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Magazine Issue

Business & Commercial Aviation, July 2017

VOL. 113 NO. 7 June 22, 2017

Viewpoint

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Viewpoint: New Wave of Automation Welcome and Well Timed

Jun 22, 2017
For reasons expected and not, my summer has been absent those lazy, hazy days. Rather, it's been a period of propulsion, speedy and otherwise, along highways, railways, airways and seaways.

Readers' Feedback

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Readers' Feedback (July 2017) Letters To The Editor

Jun 22, 2017
BCA readers share their opinions on articles we published.

Intelligence

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Aerion Selects GE Aviation To Study Engine Development

Jun 22, 2017
Aerion has selected GE Aviation to study engine development for its AS2 supersonic trijet.
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Nextant Launches Upgrade Program For Challenger 604

Jun 22, 2017
Nextant Aerospace has launched an upgrade program for Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet, but fitting the flight deck with Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics.
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VistaJet Eliminates Ferry Fees

Jun 22, 2017
VistaJet reports it has eliminated ferry-flight fees for new program customers, a potential savings of $10,000 or more per flight.
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Flexjet Hires More Pilots

Jun 22, 2017
Flexjet reports that strong growth is prompting it to hire more pilots. The fractional operation said new business is up 50% during the first five months of this year compared to a year ago, and that is on top of 20% growth in new business last year.
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EBACE 2017 Statistics

Jun 22, 2017
Here are some statistics from the European Business Aviation Convention Exhibition held in Geneva May 22-24: 13,000 attendees from nearly 40 countries; more than 400 exhibitors in the Palexpo halls; 56 aircraft on static display.
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Thrush Delivers Its 100th Agplane

Jun 22, 2017
Thrush Aircraft recently delivered its 100th 510G, an agplane powered by GE's H80 turboprop engine. The aircraft was delivered to Mid-Continent Aircraft Corp., Mayti, Missouri.
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One Aviation Selects FJ33-5A-12 For Eclipse 700

Jun 22, 2017
One Aviation has selected the Williams International FJ33-5A-12 turbofan as the engine for its new Eclipse 700 light jet known as Project Canada.
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FAA And EASA Certify Cessna 172 Turbo Skyhawk JT-A

Jun 22, 2017
The diesel-powered Cessna 172 Turbo Skyhawk JT-A is now certificated by both the FAA and EASA, clearing the way for customer deliveries.
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Texas Turbine Installs 100th TPR331-12JR

Jun 22, 2017
Delivery of a Supervan 900 to National Skydive Center Teuge, the third for the European operator, marked the 100th Honeywell TPR331-12JR installation by Texas Turbine Conversions.
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TAG Aviation Exits Spanish Market

Jun 22, 2017
Citing the economic downturn and the inflexibility of the regulatory environment there, TAG Aviation is exiting the Spanish market after doing business there for many years and consolidating its several air operator certificates.
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Bombardier Offering Ka-Band On New Challenger 650s

Jun 22, 2017
Bombardier is now offering Ka-band high-speed internet on new Challenger 650s and as a retrofit on in-service Challenger 604, 605 and 650 jets through its service network.
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First Production Longitude Rolls Off The Line In Wichita

Jun 22, 2017
The first production Citation Longitude rolled off the Textron Aviation line in Wichita in mid-June. The super-midsize, $24 million jet is to join the company's demonstration fleet this summer and travel the world to showcase the clean-sheet design.
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Duncan Reports 73% Of Fleet Not Yet ADS-B Compliant

Jun 22, 2017
Using data from its proprietary customer database, the FAA and other industry sources, Duncan Aviation reports that as of March 31, roughly 10,000 U.S. registered business jets—73% of the fleet—have not yet been made compliant with the FAA's ADS-B Out mandate.
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Jet Aviation Delivers Completed ACJ330, ACJ319

Jun 22, 2017
Jet Aviation has redelivered a ACJ330 and ACJ319 to its customer in the Middle East after extensive renovations. Work was completed in Basel, Switzerland.
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IS&S Earns Approval For Autothrottle

Jun 22, 2017
Innovative Solutions & Support has received the FAA’s Supplemental Type Certification for its non-FADEC turboprop autothrottle for retrofit in the Pilatus PC-12.
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Bell Delivers First Jet Ranger X

Jun 22, 2017
In June, Bell Helicopter announced FAA certification and first delivery of its Model 505 Jet Ranger X, but almost simultaneously nudged expected certification of its Model 525 back to the end of 2018.
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GE Has High Hopes For Its Advanced Turboprop

