Pilatus Aircraft handed over its first PC-24 to a South American customer and marked its 40th delivery of the twinjet model at a ceremony yesterday at its Broomfield, Colorado facility. Ignacio del Rio will operate his new PC-24 from his base in Santiago, Chile, where he also keeps a PC-12 NG turboprop single. “We are very pleased that Ignacio is staying within the Pilatus family with both his PC-12 NG and now his new PC-24 jet,” said Thomas Bosshard, the president and CEO of U.S. subsidiary Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd.
Del Rio will use the PC-24 to support his agriculture and real estate businesses in Chile, Peru, and Colombia, allowing him to reduce trip times compared with those in his PC-12, Pilatus said. It also allows him to continue to use runways as short as 2,930 feet.
“The PC-24’s speed, range, cabin size, and ability to use short and unpaved runways make it the perfect aircraft for South America,” said Jose Eduardo Ippolito Brandao, CEO of Synerjet Corp., the authorized Pilatus dealer for South America. “We look forward to showing off the PC-24’s capabilities to many interested prospects and to delivering many more over the next several years.”
NOAA To Grow Data-collecting Fleet with G550, King Air
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded contracts totaling $52.5 million to Gulfstream Aerospace and Textron Aviation for new aircraft to gather weather and environmental data. Of that, $40.7 million has been awarded to Gulfstream for a G550 that will support hurricane and tropical storm forecasts, as well as atmospheric research. Additional contracts are expected to be awarded by NOAA for spare parts and airframe modifications to the G550. The twinjet is expected to join NOAA’s fleet in late 2022.
NOAA also awarded Textron Aviation $11.8 million for a Beechcraft King Air 350 cargo and extended range (CER) equipped aircraft with extended range nacelle fuel tanks and a cargo door. When delivered by late spring 2021, the turboprop twin will be configured for remote sensing equipment to measure the water content of snow and soil for flood, river level, and water-supply forecasts.
Both the King Air and G550 will be based at the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, Florida, where it has a fleet of nine aircraft. “Observations from the high-altitude Gulfstream jet will greatly enhance NOAA’s predictive capabilities for hurricane track and intensification, while the King Air turboprop will provide essential data for many missions, including planning and recovery efforts for coastal and inland flooding,” said acting NOAA administrator Neil Jacobs.
TSA Backs Off Uniform Mandate for Known Crewmembers
In a reversal, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has decided to delay implementation of a recently announced requirement for crew entering through Known Crewmember (KCM) access points to wear their uniforms. But the agency is moving forward with planned increased Unpredictable Screening Procedures (USP) that involve randomly selecting crewmembers for screening through PreCheck while the KCM undergoes an audit.
The TSA this past weekend alerted flight crew representatives that a uniform requirement for KCM access points would take effect on August 28. The enhanced USP procedures, meanwhile, go into effect today.
Following the announced uniform requirement, airline, flight attendant, and pilot representatives reached out to the TSA, expressing their concerns. Instead, the TSA will work with industry “to determine alternative or additional measures to mitigate risk to the KCM system pending further TSA review as part of an ongoing audit,” the Association of Flight Attendants said. “We appreciate TSA Administrator [David] Pekoske and his leadership team for being so responsive to our concerns and demonstrating his respect for our role in the process by working with us to improve KCM.”
KCM provides for expedited security processing for properly vetted and credentialed flight crews through specific access points. Along with Part 121 participants, NATA’s Compliance Services group administers KCM for other operators, including charter and fractional. Nearly 400 operations participate in the NATA-run KCM program.
Bell’s APT 70 Utility eVTOL Achieves First Flight
Bell achieved a first autonomous flight with its Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) 70 aircraft yesterday. The APT 70, which has a payload capacity of 70 pounds and can fly at speeds up to nearly 100 mph, is expected to take part in NASA’s Systems Integration and Operationalization demonstration in mid-2020. The eVTOL is intended to be part of Bell's wider APT family of aircraft with varying payload and range capabilities.
Flight testing will continue under an experimental type certificate at Bell's facility near Fort Worth, Texas, for the rest of 2019. Bell aims to demonstrate the APT 70’s suitability for missions such as package delivery, medical support, and disaster relief.
Next year’s NASA demonstration will simulate commercial missions in the U.S. National Airspace System and will include beyond visual line of sight operations. Bell is working with Yamato to integrate the Japanese logistics group’s package handling system with the APT 70, with the goal of beginning commercial operations by the early 2020s.
Its APT concept consists of a payload pod attached via pylons to two wings, each fitted with four or eight propellers powered by electric motors. Both pods and batteries can be quickly changed out between missions. The APT 70 can carry up to 70 pounds for up to 35 miles or, with extra batteries fitted, up to 50 miles with a 35-pound payload.
Aeronautical Data Systems (ADS) has received FAA Type B electronic flight bag (EFB) approval for its upgraded search and rescue app, Ergo360, that offers a visual picture of an aircraft’s position relative to airports and ships within its range in the event of an emergency landing. “Our Ergo360 app has always provided a clear display of key decision-making information on a single screen, including diversion airports within the fuel and oxygen ranges of the aircraft’s location,” said ADS CEO Jim Stabile. “But now, with the additional display of ships within range, pilots are equipped to make the best decision regarding a ditching location that positions them for quickest possible rescue.”
In addition, the app can transmit a continuous mayday call over the maritime distress frequency, Channel 16, that gives ships within VHF range updated aircraft information, including its changing position as it makes a water landing. That capability does require a portable VHF marine radio connected to an iPad.
