PUBLICATIONS Vol.50 | No.9 $9.00 SEPTEMBER 2019 | ainonline.com Conventions LABACE 2019 Business aviation put on a show at LABACE Industry Deliveries up for bizjets, down for t-props page 10 Government Senator defends ODA process page 30 eVTOL Vahana offers glimpse at future page 56 Air Transport INTOSH c Rolls Trent 1000 DAVID M DAVID improving page 58 Aircraft Read Our SPECIAL REPORT Legislators press for Longitude clears hurdle Product Support for FAA nod page 6 GA focus in Plane Act AIN readers rate the support they received in the last 12 months for flight deck avionics and cabin electronics. by Kerry Lynch Perennial favorites topped the list. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) is con- economically,” King added. “This legislation page 48 tinuing his long-running campaign to boost would make important investments in this pilot rights and address issues affecting the pillar of our nation’s transportation system U.S. general aviation (GA) community. and would cut through bureaucratic burdens.” Together with Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), Notably, the bill would roll back the “fuel he has jointly introduced new legislation, fraud” tax measure imposed in 2005 as an the Promoting the Launch of Aviation’s attempt to discourage truck drivers from Next Era (Plane) Act of 2019. purchasing aviation jet fuel to avoid paying Announced during the most recent Exper- the 2.5-cent per gallon higher tax levy on imental Aircraft Association AirVenture, the highway diesel fuel. Plane Act, S.2198, is designed to foster air- That law requires noncommercial jet fuel port infrastructure, strengthen pilot legal to be treated as highway diesel fuel: taxed at protections, and address a host of other the same rate with the dollars deposited into issues. And the bill dares to take on an issue the highway trust fund until approved avia- that Congress has shown little appetite to tion vendors demonstrate that the fuel was AirVenture 2019 address for more than a decade: fuel fraud. used for aviation purposes and seek refunds. The annual event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, “The Plane Act truly sets a positive path The net result is a significant amount of attracted more than 10,000 airplanes, for the future of the aviation industry,” aviation revenue has been lost to the aviation where enthusiasts checked out the latest Inhofe said. trust fund as many vendors have not sought and greatest the industry has to offer. “For rural Maine communities, general the refunds, finding the process cumbersome › Page 20 aviation is a vital lifeline—both literally and continues on page 44 PRAETOR 500: THE BEST MIDSIZE JET EVER. The Praetor 500 surpassed its design goals in range, takeoff distance and high-speed cruise. The disruptive Praetor 500 leads the way in performance, comfort and technology. As the farthest- and fastest-flying midsize jet with 3,340 nm range and a high-speed cruise of 466 ktas, the Praetor 500 makes nonstop, corner-to-corner flights across North America. Miami to Seattle. San Francisco to Gander. Los Angeles to New York. It also connects the U.S. west coast to Europe and South America with just one stop. The jet takes you right where you need to be with its enviable access to challenging airports. The lowest cabin altitude in the class assures that you arrive energized. The ultra-quiet cabin with home-like connectivity is perfect for work, relaxing or conversation in a normal tone of voice. Plus, Embraer is the only business jet manufacturer to offer full fly-by- wire in the midsize segment, with turbulence reduction capability. The precise union of style, comfort, innovation and technology create a sophisticated, powerful travel experience. Lead the way now in a Praetor 500. Find out more at executive.embraer.com/praetor500. LEADING THE WAY PRAETOR 500: THE BEST MIDSIZE JET EVER. The Praetor 500 surpassed its design goals in range, takeoff distance and high-speed cruise. The disruptive Praetor 500 leads the way in performance, comfort and technology. As the farthest- and fastest-flying midsize jet with 3,340 nm range and a high-speed cruise of 466 ktas, the Praetor 500 makes nonstop, corner-to-corner flights across North America. Miami to Seattle. San Francisco to Gander. Los Angeles to New York. It also connects the U.S. west coast to Europe and South America with just one stop. The jet takes you right where you need to be with its enviable access to challenging airports. The lowest cabin altitude in the class assures that you arrive energized. The ultra-quiet cabin with home-like connectivity is perfect for work, relaxing or conversation in a normal tone of voice. Plus, Embraer is the only business jet manufacturer to offer full fly-by- wire in the midsize segment, with turbulence reduction capability. The precise union of style, comfort, innovation and technology create a sophisticated, powerful travel experience. Lead the way now in a Praetor 500. Find out