessors, the could trigger a delisting warning from the repair; avionics and cabin entertainment tion of late filing of its latest quarterly removal of a pledged or leased engine New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). upgrades and installations; cabin design, and nine-month financial results with from a pledged or leased airframe can cre- The helicopter services company did modifications, and refurbishment; as well the U.S. Securities and Exchange Com- ate issues of non-compliance with certain release “preliminary” financial results on as AOG support for the Southwest U.S. mission (SEC), and admitted “material of the secured financing and helicopter February 11 that indicated that it lost at Employing more than 70 technicians, the weakness” in internal controls over lease agreements.” least $262.2 million for the nine months repair station can maintain Gulfstream, financial reporting dating back at least Bristow said the issue affected a small ended Dec. 31, 2018, including $85.94 Bombardier, Dassault, and Hawker jets two years. number of its 385 helicopter engines million for the quarter ended on Dec. 31, and is an authorized service center for In a statement issued on February 11, subject to secured financing or helicop- 2018. The grounding of Bristow’s Airbus the Embraer Phenom 100 and 300. Bristow said, “The Company is evaluat- ter leases, noting the issue was discov- Helicopters H225 fleet resulted in charges ing whether this material weakness in ered and cured for all but nine engines totaling $96.4 million for the nine-month Simhawk Rebrands, Expands internal controls over financial reporting related to three agreements before Dec. period, while the impairment of Bristow’s Its Aviation Marketplace resulted in a misstatement in the Compa- 31, 2018. Those engines were not returned Eastern Airways assets during the same Simhawk has rebranded to Avmkt to ny’s financial statements included in the to pledged airframes due to delays with period generated another $20.8 million in reflect the expanded services it is now Annual Report on [SEC] Form 10-K for certain maintenance service providers, losses. At that time, the company prom- offering through its online aviation the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, and Bristow said, adding that it had obtained ised to release revised financial state- marketplace. Launched some two the impact on the financial statements non-compliance waivers under applicable ments by February 19. Those nine month years ago to match buyers and sellers of the Company as of December 31, 2018, agreements related to those engines. and quarterly losses, if confirmed, are up of simulator time and training, the including disclosures. The Company is The company said it needs to obtain sharply from the same periods a year ago company can now connect buyers specifically evaluating whether certain waivers from secured equipment lend- when the company lost $94.78 million and sellers of other aviation services debt balances should be reclassified from ers and helicopter lessors related to and $8.274 million, respectively. such as paint and interiors, avionics long-term to short-term in those financial non-compliance of non-financial cove- Bristow Group expected to file its upgrades, aircraft maintenance, and crew statements, whether related waivers can nants under related agreements as of Dec. latest quarterly financial report (Form services. Further, Avmkt has improved be obtained from lenders, if necessary, 31, 2018, and prior periods. Without the 10-Q) with the SEC on February 19, some its marketplace platform that allows and the resulting impact on the assess- waivers, certain debt balances would need two weeks after its initial deadline, but buyers to create a profile of the services ment of the Company’s ability to con- to be reclassified from long-term to short- needed “additional time” to “complete a that they need, for specific aircraft, tinue as a going concern.” term under accounting rules. review of its existing processes and con- so they will be automatically notified Bristow subsequently offered more Reclassifying the debt to short-term trols to ensure compliance with non-fi- whenever a supplier posts an offer. specifics as to the “material weaknesses” would require Bristow to insert a “going nancial covenants within certain secured Aviation suppliers can now post available in its internal controls it first revealed on concern” warning in its current and financing and helicopter lease agreements” capacity and directly reach operators February 11. The company said it is related applicable prior financial statements continues on page 49 of a specific aircraft type or category.

8 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com ALPHA BRAVO COLLINS DELTA ECHO FOXTROT GOLF HOTEL INDIA JULIET 47687 CA_ABCollins_3-pageSprd_BusAv_AvIntNews.indd 1 2/5/19 2:28 PM

Client: Rockwell Collins - Business Aviation Ad Title: ALPHA BRAVO COLLINS Publication: Aviation International News - January & March Trim: 10.8125” x 13.875” • Bleed: 11.0625” x 14.125” • Live: 10” x 12.875” From the smallest details to the highest pursuits, we are redefining aerospace. With our customers, we relentlessly tackle the toughest challenges in our industry. And, every day, we imagine ways to make the skies and the spaces we touch smarter, safer and more amazing than ever. Together, we chart new journeys and reunite families. We protect nations and save lives. And we explore the unknown. We believe in the power of intelligence and partnership to guide our customers on journeys toward the future. The paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form propel us all higher again and again. We are constant in our evolution. We are connected to our customers—always. We are compelling as we boldly step forward.

UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins are now Collins Aerospace.

TOGETHER, WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE

47687 CA_ABCollins_3-pageSprd_BusAv_AvIntNews.indd 2-3 2/5/19 2:28 PM

Client: Rockwell Collins - Business Aviation Ad Title: ALPHA BRAVO COLLINS Publication: Aviation International News - January & March Trim: 21.875” x 13.875” • Bleed: 22.125” x 14.125” • Live: 10” x 12.875” From the smallest details to the highest pursuits, we are redefining aerospace. With our customers, we relentlessly tackle the toughest challenges in our industry. And, every day, we imagine ways to make the skies and the spaces we touch smarter, safer and more amazing than ever. Together, we chart new journeys and reunite families. We protect nations and save lives. And we explore the unknown. We believe in the power of intelligence and partnership to guide our customers on journeys toward the future. The paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form propel us all higher again and again. We are constant in our evolution. We are connected to our customers—always. We are compelling as we boldly step forward.

UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins are now Collins Aerospace.

TOGETHER, WE ARE REDEFINING AEROSPACE

47687 CA_ABCollins_3-pageSprd_BusAv_AvIntNews.indd 2-3 2/5/19 2:28 PM

Client: Rockwell Collins - Business Aviation Ad Title: ALPHA BRAVO COLLINS Publication: Aviation International News - January & March Trim: 21.875” x 13.875” • Bleed: 22.125” x 14.125” • Live: 10” x 12.875” In wake of record U.S. gov’t shutdown, News Briefs Gulfstream Beefs Up European and Asia Support industry unites on FAA funding bill Gulfstream Aerospace has further boosted its customer support resources in Europe by Kerry Lynch and Asia, adding maintenance hangar space at Paris Le Bourget Airport and more Congressional passage of a full Fiscal charged with keeping the system safe was On the front line, flight attendants saw capabilities at Gulfstream Beijing. It also Year 2019 funding bill for most govern- dramatic,” the letter stated of the recent first-hand concerns throughout the sys- named two regional managing directors of ment agencies, including the FAA, in shutdown. “We find this situation to be tem that the strains could degrade safety customer support: Ernest Tai for Asia; and mid-February came as welcome news to unacceptable and we want to work with and security, said Sara Nelson, interna- Clarke Mouncher for Europe, the Middle industry. But the preceding 35-day govern- Congress and the Administration to pre- tional president, Association of Flight East, and Africa. At Le Bourget, Gulfstream ment shutdown and the threat of a repeat vent this from ever happening again.” Attendants-CWA. has established access to 16,500-sq-ft that followed in the subsequent days has Testifying before the aviation subcom- But when asked if any flight took off that Hangar H2, supplementing the company’s “galvanized” an industry that just last year mittee hearing on the ramifications of the wasn’t safe as a result of the shutdown, the Field and Airborne Support Teams (FAST) was sharply divided on funding of the air most recent shutdown, General Aviation leaders agreed that was not the case. unit added in 2017. Gulfstream has had traffic control organization. Manufacturers Association president and three EASA-certified FAST technicians at Congressional approval of the funding CEO Pete Bunce told lawmakers he hasn’t Future Funding Le Bourget managed by its service center package, which included $17.5 billion for the seen the industry as strongly united on an As for the funding bill passed in mid-Feb- at London Luton Airport. Meanwhile, FAA, came as a stopgap funding measure issue as it has on H.R.1108. Bunce added ruary, Congress set aside $17.5 billion for its technicians at Gulfstream Beijing was set to expire on February 15. The stop- that the letter might have had more sig- the FAA’s FY2019 budget, a $549 million recently earned China CAAC approval gap ended the longest government shut- natories, but leaders wanted to ensure it drop from FY2018 but $1.3 billion more for 96-month inspections on the G450, down in the nation’s history on January 25. got to Congress ahead of the day’s hearing. than the administration request. The 72-month inspections on the G280, and But the shutdown had a hefty toll, par- Airlines for America president and CEO funding includes an additional $500 mil- 144-month inspections on the G200. ticularly on the estimated 800,000 work- Nicholas Calio expressed similar senti- lion bump for Airport Improvement Pro- ers who went without pay for several ments, saying the issue has “galvanized the gram grants. All but about $580 million of Air Culinaire Acquires weeks, and had ramifications that rever- industry. We have come together.” the FAA’s $10.4 billion operations budget Phoenix-area Caterer berated throughout the aviation industry. During the hearing, Bunce and Calio will come from the Airport and Airways Air Culinaire Worldwide has expanded joined several other industry leaders who Trust Fund. The bill provides funding its footprint with the addition of Industry Presents United Front went into depth on some of the ramifi- for unmanned research and integration, Arizona-based private aviation caterer In the wake of the shutdown, House Trans- cations of the shutdown. Bunce noted in addition to numerous other research Food4Jets. The Scottsdale facility portation and Infrastructure Committee one manufacturer had weighed furloughs projects such as on advanced materials, marks Air Culinaire’s 23rd owned and chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) and because it couldn’t get FAA flight-test additive manufacturing, and environmen- operated catering kitchen, and its staff aviation subcommittee head Rick Larsen personnel in on its flight-test program. tal sustainability efforts. has been welcomed to the Air Culinaire (D-Washington) introduced legislation to A Louisiana company had four helicop- As in past years, Congress included team and trained on its procedures. shield FAA programs and personnel from ter deliveries held up by the inability to measures to protect aircraft operator future government shutdowns. The legis- get the appropriate signoffs, and as of privacy from real-time flight-tracking FAA Mandates Exterior lation would enable the FAA to continue mid-February those deliveries still hadn’t programs and to retain the weight limita- Registration ID on Drones to receive funding from the Airport and been completed. A major manufacturer tion at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. As of February 25, owners of small drones Airway Trust Fund (AATF) and continue was experiencing roughly a $10 million Further, Congress included protections have had to begin displaying their FAA operating at current funding levels in the monthly burn rate on certification delays. of the contract tower program from the registration numbers on an outside event of another government shutdown. He explained that even though the furlough budget whims of the administration and surface of their aircraft. When the FAA The bill, H.R.1108, would ensure FAA was 35 days, it would take much longer to provided money for expansion of remote first required registration of small drones programs continue uninterrupted and get back into the queue for certification tower technologies. in 2015, it mandated that the registration that FAA employees are paid. Funded inspections. In fact, Bunce said estimates Other measures are designed to marking could be placed in an enclosed through the aviation excise taxes— are that the recovery will take three to four ensure fuller use of organization delega- compartment, such as a battery case, if including the passenger ticket tax, fuel weeks for every one week of shutdown. tion authorization and to provide up to it could be accessed without the use of taxes, and cargo taxes—the AATF gener- Calio, meanwhile, pointed to estimates $3.5 million for reimbursement of non- tools. Subsequently, law enforcement ates enough revenue to cover the FAA’s ranging from $15 million to $25 million of gateway airports affected by temporary officials and the FAA’s interagency security activities even if the general government losses various airlines incurred from lost flight restrictions involving travel to the partners have expressed concerns funding should temporarily lapse. flights and delays in deliveries, among President’s “residences.” This measure about the risk a concealed explosive “The U.S. aviation system is the safest, other issues that cropped up. But he was particularly aimed at the airports device might pose to first responders busiest, most complex aviation system in expressed concern that the most signifi- shuttered by the ongoing series of TFRs upon opening a compartment to find the world—a system that was seriously cant ramification was the stress on unpaid in New Jersey and Florida. a registration number. The agency jeopardized by the absurd 35-day govern- workers. National Air Transportation Associ- believes the new requirement will ment shutdown,” DeFazio said in intro- National Air Traffic Controllers Asso- ation president Gary Dempsey said the “enhance safety and security by allowing ducing the bill. “This must not happen ciation president Paul Rinaldi reiterated passage of the funding bill, a result of a a person to view the unique identifier again. The users of the National Airspace the stress and exhaustion that the con- compromise among Washington leaders, directly, without handling the drone.” System pay for the system and deserve for trollers experienced during the shutdown, recognizes “the importance of contin- it to function without interruption.” particularly younger ones who had to find ued, dependable funding for FAA opera- Astronautics To Consolidate Larsen added, “Allowing the FAA to other means of income. The shutdown tions. This is a welcome first step toward Milwaukee Facilities draw from the AATF during a funding had ripple effects throughout the system, implementing the FAA Reauthorization Avionics manufacturer Astronautics Corp. lapse will ensure essential personnel Rinaldi agreed. bill passed last October.” This was par- of America is relocating its Milwaukee-area who work under immensely stressful sit- Mike Perrone, national president of ticularly key as NATA and other industry facilities to allow for further expansion and uations continue to get paid, and that the the Professional Aviation Safety Special- stakeholders move forward on workforce to be closer to Milwaukee General Mitchell largest, busiest, and most complex air- ists, discussed the hit to morale his mem- development issues, he added. n International Airport. The company plans space system in the world remains safe bers took as they were told they weren’t to move its corporate headquarters this for passengers and employees.” essential personnel. He agreed that these summer, followed by its other Milwaukee- That bill has won the backing of some members—the specialists who maintain area facilities in the coming years. When fully 40 organizations, bringing them together the ATC system and provide oversight of consolidated, there will be 450 employees as they haven’t in a long while, signers the industry—are highly trained people at the new Oak Creek location, with room YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS agreed. “The effect on the nation’s air with technical backgrounds who could for growth. None of its other worldwide www.ainonline.com transportation system and the workers be lured into private-sector jobs. facilities will be affected by the move.

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© SmartSky Networks, LLC 2019. All Rights reserved. News Briefs Gulfstream Aerospace is closing its 34,768-sq-ft VistaJet Sees Global Growth service center at Bertram Business aviation services company Luiz Leupolz Airport in VistaJet logged a 31 percent increase in Sorocaba, Brazil. It said new members and saw a 25 percent jump its existing customer in its global operations last year. VistaJet support network will be saw utilization of its fleet of more than augmented by a to-be- 70 long-range Bombardier jets climb by identified authorized 20 percent, while operations jumped 46 service facility to percent year-over-year in North America continue full support for alone. Meanwhile, Europe has become a Gulfstream customers in key market, accounting for 48 percent of Latin America. all VistaJet flights, as new members in the region grew by 105 percent. Flights ticked up 38 percent in the Middle East, with the UAE accounting for 29 percent of these West Palm Beach, Florida service center, flights and 34 percent of flight hours. Gulfstream ‘evolves’ plan which “has been the center of choice for most customers in Latin America,” Stellar, Collins Chart it noted. When completed early next Progress on Next-gen Ops for Latin American support year, the 115,000-sq-ft West Palm facility Parts of a next-generation flight planning “nearly triples the size of the Sorocaba and scheduling system under development by Chad Trautvetter facility and offers an enhanced service between Stellar Labs and Collins Aerospace experience,” Gulfstream told AIN. was showcased by the companies at the Gulfstream Aerospace is closing its ser- and have a plan in place to support them.” In addition, the company said the more recent NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers vice center at Bertram Luiz Leupolz Air- Currently, there are approximately 200 than 400 technicians and support person- Conference. The suite of integrated, cloud- port in Sorocaba, Brazil, near São Paulo, Gulfstream jets based in Latin America. nel added to its customer support orga- based applications will be the successor to the company confirmed on February 13. It To offset the loss of its Sorocaba loca- nization last year complements existing Collins ArincDirect flight operations system opened a factory-owned service center in tion, Gulfstream is expanding its Field Gulfstream-authorized facilities in Vene- (FOS). Development thus far has yielded Sorocaba seven years ago, initially taking and Airborne Support Teams (FAST) in zuela and Mexico. Gulfstream said it will a trip-planning tool that is available now over a two-year-old hangar from sister the region and integrating them with a also retain its two field service represen- and a scheduling tool that will be available company Jet Aviation in 2012 and then to-be-announced authorized service pro- tatives in Brazil. midyear. Meanwhile, A new scheduling relocating to a larger, 34,768-sq-ft facility vider in Brazil. According to Gulfstream, “As our customers’ needs and our fleet module that will be beta-tested this month across the field in 2014. the Sorocaba faciity will remain open with evolve, so too must our approach to ser- will give flight schedulers a continuous, The company made the decision to close minimal staff for drop-in service appoint- vice,” the company told AIN. “This new, real-time overview of their operation, the facility “after considerable research ments until such a third-party agreement multi-faceted approach will help us be including quick verification of flight plans and evaluation,” adding, “We remain com- is established. more agile and responsive to our customers’ that have passed all feasibility checks. mitted to our operators in Latin America Further, the company is expanding its needs in the [Latin American] region.” n NATA, CrewID Team on Safety 1st, Credentialing The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has signed an agreement with First India-made Falcon 2000 cockpit assembly completed CrewID that will integrate NATA’s Safety 1st Training Program into CrewID’s global The first Falcon 2000-series cockpit DRAL’s facility in Nagpur, the nose section economic zone adjoining Nagpur Interna- credentialing system. This will provide nose assembly made in India by Das- was expected to be ceremonially handed tional Airport. The foundation stone was Safety 1st participants online access to sault Reliance Aerospace Ltd. (DRAL)—a over to Dassault last month at the Aero laid 15 months ago “to manufacture sev- real-time eBadges that manage and verify joint-venture of Mumbai-based Reliance India airshow in Bangalore before being eral components of the offset obligation their training credentials, status, and Infrastructure and Dassault Aviation—is shipped to a final assembly line in France. connected to the purchase of 36 Rafale company position. In addition, Safety1st now ready to be delivered. Assembled at DRAL’s facility is located in the special Fighters from France, signed between the participants who have successfully two governments in September 2016,” Das- completed their program training will be sault said. Presently, DRAL is slowly building provided with a CrewID badge at no cost. up a supply chain in India having already awarded many of the approximately 2,500 Airbus, Helisim components in the Falcon 2000’s cockpit Break Ground On Training Center section. The plan to assemble the cockpit Airbus Helicopters and Helisim broke in Nagpur was made due to the lower cost ground early last month on a $40 of Indian labor. million, 23,000-sq-ft helicopter pilot and “We remain committed…to making our maintenance crew training center in Grand humble contribution towards the ‘Make Prairie, Texas. Helisim is a joint venture of in India’ and ‘Skill India’ policies of the Thales and Airbus Helicopters. The center government in the critical area of defense, will house new Thales Reality H level-D including our offset partnership agree- full-motion flight simulators for the Airbus ment with our valued partner, Dassault H145 and H175 twin-engine helicopters. It Aviation of France,” said Reliance Group will also incorporate Airbus Helicopters’ chairman Anil D. Ambani. existing training facility—including its Speaking about the joint venture last H125/AS350 full-flight simulator and H135/ year, Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO H145 training device—and eventually Eric Trappier told AIN, “Reliance is our include the simulator for the new H160 partner and we believe in them,” adding twin once that helicopter is certified. The first Falcon 2000-series nose assembly made in India by Dassault Reliance that people in India were being trained to Airbus expects the new center to bring Aerospace Ltd. (DRAL) will soon be delivered to Dassault Aviation. ensure skill sets. N.M. several thousand pilots and maintenance personnel to Grand Prairie per year.

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Powering your flight with more than just fuel. Learn more at avfuel.com. and CFIT-avoidance programs, prevent- News Briefs Part 135 safety dominates able crashes involving Part 135 aircraft are occurring all too frequently,” the NTSB said, Boeing Makes First Flight of pointing to findings of a lack of SMS, FDM, Autonomous eVTOL NTSB’s Most Wanted list and adequate CFIT training in the Oct. 2, Boeing NeXT completed the first test 2016 Grand Caravan crash in Togiak, Alaska. flight of its electrically powered, fully by Kerry Lynch The NTSB has 21 open safety recommen- autonomous passenger air vehicle (PAV) dations surrounding Part 135 operations, the eVTOL prototype in late Juanuary in The NTSB is putting a spotlight on Part 135 alcohol and other drug impairment, reduce agency said. “Operators must be proactive Manassas, Virginia. The aircraft, designed operations in its newest Most Wanted List fatigue-related accidents, and strengthen about safety; they should not wait for regula- by Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences, of Transportation Safety Improvements. occupant protection. Sleep apnea screening tions or an accident to move them to action.” completed a controlled takeoff, hover and This continues a theme that agency lead- is on the list, but aviation is not included as Operators that have already incorporated landing during the flight, which tested ers have highlighted in recent months as one of the target modes. SMS, FDM, and CFIT programs are seeing the vehicle’s autonomous functions and they look at safety differences between As for Part 135 safety, the NTSB said, “Air “tremendous safety returns,” it added. ground control systems. Future flights the on-demand and Part 121 sectors. tour, air medical service, air-taxi, charter, The addition of Part 135 safety follows will test forward, wing-borne flight, as Safety of Part 135 Aircraft Flight Oper- and on-demand flights are not required recent discussions from agency officials, well as the transition phase between ations was one of 10 issues included in to meet the same safety requirements as including John DeLisi, director of the vertical and forward-flight modes. The the 2019/2020 Most Wanted List that commercial airlines, leaving them suscep- NTSB’s Office of Aviation Safety, who PAV measures 30 feet long, 28 feet wide, the NTSB released last month and was tible to disaster.” highlighted these issues during the most and has a maximum range of 50 miles. the only issue that solely addressed avia- recent Bombardier Safety Standdown It integrates propulsion and wing lift to tion. General aviation safety and/or loss- ‘Be Proactive about Safety’ and said Part 121 has laid a roadmap for achieve hover and forward flight. Power of-control, which had been included in a The NTSB believes Part 135 must imple- Part 135. NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt is distributed to a multi-blade propulsor number of the lists over the past decade, ment safety management systems (SMS) reiterated this theme during his recent in the rear of the aircraft for thrust and was dropped from this latest list. with a flight data monitoring (FDM) pro- discussion at the National Air Transpor- to eight smaller rotors positioned on While Part 135 safety improvements were gram and should have controlled-flight-in- tation Association’s Aviation Leadership beams beneath the wings to create lift the sole item directly aimed at aviation, many to-terrain (CFIT) avoidance training Conference. The subject further is on the during hover/low-speed operations. of the issues in the latest list have cross- programs. Most Part 135 operators do not agenda of the Air Charter Safety Founda- modal safety implications that include avia- have these programs, the Safety Board said. tion’s (ACSF) next symposium this month. Aviaa Expands Euro Footprint tion. These were: eliminate distractions, end “Despite the availability of SMS, FDM, “The ACSF agrees that Part 135 opera- Business aviation group purchasing firm tors must be proactive about safety and Aviaa has reached an agreement to acquire not wait for more regulations,” said the London-based Convolus in a deal that, organization’s president Bryan Burns. once concluded, will support a member “We will continue to promote the highest fleet of almost 500 aircraft and a supplier Bombardier’s Global 7500 gets EASA nod levels of aviation safety through various network with global operations, including risk-management programs.” an international FBO network. With the Bombardier checked off another key senior v-p of program management and He pointed to the varied services con- expanded European footprint, Aviaa will approval for its flagship Global 7500 with engineering, Bombardier Business Aircraft. ducted under charter and said, “The reg- establish an office in Munich, Germany. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) “With the longest range in the industry, the ulatory structure of on-demand versus merger also will see Convolus co-founder validation, the company announced early aircraft can connect more international cit- scheduled service must be different due and CEO Irena Deville become Aviaa’s last month. The nod clears the way for the ies nonstop, opening many destinations to to the nature of the operations.” managing director of Europe and the aircraft to be registered in a European our customers.” NATA vice president of regulatory affairs Middle East. Aviaa said Convolus members Union country, opening a major market for The aircraft also exceeds original John McGraw agreed. “NATA looks forward will see increased buying power with the the 7,700-nm, four-zone-cabin business jet. takeoff and landing performance com- to working with NTSB to enhance Part 135 merger and additional cost savings in EASA approval followed Transport Canada mitments, Bombardier said, noting it can air charter safety,” McGraw said, noting the its supply chain that includes categories type certification in September and U.S. operate at challenging destinations such association’s advocacy for safety manage- such as insurance, maintenance, fuel, FAA approval in November. as Sion and St. Moritz, Switzerland. It ment programs. McGraw stressed the need business operations, and crew training. The aircraft officially entered service also has the range to connect New York for advancements in data collection, say- Aviaa members, who are largely U.S.-based, with the delivery on December 20, a little to Hong Kong and Singapore to San Fran- ing that would facilitate data-driven safety will see the benefits of a European FBO more than 24 months after the first flight cisco, nonstop, with eight passengers and improvements in areas most needed. network that includes the likes of Dassault of FTV1. The test program validated a 300- standard NBAA IFR fuel reserves. At the same time, though, he also Falcon Service, ExecuJet, and Jet Aviation. nm range extension, pushing it past rival Bombardier, which has said the Global pointed to the range of aircraft, missions, Gulfstream’s G650ER 7,500-nm range. 7500 is selling into 2022, plans to deliver 15 and areas of operation involved in Part 135. Asian Sky Group Sees “We’ve transformed business aviation to 20 Global 7500s this year, with the rate “It is important that the FAA understand Mixed Global Helo Market with the Global 7500,” said Michel Ouellette, doubling to around 35 to 40 in 2020. K.L. the diverse nature of the Part 135 industry” The rotorcraft market is seeing steady as it implements regulations. n demand for lighter models and some improvement in medium/super-medium segments, according to Asian Sky Group NEWS note (ASG). The firm’s latest report notes a gradual slide in deliveries from the Based on increasing demand from major OEMs that began in 2010, dipping its customers, Harrod’s Aviation has to an estimated 460 new helicopter boosted the winter aircraft shelter shipments last year, down 44 percent capacity at its London Luton facility, from 2010. ASG managing director Jeffrey through a temporary lease on Hangar 60, Lowe cited major restructuring from a which formerly housed the now-defunct leasing company ongoing after-effects Monarch Engineering. The 33,000-sq-ft of the oil and gas downturn and market heated structure with direct access to oversupply. Demand has been stable the apron can house aircraft up to an for single-engine and light twin-engine Airbus ACJ and will bring the facility up helicopters, while heavy and medium- to nearly 100,000 sq ft of hangar space. sized models have seen declines. However, The initial contract on the hangar is Lowe pointed to possible recovery for six months, which will run through trends, with price stabilization and Bombardier’s Global 7500 is now certified in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. the busy spring and summer months. T increased interest in certain medium and super-medium helicopters.

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Charter pilots fare well Full-throttle opinion from former in Australian fatigue study NTSB member John Goglia by Gordon Gilbert How safe is your safety culture?

Charter pilots reported more hours of sleep previous 24 hours, and more than 60 per- I’ve been thinking about safety cultures the people they promote. If people are in the previous 48 hours of duty than long- cent reported having more than 14 hours at aviation entities for a few reasons. For promoted for their ability to perform indi- and short-haul airline pilots, according to in the previous 48 hours. The survey also one, as I write, it’s the start of a new year vidually but their impact on others is not a recent study on commercial pilot fatigue found a small but significant number of and a good time for resolutions. One such considered, you can end up with a toxic by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau pilots, 10 percent and 17 percent, respec- resolution could be striving to improve the person creating a toxic environment. (ATSB). The study, based on responses tively, who reported obtaining less than safety culture of your organization for the Most often, on the maintenance side, from 625 commercial pilots, including five hours of sleep in the previous 24 year 2019. I’ve been thinking about that for I’ve seen a failure to follow procedures 100 charter pilots, reported that “very few hours or less than 12 hours in the pre- some of the organizations I consult with as become a norm that undermines safety. pilots from regional, charter, and aeromed- vious 48 hours. “These sleep thresholds a way of motivating what should be a reg- The company mantra is to get the job done, ical categories reported having less than have been shown to be associated with ular review of a business’s safety culture. move planes. Someone in the company, five hours sleep in the preceding 24 hours.” impaired performance.” Another reason for this particular topic maybe a new hire who tries to do work “by Less sleep on duty was more preva- More than 90 percent of pilots indicated is the partial shutdown of the U.S. gov- the book,” is criticized for slowing down lent for international and domestic jet their employer offered employees a formal ernment and accompanying furlough of the operation. He or she quickly learns the airline pilots than pilots of regional, process for removing themselves from duty FAA safety inspectors and NTSB accident only way to keep their job or to get pro- charter, and aeromedical operations. due to fatigue. About one-third of respon- investigators. (Shortly after this writ- motions is to take shortcuts; following the Although around one-third of regional, dents indicated they removed themselves ing, the two sides reached an agreement proper steps is not going to be rewarded if charter, and aeromedical pilots from duty at least once in the past year, to open temporarily, but the future was it means slowing down the operation. reported being sufficiently alert, an mostly between one and three days. But uncertain.) For inexplicable reasons, the The same is true for cultures that push equal amount in each of these opera- “the pilots who removed themselves from FAA decided in a 2013 shutdown that the pilots to take risks with weather or air- tion types reported “mild fatigue.” duty generally perceived their actions left bulk of its safety inspectors would no craft performance that they themselves More than half of pilots reported that, a negative impression with management longer be considered essential workers, are hesitant to take. Or a culture exhib- at the end of their last flight, they had (with the exception of aeromedical pilots) as they were in previous shutdowns. It ited by the pilots themselves, such as had seven hours of sleep or more in the and did not feel comfortable doing so.” n seems that the decision to consider safety revealed by the NTSB investigation of the inspectors non-essential has continued Gulfstream IV crash that took the lives in this shutdown. According to an FAA of seven people, including David Katz, statement on Twitter: “If we identify an owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer. That issue, we recall inspectors and engineers accident revealed an astonishing failure to address it.” Who is identifying issues if by a senior pilot and copilot to perform inspectors aren’t out there inspecting or a routine pre-takeoff flight-control check, at least evaluating reports coming in from resulting in their attempted takeoff with whistleblowers or the public? This situa- the gust lock engaged. One of the contrib- tion highlights for me the importance of uting factors found by the NTSB was the a strong safety culture so that you don’t “habitual failure” to perform such a check need the fear of a government inspec- on the preceding 175 flights by the same tion to keep management or employees very experienced flight crew. focused on doing the right thing. One of the observations Grant makes regards the toxic superstar. We all know Top-down Culture the employee who is brilliant at their job Coincidentally, as I was getting ready to but creates misery for those around them. write about this topic, a friend of mine Grant concludes that “it’s much easier to

