Business & Commercial Aviation

An upgrade to its new Rockwell Collins PlaneView280TM software, has resulted in slower approach speeds, shorter landing distances and enhanced flight management system performance for the Gulfstream G280. “The G280 was already a top-performing aircraft in its class,” said Dan Nale, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. “With this upgrade, the aircraft’s performance is even better.

The AW609 tiltrotor aircraft being developed by Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland showed off its speed capability recently. On Sept. 15 the manufacturer reported the aircraft has flown from Yeovil in southwest England to its facility outside Milan, Italy — a distance of 627 nm (1161 km) — in 2 hr. and 18 min. The flight started with a vertical takeoff from Yeovil, then climbed to its en route cruising altitude of 25,000 ft.

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.

Rockwell Collins is introduced its Pro Line Fusion for commercial rotary wing platforms at the China Helicopter Exposition in September. The avionics system has been selected for 20 aircraft, including business jet, air transport, tiltrotor and military flight decks. It has also been flight tested as a UAV ground station.

Astronics Corp. has introduced a Max-Viz enhanced vision system specifically for experimental and homebuilt aircraft, which often operate from unimproved airstrips with wildlife and other obstacles. The system is priced at $6,000. The uncertified Max-Viz X1 complements synthetic vision systems and allows pilots to see temporary obstructions, such as wildlife and construction barriers not in the SVS database.

Authorities in Italy have performed fact-finding flights with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in nonsegregated airspace using civil procedures. The Mediterranean ATM Live Exercise (MedALE) trials — involving air traffic controllers from Italian air navigation service provider ENAV — follow up on the European Defense Agency’s Midcas (Mid-Air Collision Avoidance System) program. The MedALE trials saw the use of an Alenia Aermacchi Sky-Y remotely piloted air vehicle flying in nonsegregated airspace from Italy’s Grazzanise air base.

ABS Jets has received approval from Embraer and the Czech Republic to perform base maintenance on Embraer’s Phenom 300. With the approval, ABS Jets can maintain all types of Embraer Phenom aircraft. ABS Jets is based in Prague and Bratislava, Slovakia.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

FL Technics has formed a cooperation with B&H Worldwide. FL Technics provides aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services. The partnership will cut delivery time in half, the company said. FL Technics’s main warehouse, based in Lithuania, manages aircraft spare-part stock in the U.K., Malaysia, Poland, Russia and the U.S. The agreement with B&H gives the company more warehousing capacity, inventory inspection and customs-clearance support. The extended London-based stock will include up to 1,500 part numbers.

Redesign of the wing is the major driver behind a two-year delay in entry into service of the Bombardier Global 7000 long-range, large-cabin business aircraft, to the second half of 2018, says CEO Alain Bellemare.