Jun 22, 2017
The world's most printed engine, GE's new Advanced Turboprop, in which additive manufacturing replaces 855 normally made parts with just 12 printed components, is on track to run for the first time this year. It will power Cessna's new Denali aircraft.
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Enstrom Trainer Certification Expected By Year-End

Jun 22, 2017
Enstrom anticipates its new TH-180 single-engine trainer will win FAA and, possibly, EASA certification by year-end. The helicopter manufacturer has two prototype aircraft in the certification program.
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Bombardier And Triumph Group Reach Deal

Jun 22, 2017
The Triumph Group and Bombardier appear to have entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement that concludes all pending litigation related to the design, manufacture and supply of wing components for the Global 7000 business jet.
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Leonardo Enters Discussions With Army Regarding Missions for AW609

Jun 22, 2017
Helicopter maker Leonardo says it has entered exploratory discussions with the U.S. Army to investigate potential missions for its AW609 commercial tiltrotor.
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Dassault Falcon Jet Reduces Workforce In Sluggish Market

Jun 22, 2017
Dassault Falcon Jet is cutting its U.S. workforce by less than 6% because of challenging business aviation conditions, the company said in a statement. The cuts come after adjustments at its Little Rock, Arkansas, Completion Center.
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Russian Charter Business Aviation Market On The Rise

Jun 22, 2017
The Russian business aviation charter market grew 7% in the first five months of 2017 compared to a year ago and is expected to continue to expand during the summer, said analysts with the Aim of Emperor, which operates a group of Russian business aviation companies.
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TAG Supports Global Express BR710 Engines In Farnborough

Jun 22, 2017
TAG Aviation's Farnborough Maintenance Services has been approved as the first UK-based Rolls-Royce authorized service center. It will support Rolls BR710 engines on Bombardier Global Express aircraft.
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PrivateJetCardComparisons.com Launches Business

Jun 22, 2017
PrivateJetCardComparisons.com is a new service launched so consumers can compare more than 80 private jet card programs before they buy, said Doug Gollan, the company's founder.
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Textron Aviation Delivers 2,000th CJ

Jun 22, 2017
Textron Aircraft has delivered the 2,000th Cessna Citation CJ light jet, a Citation CJ3+. The CJ family of aircraft, which currently includes the Citation M2, Citation CJ3+ and Citation CJ4, has reached nearly 5 million flight hours.
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Airbus H135 Assembly Line Under Construction In China

Jun 22, 2017
Airbus Helicopters reports construction is underway for its H135 Final Assembly Line in Qingdao, China. The work is expected to be completed by 2018.
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HondaJet Earns Transport Canada Approval

Jun 22, 2017
Honda Aircraft has received type certification for its HA-420 HondaJet from Transport Canada, clearing the way for deliveries to Canadian customers.
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Business Flight Activity In May Grows 6.5%

Jun 22, 2017
Business flight activity in May rose 6.5% overall, with increases in all operational and aircraft categories. Activity by large and midsize jets posted the biggest gains in May compared to a year ago,with large jet activity up 9.3% and midsize jet activity up 9.2%.
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FSI Adds Training For Dassault Falcon 2000EX And 900EX

Jun 22, 2017
FlightSafety International has added master-level advanced training courses for the Dassault Falcon 2000EX EASy and 900EX EASy series aircraft.
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Gulfstream Adds FAST Team In Paris

Jun 22, 2017
Gulfstream Aerospace has added a Field and Airborne Support Team at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. The unit includes European Aviation Safety Agency -trained technicians and a custom truck outfitted with specialty equipment.
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Bombardier Unveils ‘Premier’ Cabin For Global 5000/6000

Jun 22, 2017
More than ever, business jet customers are choosing which jet to buy based on criteria beyond how far the aircraft flies, said David Coleal, Bombardier Business Aircraft president.
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Embraer Appoints Moscow’s JF Service As Legacy 450/500 Service Center

Jun 22, 2017
Embraer Executive Jets is expanding its customer support network in Europe with the appointment of JF Service as its authorized service center for Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 business jets in Moscow.
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West Star Earns FAA Part 145 Certification For Denver Site

Jun 22, 2017
West Star Aviation has received FAA Part 145 repair station certification for its Denver satellite location at Centennial Airport, which opened in 2014.
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Bombardier Uses Biofuels In Flights To EBACE

Jun 22, 2017
Bombardier said it used biofuels supplied by AEG Fuels to fly its Learjet 75, Challenger 350 and 650, and Global 6000 jets to the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition in Geneva.
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Czech Charter Airline Is First European Longitude Customer