MARK WAGNER sent me a podcast interview with a man- change culture by removing people than it agement expert talking about issues that is to change those people’s behavior, espe- Aerocor gets signoff for Eclipse training I believe are relevant to safety cultures. cially if they are powerful people.” Titled Science of Leadership (with Adam In the end, I thought one of the most Los Angeles-based light jet aircraft broker requires that Eclipse pilots receive upset Grant), the podcast interviews Grant, an helpful parts of this interview was Grant’s and services firm Aerocor secured FAA recovery training before their initial type organizational psychologist and profes- view on how to avoid group think and approval for its Eclipse 500/550 initial rating training, and Aerocor can help sor at the Wharton School of Business at encourage speaking truth to power. I can’t and recurrent training programs. With the arrange this. the University of Pennsylvania, on a wide count the number of times after an accident FAA nod, Aerocor is bundling the training Aerocor retained Eclipse instructor and range of subjects related to leadership. that I’ve heard other employees say that programs with the available preowned designated pilot examiner Greg Webster Grant’s summary defining safety cul- so-and-so was an accident waiting to hap- Eclipses in its sales portfolio, a move the to steer the program. “We are very excited ture is a good one: “When I think about pen. Or, “We wanted to say something but company said will enable customers to to have Greg on board. Clients choose culture, I think about repeated patterns the boss [or bosses] didn’t want to hear it.” finance the training programs with the Aerocor because of our in-depth product of behavior that reveal norms and values. One of the most meaningful strategies purchase of the aircraft. knowledge and so it was important for I think one of the shorthand ways to cap- for me has to do with how individuals can The approval is particularly import- us to provide that same level of exper- ture what is ‘culture’ is; what people do raise issues, even with difficult bosses, and ant, Aerocor said, because initial pilot tise in our training product,” said Aerocor when no one is looking.” Are the norms greatly increase their chances of being training for the Eclipse models must be co-founder Gavin Woodman. and values in your organization or your heard and their advice being acted upon.  conducted by an FAA-approved, stan- Since approval, Aerocor has com- unit to do the right thing, or to take con- dardized training provider. That require- pleted the first couple of initial type rat- venient shortcuts just to get the job done, The opinions expressed in this column are ment limits options for owners, it added. ings and about a dozen recurrent events, even if the impact on safety is unknown those of the author and not necessarily Not only does the approval add to Eclipse it said. Eyeing expansion in this arena, or risky? endorsed by AIN. training availability, but it also enables the company is planning to hire staff and Grant highlights the importance of Aerocor to further its support to Eclipse roll out other light-jet training programs founders or leaders in creating cultures John Goglia is a safety consultant. owners. The Eclipse type certificate also in the near future. K.L. by what they reward and what they pun- He welcomes your e-mails at: ish. But, importantly, they also do it by [email protected]

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The annual event provided numerous educational opportunities for attendees. ROBB WILLIAMSON COURTESY OF NBAA ROBB WILLIAMSON COURTESY

Bolen then thanked the audience for NBAA’s Schedulers & Dispatchers event its help in turning the tide in last year’s effort to stop the air traffic control -pri vatization movement. “When we work continues growth at 30th anniversary together and we coordinate, and we com- municate, we can make a big difference,” by Curt Epstein he said. “We can solve problems.” With that crisis seemingly abated, he said the In 1987, corporate flight department span, it has grown, tallying a record nearly Following the traditional first night organization will now turn its attention members Robert Weinwurzel and Fred 3,000 attendees this year, drawing guests reception on the exhibit floor, the event to another serious issue, the looming Towers had the brainstorm to develop from all 50 states and more than 40 coun- began with opening remarks from Mahler shortage of pilot and aircraft mainte- a group within NBAA that dealt primar- tries, from as far away as China. Those and S&D committee co-chair Derek Fitz- nance talent, which is already being felt ily with the needs of the flight scheduler few initial exhibitors likewise expanded to gerald, a scheduler in Boston Scientific’s in the industry as it competes with com- and dispatcher community. The pair more than 580 booths on the show floor at flight department. This year marked the mercial aviation and the military for that repeatedly pitched the idea to the orga- the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Cen- first time in the show’s 30-year history finite resource. He announced that NBAA nization, which eventually ran with it ter, also a record. “It’s truly amazing to see where the S&D committee chair position has revamped its compensation survey and elevated it to full committee status. what this conference has accomplished and its show organizational tasks were to give employers a better idea of what The first Schedulers & Dispatchers Con- and the progress it’s made,” said Kindra divided between two individuals, a para- ference (SDC), which attracted less than Mahler, conference co-chair and sales and digm that will continue going forward. 100 attendees and a handful of exhibitors marketing manager at Fargo Jet Center, at NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen It’s truly amazing to a hotel in Montvale, New Jersey, took the opening general session. “I can’t wait announced Kellie Rittenhouse, CAM (cer- to see what this place in 1989. to see what’s in store for the future, and I tified aviation manager), as the recipient Fast forward three decades to San Anto- hope industry members like yourselves will of this year’s Outstanding Achievement conference has nio, Texas, where SDC 2019 celebrated the continue to support this effort, volunteer and Leadership Award. As director of avi- accomplished and the show’s 30th anniversary in January. In that and foster the growth of this conference.” ation with Hangar Aviation Management progress it’s made.” and former S&D committee member who chaired the 2004 conference, Rit- — Kindra Mahler, conference co-chair and sales and tenhouse is one of the first in the indus- marketing manager at Fargo Jet Center try to achieve NBAA’s CAM status. She is also a director of the Michigan Busi- such talent is worth; it has also changed ness Aviation Association and was one its professional membership criteria, to of the first recipients of the conference’s accommodate students and allow them training scholarship program, which was access to the organization’s resources, begun in 1997. Designed to promote the such as job boards. Bolen also encouraged career development of current and aspir- members to initiate internship programs ing schedulers and dispatchers, the pro- to help attract young employees. “Last gram has awarded more than $700,000 year we were very focused on telling our in industry-sponsored cash grants to 170 elected representatives about who we are, deserving members since its inception. why it mattered, what the issue was,” he The money is used for a variety of profes- said. “Now we have the opportunity to tell sional development initiatives. Through those people who are considering a career, a separate S&D Scholarship Training that we’re the place they want to make

JERRY SIEBENMARK JERRY Program, which started in 2004, specific that career. People who are here today (l-r) Conference co-chairs Derek Fitzgerald and Kindra Mahler with Kellie Rittenhouse, training opportunities are provided by don’t look at their career as just a place Schedulers & Dispatchers Outstanding Achievement and Leadership Award winner, and NBAA member companies, and 12 such scholar- to work; they look at it as an opportunity president and CEO Ed Bolen. ships were awarded this year. to become a true professional.”

20 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com Keynote speaker Karen McCullough battery weight and capacity remain stum- then gave attendees a perspective on bling blocks at least in terms of creating Paying it forward inter-generational changes in the work- aircraft with longer legs. place, describing what perspectives those In his view, unmanned aerial vehicles A hallmark of the show over recent years greeted by several industry members and new workforce entrants might bring to (UAVs) will also play a growing role in has been the Pay it Forward initiative, taken on a tour. “There are so many dif- their businesses and advising them to lis- a variety of applications in the short which aims to benefit the host city. For ferent jobs and careers that exist within ten to those who have different viewpoints. term, such as cargo transport, firefight- the ninth straight year, the S&D advisory our industry that kids don’t even know In the Day Two opening session, Louie ing, reconnaissance, and crop and rail- council has sponsored a clothing drive and about,” said S&D advisory council mem- Gravance entertained the audience with way inspections. But with the increasing asked attendees to bring any gently-worn ber and former committee chair Amber stories of his many years of experience sophistication of the control systems business clothing or accessories to donate Finchum. “They hear ‘aviation’ and they with the Walt Disney Company and how being developed, Purvis can also envision at the convention center. The items are automatically assume pilots, but an air- they tied into giving exceptional cus- passenger aircraft with one or even no then distributed to disadvantaged people craft doesn’t take off without the other tomer service. pilots, monitored from ground stations. through local charities such as Dress for jobs and responsibilities behind it, and Boeing’s own autonomous passenger air Success, which helps provide job counsel- this is a way to expose these students to EDUCATIONAL vehicle (PAV) made its first flight just a ing and proper clothing for job interviews. the opportunities that exist.” She added week before the conference. Since its launch in 2011, the drive has col- that if even one of the students found OPPORTUNITIES James Spadaro, director of sales lected more than 17,000 garments, and their way into an aviation career it would Education is one of the pillars of the con- engineering with business aviation IT some companies have begun to conduct make the event worthwhile. ference, and this year, showgoers had a solutions provider OneSky Network, their own internal drives before the show, Brian Schmitt, the FBO’s general man- slate of 34 sessions to choose from. described how artificial intelligence will among them Universal Weather & Aviation, ager explained, “It’s an opportunity for Beyond the Buzz: How New Technol- affect the flight-planning arena in a variety which this year delivered eight boxes of students to see what goes on in the avi- ogy is Changing Business Aviation, gave of ways, such as route optimization in real clothes, in addition to a number of new ation industry, other than hopping on an attendees a look at technology that is time based on changes in weather using dresses and dress shirts. airliner and taking off.” Given the large now emerging, or will soon become part predictive analysis; security screening; Another initiative that debuted last variety of aircraft that frequent the facil- of their daily life. David Purvis, with Boe- predictive maintenance, which will aim year serves to educate high school stu- ity, he believes the students were offered ing’s business and general aviation unit, to address problems before they result in dents about aviation careers by demon- a wider view of aviation than they would said that like it or not, people in the avia- AOG situations; and predictive demand. strating business aviation activities at a otherwise have. tion industry will have to learn to embrace He then led session attendees on a local airport. This year, on the Monday “They’re asking a lot of questions, the future. “One of the things that we see journey into the cryptocurrency realm, before the show’s opening, 22 students which is good; they are engaged, they more often than not these days is we’re shining light on shadowy concepts from from MacArthur High School in San Anto- are paying attention,” said Jason Sando- forced into these new technologies.” blockchains to bitcoins. While there are nio were taken to the Million Air FBO at val, one of the teachers who escorted the Augmented and virtual reality, once the currently more than 2,000 different cryp- San Antonio International Airport, which students. “This will open their eyes and stuff of video games, is being developed tocurrencies, Spadaro believes it will be hosted the event. There they were ears to learn more.” C.E. for pilot training to create fully immer- at least another two decades before they sive environments in a compact size. become a generally accepted form of cur- “We think that this is going to increase rency worldwide. access to training because these things are going to be lighter and cheaper, more easily deployed,” Purvis explained. “They THE REALITY OF AOG will be mobile so you will be able to bring While aircraft on ground (AOG) is a term training to customers.” Head-up displays no one in an aviation flight department in some aircraft will become more wear- wants to hear, how you recover from that able, providing overlay information such situation is crucial, said Nathan Win- as airways, weather, and traffic, similarly kle, founder and CEO of Thoroughbred to how data is presented in the helmets of Aviation and chairman of NBAA’s Main- the latest-generation fighter pilots. tenance Committee, and Travis Tyler, For aircraft production and mainte- manager of Textron Aviation’s 1Call Ser- nance, technicians will be able to use vices, in Tech Happens: Recovering from augmented technology to bring up wir- AOG. Outside of FAA safety regulations, ing, cable, and systems diagrams, allowing AOG in some cases is in the eyes of the them to work faster and more accurately, user. While it may not affect the perfor-

to minimize aircraft downtime. mance of the aircraft, a malfunction in EPSTEIN CURT Additive technology or “3D printing” the cabin internet connectivity is now Debbi Laux from Aviation Personnel International (l.) and Mi Kosasa, vice chair with Air is making strides in terms of production, generally viewed as enough to ground it, Service Hawaii, (r.), S&D Advisory Council members and co-founders of the conference’s particularly in the rapid prototyping of according to some operators. Pay-It-Forward clothing drive flank NBAA head Ed Bolen to show off some of the parts. Purvis expects the technology to Winkle noted that flight departments garments donated this year. The conference also leaves its mark on the host community soon find a niche in the aircraft comple- should view the possibility of unscheduled by introducing local students to the opportunities business aviation affords. tions industry, enabling lighter, custom- maintenance events that could ground ized interiors that are produced more the airplane, not as if, but when, and they quickly and less expensively. should plan for the worst-case scenarios Once the technology evolves to the and work from there. Departments should point where certificated parts can be pro- have already selected pre-vetted supple- duced through this method, Purvis sees mental lift providers, according to Winkle. extreme disruption to the current supply “It’s not a time to pick a charter out of a chain model as, theoretically, parts could hat when you’re AOG: when you’re trying be made on demand in the hangar, greatly to manage the passengers’ expectations, reducing the downtime of aircraft as well as trying to manage your crew’s expecta- minimizing on-hand parts inventory needs. tions, trying to manage your maintenance Electric aircraft, particularly vertical team’s expectations, and you are getting takeoff or landing (E-VTOL) aircraft are all those phone calls, emails, and texts,” currently still in their infancy, Purvis said, he told the audience. Flight schedulers with many manufacturers turning their should even be prepared with a backup in

attention to developing passenger-car- case the first choice is booked, or is down OF NBAA ROBB WILLIAMSON COURTESY rying capabilities. According to Purvis, continues on next page

ainonline.com \ March 2019 \ Aviation International News 21 News from Schedulers and Dispatchers

continued from preceding page and Frank Harrill with Schweitzer Engi- Partners took attendees step-by-step aircraft accidents, medical emergencies, for repair itself. For each trip, you should neering Laboratories, explored both through the process of selecting backup and mechanical failures. Chupp spent the consider the possibility of an AOG at the preparation for and the handling of emer- charter providers. They did so by setting session discussing ERP development and destination. gency crises within the flight department. up a scenario in which the scheduler of a the importance of continually exercising Depending on where the flight is going, Among their recommendations are lists fictional company suddenly faced finding the plan, which he said can help identify commonly consumed parts may not be of protocols and questions for handling a Part 135 operator after the company jet the gaps in it, such as who’s responsible readily available, and operators should the initial notification of an emergency, broke down, leaving its CEO, her family, for contacting flight department and cor- consider bringing their own. including: who called and their follow up and their dog stranded in Miami, Flor- porate staff as well as notifying relatives Winkle stresses that flight departments contact information; condition of passen- ida. The scenario took the scheduler of corporate and flight department staff. should establish good relationships, ahead gers and aircraft; what forms of stabiliza- from a basic Google search through He also urged attendees to get senior of any possible problems, with their air- tion were undertaken; and if emergency a series of phone calls, with each pan- leadership of the company involved in craft manufacturer’s field representative, responders were on the scene or en route. elist touching on important consider- such exercises, because those events who can be a valuable resource in stressful The pair also cautioned that social media ations for finding a suitable aircraft and tend to be eye-opening for leaders and times, even to schedulers and dispatch- is not private and could be used in any charter company, including the age and ultimately lead to greater support from ers, who may be required to make that the C-suite. first contact in an emergency. “It’s really Aviation Emissions: Let’s Clear the important to know that when things go Air, featured Juan Munoz from Universal awry that you can call those people and Weather and Aviation, along with IBAC’s they know who you are, and they know Bruce Parry and Armondo Cairoli from what your expectations are,” he said. Euro Control focusing on the three exist- Once the problem with the aircraft has ing emissions reporting programs: EU been assessed, the operator should work ETS, Swiss ETS, and CORSIA. The panel- with the OEM or repair provider to estab- ists detailed how they compare and how lish a reasonable return to service time for they differ, and what international oper- the aircraft. Tyler, who has dealt with more ators need to know to be in compliance than 6,000 AOG situations in his career, with them, even as reporting deadlines suggests designating one point of contact approach. The emissions panel was one with the maintenance provider. Flight of several that were affected by the recent department members should develop a U.S. government shutdown. A represen- checklist of questions to ask the crew on tative from the FAA was unable to attend first notification of a broken airplane, he due to his sudden work backlog, along said, so they can quickly gather all the per- In additional to dozens of panel sessions, attendees availed themselves of the chance to with his CBP counterparts who were tinent information to start the process. meet with vendors and one another to expand their horizons. unable to participate in the U.S. Customs Key Initiatives panel. Other education sessions covered deal- PLANNING REMAINS KEY ing with weather issues, Notams and the Trip planning to various parts of the differences in operational requirements world is always a conference staple, with and regulations between Part 91 and Part panel sessions available on operating to: 135 flight operations. India, Africa and the Middle East; Mexico “I have so much information that I’m and South America; Europe; Cuba and the ready to take back home to my team and Caribbean; and Asia. share, and I also gained a broader knowl- In the case of the latter, a general point edge of the aviation industry as a whole,” to consider is that in Asia, business and said first-time attendee Meghan Swanson, general aviation is considered low pri- a scheduler with Schweitzer Engineering ority behind airlines and cargo flights, Laboratories’ flight department, adding according to Leigh Ann Beckett, assistant that she found her first visit to the con- director of aviation for XCoal Energy & ference an extremely valuable experience. Resources, which operates aircraft in the “Everyone seems to know each other but region. She said the wrong attitude can it’s not exclusive at all. As a first-time

lead to a lengthier process for getting OF NBAA ROBB WILLIAMSON COURTESY PHOTOS attendee, everyone just wanted to take slots and permits and recommends using me under their wing everywhere I went.” an international trip planner. She advised resulting legal actions. All statements to experience of a replacement flight crew, As is customary, the first planning meet- patience in dealing with government agen- media in the aftermath of an emergency aircraft size, equipment on board and ing for next year’s conference took place cies as things may not move as quickly in should be funneled through one company amenities, and insurance and risk. “Your the night SDC 2019 ended. Next year, other parts of the world and suggested all source. In terms of security measures and flight department spent a considerable Schedulers & Dispatchers will visit Char- communications should be phrased as expenditures, some people will likely amount of time and money to eliminate lotte, North Carolina, for the first time. It simply and straightforwardly as possible view them as a nuisance, and it’s the duty any kind of uncertainty in your opera- will also take place later in the year than to avoid confusion. Sarah Kalmeta, Uni- of flight department members to change tion,” Lascher said. “So you want to have usual, running from March 10-13, a func- versal Weather and Aviation’s Asia-Pa- that mindset. “There’s not a lot of ROI a charter operator that does the same.” tion of its growing success. “With the cific regional director and a member of [return on investment] in security and Panelists underscored that safety is par- scale of the show, it lends us a little bit of the Asian Business Aviation Association’s safety and all that,” said Reilly. “Obvi- amount and schedulers and dispatchers challenge as to how we can schedule it,” board of governors, said to be skeptical if ously, it’s tough to measure what doesn’t shouldn’t forsake their companies’ own said Tyler Austin, NBAA’s senior manager a local handler says they can do something happen by preventing it and being pre- standards in picking a charter opera- for certification and new liaison to the that an established trip support provider pared. So when you try to make that pitch tor. “SMS [Safety Management System] S&D committee. He succeeded Joanne says cannot be done. They may be resort- on how important these things are, it’s a and ERP [Emergency Response Plan] (Jo) Damato, who had served in that role ing to illegal means and can bring the tough sell to the executives.” are absolutely mandatory programs,” since 2004 and was recently promoted to operator afoul of compliance regulations. At a session on vetting supplemental DeMarco said. “I would absolutely not v-p of educational strategy and workforce Other sessions involved security and lift, panelists Nick DeMarco of Execu- accept a company that does not have an development. “Opening it up to a differ- emergency response. Planning for the tive Jet Management, Terry Lascher of SMS or ERP.” ent schedule gave us new opportunities to Worst: Modern Security Best Practices, L.J. Aviation, Frank Turtola of Global Dovetailing from that session, Fire- seek out other cities that we’ve never been led by Patrick Reilly from CVS Health, Aerospace, and Don Chupp of Fireside side’s Chupp led another on ERPs for to before,” Austin said. n

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Expert X-Plane pilot Bill Forelli soloed in less than 10 hours, which includes two discovery flights followed by 6.7 hours of focused training in a Piper Archer. PHOTOS COURTESY BILL FORELLI COURTESY PHOTOS

of the non-towered fields, giving literally Learning to fly on simulated wings thousands of fields to choose from.” Starting with the X-Plane Cessna 172, by Matt Thurber Forelli upgraded to a Beechcraft Bonanza, which comes with an Aspen EFD glass The pilot training infrastructure is under He has not only used X-Plane and other Once set up (as a plugin for X-Plane), panel. He flew that for a while before enormous pressure to produce more new platforms for practice that has acceler- PilotEdge enables a simulator pilot to taking his first IRL discovery flight at an pilots to satisfy the needs of airlines, ated his in-airplane training, but he has simply make a radio call for a VFR or airport near Seattle in a C-172 that just hap- charter providers, business aircraft oper- also documented his experience online, tower enroute IFR flight or log into the pened to be equipped with an Aspen EFD. ators, and every other aviation segment. with videos on YouTube and livestream- app and file a flight plan, then contact When he climbed into the left seat, he was But for the most part, the training pro- ing on Amazon’s Twitch platform. the PilotEdge controller and request a delighted to see the Aspen because he knew cess hasn’t changed much over the past clearance. The PilotEdge controller can how to use it. “The CFI was impressed I few decades, except to adapt to new reg- Simulated ATC observe the simulated aircraft as if it were knew where the buttons were,” he said. “I ulations and modern equipment such as Forelli, who had logged about 20 hours of visible on his radar screen. PilotEdge con- was validated the further I went [into flying glass panel avionics and autopilots in training as of the end of January, soloed trollers include some with real-world ATC IRL]; what I was doing with the simulator technically advanced aircraft. in less than 10 hours, which includes two experience and also enthusiasts who have was translating to the real world.” While simulators are an important discovery flights followed by 6.7 hours logged more than 1,000 hours directing When Forelli flew his first simulated part of pilot training, these devices hav- of focused training in a Piper Archer. He traffic on other virtual networks, accord- flight with PilotEdge, he found the expe- en’t done much to reduce the amount attributes that relatively short flight time ing to PilotEdge founder Keith Smith. “In rience nerve-wracking, but fulfilling. “On of in-aircraft flight time needed for ab to the hours of practice in X-Plane. What either case, there is three to four months PilotEdge, I was terrified,” he recalled. initio pilot certification. Simulator man- is fascinating about Forelli’s experience of airspace familiarization and system Watching the video of his first PilotEdge ufacturer Redbird has tested methods of is watching video of him fly in X-Plane training before they get checked out in flight with X-Plane, it’s easy to pick out the incorporating simulators into the train- and comparing it to his flying in real life our system.” errors, but it is also clear that Forelli had ing process and did make some progress (IRL). It doesn’t take him long to trans- The pilot makes all the normal calls to learned a lot from his practice. His first reducing in-aircraft flight hours, but that fer the simulator experience into getting ATC during the simulated flight, usually error was not calling clearance delivery, hasn’t translated into a wholesale change comfortable IRL. (Forelli’s material can starting from the ramp, calling clearance but the PilotEdge controller (usually it’s in the way pilot training is conducted be found by searching for “Bill4LE” on delivery (if applicable at that airport), the same person handling all positions, for worldwide. YouTube and Twitch.) ground, tower, departure, etc. The expe- efficiency) was accommodating and gave There is another way that simulation About two years ago when he was liv- rience is highly realistic. And the con- the clearance to Forelli without making can help, however, and that is the use of ing in the Seattle area, Forelli built up a trollers will point out errors and expect him switch frequencies. Forelli was also not personal computer-based programs such customized Windows PC and installed participants to use proper radio phraseol- prepared to write down and read back the as X-Plane or what used to be called Mic- X-Plane. After publishing videos of his sim- ogy. According to Smith, “We provide full clearance, but he quickly got the hang of it. rosoft Flight Simulator (which lives on in ulated flights on YouTube, he joined the coverage of every towered airport within In the video of this first PilotEdge flight, the FSX or Flight Simulator X: Steam Edi- Twitch community and started streaming the Los Angeles ARTCC, which amounts which includes audio, Forelli can be heard tion personal version and the commercial his “flights.” That opened up a new world of to 43 towered airports. Separately, we also getting the clearance and reading it back Prepar3D version). communicating with people from all over cover the other five ARTCCs that make up correctly, then saying: “I can’t believe I Bill Forelli, a self-avowed aviation geek the globe, watching the livestreams and the western half of the U.S. (Seattle, Oak- pulled that off! That was awesome!” Next and marketing manager for an online commenting on his flying. It was Twitch land, Salt Lake, Denver, and Albuquerque), he told himself, “Okay, focus.” electronics retailer based in southern Cal- viewers who introduced Forelli to Pilot- including all of the Class Bravos, all of the After requesting to taxi to the runup ifornia, is a one-man test-case for using Edge, a service that provides real-time live Charlies, and strategically-selected Deltas. area then to the active runway, he used X-Plane to accelerate the learning process. air traffic controllers for simulated flying. We also provide IFR service into and out the wrong frequency and forgot to turn

24 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com Aircraft Management Companies: Managing Aircraft in a Time of Change

“Aircraft owners with internet and apps on their phones want Thomas Connelly, president and CEO of instant answers to questions they didn’t have before,” says Mike Gama Aviation Signature, the nation’s largest Moore, vice president of aviation sales at Meridian, which was business aviation charter operator. “Everybody established in 1946 and manages more than a score of business wants new airplanes, beautiful interiors and jets from its Teterboro, New Jersey headquarters. paint, and Wi-Fi. That’s the world today.” At Executive Jet Management (EJM), a subsidiary of Berkshire Adding to the seismic shift, a grow- Hathaway–owned NetJets, “many more first-time aircraft owners” ing shortage of qualified crewmembers need “realistic strategies for their flight departments and exposure is affecting operations. “It’s a very, very PHOTOS: FOTOLIA to the practices of owning an airplane,” says Michael Tamkus, senior challenging environment for hiring pilots,” “Everybody wants new vice president for client services and management sales. says Andy Priester, president and CEO of Meanwhile, the charter arena—a vital component of most man- Priester Aviation, which will mark its 75th airplanes, beautiful agement companies’ business models—has grown more crowded anniversary in 2020. “Salaries are going up interiors and paint, and competitive. “There are a lot more choices than there have faster than ever, and management compa- ever been—operators you can call, brokers you can call, apps you nies need to respond.” and Wi-Fi. That’s the can use,” says Don Haloburdo, senior vice president of flight ser- Summed up Brian Kirkdoffer, president world today.” vices at Jet Aviation, a General Dynamics subsidiary with almost and CEO of nationwide aircraft manage- –Thomas Connelly, 300 aircraft under management. ment company Clay Lacy Aviation, which Gama Aviation Signature Charter customers’ expectations have risen in lockstep, notes marked its 50-year milestone last year, “The

AIN PUBLICATIONS | SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | 2019 management industry continues to mature and change—certainly more recent management clients. “They’re not than it has in the past.” unfamiliar with private or business aviation, These six management companies collectively operate some 700 but they’re new to ownership, and they’re business aircraft—more than 500 of them available for charter—and looking for a solution that is as simple as have over 300 years of aircraft operational history. Their scale, experi- they were used to with fractional or char- ence, and service have established them as industry leaders and bell- ter,” says Haloburdo. “They would like to wethers. We asked their senior executives how they’re adjusting to the stick with that model and be able to make a changing landscape while meeting the evolving needs of their custom- phone call and have the gears turn.” ers. For as aircraft management goes, so goes business aviation. But whatever the extent of their experience, owners “are highly focused on service Meeting Owners’ Expectations and cost,” Haloburdo says. “Some want ser-

GAMA AVIATION SIGNATURE GAMA AVIATION Amidst the transformative trends, the most basic needs of aircraft own- vice in the back of the airplane that is way ers remain constant. “Asset management is certainly the biggest thing on better than first-class airline.” Jet Aviation’s our clients’ minds—making sure their asset is being handled properly and 24/7 operations centers (in the U.S., and “We’re looking at being operated safely and efficiently,” says Connelly at Gama Aviation Sig- Zurich, Switzerland; Dubai; and Hong Kong) serving clients over nature. “Those have always been the key tenets of aircraft management.” help meet its demanding owners’ service their lifetime. Our Delivering the requisite level of oversight to properly manage the needs. While raising the bar on service, adds asset requires a robust infrastructure. Gama Aviation Signature, for Haloburdo, pricing pressure requires Jet job is to work with example, has a Safety Management System, a flight-operations center, Aviation and other successful firms to con- them to figure out and a score of maintenance facilities across the U.S. stantly improve efficiencies “to remain com- It’s difficult for many management firms, let alone those with single- petitive in the marketplace.” what’s most appro- digit fleet numbers, to provide that degree of support and expertise, Additionally, many new owners are pur- priate for them now and that has led to “more consolidation” among these companies, says chasing bigger jets than first-timers have tra- Kirkdoffer at Clay Lacy Aviation. “The scale and scope of services is ditionally, presenting a correspondingly larger along that evolu- becoming much more important. We are managing over 100 aircraft, learning curve for the buyers. “Seven or eight tionary flight path.” and there’s significant value we are able to provide our clients with years ago, somebody who flew 150 hours –Andy Priester, that kind of scale.” a year would buy a Hawker XP or a Cita- Priester Aviation Such scale yields benefits that include reduced rates on fixed costs tion,” says Moore at Meridian. With the last like insurance, crew training, and hangarage. decade’s crash in residual values, “that same Additionally, with regulatory mandates, customer coming to market with constantly evolving onboard technology, and $5 million is buying a Gulfstream other issues making ownership more com- GIV-SP, a Challenger 604, or a plex, “management clients want a partner classic [Falcon] 2000.” they can trust to help make aviation deci- Owners looking for a man- sions,” says Priester. “We’re seeing a trend agement solution needn’t limit toward service, toward simplicity, and for their search to firms with large consultative and advisory services.” fleets of similar models, accord- In response to those trends, Priester ing to Moore. Aviation, with more than a score of aircraft “As long as you have a global in its charter fleet based at over a dozen flight-operations center, there’s locations, is reinventing itself on the eve of nothing that makes managing its 75th anniversary. “We approach new cli- one large-cabin jet any differ-

ents as not simply a managed customer or a PRIESTER AVIATION ent from managing 20 of them,” charter customer,” says Priester. “We want to Moore says. “That’s the biggest learn their current needs, how they may have changed over the previous misconception out there. You’re either famil- year, and how they might change over coming years.” iar with the product or you’re not. Some- That led Priester Aviation to create the 1945 Club ownership program times there’s too much emphasis on how and introduce a jet card and even a pathway to fractional ownership. many airplanes and locations you have, and “We’re looking at serving clients over their lifetime,” says Priester. “Our job not on the quality of the people.” is to work with them to figure out what’s most appropriate for them now If those people are top-notch, they’ll along that evolutionary flight path.” focus their attention on their clients’ evolv- A growing demand for simplicity and expertise is compounded by an ing needs. “Owners’ expectations change increasing number of first-time owners coming to management compa- based on their personal lives, their busi- nies. Jet Aviation, which celebrated its golden anniversary in 2017, was ness ventures and strategies, and overall one of several major firms reporting a spike in first-time buyers among goals, and we’ve truly customized how we

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www.jetaviation.com approach each individual flight department,” says Tamkus. “We have Moore. With the delta [between expenses seen owners go from flying retail charter extensively on their aircraft and revenue] after the pay and benefits, to going Part 91, and vice versa. The staffing strategy for each flight they may be better off flying less. We man- department has become more of a focal point for our company and age your asset. I’m not going to be the guy owners alike.” who says, ‘Yes, hire more people so we can Meanwhile, EJM is able to offer owners significant benefits through its fly more.’ In that case, we’d rather say, ‘Here’s association with NetJets and its service partners, providing discounts on what you would have netted if you had more services including maintenance at multiple MROs, training at Flight Safety, charter, and at the end of the year you did crew lodging, technical publications, and connectivity subscriptions. better financially this way.’” But, Moore says, owners too often Adding Value to Ownership choose a management company based on But while owners often focus on the cost of management, top manage- its fees, not the value it delivers. “They spend ment companies focus on its value. $20 million for an airplane and go with a “Management fees and what they include haven’t been defined very management company because it charges well,” says Kirkdoffer. “More sophisticated aircraft owners understand the $10,000 a year less.” CLAY LACY CLAY difference in fees and management companies. It gets back to the value Owners need to recognize that “you get proposition—any management company should be able to show clearly what you pay for, and you don’t get what “Owners’ and transparently where they’re providing value, from a cost standpoint, you don’t pay for,” Connelly says. He cites expectations from an administration standpoint, and through the services provided.” Gama Aviation Signature’s management Among the services most prized by owners is a management com- services, which include having a robust change based on pany’s ability to generate charter operating and safety infra- their personal lives, revenue, and that’s pretty simple for structure as well as a char- their business a good company to demonstrate, ter team that meets daily to Kirkdoffer says. “Have them show ensure that the company is ventures and you their current records for the living up to owners’ revenue strategies, and same or similar size aircraft, and their expectations. “Educated records for last year and the year customers who under- overall goals, before that. Our focus is on safety, stand the market and want and we’ve truly service, and value, and if those are a company that has those the focuses of clients, they’re a good resources are good for us,” customized how fit for Clay Lacy Aviation.” Connelly concludes. we approach each Most top management compa- Management companies have just two revenue sources: nies with long histories like individual flight management fees and a share of these also know it’s critical MERIDIAN AVIATION department.” charter revenues, and management to be ready for all market contracts are individually priced accordingly. conditions. “We’ve been in this really strong –Mike Tamkus, Executive Jet Management “Our management fee structure depends on whether the owner period of growth for the past couple of charters, and what level of support an owner will require,” says Tamkus. years,” says Haloburdo. “Eventually, things “We look at factors including how an aircraft will operate—Part 91 versus are not going to be as strong as they are Part 135, whether it will be used domestically or internationally, and how now. We want to be sure we’re prepared many owners or partners are involved with it.” to take advantage of the growth side, but EJM has customized reporting software that provides detailed also prepared to operate the business in a accounting data on owners’ aircraft. “After a year’s worth of operating down cycle. People don’t sell their airplanes under EJM’s management, our owners are able to determine the value [because of down cycles], but on the char- of our partnership through our ability to deliver efficiency and cost sav- ter side, somebody might decide, ‘I’m not ings,” Tamkus says. going to fly for the next six months.’ How are Owners often see the full extent of the value a top management we going to react and what are we going to company can provide when they transition to a new aircraft. “We have do when conditions change?” routinely heard from aircraft brokers and financiers about the condition In addition to providing clients with of the aircraft under our management and the positive impact it has on reports on their aircraft, Jet Aviation regularly the residual value,” Tamkus says. briefs them on macro-economic factors Good management companies also make sure owners’ charter rev- that could impact their operations. enue goals are consistent with maintaining their asset’s value. Meanwhile, owners themselves are often “There are cases where an owner would like to get 300 hours [of the determining factor in the charterability charter revenue] but will need another pilot for the last 100 hours,” says of their aircraft. “Our ability to meet own-

