Denali Achieves First Ground Runs of Catalyst Engine

The prototype of Textron Aviation’s recently rebranded Beechcraft Denali successfully completed initial runs of its new GE Aviation Catalyst engine, the Wichita airframer announced yesterday, moving the clean-sheet turboprop single closer to its first flight by the end of the year. Taking place at Textron Aviation’s west campus at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport, the engine runs verified the functionality of the airplane’s fuel system and engine, as well as avionics and electrical systems interfaces.

Meanwhile, GE Aviation has completed more than 2,450 hours of Catalyst ground testing and is preparing for the engine's first flight on a Beechcraft King Air flying testbed. Capable of operating on sustainable aviation fuel and with less fuel burn than older turboprops, the 1,300-shp engine features Fadec and trend monitoring, which will provide on-condition maintenance with no required mid-life hot section inspection.

Two other flight-test Denalis are in development and three additional ground articles will be used for airframe static and fatigue testing, as well as cabin interior development testing. Denali certification is expected in 2023.

“These successful engine runs are a significant step toward the upcoming inaugural flight for the Beechcraft Denali, and they are a testament to the determination and collaboration from both the Textron Aviation and GE Aviation teams,” said Textron Aviation senior v-p of engineering Chris Hearne.

AINsight: State of (Runway) Confusion

Pilots attempting to take off or land on the wrong surface is a serious threat to flight safety. These “runway confusion” events often involve multi-crew transport-category aircraft, with pilots lining up their aircraft for takeoff or landing on either a taxiway or the wrong runway.

The most recent event involved a Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-300 at Newark International Airport shortly after midnight on August 7. Rather than turning onto Runway 22R, the crew taxied across the runway and turned onto Taxiway P, which parallels Runway 22R, and began its takeoff roll. An alert air traffic controller canceled the takeoff clearance, and the aircraft rejected its takeoff, slowing to taxi speed after traveling roughly 4,600 feet.

Runway confusion events are often precursors of a runway incursion and potential collision between aircraft, airport vehicles, or construction equipment. Each of these events is complex and has multiple contributing factors that include human, environmental, and technical elements. Fortunately, there are also many opportunities to mitigate this risk.

A runway verification procedure and runway heading check are good mitigators, but also consider observing the runway lighting. If for some reason, there are blue taxiway lights or no lights, there might be a problem. The use of technology is another way to mitigate the risk of runway confusion events, with own-ship position on an EFB or avionics rated by the FAA as one of the most effective tools to eliminate them.

Aeroplex Group Finishes VNY Hangar Project

Airport development, consulting, and project management firm Aeroplex Group Partners has finished work on a 4.83-acre, $16.8-million development project at California's Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) that adds 62,000-sq-ft of hangar space and a rooftop 544-kilowatt solar system.

Business aircraft charter and management company Sun Air Jets will occupy the Bonseph KVNY North facility, which is located at Signature Flight Support. The facility complements Sun Air Jets’s existing operation in Van Nuys and provides for exclusive hangar, terminal, office, and shop space, said Aeroplex, which was the project manager and will provide ongoing property management services for the facilities.

Completed in 20 months, the project includes two 31,000-sq-ft hangars with 8,400 sq ft of attached offices, shops, lounges, restrooms, and conference rooms. It also has 77,900 sq ft of asphalt ramp area with stormwater mitigation systems, 20,300 sq ft of asphalt parking space, landscape areas, airport security fence, gates, and an airport access control and camera system.

The rooftop solar system comprises 1,280 panels, providing 578 metric tons of carbon offsets. “This project not only fuels the regional economy and creates high-skilled jobs in the community; it improves air quality by meeting California’s green building standards,” said Aeroplex managing partner Curt Castagna. “Despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, our project team adopted protocols to move this project forward.”

Think-tank Finds Airport Leases Could Produce Billions

A new study from the Reason Foundation estimates that leasing the U.S.’s largest airports through public-private partnerships could generate billions for general governmental use.

Federal regulations prohibit governments from using airport revenues for their general needs, noted Robert W. Poole, Jr., director of transportation policy at the Reason Foundation and author of the study, Should Governments Lease Their Airports?. Poole, who has long advocated for the privatization of the air traffic control system, noted that there are no such restrictions overseas and that some international governments are able to tap into revenues through the privatization of large and medium-sized airports.

Through the FAA reauthorization legislation in 2018, Congress provided an exception to the long-standing revenue diversion measure by creating the ability for government airport owners to enter long-term public-private partnership leases and for net proceeds to be used for general governmental purposes.

