Jackson Square Aviation is the name of a new lessor launched by a management team previously with Pegasus Aviation and Sky Holding. Parent JSA International Holdings has received a $500 million equity commitment from Oaktree Capital Management. JSA President and CEO Richard Wiley said the firm is "well positioned" to finance more than $2 billion worth of Airbus and Boeing aircraft annually, with an emphasis on sale/leaseback arrangements. San Francisco-based JSA already has deals in place with Avianca and Air Berlin

Bombardier signed an MOU with CDB Leasing of China, a unit of China Development Bank, allowing it offer pre-delivery payment financing, delivery financing and leasing solutions to CSeries, Q400 and CRJ customers. CLC has up to $3.85 billion in capital available, according to Bombardier. "The financial resources of CLC put Bombardier in a stronger competitive position to recommend financing and leasing solutions for potential customers in China and elsewhere," Bombardier Commercial Aircraft President Gary Scott stated.

Boeing's proposed 787-10 stretch may be back on the radar as the 787 and 747-8 programs are retiring risk, according to a new report from New York-based Bernstein Research. The report, released yesterday, also highlights concerns that the 787 may be falling behind on its flight test hr., although Boeing remains within the margin to enable the first three aircraft to be delivered to ANA by year end.

BOC Aviation reported a $137 million profit in 2009, up 28% from the $107 million earned the prior year. The lessor's portfolio comprised142 aircraft at year end compared to 92 at the close of 2008. The Bank of China subsidiary owned 118 and managed an additional 24 on behalf of third-party investors. It took delivery of 17 planes last year and acquired 31 on sale/leaseback deals. It has 49 more on order and four on committed sale/leaseback deals through 2012.

B/E Aerospace said nine unidentified airlines and aircraft lessors have selected its new Pinnacle main cabin seating platform in deals worth more than $250 million combined. Contracts cover economy seating in new 737, A320 and 787 aircraft, with deliveries expected to start before year end. B/E said Pinnacle seats will save 15% in operating costs owing to "greater use of composites, an integrated lightweight comfort suspension system and a new design methodology that reduces parts by more than 25%."

Boeing completed the ultimate-load wing up-bending test on the 787 static test aircraft over the weekend. "During the testing, loads were applied to the airframe to replicate 150% of the most extreme forces the airplane is ever expected to experience while in service," it said. "The wings were flexed upward by approximately 25 ft. (7.6 m.) during the test. The initial results of the ultimate-load test are positive.

Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of the first of eight 78-seat Q400s. It placed the order in late 2008 (ATWOnline, Nov. 21).

Lufthansa Systems signed a five-year contract with Bulgaria Air to provide its Lido RouteManual navigation charts. Contract includes an option to migrate to Lido eRouteManual.