Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Reaches 200th Delivery Milestone

Bell today announced delivery of the 200th Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, with the milestone helicopter going to Austria-based operator Hubi-fly Helikopter for corporate transport use. The first Bell 505 was handed over to Pylon Aviation in March 2017, and the global fleet of the light turbine helicopters now spans six continents.

“What sets the Bell 505 apart from other short light single aircraft is its multi-mission capability,” said Bell 505/429 program director LaShan Bonaparte. “Our intent from initial design for the Bell 505 was to deliver an industry-leading aircraft to the market. As operator needs expand, we continue to see growth of our 505 customer base.”

Bell said its Jet Ranger X was developed with the support of a customer advisory panel “focused on honoring the legacy of the Bell 206 Jet Ranger while enhancing performance, technology, and cost of operations.” The result was a versatile helicopter that is being used for electronic newsgathering, law enforcement, emergency medical services, corporate transportation, and utility missions, among others.

The five-seat Bell 505 incorporates proven dynamic components, advanced aerodynamic design, and a dual-channel Fadec Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine.

Preowned Bizjet Inventory Rises, Turboprops Flat

Preowned business jet inventory inched up and that for turboprops remained flat as business aircraft sales transactions suffered double-digit percentage year-over-year decreases in the first six months, according to data released yesterday by JetNet. Business jet transactions plunged 21.5 percent from last June and turboprop sales eroded by 13.9 percent, the Utica, New York-based business aviation data company said.

As of June 30, preowned business jet inventory climbed by 0.4 percent from a year ago, to 9.5 percent—or 2,099 of the 22,177 in-service aircraft. Average days on the market for business jets rose by 28, to 297 days.

Looking at a bigger picture, JetNet said the 12-month moving average for business jets retail transactions settled at 2,584 in June, down from the peak of 2,892 recorded in December 2018 and just above the low point of 2,522 transactions in December 2016. “Accordingly, 2019 is off to a bad start for the preowned business jet market,” JetNet commented.

Preowned turboprop inventory increased in June by three units, to 1,015, from a year ago. However, as a percentage of the in-service fleet it fell by 0.1 percent, to 6.5 percent, as 350 new-production turboprops entered service over the past year. Average days on the market for turboprops increased by only two days, to 307.

Jet Aviation Previews New TEB Hangar

Jet Aviation’s new 40,000-sq-ft hangar at its Teterboro Airport FBO is nearly ready to open for tenants, and last night the company held a sneak preview reception and unofficial opening to showcase the facility.

The new hangar is designed for tenant aircraft storage for business jets as large as the Bombardier Global 7500 and it includes tenant offices that can be customized. Its doors are 30 feet high, and interior lighting is all energy-efficient LEDs.

Jet Aviation spent more than $20 million on the new hangar and renovations to its Teterboro FBO that include new design elements that match other Jet Aviation FBOs and upgraded amenities for passengers and flight crew.

The Teterboro upgrades are part of Jet Aviation’s project to improve its facilities in the U.S. The company is also building FBOs at Van Nuys Airport in California and Scottsdale in the Phoenix area. And upgrades are under way at Jet Aviation’s West Palm Beach, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Dallas FBOs.

Gulfstream Gets Kudos for Use and Promotion of Biofuels

The Business Intelligence Group presented Gulfstream Aerospace a 2019 Sustainability Leadership Award for the airframer’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives, Gulfstream announced this week. It is given to companies and organizations that make sustainability an essential part of their operations.

Since 2011, when a Gulfstream G450 crossed the Atlantic on SAF, the Savannah, Georgia manufacturer has steadily increased its use and the promotion of biofuels. Four years ago, it signed an agreement with World Fuel Services to provide Gulfstream with a consistent supply of SAF for corporate, demonstration, customer support, and test flights from its Savannah base, accounting for company-operated aircraft flying nearly 830,000 nm on SAF and, in the process, reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by 950 metric tons. Earlier this year, Gulfstream made SAF available to customers at its Long Beach, California facility.

“Innovation is at the core of our business, including our environmental strategy,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “As a company, we explore ways to support the business-aviation industry’s sustainability goals and have done this by designing aircraft for better fuel efficiency and through our efforts to raise awareness of the effectiveness of sustainable aviation fuel in business aviation.”

Its SAF supply is chemically equivalent to conventional jet-A, and each gallon burned achieves a more than 50-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, according to Gulfstream.

Signature Renews FBO Lease at ICT, Plans $2M Upgrade

Signature Flight Support has signed a new 30-year lease for its FBO at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) and agreed to spend at least $2 million on facility improvements under an agreement approved this week by the Wichita City Council, acting as the Wichita Airport Authority. The agreement includes two five-year renewable lease options.

Included in the agreement is the lease of 7,665 sq ft of offices and customer service space, 44,997 sq ft of community clear-span hangars, and 38,279 sq ft of T-hangars. 

