Urban-Air Port and eVTOL developer Supernal yesterday unveiled in the UK a fully functional example of a “multimodal infrastructure hub” to support eVTOL and drone operations. The Air-One facility—installed at the heart of the English city of Coventry—will be open for viewing by the general public from April 28 through May 15.
The partners intend to move the Air-One unit to other cities worldwide as part of an ongoing campaign to increase understanding of advanced air mobility. The 17,000-sq-ft structure, which took 11 weeks to assemble, is divided into zones, including a fully equipped passenger lounge, café, pop-up retail store, cargo logistics hub, aircraft recharging facilities, and hangar. It also has security screening equipment and a command-and-control center for flight operations.
The display in Coventry also features a mockup of the four-passenger SA-1 eVTOL that Supernal aims to have ready to start commercial services by 2028. The U.S.-based company is a subsidiary of South Korean automaker Hyundai.
Supernal started working with Urban-Air Port in 2020. The hopeful eVTOL manufacturer also has partnerships with the cities of Miami and Los Angeles to develop plans for advanced air mobility services.
Want more? You can find a longer version of this article at FutureFlight.aero, a news and information resource developed by AIN to provide objective coverage and analysis of cutting-edge aviation technology.
The Paragon FBO Network has expanded its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region with the addition of Execujet’s new Auckland location. The facility at New Zealand’s Auckland International Airport is the latest to carry the ExecuJet name, with the Luxaviation subsidiary having acquired it earlier this year.
In continuous operation for more than 35 years, the FBO provides supervisory aircraft handling in addition to its private terminal with direct airside access, dedicated passenger lounge, pilot lounge, meeting rooms, and customs and immigration processing.
Now totaling more than 100 locations in 26 countries, the Paragon Network consists of audited FBOs to ensure the quality of the member base. All of ExecuJet’s 23 facilities have now been accepted into the Paragon Network.
“With their wide array of VIP services and facilities, ExecuJet Auckland is the epitome of an upscale and efficient FBO for travelers visiting New Zealand,” explained Paragon Aviation Group president Megan Barnes. “We are honored to continue expanding our network and strengthening our relationship with ExecuJet in providing passengers and crewmembers the best in safety, service, reliability, quality, and value at each one of our network FBOs around the globe.”
HondaJet fractional-share provider and charter operator Volato has established its first West Coast base at McClellan-Palomar Airport (KCRQ) in Carlsbad, California, bringing its total operational bases in the U.S. to six. The new base enables the less-than-year-old company’s fractional shareowners to avoid paying repositioning fees when boarding their jet at an airport within two hours of KCRQ.
“The Carlsbad base is conveniently located for us to be able to pick up our owners from anywhere they choose on the West Coast,” said Volato co-founder and chief revenue officer Nicholas Cooper. “Given the speed, efficiency, and luxury of the HondaJet, Volato is perfectly suited for their West Coast missions.” The company added that the KCRQ base also allows it to serve markets such as Seattle and Cabo San Lucas, as well as Napa County; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Las Vegas.
Atlanta-based Volato has six HondaJet light twins in its fleet, with another 18 on order. Its other operational bases are in Atlanta; Baltimore, Maryland; Houston; and St. Augustine and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
In a separate announcement, Volato said it has received a Level One Bronze Rating from 4Air for offsetting carbon emissions.
The CEO of Vita Inclinata has delivered the company’s Vita Rescue System (VRS) for helicopter rescue load stabilization into an active war zone in Ukraine. VRS autonomously mitigates litter basket swinging and spinning during hoist operations, accounting for winds, rotor downwash, and environmental conditions. Using VRS can reduce medevac hoisting times from 20 minutes to two, according to the company.
Vita CEO Caleb Carr and co-worker Scott Slack—in cooperation with the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Emergency Service—hand-delivered the system earlier this month via automobile from Poland for use on a Ukranian-operated medevac Mil Mi-8 twin-turbine helicopter in Uzhgorod. Ukraine has requested 30 VRS systems for use by helicopter fire and rescue units.
Carr founded Colorado-based Vita in 2015. VRS system technology can be applied to helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and cranes for search-and-rescue, military, firefighting, public safety, construction, wind energy, and oil-and-gas missions, among others. "Every defense organization, company, and individual has a responsibility to support people in need,” said Carr. “If we can insert technology in Ukraine to help win this fight and save civilians' lives, let's do it!”
Virtual Engine Training Sets FlightSafety Apart
For more than 10 years, FlightSafety and Pratt & Whitney Canada have worked together to develop, improve, and implement technology in maintenance training. The work and innovation have led to immersive and interactive virtual engine training. This revolutionary technology was recognized by AIN as a 2021 Top Flight Award winner in Maintenance Innovation.
While Bombardier became a pure-play business aviation company with the sale of its transportation business to Alstom in January 2021, the Montreal manufacturer is engaged in a protracted legal entanglement over that deal. That includes a request by rail giant Alstrom to seek arbitration over certain contractual provisions.
Alstom confirmed it had requested arbitration before the International Chamber of Commerce over what it believes is a breach of provisions in the sale and purchase agreement it had signed with Bombardier in September 2020. Alstom said it was not commenting further on the issue, citing confidentiality of the arbitration proceedings.
