Gulfstream, Jet Aviation Open New Florida Facility

Jet Aviation and sister company Gulfstream have opened their new co-located FBO/aircraft maintenance complex at Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport more than a year after the nearly $50 million project broke ground. While Jet Aviation will continue to operate its primary FBO on the southeast side of the field, the complex on the northwest side features a new 11,270-sq-ft satellite two-story FBO terminal, of which Gulfstream occupies 9,000 sq ft on the first floor, and a 42,000-sq-ft Jet Aviation hangar with 30 foot-high-doors.

“This investment is the fifth new hangar we’ve opened in recent years and underscores our commitment to exceeding customer expectations by further strengthening our global facility network,” said Jet Aviation president David Paddock. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our parent company General Dynamics for their ongoing support of our business, particularly during these uncertain times.”

The adjoining service center for Gulfstream consists of more than 104,000 sq ft of climate-controlled hangars and workshops capable of simultaneously sheltering up to seven G650s. The two companies will share 200,000 sq ft of ramp space.

Sundance Helicopters Goes Bust in Las Vegas

Las Vegas-based Sundance Helicopters on Friday announced the permanent closure of its air-tour operations, citing a pandemic-induced steep drop in tourism in the Las Vegas area that forced Sundance Helicopters to close for commercial tours for several months. “The continued loss in revenue and lack of visitors to Las Vegas necessitated the decision to permanently close,” the Air Methods division said on Facebook. “Sundance will continue to have a presence in Las Vegas to provide contractual charter work. Sundance has been proud to serve Las Vegas since 1985 and we are grateful to our entire team and each guest that joined us over the years.” 

In 2012, the company was acquired for $44 million by Air Methods and folded into its air tourism division, which includes Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. Originally branded “Helicopter Services of Nevada,” by 2019 the Sundance fleet had grown to 29 aircraft and more than 200 employees. The former included Airbus EC130B4/T2s, AS350B2s, and a Cessna Caravan. The payroll was comprised of 40 maintenance technicians and 10 maintenance support personnel, as well as 35 full-time and about 18 seasonal pilots.

Most helitour operations resumed in the Las Vegas market in June, but at significantly lower passenger volumes. Operators that remain there include Maverick Helicopters and Papillon Helicopters.

U.S. EPA Publishes Aircraft Emissions Proposal

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to require certain large subsonic turbine-powered airplanes to meet prescribed greenhouse emissions standards has been published in the Federal Register, with a comment period ending on October 19.

Emission standards would apply to jet airplanes with an mtow of more than 5,700 kilograms/12,500 pounds for which an application for new type certification is submitted to the FAA on or after Jan. 1, 2020 (Jan. 1, 2023, for new type designs that have an mtow of 60,000 kilograms/132,270 pounds or less and have 19 passenger seats or fewer). The standards would also apply to turboprops having an mtow greater than 8,618 kilograms/19,000 pounds.

In-production standards would apply beginning Jan. 1, 2028. Additionally, modifications made to airplanes that would increase emissions would trigger a requirement to certify to the in-production regulation beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

The proposal directs the FAA to establish regulations to ensure compliance with the EPA’s standards but also prohibits the EPA from changing emission standards if that would significantly increase noise and adversely affect safety.

World Fuel Network Adds Three West Coast FBOs

World Fuel Services (WFS) has expanded its U.S. West Coast dealer network with the addition of three FBOs—Air 7, Jet West, and Aero Air. In addition, all three FBOs now participate in World Fuel's payments and rewards programs.

In California, Air 7, a service provider at the Los Angeles-area Camarillo Airport, is the latest to join, offering a 5,000-sq-ft, two-story terminal with conference room and upstairs lounge, as well as 54,000 sq ft of hangar space. Air 7 said its positive experiences with WFS at its own charter operation at this location “directly translated to our decision to align Air 7 with them,” said COO Cherie Hecker.

Further up the coast, Jet West at Salinas Municipal Airport boasts amenities such as a conference room, pilots lounge with shower facilities, and a full-size pool table. “Our facility in Salinas is strategically located just outside the Monterey region, known for its scenery and proximity to Pebble Beach,” noted company president Ryan Gauger.

