Business & Commercial Aviation

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.

Helicopter maker Leonardo says it has entered exploratory discussions with the U.S. Army to investigate potential missions for its AW609 commercial tiltrotor.

Innovative Solutions & Support has received the FAA’s Supplemental Type Certification for its non-FADEC turboprop autothrottle for retrofit in the Pilatus PC-12.

Airbus Helicopters reports construction is underway for its H135 Final Assembly Line in Qingdao, China. The work is expected to be completed by 2018.

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%.

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.

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.

Aerion has selected GE Aviation to study engine development for its AS2 supersonic trijet.

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.

Blackhawk Modification Inc., has a new Blackhawk Vx Engine+ Upgrade package for the Cessna Caravan. It comprises lightweight components to maximize efficiency thereby lowering maintenance and overhaul costs.

Blackhawk Modification Inc., has a new Blackhawk Vx Engine+ Upgrade package for the Cessna Caravan. It comprises lightweight components to maximize efficiency thereby lowering maintenance and overhaul costs.

Global Jet Capital provides leasing and lending solutions for private aircraft. It was formed in 2014 and soon after, acquired GE’s aircraft portfolio. Within two years, the company’s assets grew from zero to $2.5 billion. BCA’s William Garvey talks to Vick about about this rapid growth.

BCA readers share their opinions on articles we published.

Jet Aviation has signed an FBO management agreement with Pazos FBO at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico. It is the only FBO in Puerto Rico with a full-service on-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection terminal for customs, immigration and agriculture processing of international flights.

The medium and light business jet resale markets began 2017 with two of the best first quarters in the past 10 years, according to a report by market research company Amstat.

Duncan Aviation has released a new edition of its Business Jet Model/Market Summary, an initial introduction and overview of market conditions.

The engineering of Universal Avionics' InSight display system is now fulfilled, and the company is working toward completion of the STC and TSO package in preparation for TIA.

Airbus sees strong potential in Voom, an on-demand helicopter booking service incubated within A3—the aircraft maker's Silicon Valley outpost—and now being tested in helicopter-friendly Sao Paulo.

The FAA has adopted a new Airworthiness Directive for certain Learjet Model 60 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder indicating the upper fuselage skin under the aft oxygen line fairing is subject to multi-site damage.

Hawthorne Global Aviation Services has acquired JetSun Aviation Centre, an FBO located at Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, Iowa. The facility has more than 100,000 sq. ft. of hangar space, a reception area, conference room, pilot lounge and flight planning.

Shenzhen, China-based Amber Aviation has launched its business jet management services. The company was founded by Chairman Chang Qiu Sheng. It will also have an office in Hong Kong.

Tata Steel Group, based in Mumbai, India, is adding a second Bell 429 helicopter to its fleet to support steel production operations, Bell said. The aircraft will operate from the company's Jamshedpur facility in eastern India. There are more than 90 Bell helicopters operating throughout India in commercial, civil/government and military operations.

Textron Aviation ended production of its Model 510 Cessna Citation Mustang light jet on May 11. No jobs will be lost as a result, as Textron Aviation is moving production of its Caravan turboprop to the plant where the Mustang was assembled.

Gulf stream Aerospace's G280 set two speed records in April on flights to and from the 2017 Avalon Airshow. The aircraft flew 3,332 nm from Singapore to Melbourne, Australia, in 7 hr. and 21 min., at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.81. It then flew from Singapore to Dubai's Al Maktoum Airport, 3,177 nm, in 7 hr. and 18 min. at Mach 0.82.

London Oxford Airport is seeing an increase in large business jets using its facilities this year. Its FBO has seen a 37% increase in large jet movements and a 46% increase over the past two years, the airport reports.