Jet Aviation has completed work on an 8,000-sq-m (86,000-sq-ft) production center at its Basel, Switzerland maintenance and completion facility. The center, which comprises 5,000 sq m of renovated space and a 3,000-sq-m extension, brings together the cabinet shop, interiors and finishing shops, and sheet-metal shops in one location.
The MRO and completions provider began construction on the project in late 2019. That work was completed in November 2020. The just-finished phase II involved the completion of the cabinet shop move, as well as the extension and renovation project.
Jeremie Caillet, Jet Aviation v-p of VIP completions, said that bringing together cabinetry, interior finishing, and sheet-metal activities “creates significant efficiencies and makes it easier for our customers to visit and experience firsthand the craftsmanship that makes their aircraft so unique.”
Designed with health and sustainability in mind, the center incorporates dimmable LED lighting, a high-pressure vacuum system, dust collector systems, two separate paint cabins, and ventilation units. In addition, it includes 600 sq m of leveled assembly and pre-assembly platforms.
“The concept and development of such a large project adjacent to our existing hangars was a long and complex program, which took almost 10 years from initial concept to opening,” added Sylvain Von Hof, Jet Aviation's v-p of real estate, facility management, and logistics for the EMEA region. “It is a fantastic achievement.”
Tamarack ‘Set to Grow’ Following Bankruptcy Exit
Tamarack Aerospace today said it has exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization a little more than two years after the active winglet developer entered the legal proceeding. The Sandpoint, Idaho company said a final decree by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington ends its voluntary bankruptcy, which was spurred by the two-month-long grounding in the U.S. of 91 privately owned Cessna CitationJets and CJs equipped with its active winglets.
Tamarack announced its voluntary bankruptcy filing on June 7, 2019, following airworthiness directives (ADs) from the FAA and EASA that grounded Cessna CitationJets, CJ1s, CJ2s, and CJ3s equipped with its active load-alleviation system (Atlas) winglets. A month later, EASA lifted its AD, an action that was followed by an FAA alternative method of compliance.
After its Chapter 11 declaration, Tamarack received $1.95 million in funding from a group of existing customers and vendors that supported its reorganization. While the grounding forced Tamarack to temporarily reduce its workforce, its continued operation allowed the company to return to growth and eventually double its workforce. It has expanded its facilities and operations—including the addition of remote installation centers in South Carolina and England—and increased the number of active winglet installations to more than 140. It also now has 20 authorized service centers operating internationally.
Embraer Eve Leads Working Group To Develop UAM in Rio
Embraer’s Eve Urban Air Mobility division has started cooperating with commercial partners and government entities to develop a concept of operations for urban air mobility (UAM) in Rio de Janeiro. According to Eve, the project’s first test will happen by year-end in the Brazilian city using helicopters to simulate Eve’s planned four-passenger eVTOL, which is expected to enter service in 2026.
Under Eve's coordination, the initiative brings together Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and Department of Airspace Control (DECEA) to assess the existing infrastructure and air traffic management organization to safely allow for UAM operations. The collaboration includes partners such as Helisul Aviation, one of the largest helicopter operators in Latin America; Skyports, a company that designs, builds, and operates vertiports; Flapper, an independent platform for on-demand flights; and EDP, one of the largest companies in the energy sector.
"We want to explore new and practical concepts to facilitate the safe introduction of the UAM industry in Brazil. In this initial stage, we will describe the main characteristics and requirements of the ecosystem, from the perspective of the users, partners, entities, and government departments involved,” said Eve CEO André Stein.
Want more? You can find a longer version of this article at FutureFlight.aero, a news and information resource developed by AIN to provide objective coverage and analysis of cutting-edge aviation technology.
Honeywell Obtains EASA Nod for RDR-7000 Weather Radar
Honeywell’s IntuVue RDR-7000 weather radar system for business jets and helicopters recently received EASA approval. The 3D weather radar unit received FAA TSO certification in July last year, and since then the agency has STC’d it for more than a dozen business aircraft platforms, including the Dassault Falcon 900A/C/EX/LX; Bombardier Learjet 40/45, 600-series Challengers, and Global 5000/XRS/Express; Cessna Citation Bravo, Encore, Ultra and X; and Leonardo AW139.
