International Business and Private Aviation Industry News
 Canada: Challenger 350 outperforms industry as world’s most delivered business jet in 2018 Bombardier’s best-selling Challenger 350 business jet continued to outperform the competition in 2018 as the world’s most delivered business aircraft, leading in the super mid-size segment deliveries. As detailed in the General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s (GAMA) annual shipment and billings report published in the first quarter of 2019, Bombardier also led deliveries in the super mid-size segment for a second consecutive year with a total of 60 Challenger 350 aircraft, representing 58 per cent of deliveries in the super mid-size segment. The company also delivered 23 of its large-segment Challenger 650 business jets in 2018, and the first in a much-anticipated string of Global 7500 business jet deliveries expected to follow in 2019. The GAMA report revealed a 3.8-per-cent jump in overall business jet deliveries for the year.
United States: 400 lives saved: BRS whole aircraft parachute rescue system achieves historic milestone BRS Aerospace has documented the 400th and 401st life saved as a result of deploying the company's whole aircraft parachute rescue system, a notable milestone in aviation safety. The whole aircraft parachute rescue system provides peace of mind to thousands of pilots, passengers and their families.
"This milestone and all of the lives saved is a testament to Boris Popov, who conceived the idea and whose vision for the company he founded overcame initial resistance to the very idea of aircraft parachutes from some naysayers," said BRS President/Director Enrique Dillon. "The concept's legacy are the pilots and passengers who survived to continue to live fruitful lives and the thousands of families who have enjoyed added peace of mind when their loved ones fly." Most recent deployment over water with engine out
Training: Boeing partners with Embry-Riddle to offer pilot and technician scholarships Permanent $3m endowment to increase underrepresented populations in the pilot workforce Boeing has announced plans to establish a $3m permanent endowment for scholarships at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to assist students interested in pursuing a pilot’s license and certificates in aviation maintenance. The Boeing scholarships at Embry-Riddle will seek to increase the number of underrepresented populations in the pilot workforce, particularly women and persons of color as well as veterans.
The announcement was made during the 18th Annual US Chamber of Commerce Aviation Summit. Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company and leading aircraft manufacturer, will collaborate with Embry-Riddle to make scholarships available as early as this fall.
United States: AVIAA grows its Customer Success team AVIAA, the expanding group purchasing organization for business aviation is growing its Customer Success team and enhancing its data infrastructure to support a widened membership of nearly 500 aircraft. The move follows hard on the heels of AVIAA’s acquisition of Convolus and establishment of an office in Munich, Germany, headed by Managing Director Irena Deville. AVIAA’s Customer Success Team works closely with members to help them understand the process and analytics of the cost savings they are accruing. “We advise members as they move into new sectors, whether they are transferring from Part 91 to 135 operations; adding a new aircraft type or introducing new capability that may justify adding a new pillar of spend,” explains AVIAA COO Rick Tilghman.
Canada: Greenbriar Equity Group, L.P. and First Aviation Services Inc ('FAvS'), have announced the acquisition of DART Aerospace, a leading provider of mission equipment and aftermarket components for the helicopter and fixed-wing industries. DART has operated as a subsidiary of Eagle Copters Ltd. and Era Group Inc. for over 10 years. The acquisition by Greenbriar and FAvS will be completed following customary closing conditions. Noah Roy, Managing Partner of Greenbriar, comments: “DART is well recognized in the industry for its engineering-led culture of innovation and success developing critical aftermarket and OEM components to support customers worldwide. We look forward to supporting DART’s world-class management team and employees during this next chapter of the Company’s growth.”
Canada: Flying Colours Corp celebrates employee service anniversaries Flying Colours Corp., the North American maintenance, repair, overhaul and completions business, recently celebrated employee service anniversaries with a luncheon at its Peterborough, Ontario, headquarters. Debbie Amman, senior vice president finance and administration was acknowledged for working with Flying Colours President John Gillespie for more than 40 years, as was Tony Barrett senior vice president technical services, who has worked with John for 37 years.  Tony Barrett, one of 111 long term employees celebrated by Flying Colours. Both were present to witness the company evolution to a full MRO, interiors and modification business in 1989.
Comlux Completions  Domingo Ureña Raso Comlux has announced the appointment of Domingo Ureña Raso as Executive President of Comlux Completion, its center of excellence in VIP completions and services based in Indianapolis. Since 2016, Domingo Ureña Raso has been a Board Member of Comlux. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of Madrid with a degree in Technical Aeronautical Engineering. He is a 38-years veteran of the aerospace industry, where he gained his extensive expertise and managerial skills. Prior to becoming President of Mecanizados y Montajes, he served as President and CEO of Airbus Military and Airbus in Spain and he was an Airbus Executive Committee Member. During his mandate at Airbus, Ureña also defined and implemented the Airbus efficiency improvement program “Power8”. He is a multicultural entrepreneur who launched and developed successful companies as PZL in Poland and Aircelle in France. |
United States: Daher unveils the TBM 940
Succeeding the current TBM 930 as the upper-end product in Daher’s TBM family, the TBM 940 marks important steps forward in further upgrading aircraft performance, safety and comfort. The TBM 940’s launch was announced on Thursday (7th March) during the Safety Seminar meeting of the TBM Owners and Pilots Association (TBMOPA), held in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA.
