Briefs From EBACE 2022—May 22

Avfuel
Credit: Avfuel

Avfuel Sustains Its ‘Green’ Credentials

Leading supplier of aviation fuel and services, Avfuel, touches down at Booth D67 having recently met the requirements of the National Air Transport Association’s Sustainability Standard for Aviation Businesses. Designated as a “Green Aviation Business–Tier 1,” the Ann Arbor, Michigan, headquarters is now one of only 24 locations—managed by 13 companies—to gain this distinction. Avfuel is committed to identifying, developing, providing and advocating sustainable solutions, having phased out single-time products in its kitchen/dining area, and confirmed its use of a local recycling program; paperless processes; LED lighting; a filtered water fill station; motion-sensor lighting; energy-star rated kitchen appliances; and low-flow plumbing fixtures.

Unflown Falcon 10X Is Already Winning Prizes

It is currently only a full-scale cabin mockup at Booth Z67, but Dassault Aviation’s latest addition to its business jet family—the ultra-long-range Falcon 10X—recently won a coveted Red Dot award for interior design. To become the largest purpose-built business jet on the market, the 10X will feature a range of 7,500 nm and a top speed of Mach 0.925. Its 2,780 ft.3 of interior space provides a host of wellness features, including 100% pure air and a new environmental system permitting precise temperature control in each passenger section.

CAE Will Train The Next Generation Of Gulfstreamers

Supplier of training and operational support solutions in civil aviation, defense and security, over the last three-quarters of a century, CAE (Booth P93) has just announced plans to break ground on a new business aviation training center in Savannah, Georgia, adjacent to Gulfstream’s headquarters. Opening in mid-2023, this fifth CAE bizav facility in the U.S. will grow to encompass four Gulfstream-family full-flight simulators (FFSs), maintenance training devices, modern briefing rooms, and classrooms, reflecting the company’s commitment to help meet the global requirement for an additional 45,000 business jet pilots over the next 10 years.

Hydroplane Rewrites The Aeronautical Dictionary

There are no seaplanes to be seen at Booth IZ08 in the EBACE Innovation Zone where, in modern parlance, “hydro” now refers to the modular hydrogen fuel cell powerplant for aviation and mobile energy storage under development by Los Angeles-based Hydroplane. CEO Dr. Anita Sengupta, a former NSA engineer, says the new, clean, sustainable technology will deliver, “affordable zero-emission electric propulsion for fixed wing and vertical lift aircraft while significantly outperforming batteries.” A 200-kW (26-hp) demonstrator will fly next year, leading to a 1-megawatt (1,340-hp) power source for business aircraft and regional airliners.

Lunajets Nearly Doubles Revenue, But Sees Clouds Ahead

Private aviation charter may be enjoying a “new golden age,” but Guillaume Launay, sales director of Geneva-based LunaJets, is not over the Moon. LunaJets’ website and mobile app has been receiving thousands of daily visitors, many of them newcomers avoiding post-COVID commercial airports and airlines. Despite gaining 1,000 new clients last year and boosting revenue to $110 million, there are fears of a “hard landing” as signs emerge of “market bubbles.” Eymeric Segard, CEO, says, “either the current trend lasts, and the market faces a major supply issue; or it reverses dramatically and faces a new wave of bankruptcies.”

MEBAA Promotes Dubai Show 

On EBACE’s Booth W73, the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) is promoting the ninth edition of its equivalent show, planned for Dubai World Central between Dec. 6 and 8. This cross-promotion is to the advantage of European delegates looking to enter or expand into the Middle East & Africa, and meet senior team members to gain first-hand advice. Private aviation on a dramatic rise in the region, seeing strong demand for business aviation this year, with flights up by 47% this month, in comparison with same periods in 2019.

EBAA Members Receive Discount On Bizav Specialist Course

Since February, European Business Aviation Association (EBAA; Booth M67) members have qualified for reduced fees when attending the course, “On-Demand Air Transport Services – Business Aviation” at France’s Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile (ENAC). First of its kind in Europe, this provides science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates with a deeper understanding of how business aviation—including helicopters—can be a long-term source of employment, making it easier for companies to attract and retain talent. “This program is another step forward to ensure the sustainable growth of our sector,” said Athar Husain Khan, Secretary General of EBAA.