This week during the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany, Daher delivered the first of its new TBM 960 single-engine turboprops to a German businessman. The airplane was sold by Daher distributor Rheinland Air Service and will be used for corporate transport.
The delivery underscored a problem for Daher at the show: all of the inventory of 960s is spoken for, so the company was unable to bring one to its exhibit, which this year featured a TBM 940 and Kodiak 100 Series III utility turboprop.
Daher is sold out of TBMs through September 2023, according to Nicolas Chabbert, senior v-p of Daher’s Aircraft Division and CEO of Daher Aircraft and Kodiak Aircraft. “We’re having incredible success,” he said, although adding, “We’re struggling to get parts for our supply chain. It’s a big challenge.” Chabbert expects Daher to deliver 60 TBM 960s this year, but if the supply chain wasn’t constrained the company could produce up to 75.
The next big task is FAA certification for the TBM 960 so deliveries can begin in the company’s largest market. “We’re ready for deliveries,” he said. Last year, Daher delivered 68 airplanes, including 49 TBM 940s, two TBM 910s, and 17 Kodiaks.
Pilots’ failure to recognize the need for and execute a go-around is a threat to flight safety and has been a major cause of approach-and-landing accidents. The most perplexing issue with a go-around is that pilots rarely perform this maneuver and often continue an approach to landing even if it is or becomes unstable.
This decision to continue an aircraft’s unstable approach—rather than performing a go-around—flies in the face of industry guidance. Aviation safety experts overwhelmingly suggest that a go-around is the most effective “reset opportunity” to stack the odds back in the favor of a pilot to safely land an aircraft.
Teamwork, good CRM, and flight path and FMA monitoring are key to a well-flown go-around. It all begins with a thorough approach briefing prior to the top of descent.
In addition to the normal approach-and-landing-related items, crews should discuss in detail procedures and callouts related to either a go-around or discontinued approach to include specific actions and expectations of the pilot flying and pilot monitoring and intended use of automation. This briefing provides a clear mental image of the maneuver and reinforces the concept of being go-around “prepared” and “minded.”
The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee approved three bills that are designed to prepare for the future of aerospace by addressing workforce, the emergence of advanced air mobility (AAM), and drone infrastructure. Passed out of the committee yesterday were the National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act of 2021 (H.R.3482), Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization (AAIM) Act (H.R.6270), and Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act (H.R.5315).
The National Center for Advancement of Aviation Act would establish a federally chartered, private entity to support and promote the civil aviation and aerospace workforce. The bill calls for the provision of resources for scholarships, apprenticeships, curriculum development, and other outreach efforts. The center further would serve as an education research repository and as a national independent forum for collaboration on workforce issues.
Meanwhile, the AAIM bill establishes a two-year pilot program to invest $25 million in competitive grants for vertiport and related infrastructure development. Noting that AAM has the potential to reduce traffic congestion on roads and improve mobility options for commuters and cargo, the committee said the grants are designed to keep pace with the growing sector.
Further, the drone act seeks to invest $200 million in a drone infrastructure inspection grant program, as well as a drone education and workforce training grant program to support the inspection, maintenance, and repair of necessary infrastructure.
Global business aircraft activity was up by 17 percent over pre-pandemic 2019 last week, a span that included Easter activity, according to industry data monitor WingX Advance. In its weekly global market report, the Hamburg, Germany-based company noted the trend is above the 14 percent growth trend for the year thus far. “There was a big post-Easter pick up in business jet demand, with a strong emphasis on leisure destinations,” said WingX managing director Richard Koe.
European private aviation demand was strong, up 17 percent from the previous week and 25 percent over the same week last year, with the UK and Italy seeing the biggest boosts in volume. Compared to 2019 numbers, they are up 22 percent and 30 percent respectively.
This rise comes despite the war in Ukraine, which is now entering its third month. Business aviation traffic in this region continues to erode, down 71 percent from three years ago, with most of the remaining flight activity occurring within Russia.
In North America and the Caribbean, business jet activity is trending upwards by 23 percent compared with the same week in 2019, with departures from the U.S. accounting for more than 90 percent of the flights. New York City-area Teterboro Airport has retaken its spot as the busiest business aviation airport, though still well short of its 2019 levels.
Despite higher deliveries, Bell saw lower revenue and profit in the first quarter largely because of the mix of commercial helicopters sold, parent company Textron reported yesterday. During the quarter, Bell delivered 25 commercial helicopters, up from 17 in the same three-month period last year.
However, revenue slipped to $834 million, down $12 million from the first quarter of last year. Profit was also lower in the quarter at $98 million versus $105 million in the same year-ago period. Textron chief financial officer Frank Connor noted on an earnings call with analysts yesterday that the effects of the mix of commercial helicopter deliveries were partially offset by higher military revenue.
