Business & Commercial Aviation

Compare Jet-A and avgas fuel prices by region based on a survey conducted in April 2017 by Aviation Research Group/U.S. Inc. and an analysis of the lowest fuel prices reported by FBOs on acukwik.com.

A startup with backing from Boeing and JetBlue Airways is designing a hybrid-electric regional aircraft that could enter service in the early 2020s. Zunum Aero aims to revitalize regional air transport by offering dramatically lower operating costs with an aircraft that can compete with highway travel and high-speed rail to provide fast, low-cost door-to-door service. The Kirkland, Washington-based company is planning a family of 10-50-seat aircraft, beginning early in the next decade.

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

Pentastar Aviation has received FAA certification of compatibility of wireless data technologies on Gulfstream Aerospace GIV-X (G350/G450) series aircraft, the company said. The Supplemental Type Certificate allows operators to approve the use of Transmitting Portable Electronic Devices onboard aircraft with wireless networks or Wi-Fi hot spots for passengers, who may email, talk, text and video conference without interfering with safety critical systems on the aircraft.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Frasca International has delivered a Cessna 510 Citation Mustang business jet simulator to its new training center in Paris, the company said.

For an aircraft to be listed in the Purchase Planning Handbook, a production conforming article must have flown by May 1 of this year. The dimensions, weights and performance characteristics of each model listed are representative of the current production aircraft being built or for which a type certificate application has been filed. The basic operating weights we publish should be representative of actual production turboprop and turbofan aircraft because we ask manufacturers to supply us with the average weights of the last 10 commercial aircraft that have been delivered.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With a vote on March 9 by their respective stockholders regarding the proposed acquisition of B/E Aerospace, Rockwell Collins moved a step closer to establishing a major presence in aircraft lighting.

Wearable technology—including head-up displays, embedded sensors, advanced textiles, embedded computing, energy harvesters, exoskeletons and communications—is being integrated into a variety of civil and military systems and components in ways not previously possible. Over the next decade, the wearable technologies market is expected to grow at a cumulative compound annual growth rate of nearly 40% and produce a cumulative global market of nearly $8 billion, according to Global Wearables Technologies Market Forecast to 2025.

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

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.

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.

Heritage Aviation announced the development of Heritage Aware, a remote aircraft maintenance-monitoring portal that allows customers real-time access to updates and work-in-progress reporting.

Ross Aviation (KLGB) in Long Beach, California, was named as a gateway FBO through the DCA Access Standard Security Program, granting flights leaving the operator the ability to fly directly to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (VABB) was the most requested departure and destination airport requested with the Air Charter Guide Worldwide Trip Builder by brokers and travelers shopping for charter flights during the last 12 months.

ADS-B installations are a small part of Duncan Aviation’s business despite market outreach ahead of the 2020 deadline. President and CEO Aaron Hilkemann explains operators’ reasons for delaying the upgrade—and the consequences.