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For information about EJM’s full suite of aircraft management and charter services, contact us at www.ejmjets.com or at 800-451-2822. ers’ charter expectations has nothing to do with demand; it’s about how the charter customer. Successful manage- the owners want their airplanes used, and potential restrictions they place ment companies have established networks of on them,” says Priester. “The charter market wants answers [trip approvals] vetted providers for supplemental lift. quickly. We’ve encouraged owners who have aggressive charter targets to “We have a large, diverse fleet,” notes approve what we call ‘look and book,’ where the aircraft is automatically Moore. “But if we don’t have an aircraft that’s available for flights that meet their requirements.” geographically available, or the client needs to book trips in Europe or South America Supporting Charter Clients or Asia, we personally know operators and In addition to aircraft owners, management companies must meet the handlers all over the world we can call on— needs of charter customers. The job of pleasing both parties is fraught we’re not just looking them up online. We with potential conflicts and complications, but when a program is designed have strong relationships with our domestic and executed correctly, everyone can come out ahead. network, and when we attend international “It’s highly important to have a balanced fleet, and to bring aircraft into trade shows and conferences, we stay to your fleet where there’s strong charter demand for that category cabin,” meet brokers and operators and handlers.” says Haloburdo. “We can be more aggressive to win those manage- To ensure outstanding service, Meridian ment deals and have them be a win for the owner in getting the requisite holds weekly Ritz-Carlton hospitality training amount for charter, and a win for us in having the quality aircraft to support sessions and holds quarterly town hall–style the needs of our charter customers.” meetings to discuss “what we can do to Meanwhile, the trend make employees happier and FOTOLIA toward simplicity mandates do better for clients.” that charter operators offer Adding quality aircraft to “It’s highly jet cards. “Card programs the fleet is another priority important to have eliminate the financial hassle today. EJM is “constantly work- and payment difficulties from ing to increase the number of a balanced fleet, charter,” says Haloburdo. approved aircraft and crews and to bring Priester Aviation intro- available to meet the rising duced Centerline in 2018 to demand,” says Tamkus, “but aircraft into your meet that demand and add only when they have satisfied fleet where there’s a card program to its “flight all requirements of our safety path” offerings. “Existing and audit process.” strong charter

inbound customers were JET AVIATION Under that process, a full- demand for that asking for a simpler [char- time team of aircraft transi- ter] solution,” says Priester. “For a lot of our customers, a card is easier, tion specialists inspects the aircraft prior category cabin.” even though it may be a little more expensive. They said, ‘If you had card to acceptance onto EJM’s air carrier cer- –Don Haloburdo, program, we’d take it.’” tificate. Thereafter, aircraft are continu- Jet Aviation But unlike those sold by brokerages, jet cards offered by most manage- ously monitored by the Fleet Maintenance ment companies aim to keep membership growth scalable with that of their Department, and the Standards Depart- charter fleets. Priester, for example, makes the Centerline card available only ment conducts annual aircraft audits. in primary service regions by invitation. “We want to control the number of With its mandate to provide supple- cards in each area, so we can control how we deliver the service,” says Pries- mental lift for parent company NetJets and ter. “We feel that 200 to 300 cards will allow us to maintain our standards.” its own retail volume, EJM, like other major As Priester suggests, in a charter market dominated by price, leading management firms, utilizes proprietary tech- management companies are dedicated to upholding high service levels. nology “to optimize the schedule and match “We look for opportunities to surprise and delight and wow our clients up trips,” even creating charter opportunities onboard,” says Kirkdoffer. Clay Lacy Aviation’s rigorous cabin crew selec- for managed aircraft while owners are using tion and training process ensures attendants have “the right personality them on trips. and skill set,” and candidates “spend three to six months training before Keeping aircraft already in the fleet they step on an airplane” with a customer, Kirkdoffer says. desirable for charter is also critical. During Clay Lacy Aviation also provides a major service benefit to all its on- its annual full budget review with owners, demand charter customers: “If an aircraft has a mechanical, we provide a Gama Aviation Signature provides recom- no-cost recovery option on a similar or larger-size aircraft,” Kirkdoffer says. mendations on aircraft upgrades that impact “We’ve agreed to provide transportation, so if something happens, we still their charterability. “We talk about the differ- get them where they need to go at no additional cost.” ence that an aged versus brand-new interior Meanwhile, though management companies typically prefer to use lift from and Wi-Fi versus no Wi-Fi can have on the their own fleets for charter, that’s not always feasible or in the best interest of amount of charter they can get and the rates

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AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT Owning a Jet AIN 8.375x10.25 Opt Pix.indd 1 12/3/18 11:25 AM they can receive,” says Connelly. “Gama acquired Landmark Aviation The approach appears effective. Gama Aviation Signature has no Management, which had about 80 airplanes, jet card and doesn’t guarantee availability yet is the largest charter when Signature purchased the Landmark operator in the U.S. by flight hours, according to Argus International. FBO chain,” says Connelly. “The acquisition of The company also operates the Wheels Up fleet of King Air 350is and a management company is really difficult and Citation Excel/XLS. time-consuming, and there’s not as much syn- ergy as people think there is. There’s a real risk Challenges Ahead of attrition while it’s going on, so I don’t think What keeps top management company executives up at night? There consolidation of management companies is no shortage of issues demanding attention. is the easiest way to grow. Organic growth is “One constant concern is the commoditizing of the services we pro- much more cost-effective in the long run.” PRIESTER AVIATION vide and the consistent downward pricing pressure,” says Priester. That Another concern expressed in many leads potential charter customers to focus on price, not recognizing the quarters involves current charter rates. “The “We personally difference in service, but in infrastructure, training, safety systems, and rates are not keeping pace with increas- know operators and other factors that distinguish providers. ing costs,” says Moore. “Every broker in the Additionally, the spate of new access offerings, like per-seat charter, world just wants to keep rates low. The handlers all over while potentially enlarging the customer base, could also have the oppo- whole sales pitch of a lot of them is, ‘I’ll save the world we can site effect, Priester says. “It seems like it’s a moving goalpost, and what you money; I’ll drive down prices.’” Looking call on—we’re not customers buy today isn’t necessarily what they’re able to get a year from ahead, Moore predicts, “People will stop now, and that can cause frustration,” he continues. “Anytime someone is offering their aircraft for charter. They’ll say just looking them frustrated by the corporate jet experience, it is bad for the industry.” it’s not worth it. If we in this industry are up online.” Meanwhile, as the pilot shortage draws attention (see sidebar), going to survive, it has to change, but I think other support disciplines face similar deficits. “There’s a shortage of it’s going to get worse before it gets better.” –Mike Moore, Meridian talented mechanics and line service people,” says Kirkdoffer by way of But whatever lies ahead, if history is any example. “We’re not attracting the next generation of team members as guide, top management companies will find a quickly as the industry needs.” To help address the problem, Clay Lacy way to turn these challenges into opportuni- Aviation sponsors a host of scholarships and internship programs. “Our ties for tomorrow’s management and char- whole industry needs to take the time to introduce talented people to ter clients. Haloburdo points to the nexus of aviation and give them a career path.” technology and marketing that has led to the Technology is also a constant focus of management companies. Tam- availability of point-to-point pricing, empty- kus notes that EJM is seeing “increased client demand for ‘on the move’ leg access and shared shuttle flights. “These technology solutions providing real-time updates and ease of client interac- are revenue opportunities on the charter side tion.” The company is responding to those needs while seeking to maintain that didn’t previously exist,” he says. “It creates the close customer contact that top management companies encourage. an interesting dynamic that allows prices to “The most significant updates to our offering are focused on utilizing tech- fluctuate from day to day. We want to pro- nology to streamline processes that will allow more time for direct client vide solutions that protect our customers engagement to enhance the overall charter experience,” says Tamkus. from the highs and lows with a safe, reliable, While consolidation may have provided a path for some manage- fair market price, so I think that can attract ment companies to grow in the recent past, that approach may have more people into the space. I’m cautiously reached its limits. optimistic about 2019.” GAMA AVIATION SIGNATURE GAMA AVIATION

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“We learn as we go. We have enough “You need to have a company culture “We’re taking a very aggressive pilots to know what the rates are, and that can attract and retain great approach. We just rolled out a pilot what pilots leaving for other jobs are talent that wants to be part of the recruitment and retention program earning, and we have a very relevant company, and you can’t buy that or we’re presenting to owners, with a sign- internal salary survey. When clients change it overnight. We have a career ing and retention bonus, a doubled 401k are hiring new pilots, we recommend path from start to finish that we can contribution, with the vesting time cut where salaries should be. A lot of offer to all of our pilots; they can start by more than half, and very competitive pilots want to be on a three-person with the smallest aircraft and have salaries for the airplanes we’re crew- JET AVIATION crew so they can guarantee some a career path to be captain on the ing. We’re also trying to maintain high time off, so if an owner’s aircraft has longest-range aircraft. You’ve also got standards with Argus and the other “You need to only two pilots, we make sure pilots to make working conditions, including audit ratings, and with the evolution in have a company can schedule time off and fly no more the compensation and benefits, com- the marketplace, pilots are frequently than 200 or 250 hours per year.” petitive. We look at that constantly. upgrading to larger airplanes, so it’s culture that can We just hired a Ph.D. whose expertise more challenging to meet time-in-type is in pilot attraction and retainment.” requirements.” attract and retain great talent that

wants to be part DON MIKE MIKE HALOBURDO MOORE TAMKUS of the company.” JET AVIATION MERIDIAN EXECUTIVE JET MANAGEMENT –Brian Kirkdoffer, Clay Lacy

“It’s not just a pilot issue; good, “We’ve sat down with every owner “I don’t think any of us will disagree that qualified people are needed for and gone over what could happen as of late the biggest challenge with every crew position. We want to if their pilot walks away from the a new owner involves the [flight crew] have the best team we can field, account. If you have a two-person recruiting side. You have to offer [pilots] so we need to make sure we’ve got crew, your plane could sit for two the right work/life balance and give our eye on changes in salary and months. That’s lost use of the air- them a proper support structure while quality-of-life issues. craft and lost [charter] revenue. My they’re on duty and be a voice for them “A lot of aircraft being delivered advice to aircraft owners: if you like in encouraging the balance they’re try- now are longer-range international your pilots and the going market rate ing to achieve. We’re that cheerleader airplanes, and those require highly- is $200,000, pay them $220,000. to an aircraft owner on behalf of the skilled crewmembers. As an industry, Also look at a 401k match increase crew. We’re in the forefront of con- we need to create them at a faster and a better healthcare plan at a versations giving owners details and rate. That’s an issue that needs a lower cost.” statistics—NBAA industry data, other long-term solution.” operators’ [salaries]—on the competitive landscape. We have over 500 crewmembers, and that’s an advantage in knowing what is competitive in salaries and compensation packages.”

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Jet Card / Charter / Management / Flight Department Solutions on his transponder, probably because he airplane, I’ve tricked my brain into think- didn’t do a pre-takeoff checklist. Then, ing I’ve been flying all week. My brain after takeoff, Forelli switched to depar- doesn’t know the difference.” ture before being told to do so by the It’s clear this simulation practice works, tower controller. The PilotEdge control- not just in how quickly Forelli is learning ler admonished him: “You should remain to fly, but in what happens during many of with the tower until told otherwise.” In his flying lessons. His first formal lesson Forelli’s commentary about the flight, he after his two discovery flights, for exam- said, “I knew you had to change frequency. ple, was in a Piper Archer from KSNA to I just freaked out and switched it too early.” Fullerton (KFUL), which is complicated The rest of the flight is fairly routine, by the permanent flight restriction over with Forelli asking for flight following, Disneyland in Anaheim. then returning to land. He did make The flight instructor was new to the some other mistakes, including reading area and nervous about the Disneyland back a direction to enter the left down- restricted airspace. He didn’t understand wind for Runway 20L as “20G,” probably that when receiving flight following from because his airplane’s callsign ended in G. the local Socal approach controller, it is “I screwed that one up,” he admitted. He legal to fly through the Disneyland air- also got confused about being cleared for Bill Forelli livestreams his simulated and real flights on the Twitch platform, sharing his space. So he kept trying to get Forelli the option instead of to land. When he learning and mistakes with a global audience and at the same time improving his knowledge. to fly east around Disneyland. Forelli, of reported turning base after the clearance, course, had flown this route many times the controller told him he didn’t have to the CFI at KSNA that he had been prac- significant factor. It is Forelli’s approach in X-Plane with PilotEdge controllers, say anything after being cleared for the ticing radio communications and asked if to using these tools that he said has made knew the drill, and ended up teaching the option. Forelli commented: “[The con- he could work the radios. The CFI told all the difference. He takes it seriously; instructor. “I now know this airspace like troller is] like ‘What is this jabroni doing?’” him to go ahead, Forelli did all the radio not like it’s a video game. the back of my hand,” he said. After that flight, Forelli said, he real- communications for the flight, and the “I treat it as the real world,” he explained. Since soloing last year, Forelli has made ized “[PilotEdge] is an absolute simula- CFI was impressed with his skills. “I’m truly using this as a practice tool. I’m it through his first solo cross country from tion game-changer. I cannot believe how Coincidentally, while attending the not wasting my time.” KSNA to Camarillo (KCMA), which is well nerve-wracking that was. When you get Flight Sim Expo simulation convention Forelli had used PilotEdge for about 10 documented in his Bill4LE YouTube chan- on the radio with a live person, it’s a com- in Las Vegas a month later, Forelli met hours before his second discovery flight, nel and Twitch account, both as simulated pletely different deal.” the PilotEdge controller he had commu- where he did all the radio work, and that and IRL flights. After moving to Orange, California, nicated with during that first PilotEdge validated PilotEdge’s value. But as he began In one of the videos, he fast forwards Forelli planned another discovery flight. “I flight. “I met the guy who yelled at me,” he flying lessons, he spent hundreds of hours through the parts without radio calls so wanted to try a new school and a new loca- recalled, and then he explained to the con- simulating, practicing IRL flights in X-Plane the viewer can more easily see how he tion and experience it before jumping in troller that he was just learning how to use and PilotEdge first. He also published vid- communicates with ATC. His IRL radio feet first.” Having flown from John Wayne PilotEdge. The controller said he felt ter- eos of his simulated and real flights on work is impressive for a pilot with less Airport (KSNA) many times in X-Plane rible about reprimanding him, but Forelli YouTube and then livestreamed his debrief than 20 hours of flying time. During the using PilotEdge, he said, “I was mindful assured him that it was a great experience. on Twitch. The Twitch sessions provided flight, Forelli ably executes the special- of the complex airspace and how insane it “I loved it,” he said, “the realism. They don’t valuable interactive feedback, in the form flight-rules-area transition over Los Ange- was.” To prepare for the second discovery put on the kid gloves for you. They’ve been of questions from viewers and comments les International Airport at 4,500 feet and flight, he replicated the planned route in a great resource and very nurturing. It’s a and critique from other IRL pilots. the coastal route through the LAX Class B X-Plane and PilotEdge, with a departure community that has helped me learn these “I practice in the simulator, do the flight, at 5,500 feet on return. from KSNA south along the coastline to procedures and get so much of the radio debrief it, then talk about what it was like,” Forelli does make mistakes, but he han- Dana Point, then north along the 5 freeway procedures down. By the time I get in an Forelli said. “Then I do the flight in the dles the flight well and as always, learns to Irvine and back to the airport. Before airplane, it’s second nature, and I can focus simulator again. All the preparation helps from his errors. For example, at the hold- taking this second IRL flight, Forelli also on flying the airplane.” me for the real-world flight, then I go back short line at KSNA, Forelli asks the tower asked a friend who was a former Navy con- in the simulator and debrief everything if he is cleared to take off but does so troller to help him understand radio com- Real-world Benefits I learned and pick out things that were before receiving his flight clearance. The munications. They chatted over the online After his second demo flight at KSNA, different from the simulator. Because I tower controller is nice about it and just Discord system and flew a simulated flight when Forelli began actual IRL flying les- do that extra step—and the video edit- says “negative…” together using PilotEdge, and this helped sons, the simulation experience became ing—I’m that much more fresh. I do After he did the full debrief during a Forelli further master his radio work. even more valuable. He doesn’t attri- lessons [only] every other week. [But] livestreamed Twitch session, one of the At this point, Forelli had logged just 1.2 bute the value necessarily to X-Plane and because I fill in those gaps with a lot of commenters critiqued Forelli’s cross- hours on the first discovery flight. He told PilotEdge, however, although they are a studying, by the time I get into the real wind landing at KMCA. “Is it weird I’m comfortable showing you guys my crappy landings?” he asked. “You guys in the chat here are invaluable to helping me learn this stuff.” One of the commenters said about his landing back at KSNA that he needed more practice flying in the low- speed regime. “I absolutely agree,” he said, although it was a perfectly good landing, especially for a 20-hour pilot. Forelli is convinced that practicing with X-Plane and PilotEdge significantly accelerated learning to fly a real airplane. “Absolutely, 100 percent,” he said. “It got me excited about continuing down this path.” It has also generated excitement among his viewers, he added, and six or seven have gone for a discovery flight, Forelli’s first solo cross country from KSNA to KCMA underscored how quickly he has learned to fly real airplanes after practicing for hundreds themselves, “just from watching my vid- of hours with X-Plane and PilotEdge. eos and streams.” n

ainonline.com \ March 2019 \ Aviation International News 25 Updated rule spells changes for U.S. charter brokers by Jerry Siebenmark

Air charter brokers are finally getting their had his own branded napkins on a char- own recognition with new Part 295 rules ter aircraft. “That could be problematic,” that took effect February 14. The changes he said. “The most egregious case I recall free them from being lumped by the U.S. was a situation where a broker gave busi- Department of Transportation (DOT) ness cards to the flight crew and had the into the category of ticket agent and allow flight crew hand them out. So it really them to serve as a new class of indirect made it appear it was [the broker’s] flight.” air carriers and as a “bona fide agent” of Lehman also cautioned that when it

a charter customer or a Part 135 operator. comes to advertising, brokers must make SIEBENMARK JERRY But with that recognition in the new Part clear they aren’t the operator of charter Adam Hohulin, senior vice president of operations at Sentient Jet, speaks at a panel 295 regulations comes more responsibil- flights. “It applies to any solicitation mate- session on the new air charter broker regulation January 30 at the 2019 NBAA Schedulers & ity in how they conduct their business— rials you put out, whether it’s an email, Dispatchers Conference in San Antonio, Texas. To the right are panelists Gary Garofalo and whether or not they want it. website, radio, TV ads, anything like that. Jason Maddux, both of law firm Garofalo Goerlich Hainbach. “There are new opportunities but there My suggestion is, since DOT has these are also responsibilities,” said Dayton three things specified, that you use their request, the most notable of which is the point where I always tell folks they should Lehman, CEO of Capitol Business Solu- language to avoid any kind of problem.” relationship of the broker to the charter pay attention,” Lehman said. tions and a retired DOT official. “By that, operator. “I think it’s important to note He said failing to comply with Part 295’s I mean there are new responsibilities ‘Right To Know’ that DOT doesn’t require you, the rule disclosure requirements could lead to a that come with the opportunity to be an A weighty part of the new regulation are doesn’t require you, to give details. You cease-and-desist order or civil penalties: indirect air carrier. But if you just want to disclosures to the customer, or “charterer” don’t have to tell them what kind of deal up to $33,333 per violation, per day for continue business as you always have and as they are referred to. The regulation you’re getting for what kind of relationship companies or $3,333 per violation, per day be the agent of a customer, you also have requires the broker to disclose to the cus- you have. I think maybe some language like for an individual or small business. “Now, new responsibilities, regardless.” tomer the name of the charter operator— ‘it’s a preferred carrier’ might suffice.” if a charter costs a couple hundred thou- Lehman was among a group of panel- and any associated doing-business-as It goes without saying that brokers are sand dollars can you just ignore the refund ists discussing the effect of Part 295 on (DBA) names—before signing a contract. also required to inform the customer of and say, ‘I’ll just pay the fine?’” Lehman January 30 at the 2019 NBAA Schedulers “The genesis of that requirement is really, the total cost of the charter. “I find this said. “I think that’s not wise, because what & Dispatchers Conference in San Antonio, for more than 20 years, the DOT has con- somewhat humorous, because I think DOT is going to say is you’re continuing to Texas. Joining Lehman was Sentient Jet sidered it to be an unfair, deceptive prac- that would be something that somebody be in violation of the rule on a continuing senior vice president of operations Adam tice for a customer not to know who’s would want to know without having to ask basis until you make the refund. So that Hohulin and Jason Maddux, a partner of going to carry them,” Lehman said. for it,” Lehman said. That would include adds up pretty quickly to a significant the law firm Garofalo Goerlich Hainbach. any potential fees, such as for landing at amount of [more] money than what that Gary Garofalo, senior counsel at Garofalo the destination airport or deicing. “This is [refund] cost is going to be.” Goerlich, was the moderator. ... if you just probably one of those areas where…you’re At jet card provider Sentient Jet and At the session, panelists focused on want to not going to know that that fee is,” he said. its sister companies Skyjet and Private- what they consider to be the new regu- “But the customer, I think, should always Fly, Hohulin said they are taking seri- lations’ most important elements to bro- continue business as be told in advance what might be charged ously the disclosure requirements of kers, as well as some pitfalls. even if you don’t know the exact cost. And Part 295. “We’re taking the stance here Maddux noted that the new rules don’t you always have and if you do have an estimate, tell them. If in our companies that more is better, full require charter brokers to register them- be the agent of a you don’t, then you don’t.” transparency to our clients,” he said. That selves, unlike other indirect air carriers such In all cases, Lehman recommended includes charter quotes, contracts, and as freight forwarders. A broker registry was customer you also brokers obtain and keep written confir- final itineraries. something that groups such as the National have new mation of disclosures they provide to The disclosures get a little more chal- Air Transportation Association advocated customers. “Whether it’s checking a box lenging with the jet card and membership for in drafting the new regulation, which responsibilities.” on a website or something else that they clients, “where you’re contracting up began in 2007. The regulation also doesn’t — Dayton Lehman, CEO of Capitol Business Solutions received ‘XYZ’ information, I think it front, the contract is signed before the cli- require any kind of financial security on the would behoove all of you to look at having ent actually puts a deposit down,” Hohu- part of the broker, Maddux added. He said he can see why some brokers something in place,” he said. lin said. In those instances, he said, the One of Part 295’s opportunities, Leh- would want to push back on that for fear companies are adding their mandatory man said, is allowing brokers to have their of losing a charter booking. “I think one Disclosures and Refunds disclosures in an appendix to their terms branding on aircraft they charter, as long of the common concerns that brokers Lehman noted that the regulation also calls and conditions. “We’re actually going to as that branding doesn’t mislead consum- have is, ‘Wait a second. If I tell them for “reasonable time” disclosures, such as label it appendix 295,” he said. ers into thinking the broker is the opera- before they sign the contract who the in the instance of fees. For example, if the “That way, at the end of the day when tor of the airplane. “It codifies the policy carrier is going to be, they’re just going broker learns after a charter contract is they sign that contract up front, they that permits you to have your logo on to go directly to the carrier,’” Lehman signed the exact amount of the deicing fee, understand what our requirements are the aircraft as well as your name on the said. “And that may happen. But to be or something else arises that would affect to them, and what we’re going to do for aircraft so long as the direct air carrier’s honest with you, from the government’s the flight, he or she is obligated to tell the them,” Hohulin said. “And then we’re name is also prominently and clearly on point of view, the customer’s right to customer in a reasonable amount of time. going to change all of our paperwork the aircraft,” said Lehman, who retired know trumps that concern by brokers.” “If you learn about it a week in advance to put the information in there as well, as the DOT’s principal deputy assistant Brokers also are responsible for noti- [of the trip] and you tell them about it 24 because obviously in the up front contract general counsel for aviation enforcement fying customers about the capacity in hours ahead of time, DOT’s going to say I can’t tell who the operator is. But I can and proceedings. which they’re acting, either as an agent that’s not reasonable, that you should have tell them…I can provide them with the But there’s also a fine line for brokers of the customer or as an indirect air car- told them earlier,” he said. name [of the operator] and the DBA, and to walk in terms of misrepresenting them- rier, as well as whether they have liability And that instance—as well as failing to this is the point at which I’m going to do selves to consumers. Lehman recounted a insurance. comply with any of the disclosure require- this in the transaction. So that’s the stance DOT notice from 2007 known informally There are also disclosures the brokers ments—could very well trigger the cus- that we’re taking. Terms and conditions, as “the napkin rule” in which a broker are obligated to provide customers upon tomer’s right to a full refund. “This is the this is how we’re going to handle it.” n

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Seeing a growing acceptance and “We do a lot of training and teaching,” she “change in mindset” toward additive said, including sharing expertise between manufacturing, Collins Aerospace is the groups. exploring possibilities for three-di- This involves looking through parts mensional printing throughout its busi- in the business units to see which ones ness lines. The former UTC Aerospace could be better served through additive, organization had created a centralized which ones are better produced through team to foster the use of additive man- traditional means, and which new parts ufacturing in its various business units could be developed to serve the same or through education, development, and new purposes. training. Headed by Paula Hay, executive There isn’t always value in drop-in director of additive design and manufac- replacements—that is, producing a sim- turing, that effort has now shifted post- ilar part already in production with a The company is looking at each of its business units to determine which would benefit most merger to coordinate expertise between similar approach using additive, Hay from the use of additive design and manufacturing and plans to apply it accordingly. the combined Collins and UTAS groups said. “You are not really taking advantage under Collins Aerospace. of what additive can do.” But if you can people learn and see the potential of addi- While the company spools up on addi- “We are a very holistic organization,” replace multiple parts with a single part tive. It’s growing very quickly.” tive, Hay concedes there are a few obsta- Hay said. Her team not only coordinates or add a new product, then there is much Hay sees five primary benefits from cles, particularly on the regulatory front. with its various business units on pros- greater potential. additive. The first is weight savings, While parts approval is occurring, the pects for additive, but also with parent The team has examined multiple through the ability to swap materials, use approval process “is in its infancy.” The UTC on shared lessons and opportunities. kinds of materials, initially with poly- of only the material you need, or a reduc- FAA and EASA are certifying individual “When we look at additive, we are not mers, before moving into metals such as tion in parts count. “We’ve seen weight parts, but “they don’t really yet have a [lacking for] opportunities,” she said. “It Inconel alloys and titanium. Aluminum savings of 50 percent.” full-blown set of requirements.” Getting crosses every single one of our business originally was a less viable material for In concert, elimination of parts count is products to market requires extensive units…everything from big things to small additive manufacturing. But the industry another major benefit, she said, noting a reviews, she said. “It’s a lot of looking at things, from simple brackets to compli- recently has discovered aluminum that is component requiring well over 100 parts the data. Then they ask a lot of questions. cated heat exchangers. We really do run more weldable for the additive process, may be taken down to 20 or 30. “When Then they look at the data some more.” the gamut.” she said. you take parts away and start making Approval occurs on a part-by-part basis. “Actually, we can build parts that are them in one piece, you take away failure “This is a new technology that we have just as good as or better than the alumi- modes. You are taking away fasteners and to work through,” she said. “As people get Paula Hay, num parts today,” she said. “We are find- welds, things that can fail. So you tend to more comfortable and more data is avail- Collins ing that sometimes we can flip materials get better quality.” able, the process to streamline will come Aerospace now. There are some powder suppliers Developmental lead-time savings is much quicker.” executive and other folks in research/academia that another key benefit. “Lead-time can be huge. The FAA realizes this, she said, noting director of are working on some powders that we’re We’ve actually reduced time significantly. If the agency has a roadmap to develop a additive keeping our eye on.” you can produce a part in six days instead more standardized process. “Everybody’s design and As such, the company increased the of six weeks, it starts to become a big deal.” on board with what needs to get done,” she manufacturing capacity of its metal printing capabilities, In development, it is as important, because said. “We just need enough hard data expe- going from two machines in mid-2017 to with traditional manufacturing everything rience in order to make people comfortable.” six currently used for metals. has to be perfectly in place before the part For a supplier, most products are The team strives to look at the easier, is manufactured. Now design can be altered certified through the customers. “They When we look at simpler parts first. “You don’t neces- with additive. “You may be able to turn the ultimately have the FAA responsibility,” additive, we are sarily want to make your very first part design iterations and optimize it in that Hay said. “However, we don’t want to the most complicated part,” she said, same amount of time.” put that onus on them. We are trying to not [lacking for] because if the part gets too complicated, learn as much as we can so that when we opportunities” then it could raise doubts on the value Design Freedom deliver our [part]…it’ll meet everybody’s — Paula Hay of additive. “We try to balance and get Another significant benefit is freedom of requirements.” [the groups] learning on some more basic design. Hay noted that the group recently But in general, there has been a grow- Additive manufacturing “gives you a parts—things like a bracket or simple experimented with a new heat exchanger ing awareness and acceptance of additive breadth of opportunity. Literally, the sky’s valve—and let them move into the bigger design. “It kind of looked like a heart,” she manufacturing. “I think we’re starting the limit,” she added. one. For us, it’s really about leveraging said, adding that designers can go in any to see that across the whole aerospace The centralized team is gearing up to the learning we are getting, then training, number of directions rather than staying industry as well,” Hay added, noting that bring a number of new products to market and getting the information out to bene- within a box. “You can do designs that you major OEMs such as Airbus and Boeing this year, she said. By the end of last year, fit the rest of the businesses.” couldn’t even think of doing before with have additive parts in service. it had the initial few in production. The She said these efforts have turned traditional manufacturing. It really opens “Our customers are very interested,” first to make its way into flight was a plas- into “a community” that has grown expo- up the design space for our businesses,” she said and noted that even UTC chair- tic cover that surrounds lighted signs in nentially. At the beginning of 2018, the Hay said. The fifth benefit is cost savings, man Greg Hayes gets asked about it aircraft cabins. “We are looking to accel- community had just a handful of people which can be substantial. “Again, we’ve during analyst gatherings. This has fil- erate that and get [new additive products] participating. “Now we have close to 100,” seen anything from 10 percent to 50 per- tered down throughout the company. “I into flight throughout the next year,” Hay she said. These are people who’ve become cent,” she said. think we’ve really got buy-in; and they’re said. “Our real goal is to move this from a interested in the technology or have a These benefits may involve a trade-off, very supportive.” technology development arena to a tech- project or information they want to share. Hay added. Sometimes additive will result As to the future of additive, Hay sees tre- nology adoption arena. “We found that there was actually a pas- in a flat cost but improve weight. “Very mendous possibility. “Is additive going to The team works on product develop- sion out there,” she added, particularly rarely will you get all five of the attributes. be the norm in the next three years? Prob- ment so projects can then move into the with engineers and those involved in infor- But you can trade off and decide what you ably not, but I bet in 10 years it will be, and various business sectors for production. mation technology. “It’s been growing, as want,” she said. you’ll ask ‘when did that happen?’” n

28 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com “This acquisition is a perfect strategic the necessary working capital for ramp-up Global 7500 wing program fit for Bombardier Aerostructures,” said of the 7500, which entered service late last Danny Di Perna, president of Bombardier year. The company expects the acquisition Aerostructures and Engineering Services. “It will help boost its Aerostructures revenue for sold to Bombardier | by Kerry Lynch will allow us to bring our extensive techni- 2019 from the original $2 billion to between cal expertise to one of the industry’s biggest $2.25 billion and $2.5 billion. Bombardier is acquiring the capabilities, the acquisition represents an growth programs, while solidifying our posi- In another shift from an outside supplier Global 7500 wing manufactur- opportunity to bolster its aerostructures tion as a leading wing provider.” to a manufacturer. Gulfstream recently took ing operation from Triumph for business, while ensuring continuity of the Bombardier will acquire both the assets over the G500 and G600 engine nacelle a “nominal cash consideration,” ramp-up of its flagship business jet. and obligations for the program and provide business from Nordam. n under an agreement both companies announced on January 24. Expected to close in the first quarter, the acquisition will only include the operations at Tri- umph’s Red Oak, Texas plant. Bombardier plans to continue operating the program at the Red Oak facility and integrate the employees there into the company. How does CAE elevate The move comes as Triumph has divested several businesses as it looks to streamline its portfolio your training experience? and return to stable profitability. Over the past year, Triumph dives- titures have included its APU repair product line and various aerospace structures businesses in Los Ange- les, Long Island, and East Texas. Triumph president and CEO Dan Crowley said the Global 7500 program divestiture “is a pivotal step in our transformation as we 1. 2. 3. continue our focus on our core With centers located in With highly skilled and Through a customer service Integrated Systems and after- some of the world’s most dedicated instructors delivering team offering a friendlier, market offerings and our goal of desired locations customized training more cultural experience achieving predictable profitability.” In November, the company reported a $14.7 million net loss overall, including a $19.9 million “forward loss” charge on the Global 7500 program.

