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Vol.49 | No.3

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MARCH 2020 | ainonline.com « Introduced publicly at the NBAA-BACE show in October, Gulfstream’s long-anticipated new flagship made its first flight on February 14. Based on the G650, the G700 will be the largest and most sophisticated Gulfstream, ever.

Aircraft SJ30i deliveries to start next year page 20 Avionics Garmin GFC 600H ready to deliver page 48 Gulfstream’s G700 takes flight Airshows Organizers cancel next by Chad Trautvetter month’s ABACE page 21

The new Gulfstream G700 achieved first Dynamics, and the innovation of the Gulf- operation, field performance, and climb flight on February 14, departing Gulfstream stream team,” said Gulfstream president performance; T4, environmental control Rotorcraft ’s headquarters at Savannah/Hil- Mark Burns. system, mechanical systems, flight into Bristow and ERA merge ton Head International Airport at 1:19 p.m. The G700 was introduced as the com- known icing, and cooling/vent; T5, avionics and landing back at the Georgia airport pany’s latest flagship in October at NBAA- and level-D sim data. A sixth G700 will also page 16 two hours and 32 minutes later. Piloted BACE, where Gulfstream displayed a serve as a production test aircraft. by Jake Howard and Eric Holmberg, with full-scale cabin mockup and showed video Powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 flight-test engineer Bill Osborne, the first of the first test aircraft taxiing under its own engines, the Mach-0.90, 6,400-nm G700 flight-test G700—T1—operated on a 30/70 power. Five flight-test aircraft have already features a five-living-area cabin with 20 blend of sustainable fuel. been manufactured, and a structural test panoramic windows, Gulfstream Symme- “This first flight is a momentous article has completed load testing. try flight deck with electronically linked occasion and the next step forward in T1 will focus on envelope expansion, flut- active control sidesticks, touchscreen con- Gulfstream’s vision for the future, a vision ter, stalls, flying qualities, flight control, and trols, and a predictive landing performance that has been guided by the strategic lead- shapes; T2, cabin development and static system for enhanced runway safety. Service ership of our parent company, General test; T3, loads/PID, engine/thrust-reverser entry is scheduled for 2022. n

News from HELI-EXPO Bombardier puts all chips Safety tops agenda on its business aviation unit The accident involving Kobe Bryant shined a light on the rotorcraft by Kerry Lynch industry and its focus on safety as the annual Heli-Expo opened in Bombardier quieted talks of a potential the memorandum of understanding to Anaheim. In addition to an industry sale of its Business Aviation unit and took sell its train business to the French rail with a strong safety record, the show steps to dramatically reduce its debt bur- magnate, Bombardier said it has made a highlighted new technology and den with the February 17 announcement of “strategic decision” to focus on business showcased orders. the proposed sale of its Bombardier Trans- aviation and accelerate its deleveraging portation unit to . In announcing continues on page 32 CERTIFIED OUTPERFORMANCE. LEAD THE WAY NOW.

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LEADING THE WAY CERTIFIED OUTPERFORMANCE. LEAD THE WAY NOW.

Unprecedented performance. Industry-leading technology. Exceptional comfort.

Now certified. The Praetor 500 and the Praetor 600 are the world’s most disruptive and technologically advanced midsize and super-midsize business jets.

Both have record-breaking, best-in-class range. Enviable performance in challenging airports. Full fly-by-wire with turbulence reduction capabilities. Unparalleled comfort in a six-foot-tall, flat-floor cabin. Ka-band home-like connectivity.

Power the future. Take command. Lead the way – now.

Learn more at executive.embraer.com.

LEADING THE WAY INSIDE this issue 47 32 JAMES HOLAHAN (1921-2015), FOUNDING EDITOR WILSON S. LEACH, MANAGING DIRECTOR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – Matt Thurber EXECUTIVE EDITOR - AIN PUBLICATIONS – Mark Phelps NEWS EDITOR - AIN PUBLICATIONS – Chad Trautvetter MANAGING EDITOR - AIN PUBLICATIONS – Annmarie Yannaco SENIOR EDITORS – Charles Alcock, Curt Epstein, Kerry Lynch Gregory Polek – Air Transport Ian Sheppard – International ASSOCIATE EDITOR – Jerry Siebenmark CONTRIBUTORS David Donald – Defense Mark Huber – Rotorcraft AVIONICS Jennifer Leach English David Jack Kenny – Safety Gordon Gilbert Richard Pedicini 50 John Goglia – Columnist James Wynbrandt Unveiled two GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER – Tom Hurley years ago at Heli- PRODUCTION EDITOR – Martha Jercinovich GRAPHIC DESIGNERS – John A. Manfredo, Grzegorz Rzekos Expo, Garmin’s DIGITAL SOLUTIONS MANAGER – Michael Giaimo GFC 600H DEVELOPERS – Nathan Douglas, Ryan Koch helicopter flight DIRECTOR OF VIDEO – Ian Whelan control system GROUP PUBLISHER – Dave Leach is now ready ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – Nancy O’Brien for installation ADVERTISING SALES Georges – Western Europe, +33 6 80 21 17 93 in customer Melissa Murphy – Midwestern U.S., +1 (830) 608-9888 48 helicopters. Nancy O’Brien – W estern U.S./Western Canada/Asia Pacific, +1 (530) 241-3534 Anthony T. Romano – Northeastern U.S./Eastern Canada/Mexico/Brazil Joe Rosone – Mid-Atlantic U.S./Southeast U.S./Caribbean, AIRPLANES and ENGINES 18 JSfirm, NEMSPA ink job-listing deal +1 (301) 693-4687 Diana Scogna – /Northern Europe/Middle East, 1 Gulfstream G700 takes flight 26 Industry takes steps to ease pilot shortage +33 6 62 52 25 47 Victoria Tod – Great Lakes U.S./, 8 Phenom 300E gets more enhancements 36 unveils blended-wing demonstrator +1 (203) 733-4184 10 Daher hands over 300th TBM 900 series 42 Preowned inventory grows in 2019 Yury Laskin – Russia, +7 05 912 1346 10 75 Libertys to serve as air ambulances AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – Jeff Hartford MARKETING AND CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER – Lisa Valladares 14 Stratos eyes second half for first flight of 716X MAINTENANCE, MODs, and COMPLETIONS MANAGER OF ONSITE LOGISTICS – Philip Scarano III 17 PC-24 clinches rough-field certification 16 Private equity firm takes majority stake in Elliott ONSITE PRODUCTION – Zach O’Brien 28 Tamarack marks 100th active winglet installation SALES COORDINATOR – Nadine Timpanaro 20 SyberVision deliveries planned for next year SALES ADMINISTRATOR – Cindy Nesline 22 G700 mockup goes on tour PEOPLE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & HUMAN RESOURCES – Michele Hubert 30 Vision Jet fire mystery solved 17 Obitts takes helm at NATA as Dempsey departs ACCOUNTING MANAGER – Marylou Moravec 40 Eviation’s electric Alice catches fire ACCOUNTS PAYABLE – Mary Avella REGULATIONS and GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE – Bobbie Bing AIRPORTS and FBOs 33 Congressman seeks to mandate HTAWS U.S. HEADQUARTERS 12 BBA Aviation rebrands as 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432, +1 (201) 444-5075 Advertising Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 12 FBOs reap big game rewards ROTORCRAFT and UNMANNED SYSTEMS [email protected] 36 Circulation Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 expands capabilities and facilities 10 Hansen Helo fraud case spawns more charges [email protected] 40 Brazil opens greenfield airport WASHINGTON, D.C. EDITORIAL OFFICE: 14 Noise key to eVTOL acceptance Kerry Lynch (business aviation) 16 Bristow and Era to merge [email protected] AIRSHOWS and CONVENTIONS Tel: +1 (703) 969-9195 20 20 Wisk’s eVTOL OK’d for New Zealand flight trials EUROPEAN EDITORIAL OFFICE: CJI London makes case for defending bizav Ian Sheppard; [email protected] 21 NBAA scraps ABACE20 amid coronavirus concerns 22 Aero Asset: preowned helo market improving Hangar 9, Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey RH1 5JY, UK 24 Cost-cutting, privacy top agenda at NBAA forum 24 DJI blasts order to ground Chinese-made drones Tel: +44 1737 821409, Mobile: +44 7759 455770 32 Organizers host scaled-back Airshow 30 Drones could scan crowds for signs of disease THE CONVENTION NEWS COMPANY, INC. 34 Honeywell forecasts meager helo delivery bump AIN PUBLICATIONS EXECUTIVE TEAM Wilson Leach Jennifer Leach English AIR TRANSPORT 39 eVTOL expert discusses future of UAM Matt Thurber Dave Leach 30 ICAO: coronavirus takes toll on air transport 42 Community acceptance key to UAM market Michele Hubert Nancy O’Brien 50 777X takes flight, GE9X cert pending 44 Leonardo bolsters line-up with Kopter buy Aviation International News (ISSN 0887-9877) is published monthly. Periodicals postage paid at Midland Park, N.J., and additional mailing 50 Government to divest stake in Air India 45 Dickson stresses safety at his first Heli-Expo offices.­ Postmaster: Send ­address changes to Aviation International 51 News, P.O. Box 8059, Lowell, MA 01853 USA. Allow at least eight weeks Embraer’s Slattery being patient on joint venture 45 Fatal helicopter accident rate flat in 2019 for processing. ­Include old address as well as new, and an address label 51 JAL’s Zipair set to fly transpacific from a recent issue if possible. Subscription inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 or 45 Draganfly develops drone sensor packages email: [email protected]. 51 Qatar-backed Air Italy ceases operations 44 Leonardo TH-119 wins U.S. Navy trainer deal Aviation International News is a publication of The Convention News Co., Inc., 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432; Tel.: +1 (201) 444-5075. Copyright © 46 Erickson bringing Matrix tech to firefighting fleet 2020 All rights reserved.­ Reproduction in whole or in part without­ permission CHARTER and FRACTIONAL of The Convention News Co., Inc. is strictly prohibited. The Convention News 46 Sikorsky firms timeline for new S-92 Co., Inc. publishes Aviation International News, AINalerts, AIN Air Transport 28 Providers shift focus to a younger market Perspective, AIN Defense Perspective, AINtv, Traveler, BJTwaypoints, ABACE Convention­ News, News, EBACE DEPARTMENTS ­Convention News, News, FutureFlight.aero, HAI DEFENSE Convention News, LABACE Convention News, MEBA Convention News, 56 Accidents | 50 Air Transport Update NBAA Convention News, Paris Airshow News, Singapore Airshow News, 47 Boeing sees export-sales potential for Red Hawk Mobile Apps: Aviation International News; AINonline. PUBLICATION MAIL 47 Navy test-flies unmanned Growlers 48 Avionics Update | 62 Calendar AGREEMENT NO. 40649046 RETURN­ UNDELIVERABLE­ CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: PITNEY BOWES INTERNATIONAL­ MAIL, STATION A, P.O. BOX 54, WINDSOR, 47 USAF legacy fleets survive budget review 58 Completion and Refurbishment ON, N9A 6J5, returns [email protected]. 59 Compliance Countdown FLIGHT OPS, SAFETY, SECURITY, TRAINING 52 Hot Section 33 Bryant’s pilot asked ATC for a climb through IMC 8, 10, 12, 14 News Briefs INDUSTRY and MANAGEMENT 60 People in Aviation PUBLICATIONS 6 Business and general aviation billings soar in ’19 44 Rotorcraft Update | 18 Torqued For feedback, letters to the editor, or other editorial needs, please contact AIN’s Editors at 1, 8 Bombardier bets big on business aviation 54 Touching Bases [email protected]

4 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com C41225.003_CFM_REFLECTIONS_AIN_Nov19_352x275_v1.indd 1 08/10/2019 15:29 As We Go To Press

BOMBARDIER, GULFSTREAM Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Texas, BIZJETS VIE FOR marking the latest in the company’s major Business jet makers Bombardier and expansion plans for its customer support Gulfstream are going head to head efforts. Plans call for groundbreaking in on the shortlist for the 2019 Robert J. the third quarter on a center that will Collier Trophy for aviation and space house hangar space, back shops, and achievements—the Global 7500 and employee and customer offices. Once G500/600, respectively. The shortlist also opened in late 2021, the facility would recognizes two companies pioneering complement Gulfstream’s existing site the development of electrically-powered about 35 miles away at Dallas Love Field. aircraft: Kitty Hawk for its two-seat Gulfstream expects to shift about 150 to Heaviside personal air vehicle and electric 200 of the staff at Dallas Love Field to the motor specialist Magnix for its Magni500 new site, as well as create 50 new jobs. propulsion system. Other nominees are The Cirrus Vision Jet was one of several bright spots in the 2019 delivery numbers, as the the airborne collision avoidance system KOPTER SECURES manufacturer handed over 81 copies, 18 more than in the previous year. team, the Hubble Space Telescope Team, SWISS PRODUCTION APPROVAL the Stratolaunch carrier aircraft, the The Swiss Federal Office of Civil U.S. Air Force-Boeing X-37B orbital test Aviation on February 21 granted vehicle team, and the unmanned aircraft production organization approval Industry billings soar for systems traffic management team. The (POA) to Kopter, a milestone that award winner will be announced on April the helicopter manufacturer says will 3, followed by a presentation on June 11. enable it to ramp up production on its bizav, GA sectors in 2019 light single-engine SH09. Certification GULFSTREAM BUILDING of the SH09 is expected early next by Kerry Lynch FORT WORTH SERVICE CENTER year. The Swiss manufacturer is in the is investing $35 throes of being acquired by Leonardo, Business and general aviation fixed-wing percent decline from the year-earlier (the million in a new 160,000-sq-ft MRO at a transaction that is to close shortly. aircraft billings jumped by more than 14 per- comparison does not include , cent year-over-year (YOY) in 2019 to $23.51 which did not report this year). Both sin- billion, marking the highest level since 2015, gle- and multi-engine deliveries were down the General Aviation Manufacturers Asso- on the year in this category with Beechcraft ciation (GAMA) reported on February 19. King Airs, Caravans, Piper M-class Up from the $20.56 billion reported in 2018, , and Daher TBMs and Kodiaks industry billings were propelled by an over- among those seeing declines. all increase in shipments to 2,658 units, and GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce in particular, a more than 100-unit jump in was encouraged by the numbers overall, business jet deliveries to 809. saying they paint a picture of a vibrant The fixed-wing cumulative total is up a industry. Encouraging to him was the little more than 9 percent from the 2,432 addition of several models that entered shipped in 2018 and has reached a level service in 2019: the Airbus ACJ319neo and not seen since 2008. In that year, the ACJ320neo; Bombardier Global 5500 and industry handed over nearly 4,000 busi- 6500; Daher TBM 940; Embraer Praetor ness and general aviation airplanes. 500 and 600; Gulfstream G600; Tecnam Meanwhile, business jet shipments also P2012; and, Citation Longitude. are at the highest total in a decade (874 were “This is pretty impressive. We all know delivered in 2009). Last year’s business jet this industry is moving forward,” Bunce shipment tally is up 15 percent from the said, citing the strong investment the 703 handed over in 2018. This comes as industry is making in new technology.

MATT THURBER MATT several business jet manufacturers enjoyed However, he did acknowledge “head- Carmela Pedicini, pictured here with her father Richard, joined the AIN team in 2014. increases in 2019. Notably, Gulfstream winds” on the rotary-wing side, where delivered 26 more business jets YOY as it shipments fell some 16 percent to 819. AIN contributor Carmela Pedicini passes finished the fourth quarter with a book-to- Correspondently, billings were down bill of 1.7:1 and 1.2:1 for the whole year. nearly 12 percent to $3.27 billion. It is always so difficult to lose one of your that brought her to and allowed saw an 18-aircraft jump in its Piston deliveries plummeted from 281 own, and all of us here at AIN are heart- her to enjoy her passion for travel. business jet deliveries for a total of 206 on last year to 179 in 2019, a 36.3 percent broken by the untimely death of Carmela Carmela was—pure and simple—a the year. This increase comes thanks, in plunge. This differential came as Robin- Pedicini, who passed away last month as total joy to be around. With her infectious part, to the beginning of Citation Longi- son Helicopter’s piston helicopter ship- a result of injuries sustained in a serious positive attitude, she brightened up any tude deliveries—13 were handed over in the ments dropped by 100 units to 142. automobile accident in southern Brazil. situation she entered. Her focus, dedica- fourth quarter. Bombardier and Embraer Bunce gave a caveat to the Carmela had been a regular part of tion, determination—and result-oriented also saw increases on the year, and Cirrus results. Leonardo has not yet reported the AIN team since 2014 when, as a successes—were remarkable for a per- SF50 Vision Jet deliveries continue to hum its fourth-quarter results and as a result, high school student, she translated our son of her young age. along, increasing by 18 units in 2019 to 81. the GAMA year-over-year comparisons LABACE Convention News issues into Our heartfelt condolences go out While billings surged on the jump in omit Leonardo’s fourth-quarter results Portuguese. The following year, 2015, to AIN South America correspondent business jet shipments, David Paddock, for both years. Given that, turbine heli- Carmela became our lead production Richard Pedicini and his wife, Graca de GAMA chairman and Jet Aviation pres- copter shipments had dropped to 640 last liaison in South America, handling all Andrade, and the many, many friends ident, noted it was below the 2014-2015 year from 696 a year earlier, an 8.3 percent production-related functions of AIN’s and associates who will miss Carmela timeframe when medium and large jets slide. Leonardo is expected to report in LABACE Convention News, an impres- greatly. Carmela brought joy and inspi- had flourished, and light jets had slumped. mid-March. sive accomplishment. Later, she was ration to anyone she interacted with, Though business jet shipments surged Airbus showed a slight decline in overall entrusted with similar responsibility for which included so many of the AIN staff. in 2019, deliveries slowed. deliveries to 300 (down 23), as some of the AIN’s EBACE Convention News, a role She is already terribly missed. W.S.L. OEMs handed over 525 business and gen- heavier-model shipments slipped. But Bell eral aviation turboprops last year, an 11.3 shipments were up by eight units to 201. n

6 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com Two Global Leaders, One Superior Experience

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flightsafetytextronaviationtraining.com News Briefs Global 7500 To Drive Delivery Increase at Bombardier Bombardier Aviation is projected to deliver ’s Green about 154 business jets this year, up from Africa Airways 142 aircraft last year, as it continues to agreed to buy 50 ramp up Global 7500 production, accord- A220 ing to Bombardier Inc. president and CEO just hours after Alain Bellemare. The 2019 total included 12 Airbus completed , 76 Challengers, and 54 Globals, its acquisition of compared with 137 aircraft (12 Learjets, 83 the program from Challengers, and 42 Globals) in 2018. Of the Bombardier. Globals, 11 were for the Global 7500, shy of the anticipated 15 to 20 the Canadian air- craft manufacturer expected to hand over to customers last year. Bellemare said a lag in aircraft completions was the cause of about Bombardier quits commercial aviation a half-dozen deferred deliveries, adding that the outfitting bottleneck is being addressed. Thus, he expects the company to hand over as Airbus takes control of A220 program 35 to 40 Global 7500s this year. by Charles Alcock Duncan Aviation Plans Midyear Leadership Transition Airbus and the government of The Europe-based Airbus group said three years later than previously stated. Duncan Aviation president Aaron Hilkemann now hold sole ownership of the A220 that it now holds a 75 percent stake in Airbus’s Quebec-based subsidiary Stelia is expected to begin easing into retirement program after Bombardier trans- the A220 joint venture. The government Aerospace has acquired work package on July 1, when he will transition to CEO and ferred its remaining interest in Airbus of Quebec is increasing its holding to capabilities for the A220 and A330 pro- chairman of the board of advisors, a newly Canada Limited Partnership (Airbus 25 percent with any cash consideration grams from Bombardier’s operation in created part-time position. Jeff Lake, COO Canada). The transaction, announced late being made. Saint Laurent, Quebec. for Duncan Aviation’s Lincoln, Nebraska on February 12, marks the completion of Under a revised agreement, Airbus This work will now be handled by Ste- facility, will succeed Hilkemann as president. Bombardier’s strategic exit from the com- has an option to redeem Quebec’s hold- lia Aeronautique Saint Laurent, which is Hilkemann joined the company in 1996 as mercial aviation sector. ing in Airbus Canada in 2026, which is a newly created subsidiary of Stelia Aero- executive v-p and COO and was appointed space. It will continue to employ the 360 president a year later. His semi-retirement people working on these programs. plan is part of a company-developed suc- At the end of January net orders for cession plan that includes semi-retirement the A220 narrowbody stood at 685 units. positions, which Duncan said allow the Airbus said this represented a 64 percent company “to tap into the knowledge and increase since it took majority ownership experience of its long-term senior leaders” of the program on July 1, 2018. during a transition in leaders. “I would like to sincerely thank Bom- bardier for the strong collaboration Second FBO Lands at Reno during our partnership,” said Airbus Stellar Aviation Group has won an RFP CEO Guillaume Faury. “We are commit- tender to operate the second FBO at Reno ted to this fantastic aircraft program and Tahoe International Airport (RNO) in Nevada. we are aligned with the government of The company had a soft opening in late Quebec in our ambition to bring long- January at the former Million Air facility as it The upgraded Embraer Phenom 300E will come standard with additional speed and range, term visibility to the Quebec and Cana- prepares for construction on its permanent a quieter cabin, and more capable avionics. Deliveries are set to begin in May 2020. dian aerospace industry.” new location. It expects to break ground Airbus will pay Bombardier $591 mil- by year-end on the first phase of the more Phenom 300E gets more enhancements lion, net of adjustments, for the Cana- than $20 million project, which will include dian group’s holding in Airbus Canada. a 5,000-sq-ft terminal, four acres of ramp, Embraer Executive Jets announced an result in a quieter cabin and better Of this amount, $531 million was paid and a 30,000-sq-ft hangar with 6,250 sq ft upgraded Phenom 300 that can fly faster flight crew seat tracking that provides at closing and a further $60 million will of office and shop space. The new facility and farther, offers a quieter cabin, and has more legroom. Additionally, an optional be due by the end of 2021. The agree- is expected to be operational in 18 to 24 more capable avionics. Deliveries of the premium interior borrows features from ment also covers the cancellation of months. Subsequent phases will add two enhanced Phenom 300E are expected to the award-winning Bossa Nova design Bombardier warrants owned by Airbus, large hangars and develop a second parcel begin in May, the company said. This builds of the Praetor 600, including carbon-fi- as well as releasing Bombardier from of land that will offer 50,000 sq ft of T and on enhancements Embraer announced for ber materials, unique stitching, and its future funding capital requirement box hangars and an additional 2.5 acres the light jet about two years ago. piano-black coloring. The Bossa Nova to Airbus Canada. of apron. The upgraded twinjet, with a baseline package adds $150,000 for trim and On February 13, Nigeria’s Green list price of $9.65 million, now boasts a finishing only. Africa Airways signed a memorandum Former Textron Executive top speed of Mach 0.80—versus Mach Its upgraded Prodigy Touch flight deck, of understanding to buy 50 A220-300s. Thress Joins FlightSafety 0.78 on previous Phenom 300/300Es— which is based on the Garmin G3000 avi- It is the largest order yet for the aircraft Longtime Textron Aviation executive Brad thanks to a pair of new, Fadec-equipped onics suite, adds capabilities such as a from an African operator. Lagos-based Thress was named president and CEO of Pratt & Whitney PW535E1 that runway overrun awareness and alerting Green Africa Airways has not said when FlightSafety International on February 17, each produce 3,478 pounds of thrust, 118 system, predictive windshear, emergency it intends to firm up the order and start succeeding David Davenport. Thress retired more pounds than the PW535E found on descent mode, performance and takeoff/ taking deliveries. from Textron earlier last month. He spent 27 predecessors. Range also rises to 2,010 landing data (PERF/TOLD), and FAA Data- As of the end of January 2020, there years with the airframer, holding leadership nm, up from 1,971 nm. com. The new Phenom 300E also has an were 107 examples of the 100- to 150-seat roles in several areas, with his last title there Inside, the aircraft will incorporate available option for 4G connectivity via a A220 family flying with seven operators senior v-p of parts, programs, and flight noise-reduction improvements that Gogo Avance L5 system. C.T. on four continents. Last year, Airbus operations. He also served as Cessna’s delivered 48 of the aircraft. n senior v-p of business jets.

8 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com ai158014365829_AIN Ad 1-27-2020 FINAL full size for print.pdf 2 1/27/2020 10:47:40 AM

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K More charges in Hansen helo fraud case News Briefs Bizcraft Get Breather on by Mark Huber Euro Datalink Mandate A mandate requiring advanced datalink The federal government recently turned According to the initial May 2018 operated outside the scope of FAA over- capabilities on all aircraft flying above up the heat on defendants in the Hansen indictment, beginning as early as 1997, sight authority. Hansen is headquartered FL285 in Europe came into force last Helicopters case in Guam. In January the Walker, Reed, Crowe, and Kapp circum- and operates a maintenance base in Har- month, but many business aircraft are federal government added new charges to vented U.S. aviation safety regulations mon, Guam, and has operated in the U.S. not yet affected thanks to an exemption indictments originally levied in 2018 cov- to maximize profits at Hansen Helicop- territory since 1985. added last year. Having backed off from ering a plethora of federal aviation reg- ters. They allegedly used aircraft that Most of the charges in the original imposing it on all aircraft from February ulations violations. The revised charges had been deregistered—because they indictment stem from an NTSB investi- 5, the European Commission introduced cover aircraft parts fraud, conspiracy to were destroyed, scrapped, or otherwise gation of a 2015 fatal accident of a Han- two exemptions: one for aircraft with a commit wire fraud, bribery, aircraft reg- deemed not airworthy—and concealed sen-operated Hughes 369HS, N9068F, on certificate of airworthiness first issued istration violations, and employing an that fact in documents and records sub- a fish-spotting contract in the Pacific near before Jan. 1, 2018, but fitted before unlicensed pilot and mechanic. mitted to the FAA. Manra Island, Kiribati. The NTSB deter- that date with FANS 1/A; and secondly The updated charges were levied Late last year Hansen defense attorneys mined, “The pilot did not hold a pilot cer- for aircraft with 19 seats or less and an against Hansen owner John Walker, and sought to have the original indictments tificate issued by the Federal mtow of 100,000 pounds or less, with a three company employees—executive dismissed, arguing that the helicopters at Aviation Administration, which is required first individual certificate of airworthiness vice president Marvin Reed, director of the nexus of the charges were registered to operate a U.S.-registered aircraft while issued before Feb. 5, 2020. According to operations Kenneth Crowe, and director to companies located in the Pacific tax in international airspace.” Nor could the RocketRoute, operators who are exempt of maintenance Phillip Kapp—as well as haven Vanuatu and operated in interna- NTSB locate any personal flight records from the mandate must insert the letter a company vendor, Randall Rodgers, of tional waters off commercial tuna fishing for the pilot at all, including a logbook. “Z” in Field 10 and the indicator “DAT/ Valdosta, Georgia. Rodgers operates Van- boats, and therefore outside U.S. juris- Both Crowe and Kapp are accused of lying CPDLCX” in Field 18 of their flight plan. guard Aviation and is accused of providing diction. The attorneys also argued that to investigators and falsifying records in Hansen with unairworthy helicopters and since the helicopters in question held connection with the investigation into the ASG: Southeast Asia parts in 2015 and 2016. invalid FAA registrations, they were being crash, which killed the pilot. n Becoming Bizav Growth Driver With a dimmer outlook and declining utilization in Greater China, Southeast Asia is poised to become the growth driver of the Asia-Pacific region, according to Asian Learjet 75 Sky Group (ASG) managing director Jeffrey Lowe. In the latest edition of Asian Sky Libertys to take on Quarterly detailing the business jet market, Lowe said 2019 “was unquestionably air ambulance role quite gloomy,” with a challenging year for Greater China facing a trade dispute Two Learjet 75 Liberty light jets with the U.S. and more recently the will serve as air ambulances for a outbreak of the coronavirus. Greater Polish operator following an order China led the region in a decrease in flight from Warsaw-based Lotnicze Pogot- activity, down 18 percent year-over-year owie Ratunkowe (LPR), Bombardier and 58 percent of respondents to ASG’s announced last month. As part of fourth-quarter survey said their flying the order, Fargo Jet Center in North was down. Growth in activity, meanwhile, Dakota will convert the twinjets to was experienced in , Singapore, a medevac configuration and Far- Thailand, and Vietnam, with 51 percent of

DAHER AIRCRAFT DAHER go-based Spectrum Aeromed will respondents in Southeast and Northeast The Daher TBM 940 delivered last month to Dr. Ian Bair Fries and his wife, Susan, came with provide the air medical equipment. Asia saying their flying increased. the painting of a red carnation, which is something Dr. Fries wore daily to honor his patients. Fargo Jet Center expects to take delivery of the aircraft in late 2020 Clay Lacy, World Kinect and deliver them to LPR in 2021. They Work Toward Sustainability will be the first jets for 20-year-old LPR, Van Nuys, California-based Clay Lacy Daher hands over 300th which operates a fleet of 27 air ambu- Aviation has tapped World Kinect Energy lance helicopters and two turboprops. Services, a subsidiary of World Fuel “The acquisition of the new Learjet Services, to help develop a sustainability TBM 900-series turboprop 75 Liberty aircraft fits perfectly into our program that would significantly reduce the strategic plans for growth in FBO, MRO, and air charter/management by Jerry Siebenmark and will provide the necessary combi- firm’s carbon footprint. The multifaceted nation of speed and range to drive the program will aim to reduce the carbon Daher recently delivered its 300th TBM more than 20-year loyalty to the TBM,” expansion of our operational capabili- footprint of Clay Lacy facilities, as well 900 series single-engine turboprop to a said Daher Aircraft CEO and Daher air- ties and EMS transport availability into as offering the company’s clients an longtime customer, with an extra touch. craft division senior v-p Nicolas Chabbert. international operations,” said LPR easier way to purchase carbon credits to The TBM 940 delivered last month to Dr. “So it was very appropriate they received director of key project management offset flying activity. Initial projects at its Ian Bair Fries and his wife, Susan, came the symbolic 300th TBM 900-series air- Wojciech Wozniczka. facilities could include installing a solar with a personalized livery in gold and white craft as their latest acquisition.” With the Learjet Liberty 75’s array, transitioning ground equipment that was created by Scheme Designers. Over the past two decades, the 2,080-nm-range, LPR will be able from diesel to electric, and upgrading to Before delivery at the Daher Aircraft Fries have owned a TBM 700B, TBM to reach all European destinations LED lighting. Floated future initiatives subsidiary in Pompano Beach, Florida, the 850, and TBM 900. “The TBM fits our from Warsaw, including Iceland, include provisioning for electric and company added a painted image of a carna- transportation profile—I can plan for a Northern Africa, Russia, and the alternative-fuel aircraft and providing tion on the airplane. For 50 years, Dr. Fries 1,000-nautical-mile flight under almost Middle East, according to Bombar- sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Meanwhile, wore a carnation in honor of his patients. any conditions,” Dr. Fries said. “And it dier. Its cabin size can accommo- Clay Lacy’s Van Nuys Airport FBO will The airplane also is the fourth TBM-fam- is a pleasure to work with many of the date up to three stretchers, medical offer carbon offsets bundled with fuel ily airplane to be owned by the Fries. “We same people for years, which is a credit equipment, and staff. J.S. purchases. World Kinect Energy Services are grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Fries for their to Daher.” n will provide these carbon offsets.

