With Growing Bizjet Mx, C&L Expands Interior Shop

C&L Aviation Group has broken ground on a 12,000-sq-ft building housing an expanded interior shop operation that CEO Chris Kilgour said will triple its current capacity and is the result of an increased emphasis on business jet maintenance. “We’re really growing our corporate aircraft maintenance business…and we continue to get work on the interiors side,” he told AIN.

About six years ago officials at Bangor, Maine-based C&L made a decision to expand beyond regional aircraft MRO and paint services to pursue corporate aircraft maintenance work, which included using an existing paint facility for its regional airline customers, as well as creating an interior shop from scratch. The interior shop’s capabilities include soft goods—seats, carpets, and sidewalls—and cabinets and trim created in its woodshop. 

C&L is focusing its corporate aircraft maintenance, paint, and interiors business largely on four business aircraft models—Bombardier Challenger, Hawker, Beechjet, and Cessna Citation Excel/XLS—but plans to add Bombardier Global Express. 

The new interiors shop is one of several ongoing construction projects at C&L’s Bangor (Maine) International Airport location. Work is also underway to upgrade its corporate aircraft maintenance hangar, including remodeling office space and adding 5,000 sq ft. It’s also constructing a 27,000-sq-ft parts warehouse and has acquired and converted another building for its component shop.

Chicagoland Genav Gateway Sees Strong Uptick in Traffic

Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) is experiencing a strong bounce back in traffic amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The dedicated business aviation gateway, which also serves as a reliever for Chicago O’Hare International, saw its largest single month of flight operations last month since July 2015, with 9,041 takeoffs and landings.

As the airport is home to several flight schools and a trio of FBOs, with the headquarters of several corporations in the area, the data encompasses all sectors of general aviation activity, from small single-engine pistons to business jets. Like the entire aviation industry, the airport, which remained fully open to supporting essential flights, saw rapid declines in operations in April and May due to local quarantine and shutdown orders.

“We’re encouraged by this strong return of flight operations during the summer months,” said Jamie Abbott, PWK’s executive director, adding safety is always the airport’s top priority. “Our staff and partners at the airport continue to work diligently to maintain open and safe facilities, and it’s a testament to their efforts that general aviation in the Chicagoland area is thriving.”

Airbus Corporate Jets Takes First A321LR Orders

Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) has won the first orders for the Airbus A321LR, placed by Lufthansa Technik on behalf of the German government, which needs two of the type in a convertible troop transport/medevac configuration that will be operated by the German air force. The twinjets will be configured by Lufthansa Technik to transport up to 163 troops, up to six intensive care patients, or up to 12 medium care patients.

In this configuration, the A321LRs will have a maximum range of 4,200 nm or 9.5 flight hours. This is the fifth order placed with ACJ by Lufthansa Technik on behalf of the German government. It earlier received an order for three ACJ350-900 widebody bizliners.

“We are thrilled Lufthansa Technik has become the launch customer for the ACJ long-range version of the world’s best-selling A321neo,” said ACJ president Benoit Defforge. “The ACJ320 Family features the widest cabin of any single-aisle aircraft in the sky, providing the greatest passenger comfort and intercontinental range. Lufthansa Technik and the German government have a long-standing relationship with Airbus and we are proud of this new milestone order with us.”

Rolls-Royce To Shutter Virginia Engine Components Plant

Rolls-Royce is closing its commercial aircraft engine components plant in Crosspointe, Virginia, saying the severe economic fallout from Covid-19 made the move unavoidable. The company informed employees on Friday that it would phase out operations by mid-2021. Plans call to wind down the site according to workload and in-process production schedules. The move will affect 280 employees.

Opened in 2011, the Crosspointe site produces components for the Trent 1000, Pearl 15, and Pearl 700. In addition, the Crosspoint location includes facilities to manufacture rotative discs and turbine blades.

“Due to the significant reduction in demand for our civil products and services, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we no longer have the workload necessary to sustain operations at the site,” the company said.

Rolls-Royce had previously laid off 120 workers at Crosspointe in June as a result of the pandemic. “We were hopeful that those reductions would be sufficient but, since that time, it's become clear that the economic downturn from the pandemic will depress orders for years to come,” the company said. “We simply don't have enough workload to sustain the facility.”

