ACJ319neo Completes First Flight

Airbus Corporate Jets successfully flew its first ACJ319neo for one hour and 55 minutes yesterday, marking the launch of the aircraft’s short flight-test program to verify differences with its airline transport sibling, the A319neo. Design variations include extra fuel tanks in its cargo hold that will give it intercontinental range. The aircraft is destined for K5 Aviation in Germany, which firmed up its order for an ACJ319neo in January 2016.

Outfitted with five additional center fuel tanks and either CFM Leap-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines (K5 Aviation opted for the latter powerplant choice), the ACJ319neo has a maximum range of 6,749 nm (12,500 km) with eight passengers. Compared with the A319neo, the ACJ version also has a lower average cabin altitude of 6,400 feet (1,951 m).

The flight-test program should last no longer than a few weeks, an Airbus spokesman told AIN, at which point this first ACJ319neo will be delivered to K5 and outfitted with a VVIP cabin by Fokker Techniek in the Netherlands. The first flight comes a little more than three months after Airbus Corporate Jets delivered its first ACJ320neo to UK-based Acropolis Aviation.

BBD’s Bizjet Shipments Slide, but Backlog Rises to $15B

Deliveries at Bombardier Business Aircraft softened in the first quarter as the manufacturer ramps up Global 7500 production and works to bring the Global 5500 and 6500 to market later this year. Meanwhile, though, the manufacturer maintained its guidance of 150 to 155 business jet deliveries for the year and experienced strong order intake.

In preliminary first-quarter results released today, Bombardier reported 24 business jet deliveries: two Learjets, 14 Challengers, and eight Globals. This is down from the 31 deliveries in the first quarter of 2018: three Learjets, 18 Challengers, and 10 Globals. Revenues, in turn, slid, from $1.1 billion in first-quarter 2018 to an estimated $970 million this year (Bombardier will release full results on May 2).

While deliveries declined by nearly 25 percent in the first three months, the revenue dip was much less, possibly reflecting the initial deliveries of its ultra-long-range Global 7500 flagship. Bombardier anticipates delivery of 15 to 20 of the $73 million jets this year, with shipments weighted more toward the second half.

Meanwhile, Bombardier’s Business Aircraft unit experienced a 1:1.6 book-to-bill in the quarter, boosting backlog to $14.9 billion, up from $14.3 billion a year ago. “With expected deliveries more heavily weighted to the second half of the year, Business Aircraft’s full-year guidance remains unchanged,” the company said, anticipating revenues of about $6.25 billion.

JetSuiteX Adds Seattle Boeing Field Service on July 1

JetSuiteX will launch thrice-daily, per-seat, scheduled air charter service to Seattle King County International Airport-Boeing Field (BFI) from California's Oakland International Airport (OAK) beginning on July 1, bringing its destinations served to six cities in the Western U.S., the Dallas-based company announced yesterday. Using Embraer 135s in a 30-seat configuration comparable to business class, the public charter operator provides service at the price of a commercial ticket from private terminals, which it said allows passengers to arrive 20 minutes before a flight and avoid long security screening lines.

“In 2016, we set out to create an entirely new air travel experience designed to make flying short distances faster, easier, and more enjoyable,” said JetSuiteX co-founder and CEO Alex Wilcox. “Travelers between Seattle and the Bay Area can now shave valuable time off the trip by flying from the conveniently located Boeing Field while experiencing JetSuiteX’s unparalleled efficiency and customer service.”

In addition to Seattle and Oakland, JetSuiteX's year-round destinations include Orange County (SNA), Concord/East Bay (CCR), and Burbank (BUR) in California, as well as Las Vegas (LAS). Seasonally it serves Coachella Valley/Thermal (TRM) and Mammoth (MMH), both in California. Fares on the new Seattle route start at $99 one way.

Sky Valet Adds New Member to Affiliate Program

As it continues to expand its FBO network across Europe, France-based aviation services provider Sky Valet has strengthened its presence in Italy by announcing an exclusive partnership with the business aviation terminal at Trieste Airport under the Sky Valet Connect affiliate program. The FBO operator believes the agreement will help the airport in Northeastern Italy develop its business aviation traffic.

“The Sky Valet Connect brand will provide immediate access to the commercial power and the reputation of the brand and its network, and to heightened international visibility, while remaining independent,” said Michel Tohane, executive director of Sky Valet and director of parent company Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur’s general aviation business unit, adding this latest agreement heralds a new step in the company’s expansion program. “It supports our ambition to create a denser regional network and to meet operators’ explicit needs, in particular by harmonizing the FBO offer in Europe.”

