Embraer Sees Record Bizjet Sales in Second Quarter
Embraer’s executive jets division saw record sales in the second quarter, president and CEO Francisco Neto said during the airframer’s earnings call this morning. “We maintained our price discipline strategy and had a strong backlog growth with book-to-bill in excess of 2:1 for this business,” he added.
Neto said the company has achieved a 20 percent reduction in production cycle time for its aircraft this year, indicating improved efficiency. Embraer delivered 12 light jets and eight larger jets in the second quarter, for a 54 percent increase from a year ago, according to CFO Antonio Garcia. For the first half of this year, the OEM has tallied 33 deliveries, a 50 percent rise over the same period last year.
This morning, for the first time since the start of the global pandemic, Embraer released its forecast of private jet deliveries, which it believes will total between 90 and 95 for the year. Embraer delivered 109 executive jets in 2020. The company describes 30 percent of the customers in its business jet backlog as first-time buyers, which is propelling its light jet segment, according to Neto.
Overall, the manufacturer posted year-to-date revenues of just under $2 billion, a 65 percent increase over 2020, and reported its first net profit on a quarterly basis since 2018.
The FAA recently issued new guidelines for the initial evaluations of pilots who have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. These conditions involve irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia).
Some reports indicate perhaps a more significant one-in-four lifetime chance of developing at least one significant arrhythmia event. Untreated atrial fibrillation can lead to stroke, heart failure, and an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Risk factors include advancing age, ethnicity, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, lack of regular exercise, and excessive alcohol consumption. Other than ethnicity and age, most of the other risk factors are indeed modifiable.
In recent years, there has been identified an additional significant risk factor for atrial fibrillation—untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This more recent association has brought the FAA to include a requirement for an OSA evaluation with all new special issuance applications for pilots with atrial fibrillation (when the arrhythmia is not caused by a problem with a heart valve). These requirements include a formal sleep study to rule out OSA.
Additional blood testing is now also mandated, to include thyroid screening. An overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, can contribute to atrial fibrillation risks.
The diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, while disqualifying for pilots, is usually approvable through the special issuance process. Most pilots with well-controlled atrial fibrillation lead essentially normal lives and are able to fly, exercise, and participate in most of life’s usual activities.
Rolls-Royce has delivered the 100th Pearl 15 turbofan to Bombardier for the Global 5500/6500, reaching the milestone a little more than three years after unveiling the Pearl family and less than two years after the engine entered service. In May 2018, Rolls-Royce revealed the Pearl 15 as the first variant of a new 10,000- to 20,000-pound-thrust engine family that employs key technologies derived from the company’s Advance2 engine demonstrator program. Rolls-Royce's Pearl was built around a new core with a new high-pressure compressor, advanced engine health monitoring, low-emissions combustor, and two-stage shroudless high-pressure turbines.
The 15,125-pound-thrust (ISA+15) Pearl 15 was unique in that it fit within the same nacelle package as the Global 5500/6500 predecessors, the Global 5000/6000. Rolls-Royce provided the BR710 engines powering these earlier models. The Pearl 15 entered service on the Bombardier 6500 in late September 2019.
“This engine delivery milestone is important for us—demonstrating the program’s maturity and confirming our confidence in the potential of the Pearl family,” said Nuno Taborda, senior v-p of production programs for Rolls-Royce Deutschland.
In addition to the Global models, Rolls-Royce is developing the Pearl 700 for Gulfstream’s G700 and Pearl 10X for the Dassault Falcon 10X.
Transcend Air announced today that it has selected Kaman Aerospace Group to build its planned Vy 400 tiltwing, which is slated to enter service by 2025. Helicopter manufacturer Kaman will make the turbine-powered VTOL at its facility in Jacksonville, Florida.
The $3.5 million Vy 400 is expected to have a range of up to 450 miles and cruise speeds in excess of 400 mph. Transcend Air envisions the aircraft being used for regional passenger services, such as connecting Manhattan and the center of Boston in 36 minutes. Huslig Collective has been contracted to develop designs for a luxury interior option for a Vy 400R “Reserved Edition” model for executive/VIP transportation.
Transcend intends to certify the Vy 400 by 2025 with a propulsion system based on a 2,500-shp GE Aviation CT7-8 turboprop engine. It said the five-passenger, piloted aircraft will deliver per-mile direct operating costs that are one-quarter of those for medium twin helicopters with comparable cabin volumes and payloads.
During the course of this year, the Boston-based company has been using a mix of simulation, analysis tools, and truck-based ground tests to refine the Vy 400’s flight control laws, handling qualities, and various systems details. It has not said when it expects to build the first full-scale prototype and commence flight testing.