California’s SACJet Joins World Fuel Network

World Fuel Services has added California-based Superior Aviation Company (SACJet) and its three FBOs to its network. SACJet is the lone service provider at Sacramento International Airport (SMF), Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC), and Sacramento Mather Airport (MHR). The latter, the company’s flagship location, sits on a former B-52 base with one of the largest ramps in the country, an 11,300-foot main runway, and more than 100,000 sq ft of modern hangar space, while the SAC airport facility is only six miles from the state capital. The SMF FBO provides convenient access to commercial passenger service, with U.S. Customs clearance for international arrivals.

The Mather location has achieved Stage 1 registration under the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH), while the other two locations are currently in the process.

“Our implementation of IS-BAH standards is a true representation of our commitment to operators,” said company president Joe Hansen. “SACJet’s facilities promote industry best practices and are known for safety, efficiency, and accurately meeting the needs of guests with discretion.”

Steve Dryzmalla, World Fuel’s senior v-p for business aviation bulk fuel, welcomed the company to the network. “Their commitment to customer service makes them a valuable addition to our network, and a reliable destination for operators flying to the Sacramento area.”

Gulfstream Steps Up Clean Cabin Efforts With New System

Gulfstream Aerospace is making its cabin air even cleaner with a new plasma ionization system. An enhancement to its cabin product offerings, the plasma ionization system operates when the aircraft environmental control system is active.

It emits positive and negative oxygen ions that Gulfstream said inactivate harmful molecules on surfaces and in the air. Further, it neutralizes particulate matter—not only bacteria and viruses but also unpleasant odors from organic material such as cigarette smoke.

“The plasma ionization system further enhances the cabin health benefits customers can expect from the signature Gulfstream Cabin Experience,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “By adding such a system in tandem with already 100 percent fresh air and the proven Gulfstream airflow design, customers can fly their families and teams with even more peace of mind.”

Gulfstream notes that even with the auxiliary power unit as the sole source of power, the system produces thousands of ions, ensuring cabin air and surfaces remain clean. The system is available as a retrofit on G650, G650ER, G550, G450, and GV models. Additional installation options are pending foreign certification. It’s provided as standard equipment on N-registered G650 and G650ERs, with G500, G600, and international certifications in development.

FAA International Rotorcraft Safety Conference Goes Virtual

Online registration for the FAA’s first virtual International Rotorcraft Safety Conference is now open. The free event will take place from October 27 to 29 and address topics related to reducing the helicopter accident rate, along with presentations from key FAA and industry officials, including agency chief Steve Dickson. October 27 will feature the FAA presentations, while maintenance and operation seminars will take place on October 28 and 29. 

Speakers will include representatives from major rotorcraft OEMs, among them Bruno Santin (Bell) and Bruce Webb (Airbus); leading operators such as Air Methods and PHI; and training and safety experts, including Nick Mayhew from the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team and Randy Rowles of the Helicopter Institute. Speakers will address FAA aircraft certification flight standards priorities, safety management systems, unmanned aircraft systems, human factors, and accident prevention.

Air Force Huey Hit by Ground Fire in Virginia

The FBI and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations are continuing their probe of a small-arms attack on a U.S. Air Force Bell UH-1N that was fired upon last week while practicing instrument approaches at the Manassas (Virginia) Regional Airport. (KHEF) shortly before 1 p.m. The helicopter is assigned to the 1st Helicopter Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

At approximately 12:43 p.m. August 10, a single bullet struck the helicopter, damaging it and causing minor injuries to a crewmember described as a hand-wound. The aircraft was flying at 1,000 feet agl some 10 nm northwest of the airport at the time of the incident and made an emergency landing at Manassas. The crewmember was treated and released at a local hospital.

At Andrews, the squadron is tasked with flying senior military officers and VIPs. It is scheduled to replace its fleet of UH-1Ns with Boeing-Leonardo MH-139 Grey Wolfs with deliveries beginning in Fiscal Year 2021.

AIN Webinar: New Trends in Aircraft Interiors

Please join us on September 23 as AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber moderates an in-depth discussion on the latest trends in business aircraft interiors and lighting design. Featuring Aircraft Lighting International general manager Shervin Rezaie and West Star Aviation paint and interior designer Veta C. Traxler, this webinar will help business aircraft owners and operators planning interior refurbishments to make aesthetic choices for upcoming upgrades. Register now for this free webinar.