NetJets drove much of the $1.2 billion increase in revenues in the first half of 2023 at Berkshire Hathaway’s services group, the parent company said this week. Revenues from aviation services, which also include income at FlightSafety International, soared 8.2 percent in the second quarter and 13.2 percent in the first half of the year versus comparable periods in 2022, according to Berkshire.

These higher revenues were “primarily due to increases in the number of aircraft in shared aircraft ownership programs and in-flight hours across NetJets’ various programs, as well as higher average rates,” Berkshire said. Overall, the services group—which also includes electronics-components distributor TTI, Cort Furniture, and Dairy Queen—reported $10.5 billion in revenues in the first six months of the year.

First-half pretax earnings at the services group also climbed by $181 million from a year ago, to $1.66 billion. This jump was mostly “attributable to higher overall margin rates in aviation services businesses, primarily due to a 17 percent year-to-date increase in average aircraft [sic] in the NetJets programs,” the parent company noted.

As the death toll continues to rise from major fires on Maui and Hawaii islands, active-duty military helicopter crews under U.S. Indo-Pacific Command are providing support to firefighting efforts in the state.

The Army’s 25th Combat Aviation Brigade deployed two UH-60 Blackhawks and one CH-47 Chinook to Hawaii's Big Island to conduct firefighting operations. Meanwhile, Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 sent MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in search-and-rescue operations. The Coast Guard also has deployed numerous air assets to Maui, including an MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter from Air Station Barber’s Point.

The Hawaii fires started on Tuesday and have become far more intense due to high winds of up to 60 mph from Hurricane Dora combined with conditions of low humidity. At least 36 deaths had been reported as of this morning.

Aircare International has added a new mobile simulator, Facts IX, that can be used for customized on-site emergency and cabin training. As one of the company's seven simulators replicating a business jet cabin, Facts IX is enclosed in a 53-foot step deck trailer that can “go just about anywhere,” Aircare said.

The trailer has a built-in hydraulic system to provide a realistic simulator experience. It includes an onboard PA system to replicate communications between the flight deck, cabin crew, and passengers. The Facts IX unit also incorporates fully functioning windows and emergency exits for egress practice.

An interactive simulator, Facts IX can train flight crews and passengers on a variety of in-flight emergencies. Aircare said its training focuses on the “human factor” to better prepare trainees for real-world situations.

“This simulator will allow us to better serve customers that prefer the convenience and efficiency of on-site training at their own hangar,” said Brian Hayvaz, v-p of operations for Aircare Facts Training. “However, it is also going to provide us the ability to offer more programs at our Van Nuys [California] facility. Our current mobile workhorse, Facts VIII, will be permanently installed at Van Nuys, allowing us to increase the frequency of available programs at that training center.”

Harrods Aviation is naming its two FBOs at London Stansted Airport to help differentiate the clientele served at each of the facilities, as well as leverage the company’s heritage. While still branded as Harrods Aviation, the main FBO is now dubbed “The Brompton,” while the other facility is “The Knightsbridge.”

The Brompton, located at post code CM24 1AN, will continue to provide services for private and corporate flight departments, as well as charter clients. The new signage pays homage to Harrods’s historical connection to Brompton Road in London, where the company’s luxury department store has long been an iconic landmark.

Meanwhile, The Knightsbridge, located at CM24 1QQ, will continue to handle royal, head of state, and large group travel. “The new signage emanates the company’s prestigious image and embodies the excellent service standards for which its namesake Knightsbridge store is renowned.” In addition, plans are underway to modernize the large-capacity business lounge at this facility.

Harrods Aviation plans to host a launch party next month to showcase the new branding and identity.

Tradewind Aviation received FAA approval for its safety management system (SMS) program, the company announced this week. The agency found the Tradewind SMS program to be within “active conformance” of the FAA voluntary SMS program.

This finding places Tradewind among the relatively small number of Part 135 operators accepted under the FAA voluntary program. Tradewind estimates the approval places it among the top 2 percent of Part 135 operators that have achieved the status.

Such approval paves the way for acceptance once the FAA completes its mandate for Part 135 operators to implement SMS programs, Tradewind noted. The culmination of a multiyear effort, the FAA finding followed a validation and credentialing process undertaken by the agency’s certificate management team.

Tradewind touted the “manifold” benefits of its SMS program, noting that not only does it enhance safety, but it realizes cost savings and demonstrates to clients, potential new talent, and others in the industry its culture of safety.

“Our dedication to enhancing our culture of safety and being proactive and predictive to address problems before they occur has never been stronger,” said company co-founder and CEO Eric Zipkin. “Coupled with the continuous attention we give to aircraft management, maintenance, and charter operation, the FAA’s approval of our SMS is proof positive that when Tradewind Aviation says we ‘Fly Personal,’ we mean it.”

Boeing Business Jets didn’t bring a jet this week to the LABACE static display due to space constraints but it is exhibiting—with company president Joe Benson in attendance for the first time at the Latin American show. At the booth, a model of a BBJ with a transparent side shows how much can be done with the extra space provided when turning an airliner into a business jet.

Benson said he was “eager and interested” to attend his first LABACE and to highlight the BBJ’s benefits to “customers in places we haven’t been for a while.” He added that Boeing Business Jets is “seeing an uptick in principals at these shows” since the pandemic. “Part of the reason we are here is that we see these shows as a good use of resources.”

Interest is growing in the BBJ and the various models available from the BBJ Max to the BBJ787 and the largest BBJ, the in-development BBJ777X. The 777X, he noted, can fly between any two cities in the world nonstop.

Benson described BBJs as being especially suited to heads of state, who have special requirements such as the size of the party that travels with them and security needs. The jets offer a built-in airstair, freeing the aircraft from dependence on ground support for boarding.

Textron Aviation affiliate TRU Simulation + Training has sold two Beechcraft King Air flight simulators to the Exchange Income Corp. (EIC) of Canada. The deal includes a full-flight simulator (FFS) and a flight training device (FTD).

The level-D FFS will be equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and allow for reconfiguration between the various 200- and 300-series King Airs. The FTD will simulate the King Air 360 with Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics.

These simulators will support training for EIC's subsidiary companies—including Carson Air, Keewatin Air, and PAL Aerospace—that operate King Air turboprop twins throughout Canada. TRU will also help EIC with its TrainOnSite services to help the organization establish in-house training capabilities. TRU's TrainOnSite program supports customers throughout the process of purchasing, installing, and using in-house simulators for flight training.

Both King Air devices incorporate TRU's RealFeel control loading system, which produces what TRU calls a "highly realistic flight experience." The FFS’s full-flight motion base integrates TRU's RealCue system, featuring electric motion with 60-inch-stroke actuators. To create an immersive training environment, the FFS comes equipped with a visual system including high-definition projectors on a 200-by-40-degree display, while the FTD uses flat-panel screens.