Business & Commercial Aviation

Mitsui & Co. LTD, a large Japanese conglomerate involved in energy, machinery, chemicals, food, textile, logistics, finance, and other industries, has acquired an equity stake in Quest Aircraft Co., maker of the Kodiak single turboprop utility aircraft. Quest became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Setouchi Holdings, Inc., another Japanese conglomerate, in February 2015. The agreement between Setouchi and Mitsui was finalized on January 13.

Terrafugia, the Boston-based outfit developing a flying car, has been named a member of one of the four teams selected by the FAA to receive system engineering, research and mission analysis contracts. The team, which is being led by Mosaic ATM, also includes Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Virgin America, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and several other aerospace institutions and companies. It has been tasked with advising federal regulators on the future of air traffic management and aviation infrastructure.

“The Citation M2 and CJ3+ have fantastic mission capability and have proven to be a great fit for our customers in this space,” Textron Aviation spokeswoman Sarah Estes said. But the CJ2+ (Model 525A) is part of a “mixed model line,” Estes said. “We could build it if required for a customer mission.” The aircraft is no longer listed in the company’s product lineup on its website. The six-passenger CJ2, a derivative of the CitationJet, entered service in 2000, followed by the upgraded CJ2+, which entered service in 2005.

Crystal Cruises in Los Angeles plans to expand Crystal Luxury Air’s fleet with the addition of two Airbus ACJ319 jets and a Bombardier Global Express XRS. Crystal’s aircraft includes a Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 787. The new aircraft will serve private charters and transport guests to Crystal destinations. Crystal private charter jet service begins in March.

Two web-based aircraft ride sharing services have been shot down by the FAA. The “Ubers of the air” are no longer, thanks to a decision by a Federal Appeals Court panel. The concept behind AirPooler and Flytenow was straightforward. Pilots would go to either website, list an upcoming flight’s date, origin and destination, along with the aircraft’s make and model and seats available. The passengers could peruse the site and sign up for a trip that matched their planned travels.

Air charter operators Judy Tull of Texas and Kay Ellison of Kentucky were indicted in December in U.S. District Court, Newark, New Jersey, on charges of conspiracy, bank fraud and wire fraud for their roles in an alleged multi-million dollar fraud scheme. The two were co-owners of Southern Air & Tours, doing business as Myrtle Beach Direct Air & Tours, or Direct Air, a charter flight operation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Associated Air Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, has obtained an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of a Controller Pilot Data Link Communication System on a Boeing Business Jet VIP model. The system is part of the requirements for the Future Air Navigation System, or FANS. The STC was completed at Associated Air’s Dallas Love Field repair station.

ExcelAire, based in Ronkonkoma, New York, has begun private jet charter service to Cuba. The charter firm has begun direct flights from 19 cities in the U.S. It completed its first trip to Cuba from John F. Kennedy International Airport on Dec. 21. U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba must comply with U.S. restrictions that require each visitor to obtain a visa/license, the company said.

Embraer Executive Jets has begun deliveries of its mid-light Legacy 450 business jet. The first aircraft was delivered to Orlando-based LMG, which produces support corporate meetings, trade shows and other events.

Blue Sky Innovations has formed a general-aviation consulting service to help general aviation business owners and investors expand into foreign markets. Early projects will focus on growth opportunities among the U.S., China and Brazil. Tim Archer serves as president and CEO. Clients include fixed base operators, manufacturers, maintenance, repair and overhaul firms, flight schools, airports, charter operators and others.

Jeffrey Krantz, CEO of Harry Krantz of New York, was sentenced in U.S. District Court of Hartford, Connecticut, to three years of probation and a $100,000 fine and ordered not to be involved an buying or selling electronic parts for two years related to his role in the sale of unapproved aircraft parts. In July, Krantz pleaded guilty to wire fraud for supplying customers with falsely remarked microprocessor chips. Many of them were used in U.S. military and commercial helicopters.

AMAC Aerospace has been awarded heavy base maintenance contacts for two Boeing Business Jets. A BBJ3 and a BBJ, both privately owned, will be entering the Basel, Switzerland, facility in early 2016. Last year, AMAC was selected for work on a head-of-state Airbus ACJ340-300.

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Russian Helicopters has received type certification for the medium multirole Mi-38 transport helicopter. The aircraft was designed by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant. The certification means the design complies with Russian and international aviation requirements, the company said. The Mi-38 will enter serial production and the Russian market in 2016. The helicopter’s two Klimov TV7-117V turboshaft engines were certified last year.

Textron Aviation has signed an agreement to buy Able Engineering and Component Services and Able Aerospace for an undisclosed purchase price. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016. “Textron is working closely with Able to ensure a seamless transition with customers and stakeholders over the coming weeks,” a Textron Aviation spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. “More information will be provided when the acquisition is completed.”

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In February 1966, BCA reported that the Beech 18 was undergoing flight tests, a circular runway design was found to have great benefits for larger airports, and the Gulfstream II was in the mockup stage.

Embraer has delivered its first Legacy 450 mid-light business jet to Smart Air SA, in Europe. Smart Air, an aviation and advisory company, will manage the first European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-registered Legacy 450. The aircraft will be available for charter flights from Brussels. It will be operated by ASL, a business jet operator. The delivery took place in late December. It was scheduled to arrive in Belgium on Jan. 6, after departing from Embraer’s headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil.

West Star Aviation in Grand Junction, Colorado, has been approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), putting it in compliance with the China Civil Aviation Regulation, CCAR, Part 145 Maintenance Organization. West Star’s approval includes overhauling and repairing landing gear for business aircraft and services and ultrasonic, eddy current X-Ray, liquid penetrate and magnetic particle inspections.

Questions for Richard D. Hanson, Representative, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Academy of Model Aeronautics Muncie, Indiana.

Fifty-four percent of U.S. FBOs say their fuel sales increased in 2015 compared to 2014, according to the 2016 Annual FBO Fuel Sales Survey results released by Aviation Business Strategies Group at the 2016 NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in Tampa, Fla.

Teterboro Airport was the destination most requested by Air Charter Guide Worldwide Trip Builder users seeking charter aircraft during December 2015, according to an analysis of aircharterguide.com data. Meanwhile, Scottsdale Airport was the most common departure airport in the charter itineraries submitted by users.

Imagine executing a complex night approach to a major airport in highly congested airspace — lots of step-downs and a steep final segment — when suddenly an intensively bright light blasts the cockpit.

Finmeccanica-owned companies such as AgustaWestland, Alenia Aermacchi and Selex ES have now been absorbed into the larger Finmeccanica entity and will operate as divisions rather than separate companies.