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GJCP 24201 - AIN Ad March 2020.indd 1 2/21/20 1:44 PM exodus from Southern Florida, with more News Briefs FBOs reap big game rewards than 800 turbine aircraft departures from those six airports, led again by Opa-locka Wheels Up Closes on by Curt Epstein with 305. Delta Private Jets Combo AIN reached out to the service pro- Wheels Up and on January Last month’s Super Bowl LIV in Miami with Miami Opa-locka Executive leading viders to see what kind of traffic they 29 closed on their transaction and resulted in a win not only for the the way at 465 arrivals, followed by Fort encountered. Signature Flight Support partnership agreement, combining the two City Chiefs, but also for the FBOs at area Lauderdale Executive (323 arrivals), Fort noted the bulk of its game-related traf- private aviation membership programs airports, due to the event’s customary Lauderdale International (246 arrivals), fic was at Miami International (MIA), totaling nearly 200 aircraft and more than influx of business aircraft. Miami International (232 arrivals), Boca which saw 290 arrivals including three 8,000 members and customers. Partnership According to aircraft tracking data pro- Raton Airport (162 arrivals), and Miami 747s, four 757s, and an A319; Miami Opa- benefits and other program features that vider FlightAware, from Thursday through Executive (107 arrivals). While Kansas City Locka Executive Airport (OPF) recorded are expected to come from the tie-up first Super Bowl Sunday, the six airports in the continued its celebrations on the Monday 130 arrivals, and its other area locations announced in December include eligibility area all had surges in turbine aircraft traffic after the big game, that day saw a major such as Miami Executive (TMB) and Fort for Wheels Up Members to earn Delta Lauderdale International (FLL) airports Medallion Status, accrue miles in Delta’s logged 70 arrivals. The BBA subsidiary SkyMiles loyalty program, and use their brought in 75 staffers from other loca- Wheels Up Fund program balances to pay tions to help with the crush. Reliance for Delta commercial flights. Delta Private Aviation at TMB said it had 40 aircraft Jets customers will also have access to on its ramp during the weekend. exclusive Wheels Up membership offerings, Sheltair had over 300 movements experiences, and use of the Wheels Up at FLL during the slot period start- fleet of 350is and ing Wednesday, January 29 to Monday, Cessna Citation Excel/XLSs and Xs. February 3. “We could have certainly have handled more if we had not been NBAA Kicks Off First restricted by the slot program,” said 2020 Regional Forum Karen Kroeppel, the company’s director NBAA president Ed Bolen opened the of sales and marketing. “We did bring association’s first regional forum of 2020 in additional staff from other Florida on January 29 with optimism about the locations for a total of 20.” That number industry. “Looking into this next decade included workers from the company’s of business aviation we see business Tampa Bay-area locations to gain experi- aviation on the forefront of developing ence ahead of next year’s championship eVTOL, drones, autonomous vehicles, and game in Tampa. sustainability solutions,” he said. Bolen The NFL championship game played this year in Miami attracted its usual flock of business Also at FLL, Jetscape hosted 72 air- noted that business aviation has long been jets. Aircraft lined a taxiway designated for overflow parking near the Fontainebleau Aviation craft, predominantly large business jets an innovator, introducing technologies that ramp at Opa-Locka Executive Airport, above, and at Fort Lauderdale Executive, below. over the weekend and added five staffers enhance both the quality and efficiency through its Air Elite network connections of aviation and aerospace. The forum for extra support. also included sessions on new methods At nearby Fort Lauderdale Executive, and equipment for obtaining safety Banyan Air Service saw 800 operations data critical to reducing high insurance between Friday and Monday, with a premiums in business aviation and a peak of 140 aircraft (mostly jets) on the session on where to find information on ground. Like most locations, it reported privatizing aircraft ADS-B data. Those the largest number of arrivals on Fri- sessions were bookended with finance day, while Monday saw a mass exodus, and tax sessions geared toward those according to Jon Tonko, Banyan’s direc- considering an aircraft purchase in 2020. tor of customer support. Atlantic Aviation reported handling EASA Proposes Special more than 400 aircraft at its OPF and Conditions for Electric/Hybrid Boca Raton (BCT) locations during the EASA launched a consultation on proposed implementation of the prior-permis- Special Condition rules covering the sion-required (PPR) slot system, with an certification requirements for electric additional 350 aircraft at its Palm Beach and/or hybrid propulsion systems (EHPS). International (PBI) and Stuart Witham The proposed new rules are mainly for Field (SUA) locations, which also expe- propulsion systems developed for new rienced an influx of Super Bowl-related electric vertical takeoff and landing BBA Aviation rebrands as Signature Aviation traffic. According to an Atlantic spokes- (eVTOL) designs, complementing the person, many of those customers pur- Special Condition VTOL that the agency As it continues to shed businesses outside Airmotive, H+S Aviation, International posely endured the presidential TFR introduced for these aircraft in July 2019. of its FBO operations, Signature Flight Turbine Service, International Governor rather than contend with the PPR system. Once the Special Condition is established, Support’s parent company has changed its Services, and W.H. Barrett Turbine Engine Fontainebleau Aviation at OPF said it EASA will propose acceptable means name from BBA Aviation to Signature Avia- Company on the auction block. received 300 arrivals with an average of of compliance that can be applied for tion, a move that the company’s board of “We continue to see many exciting seven passengers per aircraft and sold the certification of specific propulsion directors believes will create a stronger and opportunities for innovation, investment approximately 300,000 gallons of jet-A systems, taking account of the type of clearer connection of the brand to share- and growth in the FBO space, and the through Monday. “With all hands on aircraft they are intended to support. The holders and other stakeholders. Signature Aviation name aligns with our deck, it has taken our group of 80, great proposed certification requirements will The rebranding comes after UK-based renewed focus on the Signature Flight energy and dedication to keep going,” cover propulsion systems for manned Signature’s November sale of Ontic, a Support brand as our core business,” said vice president Bobby Courtney. or unmanned aircraft conducting normal manufacturer of OEM-licensed legacy company CEO Mark Johnstone, told AIN. “I am proud of the flawless execution or emergency operations. They would aircraft parts, leaving just the public- “At the same time, we are actively explor- from our group and thank the Miami include the design and construction ly-owned company’s global engine ing new ways to strengthen and expand Dade Aviation Department and our fuel of the EHPS themselves, as well as any services division consisting of Dallas our brands and platforms.” C.E. provider Phillips 66 for their tremen- associated systems and equipment, such dous support.” n as fuel, lubrication, and cooling systems.

12 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com US: Albany, Alexandria, Austin, Burbank, Dallas, Gulfport/Biloxi, Houston, Indianapolis, Lake Charles, Medford, Moses Lake, Orlando, Richmond, Riverside, Rome, San Antonio, St. Louis, Stennis, Syracuse, Tallahassee, Topeka, Tucson, Victorville, White Plains, Yuma Canada: , Vancouver, Calgary China: Colombia: Cartagena Puerto Rico: San Juan Noise issue is critical to eVTOL acceptance News Briefs MD Helicopters Reroutes by Mark Huber Back To Universal Avionics MD Helicopters (MDHI) has changed Industry experts agree that electric drive She urged eVTOL OEMs to “go out to of these locations, individual restrictions course regarding avionics for its new motors and slower propeller tip speeds the community in advance and under- come into play.” She said local jurisdic- twin-engine MD 900/902 Explorer, will enable eVTOL aircraft to have a sig- stand their concerns, then design future tions need to “adopt uniform standards choosing Universal Avionics’ InSight nificantly lower external noise signature flight operations and [UAM] skyport loca- rather than a patchwork of different rules display system. InSight will replace the MD compared to helicopters, but that does tions with community stakeholders. This from one city to the next.” 900/902 aging avionics with two 10.4-inch not necessarily translate into instant pub- will help avoid trouble downstream and At an eVTOL acoustics forum held at portrait, high-resolution LCD displays lic acceptance. will produce goodwill from the commu- Heli-Expo 2020 in January, she implored with LED backlighting. The system will be Juliet Page, a scientist with the U.S. nity, if they are engaged from the get-go.” those in the industry to get involved compatible with night vision goggles and Department of Transportation’s Volpe and do the research to develop these provide the latest in synthetic vision, 2D National Transportation Systems Center, standards. “There are tools in existence topographical moving maps, electronic said it is important for eVTOL manufac- Noise is a key now [to help], but more validation needs charts, checklists, system synoptics, turers to avail themselves to the variety area that needs to be done,” Page said, adding that this engine instruments, and rotor data. InSight of integrated, simulated, and dual-use air- means going out in the field with micro- is closing in on certification, and STC craft noise models that have been devel- to be addressed in the phones and measuring the sound levels approval in the 902 Explorer will follow. oped over the years by the FAA, NASA, eVTOL community in of vehicles. and the U.S. Department of Defense, as Ben Goldman, the acoustics lead for Central Florida Launches well as the latest advanced acoustics order to scale up eVTOL maker Joby Aviation, stressed that Local Bizav Chapter models, in fashioning their aircraft to be operations and make the perception of noise and its sound is The Central Florida Business Aviation as quiet as practicable. Page said data is just as critical in winning public accep- Association (CFBAA) launched January required to develop consensus standards [the industry] tance as actual decibel levels. “Quiet heli- 23 with its first meeting attended by 65 and best practices for the industry. economically viable.” copters can still be annoying,” he said, but local airport, education, and business “Noise is a key area that needs to be — Juliet Page, added that the independent, multi-rotor aviation representatives at the Sheltair addressed in the eVTOL community in scientist with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s system designs presented an opportunity FBO at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). order to scale up operations and make [the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center to “tailor” noise so it is less objectionable The first meeting of CFBAA included industry] economically viable,” she said. to the human ear via “psychoacoustics.” briefings on airport developments at This involves “operational noise, the phys- Page pointed out that, while the federal “Independent rotor systems give design- Orlando Sanford (SFB), ORL, and Orlando ics and mechanics of the vehicle and how government regulates aircraft and airspace ers an enormous amount of flexibility to International Airport (MCO), as well as you fly it, and community engagement.” design, localities are still preeminent when tailor noise,” he said. Goldman added that efforts by the group to attract and mentor Page stressed the importance of the it comes to the critical issue of where to disc loading, blade speed, location, shape, new recruits to the industry. CFBAA is latter: “There are noise challenges in var- build skyports and other infrastructure and thickness are all factors in the equa- holding a safety standdown on May 13. ious areas of the country when it comes essential to supporting a network of vehi- tion as is blade vortex interaction. But to helicopters and it is often difficult to cles with limited range. Trying to design offloading blade noise via vehicles transi- NATA Joins DOT Effort put the genie back in the bottle.” She vehicles and operations in an environment tioning to a fixed-wing for cruise flight not To End Human Trafficking said industry groups, including HAI’s where every locality has differing noise only provides better vehicle economics, it The National Air Transportation Association “Fly Neighborly Committee,” can assist standards is simply impractical. also significantly reduces noise, he noted. is jumping into the effort to fight human eVTOL OEMs and other industry stake- “Heliport and vertiport use are pre- “The quiet revolution is here,” he said. trafficking. It has signed a pledge aimed holders with community engagement. scribed by the local jurisdictions. In all “I hope you didn’t hear it coming.” n at raising awareness among the traveling public by using common messaging in targeted outreach campaigns. According to NATA, many of its members are already taking proactive steps to eliminate human Stratos eyes 716X first flight in second half of 2020 trafficking. It also is working with NATA Compliance Services to raise awareness Stratos Aircraft has completed load testing and access to training by making it available on the 716X light single and is assembling in its Safety 1st Training Center platform. the first prototype for a planned first flight in the second half of this year, Stratos chief NBAA, GAMA Hope technology officer Carsten Sundin con- To Streamline Part 91 LOAs firmed to AIN last month. “The first 716X is An FAA and industry working group that nearing final assembly at our main assem- includes NBAA and the General Aviation bly plant and will go from there to the paint Manufacturers Association (GAMA) shop and then to the flight line,” Sundin said. recently issued a final report to the agency Announced at the 2018 EAA AirVenture and recommendations to streamline and show, the six-seat, single-engine jet is all expedite the process of issuing letters of carbon fiber and powered by a Pratt & Whit- authorization (LOA) to Part 91 operators ney JT15D-5 with 3,000 pounds of for communications, navigation, and thrust. It is a larger version of the 714, with surveillance. The recommendations

a fuselage that is 31 inches longer and two AIRCRAFT STRATOS call for GAMA to develop an aircraft inches wider. Its features Garmin Stratos Aircraft’s 716X is an all-composite, single-engine jet that will seat six. statement of capability template, while equipment including dual G3X displays, the FAA should consider the aircraft GTN 750 MFD, and integrated autopilot. Assembled at Stratos’s 41,000 sq ft of version later offered as the 716 Certified. make, model and series, serial number, or Stratos’s 714 has served as a proof-of- facilities— shop, composite assem- Sundin commented that the company has operator name rather than an aircraft’s concept, which he added will never go into bly facility, and composite shop—in the city not publicly said when it expects to begin registration number when reviewing a Part production. “It was a proof of concept for the of Redmond, Oregon, the prototype 716X deliveries of the 716X. “We do want to get 91 operator’s application; create/update a 716, as it turns out,” Sundin explained. Stratos will undergo flight testing at nearby Roberts this first flight under our belt and expand the new LOA training statement of compliance has more than 330 flight hours on the 714. Field-Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM), Sun- flight envelope a bit on the 716,” he said. “We form; and develop an additional process “We’ve been up to 32,500 ft and are gradu- din added. The 716X will initially be offered as expect it will go pretty quick because it really to provide a statement of compliance ally continuing to expand the flight envelope.” a builder-assisted kit, with a fully assembled is similar to the 714 in so many ways.” J.S. for vendors that sell international operating manuals to Part 91 operators.

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19-MCJT19456 FlightPlan Ad-10.8125x13.875-AIN.indd 1 7/16/19 7:50 AM “We believe this merger will create sub- stantial value for the stakeholders of both companies,” said Era CEO Chris Brad- shaw. “The identified cost synergies are significant and, combined with the strong pro forma balance sheet and absence of capital commitments, support robust free cash flow generation. This merger achieves more efficient absorption of the significant fixed costs required to run an air carrier and better positions the combined com- pany to manage industry challenges.” Bristow CEO L. Don Miller said merg- ing the two companies would build on Bristow’s safety and quality culture and “create an even stronger, more integrated industry leader.” Bristow filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May, claiming debts of $1.885 billion against assets of $2.86 billion, and suc- cessfully emerged from reorganization in October with $535 million of recapi- talization. In filing bankruptcy, it joined a variety of financially-battered industry cohorts who had tread a similar path recently including PHI and CHC. Bristow’s helicopter fleet ferries people and materials to and from oil rigs, vessels, and gas platforms in the world’s major oil markets. Era, which operated as many as 108 helicopters recently, telegraphed as early as April 2019 that it was avail- shares have lost more than half of their able for a merger when CEO Bradshaw Bristow and Era to merge value since 2017 but were up sharply last stated in the company’s annual report night in after-hours trading. Concurrent that the current offshore helicopter by Mark Huber with the announcement of the proposed industry was “not sustainable” and “in merger, Era said its board authorized the dire need of consolidation.” As early as The long-awaited consolidation of the a later date,” according to a statement repurchase of up to $10 million of its com- last summer rumors began to circulate offshore helicopter market began loudly issued this morning by Era. Combining mon stock between now and the mailing the Bristow would merge with CHC and with the January 24 announcement that the companies is expected to achieve of joint proxy statement/prospectus for earlier this week there was widespread the Era and Bristow groups would merge $35 million in annual cost savings via the merger. industry speculation that Era would in an all-stock, tax-free transaction to the elimination of redundancies and The proposed merger was unani- combine with PHI. create a publicly-traded company with through “substantial and highly achiev- mously approved by the boards of both “Consolidation will not only address global operations, expected annual rev- able cost synergies.” companies and is expected to close in the excess capacity in the industry but enue of $1.5 billion, and more than 300 The new “Bristow” will have signifi- the second half of the year, pending cus- will also facilitate better absorption of the helicopters including the largest global cant operations in the Americas, Nige- tomary regulatory approvals. The com- significant fixed costs required to run an fleets of Sikorsky S-92 and Leonardo ria, Norway, the United Kingdom, and bined company will have a nine-member air carrier,” Bradshaw said last year, add- AW189 and AW139 models. The merged . Under terms of the proposed board of directors, including seven ing that the bankruptcies of Era’s com- helicopter fleets will be more than deal, Bristow shareholders would own members from Bristow and two mem- petitors and helicopter leasing companies 80 percent company-owned with the 77 percent of the new company and Era bers from Era, including the CEO. The are likely to become a revolving door. “A remainder under “attractive lease rates.” shareholders would own 23 percent. The board’s chairman and vice-chairman will simple, standalone equitization of these The combined company will be named deal will be structured as a “reverse trian- be appointed by Bristow. distressed balance sheets is unlikely to Bristow and Era Group CEO Chris Brad- gular merger” whereby Era issues shares At closing, the new company is address the fundamental issues at play shaw will serve as CEO. The remainder to Bristow stockholders. Era shares will expected to have “a strong balance sheet” and may only lead to subsequent rounds of senior management will be named “at continue to trade on the NYSE. Those with $250 million in cash. of restructuring. In our view, the offshore helicopter industry is in dire need of con- solidation, among both the operators and the lessors.” Bristow has not been profitable in Private equity company takes majority interest in Elliott Aviation some time, losing at least $262.2 mil- lion for the nine months ended Dec. 31, Private equity firm Summit Park on January accessories, FBO services, and appraisals on numerous avenues of growth that they 2018, including $85.94 million for the 31 acquired a majority interest in Moline, for midsize jets and turboprops. The com- have identified for the business. Given quarter ended on Dec. 31, 2018. While Illinois-based business aviation FBO/MRO pany is also Garmin’s top aviation retrofit- Elliott’s rich legacy as a family-owned Era posted a modest net income of $13.9 provider Elliott Aviation. Aircraft sales and ter, completing more full cockpit retrofits business; we are pleased that Wynn million for 2018 on $222 million in reve- brokerage subsidiary Elliott Jets and man- than any other dealer in the world. Besides Elliott will retain an ownership position nues, that result included a $42 million ufacturing brand Elliott Technologies are its headquarters in Moline, Elliott has facil- in Elliott in partnership with us.” settlement from Airbus Helicopters included in the deal. ities in Des Moines, Iowa, and Eden Prairie, Elliott Aviation is an authorized service related to the grounding of H225 heavy No financial details of the transaction Minnesota. facility for Beechjet 400A/400XPs, as well helicopters in Era’s fleet. (Era had nine were disclosed. Wynn Elliott, former chair- “Elliott Aviation has a long-standing as King Air, Hawker, Premier, and TBM H225s at the time of the fleet’s world- man of Elliott Aviation, retains a minority reputation for providing first-class ser- models. Additionally, it holds authorized wide grounding in 2016, but only one share of the company. Greg Sahr has taken vice to the business aviation industry,” service center status for Embraer Phenoms remained at the end of 2018.) The 2018 over for Wynn Elliott as CEO of the company. said Summit Park co-founder Bob Calton. and Legacy 450/500s, and is a Part 145 results contrast with revenues of $231 Founded by Herb Elliott in 1936, the “We are excited to begin our partnership repair station for Bombardier Learjet and million and a net loss of $28 million in FBO/MRO chain provides aircraft main- with Greg Sahr and the leadership team Challenger, Cessna Citation, and Dassault 2017. For the quarter ended September tenance, avionics, paint, interior, parts, of Elliott and look forward to capitalizing Falcon jets. C.T. 30, 2019, Era posted a net loss of $1.9 million on revenues of $58.9 million. n

16 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com MANAGING AIRCRAFT The 2020s arrive amid a transforma- tion of the private aviation field due IN THE NEW to technological, regulatory, and so- cial changes. How will these changes impact aircraft owners and managers? We asked executives at five man- agement companies and one turbine- engine manufacturer what they see DECADE coming for their customers and the industry, and how they’re preparing AN EVOLUTION IN OWNER- sues—the pilot shortage, rising insurance rates, for the future. The six companies MANAGER RELATIONSHIPS technology. And we’re explaining how we’re they represent—Clay Lacy Aviation, using technology to serve them better.” Executive Jet Management, Gama A shift in the way they view clients—from cus- Among the technologies Meridian and oth- Aviation Signature, Meridian, Priester tomers to something more like partners—is a re- ers in this group have recently deployed are Aviation, and Rolls-Royce—together curring theme heard from these companies. So revamped customer-service portals, which operate more than 600 aircraft; and is a widening view of managers’ responsibilities provide owners with unprecedented access and capabilities. Both trends are made possible to troves of data and analysis tools. with 3,200 engines in service, Rolls- and accompanied by technological advances. “Customers can access their accounts and Royce claims to power more business “We’re moving from being aircraft managers view all kinds of information about their air- jets than any other manufacturer at to being aviation advisors,” said Patti Ann Sul- craft, and their financial advisers can use the the high end of the market. All have livan, vice president for aircraft management financial tools,” said Sullivan. decades of experience in the highest at Meridian. “We’re being more proactive and At Clay Lacy Aviation, “Internally, we refer business aviation operations, allow- consulting with customers or their representa- to ourselves as asset managers,” echoed Brian ing them to provide valuable perspec- tives about trends and what we see coming, Kirkdoffer, president and CEO. “We want to tive on today’s critical issues. whether with their specific model or larger is- talk with our customers about trends in the

AIN PUBLICATIONS | SPECIAL ADVERTISING INSERT | 2020 context of the industry rather than simply say- pability to fly farther, and it’s our job to help engage the management company every step ing, ‘This is what your airplane did last year.’” simplify that experience for pilots,” Hirsh of the way. The solution is meant to be seam- Kirkdoffer added that in mid-2019 Clay said. “Our flight operations team, financial less and invisible to the owner.” Lacy launched a division “that focuses on fi- team, human resources team, legal team, and Rolls-Royce established a Corporate Cus- nancial analysis and planning, to deliver what customer support team are all here to sup- tomer Council (C3), comprised of aftermarket our customers are looking for: reliable data to port crewmembers. And since the crews are service-agreement customers, to help ensure make good decisions.” always working from mobile devices, we’ve that it is meeting customer needs, and it re- Besides providing more data, management teamed up our pilots with our IT folks, as well.” cently enhanced the CorporateCare program companies are putting added effort into keep- The growing complexity that flight crews in response to council members who “insisted ing customers informed about issues affecting confront is equaled by compliance challenges on more comprehensive coverage on all com- ownership and operations. facing operations departments. ponents we supply,” Robinson said. “Aviation is changing more rapidly than most “The days of one individual wearing multiple The offering also dovetails with the expand- businesses,” said Andy Priester, president and hats within the regulatory infrastructure of a ed advisory role that management companies CEO of Priester Aviation. “We’re launching ini- management company are long gone,” said KC are adopting, providing “increased asset value tiatives to educate our customers so they can Ihlefeld, senior vice president of aircraft man- and liquidity, while mitigating maintenance understand and embrace those changes with agement at Gama Aviation Signature. “Today’s cost risk and protecting against unforeseen us, and we can manage their expectations. ever-changing regulatory environment requires and unscheduled events anywhere in the “We’re also working to increase the ca- managers to employ and provide internal regu- world,” said Robinson. dence and frequency of meetings with cus- latory infrastructure, to ensure thy can always tomers,” Priester added. “Because change has stay ahead of regulatory issues.” Additionally, LINKING SAFETY, SECURITY, been so rapid and consistent over the past “technological solutions to enhance client ex- AND SUSTAINABILITY several years, our communication and inter- perience and maintain 24/7 connectivity with action has to increase to provide owners the our clients has become the norm,” Ihlefeld said. One overarching objective unites owners information they need.” “That requires managers to seek out solutions and these management companies: “The top Summed up Brian Hirsh, president of Execu- to be able to meet that expectation.” concern of our customers is safety,” said Ihle- tive Jet Management (EJM), “Aircraft ownership Aligned with the ownership simplification feld at Gama Aviation Signature, echoing a is complex, and owners are looking for simplifi- trend, engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is taking principle and practices voiced by all company cation. It’s a management company’s job to sim- steps to provide end-customers—and their asset representatives interviewed. Ihlefeld credits plify that experience, and today we have a lot managers—a simplified ownership experience. the Teterboro, New Jersey–based company’s more technology to help us take on that task.” “We construct our service agreements to be “safety-first approach to the operation of their It’s noteworthy that after cataloging new comprehensive and simple,” said Andrew Rob- aircraft” for the trust underlying its customer ways EJM is offering enhanced data and sim- inson, senior vice president for services and relationships. Additionally, in a world where plification tools for customers, Hirsh stressed customer support—business aviation, at Rolls- high expectations, mechanical systems, and the importance of making parallel solutions Royce. “If a management company is involved weather can be in conflict, honesty helps. available to flight crews. with overseeing the operational aspects of the “We tell them the good, the bad, and some- “The aircraft we operate today are more aircraft, when a situation arises that requires times, the ugly,” Ihlefeld said. “We don’t tiptoe complex, with more technology and the ca- Rolls-Royce’s support, we consult, involve, and around the facts, and they appreciate that. To-

Q What role can big data play in managing aircraft?

“We have not only OEM data—we have about A 120 aircraft and a lot of real-time, real-life op- erations data to compare and contrast, to help customers better realize their ownership objec- BRIAN tives. Safety, service, and value is more of an expectation, and now with the availability of KIRKDOFFER real-time data, we can track and reports those CLAY LACY AVIATION metrics better.”

CLAY LACY AVIATION, DYLAN PATRICK PHOTOGRAPHY

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MANAGEMENT AD 8.375x10.875 FINAL.indd 1 2/13/20 4:02 PM “The top concern of our customers is safe- trends across our entire fleet,” said Kirkdoffer. and potential solutions,” said Priester. The ty,” said Ihlefeld at Gama Aviation Signature, Some 70 aircraft are participating. company is also expanding internal efforts, echoing a principle and practices voiced by Meridian has a Safety Management System such as arranging financial incentives for em- all company representatives interviewed. Ihle- (SMS) and is IS-BAO Stage 2 certified and ployees to purchase electric automobiles. feld credits the Teterboro, New Jersey–based IATA TCO approved, in addition to holding EJM, meanwhile, is a pioneer member of company’s “safety-first approach to the op- Argus Platinum and Wyvern Wingman certi- CORSIA, the European Union’s carbon-offset eration of their aircraft” for the trust underly- fication. But today, its safety responsibilities program, and is keeping owners on top of ing its customer relationships. Additionally, in extend beyond flight operations. these issues and available options. a world where high expectations, mechanical “Customers are flying into some remote and “It’s the role of management to provide so- systems, and weather can be in conflict, hon- unique areas, so we do a tremendous amount lutions on the aviation side of topics, and that esty helps. of risk assessment,” said Sullivan. “We use includes on sustainability,” said Hirsh. “It’s all “We tell them the good, the bad, and some- third-party providers to determine risk level part of being responsible corporate citizens.” times, the ugly,” Ihlefeld said. “We don’t tiptoe of a country at a particular time, and we dis- Clay Lacy Aviation, which received certifi- around the facts, and they appreciate that. To- cuss the airport, hotel, and ground conditions. cation as a Green Business by the city of Los tal transparency is one of Gama’s core values.” We often arrange for private security, be it to Angeles in 2018, updated its headquarters Here, too, technology is providing tools to watch over the aircraft or for individuals who to include a solar-array installation and LED advance safety-focused cultures. don’t have a personal security officer.” lighting, “One of our newest areas of focus is With flight crews crossing multiple time Similarly, Priester Aviation, headquartered helping owners operate sustainably—what’s zones, EJM has instituted a fatigue-manage- in Chicago, has IS-BAO Stage 3, Air Char- available in carbon offsets, sustainable avia- ment program. “It’s a biomathematical-model ter Safety Foundation, Argus Platinum, and tion fuel (SAF), and in the future, hybrid and product that indicates when pilots may be at Wyvern certifications, and also has an SMS, electric propulsion,” said Kirkdoffer. risk of reduced alertness and increased fa- a dedicated safety officer, an Aviation Safety Clay Lacy demonstrated that commitment tigue,” and it allows the risks to be anticipated Action Program, and a comprehensive Emer- last year when its Van Nuys, California, flag- and mitigated, said Hirsh. gency Response Plan. Yet a new global focus ship facility hosted an SAF demonstration, and Meanwhile, passengers who need to stay on social responsibility and environmental is- the company is now offering SAF as available. connected while airborne face new security sues creates macro threats to business avia- “There’s no silver bullet,” said Kirkdoffer. threats. “Cybersecurity is another issue we’ve tion that Priester and these other companies “We need to continue to look holistically at been focusing on a lot,” Hirsh said. “We’re not are also taking a lead in addressing. All have how we do business, but not flying is not an just building robust firewalls. We constantly long practiced environmentally responsible option. There’s too much economic, social, monitor and test the systems, working with policies for their own operations, and they’re and other good that is done by people mov- external experts and agencies.” expanding those efforts to include environ- ing around this world.” Clay Lacy has instituted a FOQA (flight mentally friendly flight options as new pro- SAF is approved by all manufacturers of operations quality assurance) program, which grams become available. business jets and business jet engines for use records flight data from equipped aircraft that Priester has an internal sustainability work- in their products. The fuel joins a parade of can be reviewed and analyzed to ensure the ing group and this summer is launching an green initiatives and reduced emissions that equipment is being operated according to educational initiative “to ensure owners are have long driven technology procedures and “so we can identify safety informed of all aspects of sustainability issues advances.

Q What role can big data play in managing aircraft?

“First and foremost, it has a role on the safety A side. About 70 percent of our aircraft have flight data recorders, and every flight generates a tremendous amount of data we can extract BRIAN HIRSH to analyze, identify, and report on trends. This will ultimately make the aviation industry safer.” EXECUTIVE JET MANAGEMENT

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Rolls-Royce’s Pearl 700, the latest member agement apps? management companies in events such as of the Pearl family powering Gulfstream’s re- “It’s one more way for customers to choose its biannual C3 meetings, where it talks with cently unveiled new flagship G700, combines how they want to interact with EJM, not re- customers and partners to understand their the state-of-the-art Advance2 engine core place relationships,” said Hirsh of its enhanced service needs. Rolls-Royce has long provided with a brand-new blisked low-pressure system. customer portal. “It’s a tool available to them Engine Health Monitoring (EHM) services for This will deliver a 5 percent boost in efficiency and their teams to more quickly access the its customers, but Robinson noted that the while maintaining the Pearl’s “class-leading data they want.” “next generation of big-data-capable EHM low-noise and low-emissions performance,” Keeping it personal, EJM, headquartered in systems on Bombardier’s Global 6500 and said Robinson. He added that the Pearl 700 Cincinnati, is concurrently growing its more- Gulfstream’s G700” will bring a correspond- will also improve thrust-to-weight ratio by than-300-member customer-resource team ing new level of utility, which will keep the 12 percent and increase takeoff thrust by 8 by 20 percent, and engaging the IT depart- company even closer to customers should percent. ment “to understand their needs and build the need arise. This is all part of Rolls-Royce’s Meanwhile, CorporateCare Enhanced, them into [CRM] solutions.” The goal of these IntelligentEngine vision, which brings together which covers additional services items and in- efforts, Hirsh said, is “more face-to-face inte- its products, services, and digital technology. cludes unlimited troubleshooting and mobile gration with our customers and a personalized “With the quantity of data we collect across repair team travel costs, is keeping in-service management experience.” the fleet of engines, our advanced algorithms engines operating at peak efficiency. Priester likewise views “these digital inter- are able to identify potential issues—most Coverage for the Pearl 15, BR710 and faces as a way to enhance, not replace, rela- of the times even before these result in an BR725 engines “includes the whole powerplant tionships,” and he highlighted a management ‘aircraft on ground’ situation. And if a sudden as well as nacelle, engine build-up, and thrust- company’s foundational role in utilizing the event were to occur, we’d quickly know what reverser-unit-related services,” Robinson said. information: “We’re here to help an owner in- has happened and how to fix it,” Robinson said. It is now standard for all new CorporateCare terpret, understand, analyze, and project how At Gama Aviation Signature, which last year customers and available as an upgrade to ex- that data impacts their operations,” said Pries- ranked as the largest Part 135 charter operator isting contracts. About 70 percent of buyers ter. “Technology can’t apply context to data, in the U.S., according to Argus International, of new Rolls-Royce-powered aircraft opt for and it can’t replace relationships—especially Ihlefeld has seen “a generational shift in cus- CorporateCare coverage, Robinson noted. on the management side.” tomer-care demands. A need for personal relationships extends “It’s become an app-based, go-now world,” TECHNOLOGY AND beyond customers. Priester noted “on the he said. “This can be challenging because our THE PERSONAL TOUCH back end of things,” pursuant to ensuring its service is very hands on. Our clients want digi- international operations are in full compliance tal communication tools primarily for the basic New technology and digital tools notwith- with EASA requirements, company represen- day-to-day needs, and by providing access to standing, aircraft management remains a tatives recently met in Cologne, , our resources and transparency, we can better relationship-driven business. Can these rela- with regulatory officials “to make sure we had educate clients on what they can and should ex- tionships be maintained—let alone strength- the information directly from EASA.” pect. The earlier we can establish that dialog and ened—in an era of digital communication, one- Rolls-Royce, meanwhile, “views manage- connection, the greater the chance for success.” click fulfillment, and new portals that provide ment companies as key partners in busi- Yet face-to-face contact remains essential. customers real-time, fingertip access to man- ness aviation,” said Robinson, and it includes “When they want to talk or meet with us, we

Q What role can big data play in managing aircraft?

“Data has become the fuel of the future. We A use AI and other analytics to create a digital twin/profile of the asset that tells us how the engine develops and behaves over its life span, and that builds the foundation to provide pre- ANDREW dictions on degradation and potential pend- ROBINSON ing failures. It also tells us how to optimize its ROLLS-ROYCE operation and maintenance to provide recom- mendations to OEMs and their customers.”

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© 2020 Clay Lacy Aviation All rights reserved. are there,” Ihlefeld said. “We encourage regular emotion out the equation, and there’s much key mission for these and all forward-thinking visits, and they are always appreciative when more confidence in making decisions.” companies. Priester has instituted a recruit- they see a Gama hat or shirt greet them at On management’s side, “We can dive in ment outreach in local schools, “promoting the FBO.” deeper and better understand their goals and corporate aviation careers, to get young peo- Meridian representatives are likewise “get- expectations,” added Kirkdoffer. ple into the pipeline, train them, and create ting together with our owners as often as they As a bonus, Clay Lacy’s data automation incentives for them to stay with our company allow,” said Sullivan, to review budgets and ex- has freed some employees to be “reallo- and grow.” penses in person. “An app doesn’t have that cated to providing more face time to clients,” EJM has an in-house recruiting team “scour- personal touch, or understanding of personal Kirkdoffer noted. ing the country” for crewmembers, while keep- preferences,” she added. ing owners “educated on market conditions The personal bonds help Meridian stay ahead ATTRACTING AND and what it takes to hire pilots,” Hirsh said, of its customers’ preferences and demands. KEEPING EMPLOYEES agreeing that “quality of life is one of the fac- “We are seeing differences in the new gen- A shortage of business aviation professionals— tors that comes up as much as compensation eration” of owners, Sullivan said. “They are a most immediately pilots, but also maintenance and benefits” in discussions with job candidates. little more experience-driven. They’re vaca- technicians, dispatchers, and management To minimize attrition, EJM has a rewards tioning in non-traditional locations, and the professionals—now concerns management program to recognize performance; utilizes whole trip is about the experience—the cu- companies and owners alike. Ensuring team video conferencing, messaging, and face-to- linary experience onboard, the appointments members receive competitive pay and bene- face visits to maintain close contact with em- on the aircraft, the beverages, and the type of fits packages is only the starting point for com- ployees; fosters employee activities; and offers service they want. This applies to our charter panies hungry to attract and retain the best. work-from-home opportunities. EJM is also customers as well.” “We are going through a behavioral evolu- adding staff across all business units and lever- But more than simply listening, Meridian, tion,” said Priester. “People who work in avia- aging technology to help them operate more based in Teterboro, New Jersey, takes steps tion have different expectations today, and efficiently. Meanwhile, its national internship to ensure that every customer touchpoint re- it changes how we behave as management program recruits entrants “to all facets of sales inforces its service focus. All Meridian team companies and operators.” and marketing, maintenance, and flights opera- members are trained to Ritz-Carlton service Priester managers regularly meet with pi- tions,” Hirsh said. “We feel it’s our responsibility standards and undergo annual recurrency lots, crew chiefs, and other employees, and to help develop the future of private aviation, training for “high-touch service,” said Sullivan. they report hearing that quality of life is among and expose more people to the industry.” Hand-in-hand with Clay Lacy’s updated the biggest factors in job satisfaction. “Sched- Ihlefeld puts recruitment and retention portal and financial reporting and analysis, ule predictability is one of the biggest drivers” among his company’s most pressing challenges. “we’re asking for more customer face time,” of such satisfaction, Priester said. “Gama is in the service-delivery business, and said Kirkdoffer. “There’s more [customer] in- In response, the company ensures that recruiting people to provide best-in-class ser- terest and engagement because there’s more flight crews have predictable schedules, and vice is vital to our success,” he said. The com- meaningful, actionable information to discuss, that owners hire sufficient crews so that pilots pany has achieved its low attrition rate and and options to consider. Access to the data can have a family life. standing as a career destination, he said, “by in context and having it in real time takes the Reaching out to a new generation is also a providing competitive compensation and an

Q What role can big data play in managing aircraft?

