International News from the Business and Private Aviation Industry
 United States: June Fleet For Sale percentages down for all sectors - bizjets 'lowest since great recession' JETNET has released June 2018 and the first six months of 2018 results for the pre-owned business jet, business turboprop, helicopter, and commercial airliner markets. Key worldwide trends across all aircraft market segments were compared from June 2018 to June 2017. 'Fleet For Sale' percentages for all sectors were down in the June comparisons. June 2018 was the lowest 'For Sale' percentage (9.1%) for business jets since the great recession began. Generally, across all six aircraft sectors reported, inventories are down, and full sale transactions had mixed results, with very little increase to no change to decreases in the first six months of 2018 versus 2017.
United States: GAMA: Piston and Turboprop shipments up, Bizjets flat The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has published its 2018 second quarter shipments and billings report for the global general and business aviation industry. The total number of aircraft delivered was up, while overall billings were down. “Though this quarter’s results are mixed, we are glad to see that demands for training aircraft are driving increase in the piston and rotorcraft segments,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “The Boeing 2018 Pilot and Technician Outlook shows the demand for pilots, technicians and other aviation industry professionals is at an all-time high.” Piston rotorcraft deliveries continued to strengthen from 125 in the first six months of 2017, to 149 in 2018. Turbine rotorcraft shipments also increased from 338 to 345, a 2.1 percent increase.
Connectivity: Satcom Direct confirms first Ka-band installation for Hongkong Jet The ultra-high-speed Ka-band service, powered by Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellite constellation, is being supplied to a privately-owned Gulfstream G650ER, managed and maintained by Hongkong Jet. “The principal runs a large, international Chinese conglomerate so the ability to use voice and text services, download and email documents, and surf the web, are fundamental to his business. His family often travels with him and they want to stream video, watch favorite TV series, and big sporting events. The need to deliver constant, reliable, secure connectivity is essential. With Jet ConneX installed the cabin is truly a home from home, as well as an office in the air,” says Mike Walsh, chief commercial officer, Hongkong Jet.
 Shae Blevins, Digital Strategist at Greteman Group a marketing communications agency in Wichita, the Air Capital. A Primer on Keyword Research for SEO You likely know keyword research is the first step in search engine optimization. The keywords and phrases related to your products and services attract online users to your website where they’ll ultimately decide whether or not to contact you. If you know you should do more to drive people to your website but are unsure how to do keyword research for SEO, try these tips. Ask Google Enter your brand name, products and brand-specific services in Google’s search bar, but don’t search. Wait to see what Google offers you. Predictive search fills in the initial query with keywords and phrases it calculates match your search intent. These predictions are based on your own and other users’ Google search histories. The goal is to provide users with more specific search parameters to return results that best match their intent. You’ll find similar suggestions in Google’s related searches, a list of clickable links at the end of the page.
Google also gives users the option to ask another question in the middle of the page through its related questions search results. Opening any of the related questions creates a featured snippet response chock full of keywords you should consider. Democratic Republic of the Congo: Air Serv mobilizing for second Ebola response this year Just as one Ebola epidemic has been contained, a new one has occurred. Air Serv is making preparations for deployment to support immediate response efforts, crucial to containing the virus in the heavily populated region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Less than two weeks after health officials celebrated the containment of an Ebola outbreak in western DRC which claimed 33 lives, a new outbreak has been declared in the eastern part of the country. The first cluster of cases were reported by Congo’s Health Ministry on August 1 in the North Kivu province. Within a week, 43 cases have been reported and the death toll has reached 36. Officials have stated that the new outbreak is a different strain of Ebola from that which recently FBO: Sheltair starts construction on new hangar complex at Sheltair Aviation, one of the nation’s leading aviation services companies, has announced the firm will build, lease, and manage a new 20-acre Northside Hangar Complex at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport with FBO services offered by Banyan Air Service. The facility will include a state-of-the-art 180,000 square foot hangar complex consisting of eight large cabin-class sized hangars and an additional 30,000 square feet of office and shop space. It will also be the home of Banyan’s Northside FBO terminal.
Exclusive Aircraft Sales  Nick Newby Eden Prairie, MN-headquartered Exclusive Aircraft Sales, an affiliate of Fargo Jet Center, has welcomed Nick Newby to the sales team as Director of Jet Sales. Nick brings with him 20 years of industry experience and expertise in aircraft sales, maintenance, contracts, and product management. He maintains an airframe and powerplant license, is a certified private pilot, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in E-Commerce Management from Friends University in Wichita, KS. With a constant focus for the customer and his dedication to excellence, Nick has been the recipient of three 'Leading Edge' awards from Cessna Aircraft Company and was the recipient of the prestigious 'President’s Pin' award from Jeppesen.
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United States: HondaJet Elite deliveries begin Honda Aircraft Company announced this week that it has begun deliveries of its new advanced aircraft, the HondaJet Elite, at its headquarters in Greensboro, NC. Deliveries of the HondaJet Elite begin as the HondaJet marks the first half of 2018 as the most delivered aircraft in its class, based on information provided by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
"We are proud to announce that deliveries of the HondaJet Elite have begun," said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. "This milestone showcases Honda Aircraft's steadfast commitment to setting new standards in business aviation and enthusiasm for remaining at the forefront of an evolving industry."
