Business & Commercial Aviation

Gulfstream Aerospace has opened a new paint facility at its sprawling site in Savannah, Georgia, to support in-service aircraft. The 88,000-sq.-ft. building includes more than 72,000 sq. ft. of hangar space, offices, back shops and storage areas. “Demand for new Gulfstream aircraft is strong and so is the demand for enhancing aircraft already in service,” said Joe Rivera, Gulfstream Savannah Service Center vice president and general manager.

John Tucker, a founder of Midcoast Aviation and one-time president of Butler Aviation, died Aug. 30. He was 82. A former U.S. Marine Corps aviator and St. Louis native, Tucker helped launch Midcoast in 1971 and served as its president and CEO for the next 20 years. Under his direction, the FBO and airport terminal service provider grew from 17 employees to 1700. He also served on the board of the National Air Transportation Association and received numerous awards from the aviation community. He was also a leader within the St. Louis business community.

The number of used business jets in North America fell in July when compared to the same time a year ago, while business turboprop sales increased. Outside North America, the sale of used business jets declined in July, while turboprop sales remained flat, according to data compiled by JetNet. Sales of used business jets totaled 179 in North America in July, compared to 193 in July 2014. The sale of light and medium-size business jets fell during the month, although sales of heavy jets increased.

The National Business Aviation Association says it is ready to follow up on a recommendation by the National Transportation Safety Board following a fatal runway overrun accident last year.

RIGA Business Aviation Center opened its new fixed base operation at Riga International Airport in Latvia Sept. 8, it said, which allows the FBO to handle 35% more aircraft. The company provides ground handling services for business aircraft, passengers and crews, with plans to expand its services and add maintenance, repair and overhaul services for business jets. That will contribute to the growth of the number of aircraft it handles. Its hangar is able to hold 12 to 14 business aircraft of all types, it said.

Textron Aviation’s eastern U.S. service facilities have received FAA certifications to expand their capabilities to provide service and support for Beechcraft King Air, Cessna Citation and Hawker customers. Under the certifications, centers in Newburgh, New York, and Greensboro, North Carolina, are authorized to service King Air 90-, 200- and 300-series aircraft and Hawker 125-series jets.

Sales of Jet A fuel have mostly increased or remained flat during the first half of this year, a new Mid-Year Fuel Sales Survey shows. Respondents were asked to compare sales of Jet A fuel for the first six months of 2015 to the same period in 2014.

The FAA is launching a beta version of a new smartphone application designed for use by UAV users. The application, called B4UFly, is aimed at model aircraft users and is designed to give them information about restrictions and requirements in effect at their current or planned flight location.

Jet Aviation Basel plans to expand its operation that produces furniture, aircraft interior components and integrates systems or corporate and VIP aircraft interiors.

JetFuelX has launched a free jet fuel price management tool for aircraft owners and corporate flight departments.

OneJet, the start-up carrier that services small and medium-size markets using Hawker Beechcraft 400A business jets, has added Nashville, Tennessee as a new destination.

Mubadala Development Company, an investment vehicle wholly owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, has purchased the minority (1.95%) share in Piaggio Aerospace formerly held by Piero Ferrari. T he Italian planemaker is now its 100% controlled by Mubadala. Carlo Logli, Piaggio’s CEO, said, move “represents a tangible sign of Mubadala’s steadfast commitment in our company and trust in our new technologies, programs and products.” Mubadala has been a shareholder in Piaggio Aero since 2006.

Teterboro Airport returned to the No. 1 positions on the lists of most popular departure and arrival airports for charter travel in August 2015, according to an investigation into Air Charter Guide Worldwide Trip Builder search queries submitted during the month.

Bombardier’s Wichita Learjet facility is seeking to take on outside work from third parties to diversify its business. It has also expanded its Wichita service center capabilities.

Night flying is very different from day flying and demands more attention of the pilot.

The business jet market is expected to reach nearly $21.07 billion this year, according to London-based Visiongain. Demand for business jets is growing because of a strengthening global economy and a rise in high net worth individuals. Several major business jet manufacturers offer a diverse portfolio of aircraft types with a broad range of performance and flight mission capabilities, Visiongain said.

Cessna Aircraft, the oldest member of the Textron Aviation family, is rebounding as a result of streamlined manufacturing processes, supply chain cost controls and expedited development of new products.

​ U.K. air crash investigators probing the loss of a Saudi Arabian-registered Embraer Phenom 300 have found the aircraft touched down just 400 meters from the end of the runway before crashing into a car-auction business. All three passengers — who were members of the Bin Laden family — and the Jordanian-born pilot were killed in the accident at Blackbushe airfield, west of London, on July 31. In its interim report, published on Aug. 6, the U.K.

The system has an MSRP of $1,895.

FlightSafety International is building a full-flight simulator for King Air 350 aircraft for its Learning Center in Atlanta. The new FS1000 simulator will be equipped with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system. It is expected to enter service in early 2016. Training will include FlightSafety’s Operational DayFlow training methodology, which presents critical procedures and tasks according to the phase of flight.

The Brazilian aircraft maker celebrated the type certification award during the recent Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE) in Sao Paulo.

The Breitling Jet Team is performing aerobatic exhibitions using seven L-39 C Albatros jets made by AERO Vodochody Aerospace, a Czech Republic aerospace company. The team is on a U.S. and Canada tour visiting more than 20 cities. Watchmaker Breitling has worked with the Czech jets for almost a decade in showcases and display tours throughout Europe, Asia and Africa.

The Menominee, Michigan, manufacturer reports having signed MOUs in hand for the new helicopter, first announced last year, and designed for the ab-initio flight training, light commercial, and private owner market.

Aviation Partners has received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for retrofitting its Split-Scimitar Winglet on BBJ aircraft. The approval was granted to Aviation Partners Boeing (APB), a joint venture between API and Boeing. The STC follows FAA approvals issued earlier this year. The Split-Scimitar Winglet is now standard equipment on new 737NG BBJ aircraft.

The audit follows a request in March from the ranking members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Subcommittee on Aviation.