Gulfstream Aerospace parent company General Dynamics today warned that G700 certification, planned for the fourth quarter, could be delayed by three to six months due to a new, additional requirement by the FAA. According to General Dynamics chairman and CEO Phebe Novakovic, the FAA has asked Gulfstream to perform a line-by-line validation of the software for the fly-by-wire, ultra-long-range business jet.
The disclosure validates industry fears about higher FAA scrutiny of future aircraft certifications in the wake of the Boeing Max debacle. Novakovic didn’t specifically mention Boeing, instead skirting around the issue by saying the time-consuming, extra requirement “is the result of events independent of us.”
Novakovic added that a delay in G700 certification will also have a knock-on effect on the derivative G800. First flight of the G800 is planned for first-quarter 2023—timed to occur just after G700 approval—while certification has always been “six to nine months after the G700.” Delayed certification will also interrupt the start of G700 deliveries, though Gulfstream would increase production of other models to make up for the temporary shortfall, she said.
Meanwhile, all G700 structure testing is complete and FAA certification of the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines is expected in the coming months, she noted. Production of customer G700s is also underway and the five flight-test program aircraft have logged 2,800 hours to date, according to Novakovic.
ExecuJet MRO Services expects to open a new business aviation MRO center in Dubai by the third quarter, the company announced this week. The 15,000-sq-m (163,000-sq-ft) facility is designed to accommodate 18 to 24 business jets at a time, including the Dassault Falcon 6X and 10X, as well as other large-cabin business jets.
Located at Al Maktoum International Airport, the new facility also will serve as ExecuJet’s regional headquarters in Dubai. It replaces the base maintenance offered by ExecuJet at Dubai International Airport, although that location will continue to offer AOG services. ExecuJet has provided maintenance services in Dubai for more than 20 years.
“The large hangar doors have been installed, an important milestone as it shows the construction phase is nearing completion,” said Nick Weber, Execujet MRO Services regional v-p for the Middle East. “Dubai is a hub for so much global traffic that it merited a large investment in MRO capacity and expertise.”
The Dassault Aviation-owned company is a factory service center for in-production Falcons and provides line and base maintenance for Bombardier, Embraer Executive Jets, and most Hawker business jets.
A growing customer base and new services have prompted Millennium International Avionics to relocate to a larger facility in Lees Summit, Missouri. The 14,000-sq-ft building offers anti-static floors, humidity, and other environmental controls with UV and HEPA filtration, along with a Class 100 cleanroom. Millennium also retained 10,000 sq ft of warehouse space.
The larger facility comes as Millennium adds new services, specifically cathode ray tube to liquid crystal display (LCD) conversions and engineering solutions for obsolete LCD products for the flight deck. Millennium has supported more than 1,500 customers over 24 years in commercial, business, and military aviation.
Millennium senior v-p Claude Peoples said the larger facility allows the company to take on additional projects and staff. “We have had many interfacility expansions over the years and simply outgrew our existing space,” he added.
Revenues and earnings at General Dynamics’ aerospace unit, composed of Gulfstream Aerospace and Jet Aviation, climbed in the first quarter as higher service income more than offset fewer aircraft deliveries. Aerospace revenues in the quarter eked out a 0.8 percent year-over-year increase, to $1.9 billion, while earnings soared 10.8 percent, to $243 million.
Gulfstream shipped 25 aircraft (21 large-cabin jets and four super-midsize G280s) in the quarter, down from 28 (25 large-cabin, three G280s) in the same period a year ago. Speaking during a quarterly investor call today, General Dynamics chairman and CEO Phebe Novakovic said Gulfstream will ramp up production in follow-on quarters to meet the forecasted 124 deliveries this year—five more units than last year.
First-quarter service revenue growth at both Gulfstream and Jet Aviation made up for the aircraft delivery shortfall, she noted. “In particular, Jet Aviation had strong performance at its FBOs in the U.S.,” Novakovic said, adding that Russian sanctions have not affected revenues at Jet Aviation and Gulfstream service center locations in Europe.
Meanwhile, Gulfstream sales remain “strong…especially in the U.S. market,” according to Novakovic. “European sales have slowed, but Western Europe is improving, as is Asia outside of China.” Overall, Gulfstream had a book-to-bill of 2.1:1 in the quarter, and backlog at the aerospace division increased to $17.62 billion, up from $11.93 billion a year ago.
Enhancing Performance Now; Increasing Value in the Future
With a customer fleet comprised of over 3,600 aircraft and 7,200 engines, Rolls-Royce Business Aviation has developed a portfolio of services that ensure its customers get the most availability from their aircraft now and top dollar at resale time.
In an Earth Day letter to Congress last week, a broad-based coalition consisting of nearly 80 aviation stakeholders voiced their support for the introduction of a blender’s tax credit to help advance the development and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). That coalition included airlines and other operators, manufacturers, state agencies, fuel manufacturers and providers, and pilot groups, along with industry trade groups such as NATA, NBAA, GAMA, HAI, and AOPA.
The measure, which would serve to spur investment in the growing renewable fuels market, has been championed by the Biden administration and is part of the Sustainable Skies Act introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives.
“The SAF-specific blender’s tax credit of $1.50 to $2 per gallon that was introduced in the Sustainable Skies Act (H.R.3440/S.2263) would promote and accelerate investment in the nascent domestic SAF industry while upholding rigorous environmental standards and ensuring that fuels that achieve the greatest reduction in emissions are eligible for the greatest tax incentive,” the letter to congressional leaders stated.
NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen added, “This tax policy remains the most effective method to incentivize the production of SAF. NBAA is determined to work with all stakeholders to make a blender’s tax credit a reality.”
Connectivity provider SmartSky Networks has partnered with Neo NextGen to develop customized digital services for MRO providers. Using SmartSky’s Skytelligence platform, the companies are working with Montreal-based aircraft components MRO AJW Technique (AJWT) in the development of these services.
The use of the Skytelligence platform and application programming interfaces is expected to enable access to data that will help Neo NextGen improve workflows and create new efficiencies for MROs. “By working together, we can harness our combined resources and expertise to design a digital workflow that optimizes AJWT’s processes, creating operational efficiencies and unlocking incremental profitability for the component repair business,” said Neo NextGen co-founder and CEO Monica Badra.
SmartSky v-p of marketing and partnerships Brit Wanick said the partnership demonstrates SmartSky’s capabilities beyond providing wireless connectivity to aircraft. “For us, connectivity in aviation is about much more than just the back of the aircraft, and we remain committed to connecting the entire aviation ecosystem by delivering dependable, responsive, and secure access to real-time data from maintenance and performance information to situational awareness,” he added.
With the 87th edition of the NFL player draft slated to kick off tomorrow in Las Vegas, a notam has been issued for transient general aviation aircraft bound for the city’s three main airports this weekend.
Taking effect on Thursday at 6 a.m. local time, the prior permission required (PPR) program calls for operators to obtain a PPR number from their intended FBO at Harry Reid International (KLAS), Henderson Executive (KHND), or North Las Vegas (KVGT) airports. The Las Vegas Tracon-issued notam will remain in effect until 4:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 1.
“This PPR program will provide the FAA, airports, and FBOs situational awareness of the operation and confirm the availability of parking and operational services,” said Dean Snell, senior manager of NBAA’s air traffic desk.
He noted that flights destined for KLAS can obtain their PPR number directly from either the Signature Flight Support or Atlantic Aviation FBOs upon making their reservation, while operators heading to the area's two dedicated general aviation airports can receive it through their online reservation systems. That number should be included in the filed flight plan under the remarks section.
Aircraft Servicing Guernsey (ASG) has completed the steps to qualify as an authorized service center for the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet by receiving approval from Williams International for line maintenance on the FJ33 engine. With the Williams approval, ASG has the capability to provide engine maintenance for Vision Jets operating on the FAA and Guernsey (2-Reg) registries. UK CAA and EASA approvals are expected to follow shortly.
“The achievement of becoming a Williams International line maintenance service center for the Cirrus SF Vision Jet ensures full maintenance capability through ASG for Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet owners,” said ASG head of technical services Gary Phillips. “We are pleased to establish a new relationship with Williams International and look forward to working together with them to provide engine servicing of the highest quality.”
ASG is part of Pula Aviation Services Group and provides aircraft maintenance and FBO services for business and general aviation aircraft.
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Requires replacing each affected emergency flashlight with a serviceable part. Prompted by a report of restricted collective lever movement caused by entanglement of the emergency flashlight strap with the cargo hook emergency release lever, causing the emergency flashlight to leave its seat.
Requires replacement of certain compressor turbine vanes.Prompted by several reports of low-time fractures of compressor turbine blades resulting in loss of power or in-flight shutdown.
Requires revising the rotorcraft flight manual supplement and disabling the TCAS "POP-UP" feature for certain display units. Prompted by in-service reports of the loss of display and subsequent recovery of certain display units.
Model(s): Challenger 600, 601-3A/3R, 604, 605, and 650
Published: April 26, 2022
Effective: May 31, 2022
Requires a general visual inspection of all affected potable water-line ribbon heater installations and any necessary corrective actions. Prompted by a report of smoke in the aft cabin during a maintenance activity, which an investigation determined was caused by a faulty drain line ribbon heater.
Supersedes but retains requirements of AD 2019-11-05, which mandated inspecting the tail rotor pitch link assemblies and replacing certain pitch link bearings. Updated AD revises the applicability and requires inspections of certain other tail rotor pitch link assemblies. Prompted by a report of a worn pitch link and the FAA's determination that all tail rotor pitch link assemblies are affected by the unsafe condition.
Supersedes and retains some of the requirements of AD 2021-05-05, which mandated modifying the helicopter by replacing the tail rotor gearbox control shaft guide bushes; repetitive inspections of the tail gearbox oil level and, if necessary, filling the oil to the maximum level; repetitive inspections of the tail gearbox magnetic plug and any necessary corrective actions; repetitive replacements of a certain control rod double bearing; and modifying the helicopter by replacing the tail gearbox. Updated AD reduces the intervals of the magnetic plug inspection, revises the corrective actions if particles are detected, and revises the compliance time for replacement of the affected part. Prompted by a report where, during a landing phase, a helicopter lost tail rotor pitch control due to significant damage to the tail gearbox bearing.
Requires a one-time inspection of the electrical power feeders for the right-hand primary display unit (PDU) and secondary flight display (SFD), as well as any necessary corrective actions. Prompted by an occurrence of smoke in the cockpit and loss of the right-hand PDU and SFD. A subsequent investigation determined that chafing and arcing of the feeders with forward lavatory bulkhead led to smoke and loss of the right-hand front secondary power distribution box feeder power supply, which caused the loss of right-hand PDU and SFD.
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