Rolls-Royce’s CorporateCare engine maintenance program is making a real difference to aircraft resale values, says Stephen Friedrich, VP for sales and marketing of civil small and medium engines.

Quest Aircraft Company has moved to expand its reach in China under an agreement that would give it a sales presence in the short term and ultimately provide for the manufacturing of its Kodiak single-turboprop aircraft there.

Piaggio Aerospace and Bravia Capital have formed a partnership to offer Avanti EVO turboprop twins to North American operators under a new cost management program. The aircraft will be supplied directly to Bravia Capital and offered on a lease-and-running-costs basis that the companies say “is both competitive and highly innovative.”

Ikhana Aircraft Services (Booth 3424) has appointed Calgary, Alberta, Canada-based John Hopkinson and Associates Ltd. as exclusive aircraft sales agent for its Twin Otter X2.

Talks on Comlux receiving its first Sukhoi Business Jet “are going pretty well right now,” says Comlux America CEO Jim Soleo. “Heavy commercial negotiations” include aircraft specification and development of an interior for VIP use.

The new jets share features with the flagship ultra-long-range G650, including wing aerodynamics, fly-by-wire controls and systems.

The proliferation of man-portable anti-aircraft missiles (also known as MANPADS) with terror organizations and extremists around the world is raising the awareness of these threats, particularly following recent events in Ukraine, Africa and the Middle East. With the growing concern, demand for military type countermeasures is increasing, as business jet operator demand the best protection hitherto available only to VVIPs of the wealthiest of nations.

“I want that widebody business, and I’m going after it hard,” says new Comlux America CEO Jim Soleo. “We’re going to move fast.”