“Having more data on how the fleet is perform- A ing—the fuel spend, maintenance data, HR re- cords, and the rest—allows us to make good business decisions and improve operations. It ANDY does have an important role there. I don’t think we’re big enough, with the number of airplanes PRIESTER we have, that we can make micro decisions on PRIESTER AVIATION massive amounts of data.”

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Learn more about EJM’s full suite of aircraft management and charter services. ejmjets.com | 800-451-2822 environment that empowers employees to be happy, well trained, and excited to continue ship programs in the UK for college students able to understand the uniqueness of each cli- the pioneering spirit and the romance and and select high school graduates, as well as ent, and tailor their service approach to each.” passion that so many of us find in aviation.” for individuals seeking to change careers. Gama also has a summer intern program That means “hitting every angle we can The programs provide paid training that “that each year attracts young talent who have identify,” Kirkdoffer said. “We want to pro- mixes classroom study with work experience never been exposed to aviation,” Ihlefeld said. vide financial support to get them enticed to while preparing participants for a career at With Gama’s scale of operations, “We offer a finish pilot’s license or A&P training. We will the company. lot of opportunities for internal mobility and invest in employee training for their career “We’re a global business,” said Robinson. development on the operational, regulatory, path and also in making sure we have a scope “We offer young people the opportunity to customer-service, or commercial sides of the of services that allows people to get into the work with world-class engineers and other house,” he added. industry and follow their passion,” he said, professionals who are passionate about pass- Clay Lacy has earned a reputation for whether they want to be pilots, mechanics, ing on their experience. And we make sure trend-setting internship and career-develop- financial analysts, or dispatchers. “It’s impor- these young people are doing work that mat- ment programs. tant to the culture of Clay Lacy and to aircraft ters from day one.” “Attracting, recruiting, and retaining the owners that we provide these opportunities,” Meridian’s Sullivan noted that making sure next generation of great people into this Kirkdoffer added. owners understand “realistic salary, benefits, wonderful industry is getting more important With some 50,000 employees and an and a work-life balance” must be backed up by each year,” said Kirkdoffer. “This new decade ambitious engine-development program, providing flight crews with growth opportuni- will be defined by the people who come into Rolls-Royce is constantly seeking talented ties, if they want to attract the best candidates. this industry, and we want them to be smart, newcomers. The company has apprentice- “It is a fine line of meeting the owners’

Q What role can big data play in managing aircraft?

“Big data helps in understanding maintenance A and operational trends; looking back helps pre- dict the future to some extent. It helps iden- tify where safety and efficiency can be gained PATTI ANN and services can be sharpened. We also use it to tailor proposals—for example, estimating the SULLIVAN number of charter hours and potential revenues MERIDIAN based on location and on historical models.”

Q What role can big data play in managing aircraft?

“Analyzing data from top airport markets ensures A that we deliver the best fuel pricing. Additionally, understanding clients’ travel patterns allows us to plan efficiently for them. For example, if we KC IHLEFELD know a customer goes to Aspen every Febru- ary 23rd, we can get a head start on managing GAMA AVIATION crews, arranging hotels, etc. Previous-trip data SIGNATURE helps us deliver a better customer experience.”

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Global Presence NEW Digital Owner Portal Top 1% in Safety Obitts takes NATA helm as Gary Dempsey departs by Curt Epstein

The National Air Transportation Associa- with the board and our talented staff to tion (NATA) announced last month that further his legacy.” Timothy Obitts, the organization’s chief Obitts joined NATA in November 2014 operating officer (COO), has taken on as senior vice president for business and the role of president. He succeeds Gary general counsel, but as the former man- Dempsey, who held the position for more aging partner of northern Virginia-based than a year and served for six years on the Gammon & Grange, a law firm specializ- association’s board of directors, including ing in nonprofit, trade associations, and a term as chairman. communications law, he had been doing “This transition follows a succession work on the organization’s behalf since plan set up by the board to provide con- 2006. He was named COO in 2018 and NATA has promoted Tim Obitts to president of the organization. Since becoming the tinuity that best supports and benefits oversaw the day-to-day operations of the organization’s COO in 2018, he has been a driving force in the formation and activities of the membership, and we are fortunate organization, playing an instrumental part the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry Coalition, and has spearheaded the creation of the to have worked alongside someone as in establishing the Sustainable Aviation association’s Illegal Charter Task Force. devoted, connected, and knowledgeable Fuel Industry Coalition, which exists to as Gary,” said current NATA board chair- promote the use of the fuels, spur produc- threat to the industry. “These unau- improve safety and professionalism. man Curt Castagna. tion, and educate end-users. He has since thorized fractional programs; and then, “The heart of NATA, and our mission as “It is a great honor to be at the helm of become the association’s face of these obviously, these gray charter or sham a non-profit, is safety, and to help our an association with such a rich history efforts, hosting and moderating several dry leases—that is a huge issue I talk members, the aviation businesses, be and bright future,” said Obitts. “I join high-profile industry launch events over about with our members on the Part 135 better at what they do,” explained Obitts. the board, the staff, and the members in the past year. and 91K side,” Obitts told AIN, adding The organization recently refreshed its expressing gratitude to Gary Dempsey their other major concern is workforce industry-standard Safety 1st training for leveraging his extensive experience, NATA Outreach Efforts development and the ability to retain platform and moved from a per-seat bill- both at the board level and as president, Obitts also spearheaded the formation highly qualified talent. ing model for its line services course to to help elevate the association and indus- of NATA’s Illegal Charter Task Force On the FBO side, he noted the orga- an unlimited subscription model for cus- try. I look forward to continuing to work to address what has become a serious nization will continue its efforts to tomers, to account for training in areas of frequent turnover. “We wanted to take the excuse away for why someone wasn’t being trained,” said Obitts, adding NATA is beginning a campaign to increase the program’s use among airport-run FBOs. “If you take a look at the number of FBOs out there now, 48 percent of them are airport-sponsored.” Of that amount, the vast majority are at small airports, where the trend is increasing. “The idea is, in essence, to make it super-easily available for the municipal- ly-run FBOs to use Safety 1st. Because if we look at misfuellings, whether through actually putting the wrong fuel in the tank or through the use of diesel exhaust fluid, there obviously is concern,” noted Obitts. “Whenever we have a misfuelling incident, it’s bad for the reputation of the entire industry and it hurts businesses no mat- ter where they are. So we want to make Pilatus Aircraft’s PC-24 is now approved for rough field operations, allowing the light twinjet to take off and land on grass, wet earth, sure that we continue to raise the bar on dry sand, gravel, and snow. Grass runway testing was performed in Kunovice, Czech Republic (shown here) among other places. fuel-quality safety.” NATA is also representing its han- gar-keeper members in the pending Pilatus PC-24 clinches rough field certification revision to the hangar fire prevention Standard 409 from the National Fire Pilatus Aircraft on February 7 announced fields from the outset. This capability The European Union Aviation Safety Prevention Association (NFPA), which it obtained rough field certification for its nearly doubles the number of runways Agency (EASA) requires tests for the certifi- is expected to be released in 2021. As PC-24, allowing the light twinjet to take worldwide where the business jet can cation of takeoff and landing capability to be new hangars grow ever larger to accom- off and land on grass, wet earth, dry sand, land, it said. carried out on different runways. Grass-run- modate the growing size of business air- gravel, and snow. Approval for operations “Our PC-24 has proven that it is capable way testing was done in Goodwood, England; craft, NATA has been lobbying to remove on dry sand and gravel was secured in 2018, of flying the full range of missions for which Kunovice, Czech Republic; Poitiers, France; requirements for fire foam suppression and the addition of wet and snow-covered it was developed,” said Pilatus chairman and Duxford, England. A runway in Wood- systems that protect against hangar fuel runways was the result of a “comprehen- Oscar Schwenk. “The Royal Flying Doctor bridge, England, was used to reproduce com- fires. NATA says that’s a threat that largely sive” post-certification test campaign con- Service of Australia and operators in North plex conditions to meet all test specifications no longer exists among jet fuel-powered ducted last year. America or Africa already use rough field for takeoffs and landings on wet dirt surfaces, aircraft. “We want to basically have the The Swiss aircraft manufacturer said runways on a regular basis, proving just and snow-covered gravel runway trials were standard aligned to reality,” said Obitts. it developed the PC-24 for use on rough how unique the PC-24 is.” performed at Kuujjuaq in Canada. C.T. “There is no need for foam systems in this type of hangars.” n

ainonline.com \ March 2020 \ Aviation International News 17 TORQUED

Full-throttle opinion from former NTSB member John Goglia JSFirm, NEMSPA ink job-listing deal

E-mail is forever; beware what you put in writing The National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) has partnered with aviation Just when you think there isn’t another unlikely I ever reduced them to writing. into stereotypes about “ugly Americans” job website operator JSfirm, which lesson to be learned from the Boeing Of course, much of my career was spent having condescending attitudes towards will result in all aviation job opportu- 737 Max crashes in Indonesia and Ethi- in the pre-e-mail, pre-instant message, foreigners. Certainly not the best way to nities posted on the JSfirm website opia, along comes a trove of e-mail and and pre-social media days. Who knows encourage foreign entities to buy Amer- being searchable on NEMSPA’s. text messages from Boeing employees what I might have written if I worked ican products or to do business with “Our job distribution partnerships involved in the certification of the Boeing for an airline today. American companies. promote aviation job opportunities 737 Max that just leave me scratching my These types of messages can do real through industry-leading associa- head. The messages were handed over to Cooperative Effort Thwarted damage to the company you work for. tions,” said JSfirm executive director congressional investigators at the begin- But we are where we are. E-mails and And in the aviation field—especially after Abbey Hutter, adding the company ning of the year and include over 100 texts are difficult, if not impossible, to two major accidents and the deaths of continues to expand its partnerships pages of internal documents; most are erase and can be dug up years and years hundreds of people—these types of fool- with niche aviation organizations. “As messages between Boeing employees; from when they were written. And this ish comments can undermine the pub- the only association in the U.S. dedi- but some are between Boeing employ- kind of banter is not how you want to be lic’s trust in the aircraft they frequently cated to the representation and pro- ees and inspectors at the Federal Avia- remembered. The messages denigrate fly on. In other organizations, say an fessional development of EMS pilots, tion Administration. The messages are not just the aircraft but also include airline or a repair station, these types of NEMSPA understands the importance all archived (https://archive.org/details/ disparaging comments about the FAA comments becoming public after a major of offering members this valuable boeingemailsocr/page/n10) if you want to employees who were overseeing the cer- accident or incident would raise similar resource on its website.” read them for yourselves. These employ- tification of the Boeing 737 Max. In one questions in the public’s mind about the The announcement follows a simi- ees were lucky in that their names have exchange, employees referred to them safety and quality of the work performed lar one last year, in which JSfirm part- all been deleted although some of their as “dogs watching TV.” Another con- by that company. nered with HAI itself to create a job job titles have not. tinued by saying, “With all the inexpe- So, just to be clear. While I am criticiz- bank on HAI’s website. It provides a The messages raise many questions— rience present we should be able to gang ing stupid comments reduced to writing, searchable, interactive database of some about the safety culture at Boeing, I am not suggesting that aviation employ- thousands of aviation job postings the pressure to save money on airline ees avoid putting their concerns in writ- from companies worldwide that pilot training at almost all costs—but ing. Sometimes, the best way to get action are posted through JSfirm. The HAI I’m not going to write about that here. I am not on a problem—especially a safety prob- page has a focus on helicopter-in- What the e-mails and texts also reveal is a lem—is to document it in writing. And I dustry-specific openings, with jobs sophomoric humor that may momentar- suggesting that know many employees in different indus- posted by HAI members highlighted ily relieve stress or make you feel clever aviation employees tries who have learned that documenting and marked with an HAI Member icon. but does not reflect highly on you or your their concerns with data to back them With the new deal, NEMSPA mem- company when published as headlines in, avoid putting their up is an effective way of getting super- bers will receive a 20 percent dis- say, The New York Times or The Wash- concerns in writing. visors and managers to take their issues count on the purchase of any new ington Post. Or pick your favorite news seriously, more so than bringing them up JSfirm job advertising packages. media since pretty much everyone used Sometimes, the best verbally in hallway conversations or even “NEMSPA is working on new ini- lines from these messages in headlines employee meetings. tiatives and partnerships for our about Boeing. way to get action on But as far as venting frustrations members and to share with the air One of the headlines derived from a problem—especially about fellow employees, supervisors, ambulance industry,” said Jill Dun- this trove of documents is this one from customers or regulators, imagine your agan, the organization’s general the New York Times: Boeing Employees a safety problem— e-mail or text in a New York Times or manager. “We are also growing our Mocked FAA and ‘Clowns’ Who Designed is to document it Washington Post headline first. And membership base and a partnership 737 Max. The subheading is even worse: don’t press “send” if you or your com- with JSfirm is a perfect way to put The company expressed regret at the in writing.” pany would not be well-served by your resources into our pilots’ hands.” embarrassing communications it sent words. That momentary “cleverness” Hutter noted that overall traffic to to investigators on Thursday, which can come back to haunt you even years its website, which has been in opera- included a comment that “this airplane up on them and steer it the direction we later. And for those of you who think tion for more than two decades, is up is designed by clowns, who are in turn want. We just need to figure out what WhatsApp and other so-called secure along with the number of companies supervised by monkeys.” that direction is.” While there are cer- messaging apps will keep your words using it to advertise open positions Other comments regarding the air- tainly legitimate questions that can be confidential, think again. The messages or search its resume database. Users craft and its training program: “this raised about the knowledge and experi- may be encrypted from third parties, can test their aviation knowledge airplane is ridiculous”, “It seems like ence of FAA inspectors overseeing new but a party to the messages can always through skill check, a series of short we’ll never get it right, fix one thing, and complex aviation systems, this kind decide to release them, as we have seen quizzes that cover all aspects of avia- break three others,” “I’ll be shocked of mocking in writing is hardly the best in some recent cases that have gotten a tion. “We also have an interactive map if the FAA passes this turd,” and so way to do it. And actually makes the lot of media attention. If in doubt about that allows job seekers to view all avi- forth. You get the picture. I venture to writers look much more unprofessional a message, either delete it or wait a day ation companies, where they can fol- guess that the employees who wrote than the people they’re mocking. I also to send it. The reputation you save low, research, and export a company these message were probably venting can’t imagine what it does to any type could be your own. n list,” she told AIN. C.E. frustrations that we have all felt work- of collaborative work environment with ing for large organizations and didn’t FAA regulators now that these senti- The opinions expressed in this column are really think the aircraft were designed ments are all over every media outlet. those of the author and not necessarily by clowns or supervised by monkeys Not a good situation. endorsed by AIN. or that the airplane was ridiculous. I’m And similar derisive sentiments were sure I have expressed similar frustra- expressed regarding foreign civil aviation John Goglia is a safety ­consultant. YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS tions in my past—and in perhaps salt- authorities. Again, embarrassing to the He welcomes your emails at: www.ainonline.com ier, hangar-floor language—but it’s company and employees but also feeds [email protected]

Aviation International News March 2020 ainonline.com 18 \ \ ENEWSLETTER FOR BUSINESS AVIATION www.ainonline.com/alerts

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Work with the team that works with you. cae.com/business-aviation although again the perception is detached Philippe Renz, of Renz & Partners, said: CJI London conference: from a reality where carbon emissions from “The first issue we have is the definition business aircraft only account for 0.04 per- of a commercial operation. It’s very dif- cent of the total. Delegates including Mark ficult to check what was remuneration, business aviation under fire Masluch from Bombardier Aviation called and often, once you check the flight, the for operators to move toward more use of evidence has disappeared. It’s a great big by Ian Sheppard sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The fuel is gray area, not just a red line. So the goal becoming more widely available, with the now is to have a clear enough definition to The business aviation industry faces var- more work to explain what businesspeople price (five to six times that of Jet-A1) likely enforce.” Williams said the Isle of Man is ious threats to growth, and speakers at can achieve using business aircraft, such as to come down faster if demand is greater. “working to get a better definition of what last month’s Corporate Jet Investor 2020 “having six meetings in one day.” That the environment is high on the world ‘commercial’ and ‘private’ are.” conference in London made it clear that Ann Devilliers, an international sales agenda could also further affect the pilot Panel session moderator Dave doing the right thing on the environment director with Dassault, said she feared shortage, suggested Margetson-Rushmore, Edwards, CEO of the Air Charter Asso- and safety would not be enough in itself “business aviation will always suffer from who also suggested the industry could help ciation, has spearheaded much of the to address the industry’s negative percep- a negative perception, but we’ve probably fund those that do want to fly; alleviating the work in Europe on gray charter follow- tion. Rather, the industry must promote been lying low a little too much.” “huge financial burden” they face. “[The Euro- ing the Emilio Sala case. The soccer star its efforts on those fronts. Patrick Margetson-Rushmore, CEO of pean Business Aviation Association] is sitting and his pilot died when the Piper Mal- During panel session “Under Pressure: Luxaviation, said: “It’s going to be a hard on a lot of money. So why not put some of the ibu in which he was a passenger, crashed. Why People Are Attacking Business Avia- slog and we’re going to be knocked back reserves into [addressing the] pilot shortage. The flight was widely considered a “gray tion,” Aoife O’Sullivan of The Air Law Firm nine times out of 10. But we’ll eventually see They’re sitting on €12-15 million.” charter.” Edwards introduced NATA’s (and chairman of the British General and a sea change; we need to let people know.” Yet another threat is on the safety Ryan Waguespack, who he said had Business Aviation Association) warned, In a panel discussion on sustainable avi- side, highlighted by occasional accidents “done some amazing work with the FAA.” “There is a general perception that we’re ation, it was noted that young people are involving “gray charter” and operators Waguespack said the NATA Illegal Char- flying fat cats around, and we’re not doing turning their backs on aviation because they for whom it is not clear whether they ter Task Force was successful by focus- enough to address that.” She suggested perceive it as environmentally unfriendly, meet the requirements for commercial ing on education campaigns—working operation. In the CJI London safety ses- against the tide. “We’ve seen the space sion, a line-up of regulators from various being commercialized.” places in the world addressed illegal char- Renz said work is going on, but at the ter. Simon Williams, Isle of Man director moment EBAA and EASA “are not able of civil aviation, said, “It is an issue, but to offer a clear definition [of “non-com- identifying the scale is a challenge.” mercial”]. He suggested that “We need Richard Smith, DCA of the Cayman [legislation requiring] non-commer- Islands, said “Getting evidence is very cial operators to show a passenger is difficult” and hence the low number of a non-commercial one. It’s up to the prosecutions. authority to make this change.” n

SyberJet expects to begin deliveries of Wisk’s Cora eVTOL aircraft has been selected by the New Zealand government to test passenger-carrying air taxi services. SJ30i SyberVision early next year

SyberJet Aircraft is progressing toward located at the San Antonio International Air- amended type certification (TC) for the port (SAT). Collected test data will be used by Wisk’s Cora eVTOL OK’d for SJ30i SyberVision with the successful Honeywell to develop the initial gain settings completion of aircraft control identification that will be used as the basis for autopilot tests (ACID) in support of the development tuning later this spring. New Zealand flight trials of a new autopilot for the light twinjet, it An all-new avionics suite for the SJ30i announced on January 27. Additionally, is powered by Honeywell’s Epic 2.0 and by Charles Alcock the manufacturer continues to check off integrated with a new electric pitch-trim other avionics functional tests that are actuator developed by Electromech The New Zealand government and Wisk last Integration Trial to demonstrate how required for the SJ30i’s certification. Technologies in Wichita. Integration of month signed a memorandum of under- unmanned aircraft can be safely operated Honeywell and SyberJet are jointly devel- the two systems is going well, according standing for the Cora electric vertical take- in unmanned airspace and it has selected oping the new autopilot under flight testing to SyberJet. Following amended TC the off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to conduct Wisk as the first industry partner for this by the two companies at SyberJet’s Engi- company expects to begin deliveries in passenger-carrying trial flights in the city of program. The program is being managed by neering and Product Development Center early 2021 J.S. Canterbury. Wisk, a joint venture between the country’s Ministry of Business, Innova- Boeing and Kitty Hawk, has been testing the tion, and Employment in conjunction with all-electric aircraft in New Zealand since the CAA and the Ministry of Transport. 2017 and has logged more than 1,000 flights. “Enabling the emergence of an entirely Officials have not yet said when the first electric air taxi service is a natural fit with passenger-carrying flights will be made or New Zealand’s zero carbon goal by 2050,” how passengers will be chosen. However, it said research, science, and innovation is contingent on the Cora completing type minister Megan Wood. certification by the New Zealand Civil Avia- Cora is expected to fly on routes up tion Authority (CAA). to around 60 miles and at speeds of Wisk New Zealand is working with the approximately 112 mph. It can carry two country’s Ngai Tahu Maori tribe as part passengers. n of a wider community engagement pro- cess. The company also is partnered with This story comes from FutureFlight.aero flag-carrier Air New Zealand. resource developed by AIN to provide SyberJet Aircraft’s SJ30i features a new Honeywell Epic 2.0 avionics suite with a new objective, independent coverage of new In October 2019, the New Zealand aviation technology, including electric electric pitch-trim actuator developed by Electromech Technologies. government announced an Airspace aircraft developments.

20 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com NBAA scraps ABACE 2020 amid coronavirus concerns by Curt Epstein

Amid mounting concerns about the major business aviation OEMs such as spread of the coronavirus in China and Gulfstream, Bombardier, Textron Avia- Asia in general, NBAA has decided to pull tion, and Leonardo canceled their appear- the plug on this year’s Asian Business Avi- ances at the last minute. “We chose to ation Convention & Exhibition (ABACE). announce this decision at this point,”

The show was scheduled to take place at said Chris Strong, NBAA’s senior vice INTOSH Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport from April president for conventions and member-

21 through 23. ship, “because we’re aware of important M c DAVID “While the Chinese government is upcoming deadlines that our exhibitors Early last month, NBAA canceled the ABACE event it co-hosts, scheduled for next month, due taking commendable steps to address would need to address, for example, ship- to concerns about the coronavirus. Some experts expect the virus to peak in April. the coronavirus outbreak, the current ments of exhibit materials, visa applica- situation has presented a very challeng- tions, flights, etc. We were hoping to help critical role in promoting business avia- ABACE participants, including our ing environment for decision-making them avoid unnecessary expenditures in tion in China, across Asia, and around the exhibitors, attendees, policy leaders, and action for ABACE participants to this uncertain environment.” world,” Bolen stated. and others,” Bolen told AIN. “We will fully prepare for the event,” said NBAA Since its launch in 2012, ABACE, which In 2014, NBAA signed a memorandum turn our attention to any longer-term president and CEO Ed Bolen. “This is conducted in partnership with the of agreement with the Shanghai Airport considerations at a later date, given the necessary step is being taken in the Shanghai Airport Authority and hosted Authority, which extended the original need to ensure this very serious and spirit of partnership, collaboration, and by NBAA and the Asian Business Avia- five-year arrangement to situate the show immediate situation remains our pri- transparency.” tion Association (AsBAA), has become the at Hongqiao by another five years. That mary concern for the moment.” n In early February when NBAA region’s premier business aviation event, would pin it there through 2021, but it is announced its call to cancel the show, typically attracting more than 9,000 unclear if the cancellation of this year’s uncertainty was swirling among exhib- attendees from 50 countries. Next year’s event would extend that agreement itors and attendees alike, especially edition is scheduled for April 13-15. through 2022. YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS with the concerns revolving around the “We will focus on making ABACE 2021 “Right now, our primary focus is on www.ainonline.com Singapore Airshow at the time, where the best edition yet, and continuing its the health, safety, and security of all

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ainonline.com \ March 2020 \ Aviation International News 21 Bring Your Aircraft’s Performance to EPIC Proportions Heli-Expo with Raisbeck’s EPIC Performance Package for the 200 Series Aero Asset trend report: preowned market improves by Curt Epstein

The global twin-engine helicopter market conditions saw improvement last year with a tightening of the preowned inven- tory, but overall sales throughout the preowned helicopter market were down, according to Toronto-based Aero Asset. Emmanuel In its annual Preowned Helicopter Market Dupuy, Aero Trends report released in late January at Asset sales Heli-Expo 2020, the company said over- director all preowned sales of $444 million in 2019 had declined 5 percent from the previous year, while the estimated value of available last year, while preowned supply at the Get the ultimate in performance with Raisbeck’s EPIC Performance Package preowned helicopters declined by 18 per- top end of the range has fallen signifi- for your 200 series King Air. Certified as a package, Raisbeck’s Swept Blade cent, to $1.14 billion, year-over-year. cantly, according to the company. Propellers, Ram Air Recovery System, Enhanced Performance Leading Edges, “Clearly, the most active market during The number of heavy twins available Dual Aft Body Strakes and High Flotation Gear Doors will transform your 2019 was the Airbus H145, which at the end rose slightly year-over-year, but retail King Air with shorter takeoff and landing distances, higher climb rates, and of fourth-quarter 2019 had seven months sales volume increased 300 percent over increased cruise speeds and range...delivering a new level of efficiency and performance. of supply available for sale at 2019 trade the same period. Supply (at 2019 trade levels,” said Valerie Pereira, the company’s levels) dropped substantially by the end Contact your Raisbeck Authorized Dealer research director. “The market that saw of the year to 21 months, illustrating the to learn more. the biggest improvement in liquidity last categories’ continuing improvement. n raisbeck.com | 206.723.2000 year was the H225, with a drop in absorp- tion rate of three years, six months, to an 18-month supply at 2019 trade levels.” Over the past year, mean trading val- ues for the Airbus H135 and H155 mod- G700 mockup els rose, while pricing in other markets declined, with the Bell 412EP losing the goes on tour most ground as it tallied a mean $2.2 mil- lion loss in trading value. Less than four months after taking the Overall, the light-twin inventory fell wraps off plans for its new flagship by 20 percent, driven by EMS operator ultra-long-range aircraft, the G700, demand for H135s and H145s equipped Gulfstream Aerospace launched a with Thales Meghas avionics and for tour of the aircraft mockup last month. IFR. While sales volume in the segment During NBAA-BACE 2019, Gulfstream saw a slight decline, market conditions unveiled the mockup, showcasing a improved with supply (at 2019 trade five-living-area configuration for the level) dropping 40 percent since 2018. company’s new flagship. Emmanuel Dupuy, sales director of The mockup headed to Monterey, Aero Asset, said the most liquid twin-en- California, before embarking on stops gine helicopter in the pre-owned market in Palm Beach, Florida; Savannah, was the EC145C2. “VIP helicopters are 85 Georgia; Switzerland; France; and the percent of the supply, yet only 20 percent UK. “We have been excited to show of the sales represent VIP. It is predomi- customers this amazing aircraft,” said nantly the C2s that dominate this market. Gulfstream president Mark Burns. The H145T2 market had only a couple of “The combination of technology and trades last year. And the EMS operators cabin innovation raises the bar for the were driving this market with almost 60 business-jet industry.” percent of the sales.” Powered by Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 “The [A109] Power market was the sec- engines, the $75 million twinjet will ond most active in 2019,” Dupuy contin- have an NBAA IFR range of at least ued. “It is quite a consistent market year 7,500 nm; adopt the G500/600 Sym- over year. What we see is a very gradual metry flight deck, including active-con- decline in pricing year over year and to the trol sidesticks; and sport 20 large, point where, over the last couple of quar- G650-size windows. First flight of the ters, I think pricing got to a stage where G700 is expected by June, with ser- single-engine owners really were confident vice entry to follow in 2022. to jump into an IFR twin. We saw 22 retail Gulfstream announced the aircraft trades in 2019, and in January 2020 only 30 in October with launch orders in hand, units are available for sale.” including from Qatar Executive and For the medium-helicopter segment, . K.L. both supply and sales volume fell slightly

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ajw-group.com by U.S. cybersecurity consultants, U.S. non-emergency operations will remain DJI blasts order to ground federal agencies including the Depart- grounded while the Department of the ment of Interior and the Department of Interior reviews the possibility of threats Homeland Security, which proves today’s and ensures a secure, reliable and consis- Chinese-made drones decision has nothing to do with security.” tent drone policy that advances our mis- On January 29, U.S. Secretary of the sion while keeping America safe.” by Mark Huber Interior David Bernhardt signed Secre- The issue of drone security was first tary’s Order 3379 ordering the department widely raised after an unclassified U.S. In a scathing response issued January 29, assurance they need to confidently eval- to cease all non-emergency unmanned Department of Homeland Security memo China’s DJI, the world’s leader in pro- uate drone technology on the merits of aircraft operations pending the results from August 2017 was widely released that ducing civilian drones, blasted the U.S. performance, security, and reliability, no of additional cybersecurity review. The alleged that DJI was “providing U.S. criti- Department of Interior’s (DOI) recent matter where it is made.” DJI called DOI’s department issued a formal statement cal infrastructure and law enforcement decision to ground all Chinese-made decision to ground its Chinese-made with the order saying, “After an ongo- data to the Chinese government…(and) is drones in its fleet as “politically-moti- drone fleet baseless, and said it makes ing review of Interior’s drone program, selectively targeting government and pri- vated country of origin restrictions mas- “the industry’s most safe, secure, and Secretary Bernhardt issued a Secretary’s vate-owned entities within these sectors to querading as cybersecurity concerns.” trusted drone platforms for commercial Order today, affirming the temporary ces- expand its ability to collect and exploit sen- The company called upon policymakers operators. The security of our products sation of non-emergency drones while sitive data.” DHS also alleged that DJI was and industry stakeholders “to create designed specifically for the DOI and we ensure that cybersecurity, technol- leveraging its lower manufacturing costs clear standards that will give commer- other U.S. government agencies have ogy, and domestic production concerns “combined with illegal dumping tactics” to cial and government drone operators the been independently tested and validated are adequately addressed. Drone use for give it monopoly power in the U.S. “As a result, U.S. companies have fewer options and are more likely to purchase DJI UAS.” DJI has consistently denied that data transition from BARR and is key to pre- from its drones could be used for espio- Cost-cutting and privacy venting real-time transmission of ADS-B nage. To quell related concerns, in July data.” LADD stands for Limiting Aircraft 2019, the company released its “Govern- Data Displayed, and aircraft already par- ment Edition” drone technology, built on the focus of NBAA forums ticipating in the BARR program should be architecture the company says ensures transitioning to LADD, according to Wil- that drone data—including photos and by Amy Laboda liams and Carr. videos captured during flight—never Getting on the LADD list entails navi- leave the drone and therefore can never NBAA’s first regional conference of the gating to https://ladd.faa.gov or emailing be shared with unauthorized parties, year, held January 29 at Atlantic Avia- [email protected]. It is also not the only hoop including DJI. “DJI Government Edition tion at West Palm Beach International you have to jump through to provide your allows government agencies to serve the airport focused hard on corporate pri- aircraft with total anonymity when it flies public more efficiently and effectively vacy and efficacy. Bookending sessions with ADS-B Out. using the industry’s most widely adopted on taxes and aircraft purchase financ- Michael “The second feature that’s come online drone technology, while maintaining ing were two educational sessions McConnell, in 2020 is called the privacy ICAO address total control over their data,” said Mario that helped attendees sort out how to founder of Aero program, PIA,” said Carr. “This pro- Rebello, DJI’s vice president and regional continue flying anonymously with the Data Science gram is in direct response to third-party manager of North America. n sunset of FAA’s BARR (block aircraft non-government networks of ADS-B registry request) program and how to tracking capability that have really made combat increased aircraft insurance flying anonymously in the ADS-B world premiums through FOQA (flight opera- FOQA is what the extremely difficult,” he continued. NEWS note tional quality assurance). great majority of PIA decouples the FAA registry that The FAA is seeking public comment on Michael McConnell, founder of Aero lists your transponder’s six-digit hexa- a proposal to certify drone delivery UAS Data Science, put it simply: insurance airlines use to collect decimal code from your public aircraft as a “special class” of aircraft under FAR companies have consolidated, again, flight ops data.” registration number. The program allows 21.17(b). The agency said this did not and the result is that owner-operated operators to substitute that assigned preclude type certifying these aircraft business aircraft are about to get hit reduction in these operators’ insurance ICAO code with a temporary code, which under FAR 21.17(a) “when appropriate.” with double-digit insurance premium premium going forward,” he said. will not be published on the FAA website It will also “announce and seek public increases. Why pick on owner-operated He encouraged attendees to fight back or anywhere else online. comment on the particularized airwor- business aircraft? This group doesn’t against rising insurance premiums with “This code will be useable as much as thiness criteria for each applicant as cer- typically collect and analyze its own data and at the same time use the oper- you like…but only over the continental tification standards for this new special flight safety data. ations data to tweak the safety of their U.S., for now,” said Carr. “We are working class evolve” and will “issue rulemaking “FOQA is what the great majority of flights through non-punitive education on international operability and getting or publish standards as guidance in an airlines use to collect flight ops data,” for pilots. Eurocontrol onboard.” Requesting to par- advisory circular” once generally-appli- said McConnell. “And it is mandated ticipate in PIA starts at faa.gov/nextgen/ cable standards are identified. outside of the United States.” FOQA is ADS-B Privacy Concerns equipadsb/privacy/. According to the FAA, this policy is con- a data-collecting system that shows how Heidi Williams, NBAA’s director of air Carr also mentioned that reprogram- sistent with its handling of certification of aircraft are flown throughout a range of traffic services and infrastructure, and ming the ICAO code is a maintenance other special classes of aircraft including normal, everyday operations. The data Doug Carr, vice president of regulatory procedure. “Some avionics make it a sim- gliders, airships, and very light airplanes. collecting can be handled with hard- and international affairs, tag-teamed in ple matter to reprogram, but there are a The FAA said the special class desig- ware, such as the diminutive MiniQAR a session focusing on the procedures few systems that require more time for nation for UAS is appropriate as these MkIII produced by Avionica, or soft- flight departments must now perform the procedure,” he cautioned. aircraft contain “the very unique, novel, ware-driven, calculated from recordings for true anonymous flight through the Finally, several network providers are and/or unusual features the special class processed by CloudAhoy or ADS-B track- U.S. ADS-B system. offering third-party call signs for flight category was designed to accommodate” ing products from Fltplan.com, Fore- “We have a number of private compa- departments, which complete the trian- such as launch and recovery systems and Flight, or Flightaware, for example. nies that have evolved around the rise gle of masking an aircraft’s identity in unique “configurations and applications McConnell explained to the group of ADS-B [and] will transmit your data the ADS-B system. Adding a third-party of , powerplants, fuels, and how he had appealed to underwriters through their own network and make it call sign makes sure that even if your materials are possible and can result in in London with aggregated anonymous public while you are flying,” explained flight ID is not blocked by LADD, it is flight characteristics different from those data from a group of business jet oper- Williams. “That’s a glitch in the pri- still a challenge for an eavesdropper to of conventional aircraft.” T ators. “I was able to secure a 38 percent vacy system called BARR. LADD is the track the actual aircraft. n

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Powering your flight with more than just fuel. Learn more at avfuel.com. retirement age (for airline oper- Industry takes steps to ease pilot shortage ations) of 65—apparently flying corporate and other aircraft—and by Kim Rosenlof 7,500 reside outside the U.S. More than 45,000 ATP holders will reach As the long-feared pilot shortage begins to bonuses, higher salaries, generous per diem As of Dec. 31, 2018, 633,317 active pilots mandatory retirement age by 2029. rise like the crest of a tidal wave, the major and profit-sharing plans, and other benefit held FAA certificates, including 162,145 with If it were only about the num- airlines are plucking pilots out of other packages, airlines are desperate to fill pilot airline transport pilot (ATP) certificates. bers, the pilot shortage would be industries, including cargo and helicopter seats vacated by retirees and on new routes Of the active pilots holding ATPs, approxi- non-existent; the FAA issues an operations, to fill vacancies. Offering signing added to meet expanding passenger demand. mately 21,000 are over the ICAO mandatory average of 6,000 ATP certificates per year, more than enough to cover the approximately 4,500 retirees. Of course, it’s not that simple, as the experience gap between type- rated veterans and new ATP hold- ers fresh out of flight school is not It’s What’s a one-for-one match. Hence the poaching out of regionals and other industries such as the helicopter market, where pilots have turbine InsIde that time and some experience flying in the National Airspace System. But worse, as demand for air travel Counts. increases, the demand for pilots is also increasing. Worldwide, there are currently an estimated 305,000 Cabin refurbishments and technology active airline pilots. The 2019 Boeing upgrades that personalize an aircraft. Pilot & Technician Outlook projects that 804,000 new civil aviation pilots, and 769,000 new maintenance tech- nicians will be needed to fly and maintain the worldwide commercial, business, and civil helicopter fleet over the next 20 years. This equates to approximately 40,000 new pilots and technicians needing to join the airline workforce every year.