Ergo360 uses a detailed airport database, including those not listed in a flight management system (FMS), and a live-streaming maritime database of 220,000 ships with information such as speed, direction, and country of origin. With FAA approval in hand, ADS will seek approval for additional communication capabilities by the International Maritime Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization.
Public Bank Bizjet Loans Fuel New Brazil Scandal
Brazil’s National Social and Economic Development Bank (BNDES) financed the purchase of 134 Embraer business jets at “favorable” interest rates from 2009 to 2014 and released of the list of purchasers last week under orders from Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro. The presence of many well-known political, financial, and entertainment figures has landed the list on the front pages of Brazilian newspapers and provoked calls for an investigation.
The list includes dates, values, interest rates, and names of purchasers, but not aircraft models. While a few purchasers are special-purpose corporations, nearly all are ordinary company names. Civil aviation agency ANAC’s aircraft registry does not allow searches by owner, but it does permit listing all aircraft by model.
Financing through BNDES involves loans at favorable interest rates, passed to the purchaser through a commercial bank that originates the loan. Loans for purchase of business jets were approved by Brazil’s Congress as part of an economic stimulus package in 2009.
Bolsonaro promised to release the list last week during a live social media broadcast. While in line with a promise of increased transparency, it also happened shortly after the president was criticized by a TV personality who’s previously been listed as a possible presidential candidate—and whose business jet financing appeared on the list. Whether the release is in violation of Brazil’s banking privacy laws is unclear.
Air Charter Association (ACA) has launched a new podcast aimed at raising awareness of topics and issues relevant to the association and industry as well as feature news and updates about the industry, the organization announced today. “We’re aiming to be an informative, useful, and interesting show that helps build the knowledge of those working in the industry and those in the next generation who might be considering a career in such an exciting and rewarding world,” said podcast creator and ACA council member Kevin Ducksbury.
New episodes of the Air Charter podcast will be released every two weeks and last between 20 and 30 minutes each. They’re available through the ACA website, as well as Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, and Tune In. The first three episodes—on the history of ACA, illegal charter, and an interview with ACA chairman Nick Weston—are available following a soft launch of the podcast to a select audience.
“I am sure that our members and non-members alike will find the podcast a great way of keeping in touch with the key issues impacting our industry,” Weston said. “This is an exciting innovation for the Air Charter Association, I look forward to many interesting future episodes.”
Yingling Moves Toward Leadership Transition
Yingling Aviation, the 73-year MRO provider in Wichita that was Cessna’s first authorized center, has laid the foundation for the next step in a “generational succession plan” with the naming of Andrew Nichols as president. Nichols, the son of Yingling chairman and CEO Lynn Nichols, most recently was CFO. He succeeds Lonnie Vaughan, who has served as president for the past seven years and returns to the position of CFO.
The elder Nichols said the move is “designed to provide a smooth transition for the company and position it for continued success,” adding it provides him the opportunity to work with his son more closely before retirement. “Lonnie and I both recognize that we are not getting any younger, so we have been grooming Andrew over the last few years to eventually take over the family’s business,” Lynn Nichols said.
Andrew Nichols, who earned degrees in finance and business management from Kansas State University and Wichita State University, served in the finance department at Cessna before joining Yingling full-time in 2010.
In addition to promoting Andrew Nichols, Yingling expanded the roles of Chris Short, director of maintenance, and Rebecca Williams, director of parts. Short now will have oversight of aircraft maintenance, avionics, interiors, and aircraft paint services, and Williams will steer management of propeller sales, repair, and overhaul services.
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 Sawyer, Avfuel Corp. Sponsored by TAG Farnborough and Gulfstream Aerospace.
People in Aviation
Robert Flansburg joined business aviation services provider Dumont Aviation Group as COO. Flansburg steps into his new role after holding positions as COO for Sikorsky Helicopters, senior director of operations for Dassault Falcon Jet, and director of completions for Bombardier Aerospace.
Chad Edinger joined JET Infrastructure, which owns and manages a portfolio of jet fuel pipelines and terminals across the U.S., as general manager. Edinger previously was v-p of marketing and business development for NuStar Energy LP (formerly Kaneb Pipeline).
West Star Aviation appointed Jeremy Turnbough as paint program manager for its East Alton, Illinois facility. Turnbough has served with West Star for more than 15 years, most recently as a paint shop supervisor.
London Biggin Hill Airport named Bob Graham as its first operations director. Graham, who steps into his new role on October 1, formerly held a similar position for Birmingham Airport and has 30 years of airport operations and safety management experience that also includes senior roles with Abertis Airports and TBI Airports.
Wichita-based Equity Bank appointed Morgan Littell v-p of business aviation. Littell, who is tasked with establishing an aircraft financing division with nationwide services, has 10 years of aircraft financing experience and 20 years of aviation experience overall, including serving in sales and marketing for a Wichita-based aircraft manufacturer.
Karen Ingram joined flight-scheduling software specialist Avmosys as v-p of sales. Ingram has more than 30 years of business aviation experience, including serving as both a regional and national charter sales manager for Executive Jet Aviation, holding the position of national sales director for Bombardier Aerospace/Flexjet, and leading the startup of the Part 135 division of FlightTime.
Bombardier named Jeff Cole sales director, Northeast U.S., with a territory including New York City, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Cole brings more than 25 years of experience to his new role, including with new and preowned business jet sales, as well as with technical marketing and sales support.
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