France: TBM 930 sets New York-Paris speed record Two TBM pilot-owners - Dierk Reuter and Phil Bozekset - have set a new world speed record between New York and Paris aboard a TBM very fast turboprop aircraft. Flying the TBM 930 owned by Reuter, they crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 8 hours and 38 minutes with an average speed of 364 kts., taking off from Westchester County Airport (KHPN) north of New York City, and landing at the historic Le Bourget Airport (LFPB) near Paris - where Charles Lindbergh landed after his pioneering transoceanic crossing.
Pilots Phil Bozek (left) and Dierk Reuter on the eve of the flight. The TBM 930 beat the previous 325.2-knot record in the C1e category (turboprop aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight under 13,200 lbs./6,000 kg. as established by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale), which was held since 1985 by the renowned test pilot, Chuck Yeager, on a twin-engine airplane.
Saudi Arabia: Jet Aviation celebrates 40 years of operation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Jet Aviation is celebrating 40 years of operation in Saudi Arabia during this week's Saudi International Airshow at Thumamah Airport in Riyadh The company, together with Saudi Arabian partners, established its first FBO in the Kingdom at Jeddah Airport in 1979. It currently operates four facilities in Saudi Arabia - Jeddah, Riyadh (1983), Medina (2012) and Yanbu (2018).
Jet Aviation's Jeddah FBO. As the industry’s first International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in the Kingdom, the Saudi Airshow 2019 is a fitting event at which to mark the anniversary year.
France: Egis celebrates 50 years of dedication to aviation - by investing in the next generation of experts For 50 years Egis has been dedicated to ensuring safe, seamless and sustainable aviation for all who fly. Providing innovative consultancy, design and engineering solutions to institutions, ANSPs, airport operators, and airlines through almost every significant change in the industry. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Egis will award one scholarship per year over the next five years to students studying an aviation related degree in some of its key regions: Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and South America - helping to enable the next generation of aviation professionals. The first scholarship will be awarded this year in France through Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC), as this is where Egis’ story began.
Ireland: Driven by the need to replace the existing VCS systems as well as manage increasing airspace demand, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has selected Frequentis VCS3020X for all terminal and En-route control centres and selected air traffic control towers following a competitively tendered procurement process.
Frequentis will provide the design, supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, maintenance and annual support of IAA’s main voice communication and control systems for Dublin, Cork, and Ballycasey. In addition, Frequentis will provide communication systems for Shannon Tower and Ballycasey contingency and validation facility.
Philippines: Metrojet breaks ground on new Philippines maintenance facility Hong Kong-based Metrojet Limited, a business aviation service provider with presence throughout Asia Pacific, has commenced the building of its regional expansion project - a state-of-the-art business aviation parking and maintenance facility in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines - planned to be operational in Q2 2020.
The 26,000m2 facility has been designed to provide a world class customer experience whilst maximising safety and productivity in all activities. With over 7,100m2 of hangar floor space, the facility can typically accommodate up to 10 long range business jets and up to a maximum of Boeing Business Jet or Airbus Corporate Jet.
United States | Singapore: Air Partner continues to strengthen global presence with new offices in Houston and Singapore Air Partner plc has announced the opening of two new offices in Houston, Texas, US, and Singapore, as it further extends its global reach to serve the needs of its international customer base. Located in the Woodlands area of the city, the new Houston office opened its doors in mid-February, further solidifying Air Partner’s presence in key markets across the United States. The company currently has offices located in Fort Lauderdale, New York City, Washington, DC and Los Angeles, with the latter recently opened in 2018. Houston is one of the fastest-growing major cities in the United States and offers a wealth of opportunities: for example, the Port of Houston leads the nation in break bulk cargo and is a top foreign trade zone, which will help Air Partner further extend its thriving large freight division. Furthermore, the company will also now be in closer proximity to Houston’s “oil cluster,” helping it to take more share of the Oil & Gas industry in the region.
Germany: 2,200 flights under remote tower control prove the concept Last December, the German air navigation service provider, DFS Deutsche Flugischerung, was the first worldwide to introduce remote tower control (RTC) at an airport that has more than 15,000 flight movements per year.
The introductory weeks proved successful and the RTC Centre handled all take-offs and landings safely and without traffic delays. To date, air traffic controllers have handled more than 2,200 flights at Saarbrücken International Airport from the Remote Tower Control Centre 450 km away. |
 Saudi Arabia: Saudi International Airshow debuts in Riyadh ‘Middle East regional fleet to triple by 2036’ The inaugural Saudi International Airshow got underway at Riyadh’s Al-Thumamah Airport this week at the headquarters of its host, the Saudi Aviation Club. The three-day event attracted aircraft manufacturers, regional sales agents for private aircraft, business and general aviation manufacturers, operators, FBOs, MROs and aerospace & defence experts. The airshow is aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which delineates the aviation sector’s indispensable role in the diversification and expansion of the national economy through the establishment of new airports and the expansion of existing facilities. Opportunities for both established companies wanting to expand their business and new players seeking to enter the Kingdom’s aviation sector are expected to increase dramatically.