Program History The sale is the latest turn for the wing program, which in early 4. 5. 6. 2017 was ensnared in legal action By working with OEMs and By creating and using the By training more aviation between Triumph and Bombar- dier. Triumph had filed a lawsuit NAAs to deliver programs world’s most advanced industry personnel than anyone against Bombardier seeking $340 specific to your needs tools and technologies else globally million for “certain non-recurring expenses incurred…during the development phase” and specify- ing “Bombardier-directed changes to the original wing requirements for the Global 7000 [now the 7500] Work with the team that works with you. program.” Initial changes in the wing contributed to a nearly-two- cae.com/business-aviation year delay in the aircraft’s development and certification program. But in May 2017, Triumph and Bombardier reached an undis- closed settlement that Crowley had said “reset” the relationship between the companies. In announcing the agreement to shift the wing program to Bombardier, Crowley said, “We’re proud of our work to date on the Global 7500 program and we will continue to support Bombardier throughout its portfolio.” For Bombardier, which already has in-house wing-production

ainonline.com \ March 2019 \ Aviation International News 29 Fewer sales logged in 2018, Pre-owned Business Jets ‘For Sale’ From Oct. 2007 to Dec. 2018 as preowned stores shrink by Kerry Lynch

The available worldwide inventory of But at the same time, transactions preowned aircraft tightened up across involving turboprop-powered aircraft most sectors, but with the exception dipped 2.4 percent in 2018. Transactions of business jets and fixed-wing pistons, for rotorcraft were also down overall, so too did the number of retail trans- with turbine sales dropping 8.5 percent actions in 2018, according to JetNet’s and pistons by 10.4 percent. year-end analysis. Across all market sectors, including The Utica, New York-based aviation commercial jet airliners, there were market information specialist found 9,198 full retail sale transactions for that all segments except piston heli- 2018, JetNet reported. By contrast, total copters experienced a lower inventory transactions numbered 10,111 in 2017. for sale at the end of 2018 than 2017. Business jets accounted for 2,809 of the And, with the exception of fixed-wing transactions in 2018. pistons, the percentage of the in-service Aircraft took 23 fewer days to sell in fleet for sale is below 10 percent across 2018 across all segments except turbine the board. helicopters. Business jets were on the Source: JETNET Evolution STAR reports; Analysis and presentation by Chase & Associates. The available percentage of business market 29 fewer days, while turboprops jets for sale declined the most, by 0.9 took 42 fewer days to sell and fixed-wing in December 2018—a decline from 17.7 prices may not further soften. Younger percent, followed by fixed-wing pistons pistons 58 fewer days. Turbine helicop- percent of the in-service fleet a decade aircraft were involved with 16 percent at 0.8 percent in 2018, JetNet reported. ters, meanwhile, took 58 more days. Pis- ago to 9 percent currently. fewer transactions, the analyst noted The available percentage of the turboprop ton helicopters took 56 fewer days. But there are still trouble spots for and added brokers believe this trend is fleet for sale was down by 0.5 percent. In “As the business jet market has finally would-be sellers, JetNet notes: “Today, less tied to demand and more to a lack the rotorcraft segment, the percentage broken below the 10 percent threshold of the market of available aircraft contin- of desirable available aircraft. Overall, of turbines available for sale dipped 0.7 inventory for sale, a period of transition ues to shrink, and still, many models 66 percent of the preowned transactions percent, while piston helicopters were the is now in play, wherein the pendulum exhibit the soft pricing brought on by involved aircraft 20 years or younger. sole increase at 0.3 percent. swings in favor from the buyer to the the diminishment of residual values “Now that 2019 is here, we hope During 2018 the number of retail fixed- seller,” JetNet said of the market results, that so completely dominated the post- the U.S. preowned market, along with wing piston transactions soared, up 19 per- noting that the number of business jets recession years.” improvements in the world economy, will cent over 2017. Business jet transactions also available for sale has dropped from the JetNet believes that, for buyers, the continue to push more new aircraft pur- improved, but by a more modest 2.1 percent. high point of 2,938 in July 2009 to 1,974 best advice is to act now, warning that chases,” JetNet concluded. n

the three million flight mark for the sec- the leader by a huge margin, with Argus Argus predicts mild growth ond year in a row and look to be on track reporting 365,710 flight hours, up 0.1 perfor more of the same in 2019.” cent from 2017, at the operator last year. Activity was positive in the first half of The next closest was Flexjet with 85,520 for bizav flying in the U.S. 2018, climbing 2.3 percent year-over-year, hours, up 8.5 percent year-over-year, fol- but fell 0.5 percent in the latter half, it lowed by PlaneSense with 35,047 hours. by Chad Trautvetter added. The first quarter experienced the It should come as no surprise that strongest year-over-year growth in flight Teterboro Airport was once again the Business aircraft flight activity in the U.S., Aviation Review. This compares with year- activity, up 3.2 percent, followed by a 1.5 busiest business aviation airport in North Canada, and the Caribbean increased by over-year increases in flight activity of 4.8 percent increase in the second quarter. America, recording 73,793 departures last a moderate 0.9 percent last year, while percent in 2017 and 8.1 percent in 2016. Meanwhile, there were declines of 0.8 year, down 0.7 percent from 2017. This flight hours rose 0.7 percent in the same “Flight activity grew at a flatter pace percent and 0.2 percent, respectively, in was followed by Dallas Love with 35,442 year-on-year period, according to Argus compared to previous years, but growth the third and fourth. departures; Westchester County in White International’s 2018 Annual Business is still growth,” Argus said. “We eclipsed All operator categories saw growth Plains, New York, 32,612; Van Nuys, Cal- last year, with fractional flying taking the ifornia, 30,791; Las Vegas McCarran, lead with a 1.2 percent increase, followed 29,291; Washington Dulles, 29,190; and by Part 91 (1.1 percent) and charter (0.5 Houston Intercontinental, 28,219. percent). By aircraft category, midsize jet By U.S. region, the Southeast dom- activity took top honors with a 2.3 percent inated with 694,339 flights, trailed by year-over-year increase, trailed by large- Western Pacific, 405,294 flights; Great cabin jets (1.2 percent) and turboprops Lakes, 388,003; Southwest, 373,817; East- (0.7 percent). Light jet activity decreased ern, 368,828; Northwest, 291,796; Central, by 0.6 percent last year. 144,547; and Northeast, 110,504. Once again, Gama Aviation Signature After a “mild, but positive, year,” Argus was the top charter operator in North Amer- TraqPak analysts estimate that this overall ica, logging 91,195 flight hours last year, up trend will continue into 2019, calling for nearly 11,000 hours year-on-year, as its fleet a 0.5 percent increase in the first quarter. grew by 50 aircraft in 2018, to 203. Round- Its analysts predict that fractional activ- ing out the top-five spots are Executive ity will see the largest jump in the quar- Jet Management with 61,982 hours; XOJet, ter, at 3.3 percent, with Part 91 operations Midsize jets led in overall growth of business aircraft flight activity last year in the U.S., 45,404 hours; Delta Private Jets, 40,385 expected to rise 1.4 percent while charter Canada, and the Caribbean, according to Argus International. And the Cessna Citation Excel/ hours; and Solairus Aviation, 30,205 hours. flying is projected to fall 1.6 percent from XLS/XLS+ logged 166,883 flights last year in the region. In the fractional realm, NetJets was first-quarter 2018. n

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18-MCJT11230 ADS-B More Solutions Ad-10.8125x13.875-AIN.indd 1 2/5/18 1:18 PM DJI said it “took swift action to address this reports relating to any violations of Employees looted $150M issue, dismissed a number of employees who the company’s workplace conduct violated company policies, and contacted policies.” This fraud investigation law enforcement officials. We continue to to date has resulted in the termi- from drone maker DJI | by Mark Huber investigate the situation and are cooperating nation of 29 employees, the referral fully with law enforcement’s investigation.” of 16 for criminal prosecution, and Chinese drone maker DJI, the world’s larg- employees inflated the cost of parts and The company further said that it is “tak- could potentially involve more. est maker of recreational small UASs, lost materials and diverted the proceeds for per- ing steps to strengthen internal controls and Privately held DJI was founded $150 million last year due to a wide-sweep- sonal financial gain, according to the com- have established new channels for employ- in 2006 by Frank Wang who had ing internal financial fraud in which some pany. In a statement issued on January 21, ees to submit confidential and anonymous received an $18,000 grant from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for drone research in 2003. It has 14,000 employees, commands 74 percent of the light drone market, had $2.9 billion in sales in 2017, and has an estimated valuation of $15 billion. The company is widely expected to issue an initial public offering (IPO) of its stock later this year. Var- ious quarters have raised security concerns about DJI products. In May, the U.S. Department of Defense banned the purchase of consumer drones from a variety of manufacturers including DJI and in November various media outlets reported that DJI drones were vulnerable to data/ photo hacking via a vulnerability in its cloud infrastructure, a problem DJI said it has patched. n

NEWS note Global aircraft charter, management, and maintenance provider Jet Edge International has been awarded an $11.9 million verdict against a former employee on breach of contract charges. The jury in the Central District of Cali- fornia, Eastern Division courthouse ruled against Paul Schembari, currently CEO of Guam-based Phenix Jet, finding him liable for $4.6 million in compensatory damages and $7.3 million in punitive damages. According to Jet Edge, in 2016 it entered into a joint-venture agreement with Tokyo-based Sojitz Corp., which specified that Schembari be hired as the JV’s assistant director of operations. Jet Edge, which is based in Van Nuys, California, alleged that position enabled Sojitz to “steal Jet Edge’s confidential information and customers.” Sojitz launched Phenix Jet Inter- national the following year, with Schembari listed as representative director, and several of Jet Edge’s Asia-based clients soon moved to the new company. The jury ruled unanimously that Schembari inten- tionally interfered with aircraft management agreements between Jet Edge and third parties, breached a duty of loyalty to the company, and acted with malice, oppression, or fraud while causing harm. A $75 million lawsuit against Sojitz is pending in the courts. n

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© Copyright Embraer 2018. All rights reserved. Fifteen or 20 years is like an entire life- most precious of commodities to those time or two for many business leaders. who value it most. Other Voices Over this span of time, many chairmen, Boom, Spike, and QueSST, as well as CEOs, or presidents will have been wit- smart people in Savannah, Montréal, ness to two or perhaps even three com- Saint-Cloud, and elsewhere won’t be far plete business cycles. It is a fact that most behind with their own designs for our AINsight: Life in a faster lane business leaders are only in their jobs for faster and hyper-competitive future. But a few years before moving on to their next only one organization will be first to reach by Rolland Vincent opportunity, whether it be by their choice the departure end of the runway. or someone else’s. How fitting is it that an entrepreneur Some things in life improve with age. A Ahh…to be your own boss, with your with the time to figure all this out has an fine wine. A meaningful relationship. A own team and resources, with the foresight, investment horizon that transcends quar- good marriage that was meant to be. A Rolland energy, patience, and determination to per- terly earnings calls and pointed questions teenager past awkward adolescence and Vincent, severe, pioneer, and ultimately partner. In from ever-watchful and rarely satisfied ready for prime time. managing our experience, leaders who work in this equity analysts? Aerion founding inves- Add to those, the performance of a director of space are operating in rarefied air. They tor Robert Bass and his team—which now carefully selected and well-nurtured JetNet iQ and inherently know that success in aircraft includes Boeing, GE, and Honeywell—are team. A smart idea whose time has finally president of development is much bigger than they on the path to success. arrived. Aerion’s AS2 supersonic business Rolland Vincent themselves can achieve. It takes so much With a recipe of equal parts rocket

jet could very well be that timely idea. MARK WAGNER Associates more than one person, one sketch on an science, financial engineering, courage, In our consulting work, we are regu- envelope, and one more emptied checkbook. vision, and a quarter-cup of humility— larly approached by brilliant, impassioned into the aircraft development program, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing earned over some 20 years of experimen- individuals seeking to animate their back- cash gets tight, the economy changes, are the types of partners that would make tation, small victories, and numerous of-the-envelope airplane designs. Almost shortcuts are made, creditors get ner- any warm-blooded aerospace entrepre- setbacks—the AS2 design and industrial to a person, they seek to take their ideas vous, suppliers go unpaid, and customers neur salivate. All three have agreed Aeri- strategy have first-mover advantage on from abstract concept to metal or carbon are almost inevitably disappointed. Some- on’s AS2 supersonic business jet is more the supersonic chessboard. fiber—to literally go where no one else has times, an incident or accident throws a than a needle-nose concept whose time With first flight due in 2023, Aerion AS2 gone before. Their queries to us tend to wrench into the machinery—and you- has finally arrived. Civil supersonic flight customers—including leading corpora- have some common themes, including the know-what hits the turbofan. was always a smart idea, especially for tions, high-net-worth individuals, charter following: “How many can I build? How For the typically undercapitalized executives and high-net-worth individu- and fractional operators such as Flexjet, many can I build at price X? Price Y? How entrepreneur, it’s well past time for a als and their families and friends. But get- and heads-of-state—are poised to partic- much more will customers be willing to rethink. The investors aren’t happy, and ting from smart idea to a profitable and ipate in a new era in business aviation. It pay to have Feature A or Feature B on their new ones are circling, ready to pounce, durable business model takes time—that really is about time. n next airplane? What is the price elasticity and primed to fix the problems and of demand? What if…what if…what if?” restructure the business, in exchange for With many of these prospective clients, equity control. A fresh envelope emerges a common belief that is apparent in many with new scribbles on the back, and a of these conversations is that funding an different plan is created and a new set of aircraft prototype and getting it into the leaders are appointed. Time marches on, air with minimal delay is a prerequisite to and what may have started as a brilliant attracting a bevy of investors who will be aircraft concept has become someone clamoring—checkbooks in hand—to make else’s not-so-easy-to-manage adolescent. sure they are on the inside track of this There is a different path to a new air- next great innovation. The one they can craft development program, but few take be proud to tell their grandchildren about. it. As always, at the core of the process is Herein lies the rub. In our view, some an entrepreneur—the spark that eventu- very smart people have treaded along this ally builds into a steady flame. They start very path, and very few have succeeded. In with core beliefs and a simple concept to Having operated its first PC-24 for more than a year, PlaneSense recently received the the heady days of the 1960s, when the sky address a real customer need in the mar- second ship of its initial six-unit order. Another of the light jets is expected to arrive or even space was not considered a limit, ketplace. They see the big picture and play this month, two more this fall, and the conclusion of the order in early 2020. Bill Lear had an idea that would eventu- the long game. They believe that success ally spawn an entirely new segment of the is not about instant gratification, but PlaneSense welcomes its second Pilatus jet business aircraft industry. By all accounts, rather about creating a higher standard he was fearless—an enthusiastic “damn that does not exist. Fractional aircraft ownership provider aircraft, one would expect the need to the torpedoes” kind of entrepreneur who They are not out to darken the skies PlaneSense last month welcomed the address minor ‘squawks.’ We have been at least on one occasion was only able with airplanes. They think; ask many arrival of the second Pilatus PC-24 to its pleasantly surprised by the small number of to make payroll after receiving payment questions, such as “What if we did this? fleet. The twin-engine light jet, tail num- needed changes and with how quickly they from an insurance claim from a horrific What if we opted for that?”; carefully ber N125AF, is part of the company’s initial are being systematically resolved.” flight-test accident. select team members; get deeply involved order of six and comes little more than a Twelve company pilots have thus far More than 50 years ago, at a time before in the intricacies of the business. They year after PlaneSense accepted its first, earned PC-24 type ratings, while 11 of many regulations had been crafted to love what they do, and they go deeply which has been flying shareowners since PlaneSense’s maintenance technicians enhance aircraft safety and stop people into their own pockets to ensure that the March 2018. In that time, it has visited 250 have completed specialized training to ser- from literally killing themselves, this business is built on a strong foundation. airports in six countries. vice the airplane, as N125AF was expected approach occasionally bore fruit. A plane Notably, they seek and find the finest tal- “With the very first Pilatus PC-24 jet in to enter service by the end of last month. flew, customers got excited, orders were ent with the brightest eyes and the bushiest the world, we have experienced a steep “Our clients have greatly enjoyed the written, hangars were built and filled to tails. They employ teams, often at different maturing curve,” George Antoniadis, presi- expansive cabin and the conveniences capacity, and assembly lines were acti- and even remote locations, to do the hard dent and CEO of the New Hampshire-based afforded by jet travel,” said Antoniadis. vated. Smiling customers took delivery work, dive deeply into the data, and do the company told AIN, adding the airplane con- “This jet, and each consecutive aircraft, will of their shiny new toys. Everybody was due diligence. They seek and find business, tinues to exceed PlaneSense’s expectations allow us to meet the growing demand for happy, or at least that’s what seemed to legal, regulatory, technical, industrial, and as a versatile and reliable addition to its pro- more PC-24 shares.” be happening for a while. community partners to bring to life a care- gram fleet. “Pilatus has been an extremely The third PC-24 in the order is expected to For aspiring aircraft manufacturers, fully-crafted strategic action plan that has resourceful partner in this entry-into-service arrive this month, an additional two this fall, there are some common dangers along the no resemblance whatsoever to the scrib- experience. As with any first production and the final delivery by early next year. C.E. proverbial runway to success. A few years bled-on back of an envelope.

34 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com

continued from page 1 mid-cabins dipped by one. Dassault now combines its delivery results, but the GAMA numbers: totals were down by eight units to 41. While presenting uneven results in 2018, deliveries up in 2018 jet makers “walked away in a good position” given the products that either are coming results, GAMA adjusted the yearly com- onto the market this year or just arrived, as parisons to reflect totals through three well as the increase in flying, Hennig said. quarters for the manufacturer. While shipments experienced modest Turboprop Sector increases uniformly, billing results were The turboprop market experienced the mixed: fixed-wing billings inched up 1.5 largest overall bump, up 5.2 percent to percent to $20.6 billion in 2018, but rotor- 601 units delivered in 2018 (including craft billings dipped by about $100 mil- both pressurized and unpressurized). lion, or 0.7 percent, to $3.6 billion. GAMA reported Viking—producer of the And even though 2013 was also uni- DHC-6 Series 400 Twin Otter—for the formly up, Jens Hennig, vice president of first time, counting nine deliveries for the operations for GAMA, said such results year. But as with the helicopters, GAMA Aerion AS2 developmental mockup are rare and added that with 2018, “It’s a adjusted the comparisons year-over-year good news story.” to include only the same manufacturers. continued from page 1 to a hopeful “low rumble,” which would Textron Aviation’s King Air twin turbo- likely help to reverse U.S. FAA regulations New Models Come To Market props were up by eight units to 94 for the Boeing partners on prohibiting supersonic flight over land. “New certifications over the last two years, year and Piper’s M500/M600 single tur- While Aerion concurrently seeks to especially in the lighter jet segments, as boprop lines experienced a nine-aircraft supersonic AS2 mitigate the sonic boom via aerodynam- well as demand in North America are driv- bounce to 56. These offset drops from Pil- ics, the AS2 will also use “boom mapping” ing the business jet shipment increase,” atus and Daher. Utility turboprop maker The Seattle airframer’s contingent on software from avionics partner Honey- said GAMA president and CEO Pete Quest also saw a slide in deliveries. the board consists of Boeing Commer- well to allow for overland cruise at speeds Bunce, of the total results. “This is also Helping the turboprop market over- cial Airplanes v-p of product strategy and up to Mach 1.2 without the boom reaching the second consecutive year in which all is global demand, said Hennig. While future airplane development Mike Sinnett the ground. This software takes advan- shipments of piston and turbine rotor- North America remains the dominant and Boeing Global Services v-p of supply tage of Mach cutoff, where the boom itself craft are up, driven by the introduction of region at 49.8 percent, a higher percent- chain Ken Shaw. Meanwhile, Tom Vice, does not extend all the way to the ground, new models to the market.” age goes into other markets in total than who was elevated at Aerion to president though the speed at which this happens Ramp-ups on the newest light-jet do business jets and piston aircraft. “The and CEO, as well as a board member in varies with atmospheric conditions. entrants provided a boost to the business rest of the world is very well spread out, August, has added the title of chairman. Honeywell’s software could ultimately jet sector. It also was indicative of the which speaks to the broad acceptance of Business aviation analyst and JetNet iQ take the form of a flight deck display sim- smaller increase in billings overall. Busi- turboprops,” he said, noting their utilitar- managing director Rollie Vincent said last ilar to weather radar that can show pilots ness jet deliveries climbed by 3.8 percent ian capabilities worldwide. month’s announcement was “completely when the boom is getting too low for from 677 in 2017 to 703 last year. The $2 As for the pistons, the training market unexpected,” but added, “If you’re going comfort (5,000 feet above ground level is million Cirrus Vision Jet led all jet deliver- continues to provide a boost. Piston aircraft to have a partner, there’s no one better thought to be a sufficient buffer). ies, reaching 63 last year, its second full year manufacturers delivered 5 percent more of than Boeing. If anyone has the resources The AS2 is now in the preliminary of deliveries. New to the turbine market, those aircraft in 2018 for a total of 1,139. This to bear to bring a supersonic jet to mar- design phase, with Aerion and Boeing Cirrus had handed over 22 of the single-jet is up from 1,085. The Asia-Pacific region ket, it’s Boeing.” (See Vincent’s Other Voices engineers now working to freeze the in 2017. Another new player in the business increased its market share of piston deliv- commentary on Page 34.) design by late 2020. “We’re making good jet sector was Pilatus, which delivered its eries last year to 18.5 percent. This is a jump progress,” said Aerion’s Miller. Once the first 18 Pilatus PC-24s last year. from the 13.4 percent of the pistons deliv- Supersonic History and Future design is finalized, Boeing will start cut- They offset a small dip in another still ered to the region in 2017 and represents Boeing has long held ambitions for a civil ting parts for the first prototype. relative newcomer to market, Honda Air- the largest share since GAMA began track- supersonic transport (SST), working on Notably, the change in manufacturing craft, which reported six fewer Honda- ing regional breakouts a decade ago. small-scale SST studies in the early 1950s partners does not affect the timeline for Jet deliveries in 2018 for a total of 37. On the rotorcraft side, turbine deliver- before starting a full-fledged SST program the $120 million AS2, with first flight still While down from recent years, Embraer ies improved 5 percent to 695, while pis- for its delta-wing, Mach 3 Model 2707 a slated for 2023, nor Aerion’s decision to remains a prolific producer of its Phenom tons were up 6.4 percent to 281 in 2018. decade later. That program was canceled use the GE Aviation Affinity engine to light jets, with the 100 and 300 combining Enstrom reported a jump in its 280FX in 1971 before the two planned prototypes power the aircraft. for a total of 64 deliveries. piston deliveries to 14, up from the sole were built. But the addition of Boeing as a partner Cessna’s Citation Latitude remains its model handed over last year. Pistons led Since then, Boeing has dabbled in high- has had a positive effect on sales interest, top seller this year with 57 shipped, up by the 11-unit increase in Robinson results to speed civil aircraft, unveiling the Sonic said Miller. “People are taking notice of three units. But its CJ3+, CJ4, and XLS+ 316 total deliveries. Cruiser in early 2001 and then shelving it this serious commitment from Boeing.” lines all saw increases, offsetting dips in Bell, meanwhile, dramatically ramped a year-and-a-half later. In June, the com- And while he wouldn’t disclose the back- Sovereign+ and M2 deliveries, and the up its 505 single-turbine to 116, compared pany revealed an illustration of a hyper- log for AS2s, Miller said there is contin- elimination of the Mustang line. with 27 last year. Airbus Helicopters’ H125 sonic passenger concept airplane. ued interested from buyers. Bombardier’s $26 million Challenger line was up 11 units to 136, but the manu- Meanwhile, Aerion brings more than 16 The only publicly known buyer is Flex- 350, meanwhile, not only led super-mid- facturer handed over 46 fewer helicopters years of continuous, dedicated supersonic jet, which placed a firm order for 20 AS2s size deliveries but was the most delivered overall in 2018, with decreases in the H145, research and development to the table, as at the 2015 NBAA Convention. “We abso- twin-engine business jet with 60 handed H135, and H130 lines. well as no fewer than 22 U.S. patents for lutely intend to take delivery of these over. This was up from 56 in 2017. Looking forward, the manufacturers supersonic technologies it has developed airplanes,” said Flexjet chairman Kenn Last year also marked the beginning will grapple with the U.S. government since then. Its patents include many for lam- Ricci, who is also the principal of parent of deliveries of higher-end models such shutdown for months as they work to inar flow aerodynamics—a key technology company Directional Aviation Capital. as Bombardier’s Global 7500 and Gulf- realign their certification schedules. But that Aerion has touted for the AS2’s wing. “The AS2 is the right airplane for today’s stream’s G500. Bombardier’s Global Bunce added, “We remain optimistic Over the years, the company has part- environment, and Boeing’s involvement 5000/6000 products were down slightly given recent type certifications and other nered with NASA to flight test and sub- puts Aerion’s supersonic business jet on to 41 deliveries (from 45 in 2017), but are certifications in the product queue that sequently refine many of its laminar-flow a solid path to certification. If there were awaiting the new siblings 5500 and 6500 bode well for the large-airplane segment concepts. In fact, Aerion is currently ever doubts about whether the AS2 would that are to come online later this year. to continue its strength.” Increases in doing a program with NASA on aerody- be built, the partnership with Boeing has Gulfstream’s large-cabin aircraft mod- regional demands also are encouraging, namic shaping to reduce the sonic boom effectively laid those to rest.” n els were up by two units, even as the he added. n