The Reason Foundation explored the potential of leases for 31 large and medium-sized hub airports, estimating what they might be worth to investors. Looking at net value that subtracts outstanding airport bonds, the study found that 25 of the facilities could top the $1 billion mark, with the highest estimate indicating that Los Angeles International could be worth $17.8 billion.

Proceeds from the lease of airport assets could be used to fund other infrastructure needs of the jurisdiction, pay down the local government’s debt, or shore up pension plans, the study suggests.

Advent Aircraft Systems Taps Cutter as eABS Dealer

MRO provider and FBO operator Cutter Aviation has been named an authorized dealer for Advent Aircraft Systems’ eABS anti-skid braking system for the Pilatus PC-12 and Beechcraft King Air B200/B300.

Cutter Aviation president and CEO Will Cutter said the system adds value to those aircraft by reducing costs for their owners and operators and introducing another safety feature. “Increased confidence during landing in challenging conditions while avoiding the costs and schedule disruption caused by tire damage makes the Advent eABS worth considering by any PC-12 or King Air operator,” he said.

Certified by the FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, and other regulatory authorities that recognize FAA certification, the eABS system is also approved for the Eclipse 500/550 and Textron Aviation T-6 Texan II. More than 185 aircraft—operating in Australia, Europe, India, New Zealand, and the U.S.—have been equipped with eABS to date.

Avia Solutions Group Launches Skyllence Charter Broker

Avia Solutions Group (ASG) has launched Skyllence, a Lithuanian-based private and group jet charter broker. Through its association with aviation services provider ASG, Skyllence has access to more than 200 business aircraft, including ASG European charter operator KlasJet’s fleet of six Boeing 737s and a Bombardier CRJ-200.

The association with ASG and its experienced staff also enables the company to arrange “complex and intricate itineraries,” according to Skyllence. ASG companies specialize in MRO, aircraft leasing and trading, ground handling and fueling, flight operations and dispatching, and aviation training.

“The differences that Skyllence brings to the private and group jet charter market are easily apparent from the collective experience of our teams, who minutely and instinctively manage every aspect of our clients' demands,” said Skyllence CEO Linas Dovydenas. “Through the quality of service we provide, we are committed to raising the bar and the level of quality being provided  across the entire industry.”

FAA Highlighting Safety During National Drone Week

The FAA is encouraging the drone community to join in activities scheduled for the third annual National Drone Safety Awareness Week from September 13 to 19. Stressing that safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key pillar of its work, the agency said the weeklong event can help forward its mission of ensuring that drone pilots understand their responsibilities.

According to the agency, the awareness week is designed to bring together and educate drone pilots and recreational pilots and highlight new requirements and best practices. Each day of the event will feature a specific theme: Safe Flyers Take the Recreational UAS Safety Test (Monday), Register and Mark Your Drone (Tuesday), Become a Part of a Flying Community (Wednesday), New Rules—Remote Identification and Operations Over People (Thursday), Public Safety & Public Acceptance (Friday), and Share the Skies—Get Out and Fly (Saturday and Sunday).

The FAA has also developed resources and other activities to help facilitate participation, including a guidebook, graphics, a tracking tool, and a photo showcase.

Heli-yachting Picks Up with Boating Boom

While the global pandemic has caused a surge in private aviation, it has also resulted in greater demand for large yachts, including those equipped with helipads. Some boatyards are reporting backlogs of more than two years.

“That ease of not necessarily being tied to an airport makes it very appealing,” said Emma Watson, director of St. Maarten-based HeliRiviera Caraïbes, which provides helicopter operations and logistics services. “Especially if you put the world of yachting into it, where your airport is wherever you park your boat and your airport follows you around wherever you might want to go.”

Speaking at the recent Caribavia conference, Watson explained the ups and downs of the yacht helicopter market, noting the migratory habits of busy seas in the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter. That means that twice a year the vessels will undertake a transatlantic crossing.

Some of the yachts are large enough to include a hangar for the helicopter, which will protect it. Having appropriate infrastructure is critical, she said. “With heli-yachting in general, you fly over the sea all the time, so for maintenance purposes, it's a very harsh environment, a very saline environment,” said Watson. “One of our jobs is to find the appropriate FBO with hangar facilities and good cleaning supplies and access to water so they can do the engine rinsing to avoid corrosion.”

Photo of the Week

One million…and counting. German helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operator DRF Luftrettung sent along this nighttime image of one of its Airbus Helicopters H145s—taken by photographer Frank Jaenke—to mark its millionth air rescue mission. The milestone flight dispatched from its Munich base on August19 and transported a 27-year-old woman in premature labor to the Grosshadern Hospital. Together with its subsidiaries, DRF Luftrettung flies some 40,000 missions annually—about 110 per day. Thanks a million for sharing, DRF Luftrettung.

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