more at executive.embraer.com/praetor500. LEADING THE WAY INSIDE this issue 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 Pete Combs David Jack Kenny – Safety Gordon Gilbert Jennifer Leach English 56 34 John Goglia – Columnist Richard Pedicini Mark Huber – Rotorcraft James Wynbrandt GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER – Tom Hurley FEATURE PRODUCTION EDITOR – Martha Jercinovich GRAPHIC DESIGNERS – John A. Manfredo, Grzegorz Rzekos Cabin safety LEAD DEVELOPER – Michael Giaimo DEVELOPERS – Nathan Douglas, Ryan Koch and emergency VIDEO PRODUCER – Ian Whelan procedures are everyone’s PRESIDENT - John Hartig GROUP PUBLISHER – Dave Leach concern, and ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – Nancy O’Brien FlightSafety ADVERTISING SALES Georges France – Western Europe, +33 6 80 21 17 93 International Melissa Murphy – Midwestern U.S., +1 (830) 608-9888 offers a course Nancy O’Brien – W estern U.S./Western Canada/Asia Pacific, for passengers. +1 (530) 241-3534 Anthony T. Romano – Northeastern U.S./Eastern Canada/Mexico/Brazil Joe Rosone – Mid-Atlantic U.S./Southeast U.S./Caribbean, +1 (301) 693-4687 Diana Scogna – Italy/Northern Europe/Middle East, +33 6 62 52 25 47 59 28 Victoria Tod – Great Lakes U.S./United Kingdom, +1 (203) 733-4184 Yury Laskin – Russia, +7 05 912 1346 AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – Jeff Hartford MARKETING AND CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER – Lisa Valladares AIRPLANES and ENGINES INDUSTRY and MANAGEMENT MANAGER OF ONSITE LOGISTICS – Philip Scarano III 6 Citation Longitude fuel tank exemption cleared 10 GAMA: deliveries mixed in first half ONSITE PRODUCTION – Zach O’Brien 8 Gulfstream G600 on show at LABACE 40 Tamarack obtains funding during reorg SALES COORDINATOR – Nadine Timpanaro 8 Embraer Praetor 500 gets ANAC nod 42 New organization champions E-Aviation SALES ADMINISTRATOR – Cindy Nesline 12 XTi selects GE Catalyst for TriFan’s hybrid core 57 SWA, CAE partner with Part 135s on pilot pipeline DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & HUMAN RESOURCES – Michele Hubert 14 Wing Spirit expands HondaJet order to 15 ACCOUNTING MANAGER – Marylou Moravec MAINTENANCE, MODS, and COMPLETIONS ACCOUNTS PAYABLE – Mary Avella 16 Honda Aircraft breaks ground on new facility ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE – Bobbie Bing 38 Octans joins ranks of Brazilian OEMs 40 Innovation remains key at Flightdocs U.S. HEADQUARTERS 44 Gulfstream delivers first G600 61 ARSA supports ruling, questions reasoning 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432, +1 (201) 444-5075 46 First Apaches arrive in India Advertising Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 [email protected] 46 RAF Typhoons intercept Russian aircraft PEOPLE Circulation Inquiries: +1 (201) 345-0085 46 Unmanned KAL MD500 flies 32 FAA Administrator Dickson draws wide approval [email protected] WASHINGTON, D.C. EDITORIAL OFFICE: 34 Chabrian to retire from WAI Kerry Lynch (business aviation) AIRPORTS and FBOs 54 Fassenden resigns from CHC [email protected] Tel: +1 (703) 969-9195 18 ‘Fuel fraud’ repeal gains traction EUROPEAN EDITORIAL OFFICE: 42 Helo operator: city reneged on FBO deal REGULATIONS and GOVERNMENT Ian Sheppard; [email protected] Hangar 9, Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey RH1 5JY, UK 1 Legislators press for GA focus in Plane Act Tel: +44 1737 821409, Mobile: +44 7759 455770 AIRSHOWS and CONVENTIONS 30 Kansas senator defends ODA process THE CONVENTION NEWS COMPANY, INC. 20 AirVenture 2019 32 FAA moving to smooth aircraft certification AIN PUBLICATIONS EXECUTIVE TEAM 38 Hydrogen power studied as battery alternative Wilson Leach Jennifer Leach English AIR TRANSPORT Matt Thurber Dave Leach 58 Rolls Trent 1000 improving, but problems persist ROTORCRAFT and UNMANNED SYSTEMS Michele Hubert Nancy O’Brien 58 Kremlin to invest in turbofan for Il-96, CR929 14 Leonardo lands orders in Brazil Aviation International News (ISSN 0887-9877) is published monthly. Periodicals postage paid at Midland Park, N.J., and additional mailing 59 Airbus warns of tariffs amid ACF ‘challenge’ 26 S-92 OK’d for SAR in Brazil offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Aviation International News, P.O. Box 8059, Lowell, MA 01853 USA. Allow at least eight weeks 59 Toulouse possible for further A321 production 34 Chinese eVTOL firm chooses pilot program site for processing. Include old address as well as new, and an address label 44 Nexa: UAM investment could reach $318B from a recent issue if possible. Subscription inquiries: +1 (203) 798-2400 or email: [email protected]. AVIONICS and TECHNOLOGY 54 Mixed earnings, but OEMs expect brighter future Aviation International News is a publication of The Convention News Co., 12 77% of U.S. bizav fleet equipped for 2020 ADS-B 55 Consultant outlines UAM landing challenges Inc., 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432; Tel.: +1 (201) 444-5075.