36 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com

in Ethiopia in 2018 [excluding AU Heads of Economic growth is another factor. “Pro- Krimson to take active role State]. We only have four points of entry. vided everything remains politically stable, It is very difficult to get a landing permit which it has been since the change of prime at the three airports outside Addis Ababa. minister in 2018, that will lead to a boom, in building bizav in Ethiopia I would say [a] significant [percentage] of because you have investors coming in. As the traffic was for technical landings.” [they do], they will charter a local operator by Peter Shaw-Smith Lemma sees growing Saudi and Emi- to get around. Given the economic situa- rati involvement in East Africa, after tion in the country, married with, let’s say, Krimson is making its presence felt in East Saudi Arabia helped broker the recent the regulatory framework, we will defi- Africa and looking to benefit after the open- Ethiopia-Eritrea peace deal. Ethiopia also nitely support growth.” ing up of Eritrean airspace to international keeps an eye on the Horn of Africa, a key Lemma said that Ethiopia’s growing flights, as Ethiopia gradually embraces geo-strategic location, given the unrest in wealth has yet to influence the ability of more sophisticated business aviation oper- Dawit Lemma, Somalia, and shipping’s need for access to businessmen to obtain aircraft finance. “I ations, despite a current lack of domestic founder and the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. read a statistic somewhere that the city of operators. managing “Definitely, Saudi involvement in East Addis Ababa has the fastest-growing num- “We started an international trip sup- partner of Africa has increased in the last six months. ber of dollar millionaires in Africa. There port company in 2015 doing supervision Krimson The government gave Ethiopia a $1 billion are many high-net-worth individuals. The and permits,” Dawit Lemma, founder and loan. The Saudis are also investing in Ethi- main issue, for anyone who wants to enter managing partner of Krimson and a Swiss opia. It is a strategic political game, [due to] into aviation or big business is the financ- citizen of Ethiopian background, told AIN. My dream or the Horn. Saudi Arabia also helped broker ing structure. [An] Ethiopian bank will “We completed our first year and then we the peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea. not guarantee your loan or give you a loan expanded. We started getting requests vision is not to I have seen a lot of Saudi- and Emirati- to get an aircraft because they see it as a from other companies for consultancy become an operator, registered aircraft coming to Ethiopia, movable asset. services, development or operational solu- but to support whether investors, politicians, or families. “As a result, there is…no guarantee to get tions. We strengthened our flight support. The Ethiopia-Eritrea peace deal has an international loan. Once that gets lifted, “We [also] started getting requests from operators in, or brought benefits, allowing regional air- once the local banks [provide] finance to local and regional operators for charter, coming into, the space to open up. “There’s a trunk line that the local operators, to an individual, then brokerage, and leasing. Local operators cuts straight through Egypt, Eritrea, Ethio- you’ll obviously see the number, as well as needed support in expanding their charter region. Everybody pia, Kenya, and Tanzania. If you’re overfly- the type of aircraft, naturally increase.” services. The official title of the Krimson wants to be an ing or you’re trying to get from…Cairo, or Lemma is open to the prospect of joint business is ‘Flight Support and Facilita- even Frankfurt, down to Southern Africa, ventures with regional or international tion.’ [Last] year we expanded outside of operator but nobody that airway is now direct. Before, they’d partners. “There is a strong aviation culture Ethiopia: we are now offering flight support wants to provide have to go over Sudan, South Sudan, or in the region. Now, it’s time to develop the out of Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of support services to the follow the Red Sea. It’s an improvement in aviation angle. My ambition is one day to Congo, Djibouti, and South Sudan.” terms of time and fuel burn, but also safety.” have a regional FBO network in East Africa Business aviation in East Africa, unlike operator.” and the Horn of Africa, which would be Nigeria or South Africa, is in its infancy, Evolving Regs Aimed at Growth linked to fuel, support services, and aircraft Lemma said. “[D]uring African Union largest offering an Embraer ERJ145. A new In terms of bizav’s regulatory prospects in management. I am a pilot and I love flying [AU] meetings every January, many heads VIP Terminal at Bole International Airport Ethiopia, Lemma is positive. “There is a planes, but I am not an operator. of state come in, on small Citation jets right will cater strictly to government and diplo- new aviation law, or policy, that…has been “My dream or vision is not to become an up to Boeing 777s. During the rest of the matic delegations, he said, but the private developed in the last two to three years. It’s operator, but to support operators in, or year, predominantly two types of jets come sector still awaits a facility of its own. In looking like that new policy might be imple- coming into, the region. Everybody wants in: one could be an investor or tourist; the addition to tourism, oil exploration, min- mented in the next year. If so, it will give the to be an operator but nobody wants to pro- other could be technical or fuel stops.” ing, and humanitarian missions are driving private sector so much more freedom. Right vide support services to the operator.” n Ethiopian Airlines, which made $233 charter growth. now, we are operating in a nascent sector, million net profit in its last financial year, “Investor visits fell in the last year or so. and like everywhere else in the world, a big offers good connectivity and dominates A lot of the jets that came in were for tech- national carrier dominates the local market. aviation in the country. Lemma said there nical landings. I would expect there were This aviation policy will give local operators NEWS note were six charter brokers in Ethiopia, the around 200 to 300 business jet movements the opportunity to grow.” Business aviation per-seat reseller MemberJets/Sky380 has selected Part 135 operator Prime Jet to provide flights between New Jersey’s Teter- boro Airport and Miami-area Opa-Locka Groups unite to defend Brazil’s largest bizav airport Airport in its recently refurbished Gulf- stream IV-SP. Brazilian aviation associations filled an state police career. State legislator Oscar aviation swings are wider than those for “We’re very excited to arm our cur- auditorium at São Paulo Campo de Marte Castello Branco, another of the politicians commercial aviation.” rent broker customers with another Airport in January to forge a common front forming the “legislative front” to defend the Pires also looked to the future, pointing way to sell our aircraft,” noted Prime against a proposal by the state’s newly airport, echoed the sentiment. Jorge Bittar, out that emerging technologies such as Jet COO Andrew Gulsrud. elected governor to close the airfield and president of Brazilian air taxi association urban aviation mobility solutions, expected MemberJets provides charter bro- turn it into a park, with the runway being ABTaer, presented the paperwork outlining as early as 2023, will require a large urban kers, Part 135 operators, and jet card repurposed for basketball, soccer, and this position. airport or heliport for support. programs with a free platform to create, other sports. Campo de Marte, which is near Flávio Pires, CEO of Brazilian business Every few years, a proposal is made to market, and share flights by the seat. the São Paulo city-center, is Brazil’s busiest and general aviation association ABAG, close the airport—“Save Campo de Marte” “The shared economy makes logical general aviation airport and ranks eighth in opened the meeting laying out its pur- was the theme of LABACE 2017. While this sense for a fragmented industry that the country’s airports overall, with 70,000 pose—the formation of a broad coalition of has been done under a variety of pretexts, has always been exclusively for the operations last year. associations—and providing a more tech- the underlying motive is always the same: elite,” said MemberJets founder and “The cause is more than just, more than nical defense of the airfield. He refuted real estate interests want to fill the approach CEO Ty Carter. “The marketplace allows noble, and I’ll speak to everyone from the governor’s professed safety concerns path area with high-rises. “People are always industry players to work together, le- aldermen to the president of the republic,” and added that the airport has been the saying, ‘Remove [wholesale market] CEAG- veraging the advantages of private avi- vowed the state’s newly elected sena- country’s fifth-busiest by number of oper- ESP, remove Campo de Marte,’ because they ation while creating new flight options tor, Sérgio Olímpio Gomes, better known ations and is likely to move up again as are relatively small areas, and people stand and prices, thus opening aviation to an as Major Olímpio, a title earned from his the economy recovers, since “business to make millions,” said Olímpio. R.P. entirely new demographic.” T

38 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com U.S. Customs coming in Strength of a Chain, 2018! Flexibility of an Independent

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A dozen National Air Traffic Controllers Murray (Washington), Kamala Harris (Cal- Association (NATCA) members were guests ifornia), Dick Durbin (Illinois), and Chuck at last month’s State of the Union address. Schumer (New York), along with Kaine. In Every member of Congress is permitted to the House, seven representatives issued invite one guest to the annual Presidential invitations: Reps. Annie Kuster (New address on Capitol Hill, and often these Hampshire), Matt Cartwright (Pennsylva- guests highlight national issues. The invi- nia), David Cicilline (Rhode Island), Mark tations to the ATC team followed the cam- Takano (California), Katie Hill (California), paign NATCA waged to end the partial U.S. Tom Suozzi (New York), and Jennifer Wex- government shutdown, putting a spotlight ton (Virginia). on the stress controllers endured while In addition to Rinaldi, the invited NATCA working without pay. members were Jeff Aulbach (Boston Air “These invitations are a testament to Route Traffic Control Center), Ronan Byrne the respect that our members and our pro- (New York Terminal Radar Approach Con- fessions have earned on Capitol Hill and trol), Allen Fritz (Reading Air Traffic Control across the country,” said NATCA president Tower), Jamie Green (Providence Air Traf- Paul Rinaldi, who was the guest of Sen. fic Control Tower), Toby Hauck (Chicago Tim Kaine (D-Virginia). Air Route Traffic Control Center), Shyan The professionalism of the controllers, Lasater-Bailey (Palm Springs Air Traffic he added, “was never more evident than Control Tower), Chrissy Lewis (Joshua during the longest government shutdown Control Facility), Kevin Maney (New York A TBM 930 joined a TBM 850 in January on a voyage over the magnetic South Pole. in American history. Despite personal hard- Terminal Radar Approach Control), Linda ship and stress, uncertainty and fatigue, McCray (Washington Air Route Traffic over 15,000 NATCA members went to work Control Center), Alex Navarro (Seattle Air [and] did their jobs at the highest level.” Route Traffic Control Center), and Trisha TBM 850, 930 complete The 12 lawmakers issuing the invita- Pesiri-Dybvik (Santa Barbara Air Traffic tions, all Democrats, included Sens. Patty Control Tower). K.L. journey over Antarctica by Kerry Lynch

Two Daher TBMs—an 850 and 930— son, Sebastian Jr. Meanwhile, Dierk Reu- completed a milestone journey across Ant- ter of Chicago flew the TBM 930 with his arctica and over the magnetic South Pole son Alex. The 930 carried cameras and in January. Both flights qualify as first legs an in-flight tracking system with Iridium in the rarely awarded Polar Diamond Cir- GO! satellite connectivity. cumnavigator Diploma, recognized by the The pilots used Iridium messaging to Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. post photos on Instagram during the Both aircraft flew 2,700 nm from San- journey. The TBM 930 owner Jim Baum tiago, Chile to 75 degrees South, the lat- arranged a fly-by of the ice-class explo- itude required for the Polar Diamond ration ship National Geographic Orion, Circumnavigator Diploma. The trips, providing additional pictures and video. conducted in an environment that aver- Diaz noted a key challenge of the trip ages -56 degrees F with constant winds, involved avoiding the freezing of the fuel required three stopovers and consider- because of the extreme low temperatures. able preparation. The five-million-sq-mile The pilots used more of the Prist fuel sys- In the past three years, fleet utilization of Piper’s M600 has been greater than expected. ice-covered continent is largely uninhab- tem icing inhibitor than usual to ward off ited, with high ground in the center that the freezing, he said. Diaz also praised the rises to more than 8,000 feet and peaks Chilean Air Force for the hospitality pro- reaching 16,050 feet. vided during the trip. Piper boosts warranty hrs The aircraft departed Punta Arenas “The journey from my hometown Chi- in Chile on January 1, reaching Teniente cago to 75S 71W and back can be summa- Rodolfo Marsh Martin Airport on King rized in figures: 18,782 nm, 64 hours, 3,080 based on M600 utilization George Island, which is part of Chile’s gallons of jet fuel, and 19 stopovers,” Reu- Antarctica commune and the north- ter said. “But it doesn’t tell the story about Citing higher-than-anticipated utilization The extended warranty, which is effec- ernmost airport on the continent. The a pilot’s feeling to fly over the South for its M600, Piper Aircraft is boosting the tive immediately, is based on both owner airport has a 4,232-foot (1,290-meter) Pole. The TBM is an awesome aircraft to warranty of the turboprop single from five feedback and aircraft performance, said gravel runway. explore the globe!” years/1,000 flight hours to five years/1,500 Piper v-p of sales, marketing, and cus- The next day, the aircraft flew to the “We are impressed by the airmanship of flight hours for those delivered since 2016. tomer support Ron Gunnarson. “When British Antarctic Survey Sky-Blu base such TBM owner-pilots as the Diaz family The Vero Beach, Florida OEM unveiled the M600 was introduced, we offered a at 807 nm southwest. The aircraft then and Dierk Reuter, who carefully prepared the six-seat, 1,300-nm M600 in April 2015 warranty program that reflected our com- reached the 75 degrees South latitude this dual polar expedition,” said Nicolas originally with the five-year/1,000-flight mitment to our customers and confidence turning point before heading back to King Chabbert, senior v-p of Daher Airplane hour warranty. Since that time, Piper has in the aircraft. That commitment and George Island’s airport. Business Unit. “We salute the confidence delivered nearly 100 of the model and the confidence continue today as we identi- Sebastian Diaz from Santiago, Chile, they have in our TBM very fast turbo- fleet has accumulated more than 21,000 fied an opportunity to increase our stan- flew the TBM 850 with his 88-year-old prop aircraft, as they had to face extreme fleet hours. This fleet has shown that both dard factory warranty,” said Gunnarson. father, Patricio (who Daher says is one of weather conditions flying over one of the utilization and stage lengths are greater “The M600 is delivering on its core value the oldest licensed TBM pilots) and his world’s most hostile regions.” n than expected, Piper said. proposition.” K.L.

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The Super Bowl kicked off early and went into overtime for FBOs at Atlanta-area airports, requiring ramp reservations and slots for private aircraft during the Super Bowl TFR, January 29 through Feb- ruary 5. FBOs at the five favorites going into the big game—Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Fulton Some 140 business aircraft made an appearance on the ramp at Epps Aviation for the Super Bowl. County Airport-Brown Field (FTY), Cobb County International Airport-McCollum handled 15 to 16 arrivals and departures and owners. To alleviate ramp congestion, Meanwhile, the only maintenance issue Field (RYY), and Gwinnett County Air- per hour during peak flows. all three Signature locations offered park- FBOs reported to AIN was a tire change port-Briscoe Field (LZU)—racked up Cost of reservations at the area airports ing and fuel discounts at its Huntsville on a Gulfstream. impressive stats, together handling more ranged from about $1,500 to $1,700, in (HTV), Savannah (SAV), and Charleston than 1,500 aircraft while hosting lavish line with charges at recent Super Bowls. (CHS) locations to customers who repo- Flight Activity Questioned parties and promotions. Double coverage At PDK, arrivals for Atlantic Aviation, sitioned jets there after drop-off. But the smooth operations may have been was provided by support staff and equip- Epps Aviation, and Signature Flight At both its PDK and FTY locations, partly due to lower-than-expected volume. ment brought in from allied facilities Support, the airport’s three FBOs, were Signature also offered shuttle service in Several FBOs reported some aircraft opera- around the country. In the end, the nine scheduled at three-minute intervals, and Maseratis and displayed the Italian auto- tors made and paid for multiple reservations FBOs emerged victorious, though there the airport drew 616 inbound turbine maker’s vehicles on its ramp. The com- through different FBOs to get favorable slot were some complaints related to opera- aircraft during the TFR, according to pany also brought in Technicair teams times—some using an arrival slot at one tors who reserved multiple slots. FlightAware. to all three FBOs to handle maintenance FBO and a departure from another. “We spent months and months putting Atlantic Aviation showcased its and AOG events, said Patrick Sniffen, v-p “We had an incredibly successful the plan in place, and things stuck to plan,” just-completed $19 million FBO and han- of marketing. Signature’s ATL facility event,” said Hamby at Atlantic Aviation. said Shane Dale, FBO services manager at gar facility and hosted the first produc- handled 161 arrivals and 187 departures “[But] the slot system they put in place PDK’s Epps Aviation, the morning after tion Bombardier Global 7500 on the first during the TFR, the latter including Super for the Super Bowl suppresses a lot of the TFR ended. Epps handled more than stop of its world demonstration tour. All Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady’s [flight] activity. The FBOs put together 140 of the aircraft total. “Everything just told, Atlantic handled 171 aircraft during post-game flight to Walt Disney World. their special events plans based on the worked like clockwork,” Dale said. the reservation period—124 of them on At Cobb County International, the assumption that if someone pays $1,500 The outcome was the same 13 nm the ground at game time—and pumped sole international GA field, Hawthorne for a non-refundable slot, then they’re southwest at FTY. “We executed the 111,000 gallons of fuel. For backup, Atlan- Global Aviation welcomed 354 jets, at coming in, and that couldn’t be further plans our team worked on for the last six tic brought in “extra fuel trucks, extra least one from as far as Australia. Haw- from the truth.” Hamby said Atlantic to 12 months very well,” said Andrew Ash, tugs, extra lav servicing equipment, thorne took over the airport’s on-site “had probably 40 slots purchased where general manager at Hill Aircraft, which ground power units, and potable water restaurant, Elevation Chophouse & the operators didn’t show up.” He added, welcomed more than 120 aircraft, includ- carts,” said Jay Hamby, Atlantic v-p of Skybar, to host a Super Bowl party and “What I’m hearing from various ATC and ing a Falcon 8X on display. “We had a lot regional operations. brought in 45 additional line service local tower personnel is that they thought of great feedback from customers and Fuel uplift per aircraft at Epps Aviation techs and 15 additional customer service [traffic] would be much busier.” pilots about how smoothly things flowed, was far above average, as almost all tran- representatives, said Bryon Burbage, Hamby noted the Kentucky Derby, which but it certainly wasn’t done without a lot sients were large-cabin jets. Hawthorne president and CEO. draws some 750 aircraft, and a Notre Dame of effort and preparation.” Signature Flight Support, which also At Gwinnett County, the two FBOs— home football game, which can draw 250 to As the closest airport to Mercedes Benz has facilities at ATL and FTY, hosted Gwinnett Aero and Aircraft Specialists Jet South Bend, Indiana, along with many other Stadium, site of Super Bowl LIII, FTY was more than 200 aircraft at PDK, including Center—had more than 200 reservations high-traffic events are staged smoothly a popular choice among the inbound and drop-offs from NetJets, charter operators, going into the weekend. Aircraft based at without slots. FBOs charge a special-event the airport were consolidated in one park- fee at such times—at prices similar to the ing area to free ramp space for transients, Super Bowl reservation fee—to cover the with a taxiway handling the overflow. cost of the extra personnel and equipment Despite the traffic numbers, operations brought in to handle the traffic. were smooth going in and out; on Mon- With the slot system, FBOs have no day morning, jets at PDK were allowed to way to crosscheck the aircraft reserva- leave before their slot times. tions at other facilities to identify double-, “Because Atlanta has so many regional triple- or even quadruple-booked aircraft. airports, the traffic was spread out,” in “These are the wealthiest people in the contrast with the 2018 Super Bowl staged world,” Hamby said of aircraft owners. in Minneapolis, said Dale. “Last year you “If their slot is Saturday morning at 2 a.m., had 800 aircraft going into one airport they’re not coming in at 2 a.m. There has [MSP]; things got overwhelmed and that to be some common-sense flexibility in FBOs expected more traffic than they received, and in some cases blame the slot reservation system. caused a lot of bottlenecks.” the [slot] system.” n

42 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com A new approach to flight department technology FREE WEBINAR | April 10, 2019 | 1:30PM EDT

Modern flight departments and operations are eager for WHAT YOU solutions that embrace 21st century technology and accessi- WILL LEARN: bility, especially for the critical task of maintenance tracking. • The positive impact With a culture that offers instant information via embracing technology always-connected mobile devices, flight departments are can have on your flight Matt Thurber looking for and implementing an array of new systems and department and the processes that harness quick communication, real-time data value of your aircraft. transfer, and eSignatures. This new approach is ushering out • How to reduce inefficien- legacy systems for maintenance tracking as well as inventory cies and error-ridden control and operations. processes that led to a Join us as AIN Editor-in-Chief Matt Thurber moderates a reactionary culture. Lee Brewster discussion about modern maintenance tracking tools with • How technology can business aviation experts Jeff McClean, Aviation Director help your operation of Maintenance, Procter & Gamble; Deborah Bew, Founder, with future planning by Aircraft Acquisitions; and Lee Brewster, Director of Product combining maintenance Marketing at Flightdocs. tracking and utilization reports. Deborah Bew REGISTER AT: ainonline.com/technology • What not to do when considering technology solutions. SPONSORED BY: PRESENTED BY:

Jeff McClean AVIONICS & technology ForeFlight app shows Airport 3D previews News Update Skyservice STCs Learjet by Matt Thurber 45 Iridium Datalink Transport Canada has granted a The ForeFlight Mobile Integrated Flight supplemental type certificate (STC) to App’s new version includes an Airport 3D Skyservice Business Aviation for installation View feature that allows users to exam- of Satcom Direct’s Data Link Unit (DLU) ine any airport in the app’s database from ForeFlight’s in the Learjet 45. Satcom Direct worked a perspective above and near the airport 3D View offers with Skyservice to develop the STC and is environment. The 3D View works on both users an aerial also helping the company with upcoming the iPhone and iPad versions of Fore- perspective EASA and FAA STCs, which should be Flight and is available for subscribers to of the airport approved in the second quarter. ForeFlight’s Performance Plus and Busi- environment. The SD DLU is an Iridium satcom that ness Performance plans. facilitates FANS-over-Iridium datalink By combining aerial imagery and communications and is the only DLU that high-resolution terrain from Jeppesen, is FAA technical standard order-approved the 3D View feature creates “a realistic (TSO C159c), according to Satcom and interactive simulation of the airport Direct. The DLU was originally developed environment,” according to ForeFlight. by TrueNorth Avionics, which Satcom To use 3D View, users simply click on Direct purchased in December 2016. the 3D View button in the airport infor- Skyservice has upgraded one of mation tab when viewing any airport in its Learjet 45s with the SD DLU. The the app. The view opens with a perspec- remaining two Learjet 45s will receive the tive view of the airport, including the upgrade shortly. With the DLU upgrade, msl altitude, distance from the airport, the Learjet 45 can use controller-pilot and inclination angle for the runway end data link communications (CPDLC) to fly nearest to the viewpoint. The user can in airspace where FANS 1/A equipage is manipulate the view from the simulated required. The DLU also enables ATN-B1 “camera” by touching the screen and pan- services, and CPDLC-equipped aircraft ning or zooming around the airport to see can take advantage of digital clearances the surrounding environment, terrain, etc. available at many airports in the U.S. Pressing a runway number on the but- doesn’t change. Zooming along the glide- themselves with airport surroundings and ton with numbers for each runway end slope allows the user to see what it would explore new places to fly,” said ForeFlight As ADS-B Mandate Looms, slews the camera viewpoint to 1 nm from look like to fly to the runway end at the co-founder and CEO Tyson Weihs. “In the ACSS Ships 10,000th NXT Unit the end of the runway end at a preset incli- selected inclination. past, aircraft operators used static pictures With U.S. and European ADS-B Out nation, either the published glideslope or For flights without internet connectivity, of airport environments to get familiar with mandates nearing, ACSS announced 6 degrees. The user can manipulate this users can preload airports in the planned an airport area. Airport 3D View changes yesterday that it has delivered the 10,000th runway end view by panning with one route string by downloading current the paradigm and delivers an immersive, production unit of its NXT mode-S finger to change the perspective, distance, charts, data, weather, fuel prices, Notams, next-generation familiarization capability transponder family. The company, a joint and inclination, or by pinch-and-zooming and 3D Views with the Pack feature. that works worldwide and will help cus- venture between L3 and Thales, said its with two fingers, in which case the cam- “Airport 3D View is a powerful new tool tomers more efficiently prepare for flights NXT-600, -700, and -800 units provide era doesn’t rotate and the inclination that helps ForeFlight customers familiarize and ultimately improve safety.” n business, commercial, and military aircraft the capability to operate in ADS-B airspace. Thus, the FAA and EASA mandates requiring aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B Out by January 2020 and June 2020, SurfaceWatch is included, adding runway respectively, have led to a significant uptick monitoring technology so pilots receive in orders and deliveries, it said. Yesterday’s HSI maps and visual and aural cues based on the flight plan, milestone follows the delivery of ACSS’s overlays are warning of takeoff or landing on a taxiway 5,000th NXT unit in March 2018, about four just one of the or a too-short or wrong runway as well as years after the NXT family’s introduction. new features distance-remaining annunciations. in Garmin’s The upgrade adds visual approaches to OneWeb Satellite G1000NXi the procedures menu. This feature creates Deliveries Begin upgrade for a three-degree glideslope from the run- The Airbus and OneWeb joint venture the Citation way threshold that pilots can use to help OneWeb Satellites is ramping up Mustang. ensure they are landing on the correct run- manufacture of satellites for a new way. Pilots can set minimums for a visual low-earth-orbit constellation. The first approach and then choose vectors or a six satellites were manufactured at G1000NXi available for Citation Mustang straight-in intercept and also fly an autopi- Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, lot-coupled visual approach. France, then shipped to Kourou, French Garmin’s G1000NXi upgrade for the Cessna The Mustang’s upgraded PFD can now G1000NXi includes Connext cockpit Guiana for launch on a Soyuz rocket. Citation Mustang is now certified and avail- display the NXi’s HSI map. Among the over- connectivity, with Garmin’s Database Con- Manufacturing of the satellites will now able for installation by Textron Aviation ser- lays available for the HSI map are Sirius XM cierge making uploading database updates move to a new factory in Florida. The vice centers. The upgrade modernizes the weather, ADS-B In (FIS-B) weather, weather much easier via the Garmin Pilot mobile app “ultra-high performance” 150-kg (331- flight deck with new LED-backlit displays radar, Garmin SafeTaxi airport diagrams, and allowing synchronizing of flight plans pound) satellites are designed “to provide with faster processors delivering improved traffic, and terrain. The FIS-B weather between the app and the avionics. Connext internet to everybody, everywhere” startup time and faster panning and map requires optional ADS-B In equipment. also sends avionics information to Garmin and will be deployed in a constellation rendering as well as more brightness and G1000NXi can display VFR and IFR charts. Pilot, FltPlan Go, and ForeFlight Mobile of 900 satellites orbiting at 1,200 km clarity, lower power consumption, and better Pilots can also use split-screen features to including traffic, weather, GPS position, and (746 sm). Service, planned to begin dimming performance, according to Garmin. optimize the PFD and MFD layouts. Garmin’s back-up attitude. M.T. in 2027, will include high-speed, low- latency airborne connectivity. M.T.

44 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com Garmin’s Earthmate app onto an iPhone Garmin inReach Mini satisfies or Android device. The app also features detailed topographic maps and color aerial imagery that can be downloaded low-cost communications needs for offline use. An option for the inReach commu- by Matt Thurber nicators is weather forecasts, delivered either to the device or the Earthmate app. Iridium satellite communicators are where cellphone service is spotty and laws in the jurisdictions where the device shrinking, and Garmin’s latest—the sometimes nonexistent, and in all cases, is intended to be used.” Mini Features InReach Mini—makes a compelling case the Mini delivered the messages quickly. The Mini has its own GPS receiver and The Mini is also compatible with the for keeping one of these handy little It should be noted that some countries this drives the map and tracking features. Garmin Pilot app and other Garmin units in your flight bag. Garmin bought prohibit the use of satellite communica- While it can be used standalone (without devices such as aviation and outdoor GPS navigation and satellite communications devices, for example, India, China, an associated smartphone app), texting watches. Once connected to Garmin Pilot, tion company DeLorme in 2016, and this and Cuba. In other countries, advance is somewhat challenging using the Mini’s it can be used to create, send, and receive is the first new device developed under permission might be required. Garmin up and down arrow and OK keys to select inReach messages. Another handy feature Garmin’s ownership. warns about this in its documentation: letters of the alphabet. The user can also of carrying the Mini is that it can act as The advantage offered by Iridium is its “NOTICE: Some jurisdictions regulate or create canned preset messages that are the GPS source for Garmin Pilot running worldwide reach, with coverage available prohibit the use of satellite communica- easy to select and send from the Mini. on a device without its own GPS receiver. anywhere due to the high numbers of sat- tions devices. It is the responsibility of The easier way to use the messag- I tested this feature too, and it provided a ellites in low-earth orbit. the user to know and follow all applicable ing and other features is to download solid GPS signal for my iPad. The Mini is tiny, weighing just 100 Probably the Mini’s best feature is the grams, and easily fits in a shirt pocket. It is SOS button. Lift the rubber cover, push so small that it’s a good idea to attach the the button, and help is on the way from included carabiner to the back and then the GEOS 24/7 emergency response team. attach the carabiner to a backpack or a Garmin has documented several saves buttonhole to keep it from disappearing. thanks to inReach devices. Garmin sells accessories for the Mini such The inReach devices also work with as a belt holder, lanyards, and more. Leidos Flight Service’s Surveillance With an IPX7 water rating (immersion Enhanced Search and Rescue (SE-SAR) less than one meter for less than 30 min- service, which monitors position reports utes), the Mini’s built-in lithium-ion bat- sent by the device. SE-SAR works in the tery lasts for up to 20 days in extended continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. tracking send mode (30-minute intervals). Virgin Islands, and Guam. At the default 20-minute tracking send For aircraft that are too small to install mode, the battery should last for up to 50 a sophisticated air-to-ground connec- hours, or 30 hours in 10-minute tracking tivity system or when that option is too with one-second log intervals. expensive, the inReach Mini satisfies the While the included documentation need for text-style communications plus doesn’t specify any speed limitations, it added features like tracking and emer- seems to work better at slower speeds. I’ve gency rescue assistance. Its portability been able to get the Mini to work while makes it ideal for pilots who fly many dif- sitting in an airline window seat, but it ferent aircraft types. isn’t always able to lock cleanly on to an The Mini retails for $349. Personal ser- Iridium satellite in those circumstances. vice plans include the lowest rate Safety It also works well in the cabin of business plan at $11.95 per month for an annual jets. When positioned on the ground with a contract (or $14.95 without contract), and clear view of the sky, sending and receiving this comes with 10 text messages (limited

text messages with the Mini is reliably swift. THURBER MATT to 160 characters) per month, tracking My tests included sending text mes- Weighing just five ounces, the inReach Mini satellite communicator is easy to carry and works points and location pings at 10 cents each, sages from various parts of the world anywhere in the world. 10-minute tracking points, and one basic weather text. The top Extreme plan costs $79.95 per month for the annual plan or $99.95 per month without an annual contract. Included are unlimited text mes- SmartSky signs JetSuiteX as customer saging, tracking points, location pings, and basic weather, and 2-minute tracking points. All plans (there are four) include for air-to-ground service to start soon unlimited preset messages and unlimited SOS usage. Also included is free access to by Matt Thurber Garmin’s Explore website for trip planning, preset message creation and text JetSuiteX has selected SmartSky Networks SmartSky. The onboard connectivity according to the company, allowing messaging, managing device settings, to provide airborne connectivity services service will be rolled out in phases until users to stream video, send and receive firmware updates, links to social media for its fleet of Embraer ERJ-135s that fly the entire fleet is SmartSky-equipped. emails with attachments, and transmit accounts, tracking data storage and other to seven destinations in California and JetSuiteX co-founder and CEO Alex large data files. features. n Nevada. JetSuiteX operates from private Wilcox evaluated the SmartSky service in SmartSky is in discussions with com- terminals and has outfitted the Embraer flight as part of the selection process. “We panies to develop the supplemental type jets with 30 seats set at 36-inch pitch. chose SmartSky’s high-speed technology certificate (STC) for the ERJ-135 instal- SmartSky’s network, which will because it delivers the most compelling lation but hasn’t yet announced which cover the contiguous U.S., will be avail- user experience,” he said. company has been selected. The STC will YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS able for the launch of service with Jet- The SmartSky service deploys “a mix of be available for other ERJ-135 operators, www.ainonline.com SuiteX in late summer, according to 4G LTE and emerging 5G technologies,” according to SmartSky. n

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transponder, and enhanced ground prox- imity warning system. The B200’s systems remain unchanged, although the mod includes a new circuit breaker panel overlay. Stevens added the Luma Technologies LED-based cau- tion advisory and warning panels to this B200, and these are an option for the AeroVue upgrade. The heart of the AeroVue suite is the dual-channel modular avionics unit (MAU) and dual-channel ADAHRS mounted in the B200’s nose. The nose compartment looks much cleaner with AeroVue equipment taking up much less space than the old avionics. The MAU looks like a computer server on a rack and consists of various avionics equipment on easily removable cards mounted in the MAU slots. The pilot’s main interface with AeroVue is the trackball CCD mounted within easy reach in the center console. The CCD

PHOTOS: MATT THURBER MATT PHOTOS: controls a cursor that selects various menus and functions on the three 12-inch displays mounted in the instrument panel. The pilot can also replicate CCD-based BendixKing AeroVue flight deck upgrade functions using the alphanumeric keyboard, buttons, and knobs mounted in front of the CCD as well as softkeys on enters service in King Air B200 the bezels of the panel displays. There are fewer clickable regions on by Matt Thurber the two primary flight displays (PFDs) in front of either pilot, but many more A new avionics option for King Air owners “AeroVue is BendixKing’s aftermar- Airs, ranging from $80,000 to $250,000, on the multifunction display (MFD) in is now available, and the first field instal- ket retrofit solution of Epic,” said Roger according to Phil Stearns, Stevens Avia- lation of the BendixKing AeroVue inte- Dykmann, v-p, OEM and aftermarket tion director of sales and marketing. The grated flight deck in a King Air B200 has sales-Americas for Honeywell’s Bendix- price of the AeroVue upgrade is “compet- received supplemental type certification. King division. “[Epic] has a tremendous itive” with other King Air integrated flight It was completed by Steven Aviation’s amount of heritage and millions of flight deck packages, according to Dykmann. Dayton, Ohio MRO facility. Stevens has hours. AeroVue has world-class synthetic BendixKing is considering developing a a lot of experience in King Air avionics vision and the best human factors and similar STC for the King Air 300/350. upgrades and also offers the Garmin ease of use for this class of aircraft.” G1000 and Collins Aerospace’s Pro Line In the King Air, removing the original AeroVue Equipment Fusion touchscreen packages. Rockwell Collins Pro Line II avionics and The AeroVue system is a complete flight For pilots who fly modern Gulfstream installing the AeroVue upgrade shaves deck upgrade for the King Air B200, The AeroVue upgrade shaves 125 pounds and Falcon business jets and Pilatuses, about 125 pounds off the twin-turboprop’s including new high-resolution displays, from the B200’s empty weight. AeroVue will be a familiar environment, empty weight. Another big benefit is lower autopilot and servos, and a cursor-control as it leverages the Honeywell Primus Epic cost of operation; getting old avionics device (CCD)-based pilot interface. Stan- the center. The PFD contains the engine software that resides in the PlaneView repaired, especially electro-mechanical dard equipment includes the autopi- instruments, which are not modifiable. (Gulfstream) and EASy (Falcon) business gyros, is becoming prohibitively costly. lot, SmartView synthetic vision system, Radio frequencies are located on the bot- jet flight decks. AeroVue is also built on For King Air owners and operators ADS-B Out-compliant Mode S transpon- tom inner corner of each PFD, along with the same software that powers the Pri- looking at the rapidly approaching der, dual-channel air data and attitude the transponder settings. mus Apex suite in the Pilatus PC-12 and ADS-B Out deadline at the end of 2019 in heading reference system (ADAHRS), The MFD is where most of the CCD PC-24. For any avionics manufacturer, the U.S., upgrading the flight deck adds dual WAAS GPS receivers, integrated action takes place, with map and weather getting more pilots familiar with a com- ADS-B Out as well as LPV approach capa- engine instruments, dual KMA 30D selections, flight planning, and many mon family of products is key to future bility. The AeroVue radios are VDL Mode Bluetooth audio panels, Mid-Continent other actions available with the click of growth, and Honeywell and its Bendix- 2-compliant and will thus be compatible Instruments Standby Attitude Module, a CCD button. Using the CCD makes King subsidiary are working hard on that with upcoming datalink communications and all radios. The existing weather radar flight planning easy, especially inserting effort. BendixKing is also working with a (CPDLC and Datacomm) requirements. can be retained, and there are options for or removing waypoints in the middle of a partner to STC the AeroVue suite for a Meeting ADS-B Out mandates is also new radars. Other options include Siri- flight plan or building a customized hold. Citation 560 flight deck upgrade. surprisingly expensive for older King usXM weather, radar altimeter, second If turbulence makes the CCD difficult to The B200 that Stevens Aviation recently use, the keyboard and other buttons and finished is owned by Blackhawk Modifica- softkeys are a suitable substitute. tions president and CEO Jim Allmon and Aspen’s CG100P wireless router is has been upgraded with the XP52 pack- another option, and this enables wireless age, which includes more powerful Pratt INDS database and chart updates via the & Whitney Canada PT6A-52 engines. To BendixKing INDS Data Manager iPad app. accommodate the -52 engines, some data For pilots, said David Steinhoff, Ben- tables for the engine instrumentation had dixKing senior product marketing man- to be updated and the STC needed to be ager, “There are multiple ways to input updated with the new information. The information. It’s a unique solution with Blackhawk XP52 mod was also done by the sophistication that it draws from Stevens Aviation. Setting up a hold is easy with AeroVue (left). Engine instruments displayed on the PFD (right). Part 25 airplanes.” n