Embraer Goes All In on Sustainability
Embraer is embarking on a multifaceted sustainability plan that includes a commitment to carbon-neutral operations by 2040. Revealing the breadth of the program today, the company is establishing a series of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets. They range from carbon neutrality to inclusivity and launch of its zero-emission eVTOL aircraft by 2026, and are designed to move both the company and industry forward.
Plans call for Embraer to develop products, services, and other sustainable technologies, such as electrification, hybrid, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and other innovative energy alternatives. The company further will offset residual emissions through efficiency projects, available alternative energy, or advancing technology.
To reach carbon-neutral operations by 2040, Embraer has set targets of a 50 percent reduction in net carbon emissions by 2040 from the 2018 baseline, 100 percent energy from renewable sources by 2030, carbon-neutral growth from 2022 with 2021 as the baseline, and the use of SAF this year.
Embraer is collaborating with Avfuel to bring Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Melbourne Orlando International Airport. Avfuel delivered the fuel to Sheltair at Melbourne for storage and handling and Embraer plans to use it for its ongoing operations there. Initial deliveries began on July 14.
Embraer also is exploring the development of electric and other technologies and recently flew an all-electric demonstrator based on the EMB-203 Ipanema.
Seattle Aircraft Engineering Firm Opens Wichita Center
Seattle-based aircraft development company Aerotec has opened an engineering center in the Old Town district of Wichita, its fourth and only location outside Washington. Aerotec said it selected Wichita because of the availability of aerospace engineers.
The announcement comes after the company said last week it was partnering with Universal Hydrogen on a hydrogen-powered Dash 8 conversion, of which Aerotec will lead the aircraft conversion, flight test, and certification activities. It also is involved in 15 other aircraft development programs, including a Rolls-Royce 747-400 flying testbed conversion, Honeywell’s RDR-7000 weather radar test and certification program, and multiple special missions modification and hybrid and electric aircraft development programs.
“The new Wichita office will play a significant role in supporting these programs with critical engineering activities,” said Aerotec founder and CEO Lee Human. The Wichita Engineering Center is initially expected to have 25 engineers with the potential of growing that number to 100 in the next year, Aerotec said.
Besides Seattle, Aerotec’s other Washington operations include a flight-test center in Moses Lake and a manufacturing center in Arlington. Aerotec is also partnered with MagniX to convert aircraft such as Cessna Grand Caravans and DHC-2 Beavers with MagniX's electric propulsion system.
Sun Air Jets Continues To Build Managed Charter Fleet
Charter provider and FBO operator Sun Air Jets has added two more business jets to its managed charter fleet bringing the total number to 11 aircraft, the Camarillo, California-based company announced. New to its managed fleet is a Bombardier Global Express and a Gulfstream G550.
“Bombardier, as always, builds an aircraft that is not only customer-friendly but also maintenance-friendly,” said Sun Air v-p and director of maintenance Rob Cox. “And the proven design concepts and the quality of the Gulfstream product line ensures a dispatch rate that will meet or beat any comparable aircraft.”
The remainder of Sun Air’s charter fleet composition includes the Gulfstream G500, V, and IV-SP; Dassault Falcon 2000; Bombardier Challenger 605; Cessna Citation X; and Hawker 800XP. Sun Air, which operates at both Camarillo and Van Nuys airports, expects to add more managed aircraft to its charter fleet soon, a spokeswoman told AIN.
AEG Fuels, Prime Trip Support Forge Alliance
Dubai-based Prime Trip Support and AEG Fuels have formed a partnership in which they expect to leverage each company’s strengths. AEG will now become the preferred fuel supplier for Prime’s global aviation customers. Those clients will receive real-time price quotes and support with the option of using either a fuel release or a co-branded fuel card.
“Both Prime and AEG offer best-in-class services in our market segments,” said Ammar Alhussari, Prime’s founder and CEO. “AEG’s fuel platform is remarkable, and we look forward to using their experience at 3,000-plus locations around the globe."
AEG in turn will tap into Prime’s worldwide vendor network providing local expertise to AEG’s fuel and flight support customers with exclusive Prime agents and supervisors.
“AEG and Prime share similar goals and standards in terms of meeting safety and operational requirements for our clients,” said AEG COO Chris Clementi. “This alliance exemplifies our dedication to strengthening our worldwide footprint with specialized and trusted local services.”
Photo of the Week
Eclipsed sunset. Corporate pilot Adam Sefton took this sunset photo of his company’s Bombardier Global 6000 in mid-July after returning to home base at Witham Field in Stuart, Florida. Thanks, for sharing, Adam!
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