Rotor and Regional For the helicopter industry, the numbers are more dire. Boeing pre- dicts 61,000 new helicopter pilots and 44,000 new technicians will be needed through 2038, or 3,000 pilots and 2,200 technicians each year for the next 20 years. In 2018, the FAA issued 2,367 new rotor- craft pilot certificates and 6,710 mechanic certificates (no distinc- tion between rotorcraft and fixed- wing mechanics). HAI, along with the University of North Dakota and Helicopter Foundation International, in 2018 released a study finding that the helicopter industry faced a short- age of 7,600 pilots and as many as CHECK OUT OUR LATEST INTERIOR WORKSCOPES! 40,600 mechanics over the next 18 years. This confirmed fears of PENTASTARAVIATION.COM/AIRCRAFT-INTERIORS such shortfalls, especially as expe- rienced rotary-wing pilots take up lucrative offers for commercial PentastarAviation.com | [email protected] fixed-wing positions. Regional airlines started feeling 248-866-8982 | the pinch of the majors increasingly poaching their pilots as early as four Design & Engineering | Custom Cabinetry | Custom Upholstery years ago, when Indianapolis-based Custom/Tailored Carpets | Cabin Management Systems | LED Lighting Republic Airways filed for bank- ruptcy in 2016 despite profitability, Cabin Entertainment Systems/Connectivity Solutions | Sound Deadening & Insulation citing the pilot shortage as one of the key reasons for reorganizing. ©2020 Restructured and emerging from bankruptcy in 2017, Republic launched several pilot-recruitment

26 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com initiatives, including paying stu- 10.8 percent of graduating pilots, with the rest The emerging urban air mobility (UAM) cockpit or from a remote control center. dent ambassadors to promote of the schools on the list, including University market might also become a factor in the pilot “I think there will be a time when each their airline at aviation colleges, of North Dakota, Purdue, and Southern Illinois, shortage as Uber Air plans to begin flights in (UAM) will have a pilot behind it,” said subsidizing some training costs each accounting for less than one percent. 2023, about the same time airline pilot retire- Ingram. “If you have another 10,000 to for qualified students, and estab- “The majority of pilots entering the work- ments reach their highest point. Michael 30,000 of these vehicles flying around that lishing its own LIFT Academy force are coming from what I call ‘factory’ Ingram, v-p of cockpit systems for Honey- need pilots, then that’s going to add com- with guaranteed jobs for gradu- flight schools like mine,” said Robert Werd- well Aerospace, told AIN that until the public plexity to the pilot shortage.” ates. Hiring approximately 600 erich, owner of Illinois Aviation Academy in becomes comfortable with UAM vehicles being According to the FAA, in December 2018 pilots per year and expecting to DuPage, Illinois. “And all of my students have fully autonomous, pilots will be needed to ful- there were already 106,321 FAA-certified double that figure by 2029, in 2018 jobs waiting for them.” fill UAM piloting roles either from a simplified remote pilots, a category started in 2016. n Republic raised its pilot pay from $40 to $45 per hour for starting flight officers, nearly double the starting rate of $22.95 per hour paid by the airline through 2015. Tactics like these are attracting young adults to the airline indus- try. FAA student pilot certificates issued annually dropped from approximately 70,000 in 2007 to just 36,700 in 2016 but rose to more than 45,300 in 2018.

Priming the Pump “Student pilot certificates are an important trend,” said Kent Love- lace of the University of North Dakota during the 2019 Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association conference. “And we’ve seen some encouraging numbers there. What’s even more important is the private pilot completion rates, where we’re up 16.8 percent, and that’s the highest number of pri- vate certificates issued by the FAA in the past 10 years.” According to FAA figures, annual commercial certificates issued has increased from about 9,000 in 2007 to just more than 10,000 in 2017. ATP certificates bounced dra- matically from just 3,000 issued in 2009 to nearly 10,000 in 2016, but otherwise hovered around 6,000 per year. “Commercial pilot certificates are up about 16 percent over the past three years,” said Lovelace. “You have to go back to 2004 to see numbers that are higher…These are all good indicators that people are starting to come back to learn how to fly airplanes.” To facilitate getting new pilots into the pipeline, some companies might be dropping requirements such as a four-year-degree. “A lot of corporate flight departments usually favor a four-year degree,” said Gulf- stream G550/450 captain Amanda Ferraro at the 2019 Aviation Insur- ance Association conference. “But with the pilot shortage as a concern, it’s an area that is being reexamined.” Currently, only 12 percent of pilots are coming from the uni- versity system, according to num- bers from a 2018 Emsi resume and profile search. The top three universities listed—Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Naval Academy—together accounted for

ainonline.com \ March 2020 \ Aviation International News 27 client events at its facility at CRQ, like a film screening at its hangar last month where clients also were able to meet and hear from the film’s producer. “It’s expe- riences we create here at the airport as well,” Herrell said. Part 135 operator Those experiential events are not Schubach Aviation unlike what Wheels Up does for its is trying to build on members, including hosting parties a growing, younger with live entertainment at major events charter client such as the Super Bowl or Art Basel in segment by hosting Miami. Those events attract younger what its president clients as does its lower-priced Con- Kimberly Herrell nect membership program. Wheels calls experiential Up’s presence on television, including events. ESPN College Gameday, or through social media—Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook—helps as well, according to Dichter. So do Wheels Up Ambassa- with them through social media channels dors, athletes such as Seattle Seahawks Charter providers shift focus such as Instagram and Facebook. “We do quarterback Russell Wilson, Houston more experiential marketing now, a little Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, tennis bit higher touch,” she said. “[We] focus professional Serena Williams, and pro- to a younger demographic more online, connecting through social fessional golfer Rickie Fowler. media and just looking at what do these It has also partnered with YouTube by Jerry Siebenmark clients value versus the other clients, try- personalities including Casey Neistat, ing to connect with them on that level.” Roman Atwood, and Jake Paul. All of In the past five years, San Diego area Part social media as well as through client-spe- The Elevated Excursions are part of them are “influencers” through social 135 operator Schubach Aviation has seen cific activities it calls Elevated Excursions. Schubach’s heightened experiential mar- media for Wheels Up and they aid in the average age of its charter clients move “I think the marketing follows the new cli- keting effort. These excursions include gaining the attention of a younger cli- lower, from 62 in 2015 to 56 at the end ents,” Herrell said. a variety of events such as organizing a ent base, according to Dichter. “We’re of 2019. “When we really looked at the While the increase can be partly group charter for clients to fly them to Las looking to market and expose private information, we realized we added more attributed to the company’s online pres- Vegas for a day of shopping at the upscale aviation to folks when they are in their new clients under the age of 40, which ence and its reputation locally, the Ele- Shops at Crystals or spending a day driv- 20s, 30s, and 40s,” he said. “We want prompted us to take a look at the num- vated Excursions are likely contributing ing Lamborghinis on the autocross tracks them exposed to what private aviation bers and look at our average age. And sure to the attraction from a younger client at the members-only Thermal Club in can do for them. So Wheels Up is going enough, every year it was slowly going base, as it ramped up efforts to connect Southern California. Schubach also hosts after that story in a big way.” n down,” Schubach president and owner Kimberly Herrell told AIN. This younger clientele wasn’t simply replacing a base of older charter cus- tomers, Herrell added. “I wouldn’t say Tamarack marks 100th active winglet installation that older clientele are dropping off by any sense,” she explained. “It’s just that Tamarack Aerospace Group marked a mile- primarily for performance improvements filing. Those ADs were resolved a month later more younger travelers are joining the stone last month with the 100th installation on the airplane that allowed us to expand following a factual review by the FAA, EASA, demographic.” of its Atlas active winglets on a Cessna our business capabilities throughout the NTSB, and the UK’s Air Accidents Investiga- It’s not exactly clear to Herrell why her CitationJet at the company’s Sandpoint, West Coast,” said McKoane, president tion Branch (AAIB). Tamarack said it was a 29-year-old charter and aircraft manage- Idaho headquarters. Company president and CEO of Clawson Honda and Clawson false incident report last year that led to the ment firm based at McClellan-Palomar Jacob Klinginsmith hailed the milestone as Motorsports in Fresno. “We’re also looking grounding of Atlas-equipped Citations. Airport (CRQ) in Carlsbad, California, is a demonstration of the company’s growth forward to the increase in safety, because if Tamarack Aerospace Group announced seeing an increase in younger charter cli- and leadership in winglet technology and you fly into high-altitude airports in the sum- in January that its plan to pay back all ents. It could be that there is a growing aviation sustainability. mertime, the winglets are going to improve debtors as it emerges from reorganiza- group of younger people choosing to fly California National Guard pilot and busi- our safety margin substantially.” tion bankruptcy was approved by the U.S. privately because they are wealthier. A ness owner Larry McKoane, owner of the EASA and FAA airworthiness directives Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District Spectrem Group survey noted that, since CitationJet, took delivery of the airplane fol- last June grounded the fleet of 91 Atlas- of Washington. With the Chapter 11 disclo- 2014, the average age of U.S. investors lowing a 100th installation ceremony. “The equipped Citation CJ1s, CJ2s, and CJ3s, sure statement approved, Tamarack said it with $25 million or more has dropped by reason we chose Tamarack winglets was leading to Tamarack’s bankruptcy protection expects to emerge from bankruptcy early in 11 years to 47. “It kind of naturally follows, the second quarter. I think,” Herrell said. When the emergency ADs were The trend of younger charter clients is rescinded by EASA following the determina- also something the founder of one of the tion that the incident report was false, Tam- country’s biggest charter and private avia- arack founder and CEO Nicholas Guida said, tion membership companies has noted of “I offer my sincere thanks to our loyal and late. Wheels Up CEO Kenny Dichter told supportive customers. They have been our AIN, “We’ve definitely seen an increased staunchest advocates despite the inconve- interest, and we’ve seen that translate nience and hardship of having the use of into business as it relates to a younger their aircraft restricted.” group of people chartering or joining the “[The] court approval and our continued Wheels Up membership.” sales of active winglets is a testament to the financial health of Tamarack, the Reaching the Younger Market robustness of our product, and our com- Whatever is driving the increase in Tamarack Aerospace Group recently celebrated the 100th installation of its active mitment to our customers, vendors, and younger fliers, Schubach is trying to cap- winglet system on this Cessna CitationJet. investors,” said Klinginsmith. J.S. italize on this trend primarily through

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As of mid-February, around 70 airlines had between 39 and 41 percent. This equates to cancelled all international flights to and from a potential loss of between $4 billion and $5 mainland China, according to data released billion in gross airline operating revenues. by the International Civil Aviation Organiza- ICAO sees a steep decline in tourism tion (ICAO) as part of a preliminary forecast by Chinese travelers during the first three on the expected economic impact of the months of 2020. It estimates that Japan coronavirus outbreak. In a statement, the could lose $1.29 billion in tourism revenues agency said that it expects the airline indus- during the period and Thailand $1.15 billion. try to take a bigger hit from this outbreak The agency said that coronavirus is than it did from the SARS epidemic in 2003. already having a greater impact than SARS ICAO reported that a further 50 airlines because of overall higher airline traffic vol- had cut back on services connected to flights umes and more widespread flight cancel- to and from China. This resulted in an 80 per- lations at a time of normally high seasonal cent cut in foreign airline capacity and a 40 load factors. China’s international airline percent reduction by Chinese carriers. traffic has doubled since 2003 and its Before the outbreak, which prompted domestic traffic is five times larger. The Draganfly Commander is one of the drones that can be used to scan large groups of widespread travel bans, ICAO said that The mid-February estimates did not people for contagious viruses. during the first quarter, airlines had planned take account of the coronavirus out- to increase capacity on international routes break’s impact on the air freight sector for out of China by 9 percent compared with the cargo-only aircraft or on airports and air same period in 2019. Preliminary estimates navigation service providers. The figures Drones could soon be used now suggest that the first quarter of this year also did not include international traffic will, instead, result in an overall reduction of to Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan. C.A. to screen for disease signs stressful to a population. Putting a drone sampling also can provide the critical data by Mark Huber in the air allows you to monitor crowds medical decision-makers need when decid- and know exactly what, and sometimes ing where and how to deploy resources in Drone services company Draganfly is The advantage of using drones for a where, a population has been exposed,” an emergency such as the coronavirus evaluating a sensor package and artificial public health application is the much he said. In the aggregate, Chell said that a outbreak, Chell said. The system can use intelligence software that could be used to larger area they can cover and the single drone overflying a crowd can collect Draganfly’s software in the cloud and also screen large-area crowds for symptoms of increased number of individuals who an “enormous” amount of data over a very could interface with the end-user’s soft- dangerous contagions such as the corona- can be sampled in a small block of time, short period of time. “In 10 minutes you can ware. The nuts and bolts of that arrange- virus. The company already has received a as opposed to using stationary sensors. identify so many datasets,” he said. Chell ment are comparatively less important “serious inquiry” from a potential, uniden- Drones can also be more cost-effective. said a typical public health sensor package than providing the data as expeditiously as tified customer for this service package, “In many places, you don’t have the lux- could be fitted as an add-on to existing pub- possible, Chell said. When it comes to the according to CEO Cameron Chell. ury of putting in a hard [sensor] installation, lic safety drones and integrated into current most accurate data on contagions like the Chell told AIN that the sensors would putting up walls, or erecting checkpoints. public safety unmanned flight programs. coronavirus, health care institutions and be effective at ranges up to 100 feet, fly- Those things are incredibly invasive and Using drones for population health policymakers “just want the result.” n ing drones indoors or outdoors at large venues including large sports stadiums, ports of entry, and refugee camps. Such a sensor package would include technol- ogy including infrared, doppler radar, and Vision Jet fire mystery solved high-resolution cameras to feed imagery to software that would be able to discern by Matt Thurber stress recognition, fevers, watery eyes, and muscle movement indicative of high When a first-generation Cirrus SF50 Vision and have a mechanic examine the airplane.” located in the cabin. These cards provide blood pressure and present an initial anal- Jet caught on fire while parked at Santa The pilot shut the engine down and the audio and microphone functions to the ysis within 15-20 seconds of overflight. Monica Airport in Southern California on opened the cabin door. He saw smoke com- 1/8” (3.5mm) jacks located next to the pas- To be optimally effective, the lag December 27, 2019, it didn’t take long for ing from the armrest near the right-cen- senger USB ports in the cabin; note these between overflight and data analysis photos and videos of the burning airplane ter passenger seat. Although a mechanic are not the audio/mic jacks for your avia- would need to be cut to five seconds, to appear on social media. Speculation came with a fire extinguisher, dense smoke tion headset. This root cause issue will be Chell acknowledged, calling that “not a about the cause of the fire spread rapidly poured from the cabin door followed min- resolved by removing the 12 circuit cards huge technical problem.” He said that, but Cirrus cleared up the questions around utes later by flames, “and by 11:55 the cabin in the aircraft. We have issued Mandatory while facial recognition software could be the accident with a service bulletin issued was completely engulfed,” according to Service Bulletin SBA5X-23-03 to resolve this added to the data package, the purpose of on February 7. The FAA followed with an the NTSB. “The fire department arrived at issue and it affects every SF50 in operation.” the flights would be to identify the perva- emergency airworthiness directive (AD 12:02, and the fire was extinguished.” According to Cirrus, within seven days siveness of likely infection within a given 2020-03-50) on February 14, which calls for While the Vision Jet remained standing of issuing the customer communica- population, as opposed to isolated spe- compliance with Cirrus SBA5X-23-03. on its , the cabin was destroyed tion and service bulletin, Cirrus’s Assist cific individuals. Suitable hardware plat- The Vision Jet was substantially dam- and the right wing root’s upper skin suf- mobile teams and factory and authorized forms include Draganfly’s Commander aged in the fire, but no one was injured. fered thermal damage. Damage extended service centers had brought 97 percent quadrotor or popular commercial, off- According to the National Transporta- forward from the CAPS parachute enclo- of the more than 170 Vision Jets in the the-shelf models including the DJI M600. tion Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary sure aft to the engine inlet, but the engine field into compliance with the service bul- Indoor flights could be accomplished with report, the pilot noticed “haze in the and empennage were not damaged. letin and emergency AD. Cirrus plans to ducted fan aircraft to allay safety con- cabin accompanied by a faint smell of In a notice sent to customers on Febru- release a new service bulletin to reinstate cerns. “These are a bit bigger than your smoke” after entering the cabin and clos- ary 7, Cirrus explained that the root cause of the functionality of the inflight entertain- typical hobbyist drone, but they can still ing the door. “He continued to follow the the fire was “a potential malfunction of the ment system and USB ports this week. be small enough to fit inside a backpack,” checklists and after starting the engine, audio interface circuit card, which can result Eventually, a new headset amplifier and Chell said, stressing that the technology the smoke smell became stronger, and he in excessive heat generation. There are 12 microphone interface circuit card for the is relatively easy to deploy. decided to terminate flight preparations, of these cards on the SF50, all of which are 3.5mm jacks will be made available. n

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Falcon | Citation | Gulfstream | Learjet | Hawker | Challenger | Global Express | Embraer | King Air | Conquest | Piaggio visitors coming on their own accord. spectator events, and organizers encour- Singapore Airshow planners That’s how we see [the airshow’s] value.” aged attendees to avoid contact, including At the same time, Leck acknowledged handshakes. Leck recommended, instead, the responsibility to ensure precautions waves or bows. salvage a scaled-back event were taken, including enhanced cleaning Leck said the number of exhibitors and refuse management, plans for hand withdrawing represented less than 8 per- by Kerry Lynch sanitizers for attendees, deployment of a cent of the total pool. This included, how- team of doctors and medics to attend to ever, key companies such as Lockheed Acknowledging the challenges Singapore trying, but we need to balance. Life must visitors who were feeling unwell, and man- Martin, Textron Aviation, Gulfstream, Airshow 2020 faced in light of the corona- go on,” Leck said. “We see participants, datory temperature screenings at access. Bombardier, Honeywell, and Collins virus outbreak, organizers prepared for the we see exhibitors, [and] we see trade In addition, seat tagging was instituted at Aerospace. As a result, as many as 10-15 opening with about 70 fewer exhibitors, sig- aircraft that were to have been on public nificantly scaled-down plans for availability display did not come to the show. to the public days, and a number of health In addition, the entire Chinese exhibi- precautions in place. But even so, show tor contingent—representing as many as a organizer Experia Events still anticipated dozen companies—was absent. However, the event to draw more than 930 participat- the Chinese flight display team, the People’s ing exhibitors from more than 45 countries Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Ba Yi, and as many as 45,000 trade visitors. was among the five in this year’s lineup. Underscoring the importance of the Leck stressed the extraordinary mea- airshow to the region, Leck Chet Lam, sures that the team had already been managing director of Experia Events, said taking before they flew to Singapore, the decision to move forward was taken in including regular health screening. “They concert with “very close guidance” of top have taken all necessary precautionary health officials as Singapore remained at measures,” he said. an elevated Disease Outbreak Response The Chinese team joined demonstra- System Condition (DORSCON) Orange tions of the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Joint level. And NBAA has canceled the ABACE Strike Fighter, the U.S. ’ event in Shanghai, scheduled for April (see F-22 Raptor, Republic of Singapore Air story page 21). Force’s aerial display team of an F-15SG “We see it very important that…we fighter jet and two AH-64D attack helicop- make this platform still available for the Singapore Airshow organizers implemented a number of precautions to allay concerns about ters, and a flyover by the U.S. Air Force’s business community. The situation is the coronavirus, though NBAA has canceled the ABACE show in April (see story on page 21). B-52 Stratofortress. n

continued from page 1w million and its Q400 program to Viking Anticipated to close in the first half of targeted $2.5 billion in pro forma net debt. Air for $300 million. These sales followed 2021, the sale of Transportation must still Meanwhile, the sale would represent a Bombardier puts all announcements earlier last year to sell its receive final shareholder blessing and regu- 12-times adjusted EBIT multiple based aerostructures business in Belfast and the latory approvals. Key to the proposal is that on a three-year average from 2016-2018. chips on bizav unit CRJ program. it will generate much-needed cash. The What’s left would be a business air- More recently, though, rumors had agreement is estimated to generate net pro- craft manufacturer that employs 18,000, efforts through the sale of Transporta- circulated that Bombardier was in talks ceeds of between $4.2 billion to $4.5 billion, currently has a $14.4 billion backlog, tion in a deal valued at $8.2 billion. about the potential sale of its Business including $550 million in Alstom shares. and an installed base of business jets of Alain Bellemare, president and CEO of Aircraft unit to Textron, something nei- Ultimately, the cumulative sales will 4,800 aircraft. Bombardier, which antic- Bombardier Inc., called the proposed sale ther company publicly confirmed. leave Bombardier with between $6.5 bil- ipates delivering at least 160 aircraft in of Transportation a “transformational deal” When asked yesterday if Bombardier lion and $7 billion cash on hand, which 2020—including a ramp-up of its flag- that would conclude its turnaround efforts. would still consider an offer for that busi- Bellemare said would put the long-debt- ship Global 7500—expressed optimism “Today marks an exciting new chapter ness, Bellemare responded “no” and said, burdened company “on a brand-new foot- that business jet deliveries are expected for Bombardier,” Bellemare said. “Going “We’ve completed the turnaround…We ing to address its $9.3 billion of debt.” The to grow significantly, driven by the forward, we will focus all our capital, really like our business aviation business.” end result, Bombardier said, would be a large-cabin segment. n energy, and resources on accelerating growth and driving margin expansion in our market-leading $7.0 billion business aircraft franchise. With a stronger bal- ance sheet after the completion of this Textron/Bombardier: what might have been consolidation has always been a possibil- transaction, an industry-leading port- ity,” Kahyaoglu wrote. Compare that with folio of products, a strong backlog, and When analysts digested a February 4 Wall already entered into agreements to sell only two OEMs for the much-larger jetliner a rapidly growing aftermarket business, Street Journal report that the parent of its regional jet and commercial turboprop market, sharing roughly 1,600 units a we will compete in this market from a Textron Aviation was in talks with Bombar- businesses. year, Vincent said. For business jet OEMs, position of strength.” dier to buy the Canadian airframer’s busi- Business aviation analyst Rolland Vin- “that’s less than half the volume and 3.5 The Transportation piece marks one of ness jet unit, no one seemed surprised. cent told AIN, “The business jet division, I times the number of players,” he added. the final businesses that Bombardier had The report came before the announce- think that’s the last thing they want to sell. It “It’s a very disaggregated market.” left to sell, outside of its Business Avia- ment of Bombardier’s exit from the commer- just seems like it’s that part of the business While analyst Brian Foley noted at the tion business; the Canadian company cial aircraft industry (see story page 8) and that has good upside potential.” time that a deal between Bombardier and had struck a number of deals to shave well before the February 17 news that Bom- One challenge that is still in play is, as Textron would make sense—other busi- off its other businesses over the past bardier had mangaed to sell its rail business Vincent and Kahyaoglu also noted, the ness jet OEMs such as Gulfstream and year as it looked to stockpile cash in the unit (page 1). business jet market could use some con- Dassault’s Falcon line have competing face of looming debt payments. Earlier After the company preannounced solidation; there are seven business air- products with the Global series—pros- last month, Bombardier revealed plans 2019 financial results, Jefferies analyst craft airframers vying for what has been pects were also tenuous. “Textron’s finan- to sell its share of the A220 airliner pro- Sheila Kahyaoglu said they were “well a finite delivery market for a number of cial performance has been stressed lately, gram to Airbus for nearly $600 million, below” its guidance. In a note to investors, years. “Given that market deliveries have and the outlook going forward isn’t look- and late last year it reached agreements to Kahyaoglu added that Bombardier had been stagnant around the 650-unit mark, ing much better,” he said. J.S. sell its training business to CAE for $645

32 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com The accident aircraft was manufac- flight review, conducted in May 2019 at Bryant’s pilot asked ATC tured in 1991, had 4,716.1 hours total time, Eurosafety International, included pro- and was equipped with a four-axis auto- ficiency training for inadvertent entry matic flight control system, electronic into IMC and unusual attitude recovery. for a climb through IMC flight instrument system, radio altimeter, He had worked for the aircraft’s opera- ADS-B transponder, and flight manage- tor, Island Express, for 10 years. by Mark Huber ment system (FMS). The NTSB retained Concurrent with the release of the the FMS, two flight-control computers, update, NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt Mere seconds before crashing, the pilot of with and mist down to the ground. A four gyros, the standby attitude indicator, said, “Our investigators have already devel- the VFR helicopter flight that killed basket- security camera in the area showed the and several personal electronic devices oped a substantial amount of evidence ball legend Kobe Bryant and seven other helicopter disappearing into clouds. An from the wreckage for further study. about the circumstances of this tragic crash. passengers the morning of January 26 had eyewitness 50 feet above the crash site Zobayan, 50, held commercial, instru- We are confident that we will be able to requested a climb to 4,000 feet through reported seeing N72EX emerge out the ment helicopter, and CFII credentials determine its cause as well as any factors instrument meteorological conditions. bottom of the clouds, descending at high and reported 8,200 hours total time, that contributed to it so we can make safety That is among the information released speed, rolling left, and banked sufficiently with 1,250 in the S-76, at his last flight recommendations to prevent accidents like on February 7 by the National Transpor- that he could see the bottom of the aircraft. physical in July 2019. His most recent this from occurring again.” n tation Safety Board (NTSB) in its accident The NTSB’s detailed report on wreckage investigation update. At the time pilot Ara condition and location paints a picture of Zobayan requested the climb from SoCal a non-survivable, high-impact crash with a approach, the 1991 Sikorsky S-76B, N72EX, post-crash fire. The impact crater, located had left a reported altitude of 1,500 feet on a 340-degree slope in the foothills of the Congressman seeks to mandate HTAWS msl and was already climbing to 2,300 msl, Santa Monica mountains, measured 24 by 15 about 1,500 agl, while entering a left turn to feet in diameter and was two feet deep. Main Less than a week after the January 26 Bryant Helicopter Safety Act,” Sherman the south and east, away from its previous and tail rotor assemblies exhibited damage crash that killed basketball star Kobe declared, “Had this [TAWS] system been route westbound over Highway 101. Eight consistent with powered impact. The initial Bryant and eight others, long-time avia- on the [accident] helicopter, it is likely the seconds after beginning the turn the air- impact point contained “highly fragmented” tion industry critic, California Congress- tragic crash could have been avoided.” craft began descending, reaching a descent cabin and cockpit debris. The entire fuse- man Brad Sherman (D-Thousand Oaks), The press release does not cite evidence rate of over 4,000 fpm and a groundspeed lage, including the cabin and both engines, introduced legislation to mandate ter- for the claim. of 160 knots. The last ADS-B target indi- was consumed in the post-crash fire. The rain awareness and warning systems Sherman’s bill would also “establish a cated an altitude of 1,200 feet msl 400 feet engines were found lying inverted near the (TAWS) on all helicopters. In a press commission on helicopter safety and require southwest of the accident location. empennage in the burned area. A prelim- release accompanying the announce- a report to Congress on best practices for Camera images in the crash site area at inary examination indicates the engines ment of the “Kobe Bryant and Gianna helicopters in cases of low visibility.” M.H. the time showed cloud tops at 2,400 feet showed no evidence of failure before impact.

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ainonline.com \ March 2020 \ Aviation International News 33 a new, right-wing government was being more than 100 mentions of new helicop- Heli-Expo installed in Brazil, leading to uncertainty ter purchases/replacements. there as well. “Each one of these also is very He noted that the high number for law dependent on oil prices, so again, this was enforcement in the 2019 forecast was an all playing into the results,” Handfield said. anomaly, whereas this year’s number of Honeywell outlook calls for With a trade deal in place between Mex- 50 mentions for new helicopters is a his- ico and the U.S., a not “as dominant” polit- torically normal figure. Purchase plans ical crisis in Venezuela, and better certainty also were 6 percent lower year-over-year meager helo delivery bump around with Brazil’s new government, over- among Asia-Pacific respondents. all confidence has returned to the region. Most of the overall purchases are by Jerry Siebenmark “There was a big jump in Brazil in the cor- expected to occur this year (more than porate sector,” he said, adding that in last 20 percent) and 2024 (nearly 45 percent), Total helicopter deliveries will increase rate of 2.7 percent, which is in line with year’s survey Brazil only had six mentions according to the forecast. slightly to 4,100 units between 2020 and the world’s economic growth rate over for new helicopters while the new survey Among industry sectors, new-helicopter 2024 while overall purchase plans slip the next five years, Handfield said. has 40 mentions there. “A lot of that has purchase plans were significantly stronger slightly in the same period, according to to do with the corporate sector that totally in the corporate/VIP and emergency med- Honeywell’s 22nd annual Turbine-Pow- Regional Variation disappeared last year,” Handfield said. “So ical services/search-and-rescue segments, ered Civil Helicopter Purchase Outlook. While overall purchase plans are down 0.8 every region, every country has its own sto- while it was weaker in the law enforcement Released on the eve of January’s Heli- percent compared with last year’s fore- ries and that changes over time.” and oil-and-gas segments. Oil-and-gas and Expo 2020, this year’s forecast expects cast, they vary—some substantially—by New helicopter purchase plans were also the heavy and intermediate helicopters about 100 more helicopter deliveries over region. Europe, Latin America, and BRIC higher—4 percent—for the BRIC region, this industry flies continue to be a chal- the five-year period compared with the (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) are the but it is all driven by Brazil, Handfield noted. lenging market, especially with oil only 2019 forecast. While purchase plans are only examples of the forecast’s six regions “China, India, and Russia are actually lower around $60 a barrel. “There’s still a very lower than last year’s forecast, Honeywell where purchase plans increased. More in 2019 when compared to 2018,” he said. high inventory out there,” Handfield said. executives note they’re only down by less than 18 percent of survey respondents Also, lower were the regions of North “I don’t see any improvement yet.” than a percentage point. in Europe expected to replace or expand America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East “This year, we anticipate higher deliv- their fleets with new helicopters in the and Africa, the latter of which saw pur- Type Preference eries due to entry into service of new next five years, compared with 15 percent chase plans fall the most—10 percent— Regional variation continues with favored helicopter platforms,” said Honeywell of survey respondents last year. compared with last year’s survey. helicopter types. While light single-engine Americas Aftermarket president Heath In Latin America, new helicopter Purchase plans were down 6 percent helicopters continue to be the survey’s Patrick. “Despite the slight dip in pur- purchase plans increased by 20 percent in North America, which accounts for overall most favored type—because of price, chase plans, we see several bright spots, from last year’s survey—well above the about a third of the global helicopter fleet. range of utility, and direct operating costs— including higher utilization rates. This global average of 14 percent. “Last year Twelve percent of North American survey preferences change based on region. means operators plan to use their aircraft [Latin America’s purchase plan rate] respondents this year planned to replace According to this year’s survey, inter- more frequently over the next 12 months.” was quite down at 9 percent,” Hand- their fleets compared with 18 percent in mediate and medium twin-engine classes The three top factors operators con- field said. “Historically, Latin America last year’s survey. accounted for 41 percent of total pur- sider when making a new helicopter was above 20 [percent].” “That’s a bit of a surprise if you ask me,” chase plans for new helicopters in Europe. purchase are brand experience, aircraft The reasons for that lower rate last Handfield said, noting that the stock Meanwhile, 37 percent of respondents performance, and cabin size, according year varied by countries in the region, he market performed well in 2019 and the indicated plans to purchase light sin- to the forecast. Between mid-October explained: Mexico was affected by uncer- economy was robust. Part of that decline gle-engine helicopters, up 5 percentage and mid-December, Honeywell surveyed tainty around a trade deal with the U.S.; is related specifically to the law enforce- points from last year. more than 1,000 chief pilots and flight there was a political crisis in Venezuela; and ment sector, which last year accounted for In the Middle East and Africa region, department managers of companies oper- nearly 62 percent of new-helicopter pur- ating 3,559 turbine and 282 piston helicop- chases will be light twin-engine models. In ters worldwide for the forecast. Asia-Pacific, 38 percent of purchases are Higher utilization expectations by sur- expected to be intermediate/medium twin vey respondents stood out in particular engines and 32 percent are planned for light in North America and Europe. In North singles. And in Latin America and North America, it increased by about 12 percent America, light singles account for more than from the 2019 forecast, with about 19 per- half of new helicopter purchase plans. n cent of respondents expecting fleet utili- zation to rise in the next 12 months. And in Europe, utilization expectations were up 6 percent in 2019 compared with 2018, NEWS note and 13 percent of respondents said 2020 This year will be a solid year in terms will be higher than in 2019. of dollar volume of preowned business Higher deliveries over the next five aircraft sales, but don’t expect 2020 years will be supported by new models, to be record-breaking in terms of units, including the Airbus H160, Bell 525 Relent- according to a new analysis by business less, Kopter SH09, and Leonardo AW109 aviation broker and consulting firm Mente Trekker, senior man- Group. The Dallas-based firm sees a flat ager of market research Gaetan Handfield to a slightly down year in terms of the told AIN. “Longer term, the outlook will number of preowned aircraft that are sold. be supported by the expectation of more “Generally, the business jet industry favorable exchange rates,” he added. moved from a seller’s market early in “As you know this market is less 2019 to a more balanced market at U.S.-centric than the business aviation mid-year while we ended the year as market, about 55 to 60 percent of deliv- a predominately buyer’s market,” said eries are international, so [the rotorcraft Mente Group president and CEO Brian market is] very dependent on exchange Proctor.”We expect that trend to car- rates and commodities, which are pre- ry over into 2020 with perhaps fewer dicted to be better moving forward than transactions and heightened price sen- the last couple of years.” The forecast’s sitivity for used business aircraft.” T delivery growth breaks down to an annual

34 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com

Airbus unveils ‘Maveric’ blended-wing demonstrator by Gregory Polek

Airbus unveiled a model of a new blend- time has come, he added, to make a seri- ed-wing-body aircraft demonstrator it ous effort toward scaling the application has been secretly test flying in central for passenger-carrying use to meet envi- France since June 2019. Measuring 2 ronmental targets such as a 50 percent

meters long and 3.2 meters wide, the industrywide reduction in CO2 emis- INTOSH demonstrator—dubbed “Maveric” (for sions by 2050.