46 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com ROTORCRAFT & unmanned systems

are also designed for a two-minute News Update quick start and quick restarts, features that will expedite dispatches, while Bell 407GXi Receives China Nod the H160’s standard maximum takeoff Bell has received type certificate approval weight of 12,500 pounds will enable it for its 407GXi light single from the Civil to use a majority of hospital helipads. Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Setz thinks the eventual market for Bell revealed the 407GXi in February 2018 HEMS-configured H160s could be as and made its first customer delivery in many as 20 per year into the next decade. October to a Chilean customer. In 2017, Dynamic components continue to Shaanxi Helicopter ordered 100 Bell 407s undergo maturity testing on the compa- as part of its plan to build an air medical ny’s “Helicopter Zero” dynamic integra- rescue and law enforcement network in tion test bed, he said. Pilot training for China. Deliveries of the new helicopter in the H160 also will be eased as the aircraft China were expected to begin last month. incorporates the familiar Helionix avionics suite on its other aircraft and simula- Kopter Plans Mollis, Airbus is pitching its new 400-nm H160 for the EMS segment, hoping to gain market share. tors are being readied. The equipment list Switzerland Plant Expansion includes a multifunctional adapter plate, Kopter Group is making plans to build a side-loading stretcher system, medical new 215,000-sq-ft pre-assembly building swiveling seats, jump seat, multifunctional at its Mollis, Switzerland headquarters. Airbus chasing medium twin cabinet with integrated service and control Construction is expected to begin in the panel and lighting devices, medical stow- third quarter, and the facility is expected age racks, strap-down device with a drawer to become fully operational in 2021. HEMS market with new H160 for 3x3-liter bottles, and optional incubator. The new building will house production Airbus began talking to HEMS cus- of dynamic components such as rotor by Mark Huber tomers and suppliers early in the H160’s blades, gearboxes, and rotor heads, development to fashion flexible out- as well as testing rigs and a central Airbus Helicopters is hoping to make sig- Setz thinks goals for its dispatch reliabil- fitting solutions that include uniform warehouse. Kopter’s existing 13,800-sq- nificant inroads into the niche market for ity—95 percent at maturity—and reduced attach points and mechanical/electrical ft facility will be used for final assembly medium twin EMS helicopters with its new direct operating costs when compared to interfaces and quick-change cabins, Setz of the SH09 light turbine-powered H160, said Ralph Setz, the company’s mar- other medium twins, with maintenance said. Some HEMS cabin concepts will be helicopter and administrative offices. keting director for helicopter EMS (HEMS). man-hours like smaller light twins, will able to be changed out in as little as 30 Airbus is displaying a full-size H160 mockup make a compelling market case. “We are minutes. As with the H135 and the H145, Tax Credit Floated for Crash- configured with an EMS cabin at this year’s confident we can achieve this,” Setz said Airbus is offering H160 customers the resistant HEMS Fuel Tanks Heli-Expo. Setz acknowledges that the cur- of the dispatch and cost targets. Airbus option of integrating EMS cabins into the A pair of Colorado congressmen have rent market for medium-size HEMS twins has yet to announce a price for the H160. initial production build by bringing sup- introduced legislation that would give is relatively skinny at present in the U.S., Setz pointed out that the H160 will pliers to its production line. Customers a modest tax credit against the cost of with only 60 operating, and about four have a range in full EMS livery of at least can also opt to have the equipment added retrofitting crash-resistant fuel systems times that number worldwide. Neverthe- 400 nm with reserves, 25 to 30 percent post-production at a completion center. in EMS helicopters. H.R. 6832, the Safe less, Setz is optimistic about growing the more than an H145. The H160 is particu- The quick change cabin is of particular Helicopters Now Act, provides for a tax segment and making inroads against the larly well-suited for long-distance HEMS appeal to oil-and-gas customers such as credit of up to 10 percent of the cost current leader, the Leonardo AW139. missions because of its 150-knot cruise H160 launch customer Babcock, which of installing the safer fuel system. The “We see this segment growing by up to speed, low cabin vibration, robust cabin plans to use it in both passenger/utility legislation was introduced by U.S. Reps. 30 percent. As more hospitals consolidate, air conditioning, flat approach angle, and EMS roles, Stez said. Airbus remains Joe Neguse (D) and Ed Perlmutter (D). the need to transport patients longer dis- easy loading and unloading, ample arti- on target to certify the H160 in late 2019, The new FAA reauthorization act requires tances will grow and helicopters flying ficial and natural cabin lighting, and with the three prototype aircraft already all new-build helicopters, including those those missions will need to carry more generous cabin volume that facilitates accumulating 1,000 flight hours and the type certified before 1994, to have equipment and personnel, and they will 360-degree patient access, he said. The first pre-production aircraft taking flight crash-resistant fuel systems; however, need more space and comfort,” he said. helicopter’s dual Safran Arrano engines late last year. n it does not mandate retrofit of those systems on helicopters currently flying that were type certified before 1994, including derivatives of the AStar. By some estimates, this exempted group EMS helo crashes after other companies decline flight accounts for up to 85 percent of all EMS helicopters currently in service. A 1996 Bell 407 that crashed in January en her commercial certificate in November crash various media outlets received from route to a patient pick up in Ohio had been 2018, according to FAA records. tipsters what appeared to be official Sur- Erickson Aircrane Lost in dispatched only after two other air ambu- The flight had been rejected by two vival Flight marketing materials directed at Australia, Crew Safe lance companies rejected the flight as being other air ambulance programs: MedFlight local hospitals. One point stressed on the An Erickson Aircrane was lost while below their established weather minimums. operated by Metro Aviation, and Health- flier: “Our weather minimums are different, firefighting in Australia in late January. The Survival Flight helicopter had been dis- Net Aeromedical, operated by Air Meth- if other companies turn down the flight for All three crewmembers survived when patched from Grove City to pick up a patient ods. MedFlight issued a statement saying weather—CALL US.” the 1967 S-64E Aircrane, N173AC, in Pomeroy. All three crewmembers died it had rejected the flight based on the fact Survival Flight has bases in Arkansas, crashed while fighting the Thomson January 29 when the helicopter crashed that Metro’s Operational Control Center Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and Oklahoma and Complex Catchment fires in Gippsland, through trees and disintegrated at 6:55 “determined that the weather conditions operates a mixed fleet of Bells and Sikorskys Victoria. According to official reports, a.m., shortly before local sunrise, on state at the time of the request were below our and Pilatus PC-12s. In 2016, another Survival the helicopter crashed near the edge forest land near McArthur, 34 miles from its program’s weather minimums.” HealthNet Flight Bell 407 crashed and was substan- of a dam or into the dam. The Aircrane destination. Blowing snow and gusty winds issued a similar statement, saying that its tially damaged while on approach to a hos- was one of 10 aircraft on the fire; were reported in the area of the crash site at Air Methods pilot declined to complete pital heliport in Lawton, Oklahoma, in night Victoria has 49 contracted aircraft the time of the accident. Pilot Jennifer Top- the flight. visual meteorological conditions during a for firefighting this season, including per, 34, held a second-class medical, a heli- Survival Flight said the flight met all rel- Part 135 repositioning flight. The three-per- two Aircranes. Three other Aircranes copter instrument rating, and had received evant FAA regulations. However, after the son crew was injured. M.H. operating in Australia have been grounded pending a safety review. M.H.

ainonline.com \ March 2019 \ Aviation International News 47 ROTORCRAFT & unmanned systems

Helo ops key to Greater Bay Area bizav plan Drone roadmap by Chen Chuanren revealed at Davos

Helicopter operations have won an Notably, the government is backing the The government also said it will expand In January, the World Economic Forum integral role in the outline of a multi- construction of a third runway at Hong public participation in the development of (WEF) unveiled its Advanced Drone pronged development plan for the Guang- Kong Airport and the reconstruction and the GBA, open channels for public feedback, Operations Toolkit during the annual dong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area expansion of Macau Airport, the latter of and support all market players in participat- economic summit in Davos, Switzerland. (GBA) released last month. The central which also supports its development as a ing in the development of the region. AsBAA The toolkit—developed in partnership committee of the Communist Party of business aviation hub. The Asian Business is one of the parties that have been lobby- with 41 government agencies, private China wrote, “We will deepen the reform Aviation Association (AsBAA) welcomed ing GA/BA development over the past three enterprise, research organizations, and of low-altitude airspace management, this news, as Hong Kong International years. These efforts include direct lobbying civil aviation organizations—is a play- accelerate the development of general Airport continues to face slot restrictions with governmental departments, white book on how to create a framework to aviation, steadily develop cross-border and high parking fees, while Macau Airport papers, establishment of a GBA think-tank integrate drones into a national airspace. helicopter services to and from Macau is becoming more feasible as an alternative group, information sharing via local busi- It stresses nimble, perfor- and Hong Kong, and build comprehensive after the completion of the Hong Kong– ness networks, closed-door meetings, and mance-based regulations to create demonstration zones for the general avia- Zhuhai–Macau Bridge. While the bridge several presentations to stakeholders. airspace access on a mission-specific tion industry in Shenzhen and Zhuhai.” In will greatly improve surface transportation “AsBAA is deeply encouraged and proud basis: the government specifies the addition, the government will study the between Macau Airport and Hong Kong, to see the enhanced commitment from the safety standard for the mission and the feasibility and construction of a number the committee placed emphasis on ensur- Chinese central government to recognize drone operator specifies how the stan- of regional and general aviation airports ing the availability of helicopter service as the importance of GA/BA and facilitate its dard will be met. The toolkit was devel- in the GBA region. a faster, more convenient alternative. growth in the GBA. Over the past three oped in collaboration with the Drone years, we have successfully lobbied for Innovators Network and that organiza- many of the points now announced in the tion’s pilot projects in Africa and Europe. government’s outline plan for the region,” The Indian state of Andhra Pradesh said AsBAA chairperson Jenny Lau. announced it would use the toolkit to “These efforts have been to raise aware- enable a pilot project for statewide ness that the development of GA/BA in drone delivery operations. “Now, gov- the GBA will lead to enhanced economic ernments can learn from world-leading prosperity, greater efficiency, technolog- drone delivery projects in Africa and ical advancement, an expanded financial Europe to develop their own national support network, new jobs, and a wealth oversight,” said WEF’s Harrison Wolf, of benefits for the region such as research who served as project lead on develop- and development opportunities and edu- ment of the toolkit. “This toolkit means cation and training for local communities,” governments don’t have to start from she continued. “In addition, we can now scratch and can begin societally import- expect to see greater standardization of ant, socially responsible operations. We the rules relating to airspace usage, rout- are really looking forward to initializing Expanding helicopter operations is part of a development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong- ing and operational procedures between the pilot project in India.” M.H. Macau Greater Bay Area to promote and develop general and business aviation in the region. the three areas.” n

example, are burdensome to customers and Hotze said the new service center is part Leonardo opens facility in can have turn times as long as 18 months. of Leonardo’s larger “Team Up” initiative to Penny said Broussard would provide area get closer to its customers, understand their customers with pick-up and delivery ser- needs, and make them successful. Team Up Louisiana for MRO support vice using a dedicated truck and, when provides customers with services that include possible, provide same-day service. parts forecasting, which Hotze said is up to by Mark Huber “We’re trying to establish the same 90 percent accurate. The Broussard facility manufacturing capabilities that we have also will be able to access customer health Leonardo opened its fourth customer helicopter service companies such as Arrow in Italy, but from a customer perspec- and usage monitoring system (HUMS) data support facility in the Americas on Jan- Aviation, Bristow Group, ERA, and PHI. tive, do it in one-tenth the time,” Hotze for customers who are subscribed to Leonar- uary 31 in Broussard, Louisiana. The “We’re here to be closer to our custom- said. That means turn times for most do’s Heliwise service. Heliwise is supported 21,000-sq-ft repair and warehouse facil- ers,” said Hotze. “This facility is here not repairs will be 30 days or less; complex by two engineers in Philadelphia, three in ity is situated on a two-acre site and will just to support the oil-and-gas guys. It will repairs and overhauls will be 60 days or Italy, and two in Malaysia who look at cus- initially employ 15, provide 24/7 customer support customers in the entire lower 48 less. “This facility is tied into all the engi- tomer HUMS data full-time. support, stock a wide variety of parts, and states.” Hotze said employment at Brous- neering and repair capability they have in Hotze said, in conjunction with the new provide a far-ranging menu of repair ser- sard will likely double within 18 months. Italy. We’ll be able to turn blades quickly center, Leonardo is growing its in-house vices including blade repair and mobile Troy Penny, who will be the general man- because of that, but we’re not just a blade MRO capability and now has full capa- blade repair. It also includes space for ager at Broussard, said the facility will be center.” Hotze said customers will find bility for all dynamic components at its sales, tech rep, and engineering support. able to overhaul a set of rotor blades in 21 services offered by Broussard very cost main U.S. base in Philadelphia, which is Three tech reps will be based there. days and throughput up to 1,500 blades per competitive, predicting services would also a customer support center. The other The Gulf Coast Support Center is stra- year. “What we’re really building is capa- be provided “at market rates with OEM Americas centers are located in Las Vegas tegically positioned to support the approxi- bility that doesn’t exist in the U.S. right capability. That’s going to be an enor- and São Paulo, Brazil. “The Americas is the mately 90 AW139 intermediate twins and 40 now. That is our short-term goal. We are mous savings. We’ve always shortened most mature helicopter market and we are AW119 singles and AW109 light twins oper- opening with all the repair capabilities that the supply chain so customers don’t extremely committed to it,” Hotze said, ating in the region, according to Michael currently exist in the U.S., and then we will have to use third-party vendors to repair despite the recent fall-off in offshore heli- Hotze, Leonardo’s vice president of cus- expand into the repairs that have to go back blades. Third-party vendors eventually copter activity. “This downturn won’t last tomer support and training, AgustaWest- to Italy,” Penny said, noting that compo- end up coming to us for engineering and forever, and we want to be here when our land Philadelphia Corporation. Regional nent repairs involving bushings, remachin- support data and repair schemes anyway. customers need us. We’re really committed customers include major offshore energy ings, tip caps, and sweep corrections, for We eliminate all those layers.” to the success of this place.” n

48 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com continued from page 8 Bristow had previously announced price and any adverse finding by the SEC plus $5 million in debt and via internal Baliff’s retirement, which was supposed could get Bristow delisted from the NYSE. growth and acquisitions grew the “Bris- Bristow facing to occur concurrently with the closing The exchange bans the listing of those tow Academy” to three U.S. bases and one of the Columbia acquisition. On Febru- companies that trade for less than $1 for in the UK. At one time, the Academy was financial headwinds ary 11th, Bristow disclosed the terms of 30 consecutive days or ones that fail to the world’s largest civil helicopter school, said retirement. They include a monthly comply with “SEC requirements in any with 75 aircraft and 400 graduates annu- before filing the report. At press time, the consulting fee of $30,000 for four material respect.” ally. With the downturn, the Academy reports had not yet been filed. months, a lump sum payment of $1.442 As Bristow implied in its February 11 shrank to 47 aircraft, and Bristow dis- million (an amount equal to twice his statement, its fate is now largely in the posed of it for $1.5 million at the end of Columbia Deal Off base salary), paid health insurance for hands of its creditors. 2017 to be paid over four years. In announcing the collapse of the Colum- 36 months, outplacement services for 12 The disposal of Bristow Academy came bia deal on February 11, Bristow chairman months, unspecified stock awards and Diversification Efforts against a backdrop of a $200 million Thomas Knudson stated, “The decision cash bonuses, and future stock options To steel itself against the continuing off- internal cost-cutting and corporate reor- to enter into a mutual termination of in 2019, 2020, and 2021 in consideration shore energy downturn, Bristow diver- ganization campaign in 2017 designed to the purchase agreement was based on of a two-year non-compete clause. sified, but it also took on massive debt. “right size” the company and preserve a number of developments following Even before Bristow’s latest revelation Some of those diversifications, such as liquidity. Also in 2017, Bristow borrowed the entry into the agreement, which led concerning its financial reporting, the the UK SAR contract, produced predict- an additional $630 million from a group both Bristow and Columbia to conclude company had been under fire as early able and solid revenues, but forays into of lenders that included Lombard North that it was not possible to combine the as 2016 for using non-GAAP (generally fixed-wing operations and flight training Central, Macquarie Bank Limited, and two companies at this time.” Bristow has accepted accounting principles) metrics proved disappointing. Bristow acquired a GE Capital Aviation Services/Milestone. paid Columbia a $20 million termination to explain financial results to investors. controlling stake in Australia’s Airnorth Bristow also issued an additional $143 fee. Bristow announced its intention to Use of the non-GAAP metrics launched in 2015 following its acquisition of UK’s million in notes. In March 2018, Bris- acquire Columbia in November 2018 but potential breach of fiduciary duty claims Eastern Airways. In 2007 Bristow bought tow issued $350 million in 8.75 percent revealed a month later that it was having against the company. Continued down- the assets of Titusville, Florida-based five-year notes. By the end of Fiscal Year difficulty closing the deal. ward pressure on the company’s stock Helicopter Adventures for $15 million 2018, Bristow’s total debt amounted to The Columbia acquisition required $1.51 billion borrowed against a fleet with Bristow to raise $135 million by issuing a market value of $2 billion, before the senior secured convertible notes secured write-down of its fleet of 27 H225s. At by common stock in Columbia, contrib- the end of 2018, Bristow and its affiliates ute $48 million in Bristow balance sheet operated a fleet of 385 aircraft; affiliates cash, contribute $77 million in Columbia operate 108 of those. Of Bristow’s fleet stockholders equity, and use $360 million of 228 helicopters, 70 are leased; 16 of its in Columbia secured financing. Immedi- 49 fixed-wing aircraft are leased. Bristow ately after the deal was announced, the had 26 large helicopters on order and value of Bristow’s shares dropped by 20 options for four more and 10 aircraft for percent to $7.96 per share and continued sale. During Fiscal Years 2016-2018 Bris- to decline in the ensuing weeks through tow posted a net loss of $452 million plus the end of December. The proposed the likely $262 million loss in the first Columbia deal also drew the ire of some nine months of Fiscal Year 2019. (Bris- of Bristow’s larger shareholders including tow’s fiscal year ends March 31.) the Global Value Investment Corporation Meanwhile, Bristow’s revenues fell (GVIC), which noted that the deal relied from $1.858 billion in Fiscal Year 2015 on Bristow to issue up to 33.5 million to $1.44 billion in Fiscal Year 2018. And shares of new stock, a move that could based on the results released on February potentially dilute shareholder value by up 11, it looks like revenue is continuing its to 93 percent. downward trajectory, dropping to $1.002 Also in the most recent quarter, Bristow billion for the first nine months of Fiscal lost $14 million for terminating a contract Year 2019. with Sikorsky and another $1.4 million “for Bristow was founded in 1955 by Alan Bri- impairment of assets held for sale.” Bris- In-Flight Data used its drone to conduct a number of beyond visual-line-of-sight stow to supply helicopter crews to oil com- tow is attempting to recover its $12 mil- operations, securing records in the process. panies operating in the Persian Gulf. He led lion deposit on that contract via litigation. the company until 1985. It expanded into Financial markets reacted as expected Africa in 1960 and eventually expanded to to the news, with Bristow’s stock, which In-Flight Data sets world records operating one-third of the helicopter fleet already had shed most of its value ear- for flights employing BVLOS supporting the world’s offshore energy lier in the year, falling from $3.08 to $1.12 market. U.S.-based Offshore Logistics within 48 hours of the company’s Feb- In-Flight Data has set three new Guinness longest cumulative urban flight for a bought 49 percent of the company in 1996, ruary 11 news. Investors sold millions of World Records for drone flights while con- beyond-visual-line-of-sight civilian UAV rebranded the company Bristow Group, shares as Bristow’s market capitalization ducting a variety of missions, including (small class—up to 25 kg): 414 km (Calgary); and moved headquarters operations to deteriorated to $43 million. Pursuant to a cemetery-mapping mission in Calgary, longest single urban flight for a beyond-vi- Houston. Current CEO Jonathan Baliff Bristow’s latest stock crash, three sepa- Alberta, Canada. The city of Calgary com- sual-line-of-sight civilian UAV (small class— joined Bristow in 2010 and became CEO in rate law firms issued press releases say- missioned UAV operator In-Flight to col- up to 25 kg), 40 km (High River). 2014. Bristow’s strategy under Baliff was to ing that they had launched investigations lect mapping data for the development of “The success of this groundbreaking proj- diversify to be less dependent on oil-and- against the company and its officers on Calgary’s first new cemetery since 1940. ect was a real milestone for us and the wider gas revenues, cut costs, raise cash, and wait behalf of investors for possible violations The flights were conducted using a sense- UAS industry,” said In-Flight Data owner for the market to recover. But Baliff, like of federal securities laws. Those firms Fly eBee Plus fixed-wing drone. In-Flight Chris Healy. “Not only did we demonstrate others,YOUR thought SOURCE the FOR rebound AVIATION would NEWS come include Howard G. Smith of Bensalem, conducted a total of 414 km (257 miles) that BVLOS operations can be carried out in sooner ratherwww. thanainonline later. .com n Pennsylvania; Bragar, Engel & Squire of in BVLOS flight, at an average distance of urban environments, but we were also able New York; and Block & Leviton of Boston. 2.35 km from the pilot. to show that BVLOS is a safe, efficient, and Bristow officers potentially targeted The records include longest cumulative cost-effective tool that has the potential to in these investigations include outgo- beyond visual-line-of-sight battery-pow- revolutionize both rural and urban commer- ENEWSLETTER FOR BUSINESS AVIATION ing CEO Jonathan Baliff and L. Don ered UAV flight, 2,723.04 km (Alberta); cial drone operations.” M.H. www.ainonline.com/alerts Miller, chief financial officer (CFO).

ainonline.com March 2019 Aviation International News \ \ AERO DEFENSE INDUSTRY ENEWSLETTER49 www.ainonline.com/subscribe

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FOR NEWS VIDEO FROM HELIEXPO

FOR NEWS VIDEO FROM EBACE AIR transport Airbus terminates A380 program News Update A330-900 Wins by Cathy Buyck ‘Beyond 180’ ETOPS Nod The Airbus A330-900 in late January won While stressing it would continue to fully ETOPS certification from the European support the A380 customers that operate Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for “beyond a total of about 230 of the four-engine jet- 180-minutes” diversion time, a category of liners, Airbus on February 14 confirmed approval that includes an option for ETOPS enduring speculation it would end the 285min, allowing for a potential diversion program that it launched only in 2000 distance of some 2,000 nm. Airbus now as part of its goal to gain a share of the awaits the same approval for the larger of market Boeing had cornered with the a pair of Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-powered 747. Airbus CEO Tom Enders described A330neo models from the U.S. FAA, which the decision as “painful” but inevitable the company said it expects “soon.” after Emirates Airline, by far the largest The ETOPS 285min option will allow customer of the aircraft, reduced its out- A330neo operators to serve new direct standing A380 order by 39 examples. “non-limiting” routings, while operators Speaking during a fourth-quarter/full- flying on existing routes flown with year earnings presentation with analysts, up to 180-minute diversion time can Enders said the European OEM had use a straighter, quicker, and more “invested a lot of effort, a lot of resources, fuel-efficient path and enjoy access to and a lot of sweat” in the A380 program. more and possibly better-equipped en “But obviously we need to be realistic,” he route diversion airports, said Airbus. explained. “With the decision of Emirates TAP Air Portugal placed the first to reduce their orders, our order backlog production A330-900 into service on is not sufficient to sustain production December 15 with an 11-hour, 25-minute beyond 2021 despite all our sales efforts flight from Lisbon and São Paulo. Two with other airlines in recent years.” more of the new model joined the Airbus said it will produce just 17 TAP Air Portugal fleet on January 10. A380s—14 for Emirates and three for All Nippon Airways—until it closes the type’s Mitsubishi Countersues final assembly line. The last two, for Emir- Bombardier ates, will roll off the assembly line in 2021, Mitsubishi Aircraft’s U.S.-based subsidiary when the Dubai airline will have taken filed a counterclaim in a Seattle district court delivery of 123 A380s. Emirates will take delivery of the last Airbus A380 in 2021. in late January asserting that Bombardier has At the end of January, Airbus had engaged in illegal anticompetitive behavior received firm orders for 313 A380s, less Airline and group, joined Enders in on regional routes, where the re-engined in an effort to impede the development and than half the number it had planned when describing the end of the program as widebodies can serve smaller airports and certification of the Mitsubishi MRJ regional it launched the program, and delivered 234. disappointing and noted he accepted the open new destinations in its global net- jet. The claim comes some three months Last month’s orders and deliveries over- reality of the situation following months work, the carrier said. Plans call for the after Bombardier filed suit against Mitsubishi view still showed an outstanding order for of negotiations with Airbus and Rolls- A350s to supplement Emirates’s long- Aircraft for alleged misappropriation 20 units from lessor Amedeo and three for Royce. The model will remain a pillar haul operations, providing the carrier of trade secrets to speed certification Air Accord, the Bahamas-based company of the Gulf carrier’s fleet “well into the with added flexibility in terms of capac- of the long-delayed MRJ program. due to take on the three A380s ordered 2030s,” he added. ity deployment on 8- to 12-hour missions According to the Mitsubishi countersuit, by defunct Russian airline Transaero. Last As part of the agreement, Emirates from its Dubai hub. since late 2015 Bombardier has engaged week, Qantas canceled its outstanding signed on with Airbus for 40 A330-900s Overall, Airbus remained upbeat on its in a campaign of intimidation against order for eight of the type. and 30 A350-900s, deliveries of which overall outlook and said it plans to hand Mitsubishi Aircraft, its U.S.-based partners, Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chair- will start in 2021 and 2024, respectively. over 880 to 890 aircraft in 2019, com- and individual employees working on man and chief executive of Emirates The airline plans to deploy the A330neos pared with 800 last year. n the MRJ program in an effort to further slow the MRJ’s development progress.