United Kingdom BBGA honours Penny Stephens with prestigious Michael Wheatley Award Penny Stephens, CEO of Inflite The Jet Centre and vocal proponent of business aviation, was heralded by the British Business Aviation Association (BBGA) as the recipient of its prestigious Michael Wheatley Award for Outstanding Services to the general aviation industry. The award was presented by BBGA Chairman Marwan Khalek and Marc Bailey, CEO of BBGA, during the Association’s annual conference at Luton Hoo, attended by over 140 industry delegates and guests.  Penny Stephens. “This award is in recognition of the remarkable contribution Penny has given and continues to make to our industry." said Marc Bailey. "She has successfully helped evolve a family-run, independent business into a thriving, international focused concern in MRO and executive aviation handling for over three decades, without losing any of those family-held values. Her selection for this accolade was unanimous.”
Switzerland: Global Jet Capital accelerates expansion in Europe with new Zurich office Company expects 4,879 new and used mid to heavy business jet transactions across Europe by 2028, at an estimated total value of US $46.9bn. Global Jet Capital, a global leader in financial solutions for business aircraft, has announced the opening of a new, larger regional office in Zurich. The new office will help Global Jet Capital meet the growing demand for business aviation financing solutions and further enhance Global Jet Capital’s growth strategies across Europe.
United Kingdom: London Biggin Hill launches competitive new pricing structure London Biggin Hill Airport is announcing a competitive new pricing structure to take effect from 1st April 2019, with customers benefitting from simplified fees and the removal of shoulder charges. Landing, handling and parking fees will become streamlined under the new system, giving customers greater transparency and simplifying the payment process. In addition to the elimination of charges during airport shoulder hours, charter brokers and operators will enjoy a cost reduction for short turnarounds, making London Biggin Hill even more attractive for quick meetings in the City.
 Paula Kraft, founder and President of Atlanta, GA-based Tastefully Yours Catering. For the forty days leading up to Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate Lent. Well, that’s not exactly true about it being 40 days. Those 40 days don’t include Sundays since they’re celebrated during this season as ‘little Easters’; so there are actually 46 days that pass from the first day of Lent, more properly known as Ash Wednesday. The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is Mardi Gras, which means ‘Fat Tuesday’. It’s called ‘Fat’ (or ‘Great’) because it's associated with great food and parties. You may know it as Shrove Tuesday - the day when pancakes are served - traditionally to use up butter and dairy produce before the ritual fast begins.
Lent is a time of fasting and repentance, it is a season when Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. Originally, the feast was prepared so they would not be tempted by sweets, meat and other distractions in the house. They used up all the sugar and yeast in sweetbreads before the Lent season started, and prepared meals with all the meat available. It was a great feast! I bet you are asking why 40 days of fasting?
Are apprenticeships ‘the next big thing’ for business aviation? Patrick Margetson-Rushmore, chief executive of Luxaviation UK. Global 7500 completes world’s longest range business jet flight in history Overall activity gains but business jet charters falling back The WINGX Report Luxaviation Helicopters launches industry-first charter alliance with 70-strong fleet You can’t beat the body clock Pilots in Europe suffering fatigue despite new rules. Are you eating clean? Paula Kraft, founder and President of Atlanta, GA-based Tastefully Yours Catering. Going where others cannotMission Aviation Fellowship President David Holsten addresses the Wichita Aero Club
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The Bangor Beast
The Royal Air Force was one of the first to take advantage of the faster de-icing and even quicker turn-arounds that are now the norm, following the purchase of a Global ER-2875 de-icer by Bangor International Airport, Maine, USA.
Dubbed 'The Beast from the East', the de-icer has the longest side reach and highest cab/nozzle height of any mobile de-icer in the world, bringing the operator’s eye level to an impressive 78 feet.
Specifically designed for larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A-380, Antonov An-225, C5 and C17 military airplanes and similarly large cargo planes, the ER-2875 has a total fluid tank capacity of 2,800 gallons (10,500 liters) with a flow rate of 60 gpm (227.1pm).
RAF de-icing at Bangor International Airport.
With a hydraulically-driven centrifugal compressor mounted on the operator platform, the de-icing system uses forced air, either alone or in combination with de-icing fluid, to remove all forms of frozen contamination from the critical surfaces of the aircraft.
“What this means is better visual inspection of the aircraft when cleaned and, from the pilot’s standpoint, a speedier de-icing process and faster turn-around,” says Airport Director Tony Caruso. “The extra 10 feet of boom will be particularly valuable on larger military and cargo aircraft with a T-tail configuration.”
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