Business & Commercial Aviation

The 505 Jet Ranger X meets Bell’s targets and is an able successor to the iconic Model 206. And with a base of about $1.2 million, the 505 should prove to be a popular competitor in the entry-level, light-turbine helicopter market — a market its predecessor helped create.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is asking the National Transportation Safety Board to conduct an internal review, saying the safety board has approved speculative probable-cause reports related to general aviation accidents despite little evidence.

In a sense, aerospace provided a platform for worldwide recognition of LEDs when film director Stanley Kubrick teamed with watchmaker Hamilton to create a clock with glowing red digital numerals for his 1968 film, "2001: A Space Odyssey."

Harlow Aerostructures, a component supplier to the aviation industry, has developed its first autothrottle for new general aviation aircraft.

According to the Aircraft Electronics Association's year-end market report, total worldwide business and general aviation electronics sales for 2016 amounted to some $2.2 billion, which was down 6.4% from 2015 figures.

In the rapidly receding world of incandescent light bulbs, light produced is simply measured in watts. Today, LEDs are becoming the standard, but a number of other bulbs have appeared, with advantages and disadvantages. This expansion required a new means of measuring light, with the lumen (from Latin, meaning light) emerging from a coalition of more than 40 organizations.

The flow of relatively young, high-time business jets exiting the fleets of fractional ownership companies could allow whole ownership for first-time buyers while supporting a vigorous charter business that could nearly cover the cost of ownership.

Charles McKinnon, founder and retired manager of IBM's flight department, died March 30 in Trussville, Alabama. He was 101.

BCA subscribers, log in to download the Avionics Marketplace charts exclusive to the digital version of the 2017 Purchase Planning Handbook.

Tecnam has launched a slot-deposit program for its P2012 Traveler. The high-wing, 11-seat piston twin lists for $2.35 million. A deposit of $107,000 allows customers to take delivery positions in 2019 and freezes the pricing.

We are not talking about Brexit, although it looks like there will be be lots of change for the British to embrace when the UK abandons the European Union.

Buyers of the Textron Aviation TTx single-engine aircraft may now customize their order through an online virtual-aircraft generator that allows them to choose from one-dozen exterior paint colors and striping, along with interior and avionics options. Those include a traffic advisory system; Garmin XM weather and radio datalink; Jeppesen Chartview; automatic direction finder; distance measuring equipment; and other features. other extras. The aircraft’s base price is $715,000.

United Airlines is not the only aviation company to be confronted with public outrage recently. Angry protestors gathered outside Bombardier's Montreal headquarters recently to express their ire over the company's plan to raise the compensation of its senior executives by $32 million. As a result, on March 31, Pierre Beaudoin, the company's executive chairman, opted to forgo his extra pay—but his announcement was quickly followed by a combative statement from Bombardier's head of human resources, Jean Monty.

The FAA has issued its first airspace restrictions that specifically apply only to unmanned aerial vehicles, banning flights under 400 ft. AGL within the boundaries of 133 military facilities. The special security restrictions took effect April 14. The agency warns that violations could result in criminal charges, civil penalties and the revocation of certificates and authorizations to operate UAVs. More restrictions may be coming.

According to the chief economic adviser to President Donald Trump, air traffic control (ATC) reform—including privatizing ATC—could be a major element of the new administration's infrastructure buildup, but general aviation operators should not fear paying more for it. "We're probably not even going to tax general aviation," said Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council. "There's enough money in the aviation tax right now." Cohn made that comment during a so-called White House town hall on the U.S.

Oil and gas helicopter operator CHC reports emerging as an economically robust and agile competitor, 10 months after filing for bankruptcy protection. The Canadian operator, which has its headquarters in Texas, says the court confirmed its financial restructuring on March 24. The new CHC is lighter to the tune of 80 helicopters, $1 billion of debt, and another $1.4 billion in lease obligations.

BCA subscribers, log in to download the entire 2017 Purchase Planning Handbook, including airplane comparison tables as well as Avionics Marketplace charts, which are available only in digital format.

Continental Motors has delivered its 5,000th CD-100 Series engine. The company, which is based in Mobile, Alabama, has produced the engine for 15 years, and the series Jet A-fueled piston engines have surpassed 5.25 million flight hours.

Few innovations have brightened the future of business aviation as light-emitting diode technology.

For as little as $14 million, you can buy an early serial number 2003 Gulfstream G550, a large-cabin business aircraft that is capable of flying eight passengers more than 6,700 nm. These jets sold new for more than $45 million.

Jet Aviation's maintenance center in Vienna has gained FAA repair station approval and is registered to provide line and base maintenance services to all N-registered aircraft it is allowed to support. The Vienna facility provides maintenance support to owners and operators in Eastern Europe, where about 10% of all N-registered aircraft in EMEA and Asia are based or operating.

Textron Aviation has begun assembly of its Citation Longitude super-midsize jet. The first four production aircraft are in progress inside the company's Plant IV in East Wichita, Textron Aviation reports. T he Longitude is the first Cessna product to be manufactured inside a former Beechcraft facility. In addition, the third Cessna Citation Longitude test aircraft has completed its first flight and has joined the flight test program. During the recent 1 hr., 40 min.

CIT Group marked the end of an era April 4 as the financial holding company exited the aircraft leasing market and closed the sale of its commercial aircraft leasing business to Avolon Holdings for a final purchase price of $10.4 billion.

China's Deer Jet plans to build up an international network of FBOs, possibly by buying established facilities as a first step. The initial focus is on the U.S., with Europe not far behind, according to Zhu Yinan, general manager of Deer Jet's FBO management division, who says the first deal could be completed this year. Creating such a service network is part of the wider strategy of the HNA Group, Deer Jet's parent company, for expanding its business internationally and building a global brand.

BCA shares news of the latest products and services for the business aviation industry.