Model Aircraft for Validation and Exper- “The concept of a Skunkworks or [flying M c DAVID imentation of Robust Innovative Con- wing] demonstrator was invented a while Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus executive v-p engineering, shows off the blended-wing design. trols)—has a surface area of about 2.25 ago,” conceded Dumont. “But sometimes sq m. Airbus says the design carries the we need to reinvent ourselves. I really a lot. It has clearly helped us understand airplane centers on increasing scale. “The potential to reduce fuel consumption by think that demonstrators accelerate the flight behavior, which is the core of next step would be flying at a larger scale,” up to 20 percent compared with today’s [advancements]. Predevelopment of new why we need to study such a disruptive said Dumont. “But I wouldn’t tell you what single-aisle aircraft. technologies is key.” configuration in real conditions.” because I do not know.” Speaking during opening day at last Launched in 2017, the two-and-a-half While conventional aircraft designs He added the eventual resulting aircraft month’s Singapore Airshow, Airbus to three-year project centers mainly on have proved exceptionally stable, delta would naturally more likely succeed an engineering boss Jean-Brice Dumont testing flight controls. So far the testing wings have not, so developing a less-sta- existing narrowbody than a larger aircraft. explained that a secondary benefit cen- has helped engineers better understand ble formula raises some fundamental “It’s principally a stable formula. Now we ters on opening new possibilities for pro- flight controls in real conditions, said questions about the extent to which need to learn more,” stressed Dumont. pulsion system type and integration as Dumont, who added that results have flight controls would need improvement. “We will need to simulate a lot before we well as a versatile cabin. proved encouraging enough to proceed According to Dumont, such development really learn something about scalability. Although not new to the aerospace toward more extensive study. Other cannot amount to a so-called “moon Generally, for this kind of aircraft, you’d industry, the blended-wing concept imperatives include safety, manufactur- shot.” Other questions include optimal better start small. I’m not telling you Air- shows more promise than ever due to ability, airport access, and maintenance, engine placement and opportunities for bus’s intention; I’m telling you the basic advances in weight reduction and flight said Dumont. “Let’s be very clear; we are distributed propulsion. principles of design. But it will more likely control technology that raises the poten- studying an option,” he noted. “But with Dumont said the next step toward the be the successor of a smaller aircraft than tial for better stability, said Dumont. The what we’ve done, we’ve already learned development of an actual production a very big one.” n

with the support of the Queensland Gov- Jet Aviation ernment’s Jobs and Regional Growth Fund. Jet Aviation purchased Hawker Pacific in May 2018. expands In addition to supporting growth at Hawker Pacific, Jet Aviation has contin- ued to expand its own branded facilities, capabilities recently celebrating the opening of its FBO and hangar complex at Van Nuys Airport in California. and facilities Opened late last year and with a for- mal grand opening celebration held in by Kerry Lynch concert with sister company Gulfstream Aerospace last month, the FBO complex Jet Aviation’s Hawker Pacific facility in includes a 10,000-sq-ft terminal and a Cairns, Australia, is adding to its service 43,000-sq-ft hangar with 8,000 sq ft of capabilities with FAA approval covering office space and 30-foot clearance that the installation of engine aural alerting can accommodate current and future equipment aboard Pratt & Whitney Can- ultra-long-range business jets. The site ada-equipped aircraft. is the first Jet Aviation facility to carry Hawker Pacific Cairns developed the Jet Aviation’s new facility in Van Nuys, California, opened late last year and includes a large an SAF-blended fuel option and the first equipment, including the looms and FBO complex and sister company Gulfstream’s new service center. to offer sustainable aviation fuel at Van installation hardware, under an agree- Nuys Airport. ment with Pratt & Whitney Canada as it opens up further international while systems were installed on air- “The enhancements throughout our (P&WC) covering engine prognostics opportunities for products and labor craft in countries such as India, Indone- FBO network are strategically designed to equipment service and support. to be sold out of a regional Queensland sia, Nepal, Japan, and China during the focus on exceeding customer expectations The Auxiliary Aural Alert System com- location,” noted Rick Webber, Hawker development process. across our full range of business aviation plements P&WC’s engine diagnostics Pacific avionics manager, adding that “Hawker Pacific’s repair and design services while using cost- and energy-effi- systems by sounding a warning when Hawker Pacific will manufacture the capability has significant advantages… cient construction practices,” said David an aircraft engine is about to exceed system’s electrical structural compo- Operators benefit from in-country Best, senior v-p and general manager of its operating limitations. This enables nents in Cairns. These components support, accelerated repair times, and regional operations for the U.S. n pilots to avert the exceedance, avoiding traditionally have been manufactured reduced downtime for their fleets,” said costly engine damage. It integrates with outside Australia. Michael Noble, who is part of the P&WC the P&WC Diagnostics, Prognostics, and P&WC worked with the Cairns facility field operations team. Health Management (DPHM). to gain international approvals. On-air- The additional capabilities followed YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS “Being awarded FAA STC approval is craft engineering development and trial an expansion of the Cairns MRO, which www.ainonline.com an important step for Hawker Pacific installation were completed in Cairns, increased its size by 50 percent last year

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high power required for vertical take- Where will we first see regular UAM Heli-Expo off with the lower power required for service? In the U.S. or somewhere else? cruise flight. Toyota’s investment in Joby EHang in China might receive approval suggests it is a leading contender in eVTOL, this year. Volocopter has flown a couple with a design that is very elegant that Toy- thousand flights and they are working on eVTOL is an urban moonshot ota believes will be a market winner. getting approval in Germany and Sin- gapore. Uber is planning for 2023. Joby by Mark Huber Given the current state of battery tech- also expects 2023. I think it will start out nology and the limited flight duration modestly—maybe just one flight per day. Mike Hirschberg is the executive director of the Vertical Flight Society (formerly the American it achieves, does the FAA need to waive But as operators work out the hiccups and Helicopter Society), an organization deeply involved in the science and research driving electric the 20-minute VFR reserve rule for build experience, it will build and expand, vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and urban air mobility (UAM). Hirschberg was eVTOLs to be economically and practi- first in the U.S. in Dallas and Los Angeles. previously a principal aerospace engineer with Centra Technology, providing technical and cally viable? But in 10 or 20 years, this is going to be a program management support for more than 10 years to the Defense Advanced Research Proj- No, they shouldn’t. Helicopters can very big part of our lives. ects Agency (DARPA) and Office of Naval Research (ONR) on advanced aircraft and rotorcraft land anywhere, but they still have to have concepts. Before this, Hirschberg worked from 1994 to 2001 in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) reserve fuel, and the same for eVTOLs. Where do you see the largest market program office, supporting the development of the X-32 and X-35 vertical flight propulsion Just because they can land anywhere potential—cargo/delivery or passen- systems. AIN sat down with Hirschberg at Heli-Expo 2020 to discuss the future of UAM. doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have reserve ger UAM? fuel. They should have sufficient capability Cargo development is obviously easier Two factors set eVTOL aircraft apart: to divert to a different site or land safely because you don’t have passenger-safety electric power and autonomous oper- in an area. That might not be 20 to 30 concerns. But passenger transport will ation. Which of these do you feel will minutes of fuel reserve, but it should be be much more lucrative than cargo prove to be the most transformative for enough to make them safe. delivery, so there is more investment in aviation and which of these is the most air-taxi designs. challenging for the industry to deliver? Vertical How will the 737 Max grounding impact The real revolution for urban air Flight Society the regulatory environment and how What do you see as the major eVTOL mobility is electric power. With electric executive will that affect the pace and scope of development for the rest of 2020? power, you can distribute the propulsion director Mike eVTOL regulation, and ultimately the People will see some of these aircraft fly to thrusters around the aircraft. So you’re Hirschberg certification of eVTOL aircraft? this year and other manufacturers unveil MARIANO ROSALES able to come up with configurations that I’m not sure it will. But the scrutiny their designs. Once people see these just couldn’t exist with driveshafts on for travelers will help distribute loads. of the autonomous assistance program— aircraft fly and their capabilities, they will mechanical systems. Using electric power When ground traffic is congested, air- such as MCAS [Maneuvering Character- begin to appreciate what they can do. on vertical takeoff and landing designs craft and other methods will be used to istics Augmentation System] on the 737 that transition to winged flight for high commute across town. I think a lot of Max—is producing greater scrutiny for And what do you see as significant cruise speed allows for less power con- people can travel on eVTOLs. autonomy, and we’ve also seen this with developments for the remainder of sumption. You can use a battery to get off Uber is looking at thousands of flights greater autonomy in helicopter the decade? the ground and then require much less per day. But there are only going to be four such as in the Bell 525 and with Airbus. For eVTOL to be worth the invest- power for cruise. So that combination is a or five seats per aircraft, so it’s not going It’s a new capability we haven’t had in ment, they really need larger-scale way to get over the limitations of battery to solve congestion. It will provide more the helicopter industry until recently operations. When tens of thousands power in a helicopter or a multi-copter opportunity for people, depending on the and as people understand it, its ability of people are flying every day in a city, that has to thrust down the whole time. price point and the wait. If you have to wait and limitations, those will be applied to then there will really be a benefit. We’ll longer to get a ride, it’s really not going to urban air mobility as well. Autonomy see more cities around the world adopt Autonomy is very important. Obviously make people happy either. People are going will be a key benefit for eVTOL and will UAM services and those will scale up in you can get much more efficiency and to take the path of least resistance. It’s not increase capacity once you do not need terms of the number of cities, vertiports, throughput by having all the seats occu- going to be a premium service, but it’s not a pilot on board. aircraft, and passengers. pied by passengers. Uber Elevate said at going to be a solution for congestion of one point they expected these vehicles something that will have a mass-market, More states and localities are becom- What is the most valuable role the to cost less than $200,000 and expected either, at least not in the foreseeable future. ing increasingly aggressive about reg- Vertical Flight Society plays? to deliver UAM service for around $1.36 ulating helicopters. Will this climate In 2013 we saw the confluence of per seat mile. Given the likely cost of Of the 252 odd eVTOL designs will carry over to eVTOLs? technologies that would enable the the vehicles and the infrastructure to announced to date, in your opinion, We know that eVTOL aircraft are eVTOL revolution. We started having support them, is this realistic? how many are currently properly inherently quieter than helicopters. workshops in 2014 with developers; We know that electric aircraft can be capitalized through certification and We believe because they are quieter, NASA; standards organizations such much cheaper to operate than piston- or initial production? there won’t be as much citizen push as ASTM and SAE International; and turbine-powered aircraft, just like an No company that I know of is capi- back as there would be with regard to different aviation organizations over electric car is cheaper to operate than a talized through certification and initial helicopters. The goal of eVTOL devel- the years in trying to support aircraft fuel engine. So we think the operations production. Joby Aviation has gotten the opers is to get the noise of the vehicles builders and researchers. We’ve tried will be cheaper without some of the most money we know of so far. They’ve to blend into the background noise of to play a key role in bringing people complex mechanical systems, we think raised $720 million in total and have the environment. However, multiple together. We’ve just had our seventh the vehicle will be cheaper to produce. been working at it for 10 years and flying flights out of vertiports all day, every eVTOL symposium that attracted devel- The actual seat miles that Uber quotes for three years. The money is probably day, will create a certain amount of opers, scientists, investors, insurers, – that’s maybe in the further future as enough to get them through certifica- visual pollution. and government agencies from all over learning improves, higher volumes are tion, but as far as building things up for But when you look at the benefits that the world. produced, and the aircraft get cheaper production, they’re going to require more eVTOLs provide a community, when We also hold specific workshops, and different systems are in place. money before they get a return on invest- more people start to use it, we think cit- conferences, and publish technical ment. The next tier of companies, such izens will be more receptive to it. There papers on the specific benefits of Will we ever see UAM truly become a as Volocopter and Wisk, are in the $100 isn’t going to be a case like helicopters, eVTOL aircraft. This eVTOL revolution mass market, or is this likely to be a million range. where very few people use the technol- is really exciting, but it really requires premium transportation service? ogy. We’re working with different organi- a lot of collaboration. It’s like going I think it will be in the middle. Urban What’s your takeaway from Toyota’s zations to build community acceptance to the moon. Everyone has to come air mobility is just one more option, just recent large investment—nearly $400 and educate state and local governments together and look at the different roles like today we have taxis, Uber, scoot- million—in eVTOL maker Joby Aviation? on the benefits of UAM so they can plan people can play. We really think there is ers, public transportation, driving, and Toyota has invested in a company with for it and take advantage of the benefits going to be a huge benefit to society in walking. Just having more options a compelling design that balances the it offers. bringing UAM to cities. n

38 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com AIN - Atlantic 2020 Ad Campaign.pdf 1 2/11/2020 10:59:38 AM

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K Brazil finally opens its greenfield bizav airport by Richard Pedicini

São Paulo Catarina Aeroporto Executivo, make the ground distance only 24 miles Brazil’s first greenfield business aviation to the city. airport, opened on December 16 after Catarina is part of a larger JHSF devel- six years of moving mountains—both opment, spanning the Castelo Branco literally and figuratively—to create an highway and the Catarina shopping mall 8,100-foot/2,470-meter runway. That’s across the road, with the initial project long enough to allow nearly all business calling for office towers, hotels, and a jet models to take off with a full load of residential condominium. The airport is fuel for intercontinental flights. advertised as “35 minutes from São Pau- Converting 1,700 acres of tree farm to lo’s principal business district” by auto an airport with 232,500 sq ft/21,600 sq m and 14 minutes by helicopter. of ramp space and capable of handling The inaugural hangar, painted “01,” is 200,000 operations per year, required joined to a completed FBO, including not

moving more earth than the Itaipu Dam only lounges, meeting rooms, and crew RICHARD PEDICINI project to level hills and span the gaps accommodations, but also a gym, cinema, Francisco Lyra, CFly partner and president of the Brazilian Aviation Institute, addresses the between them, not to mention an invest- and an area set aside for eventual customs audience at the opening ceremony for São Paulo Catarina Aeroporto Executivo, Brazil’s first ment of more than $147.7 million during and immigration processing. The archi- purpose-built business aviation airport. JHSF chairman José Auriemo Neto, ANAC director a deep recession in Brazil. tect, Sid Bergamin, who is responsible for Ricardo Bezerra, governor João Doria, and JHSF president Thiago Alonso Oliveira look on The airport, boldly envisioned at the many of JHSF’s luxury projects, created from the dais. height of Brazil’s aviation boom and ini- a soaring atrium crossed by suspended tially planned to be ready for the 2014 walkways reached by an openwork stair- World Cup soccer tournament, required case, along with glass walls and roof, ter- persistence and dedication by luxury real razzo floors, and ample tropical greenery. estate developer JHSF, which sold off Plans indicate that the runway-level park- Eviation’s electric Alice aircraft other assets while moving forward with ing area will eventually become home to Catarina, slowing the pace of develop- Buildings 05 through 08. The project pro- catches fire during ground tests ment but never stopping. Some features vides for an eventual 540,000 sq ft/50,168 were axed from the project, such as an sq m of hangar space. A fire broke out during ground testing of Alice before year-end 2022 under FAA auxiliary runway that doubled as a taxi- Eviation’s all-electric Alice aircraft last Part 23 rules. The first prototype arrived way. JHSF’s participation at LABACE over Vision Fulfilled, Visions Ahead January at Arizona’s Prescott Regional in Prescott in late 2019, and two more the past decade varied from the ostenta- Catarina Airport is a product of the vision Airport. The company said the fire is prototypes are due to be delivered to the tious to the modest as the recession bat- of Francisco Lyra, whose CFly is a partner believed to have been caused by a fault U.S. this year. tered the company. However, the length in GATGRU and is credited as an opera- with a ground-based battery system. It Alice is being designed to carry nine of the main runway was maintained and tional partner in Catarina. The idea of a had yet to confirm at press time how passengers on flights of up to around 650 the project was completed. totally new airport dedicated to business extensively the prototype aircraft might miles and at speeds of up to almost 280 While the mood in January 2019 was aviation was considered a pipe dream have been damaged in the incident. mph. The aircraft is powered by three elec- cautious hope, at December’s opening when he first broached it nearly a decade The Prescott Fire Department was on tric motors provided by Magnix. ceremony, ebullience reigned, reflect- ago, as economic and political instability, standby for the planned test and extin- U.S. operator Cape Air placed the ing the recovery of the economy and, along with high interest rates, make any guished the fire, which caused no injuries. launch order for an undisclosed number especially, the resurgence of business long-term projects difficult in Brazil. Eviation has begun an investigation into the of Alices in June. The company claims to aviation in Brazil. Catarina Airport Before the start of the recession, several full cause and has not said how the incident have total “orders” for 150 aircraft with seemed excessively daring at its start São Paulo-area business aviation airports might affect plans to begin flight testing. more than one customer but has not dis- and increasingly foolhardy as the reces- and one new commercial airport were -based Eviation is aiming to com- closed the names of any other prospective sion deepened and the drop in air travel announced and eventually abandoned plete type certification of the fixed-wing operators. C.A. put off the specter of airport saturation. or stalled. Lyra credited JHSF chairman The project’s conclusion was an affir- José Auriemo Neto for having embraced mation of optimism. the project and stood by it through the recession. Location, Location, Location The need for a dedicated airport became The internationalization of both Cata- clear to him, Lyra said, when he was chair- rina and nearby Sorocaba Bertram Luiz man of the business aviation association Leupolz Airports is also on the agenda for ABAG. An ANAC commissioner told him national civil aviation council CONAIR, that she would always have to give an according to Civil Aviation secretary aircraft with 180 passengers priority over Ronei Glanzman. “Catarina will be busi- one with two passengers. He then realized ness aviation and Sorocaba will be main- that as the country’s commercial aviation tenance,” said Governor João Doria—who, expanded, business aviation needed a as a businessman, has purchased an place of its own. Embraer Legacy 650. At the airport opening, Lyra spoke Sorocaba includes MRO facilities for as president of the Brazilian Aviation Dassault, Embraer, and Pratt & Whit- Institute (IBA) and announced his next ney, among others, and it is also home projects are preserving the “Asas de um

to World Way Aviation’s FBO. Catarina’s Sonho” aviation museum and creating MCINTOSH DAVID plans have always included space for FBO the “university of the air” to train the Eviation’s Alice electric aircraft caught fire during ground testing on January 22 in facilities. The airports are only 21 miles estimated 600,000 new workers Brazilian Prescott, Arizona. The company is investigating the cause of the fire. apart by air and nearly-direct highways aviation will need in the coming years. n

40 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com LEADING NETWORKING Community acceptance INTRODUCING... remains key to UAM market by Mark Huber for Salesforce ® Community acceptance will be the key player can do this alone and advocated TWO WORLD-CLASS PLATFORMS, ONE UNIFYING APP driver when it comes to urban air mobility. a system-wide approach involving mul- JETNET for Salesforce provides access to one of the largest and That was the message from Pamela Cohn, tiple stakeholders. “We need to partner most accurate business aviation databases from within the Salesforce Hyundai vice president of global strategy with a range of people across ecosystems” Platform. Work faster, identify prospects sooner, and better qualify and operations at its urban air mobility including other OEMs, component and opportunities. Move up to JETNET for Salesforce. division. In January, Hyundai, the Korean service providers, local governments, automaker, revealed a concept design federal regulators, citizen interest groups, for an eVTOL air taxi. While technology and local business councils. “The only is important, particularly its ability to way we are going to get good solutions reduce aircraft noise, intelligently inte- is if urban air mobility truly meets the grating it into a working ecosystem car- needs of our communities and we work ries equal weight, she said. And that starts hand-in-hand.” with public education. Part of meeting that need is designing Cohn, who led NASA’s 2018 urban air UAM so that it integrates with existing mobility market study while at consul- transportation infrastructure in a multi- tancy McKinsey & Co., said that education modal way. “Urbanization is causing a lot has a long way to go. “I remember doing a of strain on cities already that’s only going bunch of focus groups with folks around to get worse over time,” she said. “We can the country in major cities,” she said. “We tailor our approach not just in terms of air- actually couldn’t get input from them on craft design, but in terms of the way that we whether or not they would like to be part of actually integrate this into communities.” an urban air mobility system because the Cohn said this means “taking an integrated KNOW MORE. concept was so foreign to them. The whole approach between the air domain and the industry needs to think about how to bet- ground domain and other forms of last-mile The World Leader in Aviation Market Intelligence ter educate the public on what [urban air [transportation]. Urban air mobility is going 800.553.8638 +1.315.797.4420 +41 (0) 43.243.7056 jetnet.com mobility] would look like on a day-to-day to be a very important [transportation] Salesforce and AppExchange are trademarks of salesforce.com, inc., and are used here with permission. basis, whether they’re a passenger on one component in some of the largest cities of these vehicles or simply part of the around the world. But we need to remem- community.” Cohn said what is needed ber that infrastructure and services need to goes beyond market studies designed to be integrated with ground transportation determine where to place UAM operations. and other forms of last-mile transportation She said the industry needs to “go, talk, to make it a more efficient system that is and engage with the public and bring truly tailored to consumer communities.” in simulations and virtual reality expe- Part of that requires a certain degree of riences” so that the public can “truly future-casting what urban environments understand the look, feel, and touch of are likely to look like “in 10, 20, or 30 what the system is going to look like” and years,” factoring in diverse impacts from then take public input from that to “craft variables including economic develop- our strategy” to bring the right solution ment, accessibility, and infrastructure, to a community. She said no one UAM she said. n

Preowned bizjets, fixed-wing pistons help to boost inventory in 2019

Preowned business aircraft inventory last year, the aviation data firm noted. climbed 2 percent across all market seg- For-sale inventory of business jets ments—jets, turboprops, pistons, helicop- and pistons each rose by a 0.7 percent- ters, and bizliners—at the end of last year, age point each last year, with the former to 6,324 aircraft, up from 6,201 at year- inventory rate now at 9.7 percent of the end 2018, according to data released last installed base—technically still a buyer’s month by JetNet. Business jets and fixed- market. For business jets, “a period of wing pistons accounted for the majority of transition is now in play, wherein the pen- this increase. dulum continues to swing in favor from In addition, the number of preowned the buyer to the seller,” added JetNet. sale transactions slid by nearly 1,200, or Average time to sell across the board 11.8 percent fewer, year-over-year, Jet- inched up two more days in 2019, though Net said. Most segments were down by this was mixed as some segments took double-digit percentages in 2019, with longer to sell while others took fewer business jets and bizliners each declining days. Here, business jets excelled, tak- about 14 percent. These two segments ing 273 days to sell last year, 13 fewer accounted for nearly half of all transactions than in 2018. C.T.

42 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com Cancer Patients Fly Free

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corpangelnetwork.org | Westchester County Airport – White Plains, NY | (866) 328-1313 ROTORCRAFT & unmanned systems News Update Airbus Delivers 332 Helicopters in 2019 Airbus delivered 332 helicopters last year and logged gross orders for 369 rotorcraft (310 net), combined with its support and services revenue, worth more than $7.61 billion. The company claimed 54 percent of the civil and parapublic market in terms of units for the year. Orders included 130 and 91 for the H125 single and H145 twin, respectively. Military orders included 23 NH90s for and 25 H225M heavy twins, mainly for the forces of Hungary and Indonesia. Key support contracts inked last year were for the NH90 in service in the German Army, the Tiger; Cougar and Caracal contracts in France; and a five- year extension of the through-life support

MARIANO ROSALES contract for the Australian Army’s Armed As Kopter nears the final stages of the certification program for the SH09 single-engine utility helicopter, industry giant Leonardo bought the Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) Tiger. Swiss startup manufacturer from its Russian owner, with plans to accelerate the SH09’s market entry. On the civil side, 250 additional helicopters were covered by global HCare contracts.

the decisions will be made in the inter- Cutillo would not rule out the possibility of Airxos, Syniverse Team On Heli-Expo est of Leonardo, but from now on we a military version of the SH09. Secure Drone Communications have a common target,” he noted, add- Kopter has largely frozen the design GE Aviation unit Airxos and Syniverse ing that he foresees no major changes configuration of the SH09, which now are working together to make it with Kopter’s previously announced sports a more streamlined fuselage, but harder to hack drones, offering a Leonardo plans for a new U.S. production facil- testing of a new tail unit configuration secure network for Unmanned Traffic ity in Lafayette, Louisiana, which was has yet to be carried out. It will upgrade Management (UTM) systems. The announced at last year’s Heli-Expo. its P3 prototype incrementally to meet secure network would offer protection bolsters At the announcement on the Heli-Expo the production configuration by the from cyber-attacks by safeguarding 2020 show floor, Leonardo CEO Alessan- third quarter, while the long-lead com- critical drone data and transmissions. dro Profumo admitted to initial skep- ponents for its first production-standard “By utilizing our secure, private network, lineup with ticism over the deal. “I would say that I test helicopter, dubbed PS4, have already Syniverse’s Secure Global Access, we can was not enthusiastic, then the more we’re been ordered, with an eye towards its ensure the information is accessible only to working on that, the more I was positive,” first flight in the third quarter. the correct parties,” said Syniverse’s group Kopter buy he told the crowd. That enthusiasm grew The company expects to pursue a vice president Mike O’Brien.The network after the company’s test pilots evaluated concurrent certification process with security is coupled with Syniverse’s Global by Curt Epstein and flew the SH09 and its engineers con- EASA and the FAA, using both P3 and IMSI data sim cards, which allow devices ducted detailed analysis. PS4, according to Michele Riccobono, to roam seamlessly across borders and Before ever having put a helicopter into “We really complete our product portfo- Kopter’s executive v-p of technology. networks. The network and the sim service, Swiss OEM Kopter has been lio with that,” added Cutillo. “Leonardo is “The idea initially was only to use PS4, cards, combined with Syniverse’s mobile sold to Leonardo, the two companies the leader in the three- to nine-tonne cat- but then we thought that after changing policy control center, create the global announced at Heli-Expo 2020 in late egories, with this opportunity, we think the scope of P3 and making the effort of policy management and secure transport January. The Italian manufacturer will that we can be the leader also in [the light upgrading the aircraft to this configura- required to protect drones from hacking. acquire 100 percent of the Wetzikon, single] segment.” He acknowledged that tion, we have decided to shorten the lead Switzerland-based company, which Leonardo did not buy just a product, but time for certification to leverage both air- Drones Used To Track anticipates dual EASA/FAA certification is also adding capability to the family. craft,” he told AIN. Cargo Trailers at Danish Ports for its SH09 light single by year-end. “Within Leonardo, we get the support “Thanks to the fact that this is a relatively Danish transport and logistics company Leonardo expects the purchase from to finalize our development on various simple helicopter, the amount of flights DFDS has begun using drones to inspect investment firm Lynwood to be com- fronts while keeping the ability to remain needed for certification to prove compli- the nation’s harbor terminals and precisely pleted in the first quarter, subject to reg- the agile, single-engine pioneer that we ance against Part 27 is not so huge and track more than 3 million trailers that ulatory approval. are,” said Kopter CEO Andreas Löwen- this is the reason why despite having the transit them. The latter operation had The purchase price consists of a $185 stein. “I am very proud to join this com- aircraft available for flight test only in Fall previously been performed manually million fixed component and an earn-out pany, and I am very proud that we will 2020, we are still confident we can achieve and was tedious and time-consuming. mechanism linked to certain milestones jointly conquer the market.” our target milestone for the certification.” Working with UAS and Lorenz over the life of the program, starting in He said that becoming part of Leon- Just before Heli-Expo, P3 flew for the Technology, DFDS paired DJI Matrice 2022. In 2016, Cyprus-based Lynwood, ardo will immediately bring new test- first time with a new rotor head, which 210 drones equipped with Zenmuse controlled by Russian oligarch Alexan- ing infrastructure and certification moved the blade controls outside the XT2 cameras with thermal sensors der Mamut, invested $270 million into experience to bear on the process for mast, easing maintenance concerns, and and artificial intelligence (AI). Lorenz the company. the SH09 program. “We have suddenly, the blade package intended for the produc- developed “Hive” software that allows While merger integration teams on from one day to another, all this knowl- tion design, which Riccobono said further users to program flight operations with both sides begin to meet, Kopter will edge in house.” reduced vibration in the helicopter. n the Matrice 210 to conduct automated continue to act as an autonomous legal Leonardo has its own light single in the inspections. The technology cuts the entity and brand within Leonardo’s AW119, but Cutillo stated that he doesn’t time needed to load and offload trailers helicopter division, “for the time being,” view it as a competitor to the SH09. “I think from vessels by 15 minutes compared according to Leonardo Helicopters man- that this, once it is completed, will offer to manual operations, which not only YOUR SOURCE FOR AVIATION NEWS aging director Gian Piero Cutillo. “We different things to a different target of cus- saves time but also significantly reduces www.ainonline.com will start working together, obviously all tomer.” Once civil certification is achieved, CO2 emissions, manpower, and costs.

