NBAA is honoring Sydney Bosmans for her quick thinking and professionalism that saved the lives of two passengers from the fatal Hop-A-Jet aircraft crash in February in Naples, Florida. Bosmans will receive the Above and Beyond Award for Heroic Achievement from NBAA during a special reception held during NBAA-BACE in October in Las Vegas.

Both pilots perished in the February 9 crash of the Bombardier Challenger 604 that was en route from Columbus, Ohio. The pilots had reported a dual-engine flameout and attempted to land at Naples Municipal Airport but reported they would not make it to the airport. Instead, the aircraft touched down on the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 and continued through the breakdown lane into a grass-shoulder area before colliding with a concrete sound barrier.

“Faced with a harrowing, life-threatening crisis, Sydney Bosmans maintained calm and clear thinking and drew upon her professional training to quickly identify a means of escape that saved three lives,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Safety is at the forefront of our industry, and Sydney’s actions demonstrate how safety is also the paramount duty for all cabin personnel. We are pleased to present her with NBAA’s Above and Beyond Award for Heroic Achievement.”

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has recognized Clay Lacy Aviation as part of its Fly Friendly Program at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) for the eighth time since the program was established in 2012. This recognition reflects Clay Lacy’s voluntary measures to reduce aircraft noise in communities surrounding airports.

“Being a ‘Friendly Flyer’ aligns with our overall, thoughtfully better approach to private aviation services and our continued efforts to work with communities to reduce noise and our environmental footprint,” said Dondi Pangalangan, senior v-p of strategic initiatives. “We are committed to being a good neighbor to our communities and to intentionally consider and implement sustainability strategies into all aspects of operations and facilities.”

The Fly Friendly Program recognizes jet operators that go beyond mandatory noise regulations to further reduce noise disruptions at KVNY. Some of the criteria considered by LAWA include increasing southbound jet departures, avoiding overnight flights, and achieving compliance at 99% or greater on No Early Turn and the Quiet Jet Departure programs.

“Clay Lacy reaching these voluntary heights demonstrates the company’s continued efforts to be a great partner with the Van Nuys Airport community,” said David Reich, LAWA’s deputy executive director for mobility planning and strategy. “These programs help our city to appeal to residents and businesses alike, and help make us stronger economically.”

Private Jet Card Comparisons (PJCC) has launched a Decider Custom Analysis Report to make it easier for private flyers to choose the flight program best for them. The report leverages PJCC’s private aviation buyer's guide, which contains more than 1,000 program options from some 80 jet card, charter membership, and fractional ownership providers.

"While flying privately makes travel easy for consumers, finding the right solution has always been time-consuming and hard to compare. Private flyers are busy people, and dozens of companies offer jet cards, memberships, and fractional ownership, each with multiple options,” said company president Doug Gollan. “It is hard to compare the rules, policies, and pricing that cover when and where you can fly and how much you will pay for your actual flights."

PJCC compiles information from jet card and fractional ownership contracts into a format that compares providers and specific options by 65 variables. Those data points include service areas, lead time to book, restrictions, blackouts, additional fees, connectivity, the ability to bring pets, and the cost of de-icing.

Its Decider Custom Analysis Report delivers the comparisons in a multi-page PDF presentation with an overview of relevant providers, including company ownership, size, latest news, and aircraft sourcing model. The report also includes a quick-compare flight pricing section outlining all-in flight costs for up to three flying scenarios.

AEG offers a complete sustainability solution package designed to offset carbon emissions and provide operators with easy access to SAF. In turn, operators will receive both SAF credits and Carbon credits. The company sees this program as the gold standard in sustainability, making it easier for customers to manage their carbon footprint.

Honeywell has developed a required navigation performance-authorization required (RNP-AR) instrument approach for Runway 34 at Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK). There are no FAA IFR approaches for Runway 34, other than circling from Runway 16 and 30 when winds favor the north runway.

With a 3.2-degree glide path and decision altitude minima of 271 feet, the RNAV (RNP) or RNP-AR approach provides stable lateral and vertical guidance to Runway 34, according to Honeywell. 