Jun 22, 2017
Czech Republic-based airline Travel Service has become Textron Aviation's first European customer for the Citation Longitude super-midsize business jet, the company said. The aircraft will be used for business-aircraft charter services.
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Air Hamburg Launch Customer For Legacy 650E

Jun 22, 2017
Germany-based charter operator Air Hamburg is the launch customer for Embraer's Legacy 650E large business jet, and will expand its fleet with an additional order for three new Legacy 650Es.
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BBA’s CEO Simon Pryce Leaving Company

Jun 22, 2017
Global aviation support and aftermarket services giant BBA Aviation on June 5 announced the imminent departure of Simon Pryce as chief executive. Wayne Edmunds was appointed interim CEO, pending a permanent successor.
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Jet Aviation Opening Facility At UAE Airport

Jun 22, 2017
Jet Aviation will operate a fixed base operation at Al Maktoum International Airport within Dubai World Central. The new facility will open in the third quarter of 2017. The project is a joint venture between Jet Aviation and Al Mulla Business Group.
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FlairJet To Manage First Phenom 300 For Surf Air Europe

Jun 22, 2017
FlairJet, a division of Flexjet, has signed a contract to manage the first Phenom 300 aircraft for Surf Air Europe as it grows its operations.
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Jet-A And Avgas Per-Gallon Fuel Prices: June 2017

Jun 22, 2017
Compare Jet-A and avgas fuel prices by U.S. region based on a survey conducted in June 2017 by Aviation Research Group/U.S. Inc. and an analysis of the lowest fuel prices reported by FBOs on acukwik.com

Fast Five

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Questions For Ian K. Walsh, CEO & President TRU Simulation + Training

Jun 22, 2017
Questions for Ian K. Walsh, CEO and President, TRU Simulation + Training Inc., Goose Creek, South Carolina

Management

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Driving Drones: Being Part of the Next Big Thing

Jun 22, 2017
Drones are easy to fly and have numerous safety and fail-safe features such as a programmable return-to-home capability.
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Now Hiring!

Jun 22, 2017
It is not completely accurate to say the world is facing a pilot shortage of epic proportions. It would be far more accurate to say we are facing an epic shortage of highly qualified pilots.

DOM Notebook

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Fighting Maintainer Fatigue

Jun 22, 2017
For the aviation maintenance professional, the battle against fatigue starts with acknowledging there is a problem.

Safety

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In The Wake of An A380: Dealing With Wake Turbulence

Jun 22, 2017
A series of high-altitude rolls by a Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet following a wake encounter with an Airbus A380 over the Arabian Sea on Jan. 7, 2017, is causing aviation safety experts to reconsider separation standards and best practices when cruising near super-weight category aircraft.

Cause & Circumstance

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Unstabilized Approach?

Jun 22, 2017
The Australian Transportation Safety Board mounted a major investigation into a hard-landing incident, determining that the final approach had become unstable because of the pilot flying’s control inputs after he disengaged the autopilot.

Accidents in Brief

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Selected Accidents And Incidents In May 2017

Jun 22, 2017
Selected accidents and incidents in May 2017. The following NTSB information is preliminary.

Operator Survey and Pilot Report

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Operator Survey And Pilot Report: Piaggio P.180 Evo

Jun 22, 2017
Piaggio Aerospace is setting ambitious goals for the new P.180 Avanti Evo, making it quieter, more economical and more comfortable.

Piloting

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Adding Japanese ‘Shisa Kanko’ Techniques To Modern Cockpits

Jun 22, 2017
The Pointing-and-Calling method used by Japanese train engineers combines looking at something, pointing at it, calling out the observation and listening to your own voice.

20/Twenty

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Used Aircraft Report: Piaggio P.180 Avanti/Avanti II

Jun 22, 2017
P.180 Avanti and Avanti II aircraft are flying Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis in a world awash in Fiat- and Ford-like turboprops.

On Duty

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News Of Promotions, Appointments And Honors (July 2017)

Jun 22, 2017
News of promotions, appointments and honors involving professionals within the business aviation community.

Products & Services Previews

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BCA Business Aviation Product And Service Previews

Jun 22, 2017
BCA shares news of the latest products and services for the business aviation industry.

BCA 50 Years Ago

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Business & Commercial Aviation News From July 1967

Jun 22, 2017
In July 1967, BCA reported about slow business jet sales, the first retractable gear on the Piper Cherokee line and the Fokker F-28.