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FOR NEWS VIDEO FROM HELIEXPO

FOR NEWS VIDEO FROM EBACE Heli-Expo FAA Administrator Dickson outlines safety challenges by James Wynbrandt

Making his first appearance at Heli-Expo disproportionate” impact “when you count as FAA Administrator, Stephen Dickson the benefits,” Dickson said, noting applica-

delivered a safety-focused message, citing tions include medevac, search-and-rescue, MARIANO ROSALES numerous challenges the industry faces and fire-suppression, and air-taxi operations. Making his first appearance at Heli-Expo as FAA Administrator, Stephen Dickson delivered a what the FAA is doing to help craft solutions. But traditional views of the industry are safety-focused message to show attendees. His safety theme was cast in sharp relief outdated, given the rise of drones and the by the helicopter accident that claimed nascent urban mobility industry, he added. Meanwhile, electric flying taxis are can’t take meaningful action on both of Kobe Bryant and eight others on the eve Since the FAA established a mandatory quickly moving “from prototype to test- these fronts very soon, I suspect that path of the gathering, “only 50 miles away from registry four years ago, more than 1.5 mil- ing,” Dickson said, and the agency is “cur- forward might be dictated to us.” the convention center,” Dickson said. lion drones have been registered—some rently engaged with the builders of more Promising paths for enhancing safety “Whatever the investigations ultimately 400,000 of them for commercial use—and than 15 electric vertical takeoff and land- include risk-based decision-making; determine, all of us in this room know the agency has already approved 27 opera- ing aircraft projects.” implementation of safety management that all too often helicopter accidents tors under Part 137 to use drones commer- Helicopters have a fatal accident rate systems; sharing of best industry prac- turned out to have been preventable.” cially to perform aerial applications. of about 0.63 per 100,000 hours, eVTOL tices; and ensuring operators have clear The former airline and fighter pilot Three years ago, the FAA “shifted our passengers of tomorrow will expect “the channels for employees to report safety admitted he has little background in heli- strategy from writing rules to getting [near-zero] level of safety achieved by the concerns, without fear of retribution, copters. “I’m a student and I’m here to in the air and flying, and tak- airlines,” Dickson said, underscoring safe- he said. learn from you,” he told attendees. “But ing lessons learned from the operations ty’s critical role in industry growth. Dickson also cited FAA helicopter it’s clear to me from a professional per- approval process to write better rules,” As for current issues, Dickson cited the safety initiatives including its Helicopter spective that rotary-wing aviation is a cen- he said, an approach that “can help us safety of air-tour operations and noise as Safety Team’s new “Workshop in a Box” tral element of our transportation system.” ensure innovation can drive forward.” particular problem areas. “I’m here to program. “We’re serious about getting Comprising about 6 percent of gen- The FAA is currently conducting trials for tell you this needs to change,” he said. on top of safety challenges you face in eral aviation aircraft in the U.S., heli- package deliveries by drone with UPS and “There’s a lot of energy in Congress as it the industry,” he concluded. “The FAA is copters make a “significant and even FedEx, among others. relates to safety and noise concerns. If we ready to work together with you.” n

and 62 fatalities, 2019 accidents repre- 2019 a mixed bag for helicopter accidents sented a 16 percent decrease. The USHST noted progress in both accident and fatal by Mark Huber accident rate reduction. “Even though year-to-year data is static, long-term The number of helicopter accidents in compared to the earlier six-month period. The number of overall helicopter acci- progress in accident reduction remains 2019 increased slightly compared to 2018 In 2019 there were 122 accidents, 24 fatals, dents has held remarkably steady since positive. Over the past two decades, the while the number of fatal accidents was and 51 fatalities compared to 121 accidents, 2015, when 121 were recorded, dipping U.S. helicopter fatal accident rate has unchanged, the U.S. Helicopter Safety 24 fatals, and 55 fatalities in 2018. For the only slightly in 2016, when 108 were tal- been cut in half, from 1.27 fatal accidents Team (USHST) reported last month. first six months of 2019 there were 69 acci- lied. However, fatalities increased from per 100,000 flight hours to 0.63. (based Fatalities from those accidents decreased dents, 15 fatals, and 27 fatalities compared to 28 in 2015 to 55 in 2018. Using 2013 sta- on a five-year rolling average),” the orga- slightly. However, the number of accidents 53 accidents, 9 fatals, and 24 fatalities in the tistics as a baseline, a year in which there nization said. declined sharply in the second half of 2019 second six months of 2019. were 146 accidents, 30 fatal accidents, The USHST is continuing work devel- oping safety enhancements based on its analysis of accidents. Recent initiatives include publishing a white paper showing how UAS can supplement and support Draganfly develops new drone sensor packages manned helicopters in high-risk opera- tions and environments; releasing two UAV maker Draganfly has developed three pairs the 100MP Phase One Industrial This package also offers simultaneous new airmanship bulletins on the vortex new drone camera packages for agricul- iXM-100 still camera with the MicaSense capture of multispectral and high-res- ring state and on power-available limita- tural research and environmental moni- RedEdge-MX multispectral five-band olution visual imagery. All of these new tions; and obtaining FAASTeam commit- toring missions. The first uses the Corning sensor, which simultaneously captures sensor payload packages are integrated ments for 2020 workshops in Little Rock, microHSI hyperspectral sensor installed on multispectral and high-resolution visual with the aircraft’s autopilot, flight control Milwaukee, Memphis, Oakland, Salt Lake either the Draganflyer Commander UAV or imagery. The package’s payload control system, and mission planning software. City, Baton Rouge, Denver, Houston, the DJI M600 Pro. The sensor can record up system allows for geo-referencing and Draganfly collaborated on the develop- Columbia (South Carolina), Greensboro to 155 user-selectable light bands, allowing automatic, simultaneous camera shut- ment of these new payload packages with (NorthYOUR Carolina), SOURCE FORWashington, AVIATION NEWS D.C., and researchers to focus on specific light spec- ter and data logging. This dual payload the University of ’s Plant Portland, Oregon.www.ainonline .com n trums. This sensor is currently used in preci- is available for the DJI M600 Pro. The Phenotyping and Imaging Research Centre sion agriculture, environmental monitoring, second dual-sensor package is more (P2IRC), the University of Saskatchewan’s and oil-and-gas. value-priced and pairs the Sony 42MP Global Water Futures, and the Government

Draganfly also is offering two new 7R still camera with a MicaSense Red- of Canada’s Department of Agriculture and ENEWSLETTER FOR BUSINESS AVIATION M.H. dual-sensor packages. The first of these Edge-MX multispectral 5-band sensor. Agri-Food. www.ainonline.com/alerts

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FOR NEWS VIDEO FROM HELIEXPO

FOR NEWS VIDEO FROM EBACE ROTORCRAFT & unmanned systems

Heli-Expo Erickson bringing Matrix tech to firefighting fleet by James Wynbrandt

Erickson and Sikorsky Aerospace autonomy technology for 10 years, and announced at Heli-Expo in January they not for small drones, but for big airplanes

had signed a development agreement to and helicopters: 12,000 pounds and up.” MARIANO ROSALES incorporate the latter’s Matrix Technol- He noted Sikorsky is now flying an option- (Left) Chris Van Buiten, Sikorsky Innovations v-p engineering and technology, and Hayden ogy into Erickson’s fleet of S64 Air Cranes. ally-piloted UH-60 Blackhawk outfitted Olson, v-p and GM of Erickson Aerosystems, signed an agreement for Sikorsky Matrix tech. Matrix is designed to provide supple- with a similar system at its West Palm mental autonomous flight capabilities to Beach, Florida facility. Fukushima nuclear reactor,” Van Buiten including integrated weapon systems, enhance the pilot’s firefighting capabilities. A demo flight of a Matrix-equipped S64 said, by way of example, “we’d be delighted subsystems, and associated support “The Northern and Southern hemi- is expected sometime next year, the com- to flip the switch on ‘zero’ [crew members] equipment for U.S. Air Force helicopters. sphere fire seasons are starting to merge, panies said. Matrix also captures a vast and have this big heavy-lift machine oper- “Erickson has a long lineage of mod- and we’re also seeing the fires intensify- amount of data, and Erickson believes ate unmanned to save the day.” ernizing and sustaining legacy aircraft ing,” said Hayden Olson, v-p and general that can provide keys for optimizing fire- Separately, Erickson has won a seat on through platform modification. We are manager of Erickson Aerosystems. “We fighting operations in the future. the $996 million, seven-year contract to eager to serve the Air Force with the same need to be able to fight fires at night and Though initially intended to aug- support U.S. special forces for modifica- commitment and dedication that goes in reduced visibility conditions. This tech- ment the aircraft’s standard two-pilot tion of Air Force Materiel Command, Life into sustaining our own fleet of operating nology is going to give our pilots that abil- crew, when the system is fully matured, Cycle Management Center for Fixed and aircraft,” said Doug Kitani, CEO. ity, so they can focus on the mission.” Sikorsky plans for Matrix-equipped air- Rotary Wing platforms consisting of the Winning more military contracts is As for choosing Sikorsky to help craft a craft to be operated either by two pilots, Sikorsky HH-60G and Bell TH-1H and central to Erickson’s post-bankruptcy solution, Olson said, “The Air Crane was one pilot, or autonomously, simply by tog- UH-1H helicopters. Erickson has exten- strategy of expanding its defense-related a Sikorsky type certificate at one point gling a switch to choose among the three sive MRO capabilities for several heli- revenues, including MRO, by adding air- in time. We have a shared DNA, and options. That selection would be based on copter models, including U.S. Navy and frame types and making the company less Sikorsky’s number-one value is safety.” the task and the danger involved. Marine Corps platforms. It also provides reliant on its Air Crane-related business. Sikorsky Innovations v-p Chris Van “If the horrible day ever happens and systems integration, qualification, and In June, Erickson announced that it added Buiten said, “We’ve been developing we’re tasked to drop concrete on the implementation of aircraft modifications, the Airbus H225 to its fleet. n

the new gearbox “as soon as possible.” Sikorsky firms timeline for new S-92 The new gearbox can be fitted to exist- ing helicopters as part of the current 1,500- by Mark Huber hour inspection, she said, and is just one of several menu items that can be selected for Sikorsky’s A+ upgrade kit for legacy S-92 out of a full load of fuel. The new “Phase IV” can function for between 30 and 50 min- the A+ upgrade. Other options under the helicopters will be available for customers gearbox was also flown for more than 200 utes without primary lubrication, Sikorsky upgrade include an increased gross weight in 2023, while the S-92B is planned to enter flight hours and also later torn down and found this of dubious value given the off- kit to 27,700 pounds and an uprated engine, service in 2025, the company announced inspected in the presence of the FAA. shore distances some of its customers the GE CT7-8A6, that offers better payload at January’s Heli-Expo kicked off. It fur- Notably, the design uses a supplemental must fly. capability and high and hot performance. ther revealed that the A+ upgrade will be fuel pump and additional oil lines to reuse When secondary lubrication kicks in, The new engine, which was certified in June, priced at $3 million while the B variant main gearbox oil that is accumulated in a the event generates a “technical indica- allows customers to operate with full seats will have a price tag of $28.5 million. lower sump in the event of primary lubri- tor” back to Sikorsky to facilitate trou- and full fuel under most conditions. Audrey Brady, Sikorsky v-p of commer- cation failure. While some other OEMs bleshooting once the helicopter lands or Kit options will be rolled out progres- cial systems and services, said the timing of have developed “run dry” gearboxes that returns to base. Brady said customers want sively, Brady said. They also include the the rollouts was designed to accommodate previously disclosed Matrix advanced customers’ fleet-planning decision cycles. flight computing hardware and software. In talking to customers in the months after Matrix enables other new Sikorsky tech- Sikorsky announced the programs last year nology such as Rig Approach 2.0 and at Heli-Expo, Sikorsky determined that the SuperSearch. For offshore missions, Rig ability to retrofit the new main gearbox Approach permits the helicopter to fly a was customers’ top priority. mission profile to within a quarter-mile The new gearbox fits into the existing of the helideck on an oil rig. space for the legacy component and pro- All of the features on the A+ kit will be vides for increased time between over- incorporated into the B model, along with haul interval of up to 25 percent. The several other improvements, such as 20 extra weight of the new gearbox is offset percent-larger cabin windows, titanium with weight savings elsewhere on the air- sideframes that increase fuselage service craft. Sikorsky has both ground tested and life, and a common cabin door for off- flight tested the new gearbox. shore and SAR missions. Brady said the air During ground testing, the gearbox ran conditioning system in the current S-92 is for more than seven hours and the test was MARIANO ROSALES sufficiently robust to compensate for any halted only when the engineers got to the Audrey Brady, Sikorsky vice president of commercial systems and services, outlined the increased solar heating due to the larger time when the helicopter would have run company’s plans for significant upgrades to the S-92, including a new main gearbox. window area. n

46 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com DEFENSE perspective Boeing sees export-sales potential for the Red Hawk by David Donald

Now in development by Boeing and part- architecture design that permits export ner Saab for the U.S. Air Force, the T-7A customers to tailor the system to meet Red Hawk has a bright future in the export their own requirements, and both aircraft market, said Thom Breckenridge, a Boeing and ground-based training systems can be Defense, Space, and Security marketing spe- updated in one software push. cialist. He foresees a global market for up Boeing and Saab have started building, to 2,600 of the advanced jet trainers, with respectively, the forward and aft fuselage the Asia-Pacific region showing particu- sections of the initial production aircraft. lar promise as a number of countries are Boeing remains coy about when it will fly either introducing or preparing to intro- the first production aircraft, but is due to duce fifth-generation fighters. In addition to deliver the first to the U.S. Air Force in 2023, training, the aircraft has the potential to be with initial operational capability slated for employed for other tasks, such as air-to-air the following year. Full capability is sched- Two autonomously controlled EA-18G Growlers flew at Naval Air Station Patuxent River as part adversary training and light attack. uled for 2034. The stated requirement is of a series of tests between Boeing and the U.S. Navy. Breckenridge noted that the T-7A is a for 351 aircraft, accompanied by extensive “perfect complement” to new-generation ground-based training aids partly produced fighters, including the Lockheed Martin in-house by Boeing but also involving other, F-35 that has been bought by Australia, undisclosed partners. The Air Force is look- Navy test-flies a pair Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Boe- ing at acquiring 46 simulators. ing and Saab are sharing the global mar- The company does not expect the first keting effort. production aircraft to differ significantly of unmanned EA-18 Growlers The aircraft has a 10- by 19-inch recon- from the two demonstrators built for the figurable wide-area display, the ability T-X competition, which have now com- by Mark Huber to train in inflight refueling techniques, pleted around 30 percent of the phase 1 and an embedded system that allows developmental testing. The pair has per- Boeing and the U.S. Navy successfully flew Teaming demonstration lead. “It’s a force weapons and sensor training to be formed over 150 flights, including days two autonomously controlled EA-18G multiplier that enables a single aircrew to undertaken virtually while in flight. The when five sorties were flown in a single day. Growlers at Naval Air Station Patuxent control multiple aircraft without greatly live insertion of threats and air combat For the U.S. Air Force order, Boeing and River as unmanned air systems using a increasing workload. It has the potential to opponents enhances the training poten- Saab are planning to hit an annual produc- third Growler as a mission controller for increase survivability as well as situational tial of the type. The aircraft has an open tion rate of 48 aircraft. n the other two. The Growler is a two-seat awareness.” Brandt said the demonstration airborne electronic attack aircraft vari- will provide data that will enable technol- In September 2019 the ant of the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet. Over ogy decisions for the Navy. “It could provide name Red Hawk was the course of four flights, 21 demonstra- synergy with other U.S. Navy unmanned announced for the T-7A. tion missions with unmanned Growlers systems in development across the spec- The name and red tails were completed during the Navy Warfare trum and in other services,” he said. honor the Tuskegee Development Command’s annual fleet Some 88 Growlers were delivered to Airmen, the United States’ experiment (FLEX) exercises. the Navy between 2008 and 2013, replac- first African-American “This technology allows the Navy to ing a fleet of aging EA-6Bs. Its combat pilots, who flew extend the reach of sensors while keeping “tip of the spear” missions include sup- red-tailed P-51 Mustangs manned aircraft out of harm’s way,” said pression of enemy air defenses and elec- during World War II. Tom Brandt, Boeing Manned-Unmanned tronic attack. n

USAF legacy fleets survive budget review they have the highest airframe hours. The B-1 Wing at Beale AFB are going, along with the has been used extensively in Operation Inherent early-model Block 20s. The USAF will retain The Pentagon has decided not to retire mul- FY2020. But it was shaped by what the Pen- Resolve over the Middle East. the 10 Block 40s based at Grand Forks AFB tiple legacy aircraft, after all. There had been tagon described as a comprehensive Defense- Sixteen KC-10 tankers are going. The that have a modern radar sensor. speculation that the A-10, B-1, KC-10, and U-2 Wide Review in which numerous hard choices number might have been higher, perhaps, Some 40 of the USAF’s large fleet of MQ-9 fleets would be eliminated in the U.S. Fiscal were made to achieve savings of almost $5.7 were it not for the problems introducing the Reaper UAVs are being removed. They are 2021 defense budget. In addition, early block billion. Savings from the U.S. Air Force fleet KC-46. Sixteen venerable KC-135s are also to the ones operated by a contractor, rather F-16s and some MQ-9 Reapers would also cuts, and from cuts in the Army and Navy be retired, but this leaves a substantial fleet, than the service itself. get the chop. budgets, will be used to boost spending on pending full introduction of the troubled new On the plus side, $2.8 billion is allocated But although the FY2021 budget request, research, development, testing, and evaluation Boeing tanker. for the stealthy B-21 bomber. The controver- released on February 10, reduces the number to an unprecedented $106.6 billion. A debate has raged for years over sial F-15EX upgrade is funded again, for 12 of A-10s, B-1s, KC-10s, and MQ-9s in service, Forty-four A-10 attack aircraft are being whether the U-2 should be replaced by the aircraft worth $1.6 billion. Other investments most of them survive. The U-2 Dragon Lady retired. The Pentagon tried to retire the entire Global Hawk. The Pentagon tried to retire the include $11.4 billion for 79 F-35s; a whopping fleet is retained in its entirety. Instead, most of fleet a few years ago, but was thwarted by Dragon Lady twice in the last decade, but like $7.5 billion for only seven CH-53Ks; $3 billion the Global Hawk UAVs that fly a similar high-al- an outcry from Congress and some military the A-10, Congress objected and so did the for 15 KC-46s; $2.1 billion for 24 F/A-18E/Fs; titude reconnaissance mission are withdrawn. commanders. combatant commanders. Instead, the 30 $1.2 billion for 52 AH-64Es; $739 million for The total budget for the Defense Depart- Seventeen B-1 bombers will be axed. They Block 30 Global Hawks that are based along- five VH-92 presidential helicopters; and $269 ment is $705 billion, only marginally up from are early-production aircraft, perhaps because side the U-2s in the 9th Reconnaissance million for P-8As. C.P.

ainonline.com \ March 2020 \ Aviation International News 47 AVIONICS & technology News Update Bell Adds Genesys Autopilot as Factory Option on 505 Bell has selected the Genesys Aerosystems VFR HeliSAS autopilot and stability augmentation system with envelope protection as a new factory-installed option on the 505 Jet Ranger X. Key autopilot features include automatic recovery to near-level flight attitude at all airspeeds; stability engagement throughout all phases of flight; autopilot pitch control, including altitude hold, IAS hold, VS hold, GS autopilot roll control with HDG hold, NAV, LOC, and VOR; optional yaw control; and over- and underspeed protection. VFR HeliSAS is also offered as a retrofit through a Genesys Aerosystems approved dealer. Current pricing for HeliSAS on the Bell 505 is $70,259 for two-axis and $85,259 for three-axis, not including installation.

VR-Tech Picks Thales FlytX Avionics Suite Russian Helicopters subsidiary VR-Technologies has selected the Thales FlytX avionics system for its VRT500 light single. For this helicopter, FlytX will feature a single 15-inch touchscreen display, split into two halves with a primary flight display Deliveries of Garmin GFC 600H to start soon (PFD) on the right and multifunction display (MFD) on the left. Avidyne’s touchscreen by Matt Thurber IFD540 GPS navigator provides navcom functions, and the new Thales Compact Garmin’s GFC 600H helicopter flight state or mode for the GFC 600H is atti- In the AStar, the limits are 46 Autopilot is also part of the suite. control system (HFCS), unveiled two tude hold mode (ATT), which makes the degrees of roll and +14/-13 degrees FlytX can be hardwired to any tablet or years ago at Heli-Expo, is now ready for helicopter feel a lot like a stable airplane of pitch. “The onset is gradual and it smartphone, including Apple iOS, Android, installation in customer helicopters. The by holding pitch and roll steady, but also ramps up over a period of additional or Windows, and apps that run on those company has been giving pilots demon- allowing the pilot to make changes in the pitch/roll exceedance,” he explained, devices are mirrored on the MFD side of strations of the system’s features in its flight path without shutting off the sys- with the system nudging the controls the FlytX display. With a tablet connected, Airbus AS350 AStar, and Garmin received tem. “You can go hands-off stick indef- to help the pilot return to a less radical the pilot can place it in a pocket and supplemental type certification of the initely without the helicopter going in attitude. actuate the tablet app on the MFD side system in the AS350B2/B3 on February 11.. some random attitude,” Loflin added. HESP engages whether or not the of the touchscreen. On the MFD side, The GFC 600H is available in a two- With the optional yaw servo, in ATT HFCS is switched on. Like Garmin’s fixed- the pilot can manipulate anything on the axis or three-axis configuration—both mode the HFCS holds heading in hover wing autopilots, GFC 600H includes a screen using normal multitouch gestures. have pitch and roll servos, with the latter and keeps the inclinometer ball centered level (LVL) button, which automatically also having a yaw servo. Later, Garmin in cruise. In future versions, yaw trim also returns the helicopter to a level-pitch, Avidyne Helios Brings will add a servo for the collective, accord- will be available. zero-bank attitude, a great help during Multifunction FMS to Rotorcraft ing to Jack Loflin, Garmin’s engineering In ATT mode, the pilot can easily inadvertent VMC into IMC encounters. Avidyne recently announced the Helios flight-test team lead. change the reference point by moving the The GMC 605H mode controller is touchscreen flight management system To install the GFC 600H, Garmin’s controls to change the helicopter’s posi- night-vision compatible and contains (FMS) version for rotorcraft. Helios is G500H TXi flight display is also required, tion, then pushing the force-trim release its own attitude sensors. Garmin’s G500 a Dzus-mounted unit that fits into a and it provides helicopter terrain aware- (FTR) button on the cyclic to lock in the TXi display also has its own sensors, and typical cockpit console on helicopters, ness and warning system, Garmin’s new reference point. Or the pilot can both sources are compared, and if there and Avidyne’s initial target market is the WireAware wire-strike avoidance, syn- push the four-axis (beep trim) switch on is a disagreement, the worse output is Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and S-76 and thetic vision, multiple video inputs, the cyclic to make small changes to the discarded. and 412. Helios will be available later night-vision goggle compatibility, and “a reference point. For helicopters with teetering rotor this year, with prices starting at $23,999. graphical map overlay within the hori- ATT mode holds zero degree roll angle systems, the GFC 600H’s HESP protects Helios adds several modern capabilities zontal situation indicator (HSI) for most (and heading if yaw servo-equipped) and against mast bumping caused by nega- to legacy helicopters, including GPS display formats.” airspeed. But once accelerating above 45 tive g loads by nudging the cyclic back navigation, Qwerty keyboard, full- The GFC 600H is a “fly-through” flight knots, upper or coupled modes are avail- toward positive g. The GFC 600H can be color moving-map with high-resolution, control system, which means that it is sim- able, such as HDG, NAV, APR, IAS, VS, installed on a variety of helicopter types, three-arc second terrain basemap, and ilar to stability augmentation system-type and ALTS, “like any autopilot,” said Loflin. with the Bell 505 and 206 next in line. In georeferenced Jeppesen terminal charts helicopter autopilots in that it maintains a The ability for the GFC 600H to hold any helicopter, the HFCS automatically and airport/heliport diagrams. Further stable state that frees the pilot to perform the hover position by integrating ground- recognizes the position of the collective functionality can be added with optional other tasks and not have to concentrate speed and position and not using attitude and when pulling power, will move the 16-watt VHF navcom with ILS; helicopter on maintaining the helicopter’s attitude hold is unique, according to Loflin. Also pedal in the correct direction to compen- TAWS; Avidyne GPS Legacy Avionics all the time. Loflin uses the analogy of a unique for this HFCS is Garmin’s Heli- sate for torque. Support for compatibility with Collins Pro fixed-wing airplane’s inherent stability to copter Electronic Stability & Protection The GFC 600H starts at $79,995 and Line 21 and Honeywell Primus avionics to describe how fly-through stability works. (HESP) limit cueing, which helps the pilot requires a G500H TXi display, which add coupled approach guidance and LPV “Airplanes are inherently stable. Heli- avoid excessive bank and pitch and over- retails for $23,495 for the 7-inch and approach capability; radar display; NVG copters are not,” he said. The lowest speed and underspeed conditions. $27,495 for the 10.6-inch display. compatibility; and RS-170 video input.

48 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com Along with the three-axis GFC 600H then accelerated and climbed south along HFCS and the required G500H TXi touch- the river for the flight back to Salem. screen display, Garmin’s AStar also hosts Flying south of Portland, I really came the latest GTN 650 and 750 Xi touchscreen to appreciate the GFC 600H’s ability to GPS navigators with faster processors, hold the AStar stable, allowing me to look brighter displays, and wider viewing angles around for traffic and terrain, manipulate and the Flight Stream 510 wireless gateway. the avionics, and otherwise manage the With so many touchscreens, the GFC 600H helicopter. This kind of HFCS is a major makes it much easier for a lone pilot to safety improvement. manipulate the touchscreens and focus on Loflin demonstrated some mode other important operational issues rather changes as we flew, explaining that HDG than manipulating the flight controls. and ALT modes are what he typically uses when flying cross country. The inclinom- Flying GFC 600H eter was a little off, which I could have During a demo flight of the GFC 600H, I fixed with some pedal, but it was easier to was able to experience how even in the Garmin’s Airbus AS350 AStar at the Portland Downtown Heliport during a GFC 600H demo. turn on the yaw servo, which straightened lower ATT mode, the HFCS tightens up out the helicopter perfectly. the “wet noodle” feel of the helicopter so the same in a roll to the right and could I pulled up the terrain display on the We did some LVL button demos, with that the AStar feels much more stable. feel the controls pushing back against me. G500 TXi and could see some hills ahead Loflin putting the AStar into steep climb After taking off from McNary Field in I banked steeply to the left and felt the of us that we needed to climb over. We and bank situations, then recovering to Salem, Oregon, where Garmin engineers same strong pushback. set the altitude select to 1,500 feet and straight-and-level as soon as I pushed developed the new HFCS, Loflin switched We happened to be near a sandbar in selecting VS on the mode controller, we the LVL button. There are two ways to off the GFC 600H and handed the cyclic the middle of a river, so Loflin, noting that climbed in VS mode until we captured the engage LVL, with a button on the mode and collective to me so I could feel the sandbars are part of public land, took us selected altitude. controller or a button on the cyclic. The AStar’s normal “native” sensitive controls. down for a demonstration of the HFCS’s Loflin briefed me on the flight path HFCS remains in LVL mode until a dif- Loflin then took the controls to demon- hover capabilities. About six feet above we needed to follow to avoid causing too ferent mode is selected. “It’s pretty slick,” strate to me what happens to the helicop- the sandbar, the HFCS was in ground- much noise to residents below us and to he said. “That could certainly save your ter after letting go of the controls, “to give speed (position) hold mode. “It’s going avoid the Class C airspace around Port- bacon some night.” you an idea of how unstable the helicop- to try to hold the helicopter right over land International Airport as we flew to ter is.” Within a handful of seconds, the this position,” he said. At first, he didn’t Portland Downtown Heliport. As we flew GPS Approach AStar climbed and banked to the right. have the yaw servo engaged, but the sys- along the Willamette River, we could see For the arrival into McNary Field in Salem, He then engaged the HFCS in ATT mode, tem maintained heading pretty well. With powerlines crossing the river on the mov- I wanted to see how the GFC G600H flies which holds roll and pitch steady. “Now the yaw servo off, Loflin could easily pedal ing-map’s WireAware display, a handy fea- a GPS approach, so I set up the RNAV if I let go, it’s going to hold this attitude turn to a new heading, and then it main- ture for a machine that usually flies close (GPS) Rwy 13 Approach. This is a simple indefinitely,” he said, and it holds heading tained that. But after switching the yaw to the ground. and typically Garmin-ish procedure using and speed close to what they were when servo on, using a switch mounted on the the GTN 750, and of course made easier switched on. collective, the heading hold was even Heliport Approach because the HFCS was keeping the AStar Loflin then banked to the right onto a more steady. “I’m completely hands off Loflin took the controls for the final stable while I used the GTN’s touchscreen new heading, and the system rolled the the cyclic,” he said, although he kept con- approach to Downtown Heliport. “I to set up the approach. helicopter level and maintained the new trol of the collective to help manage the often fly my approaches with the force I pushed the APR button on the heading. I tried a similar turn, and the height above ground. trim release held,” he said, “which mode controller as we neared the cyclic felt a little springy instead of the We climbed away from the sandbar and reduces the force but provides me some inbound course, and then we inter- normal sensitive looseness. I took over the controls in ATT mode. I spring-tension feel on the controls.” He cepted the course. On reaching the Next was a low-speed demo. Loflin used the beep trim to make small changes positioned the helicopter in one of the final approach fix, the AStar promptly selected ALT mode then lowered the col- to the climb attitude, then captured the heliport’s parking spots, and we shut followed the glide path as I lowered the lective to reduce power. At 45 knots, we current altitude by pushing the ALT but- down the engine. collective to keep the AStar at about 80 heard a “low speed” aural and the HFCS ton on the mode controller, and heading After lunch, which demonstrated the knots. I uncoupled the approach as we lowered the nose to maintain 45 knots. with the HDG button (after centering the ultra-convenience of this heliport and descended just to feel how easy it was We could hear and feel the blade slap heading bug on the HSI). Then flying was Portland’s progressive attitude toward to hand-fly the approach. as the blades hit their own wake. After simply a matter of turning with the head- helicopters, I lifted the AStar off in “wet Back at the airport, we asked the tower descending a few hundred feet, Loflin ing bug and adjusting the selected altitude. noodle” mode with some help from Loflin, controller for permission to practice near added power and we climbed back to our a convenient spot used by local helicop- selected altitude. ters, and I practiced hovering in ground- speed mode. While the helicopter doesn’t Overspeed Demo sit 100 percent still, I could easily make it Loflin then added a bunch of power so do what I wanted. I switched off the yaw we could see the overspeed feature. He servo to make pedal turns, tried flying set the HFCS to put us in a vertical speed sideways and backwards, and I felt like (VS) descent, and as the speed closed in I had excellent control the whole time. on the VNE barberpole, we heard a “max At one point, as I was flying toward the speed” aural and the helicopter’s speed hover spot, I engaged the HFCS ground- stayed just below the redline. (The red- speed mode too early, before coming to line adjusts on the G500H TXi airspeed a full hover, and the system didn’t let me tape depending on certain variables). get away with it. I had to turn off ground- Loflin explained that if the helicopter is speed mode, reestablish a good hover, decelerating or accelerating rapidly, the then switch it back on. HFCS will start mitigating the change to I performed at least five landings and help prevent exceeding the low-speed or takeoffs, feeling increasingly confident high-speed limits. with each one, then at Loflin’s suggestion, Next was a demo of HESP limit-cueing. I flew back to the Garmin helipad next to He rolled to 60 degrees to the left and the company’s hangar and managed to explained that he could feel that he was land in the center of the H circle painted “fighting it” to hold that steep bank. I tried Test pilot Jack Loflin demonstrated hands-off-cyclic using the GFC 600H’s groundspeed hold. on the asphalt. n

ainonline.com \ March 2020 \ Aviation International News 49 AIR transport

more intense scrutiny from regulators News Update arising from the twin crashes and ground- ing of the 737 Max have created expecta- Spirit Signs Max Supply Deal tions of a longer wait. Spirit AeroSystems has reached an The largest turbofan engine ever devel- agreement with Boeing calling for oped for an airliner, the GE9X remained the Wichita-based supplier to restart a so-called “pacing item” as the indus- production of 737 Max fuselages “slowly” try gathered for the Dubai Airshow in and accelerate deliveries throughout the November, by which time the company year to reach a total of 216 shipsets in 2020, had delivered three fully compliant Spirit announced on January 30. Spirit said engines following retrofit of redesigned it does not expect to achieve a production stator vane assemblies in the engines’ rate of 52 shipsets per month until late . By the time of first flight, 2022. The agreement offered a clue to the GE Aviation had delivered six test engines 737 Max production ramp plan at Boeing, out of eight built to support the Boeing which said that it expects not to reach full

BOEING flight test program. In all, the company production for several years. Spirit said The first -9 prepares to land at Boeing Field in Seattle. has built 20 GE9Xs. the sides based their supply agreement In a written statement, a GE spokes- on several assumptions, including Boeing’s man told AIN that the company expected expected production rate and the engine certification “later this year.”- successful return to service of the 737 Max. takes flight; Speaking with AIN just ahead of last month’s Singapore Airshow, GE9X pro- LOT Parent To Acquire Condor gram head Ted Ingling explained that the The owner of LOT Polish Airlines has agreed GE9X certification pending process that led to the fix to the problem to buy Condor Airlines, a move that marks a titanium part involved revamping its major step forward in Poland’s ambition to by Gregory Polek geometry to ensure a proper wear profile. play a larger role in the European aviation Ingling conceded that the stator vane market. The deal, announced January 24, The Boeing 777-9 completed its first test less than 10 knots, well below the limit problem took him and his team by sur- will see Polish Aviation Group (PGL) acquire flight on January 25, landing at Boeing at which program managers might have prise and the fact that the company dis- full ownership of the former Thomas Field in Seattle at 2:01 p.m. local time needed to call off the flight for the third covered it fairly late in the development Cook Group for a non-disclosed sum. after a three-hour, 52-minute mission time. process proved “troubling.” The companies said PGL’s investment over Washington state. Powered by a pair The first of four dedicated 777-9 flight “This particular one came at us a little will allow Condor to “fully repay” the of GE9X turbofans, the test airplanes, WH001 will now undergo late in the program,” said Ingling at the €380 million ($421 million) German big twin took off northbound at 10:09 checks before resuming testing. The test time. “And the nature of it required us to government-backed bridging loan a.m. from Boeing’s Paine Field complex fleet, which began ground trials in Ever- go inside the engine to fix it. And that, by it received last year following the in Everett, Washington, marking the start ett last year, will endure a comprehen- definition, given when we found it and bankruptcy of British travel group of a flight test program now expected to sive series of tests and conditions on the where we found it, drove the schedule. I Thomas Cook. The European Commission lead to certification in 2021. ground and in the air over the coming will say it’s unfortunate from a schedule in October green-lighted the rescue The first flight came after a weather-re- months to demonstrate the safety and standpoint but fortunate from a prod- loan, reasoning it would help ensure the lated postponement on January 23 and reliability of the design. uct standpoint. I much preferred to find orderly continuation of flights, though an aborted mission on January 24, when Boeing had originally hoped to gain this in a place where we could fix it and Frankfurt-headquartered Condor needed gusting tailwinds prevented a northbound FAA certification for the larger of a duo robustly get it behind us than to have to demonstrate its liquidity needs on a takeoff planned as part of the test flight of planned 777X variants this year, but something show up in flight tests or cer- weekly basis. Germany committed to itinerary. Winds on January 25 blew at engine-related delays and promises of tainly in the field.” n ensuring that, after six months, Condor will either fully repay the loan or it will carry out a comprehensive restructuring to return to viability in the long-term. Condor CEO Ralf Teckentrup told Government to divest its entire stake in Air India German media the company would repay the loan on time, by April 15. The Indian government has granted “in-prin- Jet Airways opened up slots and bilaterals 21,000; the EOI assures that 36 percent—or ciple” approval for the disinvestment of for Indian domestic carriers with ambitions 9,000—will retire in the next five years. Garuda Names New CEO debt-ridden Air India through transfer of to expand to international markets that The airline, however, has accumulated Garuda Indonesia on January 22 named management control and sale of its 100 per- picked them up. However, those start- debt of more than $9 billion. “Air India’s a new CEO and enacted several other cent equity share capital along with its two ing afresh with a new airline will have a financial position can be described as very leadership changes as it addresses profit-making subsidiaries, Air India Express direct advantage as they will get Air India fragile,” said Indian minister for civil aviation a series of scandals that rocked its and Air India SATS Airport Services, in which slots. However, the question is who has Hardeep Singh Puri. The EOI calls for a debt previous management. During an it holds a 50 percent share with ground han- the money to absorb the massive debt of freeze at $2.5 billion, which approximately extraordinary shareholder meeting, the dling and cargo handling service company the national carrier. Also, the mandatory equates to the written-down value of the airline appointed Irfan Setiaputra chief SATS of Singapore. absorption of its staff by the new entity combined assets of Air India and Air India executive officer, replacing I Gusti Ngurah The declaration marks the second solic- remains unanswered.” Express. “Any private investor can turn it Askhara “Ari” Danadiputra, who lost his job itation of an expression of interest (EOI) The airlines control a 146-aircraft fleet around and bring operational and financial in December along with four directors. in the past two years. The first received and a network connecting 45 international efficiency,” added Puri. “We hope Air India Garuda’s corporate shuffle comes amid no response. Submissions are due March and 57 domestic destinations. Every week, remains a vibrant company and continues a number of past and current scandals, 17 and the government expects to notify Air India uses 4,486 domestic and 2,738 to fly forever. We have learned valuable les- including allegations of price-fixing, unfair bidders of their qualification by March 31. international slots, including 72 in the U.S. sons from past attempts.” business competition practices, and sexual Ernst & Young India has agreed to serve as and 74 in the UK, two large markets for The sale of the carrier likely will not harassment of cabin crew. The company a transaction advisor. Indian travelers. The state-owned airline happen without opposition. Member of has also experienced a spate of recent “This EOI has come at a wrong time for offers 75 additional destinations through Parliament Subramanium Swamy has problems with local carrier Sriwijaya Air, some and right for others,” commented its codeshare partners. It also employs a threatened to go the court against the which moved to sever its relationship Santosh Hiredesai, an analyst with Mum- vast pool of 1,900 pilots and 4,000 cabin government’s decision to, in his words, last November after accusing Garuda of bai-based SBICap Securities. “The exit of crew out of an employee base of more than “sell the family silver.” N.M. imposing unfair stipulations over payments for airport services and maintenance.