The approach is available only for qualified pilots with FAA letters of authorization or operations specifications, and aircraft must be certified for RNAV (RNP) to RNP 0.3 or RNP 0.1 lines of minima and radius-to-fix (RF) legs. “Operators of non-U.S.-registered aircraft should consult their regulatory guidance for RNAV (RNP) and special instrument approaches,” Honeywell explained. “Operators of U.S.-registered aircraft will need the following approvals: LOA/Ops Spec C384— Approval for RNAV (RNP) Approach Operations and LOA/Ops Spec C081—Approval for Special Instrument Flight Procedures.” Pilots must also undergo approved training for flying RNAV (RNP) approaches.

To help business jet operators who are new to RNP operations, Honeywell offers a consulting service to aid in obtaining approval. The company also developed an RNP-AR IFR approach for Aspen, and there are about 400 public RNAV (RNP) approaches.

The FAA has issued a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the installation of True Blue Power’s TFC4000 frequency converter on the Gulfstream G450, G550, and G650/650ER. In addition, the STC has been validated by EASA and Brazil’s ANAC. True Blue Power partnered with Sterling Helicopter to develop the STC.

The frequency converter provides power for cabin power outlets for plugging in computers and for galley equipment and in-flight entertainment systems. According to True Blue Power, the TFC4000 is a direct “and more reliable replacement for existing GE Aviation Systems 717220-1, 717220-2, 717220-2R and Avionic Instruments 1-002-0102-2444 and 1-002-0102-2052 frequency converters.” It also provides 15% more power than the units it replaces.

Other benefits include lower noise with independent and speed-controlled fans; at 18.9 pounds, it is 30% lighter compared to other frequency converters in its class; and it features improved efficiency and protection “from moisture and contaminants commonly found outside the pressure vessel and in non-temperature-controlled locations, like the ‘hell hole,’” thanks to “silicon carbine technology, custom magnetics, and plenum cooling.”

The Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association (PNBAA) has established its first summer internship program to help attract students to business aviation careers. The local business aviation group also highlighted the awarding of $48,500 in scholarships during 2023, bringing its total awards since 2012 to more than $200,000.

FBO, charter, and maintenance provider Hillsboro Aviation is hosting the first summer intern this year at its Hillsboro Airport facility near Portland, Oregon. “This summer’s internship…will provide hands-on experience to future aviation leaders,” according to PNBAA.

The scholarships included $5,000 to Portland Community College Foundation; $5,000 to Rav Huy through the Sheffield School of Aeronautics; $2,000 to the Red-Tailed Hawks Flying Club; $5,000 to Big Bend Community College; $750 each to Shelley Fahey and Amanda Rubeck for Culinary Scholarships; and $30,000 to the PCC Foundation, which included the following individual awards: $20,000 Elevate PNW Business Aviation Scholarship to Lucas Bailey; $5,000 Career Catalyst Scholarship to Aeron Dunn; and $5,000 Career Catalyst Scholarship to Eli Jordan.

“These scholarships represent our commitment to fostering talent and supporting educational pursuits of the next generation within the Pacific Northwest,” said PNBAA director Nick Lietzow. “We are proud to invest in the future of aviation, empowering individuals to pursue their dreams and make significant contributions to their respective fields.”

Rotortrade has earned EASA Part 145 approval for maintenance on Airbus EC120 and AS350/H125 helicopters, adding to the services provided by its recently opened maintenance center in Tallard, France. Rotortrade has also added continuing airworthiness management organization (CAMO) certification to its list of capabilities.

By the end of next month, Rotortrade expects to add the Airbus H145 and Leonardo AW139 and AW109 helicopters to its Part 145 certificate. The company is also developing maintenance centers in the U.S., Australia, and Africa.

“This certification, along with our recent CAMO certification, underscores our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability,” said Rotortrade CEO Philippe Lubrano. “Additionally, our strategic plans to extend Part 145 certification to H145, AW139, and AW109 helicopters…and to expand our network of maintenance centers demonstrate our dedication to meeting the diverse needs of our clients globally. These expansions will position Rotortrade uniquely in the helicopter industry, providing full end-to-end services for helicopter owners and operators worldwide.”

The Tallard maintenance center spans 1,200 sq m (13,000 sq ft) and can accommodate eight helicopters simultaneously.

There are more inflight connectivity options on the market today than ever before. Join us on August 21 at noon ET to learn what you need to consider when reviewing your options and the implications of this decision today and for your aircraft's future. We’ll be discussing ATG vs Satellite, LEO satellite solutions, and the ROI of IFC. Sponsored by Gogo Business Aviation.