“During the quarter, we saw momentum building commercial demand across all our product aircraft models and markets with a strong quarter of new orders,” added Textron president and CEO Scott Donnelly.
Pipistrel is now seeking FAA type certification for its electrically-powered Velis Electro light aircraft, the company announced yesterday at the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany. This move comes almost two years after it became the first manufacturer to certify an electric aircraft with EASA when the European regulator approved the Velis.
Shortly after being acquired by Textron earlier this month, Pipistrel signaled its intent to offer the Velis Electro in the U.S. flight training market. “U.S. certification is not a problem,” said Pipistrel product manager Tadej Hozic. The plan is to obtain certification under FAA Part 23 regulations, based on the EASA CS-23 certification, and this would be the first FAA approval program for an electric aircraft.
“For now, EASA and FAA certification, they don't match, but as I [understand], the FAA will issue rules for electric airplanes soon. And I think in a year, this aircraft will be available also in the U.S. under FAA rules,” he said.
The Velis Electro is powered by a 60-kW electric motor and 20-kW battery, he said, “which allows us to fly for one hour plus a legal reserve.” Battery charging from fully discharged takes about an hour. But typically after landing, the battery isn’t fully discharged, so after a debriefing, the Electro is ready for its next flight.
The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum has made significant headway toward the nonprofit group's fundraising goal of $15 million, having secured more than $10 million from FedEx, Garmin, and Lockheed Martin, among others, the nonprofit group said yesterday. The museum, set to open in 2023, will be housed in a recently constructed 17,000-sq-ft hangar and terminal at the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport (K59) in Atchison, Kansas—the birthplace of the world-renowned aviatrix.
At the heart of the museum is Muriel, a Lockheed Electra 10-E that was recently procured. Named after Amelia’s younger sister, Grace Muriel Earhart Morrissey, the aircraft is identical to the one that Earhart flew on her attempt around the globe.
Surrounding Muriel will be 13 exhibits that will blend science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, immersive activities, and historical storytelling. They are meant to “take visitors on an engaging and educational journey through Earhart’s life, from growing up in Atchison to the height of her worldwide fame.” said the museum.
“Our vision to celebrate Amelia Earhart’s world-renowned legacy to defy the odds and pursue her dreams is coming to life,” said Karen Seaberg, founder and president of the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum. “We’re grateful for the generous support we continue to receive as we build this museum in Amelia’s hometown.”
Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based VIP Completions has delivered its largest project yet—a Boeing 767 bizliner to businessman John Ruiz. The six-zone cabin of the 767 seats 33 and sleeps 16.
“This was the biggest project in our company’s history,” said VIP Completions president Ben Shirazi. “It involved hundreds of technical and aesthetic choices. This aircraft is at the pinnacle of private aviation customization and personalization.”
Featuring colors of light grey, off-white, taupe, and sable, the aircraft has four lavatories and cabin accessories and soft goods from luxury brands including Loro Piana and Garrett Leather. An iPad-enabled custom cabin management system controls the aircraft’s high-speed internet, HD audio, and full-spectrum LED lighting.
“This project is the realization of my dream to create a unique private aircraft for business, pleasure, and family travel,” said Ruiz, founder and CEO of digital consumer healthcare tool LifeWallet and its parent company, MSP Recovery. “Truly a flying home, it mirrors our tastes and preferences, including my love of entertaining.”
This is the fourth project VIP Completions has delivered to Ruiz, which included a Gulfstream GIV-SP, G550, and Cessna Citation X. The company is now undertaking a fifth completions project for Ruiz—a Sikorsky S-92A.
Photo of the Week
Land here for lunch. Corporate pilot Bruce Campbell recently touched down at Sam’s Burger-Deli in Rome, Georgia, for a bite to eat and to kick the tires of its Falcon and Gulfstream fleet. While the food there gets four stars on Trip Advisor, it’s having trouble getting its budding aircraft operation off the ground due to some “minor maintenance issues.” Thanks for sharing this photo, Bruce!
If you’d like to submit an entry for Photo of the Week, email a high-resolution horizontal image (at least 2000 x 1200 pixels), along with your name, contact information, social media names, and info about it (including brief description, location, etc.) to photos@ainonline.com. Tail numbers can be removed upon request. Those submitting photos give AIN implied consent to publish them in its publications and social media channels.
AINalerts News Tips/Feedback: News tips may be sent anonymously, but feedback must include name and contact info (we will withhold name on request). We reserve the right to edit correspondence for length, clarity and grammar. Send feedback or news tips to AINalerts editor Chad Trautvetter.
AINalerts is a publication of AIN Media Group, 214 Franklin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.