ANA Pulls Trigger on Growth Plan Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) plans to Etihad restructures widebody orders order 38 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus and acquire a 9.5 percent stake in PAL Holdings, by Gregory Polek the parent company of Philippine Airlines, in a $95 million deal meant to give Japan’s largest Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways last month reduction,” said the airline in a state- ordered thirty 787-10s at the 2013 Dubai carrier a greater foothold in the fast-growing confirmed it has completed fleet renego- ment. “This will enable the airline to show. At the time it had already placed Asian market. ANA said it will order 20 Boeing tiations with Airbus and Boeing following further progress its transformation and orders for forty-one 787-9s. 737 Max 8s and take options for another 10, a so-called strategic review that resulted adjust to its new operating model…and “Etihad Aviation Group and each of cementing its position as the first airline in in a decision to slow and/or cut widebody their satisfactory outcome.” the manufacturers agreed not to disclose Japan to introduce the type. Plans also call for deliveries. The new agreements will see In 2013 Etihad placed orders for 40 details of the agreements and expressed an order of 18 Airbus A320neos for use by its Etihad take delivery “over the coming A350-900s along with 10 A350-1000s. At their mutual appreciation for the con- budget subsidiary Peach Aviation. The parties years” of just five Airbus A350-1000s and the time it said it planned to take the structive discussions,” it said. have scheduled deliveries to take place six Boeing 777-9s, far fewer than reflected first -900 in 2020. That same year Etihad The airline said the restructuring would between ANA’s 2021 and 2025 fiscal years. in the firm orders it placed at the 2013 ordered 17 Boeing 777-9s and eight 777-8s. allow it to concentrate on the phased ANA’s planned acquisition of shares Dubai Air Show. It said it expects to take Thursday’s statement indicated it would introduction of new aircraft types and in flag carrier Philippine Airlines would all 26 Airbus A321neos on order. continue to take deliveries of Boeing 787s, enable “efficient rationalization” of its help fulfill the Japanese airline’s five-year “The balance of the remaining although it did not disclose whether or fleet, as it shifts its focus to its Abu Dhabi strategy to achieve sustainable growth orders will be defined at a later time not the original terms remained intact. hub from a more aggressive, global growth during the period leading up to the 2020 through rescheduling, restructuring, or Etihad, which now flies 29 Dreamliners, strategy. n Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

50 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com Delta Air Lines’ first A220s enter service UK aerospace by Gregory Polek feels Brexit effect

Delta Air Lines launched Airbus A220 delay the A220’s service entry with Delta happened in the midst of the court Fears that Brexit would lead to a declin- services on February 7 with an inaugu- indefinitely, the airplane’s future in the battle, and Airbus’s decision to open a ing UK share of the global aerospace ral flight between New York La Guardia U.S. appeared far less certain a year and new assembly line in Alabama to build manufacturing industry became real- Airport and Boston Logan Airport. The a half ago, when the U.S. Department what would become the A220 stemmed ity on February 11, as official figures flight marked the first revenue service of of Commerce proposed tariffs amount- at least partly from a desire to create a revealed a 3.9 percent fall in output the A220—formerly known as the Bom- ing to some 300 percent on the sale of contingency in the event the U.S. Inter- last year, only the second drop for Brit- bardier C Series—in the Americas. Flight 100- to 150-seat jets from Canada into national Trade Commission sanctioned ain’s aerospace sector since the reces- 744 left New York at 6 a.m. and landed in the U.S. The September 2017 proposal the import duties. sion of 2008. The annual decline in the Boston at 7:08 a.m. Another A220 flight stemmed from a complaint filed in April All of the legal machinations and their output of aircraft manufacturing proved took off from La Guardia at 7:47 a.m. for that year by Boeing that Bombardier fallout eventually delayed delivery of the even steeper at 4.5 percent, according Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport sold the narrowbody jets for well below first Delta A220 from the spring of 2018 to data published by the UK Office for while a third readied for takeoff in Dallas their cost of manufacture with the help to late October. National Statistics, and overshadowed for a flight to New York. of improper subsidies from the province Following the A220’s first revenue flights the growth in maintenance, repair, and The service launch marked the culmina- of Quebec and the Canadian federal from the type’s base at La Guardia, Delta’s overhaul activities, which account for tion of years of court battles and prepara- government. Happily for Bombardier, plans call for A220 service from Detroit to a smaller portion of the sector overall. tion for the A220’s eventual operation in in January the following year, the U.S. Dallas starting next month. Schedules also In the preceding seven years to 2017, North America. Now flying in Europe with International Trade Commission ruled call for flights from La Guardia to Hous- growth in UK aircraft manufacturing launch customer Swiss International Air- that Boeing suffered no harm from the ton starting in April, from Salt Lake City to averaged 4.8 percent a year as the lines and AirBaltic, as well as with Korean sale to Delta, allowing the landmark Dallas in May, from Minneapolis to Dallas sector benefited from strong global Air and Air Tanzania, the A220 encoun- transaction to proceed. in June, from Houston to Detroit, Minne- demand and rising production rates. tered its share of hurdles before entering Although Bombardier eventually pre- apolis, and Salt Lake City in July, and from “The real impact of Brexit uncertainty service with Delta, most recently involving vailed, the challenge by Boeing did not New York-JFK to Dallas in August. is now becoming all too clear: falling UK certification delays resulting from the lon- come without consequences to the pro- The airplanes’ 109-seat interior aerospace production, despite increas- gest government shutdown in U.S. history. gram. In fact, Bombardier’s agreement includes 12 seats in first class and 15 in ing global demand and a highly sup- But while there appeared no doubt in October 2017 to hand over major- Delta’s Comfort Plus premium economy portive national industrial strategy,” said the government shutdown wouldn’t ity control of the program to Airbus section. n Paul Everitt, CEO of UK aerospace trade group ADS. The major global aerospace manufacturers achieved a new annual record in 2018 for the eighth consecutive year by delivering 1,618 aircraft for an increase of 120 units, or 8 percent over the previous year, ADS noted. “Many companies are clearly choosing to delay investment until our future relationship with the EU is agreed,” Everitt said. He called on the UK government and parliament to “act now” to avoid a no-deal Brexit and begin the process of rebuilding confidence in the UK as an attractive A GoJet Bombardier location for domestic and international CRJ700 taxis at manufacturing investment. Montréal Pierre Last month, outgoing Airbus CEO Elliott Trudeau Tom Enders issued his starkest warning International ever on the potentially damaging effect

FLICKR: Airport. of a hard-Brexit and the continual lack of clarity on the terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union. “It is a dis- reconfigured Boeing 767-300ERs car- grace that, more than two years after Bombardier launches rying 16 more United Polaris business the result of the 2016 referendum, busi- seats, bringing the total premium cabin nesses are still unable to plan properly seat count to 46. The aircraft will also for the future,” Enders said in a video three-class 50-seat CRJ hold 22 United Premium Plus seats, 47 message on the company’s website. Economy Plus seats and 52 economy Britain’s multibillion-pound aero- Answering a call from United Airlines to of CRJ700s into service by the end of the seats. United plans to introduce them space sector, a world leader for a replace its aging CRJ200s and add more year and another 25 by the summer of 2020. between Newark/New York and London century, stands “at a precipice,” he high-yield seating to the airline’s existing The new aircraft would carry 10 first- and complete the fleet deployment by warned. Airbus cannot immediately fleet, Bombardier has agreed to revisit what class seats and 20 premium economy the end of next year. pick up and move its large UK fac- had become a virtually defunct market for seats, along with a beverage and snack Separately, starting this fall the carrier tories to other parts of the world, 50-seat regional jets with the launch of a station in the first-class cabin and four plans to add four first-class seats on its Enders admitted, while stressing the three-class version of its CRJ700 known storage closets that would add enough fleet of Airbus A319s, increasing the total long-term nature of the aerospace as the CRJ550. Under the plans announced baggage capacity to virtually do away with count from eight to 12. Beginning early business. “We could be forced to redi- early last month, United Airlines regional the need for gate checks. next year, United plans to add four first- rect future investments in the event of affiliate GoJet will fly the airplanes for 10 The plan accounts for part of a larger strat- class seats on its fleet of nearly 100 Air- a no-deal Brexit,” he said. “And, make years and launch services out of Newark egy by United to add 1,600 premium seats bus A320s, increasing the total count from no mistake, there are plenty of coun- and Chicago in the second half of the year. to some 250 mainline and regional airplanes. 12 to 16. United expects to complete the tries out there who would love to build United said it plans to place 25 air- Over the next several weeks, United interior work on the A320s and A319s by the wings for Airbus aircraft.” C.B. planes reconfigured from its existing fleet plans to introduce the first of 21 the middle of next year. G.P.

ainonline.com \ March 2019 \ Aviation International News 51 MRO/ hot section Maintenance news by AIN Staff

New Intervals for UK at Bournemouth, London Biggin Learjet Fleet Hill, and London Luton airports. Bombardier extended the intervals TechnicAir’s MSU teams are between major powerplant inspec- able to provide AOG, on-call, and tions on its Learjet 70 and 75 models light scheduled maintenance when to 3,500 hours, the company has and where customers require ser- announced. The 500-hour exten- vice, according to company director sion, from 3,000 hours, will improve of mobile services Mark Singer. operator bottom lines by reducing the required inspections over the lifecycle of the twinjet's Honeywell TFE731- Daher Opens Base To Bolster 40BR engines, Bombardier said. TBM Support in Paris Bombardier unveiled the latest Daher is expanding its customer support enhancement as the Learjet fleet collec- for TBM operators in France with the tively topped the 25 million flight-hour opening of a base outside Paris. Located mark. The milestone occurred nearly in Hangar 111/112 at Toussus-le-Noble 55 years after the first Learjet entered aerodrome southwest of Paris, the service in 1964, bringing among the Jetworx's expanded maintenance capabilities include work on Embraer Legacy 600/650 and customer support facility will serve the earliest purpose-built business jets to Gulfstream G450 airframes, as well as limited instrument and radio ratings. Île-de-France geographic region sur- the business aviation community. rounding Paris. The region, Daher noted, Bombardier acquired Learjet in 1990 discussions with current team mem- includes a technology cluster zone and since has introduced eight new and bers and former interns. Those near- Jetworx Expands referred to as “Europe’s Silicon Valley.” upgraded models, including the Lear- ing graduation received on-the-spot Mx Work, Facilities at VNY Including workshop and office jet 75, which entered service in 2013. interviews, and Duncan extended offers California-based Jetworx has added space, the site is a subsidiary of the to 10 students for full-time employment maintenance capabilities to its Part 145 primary TBM service center at Daher’s and another six for summer internships. repair station certificate and relocated to Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport facility. Honeywell Consolidating With the tour, students were able a new facility at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) Daher has obtained both European EASA Two Avionics Repair Sites to watch facility operations. “In addi- with plans for further expansion this year. and U.S. FAA Part 145 approval for the Honeywell Aerospace is consolidating tion to seeing maintenance events in “We have continued to invest heavily in latest base, which will provide main- repair and overhaul sites in Renton, process, we had an AOG aircraft come new tooling and equipment as well as tenance service, including scheduled Washington, and Wichita, Kansas, into a in with foreign object damage. So the several new strategic hires with incred- inspections for TBM aircraft covered similar operation in Olathe, Kansas, near students got to see Duncan Aviation ibly strong maintenance and avionics by Daher’s maintenance contracts. Kansas City. “Honeywell is centralizing technicians interact with the pilots and experience so that we may better serve "With more than a dozen civilian its repair and overhaul (R&O) opera- work to get the aircraft back in the air the private aviation community,” said TBMs based in the Paris region—plus tions to better serve our customers,” as quickly as possible,” said Jennifer Jetworx general manager Louis DeLorio. the French ministry of defense’s TBM the company told AIN in a statement. Monroe, Duncan Aviation recruiter. Specifically, the company has added fleet at the nearby Villacoublay air The consolidation is expected to Embraer EMB 135—including Legacy 600 base—it was essential to offer our be completed by the end of the year. and 650—and Gulfstream G450 twinjets customers local maintenance ser- The Wichita and Renton operations Gulfstream Kicks Off to its FAA Part 145 repair station certif- vices,” said Nicolas Chabbert, senior repair and overhaul electronic equip- Customer Support Events icate, as well as Hamilton Sundstrand v-p of the Daher airplane business ment such as flight management Gulfstream Aerospace has lined up T-62T-40 Series APUs. It also has added unit. Hugo Delpi, manager of the TBM systems, radios, radars, and actuators. a busy schedule of customer support limited instrument and radio ratings as service center at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyr- About 175 employees in Wichita are events for this year that will include it broadens its airframe maintenance enees Airport, will further manage affected by the consolidation. “This 10 operator forums, in addition to capabilities to cover avionics trouble- the Toussus-le-Noble operation. is not a decision we made lightly as two customer advisory board (CAB) shooting, testing, and repair, including we realize this, unfortunately, affects meetings and a virtual operators FAR 91.411 and 91.413/RVSM recerti- valued employees,” the statement conference, among other events. fications. Jetworx added technicians West Star Opens New Hangar said. “We’ve provided employees with The schedule kicked off with a and made other key personnel hires to at East Alton Location extensive notice and are also posting flight operations session in January accommodate the additional work. West Star Aviation has opened a new roles in Olathe, many of which include timed to coincide with the World The seven-year-old maintenance pro- 60,000-sq-ft hangar at its East Alton, potential relocation assistance. We’re Economic Forum held in Davos, Swit- vider also relocated to a new 55,000-sq- Illinois facility, allowing the company encouraging employees to apply for zerland. In its third year, the event ft hangar at the northwest corner of the to expand existing business aircraft those roles or other Honeywell positions, is designed to provide Gulfstream airport and plans further expansion in maintenance programs. Two-thirds and will offer severance and outplace- crews with an overview of advanced an adjoining hangar some time this year. of the recently completed structure is ment assistance to those eligible.” aircraft technology and connectivity. for hangar space, with the remainder Since 2005, Honeywell has occupied Gulfstream, which first held its CAB containing back shops and offices. In a 60,000-sq-ft building at Wichita meetings in 1998, calls them the staple Signature’s TechnicAir Adds addition, West Star will initially employ Eisenhower National Airport (ICT). of its support organization, providing Mobile Service in Midwest 28 technicians to support the expansion. a forum for advisory board members Signature TechnicAir has stationed new “With the new hangar completion, to discuss Gulfstream aircraft and mobile service unit (MSU) operations at we occupy over 380,000 square feet Duncan Steps Up Hiring services. These meetings are held Chicago Midway International and Saint of space at the St. Louis Regional with Recruitment Events twice a year at the Savannah Interna- Paul, Minnesota Downtown Airports, it Airport,” said West Star East Alton Duncan Aviation is making strides tional Trade & Convention Center. announced. The new trucks are outfitted general manager Scott Sweeney. in the recruitment of the next gen- To be held the week of June 17, the with tools and staffed with technicians eration of workers with a success- biennial virtual operator's confer- averaging 25 years of aviation experience. ful A&P open house at its growing ence features Gulfstream experts These additions join seven locations TurbineAero Acquires Provo, Utah location. The open house, who provide updates on aircraft the company also launched last year More Triumph Work in Asia held on February 1, is one of at least programs, regulatory mandates, at Signature Flight Support facilities: An auxiliary power unit (APU) MRO ser- eight recruitment events Duncan select aircraft systems, and critical in the U.S. at Teterboro, New Jer- vice provider created from the sale of a has planned through early spring. inspections. Meanwhile, the opera- sey, Scottsdale, Arizona, Greensboro, pair of Triumph Group businesses is add- About 215 students from three tor forums are scheduled through- North Carolina Piedmont Triad Inter- ing a third segment of work previously Utah A&P schools attended the three- out North America, Europe, the national, and Kansas City Charles B. done by Triumph. TurbineAero is acquir- hour event, which included tours and Middle East, and Asia this year. Wheeler Downtown airports; and in the ing the APU piece part repair product

52 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com line from Triumph Aviation Services Asia. San Marino, and the Cayman Islands. TurbineAero will integrate the Falcon is expanding its exist- new work into its APU Systems MRO ing facility at Abu Dhabi Al Bateen housed in its new 80,000-sq-ft facility Executive Airport to become a cen- in Thailand. The facility, which can ter focusing on third-party regional accommodate up to 250 workers, is aircraft MRO, supporting Bombar- where TurbineAero does testing, main- dier Q400s and, eventually, other tenance, repair, and overhaul of aircraft types. Falcon is also due to open its components and systems, including new business aviation MRO facility APU MRO, LRUs, and APU part repair. at Dubai Al Maktoum International The company said the additional Airport (DWC) in the coming months. work will increase its in-house capabilities, improve turn-times and yield extra cost savings. Embraer Exec Jets-authorized MRO Opens in Latvia Latvian aviation services provider FBO Jet Flight Service's newly established Embraer service center at FBO Riga in Latvia has Falcon Aviation Gets Saudi Riga has partnered with international already completed its first heavy maintenance assignment on a Legacy 650. GACA Nod for UAE MROs business aviation MRO Jet Flight Service Falcon Aviation has won new accredita- to establish an Embraer Executive line maintenance on Gulfstream G450s. skins. A second Legacy 650 is undergo- tion from Saudi Arabia’s General Author- Jets-authorized service center at Riga The MRO has already completed its ing a C-check, and the facility’s capacity ity of Civil Aviation (GACA) for business International Airport. The facility is first aircraft assignment—a C-check on will allow for work on two such air- jet and regional aircraft maintenance certified for line and base maintenance a Legacy 650, which also underwent its craft simultaneously. Plans call for the at its UAE bases. This adds to the Abu for the Embraer Legacy 600/650, along 96-month inspection and had ADS-B partners to enhance the component Dhabi-based MRO’s existing approvals with line maintenance on the Legacy Out and FANS-1A installations, as well maintenance and repair capabilities in from the UAE’s GCAA, EASA, Aruba, 450/500. It is also approved to perform as the replacement of nose-section Riga to reduce aircraft downtime. n

mission is to get that customer back up OEMs, MROs fill demand for mobile mx and operating, so sometimes we might pull off of a scheduled event to go take care of by Jerry Siebenmark an AOG. We’re very transparent about that so our customer base knows that.” A dozen years ago, Cessna Aircraft shipsets, or light inspections. It’s a trend more MSUs in Europe and another two Typically how scheduled maintenance launched its first mobile service unit that they expect to continue, if not grow, as in the U.S., he said. happens with TechnicAir is during an (MSU) to provide emergency mainte- advances in technology could make using These MROs understand the desire of AOG event and its maintenance crew has nance service to its Citation jet customers MSUs for scheduled maintenance a fixture owners and operators to have scheduled to wait overnight for a part. “We’ve had whose aircraft broke down away from their of their menu of services, one of the exec- maintenance performed where they are. many 135 operators say, ‘Hey because you home base or a Citation service center. utives said. “I think that eventually, that is It saves them the cost of a repositioning guys are out there can you do the 30-day “We wanted to think about how we could how the industry is going to evolve,” Mark flight to a service center, including fuel check on our portable fire extinguishers?’” bring service to them more effectively,” Singer, director of mobile services for Sig- and in some cases paying a contract crew Singer said. “Absolutely. We’re here. We’re said Kriya Shortt, senior v-p of customer nature TechnicAir, told AIN. to ferry the airplane as well as shouldering not going anywhere because we’re waiting service for the Cessna brand’s parent, Tex- “I think you’re going to see the mobile the costs of putting them up for a night or for parts. Yeah, we can do that.’” tron Aviation. “It’s really the genesis for units not only be available to keep you two in a hotel. “There’s a lot of costs to get Also, at big events where OEMs and why we got into the business.” But over mission-ready, keep your aircraft making an airplane moved to a location,” Randy providers have trucks pre-positioned, time, the role of MSUs has expanded. revenue when it’s supposed to, but I think Deal, TechnicAir’s business development such as at the Super Bowl, customers Since the 2007 launch of that first MSU eventually you’re going to see even the and marketing director, told AIN. can typically request scheduled main- in New York, Textron’s fleet of MSUs now manufacturers, and especially the peo- The challenge right now, they said, is tenance—within reason—because both numbers 70 in North America and five in ple that are Part 135 that have the ability scheduling an MSU for such events when they and the operator are going to be at Europe. That fleet is growing, on average, to write their own inspection programs, their primary duty is to respond to AOG the same locale for several days; a “win- by about five new trucks a year, Shortt start to make very, very small inspections events. “I will say that if your home hap- dow of opportunity,” Singer said. But told AIN. that are very specific,” added Singer. He pens to be where an MSU is based, then by “we’re not going to be doing something “And the response has just been over- joined TechnicAir in February 2018 to all means it is not uncommon for custom- that requires a ton of tooling or anything whelmingly positive,” she said. “So over help launch its MSU business, which has ers to also ask an MSU to do light sched- like that, because it’s just not the busi- that 12-year period we’ve continued to operations in six U.S. cities and three UK uled work,” Shortt said. “But we always ness structure we currently have with our invest in and grow our mobile support airports. In 2019, it plans to add three acknowledge their [MSUs’] primary mobile units.” footprint in response to our customers Ray Godon, director of Bombardier telling us that that does work for them.” Business Aircraft’s customer response What hasn’t changed in that period is team, said the Canadian manufacturer of the primary reason for introducing the Learjet, Challenger, and Global business trucks, and that is to get customers’ Cita- jets also includes scheduled maintenance tions and King Airs quickly up and run- with its Mobile Response Team (MRT) ning. “I think the mission has remained trucks, a service that it launched in March the same,” Shortt said. “Primarily it’s all 2014 with the first truck based in the Chi- about speed to resolution, and primarily cago area. Bombardier now has 30 MRT unscheduled [maintenance] is what we trucks worldwide, with 19 of them located see customer bases use the MSU for.” in the U.S. But Shortt and executives of other “We’ve been on a very determined path OEMs and maintenance providers to grow our services and support infra-

acknowledged a trend of operators and TEXTRON AVIATION structure in the past several years, and owners requesting MSUs for some sched- Textron Aviation says it receives requests from customers for its mobile service units to we’ll continue to explore opportunities uled maintenance activities such as tire provide light, scheduled maintenance on their Citation jets and King Air turboprops, but to further expand and enhance our net- changes, changing out main battery priority is given to AOG events. work,” Godon said. n

ainonline.com \ March 2019 \ Aviation International News 53 TOUCHING bases FBO and Airport news by Curt Epstein

Sheltair Makes Colorado Debut passenger lounges with direct ramp Sheltair Aviation has expanded beyond access for passengers and vehicles. the East Coast of the U.S. for the first “In just the first few weeks of time in its more than three-decade operation, we have been delighted history, with the opening in late January to welcome both new and existing of a temporary FBO facility at Colo- customers to our FBO, which is rado’s Rocky Mountain Metropolitan encouraging and already confirms Airport, the fourth-busiest airfield in our vision for making Gloucestershire the state. In September, the aviation Airport a significant business aviation services provider and airport real estate airport in the region,” said company developer announced it had obtained founder and CEO Nick Weston. In a 20-year lease there with a renewal addition to ground handling, Weston option and would build a $12 million Aviation, which was established full-service facility at the airport. in 1995, provides aircraft charter, Phase one of the project includes An artist’s rendering shows Sheltair’s planned new terminal at Colorado’s Rocky Mountain leasing, and fuel services. Its other a 10,000-sq-ft terminal, a new Avfuel- Metropolitan Airport. Ground-breaking on the new $12 million complex is expected shortly. locations include Cornwall Airport supplied fuel farm, and a 35,000-sq- Newquay, Humberside International ft hangar capable of sheltering the one of three on the airport, is now man- Airport, and Ireland’s Cork Airport. latest large-cabin business jets. It is Four Locations Join aged by Josh and Julia Hochberg, the anticipated to open in the first quar- Air Elite Network owners of Sonoma Jet Center at Charles ter of 2020. The 10-acre location is The Air Elite Network has welcomed M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, Ross Aviation Sheltair’s 18th FBO and the second several new FBO locations, spanning who have retained the previous staff. Expands to Caribbean service provider on the field. The the globe from Australia to Mexico to “We’re excited to step in and lead Ross Aviation has expanded its FBO net- current facility includes a comfortable the Caribbean. This includes Platinum this team,” said Josh Hochberg. “The work into the British West Indies with passenger lobby and reception area Business Aviation Centre’s two FBO Carlsbad Jet Center staff has established the acquisition of Island Air and its two with fireplace overlooking the ramp. facilities in Australia—in Coolangatta a great rapport with many existing FBOs at Owens Roberts International “Our newest corporate address in at Gold Coast Airport and Melbourne customers, and we’re looking forward to Airport on Grand Cayman, and Charles Colorado reflects the natural progres- Essendon Fields Airport. Both loca- building on that, focusing on standard- Kirkconnell International Airport on sion of a company that carefully studies tions include 24-hour fuel and ground setting customer care and safety.” Cayman Brac. The facilities join the the market, identifies communities support, along with a pilot lounge, Magellan began construction on Ross family of 11 FBOs that stretch that embrace general aviation, and passenger lounge, and airside vehi- a 10,000-sq-ft terminal more than a from Alaska to New York. In operation considers the role of airports in sup- cle transfer. Meanwhile, at Robert L. decade ago, but the nearly completed for more than three decades, Island porting regional economies and the Bradshaw Airport on St. Kitts & Nevis, building had remained vacant for a Air’s FBO on Grand Cayman features vision of local officials,” said company Kayan Jet provides luxury services and number of years while the FBO operated a terminal with pilot lounge, located founder, chairman, and CEO Jerry a relaxing environment for guests, with from a temporary structure. The new next to the general aviation customs Holland. “Based on this criteria, it was concierge services and in-house baggage, ownership will continue to operate the and immigration arrival building. The easy to conclude that Sheltair wanted to immigration, and customs handling. temporary facility but plans to finish facility also has a 12,000-sq-ft han- be at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport.” FBO Redwings, a service provider the dormant terminal. “It’s about 80 gar and offers aircraft maintenance. at Mexico’s Querétaro International percent there,” said Hochberg, adding As is typical for Ross Aviation, the Airport in the heart of the coun- the Avfuel-branded location will include Island Air FBOs will retain their exist- Lynx FBO Network try, provides an alternative to flights leasable office space, a conference room, ing name. “We are excited to become Adds Florida Location operating into and out of congested pilot lounge, and passenger waiting areas. part of the Ross Aviation network, Lynx FBO Network has expanded Mexico City and Toluca Airports. All “We are excited to offer our customers and our customers can expect the its network with the purchase of the locations met, and must main- a premier experience in a new facility.” same excellent, consistent customer World Jet, one of four service pro- tain a number of airport, facility, and service in the future as they have viders at Florida business aviation service quality standards to qualify for enjoyed in years past,” said Marcus hub Fort Lauderdale Executive Air- membership in the group, which now Weston Opens New UK FBO Cumber, who will remain manag- port (FXE). The acquisition gives the numbers 72 members worldwide. UK-based FBO operator Weston ing director and partner, overseeing two-year-old, Sterling Group-backed Aviation opened its newest location the locations’ daily operations. company its seventh location in the at Gloucestershire Airport in Janu- “The Cayman Islands are well known U.S. and its second FBO in the state. Carlsbad Jet Center Takes ary. Located in the Southwest corner for their superior resorts, the famous The facility at FXE offers a passenger Over Magellan FBO at CRQ of England, the airport is one of the Seven-Mile Beach, superb restaurants, lounge, pilot lounge and snooze room, Carlsbad Jet Center, which has replaced country’s busiest general and busi- and international banking institutions,” on-site car rental and crew cars, and Magellan Aviation Group as an inde- ness aviation gateways. The new said Ross president and CEO Jeff Ross. more than 350,000 sq ft of hangar space pendent FBO operator at California’s FBO is situated in the main terminal “We are pleased to partner with an FBO to accommodate the latest large-cabin McClellan-Palomar Airport, began building, adjacent to the main air- with excellent customer service in a business jets. But Lynx plans significant operations there on January 18. The FBO, craft ramp area, and offers crew and vibrant and growing leisure destination.” investments in the location, including a refresh of the facility’s grounds and the design and construction of a new FBO Global Trek To Expand, terminal, which will double the size of the Opening FBO in Wales existing building, according to company Global Trek Aviation, which operates a president and partner Chad Farishon. full-service FBO at Northern Ireland’s “We see this expansion into the Belfast International Airport, is expand- Florida market, and in particular ing its operations to Wales’ capital South Florida, as an integral part of airport. The company expects to open our growing network of FBOs,” he the location next month, offering a said. “Lynx looks forward to working range of ground service equipment and a with the Fort Lauderdale Executive dedicated fueling service. It plans to pro- Airport, the city of Fort Lauderdale, vide “world class” services from the very and the local FBO team to deliver a first day, with a local team trained to best-in-class service offering for our Lynx FBO Network is planning a new terminal that will roughly double the size of the current NATA Safety 1st certification standards. customers in the South Florida region.” structure at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport; completion is expected within 24 months. “We are delighted to be opening this

54 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com all-new facility at Cardiff International ownership, the location offers con- Airport as it offers tremendous potential tract fuel Avtrip rewards points. FBO PROFILE: Yingling Aviation with its ideal strategic location,” said Global Trek COO Gordon Bingham. “We are investing in building a bespoke, Florida FBO Breaks modern facility on the south side of the Ground on New Base airport, with a dedicated VIP lounge, Florida-based Jetscape Services has private offices, crew briefing center, broken ground on a new FBO complex flight operations facilities, and a fully at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Inter- integrated security screening suite.” national Airport (FLL). Located on the west side of the field, the $20 million- plus facility will include a 25,000-sq-ft Avflight Expands Northward; terminal and a pair of 40,000-sq-ft also Opens Milwaukee FBO hangars. Jetscape, a founding member

Aviation service provider Avflight has of the World Fuel Services-sponsored MEDIA GROUP VISUAL made its first expansion into Canada Air Elite Network, currently operates Yingling Aviation at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) is adding 70,000 sq ft of with the acquisition of Kelly Western from two locations at FLL, known MRO space to its existing 125,000 sq ft of facility space, seen here from the ramp. Jet Centre, one of three FBOs at Win- as Jetscape Base and Jetscape Alpha. nipeg’s James Armstrong Richardson When the new facility is completed International Airport. The facility is in summer 2020, the company plans Yingling looks to MRO growth open 24 hours a day, offering both jet-A to return the eight-acre Base facility, and avgas, customs, deicing, crew cars, which includes a 4,600-sq-ft terminal while investing in FBO and charter handling, with 24,000 sq ft and 29,000 sq ft of hangars to Broward of hangar space to accommodate any County, which operates the airport. Yingling Aviation is marking its 73rd year in Perhaps two of its more distinctive ser- size of business aircraft. The 12,000-sq- “Over the last 16 years, we have business in 2019 and is at the front end of vice offerings are Aviator’s Attic, a pilot ft terminal includes a passenger lobby, outgrown our original leasehold,” said an expansion project that’s adding 70,000 and gift shop, and its 46-seat Subway pilot lounge with snooze rooms and Jetscape president Troy Menken. “With sq ft to the full-service FBO at Wichita Café/Mama DeLuca’s pizza restaurant shower facilities, flight planning area, the purchase of Victory Aviation’s Eisenhower National Airport (ICT). It’s part with a view of one of its hangars that car rental, and 12-seat A/V-equipped facility last year and this new 25-acre of CEO and owner Lynn Nichols’s plan to opens up to what can be a very busy ramp. conference room along with office space. project, we will be able to accommodate build upon Yingling’s MRO capabilities as Yingling sees a lot of transient military The Avfuel-affiliated company expects all of Jetscape Services’ customers." well as strengthen its services as an inde- fixed-wing and rotorcraft traffic because a seamless transition as it rebrands pendent FBO. The company exhibited at it has a federal government fueling con- the facility to Avflight Winnipeg. “This the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers show tract, Nichols said. acquisition will help connect Avflight Paragon Aviation Group for the first time in January. Yingling provides Phillips 66-branded customers to business in Winnipeg Welcomes New Ohio Member Yingling was founded in 1946 by Vic jet-A and 100LL avgas to its customers, and serve as the network’s gateway to The Ohio State University Airport’s Yingling Jr., an Army Air Corps captain including a few of the seven airlines that Canada,” said Garrett Hain, the compa- Austin E. Knowlton Executive Ter- and son of a Wichita car dealer, at the for- serve Eisenhower. Its jet-A fuel service is ny’s vice president of finance. This latest minal in Columbus, Ohio, is the mer Wichita Municipal Airport on the city’s provided by one of two trucks while its addition brings Avflight to 21 full-service latest FBO to join the Paragon Net- south side. When city fathers decided to avgas is offered as full- or self-service. FBOs across North America and Europe. work. The modern, full-service facil- build a new commercial airport farther west, Yingling gets its jet-A through a Wichita Air- The company also opened its new ity features a private pilot lounge, Yingling moved with it and in 1954 became port Authority-owned storage and distribu- FBO at Milwaukee General Mitchell sleep rooms with DirecTV, showers, then-Mid-Continent Airport’s first tenant. The tion facility at Eisenhower that comprises International Airport. The 3,295-sq- on-site restaurant, and pilot shop. company holds the distinction of becoming six 25,000-gallon storage tanks. Two other ft terminal was constructed in the “Our airport is not only well posi- the first Cessna dealer and took delivery of 25,000-gallon tanks that store avgas are company’s contemporary style and tioned in the Columbus market, but its first Cessna 140 demonstrator directly being converted to jet-A storage. features comfortable passenger and in addition we offer a premier facility from Cessna CEO Dwane Wallace in 1946. Assistant director of airports Brad pilot lounges, two snooze rooms, with a competitive price,” said Michael Nichols, a multi-engine and instru- Christopher told AIN Eisenhower needs conference rooms, a guest kitchen Eppley, FBO general manager of the ment-rated pilot, bought Yingling in 2000 more jet-A capacity and sees relatively and catering kitchen, business cen- Ohio State University Airport. “We work from Salina, Kansas businessman Jerry low demand for avgas. The tank conver- ter, concierge, crew car, and shuttle hard to not only meet but to exceed Vanier. Since acquiring Yingling, Nichols sion will leave Yingling and its competitor, service. “It’s been a rewarding year- each customer’s expectation every visit.” has expanded the company’s footprint Signature Flight Support, to store their own plus providing exceptional aviation To join the network, which was founded on the west side of runway 1R/19L from avgas. Nichols said Yingling plans to add services to the Milwaukee commu- in 2011 and now numbers 57 locations 56,000 sq ft to 125,000 sq ft, most of which an above-ground 12,500-gallon avgas tank nity, and we’re pleased to be able to worldwide, FBOs undergo a comprehen- was for hangar and maintenance-related this spring. Yingling also offers Type I de-ic- match that level of service with the sive audit conducted by Paragon. Each expansion. That figure doesn’t include ing and Type IV anti-icing for commercial, comforts of a first-rate facility,” noted member must also comply with a set of 70 T-hangars and a 10,000-sq-ft propeller corporate, and general aviation aircraft Hain. Given Avflight’s Avfuel-affiliated core standards to remain in the group. n maintenance shop a quarter of a mile away using three specialized trucks. from Yingling’s main facilities, which is an Yingling is an FAA- and EASA-certified authorized service center for McCauley, MT, repair station and an authorized service Hartzell, and Sensenich. center for Cessna, Beechcraft, Blackhawk, Last year, the company completed a Raisbeck, Garmin, and Honeywell. It also is refreshing of its publicly accessible inte- a Cessna parts distributor. rior space and its 8,000-sq-ft terminal. While Yingling is widely known as an Yingling also provides a private lounge for FBO, fully 85 percent of its business comes transient pilots accessed only by a keypad from MRO activities, Nichols said. Newly and featuring four leather recliners posi- enlarged facilities to perform that work will tioned around a large-screen TV. It also enable Yingling to further expand its MRO has a stocked snack bar and a separate capabilities to work on aircraft as large as a sleep room. Other amenities include cour- midsize Citation Sovereign, he said. “We’re tesy cars; on-site car rental through Enter- building a very nice King Air and Citation prise, Hertz, and Budget; on-site customs; customer list, just in the last three years,” Avflight's FBO at Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport started off the year in a and catering. Nichols said. J.S. new 3,300 sq ft terminal.