50 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com competition and the climate wants better Despite costs, Embraer’s aircraft that burn less fuel and certainly JAL’s Zipair that are quieter. We believe we could be positioned very well to be the disruptor Slattery being patient on JV in that space.” set to fly Slattery added that he doubts the most by Gregory Polek recent delay in the EC’s review might also delay a decision on the turboprop, not- transpacific Embraer Commercial Aircraft CEO John outside of the environment of the joint ven- withstanding his reluctance to predict a Slattery continues to exhibit exceptional ture with Boeing,” said Slattery. time frame for the commission’s final Newly launched Japan Airlines low-cost patience with the European Commis- But if the JV doesn’t happen, Embraer decision. The EC set April 30 as a decision subsidiary Zipair plans to start the world’s sion’s extended review of the Brazilian would almost certainly miss a golden deadline once it restarted its investiga- first transpacific low-cost carrier services company’s proposed joint venture with market opportunity in the Asia-Pacific tion on January 6, some two months after once it gains ETOPS approval for its Boeing, even while costs associated with region in particular, given the company’s “stopping the clock” the first time. Now, reconfigured Boeing 787-8s sometime this the merger continue to mount. Speak- own projections for a 20-year demand the new deadline remains unclear, further year, JAL and Zipair executives revealed ing with AIN just ahead of last month’s for 960 new turboprops. “[ATR has] compromising the “visibility” Slattery said last month at the Singapore Airshow. Singapore Airshow, Slattery cited confi- four-fifths of the market and probably airlines so covet, and the Embraer boss Plans call for service launch between dentiality interests in declining to offer [will] increase even that percentage. So declined to offer an estimate of what new Tokyo Narita and Bangkok on May 14 and details of the EC’s most recent request it’s an effective monopoly,” noted Slattery. deadline the EC will set once it resumes its for a second ex-JAL 787 between Narita for information on the proposal follow- “ATR is owned 50 percent by Airbus, so current pause. “We don’t want to speak to and Seoul on July 1. ing its decision to suspend its review for Airbus is uniquely positioned in the tur- whatever protocol it is that the commis- Appearing at the Singapore Airshow a second time on January 21. However, he boprop market. The customers want real sion wants to adopt on the timeframe. But with Japan Airlines executive officer for reiterated he remains “respectful” of the logically I would expect that…they will add procurement Ryo Tamura and Zipair pres- process, notwithstanding the fact that whatever time the clock was stopped onto ident Shingo Nishida, Boeing commercial Embraer has finished its IT migration in that [April 30] date, but that’s a decision sales and marketing v-p Ihssane Mounir preparation for the establishment of the for them,” said Slattery. revealed plans to convert the interiors entity called Boeing Brasil. The transac- Asked whether the recent change in of the Dreamliners from a 206-seat con- tion has gained the endorsement of nine leadership at Boeing might engender figuration to a dual-class, 290-seat layout. of 10 jurisdictions whose approval the Embraer yet more uncertainty, Slattery projected Nishida detailed plans to lighten the air- deal needs to proceed, leaving the EC as Commercial nothing but a solid conviction about the plane by reducing the number of galleys the last remaining holdout. Aircraft CEO fidelity of Boeing CEO David Calhoun’s from four to three, removing seat monitors, One might excuse any hint of impa- John Slattery declared commitment to the partnership. and using lightweight synthetic leather for tience from Slattery given not only the “First, let me say that I think Dave Cal- the seat upholstery. administrative costs incurred but also houn is a great leader and I think the Boe- Nishida described the target market for the lack of “visibility” the delay has gen- ing Company is very lucky now to have Zipair as young professionals who don’t erated among airline executives. Although “Certain airlines somebody of Dave’s caliber in the CEO necessarily travel on company expense Embraer hasn’t yet reported fourth-quar- want more role,” noted Slattery. “Closing the part- accounts. He defined the class of service ter results, some of the same influences nership with Embraer is a key priority for as neither low-cost or full service, but that resulted in a steep loss in the third visibility on the him. So he’s made himself accountable rather as “new basic.” quarter of 2019 remained at play during the transaction before for that. He’s put it up there in black and Elements that reflect Zipair’s new basic last three months of the year. By the end they’re prepared to white. We have seen absolutely no pull strategy include plans to fit the airplanes of last year, the commission’s competition down on the level of resources that Boe- with 18 full-flat seats in business class while division had requested more than 1.5 mil- move forward with ing has committed to the transaction and the economy section features 17-inch-wide lion pages of documents and data on 1,200 their fleet planning.” planning for Day One.” n seats installed in a 31-inch pitch layout. G.P. sales campaigns over the last 20 years. Meanwhile, potential customers have shown some hesitancy to pursue deals during the process. “Certain airlines want more visibility on the transac- Qatar Airways-backed Air Italy ceases operations tion before they’re prepared to move forward with their fleet planning,” Less than two years after commencing oper- Alisarda—which is controlled by Aga Khan— “Qatar Airways has strongly believed in explained Slattery. “We are hearing ations under the Air Italy brand and with was no longer willing to fund the loss-mak- the company and in its potential, supporting increasingly that airlines are getting a Qatar Airways as a 49 percent shareholder, ing airline. management’s proposed business plan with little frustrated. They want some surety the Olbia, Sardinia-based airline on February Air Italy launched in early 2018 and a view to improving Air Italy’s growth and job around what the future patina is going 11 announced it would cease operations and essentially was a re-start of Meridiana, the creation,” the Doha airline said. It noted that, to look like so they can plan accord- liquidate. Both its domestic and international Sardinian airline owned by Aga Kahn, with despite its minority shareholder’s role, “Qatar ingly. So we understand that frustration. services will continue until February 25 but support of Qatar Airways. It envisioned Airways has continuously provided all possi- We’re doing everything we can to get will be operated by other carriers “with the becoming Italy’s flagship carrier, replac- ble support to Air Italy right from the begin- our transaction closed so that we can aim of minimizing the inconvenience for ing Alitalia, which had filed for adminis- ning, from releasing aircraft from our fleet and get back to the day job, which is, design- passengers,” according to a statement on tration, offering a service mirroring that of ordering new aircraft for Air Italy, to backing ing new aircraft, building fine aircraft, its website. The decision to proceed with its minority shareholder. The carrier would management choices and injecting capital and and servicing them in the marketplace.” the “liquidazione in bonis” of the company build a hub at Milan Malpensa airport, oper- investment as required and permitted.” That lack of visibility extends to follows a February 11 shareholders’ meeting. ate 50 aircraft and carry 10 million passen- Air Italy’s collapse marks the second Embraer’s own decision-making as well, Qatar Airways stressed in a statement gers in 2022. However, the investments unsuccessful venture of a Gulf carrier in most notably on its new turboprop stud- it has “continuously provided all possible necessary for the relaunch, the grounding an Italian airline. Alitalia filed for adminis- ies. Now two years into a three-year study, support” to the carrier since the acquisition of the Boeing 737 Max, and an overly ambi- tration in May 2017 despite a major capital Embraer expects to decide by the fourth of a minority stake in September 2017 and tious long-haul expansion led to a loss of injection and restructuring led by Etihad quarter whether or not to proceed. One “was ready once again to play its part in €160 million ($175 million) in 2018. Despite Airways. Like Qatar Airways in Air Italy, Abu certainty, however, centers on the fact that supporting the growth of the airline.” But, it a tweaking of its network, and scaling back Dhabi-based Etihad Airways owned only 49 it will not move forward absent the joint added, “this would only have been possible several long-haul routes, losses continued percent of Alitalia because EU rules require venture with Boeing. “My board of direc- with the commitment of all shareholders,” to increase to close to €200 million in 2019, that the bloc’s airlines are majority-owned tors will not support a development, the indicating Air Italy’s majority shareholder, according to Italian media. and controlled by EU interests. C.B. massive capital spend that will be required…

ainonline.com \ March 2020 \ Aviation International News 51 MRO/ hot section Maintenance news by AIN Staff

Gulf Coast Upgrades King Air helicopter supplier to the civil with Garmin G600 TXi Panel and defense markets, last month Gulf Coast Avionics has completed announced its acquisition of Toron- its first dual Garmin G600 TXi touch- to-based World Aviation Corporation screen avionics upgrade on a Beech- (WAC). The move expands Atlan- craft King Air B200, the Lakeland, ta-based PAG’s MRO capabilities in Florida company announced. The electric motor subcomponent repairs. installation on the 1993-era airplane “Our investment in WAC…will vastly included dual 10.6-inch G600 TXi increase the number of capabilities we displays, dual GTN 750 GPS navcoms, have to reduce the costs associated GMA 35c remote audio panel, GTX with providing MRO services to our 345 ADS-B Out/In transponder, GDL customer base,” said PAG president 69A XM Weather datalink receiver, and CEO David Mast. “Additionally, and GSB 15 USB power ports from WAC expands our footprint in Can- Garmin, as well as a Mid-Continent ada with the addition of this second MD302 standby attitude module. Gulf location in Toronto and will be able Coast also incorporated integration to enhance support of our customer Bombardier's new London Biggin Hill service center is expected to be operational by mid-2022. solutions for the existing Rockwell base in this region of Canada.” Collins APS-65 autopilot and Ben- Bombardier's Biggin Hill grinding capabilities. Last year, the dixKing RDR-2000 weather radar. Service Center To Be a Big'un Mesa, Arizona-based aircraft component MRO Insider App Lets Owners repair and overhaul specialist began Compare Mx Rates for AOG Bombardier will build a larger service undertaking work on the landing gear Parts Provider Aviatrix Owners using MRO Insider’s new center at London Biggin Hill (BQH) to of the Boeing 737 Next Generation, Expands Headquarters services mobile replace its existing hangars there, the part of the reason behind its $3 million Oregon-based global aircraft parts app will soon be able to summon AOG, Montreal-based airframer announced. expansion. Its enhanced capabilities supplier Aviatrix has expanded its parts, detailing, and equipment rental At nearly 250,000 sq ft (23,225 sq m), extend to automating its repair and headquarters to a newly built 17,000- services from a variety of providers the new service center is expected to overhaul process to accommodate sq-ft facility in Sherwood that will based on the owner’s location. Avail- be operational by mid-2022. The new parts weighing up to 4,000 pounds and contain its offices, 30 staffers, and able beginning in February, the app center will offer requested capabili- measuring up to 80 inches in length. more than 250,000 line items of also will allow them to compare hourly ties such as component painting and spare parts. That’s a far cry from rates, provide an estimated time of interior refurbishment, component 2002, when the company began with arrival to their aircraft, and offer repair and overhaul workshops, and Feds Approve West Star's Mx just two employees in a small suite reviews of those service providers. The training rooms. It will have capacity Tech Apprenticeship Program in Newberg. As it expanded, it moved app will run on all Google Android to hold up to 14 Global 7500s simulta- West Star Aviation has received approval to Wilsonville, and then to a location and Apple iOS mobile devices and neously and also include a new parts for its aircraft maintenance technician in Sherwood that it soon outgrew. tablets, as well as desktop comput- depot. Employment at the new cen- apprenticeship program in Illinois from The company serves military, com- ers. As part of the app’s launch, the ter is expected to swell to more than the U.S. Department of Labor, the MRO mercial, private aviation, helicopter company will launch its carbon offset 250 employees over several years. provider announced. The approval operators, and maintenance providers initiative by planting a tree in north- Opened in 2017, Bombardier’s makes West Star eligible for state and distributors with services such ern Michigan for each app download. service center at BQH offers tip-to- grants that can offset wages, tuition, as AOG priority, cross-reference tail heavy maintenance on its Lear- and other training costs. It also allows capabilities, expedited manufactur- jet, Challenger, and Global business the company to tap additional federal ing, expedited service capabilities for StandardAero's Canada MRO jets. Last year, it added enhanced grants, including the Aviation Workforce both repair and spare parts, engi- Hits Engine Mx Milestone interior repair and refurbishment. Development Grant, recently passed by neering solutions for obsolete parts, Following an expansion of its commer- Congress. There are currently 37 appren- online technical support, quick-quote cial turboprop engine MRO Center of tice maintenance technicians at West turnaround, and same-day shipping. It Excellence in Canada, StandardAero Eagle Creek Aviation Begins Star, with nearly three-quarters of them also offers an FAA-designated air- announced the facility inducted more NXi Upgrades on Phenom 100s based at its East Alton, Illinois location. worthiness representative for quality than 1,000 Pratt & Whitney PW100, Indianapolis-based Eagle Creek Avi- questions and technical assistance. PT6A, and JT15D turbine engines in ation has completed its first three 2019. Over the past two years, Stan- Garmin G1000 NXi avionics upgrades PrimeFlight Continues dardAero has expanded the Summer- on Embraer Phenom 100s. Designed Aircraft Appearance Roll Up Precision Aviation side facility to more than 226,000 for Phenom 100s with the Prodigy The PrimeFlight Aviation Services Acquires World Aviation sq ft of leased space and added 500 Flight Deck, the recently certified NXi group of companies continues to roll Precision Aviation Group (PAG), employees to its workforce. Its long- upgrade adds wireless flight plan and up aircraft cleaning companies with its an MRO provider and aircraft and standing regional airline customer, Air database updates, SurfaceWatch runway latest acquisition of some of the assets monitoring, visual approach guidance, of California-based International Aero, and HSI map, among other features. the Texas-based portfolio company of venture capital firm Carlyle Group announced. It follows PrimeFlight’s Able Aerospace Expands December acquisition of Appearance Repair, Overhaul Capabilities Group in Wichita. Assets of Interna- Following the opening of a 60,000- tional Aero that PrimeFlight acquired sq-ft facility expansion last year, Able include operations at Long Beach Aerospace Services has added new Airport, Van Nuys Airport, Savannah/ machinery that will “double the band- Hilton Head International Airport, width of its machining department” and Tucson International Airport. and increase its business opportuni- Those operations provide aircraft ties, the Textron Aviation subsidiary cleaning, detailing, painting, and plac- announced. Able’s upgrades include arding. International Aero will retain its a machining center, a new next-gen- interior and engineering businesses and In response to its continuing growth, Oregon-based global aircraft parts distributor Aviatrix, eration lathe and mill, and enhanced machine shop located in Los Angeles. has moved into a larger, newly-built headquarters/warehouse facility in Sherwood.

52 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com Creebec, had the milestone 1,000th Constant Aviation Bolsters engine, a P&W PW121, to be inducted SMS Credentials at Summerside. That engine model Cleveland, Ohio-based MRO provider powers the airline’s fleet of de Havil- Constant Aviation said it will be at the land Canada Dash 8 turboprops. forefront of business aviation main- tenance safety and risk mitigation following its certification as an active C&L Buys Global Parts, participant in the FAA Part 5 Voluntary Adds Texas Warehouse Safety Management System (SMS) C&L Aerospace has acquired an inven- Program. The FAA program, launched in tory of Bombardier Global Express 2015, aims to offer aviation companies parts and is warehousing them at a new with systematic procedures, practices, facility in Austin, Texas, the Maine- and policies to manage safety risk. based MRO provider announced. The Those FAA guidelines have been used inventory comprises 5,000 parts ranging The Embraer Lineage is based on the Brazilian airframer's E190 commercial jet. by Constant to enhance its existing SMS from control surfaces to avionics, and program that addresses four elements: the parts are for the Global Express, new engines and a rising number of was a first for the Switzerland-based safety policy, risk management, safety 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500, and XRS. mature engines. It has more than 180 MRO provider. Seeking a full refur- assurance, and safety promotion. MROs C&L photographs, barcodes, and OEM approvals/licenses and unique FAA bishment of the private aircraft based are not currently required by the FAA scans the parts into an electronic and EASA certifications. With the acqui- on the Embraer E190 airliner follow- to implement SMS, but Constant said location system, along with their cor- sition, StandardAero has 40 primary ing its recent purchase, the customer customers and foreign certificate responding documentation. They are repair facilities located on five conti- opted for a cabin refresh, new livery, holders are increasingly demanding it. available for sale or exchange. Adding a nents with more than 6,400 employees. and compliance with the FAA’s and new warehouse in Austin is a strategic EASA’s ADS-B Out and future air navi- move by C&L to have a central location gation system (FANS) mandates. That Mx Training Provider AIM in the U.S., complementing its ware- Concorde Awarded was in addition to heavy maintenance Relocates Norfolk Campus houses in Bangor, London, and Brisbane, New STCs for Select Bizjets on the aircraft, as well as a resolution Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) Australia, according to the company. Concorde Battery Corp. has been of Embraer service bulletins. All of the Chesapeake has moved to a 109,000- awarded several new STCs for its lead- work was completed on time at Ruag sq-ft facility on an 11-acre campus in acid batteries among select Cessna MRO’s Embraer-authorized service Norfolk, Virginia. The move comes Western Completes First Gogo Citation, Embraer, and Gulfstream center at Munich-Oberpfaffenhofen shortly after AIM acquired the Teterboro Avance Install on PC-24 business jets. The FAA and European Airport in Germany. School of Aeronautics in the New York MRO provider Western Aircraft com- Union Aviation Safety Agency awarded City metropolitan area, the school’s 13th pleted the first install of a Gogo Avance the West Covina, California-based campus in the U.S. An on-site certified L5 in-flight connectivity system on manufacturer STCs for higher capac- Legacy, Praetor Join testing center where students can take a Pilatus PC-24 twinjet, the Boise, ity batteries in the Phenom 300. They Clay Lacy Mx Bona Fides their FAA written examinations is also Idaho-based unit of Greenwich Aero- provide for an option between an Clay Lacy Aviation has added Legacy and housed in the Norfolk campus, which Group announced. The installation RG-390E (28Ah) or RG-390E/30 (30Ah) Praetor business jets to its Embraer-au- was previously a Christian school. went smoothly, and the aircraft was auxiliary battery and an RG-380E/44 thorized service center credentials, the delivered early, according to Western (42Ah), RG-380E/60L (48Ah), or Van Nuys Airport (VNY)-based aircraft Aircraft director of aircraft services RG-380E/53L (53Ah) main starting bat- charter, management, maintenance Dassault Expanding Jody Harris. A full-service FBO and tery, which Concorde said give opera- provider, and FBO operator announced. Global Focus at M&O Sessions FAA certified repair station, Western tors a choice to cater battery capacities The expanded credentials allow it After drawing more than 1,800 attend- Aircraft is an authorized maintenance to unique operational requirements. to perform service on the Legacy 450, ees to its 2019 Falcon Maintenance and and modification facility for Pilatus. It For Citation CJ4 operators, an 500, 600, and 650, and Praetor 500 and Operations (M&O) seminars, Dassault recently announced the completion approved STC developed by Concorde 600, in addition to its existing autho- is following with an eight-city tour of 20 percent of all PC-24 big aircraft allows for the installation of higher rization for the Embraer Phenom 100 this year for the program, beginning modifications worldwide as well as capacity sealed lead-acid batteries, and 300 light jets. Operating from its April 1 in Paris. These sessions will five, 12-month inspections on PC-24s. the RG-380E/60L (24V, 48Ah) or 152,000-sq-ft service center at VNY, provide in-depth technical information RG-380E/53L (24V, 53Ah), replacing the company provides heavy airframe for the Falcon lineup. The interac- original equipment lead-acid or nick- inspections, engine and APU mainte- tive sessions are model-specific and StandardAero Acquires el-cadmium batteries on the 525C. It nance, and light line maintenance. It general, covering a range of topics TRS Ireland gives CJ4 operators increased reserve has performed more than 10,000 hours from troubleshooting to reliability StandardAero has acquired an Ire- capacity and improved outrush cur- of work on Phenom 100s and 300s improvements and STC updates. land-based provider of component rent at start, according to Concorde. and recently wrapped up some of the Dassault's Falcon Pilot Support team repair and manufacturing processes for Lastly, a second battery option is first 10-year Phenom 100 inspections. will lead dedicated pilot sessions. In industrial, aero-derivative, and aircraft now available for Gulfstream G350 addition, the sessions will provide an gas that will expand one of its and G450 operators via an FAA STC update on service center expansion as divisions as well as its portfolio of MRO for the installation of Concorde’s Hartzell Parent Acquires the company builds on its strategy to and component repair services. The Platinum Series RG-380E/46L sealed Genav Accessory Distributor move closer to its global customer base. acquisition of TRS Ireland—a subsidiary lead-acid batteries. However, the STC Tailwind Technologies, the parent com- In 2019, the company added operations of TRS Global Services—gives Stan- doesn’t apply to Gulfstream G350s pany of Hartzell Propeller and Hartzell in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and dardAero nearly 70,000 sq ft of MRO and G450s equipped with nickel-cad- Engine Technologies, has acquired Tulsa, Asia, bringing on board nearly 1,000 operations, more than 100 employees, mium batteries, Concorde said. Oklahoma-based Quality Aircraft Acces- service professionals in 17 locations. and an installed base of customers that sories (QAA), an aftermarket distributor Along with current products, the include Siemens, GE, and Rolls-Royce. for general aviation accessory manufac- M&O events scheduled in Paris on April TRS Ireland will expand StandardAero’s Ruag MRO Paints Its turers. Tailwind plans to retain QAA’s 1 and 2 and in Dallas on April 8 will cover Components, Helicopters & Accessories First Embraer Lineage current leadership team, including pres- classic Falcons, including the Model (CH&A) division with its experience Ruag MRO International recently ident Brett Benton. In addition to Tulsa, 10, 20, and 50. Other events will be as an OEM-approved specialty coating completed a 48-month inspection on an QAA operates a second location in Fort held April 16 in Denver; April 23, Toluca, provider of engine component repair Embraer Lineage, in addition to an avi- Lauderdale, Florida. It is an FAA Part Mexico; April 29, São Paulo, Brazil; May and MRO services on blades, vanes, and onics upgrade, cabin refurbishment, and 145 Class 1 and Class 2 repair station for 12, White Plains, New York; May 19, Chi- other hot section components for both full exterior paint, the latter of which piston engine and aircraft accessories. cago; and October 21, Beijing. n

ainonline.com \ March 2020 \ Aviation International News 53 TOUCHING bases FBO and Airport news by Curt Epstein

Texas gateway a second service pro- in the purchase are two heated han- vider. When completed in early 2021, it gars totaling 28,650 sq ft, an additional will be the company’s fifth location in 12,250 sq ft of terminal/office space, and the state and the 32nd in its network. a pair of 5,000-gallon jet-A tankers. “With four other locations in Texas, Synergy’s owner and CEO, Andrew we feel like we have a good understand- Dustman, plans to relocate his ing of the market,” said CEO Roger maintenance facility to one of the Woolsey. “Striving to make our custom- hangars, following a major refur- ers feel at home, we have taken every bishment project on the facility consideration into account to make sure that could cost up to $1 million. our facility layout and amenities reflect the unparalleled experience customers have come to expect from Million Air.” ABS To Open Bratislava FBO The new location, owned by franchi- While Czech Republic-based aviation see Franklin Mountain Aviation ELP, will services provider ABS Jets has super- consist of a new terminal with 10,069 sq vised private jet handling at Slovakia ft of lobby including a café and refresh- Bratislava Airport for a decade and The new private and business aviation terminal at Morocco’s Marrakech-Menara International ment bar, a pilot lounge, snooze rooms, has a facility there to support its own Airport will include FBOs from Jetex and Swissport, both of whom have handling experience in flight planning area, and A/V-equipped charter aircraft, the company has now the Morocco market. conference room. Outside the terminal received approval to expand its oper- it will have 23,383 sq ft of hangar space, ation at the airport to a full-fledged New Bizav Terminal privately-funded project known as Mesa a 6,000-sq-ft aircraft porte-cochere, FBO. The facility, which has a staff of Debuts in Morocco Hangars broke ground in January, with and more than five acres of ramp. eight, includes a 25,000-sq-ft/2,300- Morocco’s Marrakech-Menara Interna- an eye toward completion in mid-2021. sq-m hangar, a crew lounge, luxury tional Airport debuted its new business Randy Hansen, who manages the com- customer transport vehicles, and its and private aviation terminal last week. pany, noted the near-unavailability of Synergy Flight Buys Facilities own equipment. It also offers line The 32,300-sq-ft structure is home to hangar space for larger private aircraft at of Closed Rival FBO maintenance for the Embraer Legacy two FBOs. Jetex, added its latest loca- FFZ, as well as tightening conditions at Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI) 600/650 and Phenom 100 and 300, as tion in Morocco, which sees more than nearby Scottsdale Airport. The complex lost its longer-serving FBO when Image well as the and G650. 10,000 private jet movements a year, at Mesa will consist of six solar-pow- Air closed its doors earlier this month. “We have worked very closely with joining Casablanca, Agadir, and Rabat, ered energy-efficient buildings that will The family-owned business had served the Bratislava Airport Authority to and bringing the Dubai-based company incorporate 50 individual well-insulated, the Bloomington/Normal airport’s bring our existing ground handling to six FBOs in Africa. At Marrakech, its climate-controlled hangar bays from customers for nearly half a century. services and long-term expertise to 24/7 facility occupies 10,800 sq ft of 3,900 sq ft to 15,000 sq ft with door For much of that time it was the sole commercial operations,” said Michal the new terminal, making it the global heights ranging from 22 feet to 28 feet to provider, but since 2013 it shared the Pazourek, ABS director of ground support company’s second largest FBO accommodate the largest business jets. ground handing and fueling duties operations. “Our goal now is to obtain after its flagship location in Dubai. Leading Edge Real Estate is the leas- with Synergy Flight Center. Image Air the highest level of internationally “It is an honor for us to establish ing broker, while Wasatch Commercial founder Kenneth Rittenhouse died recognized IS-BAH certification, which the first VIP terminal of its kind in Management of Logan, Utah, will be a year ago, and the family decided we achieved at our Prague base.” Aside North Africa,” said Jetex founder handling the property management. The it would wind down the business. from the airports where it has an official and CEO Adel Mardini. “We are developer is still able to make tenant-re- “They had continued to operate presence, ABS can arrange ground grateful for the ongoing support of quested changes to the hangars, office, with the staff they had in place,” said handling services at all other Czech and the Government of Morocco.” and/or mezzanine spaces. FFZ, which Fran Strebing, the airport’s deputy Slovak airports such as Brno, Karlovy Swissport, the second service pro- sees approximately 800 operations director of marketing. “There were Vary, Ostrava, Vodochody, Kunovice, vider operating in the new terminal has a day, is home to nearly 800 aircraft no other family members who were Kosice, Sliac, Zilina, and Piestany. a 5,650-sq-ft, facility, which includes ranging from business jets to rotorcraft interested in stepping into the same a lounge for 40 passengers with a bar to vintage warbirds. “The new han- role as Mr. Rittenhouse and so they and media corner. A separate VVIP gars are going to open our airport to a were looking to either sell the busi- Long Island FBO Offers lounge can hold nine guests. The first much wider variety and size of aircraft,” ness or transition it in some way.” NYC Transfer Packages floor of the FBO is reserved for crew said Lynn Spencer, the airport’s eco- In the meantime, a lender foreclosed Looking to provide a congestion-free members, with a TV lounge, kitchen, nomic development project manager. on its outstanding loan on the Image alternative for business aviation cus- a pair of snooze rooms and shower Air property, which still has more than tomers heading to , FBO facilities. At Casablanca’s Mohammad four decades remaining on its lease, Republic Jet Center has partnered V Airport, the Swiss company also Million Air To Add El Paso FBO and purchased it in November. It then with aircraft charter/management shares the private terminal with Jetex. Million Air has begun constuction on a sold the company’s buildings and provider Prime Jet to offer a New York “With the opening of our second facility at El Paso International Air- assets to Synergy, making it the sole Express package. It features exclu- Moroccan FBO in this new, state-of-the- port (ELP) in a move that will give the service provider on the field. Included sively priced helicopter connections art VIP terminal in Marrakech, we are further expanding Swissport’s strong position in the north African executive aviation market,” noted Christophe de Figueiredo, CEO of Swissport Morocco.

New Hangar Complex To Rise in Mesa, Arizona Arizona’s Falcon Field (FFZ) will be receiving a massive development project that will add more than 350,000 sq ft of hangar space, plus an additional 40,000 sq ft of office space on the west side of the airport, along North An artist’s rendering shows the Million Air terminal planned for El Paso International Airport. When it is completed next year, it will be Million Greenfield Road. The $50 million, Air’s fifth facility in Texas and will be operated by franchisee Franklin Mountain Aviation ELP.