Malta: SR Technics expands its presence at Malta International with modern new hangar Leading MRO services provider, SR Technics, has signed a contract with Malta Enterprise and Malta Industrial Parks Limited to expand its aircraft maintenance facility in Malta, following last year’s Memorandum of Understanding.
The agreement includes the construction of a modern multi-bay hangar facility for narrow- and wide-body aircraft at Malta International Airport. At 30,000 sqm, including workshop space, the new infrastructure will enable SR Technics to increase its capacity for heavy maintenance, C-checks and any cabin modifications or retrofits to up to six narrow-body aircraft at a time. 
Patrick Margetson-Rushmore, chief executive of leading charter operator Luxaviation UK, analyses the current aerial urban mobility industry . . . and wonders what will happen next.
Where next for urban mobility? For so long, pilotless passenger aircraft have only existed in the world of science fiction, but now these futuristic wonders are approaching reality at speed. Are they heading for a city near you? When major players including Embraer, Uber, Bell and Airbus are developing aerial urban mobility solutions, we know we’re not dealing with science fiction anymore. These industry giants wouldn’t be investing their time and money in projects with no viable commercial future.
Flying cars? Drones? eVTOLs? The media hasn’t quite settled on a catchy collective name for all these disruptive new concepts yet. You might see references to ‘flying cars’ or to ‘drone taxi services’. Only time will tell which phrase captures the public’s imagination.
United States: NBAA to honour WASP with Meritorious Service Award The National Business Aviation Association will present its Meritorious Service to Aviation Award to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), at the 2018 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), to be held Oct. 16-18, in Orlando, FL.
The Meritorious Service to Aviation Award recognizes extraordinary lifelong contributions to aviation. Accepting the award on behalf of the group will be Erin Miller, who was instrumental in pushing legislation to get inurnment rights at Arlington National Cemetery for the WASP after her grandmother, WASP Elaine Harmon, passed away. United Kingdom: Design Q and 'the best view in the sky' Howard Guy, CEO of UK-based Design consultancy Design Q, smiles when asked “what were the biggest challenges?” The question relates to Design Q’s mission to create a whole new experience for seasoned and discerning travellers that is at once exhilarating, wondrous, and like nothing else on earth.
Howard goes on to explain that Design Q have been working with the manufacturers of Airlander, HAV, on a new concept in luxury travel. Airlander is a unique aircraft. The technology has been derived from a military programme which means that the aircraft can stay aloft for long periods of time and can travel very slowly or even hang in the sky. These characteristics mean that slow travel takes on a whole new meaning - where the journey is a series of experiences and just as important as the destination itself.
Turboprops: 
Why on demand turboprop charters are on the rise By Terry Spruce.
There’s a good chance your next private flight will be on a turboprop says Monarch Air Group. According to ARGUS' TRAQPak report, turboprops registered an 8.0% increase in activity compared to a 4.9% rise in small cabin jets during 2017.
Why is this noteworthy? Both types of aircraft have similar features in short haul flights, and considering 80% of private flights in the US are under two hours duration, the increase registered by turboprops can’t go unnoticed. Especially when there are a handful of features supporting their use compared to other types of aircraft. United States: FAA approves Avfuel online training Avfuel Corporation recently attained FAA approval for its online fuel safety training programs, which are part of the Avfuel Training System (ATS).
Now, FBOs and operators can utilize Avfuel’s online Line Fuel Service and Supervisory Fuel Service Training to ensure compliance with FAA fuel safety regulations as outlined by 14 CFR 139.321. United States: Silver Air signs ultra-long-range GV under PURE Jet Management Silver Air, the private jet management and charter company, has signed a Gulfstream GV under its PURE Jet Management program. Based out of Van Nuys, California, (VNY) the jet is now available to charter for global operations.
The 16-seat jet has been newly renovated this year, with new paint and an updated interior. With a global 6,500nm range, the GV is capable of flying anywhere in the world, perfect for nonstop flights to Beijing or New Zealand from California. |
 United Kingdom: First US dollar deal for Paragon Aviation Finance Paragon’s Aviation Finance division has spread its wings to include access to dollar funding. The first deal of its kind secured a $7.9m loan for London Biggin Hill-based Zenith Aviation, enabling the business to buy another Learjet 75 to add to its fleet. Zenith - the largest European operator of Learjet 75s - added a fourth Learjet 75 to its charter fleet to cater for rising demand from clients, which include celebrities from pop star James Arthur to wrestler Triple H and his wife Stephanie McMahon Levesque. Following its busiest year in 2017, the new jet will allow the company to further bolster its activities, which have already reached more than 300 flight hours a month to destinations as far as Morocco and Russia.