Meanwhile, Aero Air at Portland-Hillsboro Airport in Oregon extends World Fuel branded FBOs to all major metropolitan markets in the Pacific Northwest. In business for more than 65 years, the full-service location has more than 75,000 sq ft of hangar space and is staffed 24/7.

IADA Dealers See Uptick in June-July Aircraft Sales

Dealers accredited by the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) reported an uptick in preowned business airplane sales for the months of June and July compared with April and May, the organization announced today. In all, dealers completed 177 sales transactions for the June-July period versus 100 in April-May.

Additionally, the number of aircraft sales that fell apart decreased from 38 in April-May to 27 in June-July. “Our dealers reported exceptionally brisk activity in June and July after a protracted period in March, April, and May where the deals were much harder to put together,” said IADA executive director Wayne Starling. “IADA dealers also experienced a reduced percentage of deals where lowered prices were integral to completing the deal.”

During the June-July period, IADA-accredited dealers reported a total of 19 new commitments to purchase aircraft and 52 acquisition agreements. Over the past four months, IADA-accredited dealers were retained to sell 217 aircraft.

Bizav Services Company Desert Jet Changes Hands

James McCool, previously a minority owner of California-based aviation services provider Desert Jet Holdings, has acquired sole ownership of the companies after reaching a legal settlement earlier this year with Denise Wilson, the founder and former co-owner of the company. Wilson founded Desert Jet at Palm Springs-area Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in 2007, initially as an aircraft management company and later adding private jet charter, maintenance, and FBO/ground handling services. Its 32,000-sq-ft permanent FBO complex opened last year.

McCool, a private pilot and retired financial executive, purchased a 49 percent stake in the companies in 2018 after being impressed with the service he received as a customer. Friction later developed between the two owners, resulting in dueling lawsuits that were eventually settled by mutual agreement.

Also cited in McCool’s legal action were the accounting and legal firms that represented Desert Jet at the time of his minority share purchase. The former reached a settlement with McCool in June, but on July 31 he and the Desert Jet companies filed an amended complaint in the Central District of California against the law firm, citing fraud and legal malpractice among other violations stemming from his initial purchase transaction. McCool declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

Latest Microsoft Flight Simulator Features TBM 930

Daher has partnered with Microsoft to include the TBM 930 in all versions of the newly released Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 software. According to Daher, its engineers worked with Microsoft developers to ensure the software represents characteristics of the TBM 930. Once completed, Daher engineers conducted a final evaluation.

“We’re proud that our TBM 930 has been selected to be featured in every version of this latest release,” said Nicolas Chabbert, senior v-p of Daher’s aircraft division. “From the Microsoft Flight Simulator’s launch in 1982, this video game has inspired many users to become pilots, while also bringing the flying experience to millions of others, thereby contributing to a wider understanding and appreciation of the aviation sector.”

The software uses high-definition, satellite-generated mapping imagery and real-time meteorological conditions to re-create a virtual world for user flights. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is available in Standard, Deluxe, and Premium Deluxe editions.

Ambular Promotes Universal Air Ambulance Concept

Ambular, an ICAO group researching the development of an eVTOL dedicated to air ambulance operations, continues to progress with China-based eVTOL developer EHang becoming the latest to join the team. Other Ambualar partners are Imaginactive, Concordia University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Second Research Institute of the Civil Aviation Administration of China. 

Aircraft flown for medevac purposes have traditionally been adapted from existing machines, not purpose-built for air-ambulance operations. Almost any aircraft is a suitable candidate for medevac flights. But Ambular is pursuing a dedicated design that will be flown only for medevac flights.

As an advanced air mobility eVTOL, Ambular would have a maximum weight of 400 kg/882 pounds and be capable of carrying a 200-kg payload. Four detachable arms would be fitted with two propellers each and eight 150-kW motors. Battery capacity would allow for 35 minutes of flight. The Ambular team envisions two other vehicles to supplement the larger one. One would carry a medevac pod, which would be helpful for a contagious patient. A smaller Ambular drone would fly medicines or other medical material to patients.

This story comes from the new FutureFlight.aero resource developed by AIN to provide objective, independent coverage, and analysis of new aviation technology, including electric aircraft developments.