54 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com to and from Manhattan and Republic traffic ceased flying there when the Airport in Farmingdale for custom- new Istanbul Airport (LTFM) opened FBO PROFILE: Monaco Air Duluth ers booking a Prime Jet Gulfstream last year. “With no commercial traf- charter flight into Republic. The deal fic, arrivals, departure, and taxi times adds a one-way trip for up to six are significantly faster,” Evans noted. passengers on a Sikorsky S-76 oper- “LTBA is also much more conveniently ated by AAG, at a cost of $1,900. located to Istanbul’s city center and “At Republic Jet Center, we pride our- provides greater operational flexi- selves on a luxury brand service expe- bility in terms of both parking, slots, rience and know that helicopters are a scheduled maintenance options, and fabulous business tool, just like business customer preference to the airport’s jets,” explained Jeremy Epperson, presi- general aviation terminal.” Universal dent of the Long Island, New York-based Aviation has also coordinated with Ferda FBO which negotiated the favorable Yildiz and Kaan Air to offer helicopter costs with the helicopter operator. “The service between the airport and city to accessibility of helicopters in New York avoid the “challenging” auto traffic. International tech stops are the name of the game at Monaco Air Duluth, the sole FBO at City is a real game-changer for passen- Minnesota’s Duluth International Airport. The company handles all private, commercial gers looking for a stress-free solution and military aircraft on the field, and has its own in-house U.S. Customs clearance facility. to navigating the typical New York Jet Access Establishes airport congestion and higher costs.” Miami Hub The service provides 14-minute Private aircraft charter and management Facility serves local flights to a choice of three downtown provider Jet Access Aviation estab- Manhattan heliports, or for those who lished a new hub at Miami-Opa Locka and international traffic choose not to take the helicopter option, Executive Airport FBO Fontainebleau a complimentary luxury SUV transfer Aviation just ahead of Super Bowl LIV The name Monaco Air Duluth first brings to gallons of avgas. It pumps 3 million gal- into the city. “The whole idea of this last month in Miami. “We’re excited mind sunny beaches on the French Riviera. lons of fuel a year, distributed by the com- was to eliminate hold times from the to have the opportunity to team with But the lone service provider at Minnesota’s pany’s six 5,000-gallon jet-A trucks and a major airports and give a great alterna- Jet Access,” said Bobby Courtney, the Duluth International Airport (DLH) was not pair of 1,500-gallon avgas refuelers, which tive that is less expensive,” Epperson FBO’s vice president. “Being able to named for the yacht-set playground on the are handled by the location’s NATA Safety told AIN, adding the package option combine the aviation experience, with Mediterranean, but rather for owner Don 1st-trained staff. A self-serve avgas pump is has already been used several times. our portfolio of South Beach hotels, Monaco. He purchased the former North also available. The company also owns two Country Aviation a decade and a half ago, defuelers and three deicing boom trucks and the company thought it was important that provide Type I and IV deicing service to identify its home city in the name, as well. to all departing aircraft. While Duluth might not register as a The FBO’s 14,000-sq-ft, two-story ter- major destination on its own, the airport is minal on the south side of the airport near an important tech stop on the Europe-West the commercial terminal includes multiple Coast and Asia-East Coast routes, handling passenger seating areas, a pilot lounge with several hundred international arrivals a widescreen TV and a quartet of recliners, a year around the clock carrying everything pair of snooze rooms with full beds, shower from heads-of-state to cargo. “We never facilities, equipment and storage lockers, close,” said company president Michael business center, flight planning area, two A/V- Magni, who has been with the company equipped conference rooms, a fitness center, since it changed hands in 2005. All interna- crew cars, and onsite car rental. Catering is Jet Access established a secondary hub within the Fontainebleau Aviation FBO at Florida’s tional tech-stop aircraft depart the facility sourced from local eatery Black Woods Grill. Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. The facility offers a 12,000-sq-ft aircraft arrivals canopy. with boxes of golf balls and packages of Home to 10 turbine-powered aircraft cookies, freshly baked at the FBO. ranging from a Hawker 900 to a Daher Universal Aviation golf courses, and water parks will give In addition to business and general TBM 900, the company has 50,000 sq ft Lands in the client full access to the lifestyle.” aviation flights, the company handles all of heated hangar space that can accom- Universal Aviation is now providing Fontainebleau, one of three service aircraft at the airport, commercial and mil- modate aircraft up to a Falcon 900. It has ground support for business aircraft providers on the airfield, has more than itary. Duluth is home to two major trauma plans to build a 25,000-sq-ft hangar with at Ataturk Airport (LTBA) in Istan- 220,000 sq ft of hangar space, along centers, so medevac flights can arrive at a door height possibly taller than 28 feet bul, Turkey, under a partnership with with business aircraft maintenance and any time of day or night. to accommodate current and future ultra- local companies Ferda Yildiz and Kaan detailing capabilities. It will provide long-range business jets. Air. The addition of Universal Avia- Palm Beach-based Jet Access’s fleet Refurbished Facility The airport itself has existed since the tion Turkey extends the company’s of 40 jets and two turboprops, ranging Four years ago, the company tore down its 1920s as a civil facility. During World War II, network to 18 locations in Europe, the from a Gulfstream IV to a Beechcraft aging terminal and constructed a $3.5 mil- the military moved in and paved the runways, Middle East, and Africa, and more King Air 90, with an operating base in lion replacement. To service all those inter- and it has operated as a dual-use airport than 50 locations in some 25 countries the Miami-area, which has seen increas- national flights, it included an in-house, ever since. While the Air Force base there worldwide. According to the Universal ing demand for charter, according to fully-equipped 2,500-sq-ft U.S. Customs was closed in the 1980s, it is still home to Weather and Aviation subsidiary, the the aircraft charter and management station, built to the agency’s specifications. several squadrons of F-16s from the state’s decision to expand into Turkey was firm. Jet Access, which noted the move A point of trivia: through its Great Lakes Air National Guard. DLH has a 24/7-staffed based on rising customer demand. will help mitigate repositioning legs connection, Duluth is the westernmost control tower, onsite ARFF, and a 10,591-foot “Turkey, and Istanbul in particular, is a and allow it to keep its charter rates port of the Atlantic Ocean, and it has a main runway along with a 5,719-foot cross- rapidly growing business aviation market competitive, will have an office in the significant seaport to handle international wind runway that will be expanded to 8,000 with good infrastructure and potential 15,000-sq-ft terminal while its cus- shipping. That includes a large local Cus- feet in the next few years. for growth, but it also continues to be a tomers can access a private lounge. toms office that can dispatch agents to the The company has a maintenance challenging destination for our cus- “Fontainebleau properties are a airport facility after hours, on short notice. division that is a Cirrus authorized ser- tomers due to service levels, parking proven brand in South Florida,” said Jet A member of the Air Elite network, the vice center. It works on the Vision Jet, availability, and operating restrictions,” Access president and CEO Jack Lam- World Fuel-branded FBO owns and oper- turboprops and piston aircraft, as well said Universal chairman Greg Evans. bert. “To be able to call their five-star ates the airport’s fuel farm, which holds as providing AOG service to the airlines The company said it chose LTBA location home is a game-changer for 100,000 gallons of jet-A and 25,000 operating at DLH. C.E. as its base in Turkey because airline our operation and our clients.” n

ainonline.com \ March 2020 \ Aviation International News 55 ACCIDENTS by David Jack Kenny

PRELIMINARY REPORT Flaps were retracted as the jet landmarks, and then north along the East five nautical miles west of Sainte-Agathe- approached its maximum flap-extension River. The helicopter climbed to 1,900 feet des-Monts after it slowed to 28 knots, South African CAA Jet speed of 200 knots. It immediately pitched after the pilot received clearance from La began to descend, and reversed course. Destroyed During Air Check down and rolled left, leaving the pilots Guardia Airport’s control tower to con- Data retrieved from a handheld Garmin “hanging in their seat belts” before the first tinue to the north end of Central Park at or Aera 796 GPS indicated a final descent rate CESSNA S550 CITATION S/II, JANUARY officer initiated recovery efforts. The pitch below 2,000 feet. Just after 7:06, the pilot of 475 feet per minute at a groundspeed of 23, 2020, OUTENIQUA MOUNTAINS, attitude reached 53 degrees’ nose-down heard an alert for low main rotor rpm and 68 knots. Low weather in the vicinity of the RUITERBOS AREA, SOUTH AFRICA with the engines still at takeoff thrust; saw the engine oil and fuel pressure warn- accident site is believed—but not defini- the maximum six-G load was incurred in ing lights illuminate. He immediately low- tively established—to have been a factor. All three on board were killed when the a 22-degree nose-down attitude as the air- ered collective and entered autorotation, Canada’s Transportation Safety Board business jet, operated by South Africa’s plane re-entered visual conditions at about ruled out landing in Central Park due to noted a number of irregularities in both Civil Aviation Authority, crashed in the 500 feet above the ground. Following a the number of people on the ground, and the conduct of the flight and the student’s mountainous Ruiterbos area during a brief discussion after leveling off, the crew turned toward the river. He found the fuel training program. His instructor had barely navaid calibration flight. Mist report- resumed climbing and continued their flow control lever secure in its detent and half the required 10 hours in type when he edly obscured the mountains, hampering flight to Sandefjord’s Torp Airport, where turned the starter, but could not restart began providing instruction in the EC120. search-and-rescue efforts. George Air- they landed without further incident. the engine. At about 600 feet above the The pilot had monocular vision, requiring port’s tower controllers lost contact with No anomalies were found in the Cita- river, he reached down for the fuel shut-off a flight test to obtain medical certification; the flight 10 minutes after takeoff; no dis- tion’s systems or equipment. After con- lever to prepare for ditching and found it his instructor signed this off on the basis of tress call or emergency locator transmit- sultation with Textron engineers, the already turned off. He “slammed it down” previous dual lessons without the specific ter signal was received. Accident Investigation Board of Norway and tried the starter again, but though the evaluation mandated by regulations. The Pilots rejected a takeoff from Johan- concluded that the upset was due to a engine temperature immediately began to planned route spanned 250 nm, two-and- nesburg’s Lanseria airport in the same tailplane stall caused by ice accumula- rise, the helicopter touched down before a-half times the 100 nm required by Trans- airplane last November when the cabin tion on the horizontal stabilizer. During the engine caught. port Canada regulations. Due to the length filled with smoke during the takeoff roll. the ground stop and taxi, snow and spray Footage captured by a camera mounted of the flight, which would have required the Both main tires blew during hard decel- apparently froze to its supercooled skin in inside the cabin showed that several times use of four different navigational charts, eration. The January 23 accident flight’s areas not protected by the de-icing boots, during the preceding six minutes the front- the pilot’s instructor authorized him to pilot was also reported to have been at the which were in operation during the flight. seat passenger leaned backwards over the use GPS rather than visual references for controls during that incident. n center console so that the tail of his tether primary navigation. The pilot’s 7.3 hours Harness System Faulted in hung down near the helicopter’s floor- of solo time had all been logged on local FINAL REPORTS Doors-off Helicopter Ditching mounted controls. At 7:06:08, as he pulled flights in the vicinity of his home base. himself upright, the tail of the tether pulled The student, owner of a ’round- Citation Written Off After AIRBUS HELICOPTERS AS350B2, taut and then popped loose; the engine the-clock services company in Rouyn- Low-altitude Upset MARCH 11, 2018, NEW YORK, NEW YORK noise began diminishing two seconds later. Noranda, bought the helicopter in June The pilot told investigators that the tether 2018. Because of his work schedule, he’d CESSNA 560 ENCORE, JANUARY In a full report published on December had gotten snagged on the fuel shut-off lever arranged for a Montreal-based instruc- 11, 2017, OSLO, NORWAY 19, the NTSB confirmed that the opera- and pulled it up, breaking the safety wire tor to travel in order to provide three to tor-provided harness/tether system used intended to prevent unintended activation. four days of instruction every other week. An apparent tailplane stall caused a to secure passengers on doors-off photo No passengers were able to extricate The instructor had planned to fly back lightly loaded Cessna 560 to pitch over flights was responsible for both the loss of themselves from the harnesses, and at least to Rouyn-Noranda with the student to abruptly while climbing through 1,400 engine power and the passengers’ inabil- two never removed the cutters from their begin another training cycle after a main- feet, descending within 170 feet of the ity to evacuate after the subsequent ditch- pouches. One harness was not recovered, tenance check on the helicopter’s battery ground before the crew regained control. ing. All five passengers drowned after the presumably having been lost during extri- pre-heating system. The TSB’s investiga- Subsequent inspection found multiple helicopter touched down in the East River cation efforts by first responders. Incom- tion found that the pilot’s “professional deformations on the upper surfaces of on partially inflated emergency floats plete inflation of the emergency floats was responsibilities interfered with ground both wings, the adjoining section of the and rolled inverted, becoming fully sub- traced to a misadjusted cable that pre- instruction,” leaving him “little time to fuselage, and both engine nacelles, indic- merged within 11 seconds of touchdown. vented the right-hand air reservoir from study and review the material required” ative of airframe damage so extensive as The pilot escaped with minor injuries. activating. The Board also took strong to prepare for his written test. The inves- to make repairs economically unfeasi- The harness/tether system consisted exception to advertising paid sightseeing tigation also documented multiple “train- ble. The flight data recorder showed that of commercial fall-protection harnesses flights as “photo flights” in order to operate ing” flights in which the pilot provided air the airplane experienced loads of -2.6 g (of the type used by window washers, under Part 91 via an exemption intended to tours, transported passengers, or other- during the initial upset and +6.0 g during ironworkers, etc.) and tethers made of cover news gathering, surveying, and the wise violated the definition established the recovery, well beyond its ultimate load multiple loops of 11-mm webbing made like. Member Jennifer Homendy added a by Canadian Aviation Regulation 400.01. factors of -2.1 g and +5.4 g, respectively. by a climbing gear supplier. The tethers strongly worded statement upbraiding the The student departed at 10:22 local time The accident occurred just after take- were secured to D-rings on the backs of FAA for continuing to permit this, and the after another pilot programmed the flight off from Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport at the harnesses and anchor points within Board reissued its 1995 recommendation plan into both the Aera portable and a pan- about 6:20 p.m. local time. The airplane the cabin by locking carabiners that used that Part 135 be expanded to cover all com- el-mounted GPS. The student contacted his had been on the ground for 15 minutes screw-type threaded sleeves to secure the mercial air tours. instructor by telephone at 10:45 and 12:08 to to deplane a passenger after a two-and-a- carabiner gates; unlocking them required report that all was going well. The instructor half-hour flight from Bern, Switzerland, in multiple turns of the sleeves. The anchor Solo Student Killed on reported him missing 20 minutes after his air temperatures estimated at -50 Celsius. points were secured to the tethers’ ends; Extended Cross-Country filed 1:00 p.m. arrival time. The wreckage Ground temperatures were at the freez- the D-rings were clipped through one of was not located for another 25 hours, but ing level with light snow under a 700-foot the loops to accommodate passengers of EUROCOPTER EC120B, the pilot’s injuries from the initial impact broken layer, and all runway and taxiway different sizes. The remaining loops were NOVEMBER 19, 2018, were judged unsurvivable. n surfaces were contaminated with three- allowed to hang loose. Each harness had a SAINTE-AGATHE-DES-MONTS, QUEBEC to six mm (one-eighth to one-quarter seatbelt-cutting tool in a pouch attached Clarification: In the AIN January issue, an acci- inch) of slush. To expedite the ground to one of its upper shoulder straps. A 100-hour student pilot crashed into trees dent summary inaccurately characterized the stop, the crew left one engine running As previously reported, the flight and died during an authorized solo flight cause of the loss of control that led to the crash while the first officer did a walk-around departed from New Jersey’s Helo Kearny between Rouyn-Noranda and the Mon- of an Austrian-registered Citation Mustang in Ger- many. According to the final report, the cause of inspection of the other side of the aircraft. Heliport at about 6:50 p.m. and flew treal/Mirabel Heliport, both in Quebec. loss of control could not be determined. They declined de-icing before takeoff. south to the Statue of Liberty, past other The helicopter struck a wooded hillside

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 2020 \ ainonline.com 8-10 DECEMBER 2020 DWC, AIRSHOW SITE

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West Star Makes Room Retrofit Bonner Shades for Bags in Falcon 2000 Available for Challengers What is your solution? West Star Aviation has found more Jeff Bonner R&D (JBRND) has introduced room for baggage in Dassault’s Falcon pleated window shades in both manual 2000. The East Alton, Illinois-based and electric versions for Bombardier’s company has received an STC to create Challenger series, now available for after- 2ND ANNUAL usable baggage space in the model’s aft market retrofits. The new product debuted unpressurized area. Covering a 21.75-sq- on a Challenger 650 currently flying in the ft footprint, the space can accommodate executive fleet of an undisclosed aircraft 73.5 cu ft of baggage weighing up to 275 manufacturer that operates the aircraft pounds, while still allowing access to as executive shuttles, and it sought “a SOLUTIONS all common service and maintenance more robust shade than the installed items, and retaining existing aircraft product,” said Ed Harris, JBRND’s v-p of equipment stowage for tow bar, ladder, sales/program management, adding that IN BUSINESS AVIATION engine inlet cover tool, and the fly-away the factory shades “have been plagued kit. The installation has minimal impact by reliability problems in the field.” on weight and c.g. balance, and requires The specialty interior component no additional fire detection or suspen- provider developed the system “knowing In this annual resource guide, industry-leading businesses sion equipment, said Eric Kujawa, West the industry could use a pleated win- will explain the innovations they’ve introduced Star’s v-p Falcon product development. dow shade that did not rely on strings and the unique services they can provide. West Star has installed five of and cables for operations,” Harris said. the baggage modifications, and The operating mechanism is designed Solutions in Business Aviation will arrive in the mail alongside said more than 500 retrofittable around a proprietary motor controller. the August issue of Aviation International News, will be Falcon 2000s are in service. JBRND also introduced an articulat- available at AINonline.com and will have bonus distribution ing table for BBJs. In addition, the San Airbus, Aston Martin Team at multiple industry events throughout the year. Antonio, Texas company has a hand on Special-edition ACH130 in Gulfstream’s G700 project. JBRND Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) custom built the full-scale, outfitted introduced the ACH130 Aston Martin G700 mock-up and the two custom Edition, the first helicopter interior trailers that will carry the two-piece offering from the British luxury sports unit on its worldwide display trav- car manufacturer, created under a els. The trailers incorporate hydraulic recently disclosed partnership with the leveling, LED-lit staircases, and air-con French company. The deluxe variant systems to cool the mockup’s interior. was developed “for hands-on owners who draw satisfaction from personally Latitude Partners To Provide piloting their aircraft, in the same way Leather Seating for Execliners Aston Martin’s products are cars for Commercial aircraft seating refur- drivers who relish being at the wheel,” bisher Latitude Aero has teamed with a said ACH head Frédéric Lemos. leather supplier to offer “economically Aston Martin v-p and chief creative viable solutions” for VIP cabin seating officer, Marek Reichman proclaimed the upgrades and refurbishments, said single-engine, six-passenger ACH130 Kevin Boyette, president and CEO of the “a wonderful canvas for our team.” Greensboro, North Carolina company. The Aston Martin edition is available in “Our focus is the VIP market, on large four external liveries with complementary commercial-size aircraft —ACJs and interiors: Stirling Green; Xenon Grey; Ari- BBJ-sized up to head-of-state 747s.” zona; and Ultramarine Black. The automo- In the last two years Latitude has tive-inspired cabin is trimmed in pure black delivered commercial and VIP seat- ultra-suede with a palette of selectable ing to Aruba, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, leathers. The iconic Aston Martin wings Russia, Mexico, Korea, Singapore, logo is embossed onto leather features, France, and Nigeria. Latitude is opening and the same brogue detailing found in its facilities in Burlington, Washington, DB11 grand tourer is also incorporated. and in the United Arab Emirates. n

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58 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ www.ainonline.com COMPLIANCE countdown by Gordon Gilbert

Within 6 Months commercial air operator certificates April 2, 2020 UPDATE (AOCs), including charter, on-de- South Africa: ADS-B Out Mandate mand air taxis, and Part 141 flight schools. Operators who select the South Africa has set this April 1 after prescribed limits must be in com- which aircraft operated under IFR pliance by June 30, 2020. Opera- must have operational ADS-B equip- tors who develop their own fatigue ment installed. The same starting date risk management system must be and equipment requirements will in compliance starting October 1. apply to IFR or VFR aircraft operat- ing in Class A, B, C, and E airspace. Jan. 1, 2021 UPDATE Saudi Arabia: June 1, 2020 ADS-B Out Mandate EASA: Drone Regulations Saudi Arabia delayed the start of Technical and operational requirements ADS-B requirements in Class A and B for drones are covered in these rules. For airspace by a year from the previously example, new drones will have to be indi- published original date of this past vidually identifiable, allowing the authori- January. According to a recent notam ties to trace a particular drone if necessary. start, the new start date is Jan. 21, 2021. They also cover each operation type, from those not requiring prior authorization Jan. 1, 2021 to those involving certified aircraft and EASA: Cockpit Voice Recorders operators, as well as minimum remote pilot training requirements. The new Cockpit voice recorders with a record- rules, effective June 1, replace existing ing duration of at least 25 hours will national drone rules and requirements be required on commercial airplanes in European Uunion member states. with an mtow of 60,000 pounds or more manufactured from Jan. 1, 2021. June 7, 2020 Australia/Europe: Jan. 1, 2021 ADS-B Out Mandate U.S.: Stage 5 Noise Rules The ADS-B Out retrofit requirements in Effective Jan. 1, 2021 more stringent Australia and Europe take effect June 7. noise certification rules apply for new In Europe, this mandate applies only to type certificates for airplanes less aircraft with a mtow exceeding 5,700 kg than 121,254 pounds. The new rule, (12,566 pounds) or having a maximum known as Stage 5, is intended only for New technology. Regulations. Mandates. cruising speed greater than 250 knots. newly designed airplanes and is not Acronyms. Lots of acronyms. Business In Australia, this mandate applies to aimed at phasing out existing noise aviation can be confusing and noisy. foreign-registered aircraft flying under standards that apply to the produc- IFR. Australian-registered aircraft had tion or operation of current models. Duncan Aviation continuously strives to be to be compliant starting January 2. the voice of clarity by providing information March 25, 2021 about important topics in business aviation June 19, 2020 NEW Australia: in clear, concise, no-nonsense language. Our FAA: Helicopter IFR Minimums goal is to educate customers so they can Flight Operations make the most informed decisions possible FAA Notice 8900.534 describes manda- Ten new flight operations regulations for their aircraft, passengers and company. tory revisions to helicopter operations will consolidate the operating and specification (OpSpec) H105 and imple- flight rules, as well as certification Download our books, podcasts, and mented revised IFR weather guidance and management requirements, for a webinars, all highlighting Duncan Aviation’s for rotorcraft operations conducted variety of aircraft and operations in technical experts whom operators can under FAR Parts 91K and 135. The Australia. The rules will apply to all call and speak with whenever they need revisions become effective on June 19. pilots and operators in Australia and clarification or more information. will commence on March 25, 2021. The Aug. 14, 2020 regulations covered include: general EU: Pilot Mental Fitness operating and flight rules; certifica- tion and management of commercial The European Union has published aircraft operating certificates; and small revised air operations safety rules to and large airplanes and rotorcraft. incorporate provisions to better identify, Experience. Unlike any other. assess, and treat the psychological fitness www.DuncanAviation.aero/straighttalk of air crew. The rules include alcohol Beyond 12 Months testing of flight crews during ramp checks, Dec. 31, 2021 UPDATE are applicable to commercial air transport New Zealand ADS-B operators and go into effect August 14. HONEYWELL RDR-7000 Out Mandate HYDROGRAPHICS INTUVUE 3-D IN AVIATION New Zealand is expected to adopt its WEATHER RADAR Within 12 Months WEBINAR proposal to make ADS-B mandatory for WEBINAR March 24, 2020 Oct 1, 2020 all aircraft in controlled airspace below March 31, 2020 Australia: Rest and Duty Times Flight Level 245 starting on Dec. 31, 2021. Submissions on the country’s ADS-B New fatigue rules apply to holders of proposal closed in April 2019. n AIN_DuncanAviation_Feb2020.indd 1 2/17/2020 12:20:02 PM

ainonline.com \ March 2020 \ Aviation International News 59 PEOPLE in aviation Compiled by Kerry Lynch

CHARLIE WIPLINGER RICH HIGH MATTHEW GEE LAURENCE PETIARD ROSE DELONG

Charlie Wiplinger added the role of CEO of air- Committee. Mayhew is general manager of the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector Duncan Aviation appointed Craig Rathjen craft float specialist Wipaire on January 1, as his L3Harris Arlington Training Center in Texas. General Calvin Scovel retired from federal service director of flight operations andJon Kroesche father, Bob “Wip” Wiplinger semi-retired and Gulfstream Aerospace promoted Matt Baer on January 31 after 42 years of military and civilian chief pilot of flight operations. moved over to chairman. The elder Wiplinger to regional v-p of sales for the Northeastern U.S. service. After retiring as a brigadier general from The General Aviation Manufacturers Associ- had been president of the firm since 1979 when and eastern Canada. Baer joined Gulfstream last the U.S. Marine Corps in 2006, he became DOT’s ation (GAMA) named Andre Castro director of he purchased it from his own father and com- spring as a regional sales manager. sixth and is now its longest-serving inspector gen- communications. Castro joins the association pany founder Ben Wiplinger. Charlie Wiplinger, Sage-Popovich, Inc. (SPI), a global aviation eral. Sworn in on Oct. 26, 2006, Scovel has served from Capitol Hill, previously serving as director of meanwhile, began working at Wipaire in line consulting and asset management firm, pro- under three presidents, appeared as a witness communications for Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas) as service at the age of 16 and joined the firm full moted Petar Todorovic to v-p of operations before 76 hearings, and directed a staff of more well as an aide to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas). time after college in 2003, first as an engineer, across the SPI family of companies as owner than 400 employees leading audits that are cred- James Johnson was named director of then v-p of services, and most becoming pres- Nick Popovich transitions to an advisory role. ited with helping make the national transportation aviation training for Aviation Supplies & ident in 2011. Bruno Pasini was named executive v-p of system more efficient and safer. Academics. n FlightSafety International promoted Brian Safran Electrical Components. Pasini joined Moore to senior v-p of operations and Rich Safran in 2004 as human resources v-p for High to CEO of FlightSafety Textron Aviation Aircelle and later served in the same position Training. Most recently CEO of FlightSafety with Snecma, president of Safran USA and FINAL FLIGHTS Textron Aviation Training, Moore joined human resources v-p for North America, and FlightSafety in 1990 as an instructor and has human resources executive v-p and a mem- Walter Boyne—the National Aviation Born in the Bronx on January 25, 1930, since held positions of increasing responsibil- ber of the Zodiac Aerospace board of directors, Hall of Fame (NAHF) enshrinee and D’Ambrogio joined the U.S. Air Force origi- ity. High has been with FlightSafety since 2005 among other roles. U.S. Air Force (USAF) aviator who has nally as a mechanic. But his interest in flying and joined FlightSafety Textron Aviation Train- ServiceElements International named Lisa written more than 50 books and served led him to cadet school, where he became a ing when it was established last year. Archambeau as v-p, facilitator, and strategist. as chairman of the National Aeronautic pilot. During his time with the USAF, he was Jost Lammers has taken over as CEO of Previously a facilitator with ServiceElements, Association (NAA), died on January 9 in involved in the Korean War. Flughafen München. He succeeds long-time Archambeau rejoins the company with more Silver Spring, Maryland. He was 90. Following his service, he joined the head Michael Kerkloh, who retired. Lammers than 30 years of business aviation experience, NAHF called Boyne a “skilled pilot, White Plains, New York-based Wayfarer has held senior management roles at various including with FlightSafety International and impactful leader, and prolific writer,” and Ketch flight department in the late 1950s, European airports since the late 1990s, includ- Universal Weather and Aviation. ServiceEle- added that the nation has lost a “remark- flying with them for 30 years, until he ing with Hochtief portfolio airports, and most ments also added Alainna Ikola as an admin- able aviation legend.” retired. D’Ambrogio operated a range of recently was CEO of Budapest Ferenc Liszt istrative and operations teammate. Born Feb. 2, 1929, Boyne grew up in East aircraft—the twin Beech 18, Fairchild F-27, International Airport. Larry Jorash joined Ross Aviation as v-p Saint Louis and joined the Air Force in 1951. and and II among CAE named Todd Probert group president of operations, integrations, and safety, with During his time with the USAF, he became them—and is estimated to have accrued as of Defense and Security succeeding Gene responsibility for Ross’s MRO activities, as a B-50 and B-47 combat crew member and much as 20,000 hours. He also piloted for Colabatistto, who retired from CAE in Decem- well as those at Bedford (BED), Sarasota (SRQ), later was a nuclear test pilot, flying both the Time and Life. His wife of nearly 60 years, ber. Probert previously spent 10 years with Worcester (ORH), Hyannis (HYA), and Westfield B-47 and B-52, according to the NAHF. Eleanor, spoke of his passion for flight, say- Raytheon, most recently leading its Command, (BAF). Jorash previously spent more than 20 After serving in Vietnam, he became ing “he enjoyed every minute,” and a fellow Control, Space & Intelligence business unit and years with Signature Flight Support, most assistant curator of the National Air and Wayfarer Ketch pilot and friend described also has held roles with Honeywell Technology recently as senior v-p of operations. Space Museum in 1974 and later was D’Ambrogio as an “old school corporate Solutions and Anser. Franc Mendes was named airline busi- appointed director. Expanding the muse- pilot, who knew how to fly ‘em and fix ‘em.” The Killick Aerospace Group named Bill ness development manager for Universal um’s reach into television, he co-founded Molloy to the newly created position of COO, Avionics, tasked with introducing the ClearVi- “Wingspan–the Air & Space Channel” in Robert Redland—who had served as gen- responsible for steering sales growth across sion enhanced flight vision system and other 1988. He later stepped in as chair of NAA eral manager for aircraft interior component the company portfolios and new business products to the airline market as well as sup- from 2006 to 2014, steering the associa- specialists Lou Martin & Associates and development opportunities including with the porting the company’s flight department as tion through a difficult time. Technical Composite Corp., died on January recent business aircraft parts distribution acqui- a demonstration pilot aboard its Gulfstream He also made a significant mark with 20 after a battle with leukemia. sitions. Molloy previously spent 30 years with G-III. He brings 24 years of aerospace indus- his research and writing career, selling Born in 1974 in Austin, Texas, Redland Bombardier, holding roles developing customer try experience to his new role, including with his first article, which was about the P-36 spent two decades in the aircraft interiors support infrastructure for the C Series, manag- Boeing, Cathay Pacific Airways, and a pilot Curtiss Hawk, in 1962 for $29. He went on business, including stints with Custom Air ing the parts services organization for both aboard corporate, United Nations, and other to write more than 1,000 articles, 44 non- Interiors, Fiber Art, CoreMax Aerospace, commercial and business aircraft, and most humanitarian missions. fiction books, and seven novels focused and Decrane Aircraft. He joined Technical recently serving as v-p of aftermarket sales for Laurence Petiard was appointed head of on aviation. Several made the New York Composite in 2009 and added the role at business aircraft. external communications for Airbus Helicop- Times Bestseller List. The NAHF inducted Lou Martin & Associates in 2014. Six West promoted Matthew Gee to COO. ters. She joined Airbus Helicopters in 2005, Boyne in 2007. Lou Martin & Associates noted the Gee joined the flight operations services provider after spending five years in the media relations passing “of our dear friend,” saying, in 2017 as director of flight operations. department handling external communications Richard D’Ambrogio—one of the earlier “Over the years, always with a smile Nick Mayhew was named co-chairman for a variety of civil and military helicopter pro- corporate pilots who flew for the Rockefeller and can-do attitude, Robert worked with of the United States Helicopter Safety Team grams and has held project management roles. family flight operation Wayfarer Ketch Corp. customers in the design, manufacture, (USHST), succeeding Raj Helweg, chief pilot Rose DeLong, a senior aviation academic for decades died on December 20 at his and certification of various products for of air ambulance provider Air Methods. Hel- advisory for Purdue University, retired after 30 home in Rutland, Vermont. He was 89. the aviation industry.”  weg continues to serve on the USHST Steering years of service.

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EBACE 2019 FARNBOROUGH 2018 PHOTOS: MARK WAGNER PHOTOS:

TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF A LEASED ASSET…April 21, MARCH NH Amsterdam Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Info: 31 (0) JULY AIR CHARTER SAFETY SYMPOSIUM…March 3-4, 206841351; [email protected]; everestevents. FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW… NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, VA. Info: acsf.aero/symposium/. co.uk/event/technical-aspects-of-a-leased-asset-2020/. July 20-24, Show Centre, ETPS Rd, Farnborough, England. SUN ‘N FUN…March 3-April 5, Florida Air Museum, REGIONAL AIR CARGO CARRIERS ASSOCIATION Info: +44 (0) 1252 532800; [email protected]; Lakeland, Florida. Info: www.flysnf.org/. SPRING CONFERENCE…April 21-23, Hilton Scottsdale farnboroughairshow.com. Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona. Info: raccaonline.org/ NBAA SAN JOSE REGIONAL FORUM…March 5, EAA AIRVENTURE… racca-spring-conference-registration/ San Jose International Airport, San Jose, California. July 20-26, EAA Aviation Museum, Oshkosh, WI. Info: nbaa.org. EURASIAN BUSINESS AVIATION SUMMIT AND EXHIBITION… Info: eaa.org/airventure. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN AVIATION CONFERENCE…March 5-7, April 28-30, Gostiny Dvor Exhibition Complex, Moscow, Russia. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL. Info: +7 9372 757 085; email: [email protected]; eabaa.show. AUGUST Info: wai.org/conference. FSF 65TH ANNUAL BUSINESS AVIATION SAFETY LABACE…August 11-13, São Paulo, Brazil. NBAA SCHEDULERS AND DISPATCHERS CONFERENCE… SUMMIT…April 29, 30, Savannah Convention Center, Info: www.labace.com.br. March 10-13, Charlotte Convention Center, Savannah, Georgia. Info: (703) 739-6700; flightsafety.org/ Charlotte, North Carolina. Info: nbaa.org/sdc. event/65th-annual-business-aviation-safety-summit/. NBAA INTERNATIONAL OPERATORS CONFERENCE… OCTOBER March 16-19, Charlotte, North Carolina. MAY NBAA BUSINESS AVIATION CONVENTION & Info: nbaa.org/events/2020-international-operators-conference/. EUROPEAN BUSINESS AVIATION CONVENTION & EXHIBITION…October 6-8, Orange County Convention Center FSF 6TH ANNUAL SINGAPORE AVIATION SAFETY EXHIBITION…May 26-28, Palexpo Convention Center, Geneva, Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando, FL. SEMINAR…March 17-20, Singapore Aviation Switzerland. Info: [email protected]; ebace.aero/2020/. Info: 202-783-9000; nbaa.org/ Academy, Singapore. Info: flightsafety.org/ events/2020-nbaa-business-aviation-convention-exhibition/. summit-seminar/6th-annual-singapore-aviation-safety-seminar/ JUNE INTERNATIONAL AIR SAFETY SUMMIT…October 19-21, AIRCRAFT ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center, Paris. March 24-27, ALTA PAN AMERICAN AVIATION SAFETY SUMMIT…June 8-10, CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW… Info: flightsafety.org/events/ Nashville, TN. Info: aea.net. Sao Paulo, Brazil.Info: http://www.altasafetysummit.com/.

OPERATING LEASE SEMINAR…March 24-26, NBAA WHITE PLAINS REGIONAL FORUM…June 10, Doubletree by Hilton Sawgrass Mills, Westchester County Airport, White Plains, New York. Info: nbaa.org. NOVEMBER Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Info: everestevents.co.uk/event/ PILATUS OWNERS AND PILOTS ANNUAL CONVENTION… BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW… operating-lease-aviation-finance-seminar-2020/. June 11-13, Lansdowne Resort and Spa, Leesburg, VA. November 18-20, Sakhir Air Base, Kingdom of Bahrain. FIDAE…March 31-April 5, Arturo Merino Benítez International Info: pilatusowners.org/popa-annual-convention/. Info: +44 1252 532800; bahraininternationalairshow@ Airport, Santiago, Chile. Info: www.fidae.cl/en/. farnborough.com; bahraininternationalairshow.com. CBAA CONVENTION…June 16-18,-Toronto, Canada. Info: Tel: (613) 236-5611; cbaa-acaa.ca/CBAA/Events.

APRIL FAA-EASA INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SAFETY CONFERENCE… DECEMBER AERO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN…April 1-4, Messe Friedrichshafen, June 23-25, Washington D.C. Info: www.easa.europa.eu/ MEBAA SHOW…December 8,-10, Friedrichshafen, Germany. Info: aero-expo.com/aero-en/. newsroom-and-events/events/current-and-upcoming-events. DWC South, Dubai, UAE. Info: mebaa.aero.

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

62 Aviation International News \ March 2020 \ ainonline.com REGISTER FOR THE PREMIER BUSINESS AVIATION EVENT IN EUROPE

Join thousands of business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, flight department personnel and all those involved in business aviation for the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2020), which will take place at Geneva’s magnificent Palexpo from 26 to 28 May. This is the perfect venue for investors considering aviation as a business opportunity; companies thinking of using an aircraft for business; and flight departments who have long used aircraft as a valuable business tool. Visit the website to learn more and register today.

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