Business & Commercial Aviation

The May 31, 2014, crash of a Gulfstream IV at Hanscom Field (KBED), Bedford, Massachusetts, was a call to action for many in business aviation. These pilots threw out the book and came up tragically short.

The pilot shortage. Oh boy, it's here in spades, says Charlie Priester, chairman of Chicago's Priester Aviation charter and aircraft management firm. And my opinion is it's going to get a lot worse.

William Garvey, editor-in-chief of BCA, interviews Paula Kraft, CEO and owner of catering company Tastefully Yours and managing partner and cofounder of DaVinci Inflight Training Institute.

Garmin has introduced a helicopter flight control system designed to reduce pilot workload and increase safety. The AHRS-derived GFC 600H includes several safety features.

Bombardier Business Aircraft deliveries and revenue declined in 2017, although orders during the fourth quarter were the strongest for the period in three years, the company's president and CEO said on a conference call with analysts Feb. 15.

AviationManuals recorded a 35% increase in revenue and a 30% growth in its manual and software subscription services in 2017, the company said. Its client base now exceeds 4,000.

Gulfstream Aerospace delivered its final G450 business jet as its new G500 approaches certification. The G450 entered service in 2005. Since then the company has produced more than 360 aircraft, the company said.

Piper Aircraft has received its largest order ever for training aircraft. The Vero Beach, Florida-based manufacturer received an order for 152 aircraft valued at $74 million from Fanmei Aviation Technologies, Piper's dealer in China.

Bye Aerospace's Sun Flyer 2, a two-seat electric flight-training aircraft, is in the final stages of ground testing and is expected to fly for the first time this spring.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association is accepting scholarship applications from high school students for the Edward W. Stimpson "Aviation Excellence" Award, which includes a $2,000 scholarship. Applications are due by April 13.

Rectrix Aviation has received authorization from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to fly its charter jet fleet from Reagan Washington National Airport, becoming one of a select number of general aviation operators to hold the distinction due to strict security measures required by federal regulators at the airport, the company said.

FlightSafety International's new full-flight simulator for the Gulfstream G500 has received interim Level C qualification from the FAA.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has dropped its complaint with the FAA against Waukegan National Airport outside Chicago over fees at FBOs serving three airports.

Honda Aircraft Co. has received the largest order to date for its HondaJet very light jets. European air taxi Wijet placed an order for 16 HondaJets valued at $78 million at today's list prices.

​Bell Helicopter sees China as the brightest spot in its Asian universe. A recent burst of orders there will likely triple the manufacturer's in-country fleet from 120 today to nearly 400 over the next few years.

Dassault Aviation expects improved business jet sales in 2018 following an upturn in demand in 2017.

Private Jet Card Comparisons has launched Corporate Gift and Affiliate Referral Subscription programs. The website compares more than 100 jet card programs by more than 65 providers.

Embraer has delivered a Legacy 500 midsize business jet to an undisclosed customer in Malaysia, which brings Embraer's Asia-Pacific region business jet fleet to 95 aircraft in more than 10 countries, the company said.

Jetex Flight Support plans to open its first FBO in the U.S. with the launch of private terminal service at California's San Bernardino International Airport.

Boutsen Aviation, based in Monaco, closed on 17 aircraft transactions in 2017, including a Bombardier Global XRS and a Falcon 7X in December, the company said.

Gulfstream Aerospace has delivered a fourth G650ER to Qatar Airways for its Qatar Executive commercial charter service, making it the largest single owner and operator of G650ER aircraft, Gulfstream said.

The Philippine Department of National Defense has purchased 16 Bell 412EPI helicopters that will be operated by the Philippine Air Force.

Clay Lacy Aviation recorded a 23% increase in charter activity in 2017. It also has added 10 new charter jets and three cities to meet growing demand, the company said. New locations include Miami-Opa Locka Airport.

The FAA deadline for equipping aircraft with Automatic Dependent Survillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is fast approaching. There are many upgrades programs available to help you meet the Jan. 1, 2020, mandated deadline for ADS-B and Future Air Navigation System-1/A.

Falcon Aviation and Leonardo Helicopters have partnered for a new helicopter offshore and onshore contract for the Kuwait Oil Co. Three new Leonardo AW169 helicopters will be deployed on a five-year contract to perform onshore and offshore oil and gas operations.