It’s not clear what specific improvements Signature plans for its facilities because company officials did not respond to requests for additional information. According to the lease agreement, permissible improvements include structural upgrades, exterior painting, and hangar door replacement, as well as upgrades to roof, HVAC, electrical, and/or plumbing systems. It does not include interior paint and flooring or furnishings.

Signature has been at ICT since July 2008, taking over an FBO previously operated by the former Hawker Beechcraft, which exited the business. Additionally, it provides fueling services to commercial airlines serving ICT and operates and maintains the aviation bulk fuel farm for the airport under a separate contract.

Ten-year Global Rotorcraft Market Pegged at $220B

More than 18,000 rotorcraft worth approximately $220.7 billion will be produced between 2019 and 2028, according to a new study from Forecast International. The study predicts that Airbus Helicopters will have the largest market share by unit volume, at 19.79 percent, while Lockheed Martin unit Sikorsky will dominate by dollar value, at 19.6 percent, due to its military programs.  

Civil helicopter production is expected to continue its gradual climb following the carnage of 2013 to 2016 brought on by the contraction of the offshore energy sector. The study notes that worldwide civil rotorcraft production increased from 905 in 2016 to 1,114 in 2018. Sectors exhibiting increased global demand include law enforcement, utility, search and rescue, and corporate transport. The study also noted the potential for wind farm maintenance to increase demand as well as the growing EMS market in Asia, but cautioned that a historic sales driver for civil sales, the U.S. EMS market, is slowing.

Overall, the study predicts the production of 12,316 civil rotorcraft between 2019 and 2028— 2,750 pistons and 9,566 turbines—with a total market production value of $72.7 billion. 

Among rotorcraft manufacturers, Airbus Helicopters will have the largest market share by volume, followed by Robinson (17.3 percent), Bell (13 percent), Russian Helicopters (12.7 percent), Leonardo (9.4 percent), Sikorsky (6.7 percent), Boeing (6.2 percent), and China’s AVIC (4.2 percent). 

Dassault Awards Meggitt New Work on Falcon 6X

Dassault Aviation has selected Meggitt PLC to supply the wheels, brakes, brake control system, and tire pressure monitoring system for the Falcon 6X, the UK-based supplier announced this week. The contract runs for the life of the 6X program, according to Meggitt.

Additionally, the contract calls for Meggitt to supply the landing gear control computers that not only provide brake control but also control and monitoring for landing gear sequencing, nosewheel steering control, and the hydraulic system. The awarding of the contract follows a 2018 letter of intent between the companies and a successful design review. It also represents a continuation of an established relationship between Meggitt and Dassault.

“This contract expands our relationship from our core braking systems business, into landing gear control, nosewheel steering control, and hydraulic system control,” Meggitt CEO Tony Wood said. “We value our longstanding relationship with Dassault and are proud to be extending our partnership through this new aircraft.”

First flight of the Falcon 6X is scheduled for 2021, with deliveries expected to start in 2022.

Michigan FBO Now Under New Management

Sanderson Field Municipal Airport (ANJ) in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, has a new FBO operator, following the passing of the long-time proprietor of Soo Air. Now known as Great Circle Aviation Services, it is run by brothers Dave and Ted Waite, who also operate an aircraft repair shop at Chippewa County International Airport. They received an initial two-year contract from the city for the lone FBO at ANJ, with an option for an additional two years.

The FBO features an approximately 7,000-sq-ft terminal with a pilot lounge, kitchen, and concierge, along with a 10,000-sq-ft community/aircraft maintenance hangar that can accommodate light and midsize jets. The Avfuel-branded location offers 24/7 self-serve fueling for jet-A and avgas with assistance from the FBO staff during the business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The FBO is situated near the airport’s U.S. Customs facility, which with prior notice can provide clearance 24/7.

Dave Waite is a maintenance technician who performs aircraft inspection and repairs. He told AIN the company is in the process of obtaining its FAA Part 145 repair station approval. He plans to start with avionics install and repair and expand into airframe and powerplant work.

Free Seminar: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Basics

Alternative fuels are slowly but surely working their way into fuel supplies worldwide and many of the turbine-powered aircraft that will fly to Las Vegas for the NBAA-BACE static display will burn some amount of sustainable aviation fuel. AIN’s 1.5-hour live forum during the NBAA show in Vegas will bring together a panel of industry experts to explain how this fuel is gaining ground, why it is good for turbine engines and the environment, and how you can help move the needle on the use of sustainable aviation fuel in the aircraft that you operate. Register today for this free luncheon seminar on October 23 at 12 noon PT (seating is limited). Moderated by AIN editor in chief Matt Thurber, it will feature panelists Steve Csonka, Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative; Charles Etter, Gulfstream Aerospace; and Keith Saywer, Avfuel Corp. Sponsored by TAG Farnborough and Gulfstream Aerospace.