France: Summer heats up for Boutsen with over 360 aircraft sold Summer is in full swing in Monaco, and the heat has only served to rev the engines of the Boutsen Aviation team. The company has surpassed its 360th aircraft transaction, another milestone coming quickly on the heels of the 350th that closed earlier this year. In just the first few weeks of July, Boutsen closed a Falcon 7X, a Dornier 328 Jet, a Challenger 604, coming shortly after the sale of a Eurocopter EC120B, and a Gulfstream G550 in June. “We have had an incredibly active summer” says Founder and Chairman Thierry Boutsen, “it is a clear sign that the market is picking up, and we look forward to what the fall season will bring.” Catering: Bon Soirée enjoys strong Summer Inflight dining orders up by 20% Bon Soirée is enjoying one of its busiest summers ever. A steady flow of business with clients including VistaJet and NetJets flying out of London airports, has prompted the inflight business aviation caterer to order three new Citroen Berlingo refrigerated vans, which will arrive in September. Director Derek Freeman is taking on five more staff to handle demand.  Bon Soirée founder and Managing Director, Derek Freeman. TAG Farnborough Airport is now the business’ number one airport for airside deliveries, closely followed by London Luton Airport (mainly Signature’s London Luton FBO) and RAF Northolt. Bon Soirée's flexibility in handling special dietary requirements has helped to bolster bookings. “Without doubt, this has been the biggest shift in our business this past 12 months. The number of special requests we get these days - gluten-free, non-dairy, vegan, diabetic, no wheat,” has increased ten-fold,” notes Derek Freeman.
 Paula Kraft, founder and President of Atlanta, GA-based Tastefully Yours Catering. What do you think of when you think of summer? Palm tree lined sandy beaches, cool cocktails with a fruity garnish, family fun, cookouts and a barbeque? Yup, I think of all of the above - and watermelon! Doesn’t the sight of it even make you happy? Look at the slice . . . it's a smile, pure happiness. We can thank the Egyptians for the first watermelon. The first harvests were documented over 5000 years ago. And from there - over 2000 years ago - merchant ships carried the watermelon to China, and the rest is history. Summer is the season for fresh watermelon; it is grown in over 96 countries around the world and there are over 1,200 recorded varieties in assorted colors. In Italy, there are thousands of festivals devoted to watermelon so as you travel, watch for signs like ‘Sagra’ or ‘Festa del Anguria’ announcing their dates.
Every country has festivals to celebrate this vegetable . . . oops, I guess I forgot to mention that a watermelon is in the same family as the squash, the pumpkin, and the cucumber. No wonder it's so versatile. With a little creativity, you too can add this mouth-watering, sweet nectar to your next flight. You may not want a big wedge to sit on the club table, but there are numerous benefits of serving watermelon in hundreds of other ways. Watermelon doesn't contain any fat or cholesterol, it is high in fiber and vitamins A & C and is a good source of potassium. It can lower inflammation and blood pressure as well. Did you know that every part of the watermelon is edible? Even the seeds and rinds. In some places, you can even find the seeds made into jewelry. I thought I would see how many ways you can serve watermelon and did a Google search to add to my idea list. I was amazed - really amazed at how many creative things you can do with watermelon. Before Google, I started with my kitchen to see what we do. I must admit, it is a bit basic compared to some of the examples I found.
Hong Kong: Hongkong Jet adds four aircraft to managed fleet As confidence & accessibility in Hong Kong’s bizav market improves, HKIA is 'Open for Business'. Hongkong Jet, Hongkong’s leading private jet management and charter Group of Companies, has added four aircraft to its managed fleet in Q2 of 2018. The managed fleet now includes the first Cessna CJ4, Bombardier Global Express, and an additional Boeing BBJ and G-650ER models, which are all based within Greater China which includes Hong Kong. Hongkong Jet’s CEO, Denzil White said, “The addition of these four aircraft to our managed fleet evidences Hongkong Jet’s strong reputation in the highly competitive management space in Greater China. "We have seen an ever-increasing number of new start-up aircraft management companies in the past 2 years, despite the huge operational and regulatory challenges our sector has faced in the same period."
Pilots call for Government to strengthen unsafe drone laws IBA analyses Farnborough performance Down Mexico Way. Paula Kraft founder and President of Atlanta, GA-based Tastefully Yours Catering goes South of the Border . . .
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Munich Airport hosts second international 'Bike & Style' event
After last year's successful debut, free riders and mountain bikers are ready for the second edition of Bike & Style at Munich Airport.
From August 3-19, the Munich Airport Center (MAC), between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, is the place to be for fans of the international mountain biking and free riding scene. From the 500-seat grandstand overlooking a 3,000 square meter biking parcours, spectators can cheer on their favorites in an action-backed program of spectacular freestyle shows and high jump contests.
A special highlight this year will be a mountain bike freestyling contest, putting top international riders to the test on August 18. The public can also attend the practice sessions ahead of the qualification rounds. The elite cyclists will be contending for 3000 euros in prize money.
During the entire 17-day event, audience members who like what they see can try out the fun side of cycling for themselves, too, with free test rides of the latest electric mountain bikes in the MAC Forum, "Screwdriver" Workshops or a few rounds of a special kids' circuit. Children from 6–16 years of age can also take workshops to hone their skills and learn exciting tricks.
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