Rolling Business Aviation Daily Briefs (August 2024)

August 30, 2024

Hartzell Propeller Expands Aircraft Preheat Products

Hartzell Propeller has expanded its aircraft preheat offerings. The company will now offer Tanis Aircraft products, comprised of heated bolts and silicone bands, to provide engine heating, as well as Reiff Preheat Systems, which employs the use of heated coils and aluminum pads to heat engine cylinders and oil sumps, according to Hartzell. The newly added product lines are available for a selection of 4- and 6-cylinder Lycoming, Continental and Rotax engines. Additionally, the Tanis preheat systems are available for helicopter and turboprop aircraft, according to the company.

Crane Aerospace & Electronics Selected For D328eco Proximity Sensing System

Crane Aerospace & Electronics (Crane A&E) has been selected to supply the Proximity Sensing System for Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco turboprop aircraft. According to Crane A&E, the company provided a similar system for the D328 turboprop aircraft more than 30 years ago. Recently, Crane A&E was selected to provide the brake control system for the aircraft. “We are glad to continue our ongoing partnership with Crane Aerospace & Electronics, a highly esteemed organization in our industry,” said Deutsche Aircraft COO Nico Neumann. “Their proven expertise will be crucial for Deutsche Aircraft efforts to advance the completion of our D328eco.”

August 29, 2024

Million Air Dallas Begins Ramp Construction

Million Air Dallas has broken ground on a new international ramp at Addison Airport (KADS) in Addison, Texas. According to the company, the ramp will connect the preexisting U.S. Customs ramp with the company’s hangar, increasing its capacity for international travelers. The construction spans approximately three acres and is expected to be completed in September.

Embraer Celebrates 55th Anniversary

Embraer, the Brazilian-based aircraft manufacturer, celebrated its 55th anniversary on Aug. 19. Over the course of its business, Embraer has produced 9,000 aircraft and delivered them to more than 100 countries, the company says. “The Brazilian aeronautical industry is a global reference, and we are proud to celebrate Embraer and its history of achievements. We have been producing aircraft for 55 years, developing cutting-edge technology, training highly qualified people and contributing to the development of society,” says Embraer President and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto.

August 28, 2024

Florida Institute Of Technology Receives Four Additional Piper Pilot 100i Aircraft

Piper Aircraft announced the delivery of four additional Piper Pilot 100i aircraft to the Florida Institute of Technology, bringing the school’s Pilot 100i fleet to eight aircraft. According to Piper, the school has experienced an approximate 80% growth in enrollment over the past three years and is expecting to see a 36% increase in flight operations volume.

Nextant Offers Starlink Installations For Select Bombardier Aircraft

Nextant Aerospace, the engineering division of Flexjet, is now offering Starlink installation kits for Bombardier’s Global Express, Global Express XRS, Global 6000, Global 6500 and Global 7500 aircraft. According to Nextant, the installations are available at any Bombardier Service Center and includes dedicated 24/7 support from Nextant. According to the company, development for Starlink was made possible through a partnership between Nextant Aerospace, Bombardier and SpaceX.

August 27, 2024

True Blue Power Announces 4,000-Watt Frequency Converter STC Approval

True Blue Power has received an FAA STC for its TFC4000 Frequency Converter for Gulfstream G450, G550, G650 and G650ER aircraft. According to the company, the newly certified product is “the lightest and quietest frequency converter in its power class.” The converter weighs approximately 19 lb. and provides 15% more power than the converters it’s designed to replace, company officials say.

August 23, 2024

George J. Priester Aviation has expanded its customizable jet card program, the 1945 Card. According to the company, options for the 1945 Card start at 25 hr., with guaranteed availability, fixed hourly rate costs and point-to-point pricing. The program is available for all flights within the George J. Priester Aviation brand family.

August 22, 2024

Embraer Extends $1 Billion Syndicated Credit Line

Embraer has signed a $1 billion syndicated credit agreement for five years, extending its original $650 million syndicated credit operation from October 2022. According to Embraer, the agreement will provide the OEM with access to financial resources at pre-negotiated rates and can be used by Embraer’s subsidiaries in the U.S. and the Netherlands. The agreement was led by PNC Bank, Citibank and Crédit Agricole, according to the company.

August 21, 2024

Pro Star Aviation Completes Tenth Starlink Installation

Pro Star Aviation, an authorized service center for Dassault Falcon Jet, Embraer and Pilatus aircraft, has completed its tenth installation of Starlink. According to Pro Star, it has completed Starlink installations on the Bombardier Global Express XRS, Global Express 6000, Gulfstream G5, Gulfstream G450 and Gulfstream G550 aircraft.

August 20, 2024

Duncan Installs Garmin Upgrade In Citation CJ2 At Denver Site

Duncan Aviation completed the installation of a full Garmin avionics upgrade in a Cessna Citation CJ2 at its satellite location in Denver, Colorado. The upgrade included a dual 10.6-inch G600 TXi display, Dual GTN 750Xi navigation, a 7-inch portrait TXi EIS display, Garmin’s GFC 600 autopilot system, a GMA 350 audio panel and GI 275 standby instruments. According to Duncan Aviation, the customer also opted to include a GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar. Duncan Aviation now anticipates an eight-week completion window for future G600 TXi installations.

August 19, 2024

Air Charter Service Opens First Irish Office

Air Charter Service (ACS), a private air charter company, announced the opening of its first office in Ireland. The Dublin office will be led by Alex Sadler, who previously opened and led ACS’ office at the Gatwick Airport. According to ACS Chief Executive Justin Bowman, “Ireland has always been on our list of where we wanted an office. In fact, it was at a company conference in Ireland more than 20 years ago that our Chairman, Chris Leach, first laid out his global expansion plans for ACS to the rest of the team.”

August 9, 2024

Metrojet Transfers Funian Aviation Equity To Southern Star Aviation

Metrojet Haite Business Aviation Co. announced its equity transfer of Funian Aviation to Southern Star Aviation Limited on July 26, 2024. The Hong Kong-based company transferred 100% of its stake in Funian but will continue its operations in Hong Kong and the Philippines, according to Metrojet CEO Gary Dolski. Southern Star Aviation is a China-based private aviation operator.

August 2, 2024

Volt Aero Signs MOU For 15 Cassio Aircraft

Global Sky has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with VoltAero for a preorder of 15 Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft, becoming a candidate for launch customer in Southeast Asia for its family of aircraft. The agreement was announced at the Farnborough International Airshow. The company plans to produce the aircraft in three versions, including the five-seat Cassio 330, the six-seat Cassio 480 and the 10-12 seat Cassio 600.

August 1, 2024

Jekta Selects ZeroAvia As Supplier Of Fuel Cell Power Generation System

Swiss-based Jekta, developer of the PHA-ZE 100 zero-emissions amphibious aircraft, has selected ZeroAvia’s fuel cell power generation system (PGS) technology to demonstrate the concept of a fuel cell variant of its flying boat. At the same time, with battery technology evolving, the company says it is committed to exploring all possible options to increase range and payload. Jekta and ZeroAvia plan to develop and certify an integrated PGS, including inverters, electronic components and a hydrogen and fuel system. ZeroAvia has a flying prototype of the hydrogen-electric powertrain in a 19-seat testbed aircraft.