Oil and gas helicopter operator Bristow Group has taken delivery of its first AgustaWestland AW189 super-medium helicopter. The first aircraft, G-OENB, was delivered to the company’s base at Norwich, Norfolk on April 18. The AW189 was certified by the EASA in February, with Bristow becoming the aircraft’s launch customer, and the first to operate one of the new super-medium class of helicopter, which also includes the Airbus Helicopters EC175 and the Bell 525, due to fly later this year.
Avflight, the Avfuel-backed chain of fixed-base operations, has taken over the former Eurojet FBO at George Best Belfast City Airport (EGAC/KBHD). The facility will be rebranded as Avflight Belfast City and incorporate Avfuel’s operational systems and program offerings. Avflight operates 10 FBOs, proving handling, baggage and concierge services, along with fuel and line services.
Gulfstream’s G280 continues to rack up speed records, gaining two more while en route to Shanghai for ABACE. The latest records, which bring the total number to 47, were established in two legs between Friedrichshafen Airport in German and Hong Kong. The G280 flew 2,751 nm from Germany to Dubai International Airport in 5 hr. and 49 min. The aircraft averaged a speed of Mach 0.84. The second leg involved a 7-hr., 7-min. flight covering 3,449 nm from Dubai to Hong Kong International Airport, averaging Mach 0.82.
A Dassault Falcon 7X has set a new trans-Atlantic speed record May 2, flying between Teterboro, N.J., Airport (TEB) and London City Airport (LCY) at an average speed of Mach 0.88. The aircraft transited the 3,465 nm (6,452 km) distance in 5:54 hr. The mission was flown by Dassault Chief Test Pilot Philippe Deleume and Dassault operational pilot Olivier Froment. There were three passengers aboard, including Aviation Week Engagement Director Rupa Haria.
It's one of your worst nightmares. You’ve captained a trip to a remote area of an African country, and your first officer and one of the executive passengers have contracted a local disease — maybe dengue fever, but you’re not sure. The trip came up fast, and researching disease hazards and health care infrastructure was definitely not on your mind. But it sure is now, as you scramble to cope with a situation you never had time to envision.
The business jet fleet in Greater China is expected to grow by 74 aircraft this year, bringing the total number of executive aircraft in the region to 445 aircraft. That represents an 20% increase over 2013. That is the conclusion of Hong Kong-based Asian Sky Group in its latest and most in-depth report yet on business jet activities and trends in the region.
CAE and Brazilian training partner Lider Aviacao are launching a new helicopter pilot training program in Sao Paulo for Sikorsky S-92 helicopter operators. The new training, expected to begin in mid-2014 with a CAE 3000 Series Level D-qualified S-92 simulator, builds on the existing CAE-Lider Aviacao joint venture. Lider is one of the largest helicopter operators in Brazil.
A return-to-service flight, also known as a post-maintenance check flight, can be one of the most hazardous missions undertaken by a business aircraft operator. Some flight departments rate them as their highest risk missions. Often, aviation managers personally take active roles in planning, executing and debriefing the flights.
St. Kitts has opened a new private terminal with a YU Lounge at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport. The YU Lounge services both private and commercial customers as part of an effort by the St. Kitts & Nevis government to encourage tourism. Located west of the main airport parking apron, the facility includes arrival and departure lounges, along with a dedicated crew lounge. It also offers ground handling services for aircraft operators. The terminal is a joint venture between the St. Kitts & Nevis government, the St.
Business aviation advocates are hopeful that the IRS is moving forward on new guidance on taxing aircraft management fees, but are still awaiting firm word on whether they will be treated as commercial or noncommercial activities. The IRS in 2012 released a memorandum that called management fees commercial activity and stated they should be treated for tax purposes accordingly. That memorandum spurred a large number of audits resulting in hefty tax assessments — some in the “high six figures” or more — on management companies and their customers.
While the 8X is essentially an iteration of the three-engine model one digit removed, its additional cabin space and increased fuel load make it the French planemaker’s most comfortable long-ranger.
When queried about a possible stretch of the widebody Falcon 5X now in development, Olivier Villa, Dassault’s senior vice president for Civil Aircraft, blunted the question saying such a derivative “is not in the picture at this point.” That response naturally resulted in a follow up, and Villa accommodated, saying, “There will be derivatives of the 5X, but let us finish the first one.”