Bombardier acknowledged it had received notice of the arbitration and said it believes it “has good grounds to defend itself against Alstom’s claim and intends to do so vigorously.” In addition, Bombardier also plans to challenge certain purchase price adjustments that resulted in lower sale proceeds than initially estimated.
Like Alstom, Bombardier said it would not comment further on the proceedings because they are subject to confidentiality obligations. However, Bombardier added that arbitration could last several years.
Bombardier is also involved in a lawsuit brought by certain shareholders alleging the business jet maker was in breach of covenants with the sale of various assets, including its transportation business. In late March, Bombardier asked the New York Supreme Court to dismiss this case.
Gulfstream Aerospace promoted company veteran Scott Nelson to serve as a division vice president of North American sales. He is succeeding William McLeod, who is retiring after spending 40 years—his entire career—with Gulfstream.
Nelson has served with Gulfstream since 2006, beginning as a financial analyst for new aircraft sales. He since has held a range of financial management roles, most recently as director of aircraft sales finance. In his new role, Nelson will oversee sales team activities in the U.S. Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest.
“Scott Nelson is a respected leader in our organization whose background and experience are well-suited for his new role,” said Scott Neal, senior v-p of worldwide sales for Gulfstream.
Neal further praised McLeod for numerous contributions to Gulfstream. “Bill has had a distinguished career that has successfully positioned Gulfstream well for the continued growth of our fleet in the U.S. and beyond.”
McLeod joined Gulfstream in 1982 as a college coop student and since held positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately joining the sales team. Gulfstream credited him for helping to expand its presence in North America.
A man with a previous conviction for helicopter theft in 2000 has again been found guilty on charges of flying a Robinson R22 out of his backyard without an FAA pilot certificate. Antonio Santonastaso, 62, of East Brookfield, Massachusetts, was convicted earlier this month by a federal jury of one count of serving as an airman without an airman certificate, one count of making false statements to federal agents, and one count of attempted witness tampering.
He could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and fined $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for October 5. He was originally indicted in May 2019.
Federal prosecutors charged that Santonastaso flew the R22 out of his backyard more than 50 times between April 28, 2018, and Nov. 11, 2018, and then “falsely claimed that the events that gave rise to the FAA’s revocation of his license were a fabrication. Evidence at trial also established that Santonastaso attempted to corruptly persuade an individual with the intent to hinder, delay, and prevent, that individual from reporting his illegal helicopter flights to law enforcement,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
“Mr. Santonastaso demonstrated a blatant disregard for FAA rules and regulations by operating a helicopter out of his backyard without a license on numerous occasions. Every time he did so, he endangered himself, his community, and the general public on the ground,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins.
The Wichita Aero Club (WAC) is transitioning its leadership with the announced retirement plans for Dave Franson, who has led the organization since its founding in 2008. Long-time communications specialist Nicole Alexander is succeeding Franson as president as of June 1. Franson, who runs his own Franson Consulting Group, will retain an emeritus status and serve as a member of the board.
“Dave Franson was among the founding members of the Wichita Aero Club and has done a remarkable job in guiding the organization as executive director and president during its first 14 years,” said Ashley Bowen Cook, WAC chair and Greteman Group v-p. “We are pleased that he will remain involved with the club and extremely grateful to him for his leadership and commitment to WAC and Wichita over the years.”
Franson has served in the industry since the early 1970s, holding roles with Cessna Aircraft, AlliedSignal Aerospace, Bombardier, and NBAA.
Alexander has 15 years of private and public sector experience, serving as press secretary for then-Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and later heading up public affairs for Hawker Beechcraft. During that latter time, she steered communications for the company as it transitioned to Beechcraft and then became part of Textron Aviation. She also served as v-p of marketing and communications for Wichita accounting firm AGH CPAs & Advisors and most recently founded her own consulting firm, Nicole Alexander Co.
King Aerospace named Warren Orr chief people officer. Orr brings more than 30 years of human resources leadership experience to his new role, including holding positions with Berry Aviation and L2 Aviation as well as for non-aviation entities such as Hanger, Dell, IE Discovery, GO Executive Solutions, AT&T, and IKEA North America.
Jim Morris joined Bargate Murray as head of aviation. Morris has spent more than 31 years as a pilot and attorney, including more than 10 years with the Royal Air Force.
Argus International has brought John Eichten on board as senior v-p of consulting for the Denver firm’s Prism business. Eichten joins Argus with 38 years of industry experience, most recently holding sales, marketing, and business development positions with Aloft AeroArchitects.
Hartzell Propeller appointed Mitch Heaton director of business development and new technology, to include the company’s programs involving advanced air mobility. Heaton brings experience leading strategy and business development across multiple industries to his new role, including as v-p of economic development for the Dayton (Ohio) Development Coalition and executive v-p of growth strategies for Woodard Development.
Polaris Aero added Linda Hirschfeld and Salvado Pettit as sales executives. Hirschfeld previously spent more than 10 years at MedAire in business development roles. Pettit has more than 14 years of experience in airplane and helicopter operations, serving numerous aviation companies in both the U.S. and Latin America.
Aviation Maintenance Professionals (AMP) named Chris Hicks director of sales and marketing. Hicks has 30 years of aviation sales and customer support experience with Aviall, Dallas Airmotive, Signature Regional Maintenance Centers, Stage III Technologies, Dallas Aeronautical Services, and Quiet Technology Aerospace.
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