Vincenzo Zangrilli, Trieste Airport’s commercial director noted, “Our region is located in an ideal crossroads which allows easy access to beautiful tourist summer and winter destinations, but also to key business cities in northern Italy and Central and Eastern Europe.”

Air Methods Shutters Four Bases in Oklahoma

Air ambulance provider Air Methods abruptly closed four bases in Oklahoma over the weekend. The company said it closed the bases in Chickasha, Keefeton, Seminole, and South Tulsa due to financial considerations.

These closures will affect up to 60 employees and the company said it is working to find them other opportunities within Air Methods. Each base operated 24/7 and had a budget of close to $3 million. Air Methods said it will continue to provide neonatal air transport in the area via its AirKids1 program in Oklahoma City.

The company operates from 300 bases in 48 states. Air Methods cited the high number of Medicare/Medicaid transports, which traditionally pay reimbursements below costs, and the large population of medically uninsured in Oklahoma, as factors in its decision to close the four bases there. However, air ambulance market financials vary from state to state, and in recent months Air Methods has opened new bases in other locations, including California and South Dakota.

FAI Technik Receives FAA Mx Approval

Nuremberg-based FAI Technik, part of Germany’s FAI Aviation Group, has received FAA approval for its EASA Part 145 repair center at Albrecht Durer International Airport, giving it authorization to perform maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activity on U.S.-registered business aircraft. This latest license follows similar approvals from aviation authorities in Nigeria, the Cayman Islands, and Bermuda.

The company, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, provides MRO services for Bombardier business jets, including FAI’s own charter and aeromedical fleet, the largest in the country, that includes seven Globals, five Challenger 604s, one Challenger 850, and 11 Learjet 60s.

“This latest approval from the FAA is yet another milestone for FAI Technik as it continues to see growing demand,” said company founder and chairman Siegfried Axtmann. “We look forward to serving some of the many U.S.-registered aircraft operating in Europe and on the African continent as we continue to extend our remit and capabilities and deliver excellent results for our customers.”

In March, the facility began work on its sixth in-house Global Express cabin refurbishment, which marked one of the type’s most extensive upgrade projects. Named “Project Pearl,” it will include 60-, 120-, and 240-month inspections and the installation of Collins Aerospace’s Venue cabin management and HD entertainment system.

New Director Slate, Management Proposed for Bristow

Wisconsin-based Global Value Investment Corp. (GVIC) continued its assault on Bristow Group’s directors and senior managers yesterday. GVIC filed a proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that stated that it intended to nominate a new slate of directors at the heavily indebted helicopter services company’s next annual shareholders’ meeting, which has yet to be scheduled.

GVIC maintains that Bristow’s current leadership is defective and that its anticipated future bankruptcy filing would be ill-advised. Its proposed slate of four directors are Sten Gustafson, the former CEO of helicopter services company Era Group and a former director at CHC Helicopter; GVIC CEO Jeffrey Geygan; Anthony Gray, an attorney who led helicopter maker Sikorsky’s global compliance office from 2010 to 2013; and Jonathan Meretsky, an attorney who has served as managing director at Canada’s Merit House investment firm since 2009 and is an expert on “ocean tech” as it relates to the global oil and gas industry. 

In its filing Wednesday with the SEC, GVIC noted that Bristow’s leadership had made a “chain of bad decisions.” According to the filing, “GVIC believes recent events represent the culmination of years of mismanagement, poor strategic decisions, weak oversight, and reckless execution by Bristow’s board."

Bristow could raise additional cash quickly by disposing of underperforming assets, according to GVIC vice president James Geygan. 

China Gets First Airbus H215

China’s State Grid General Aviation Company (SGGAC) has accepted the first Airbus H215 delivered in China. SGGAC performs aerial construction and maintenance work along China’s network of high and very high voltage power lines. The addition of the Airbus heavy twin will enable SGGAC to perform new missions such as cable repair, cable laying, cargo transportation, and power line pylon constructions in difficult-to-reach areas. 

The helicopter comes equipped with a 4.5-ton cargo sling, hoists, weather radar, and a wire-strike protection system. It is configured to seat 17 and is equipped with oxygen jackets for high-altitude missions. The H215’s standard features include Makila 1A1 engines and glass cockpit avionics with a four-axis autopilot. 

The H215 will join the company’s existing fleet of 15 Airbus helicopters, which comprises H125, H120, and H225 models. Introduction of this H215 increases China’s Super Puma family fleet to nearly 40 aircraft that perform missions from oil and gas to aerial work to VIP transportation. Its fleet is supported by Airbus Helicopters’ approved helicopter MRO center in Shenzhen, and an H225 full-flight simulator is located in Beijing.