ainonline.com \ March 2019 \ Aviation International News 55 ACCIDENTS by David Jack Kenny

PRELIMINARY REPORTS eventually located the wreckage the fol- Right. Without working radios, they were slowing the aircraft’s forward speed. It lowing afternoon. Rescue efforts were unable to ask the tower controllers to ver- touched down smoothly on level skids but Pilot Taxis in After impeded by deep snow and weather con- ify the position of the landing gear. In his hit a 6-to-8-inch “terrace” during a short Le Bourget Runway Excursion ditions including blowing snow and tem- written statement, the 21,850-hour airline ground run. The shock caused the droop- peratures of -11 deg C (12 deg F). transport pilot said that he “expected a ing main rotor blades to hit the tail boom. CESSNA 510, JAN. 22, 2019, PARIS, FRANCE belly landing with no gears [sic] down. To In post-accident testing, the engine Nigerian Vice President my surprise, the main landing gear was produced power above new-production A Cessna 510 Mustang touched down 800 Survives Helicopter Crash down and locked.” All occupants evacu- standards at low-cruise, normal cruise, meters (approximately half a mile) short ated the aircraft through its main exit. and maximum takeoff power. In “wave- of the displaced threshold of Paris Le AGUSTAWESTLAND AW139, FEB. 2, 2019, Following the accident, the airplane off” tests involving rapid increases from Bourget’s Runway 25 and veered left into CAVERTON, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA was examined by two FAA inspectors and idle to takeoff power, it responded “nor- the grass. After coming to a stop another a mechanic, who found that the right gen- mally…without surging or hesitation,” 400 meters into the infield, the aircraft A reported brownout accident wrecked erator’s current limiter had blown. When leading investigators to conclude that taxied about 50 meters back to the run- a helicopter belonging to Nigeria’s Pres- the mechanic connected a fresh battery the pilot had raised collective before fuel way under its own power, joining it just idential Fleet during a campaign trip by to the electrical system, the left propeller flow had increased sufficiently to sus- before taxiway B1. It then proceeded to Vice President Yemi Osanbajo. None of immediately began to rotate, indicating tain a climb. Although the instructor had its assigned parking spot accompanied by the 12 people on board were reported to an uncommanded supply of current to extensive aviation experience, 60 percent airport firefighting and rescue units. No have been injured. A preliminary report by its starter. Further troubleshooting deter- was in airplanes, with only 200 hours in injuries were reported. Nigeria’s Accident Investigation Bureau mined that the left starter relay had failed the accident make and model. faulted the pilot and the helicopter’s during engine start, leaving the starter The helicopter had been flown for Three Killed in operator, Caverton Helicopters, for failing engaged and putting the flight’s entire approximately 8,650 hours since new. Ohio Medevac Accident to perform an adequate reconnaissance electrical load on the right generator. The of the landing zone prior to dispatch. cumulative load exceeded the current lim- Loose Fuel Line Fitting BELL 407, JAN. 27, 2019, MCARTHUR, OHIO However, a Nigerian Police Force Bell 412 iter’s capacity, causing its failure and the Implicated in Crash landed successfully before the accident. consequent loss of all charging capacity. An EMS helicopter operated by Survival After the helicopter was enveloped in The aircraft had been operated for BELL 206L-1, APRIL 2, 2018, UETERSEN- Flight was destroyed when it crashed brownout conditions, the crew attempted 9,258.4 total hours. Inspections of both HEIST AIRFIELD, HAMBURG, GERMANY into a wooded hillside four miles north- to continue the approach with guidance engines had been completed 24 flight east of Zaleski, Ohio, shortly before 7 a.m. from the helicopter’s radar altimeter. hours before the accident. During examination of a helicopter Eastern Standard Time. The commercial However, it touched down hard on the that lost power flying an abbreviated pilot, flight nurse, and paramedic were right skid and rolled over, separating Pilot Technique Faulted traffic-pattern circuit, BFU investiga- killed. The accident took place before the main rotor blades and damaging the for Power Loss tors found that the screw fitting at the dawn under overcast skies; the aircraft helicopter’s fuselage. The Nigerian gov- upstream end of the line from the filter to was operating under visual flight rules. ernment confirmed that there was no BELL OH-58C, JAN. 29, 2018, the fuel pump was loose enough to allow The 69-mile flight was originally evidence of sabotage or terrorist activity. ZEBULON, GEORGIA fuel to leak from the filter at normal oper- accepted by the night shift pilot but ating pressures. The fitting, commonly handed off to the day pilot by company FINAL REPORTS The NTSB concluded that a power loss referred to as a “B-nut” in the U.S., was dispatch due to a scheduled shift change. the pilots perceived as an engine failure less than finger-tight when the wreckage Ten-second updates relayed by the helicop- Faulty Starter Relay during recovery from a practice autoro- was examined at the accident site. ter’s onboard IRIS flight data monitoring Led To Electrical Failure tation was more likely due to the flight While repositioning to the airport fuel system showed it flying east-northeasterly instructor’s failure to fully open the farm before a planned ferry flight to a main- at 132 knots approximately 500 feet above SWEARINGEN SA227-TT, throttle before raising the collective. The tenance facility, the helicopter lost power the ground before abruptly entering a JAN. 19, 2018, HOUSTON, TEXAS helicopter’s main rotor blades struck its on the downwind leg abeam the runway sharp left turn. Contact was lost immedi- tail boom during the ensuing forced land- threshold. The 40-year-old commercial ately thereafter. A strong smell of fuel was A dual generator failure that caused a total ing, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot entered autorotation and turned reported by first responders, but there was loss of electrical capacity was triggered by instructor and his student, a detective toward the airport, but realized he’d be no post-crash fire. a faulty relay in the left engine’s starter with the Spalding County, Georgia Sher- unable to reach the field and instead made circuit, according to the probable cause iff’s Department, were uninjured. a forced landing in a plantation of young Two Fatalities in report. The airplane incurred damage to The accident occurred after the fifth fir trees. The aircraft sustained damage to Positioning Flight the forward fuselage, both propellers, and simulated engine failure of the public-use the right side of the fuselage and damage both engines after the nose gear did not training flight. In a written statement to to the main rotor blades. The tail rotor BEECHCRAFT B200 SUPER KING AIR, extend before an emergency landing at investigators, the 70-year-old, 5,800-hour drive shaft was severed. JAN. 30, 2019, WHA TI/LAC LA MARTRE Houston’s Ellington Field. There were no instructor reported that he was on the con- The manufacturer’s specified tighten- AIRPORT, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, CANADA injuries to either passengers or crew. trols during the maneuver, demonstrating ing torque for this fitting is 80-120 in-lb. The accident occurred during a Part 91 how to attain the minimum rate of descent Post-accident testing found that even at The Royal Canadian Mounted Police con- corporate flight from Beaumont to Uvalde, rather than the maximum gliding distance. 40 in-lb, the fitting did not leak at nor- firmed that both pilots of an Air Tindi Texas. While climbing through 18,000 feet, He initiated the recovery at about 200 feet mal operating fuel pressure. The report flight died when their King Air B200 went the two pilots recognized indications of a above ground level, rolling on throttle until described it as having been “only hand- down about 24 km (15 miles) short of its double generator failure and unsuccess- the engine and rotor tachometer needles tight” when the wreckage was examined intended destination of Wha Ti, a village fully attempted a reset. Battery power was matched and then increasing collective. at the accident site. The manufacturer about 140 km northwest of the territorial quickly depleted as the pilots declared an About “4 to 5 seconds” after the heli- also advised that operating experience capital of Yellowknife. No passengers emergency, setting the transponder code copter began to climb, “there was a loss had shown that these fittings would were on board what was described as a to 7600, and diverted to Ellington as the of power from the engine” at an altitude not vibrate loose if initially tightened to charter flight. nearest suitable airport. of approximately 125 feet. The instructor specifications. The crew lost contact with air traffic By the time they reached the field all recalled checking to make sure the throt- The helicopter’s last annual inspection control between 9 and 9:30 a.m. Search- navigation and communications capabil- tle was fully open, then moving the throt- had been completed the previous March and-rescue efforts began around noon ity had been lost. The crew performed the tle back to idle and opening it again in an at an aircraft total time of 13,632 hours. involving a C-130 Hercules deployed from manual gear extension procedure and cir- unsuccessful attempt to restore power. Aircraft records did not document when Winnipeg and Behchoko-based Canadian cled the airport until they saw emergency An “aggressive” flare in the last 20 feet or for what purpose the fuel-filter outlet Rangers on snowmobiles. The C-130 crew vehicles take position near Runway 17 of descent boosted main rotor rpm while fitting had last been removed. n

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

56 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com YOUR GLOBAL CONNECTION

Business growth requires a global perspective. It starts with the latest technologies, trends and ideas, and comes full circle with a world of connections that are key in helping you manage multiple budgets, high-performing teams and large-scale purchases. Find everything you need to make the most informed decisions all in one place: the 2019 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2019). Join us at EBACE to build relationships and explore the entire marketplace of options. And leave with the best solutions for your business. Get connected and move forward faster. Visit the website to learn more.

LEARN MORE | www.ebace.aero Dubai’s drone registry nearing 5,000 UAVs listed by Peter Shaw-Smith

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority “I can say that we are a world leader (DCAA) claims to be the world leader in as [far as] the oversight of this technol- unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) oversight, ogy is concerned, recognized by the rest as its registry of commercial, government, of the world,” Rudolph told AIN. “Most and hobbyist drone users approaches the recently, Canada has looked to access 5,000 mark, Michael Rudolph, head of the protocols we have put in place, [in Airspace Safety Section, DCAA, told an order to prevent] the airspace from aviation conference in Dubai February 7. being compromised.” “We have come a long way in a very Rudolph said a small proportion of short period of time,” Rudolph told The drones were used purely for commer- Middle East Aviation Conference, orga- cial operations, where users derived an nized by international law firm Holman, income. “That could be anything from IGNITING IDEAS. PROVOKING CHANGE. Fenwick, and Willan. “We came up with terrain surveys, property development, 9TH ANNUAL JETNET iQ GLOBAL BUSINESS AVIATION SUMMIT a protocol…to register every single drone and videography. We have another ele- operator in the Emirate of Dubai. To date, ment we call Dubai Government: that is, NEW INSIGHTS. NEW PREDICTIONS. since roll-out in…early 2017, we have reg- for example, the municipality [using] this June 4-5 | The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester Three Renaissance Square, White Plains, NY istered almost 5,000 [drone users]; we are technology to inspect and monitor instal- Registration: jetnet.com/summit looking at 4,760 operators.” lations, either desalination plants, power The DCAA’s Remotely Piloted Air- lines, or a solar power farm. The others Join us this June in White Plains. 2019 Summit speakers and panelists are a virtual “Who’s Who” of business aviation—experts with unique perspectives on the industry’s present and future. craft System (RPAS) Registration Service are mostly hobbyists. Join the discussion with global leaders, and sharpen your competitive edge with accurate and costs $142 for commercial and govern- timely predictions. Register now online. ment users and $33 for professionals, Drones Must Fly Within Line of Sight hobbyists, and freelancers. “This service “The technology [allows the user to] take is mandatory [for] all companies and fantastic video within what we call the individuals who wish to conduct activi- default. [This] means that when you fly a ties using RPAS,” the DCAA website said. drone, it will not be able to go above 400 The World Leader in Aviation Market Intelligence Tourists attempting to bring drones into feet, and outside 800 meters, the lateral 800.553.8638 +1.315.797.4420 +41 (0) 43.243.7056 jetnet.com the country are requested to register at distance from the operator, the internation- airports with customs. ally recognized defaults. So you’ll always be “[The] Remote Pilot shall be responsible able to see it. If you operate within those for avoiding collisions with people, objects parameters, which I think is pretty reason- and other aircraft and shall not harass or able, you shouldn’t have any incidents.” endanger people or threaten to damage Rudolph said that the DCAA had moved property,” it said. “The RPAS or drone shall into a “second phase” of oversight, in sup- not be operated over congested areas, [and] porting entities studying operating beyond shall not fly over public or private prop- visual line of sight (BVLOS). “At the moment, erties. Operators are responsible for all your normal retail [drone systems] are oper- separations and/or safety protocol when… ating within visual line of sight. operating [the] RPAS.” “[In the future,] a drone will be pro- Dubai issued Law 7 on airspace safety grammed to do maybe vehicular traffic and security in 2015, and Resolution management without having an interface No. 4 in 2017, signed by Crown Prince from a human being. In other words, it Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, could be programmed to launch from a head of Dubai Executive Council. “As specific point, fly up and down an area part of that, we have a rigorous media and monitor traffic, and return to that campaign that has advised and told point once the mission is complete.” folk that if they acquire this technology, He said that four drone “sightings by they need to register with the DCAA,” the flight deck” in 2015 in the vicinity of Rudolph said. Dubai International Airport had led the On international coordination, DCAA authorities to take immediate action on has met with the U.S. Department of drone monitoring to maximize security Homeland Security and the FAA. “They around the world’s busiest international were absolutely astounded at what we are gateway, which handled 89.1 million pas- doing, not because of what we have, but sengers in 2018. because of the fact that we were doing it Rudolph said that Dubai Road and on a mobile network,” he told AIN. Transport Authority’s target date for AIN understands that tracking devices implementation of a regulated air taxi are mandatory on commercial and gov- service remained 2022, but did not rule ernment drones, while individual owners’ out the idea that market competition craft are monitored using satellite-based could lead to a surprise announcement at mobile telemetry. The Emirate of Dubai’s Dubai Expo 2020. He said Volocopter of boundaries constitute a limited geo- Bruchsal, Germany, had already received graphical area, of around 4,100 square German certification for testing its auton- kilometers (1,590 square miles), mak- omous air taxi and that around five other ing oversight easier to manage than, for potential competitors exist for the launch example, in the UK or U.S. of such a service in Dubai. n

58 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com COMPLIANCE countdown by Gordon Gilbert

Within 6 Months Jan. 1, 2020

March 18, 2019 NEW Aircraft CO2 Emissions EASA: Runway Safety The first international standards for CO2 aircraft emissions enacted by A notice of proposed amendment ICAO initially apply to large subsonic (NPA) from the European Aviation jets for which a type certificate is Safety Agency aims to mitigate risks submitted on or after Jan. 1, 2020. associated with runway safety, focus- “CUSTOMERS TELL US THEY ing on preventing runway incursions Jan. 30, 2020 BRING THEIR PROJECTS TO and excursions, and runway surface Datalink Com in North Atlantic condition assessment and report- US BECAUSE OF OUR PEOPLE, ing. It also addresses ground col- Phase 2 of the North Atlantic datalink WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE AND lisions, runway confusion, foreign mandate began in February 2015, at object damage, related occurrences, which time flights within the North EXPERTISE, ARE FRIENDLY and runway pavement maintenance. Atlantic Tracks between FL350 and AND RESOURCEFUL. WE Comments are due by March 18. FL390 were required to be equipped HAVE NOW EXPANDED THIS with FANS-1/A CPDLC and ADS-C. The March 28, 2019 program will apply to all flights in this OVERALL FEELING, CULTURE, North Atlantic Tracks region above FL290 on Jan. 30, 2020. AND EXPERIENCE TO THE

An upcoming trial of Advanced Sur- PROVO, UTAH, FACILITY.” Beyond 12 Months veillance-Enhanced Procedural Sep- - CHAD DOEHRING, VP OF aration (ASEPS) using ADS-B in the June 7, 2020 15 Months to Deadline PROVO OPERATIONS Shanwick, Gander, and Santa Maria Europe: ADS-B Out Mandate Oceanic Control Areas is scheduled to begin on or soon after March 28, The ADS-B Out retrofit requirement in 2019. No LOA or other approval is Europe takes effect June 7, 2020. needed for ASEPS operations, nor do aircraft need to be ADS-B compliant Aug. 14, 2020 to operate in the NAT airspace. EU: Pilot Mental Fitness

June 1, 2019 NEW The European Union has published Canada: Drone Registration revised air operations safety rules to incorporate provisions to better Transport Canada has issued new rules identify, assess, and treat the psycho that require drone pilots to register logical fitness of air crew. The new rules, their aircraft and obtain a pilot certifi- applicable to commercial air transport cate by June 1, 2019. The requirements operators, go into effect Aug. 14, 2020. apply to drones weighing between 250 grams and 25 kilograms (8.8 ounces Jan. 1, 2021 and 55 pounds) that are operated EASA: Cockpit Voice Recorders within the pilot’s visual-line-of-sight, regardless of whether the drone is Cockpit voice recorders with a record flown for fun, work, or research. ing duration of at least 25 hours will be required on commercial airplanes with July 1, 2019 NEW an mtow of 60,000 pounds or more Australia: Drone Registration manufactured from Jan. 1, 2021.

A staged implementation process Jan. 1, 2021 is planned whereby registration U.S.: Stage 5 Noise Rules and accreditation are progressively introduced for remotely piloted Effective Jan. 1, 2021 more stringent aircraft operators in Australia. Ini- noise certification rules apply for new tial registration-only requirements type certificates for airplanes less than are scheduled to start on July 1. The 121,254 pounds. The new rule, known mandate will apply to commer- as Stage 5, is intended only for newly cial operators of drones of any size designed airplanes and is not aimed at and to recreational users of drones phasing out existing noise standards weighing more than 250 grams. that apply to the production or operation of current models. Within 12 Months Experience. Unlike any other. Jan. 1, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2028 www.DuncanAviation.aero/provo Jan. 1, 2020 9 Months to Deadline Aircraft CO2 Emissions U.S./Taiwan: ADS-B Standards for CO2 emissions apply to Aircraft Acquisition & Consignment | Airframe Out Mandate deliveries of current in-production large Maintenance | Avionics Installation | Engineering & ADS-B Out equipment must be aircraft starting Jan 1, 2023. All covered Certification Services | Emergency Assistance (AOG) operational starting Jan. 1, 2020, in in-production airplanes must meet the Engine & APU | Government & Special Programs | Paint & aircraft that fly in the U.S. under standard by Jan. 1, 2028. Jet airplanes with Interior | Parts, Avionics, Instruments & Accessories IFR and where transponders are an mtow under 12,500 pounds, piston- currently required, and in Tai- engine airplanes, and turboprops below wan IFR airspace above FL290. 19,000 pounds mtow, are exempt. n

AIN_DuncanAviation_Feb2019.indd 1 2/4/2019 4:34:24 PM ainonline.com \ March 2019 \ Aviation International News 59 PEOPLE in aviation Compiled by Kerry Lynch

DAVID WINSTANLEY FRANCISCO ZOZAYA DANIEL LAFRANCE COLLEEN MCCAULEY DES MILES

David Winstanley, previously COO of the management, along with supporting FlightSafety and program management director. Wood previ- software developer, and writer for the organi- UK’s Birmingham Airport, was named as the VITAL visual system products. ously was the director of international advanced zation, as well as flight instructor and propri- first CEO of rapidly growing London Biggin Hill Kasey Harwick has taken the role of v-p of programs and UK country executive for Lock- etor of the flight school Majestic Air. Airport. He succeeds Will Curtis who stepped maintenance for Duncan Aviation’s airframe heed Martin Space and also has held technical Des Miles was appointed group MRO sales down after serving as the airport’s managing department in Lincoln, Nebraska. Harwick has and program management roles at Airbus. director for the Luxaviation Group. Miles will director for six years. spent 20 years with Duncan Aviation, beginning Wayne Jamroz joined King Aerospace Com- also continue as MRO business development Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) appointed as an interior shop assistant and moving up to mercial Corporation as general manager of its manager for the Middle East. Francisco Zozaya president of JSSI Latin positions of increasing responsibility, including Ardmore, Oklahoma operations. Jamroz was Matternet appointed former FAA deputy America, as well as senior v-p of business v-p of maintenance at the company’s Battle most recently v-p and general manager of MRO administrator and chief NextGen officerMichael development and strategy for JSSI corporate. Creek, Michigan facility. Travis Grimsley, mean- services for AAR. Whitaker to its board of directors. Whitaker also Zozaya, who will lead all JSSI activities in Latin while, was named director of maintenance for Alistair Henderson has joined Lobo Leas- has spent 15 years in various roles with United America, the global JSSI Alliance Program, and the aircraft services group in Battle Creek. Grims- ing as managing director and chief technical Airlines, including as senior v-p of alliances, inter- JSSI Marketplace, joins JSSI after spending ley has had a 14-year career at Duncan Aviation officer. Henderson has served with Heli-One, national and regulatory affairs. more than a decade as preowned director for in the line services department, most recently British International Helicopters, and most Shreekant Agrawal joined Spike Aero- Aerolineas Ejecutivas. as manager of customer service in Battle Creek. recently as fleet manager for CHC Helicopters. space as an executive advisor. Agrawal, a Aerion promoted Steve Berroth to COO and Silver Air named Colleen McCauley v-p of Passur Aerospace appointed Niels Steen- director of flight sciences within the Vehicle program manager of the AS2 supersonic busi- client services. McCauley brings more than two strup chief commercial officer. Steenstrup Engineering Directorate of Northrop Grumman ness jet. Berroth brings 35 years of aerospace decades of charter sales, management, and previously served as senior v-p, international at Aerospace Systems, has more than 35 years of experience to his new role, including spending operations experience to her new role, most Gogo and has more than a 20-year background aerospace experience. 31 years with Northrop Grumman and also serv- recently with Solairus Aviation. in online and technology services. NBAA appointed Annemarie McDonald ing with Triumph Aerospace Structures. Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group Wings of Mercy named Jeff Ostrander Oxman chief people officer. She takes the Daniel Lafrance was appointed v-p/general appointed Patrick Wood chief technical officer executive director. Ostrander has been a pilot, responsibilities held by Holly Clark, who is manager of Greenwich AeroGroup subsidiary retiring from the organization after more than Professional Aviation Associates. Lafrance 12 years of service. Oxman has previously held moves over to the new role after serving as senior human resources roles for the Ameri- v-p of sales and marketing for Greenwich Aero- AWARDS and HONORS can Petroleum Institute, Best Practices, and the Group since 2009 and before that, spending 21 Consumer Electronics Association. years with Bombardier Aerospace. Cassandra Bosco, who steers education numerous programs to raise awareness Rachel Daeschler was appointed certifica- HeliOffshore promoted François Lassale and industry affairs forWomen in Aviation about the value of the aviation industry tion director for the European Aviation Safety to COO. Formerly operations director, Lassale International (WAI), was selected as the to the general public, government, and Agency, succeeding Trevor Woods who retired. began his aviation career as a pilot in the UK’s 2019 recipient of the American Society for industry leaders, as well as to ignite inter- Christine DeJong joined the General Avia- Royal Air Force and since held roles with a Public Administration’s (ASPA) Truitt-Felbin- est and enthusiasm within the schools at tion Manufacturers Association as director of number of international rotary- and fixed-wing ger Award. ASPA’s Section on Transportation all levels. global innovation and policy. DeJong has more operations, including the Presidential Flight of Policy Administration will present the award In addition to her current role at WAI, than 13 years of experience with standards and the UAE, where he was director of safety and on March 10 in Washington, D.C., in recog- Bosco has served as the interim executive business development at ASTM International, strategic development. nition of Bosco’s “significant contributions director at University Aviation Association, steering initiatives involving general aviation, FlightSafety International appointed Dan- to aviation non-profit organizations, contin- as well as directed communications at both aircraft systems, and unmanned aircraft sys- iel MacLellan to jointly lead a company-wide ued efforts in outreach to underrepresented NBAA and GAMA. She helped develop the tems and played a role in the launch ASTM’s transformation team as senior vice president. groups, and recruitment efforts for the next No Plane No Gain joint NBAA/GAMA public Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence MacLellan, who joined the company in 1994, generation of aviation professionals.” awareness campaign and programs such as and the Autonomy in Aviation committee. was most recently senior v-p of operations, Bosco has nearly four decades of expe- AvKids, which was designed to bring avia- The National Air Transportation Associ- responsible for FlightSafety’s global training rience in industry outreach, spearheading tion awareness into the schools.  ation’s Compliance Services organization center network. Dann Runik, meanwhile, was named Joe Dalton as director of security. promoted to senior v-p of operations. He has Dalton previously spent 17 years with NetJets, served with FlightSafety since 2004, initially at most recently as director of aviation security. FlightSafety Academy, later managing OEM and FINAL FLIGHT Westair Charter hired Joshua Weinshank customer relations in Savannah, and ultimately as director of operations. Weinshank, a certi- becoming executive director of advanced train- Vincent Esposito, president of business Along with his brother, JetNet executive fied ATP and flight Instructor, has more than 27 ing programs in 2014. Also jointly leading the aviation data provider JetNet, passed vice president Tony Esposito, Vincent helped years of corporate, charter, and scheduled air transformation team is Edward Koharik, who away in January. He took over as head expand the company from a small aircraft carrier operations experience. was promoted to v-p. A 23-year U.S. Air Force of the Utica, N.Y.-based company in 1991, listing service to a worldwide aviation intel- Kim Stephenson joined Universal Avionics veteran, Koharik joined FlightSafety in 2015 and following the death of his father, who ligence leader. He kept his focus on building as regional sales manager for Canada. She pre- most recently was general manager, FlightSafety was a founder of JetNet in 1988. Born its research base, expanding markets and viously held sales and business development visual systems. Stepping in as general manager and raised in Utica, he graduated from products, and embracing new technologies. positions at L-3 Aviation Products, Mooney visual systems for the global training company Utica College with a degree in business “Vincent brought a steady hand and International, and Team Aircraft. is Jim Wheeler. Most recently director, military administration and earned a Juris Doctor great vision to JetNet, steering the firm to Blackhawk Modifications promoted Lind- and commercial program manager, Wheeler degree from Syracuse University’s School phenomenal growth, both domestically and say Allmon to marketing manager. Most joined FlightSafety in 1993 and has held roles in of Law in 1990. internationally,” the company said.  recently marketing coordinator, Allmon joined engineering, quality, operations, and program Blackhawk almost three years ago. n

60 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com Safe and efficient single-pilot operations FREE WEBINAR | April 24, 2019 | 1:30PM EDT

Technology and a shortage of pilots to fill the flight decks WHAT YOU of tomorrow’s business jets and airliners is creating WILL LEARN pressure to facilitate more single-pilot operations. Every • Factors that are causing avionics manufacturer is developing technology for safe the flying landscape to shift single-pilot operations, but pilots have been flying alone towards more single-pilot Matt Thurber safely in light aircraft through Part 23 jets for many years. operations. In this webinar, we’ll hear the perspective of an avion- • What kind of automation & ics manufacturer and from a highly experienced light jet technology are avionics pilot on what it takes for a single-pilot operation to be manufacturers developing for safe and efficient. single-pilot operations? Join AIN Editor-in-Chief, Matt Thurber as he moder- Tal Golan • What can we learn from ates the discussion with Tal Golan, Manager, Rotorcraft experienced pilots flying in Business Development for Universal Avionics, and single-pilot operations? Charlie Precourt, former NASA astronaut, safety expert, • The critical importance of and Citation owner. standard operating procedures to enhance single-pilot safety. Charlie Precourt REGISTER AT: ainonline.com/singlepilot • How pilot training needs to improve to enhance single- SPONSORED BY: PRESENTED BY: pilot safety. calendar

ABACE 2018 EBACE 2018 INTOSH PHOTOS: DAVID M c DAVID PHOTOS:

ASIAN BUSINESS AVIATION CONFERENCE MARCH & EXHIBITION… April 16-18, JULY Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai China. HELI-EXPO… March 4-7, Info: [email protected]; https://abace.aero/2019/. ASA ANNUAL CONFERENCE… July 14-16, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA. Hotel OMNI Mont-Royal, Montreal, QC. Info: (703) 683-4646, [email protected]; https://heliexpo.rotor.org/. REGIONAL AIR CARGO CARRIERS ASSN. SPRING Info: www.aviationsuppliers.org/annual-conference. CONFERENCE… April 23-25, 2019, Hilton Scottsdale Resort & 5TH ANNUAL SINGAPORE AVIATION SAFETY SEMINAR… Villas, Scottsdale, Arizona. Info: https://www.raccaonline.org/ EAA AIRVENTURE… March 5-7, Singapore. Info: https://flightsafety.org/events/. racca-spring-conference-registration/. July 22-28, Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh, WI. Info: www.eaa.org/en/airventure. SAUDI AIRSHOW… March 12-14, Thumama Airport, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MAY Info: http://saudiairshow.aero/. AUGUST NBAA BUSINESS AVIATION TAXES SEMINAR… NBAA REGIONAL FORUM… March 14, May 2-3, Marina del Rey, CA. LATIN AMERICAN BUSINESS AVIATION William P. Hobby Airport, Houston, TX. Info: www.nbaa.org. Info: (202) 783-9000; https://nbaa.org/ CONVENTION & EXHIBITION… events/2019-business-aviation-taxes-seminar/. August 13-15, São Paulo, Brazil. WOMEN IN AVIATION… March 14-16, Info: https://labace.com.br/. Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA. NBAA MAINTENANCE/FLIGHT ATTENDANTS/FLIGHT Info: www.wai.org/conference. TECHNICIANS CONFERENCE… May 7-9, Fort Worth, TX. Info: (202)783-9000; https://nbaa.org/ SEPTEMBER NBAA BUSINESS AIRCRAFT FINANCE, REGISTRATION, & LEGAL events/2019-maintenance-conference/. CONFERENCE… March 17-19, Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS AVIATION ASSOCIATION & Spa, Fort Myers, FL. Info: (202) 783-9000; https://nbaa.org/ EUROPEAN BUSINESS AVIATION CONVENTION ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT… events/2019-business-aircraft-finance-registration- & EXHIBITION… May 21-23, September 12, The International Bolton. legal-conference/. Palexpo Convention Center, Geneva, Switzerland. Info: https://www.massbizav.org. Info: [email protected]; https://ebace.aero/2019/. AEA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW… March 25-28, Palm Springs Convention Center, OCTOBER Palm Springs, California. Info: (816) 347-8400; JUNE [email protected]; www.aea.net/convention. NBAA-BACE BUSINESS AVIATION NBAA REGIONAL FORUM… June 6, CONVENTION & EXHIBITION… Westchester County Airport, White Plains, NY. Info: www.nbaa.org. October 22-24, APRIL Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas NV. PILATUS OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL Info: (202) 783-9000; www.nbaa.org/events/bace/2019/. SUN ’N‘ FUN INT’L FLY-IN EXPO… April 2-7, CONVENTION… June 6-8, Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, Florida Air Museum, Lakeland, FL. CA.Info: http://pilatusowners.org/popa-annual-convention/. Info: www.flysnf.org/. NOVEMBER PARIS AIRSHOW… June 17-23, COMMERCIAL UAV EXPO EUROPE… April 8-10, Exhibition Center of Le Bourget, Paris, France. DUBAI AIRSHOW… November 17-21, RAI Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Info: www.siae.fr/. Airport Expo, Dubai, UAE. Info: +97 1 4286 7755; Info: www.expouav.com/europe/. http://www.dubaiairshow.aero. ISLE OF MAN AVIATION CONFERENCE… June 27, AVIAPAGES SWISS PRIVATE JETS SHOW… April 11, Villa Marina, Douglas, Isle of Man, UK. AFRICAN AIR EXPO… November 27-29, Lugano Airport, Switzerland. Info: www.iomaircraftregistry.com/events/ King Shaka International Airport, Durban, South Africa. Info: http://Aviapages.com; Email: [email protected]. isle-of-man-aviation-conference/. Info: http://africanairexpo.com/.

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

See ainonline.com for a comprehensive long-range aviation events calendar.

62 Aviation International News \ March 2019 \ ainonline.com Meet us at... NBAA Regional Forum Houston, March 14 .BiZAV. BOOTH 1021

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