Features of the fully automated, 3D radar include scanning from zero up to 60,000 feet and up to 320 nm in front of the aircraft. Additionally, it can predict windshear up to five nautical miles ahead, turbulence up to 60 nm ahead, and the presence of hail and lightning up to 160 nm in front of the aircraft with 93 percent accuracy.
“Achieving EASA certification for the RDR-7000 will ensure our business aviation and helicopter operators get the very best in technology,” said Nadya Krisko, Honeywell Aerospace’s senior director of business and general aviation in the EMEAI region. “Operators of these aircraft can now purchase and install the RDR-7000 on their aircraft and take advantage of the system’s safety and operational benefits, including predictive hail, predictive lightning, extended turbulence detection range, and forward-looking windshear for aircraft with 18-inch antennas.”
Australia Further Extends Pilot Check Compliance Dates
To assist operators and other aviation personnel impacted by the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has introduced additional alleviation measures that will be in effect until March 31, 2022.
The new extension relieves airmen from the requirements of proficiency checks (except for flight examiner proficiency checks) and flight reviews for pilots at certain operators, including air operator certificate (AOC) holders, flight training organizations, and balloon and agricultural aircraft operators. In addition, the March 31, 2022 date applies to aircraft maintenance engineers, cabin crew, aeronautical knowledge examinations, and ATC and FSS license holders. Special requirements apply to extensions to flight examiner proficiency checks.
Generally, the compliance delay applies to pilots, cabin crew, and aircraft operators who conduct domestic operations within Australia and have a proficiency check or flight review due between August 2021 and February 2022 and have an approved Safety Risk Mitigation Plan (SRMP). The exemption also provides for an SRMP to support AOC holders conducting international operations who, due to current government health orders, are unable to meet Covid-19 requirements.
Orgs Urge Refundability for SAF Blender’s Tax Credit
A coalition of nearly 70 aviation organizations and companies sent a joint letter to Congress on Friday urging that any blender's tax credit for purchasing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) be refundable. They asked Congress to “include a meaningful, long-term refundable tax credit that would better incentivize the production and use of SAF as it considers climate-related proposals for the budget reconciliation bill.”
Many of the signatories wrote to Congress supporting the Sustainable Skies Act (H.R.3440/S.2263), which would establish a $1.50 to $2 per gallon blender’s tax credit for SAF that achieves at least a 50 percent reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to jet-A.
“We firmly believe a SAF blender’s tax credit is an effective mechanism to send a long-term investment signal and create a vibrant domestic SAF market,” they wrote. “Refundability is a critical element of the incentive because many SAF producers are startups or small companies with limited or no near-term income tax liability, especially in light of the large capital expenditures required to build SAF production facilities.”
Without refundability, they said, producers or blenders without income tax liability would have to carry forward the tax credit for many years, significantly diminishing the present value and thus eroding their willingness to invest in SAF.
United Rotorcraft Orders Five More Black Hawks
Air Methods unit United Rotorcraft has ordered five Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawks for delivery over the next seven to 18 months. The aircraft will be manufactured at Lockheed Martin’s PZL Mielec plant in Poland.
United Rotorcraft will convert the aircraft into Firehawk aerial firefighting aircraft. This conversion fits the helicopters with 1,000-gallon external belly water tanks and a retractable snorkel system that can refill the tank within 60 seconds. These modified aircraft also have the ability to transport up to 12 firefighters or to be outfitted with air ambulance and custom communications and navigation capabilities.
The order comes less than two weeks after Air Methods announced that Colorado’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) signed a contract with United Rotorcraft to deliver a Firehawk there in 2022. Thirteen Firehawks operated by Calfire, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the San Diego Fire Rescue Department are currently fighting fires in the Golden State, and five more Firehawks have been contracted for by customers there.
“The Firehawk is fast becoming one of the most powerful and effective aerial firefighting assets in California, attacking and extinguishing wildfires before they spread out of control,” said United Rotorcraft president Larry Alexandre.
Aviation Safety Question of the Week
Provided by
With respect to wing vortex avoidance procedures for aircraft, which of the following statements is correct?
A. Pilots of all aircraft should visualize the location of the vortex trail behind larger aircraft and use proper vortex avoidance procedures to achieve safe operation.
B. ATC is ultimately responsible for the aircraft safety, so they are required to give takeoff and landing clearances with the correct separation between traffic.
C. Runway operation is safe in wind calm conditions.
D. Planning a takeoff below the flight path of the preceding taking off aircraft should be considered to minimize risk.
JSSI Parts & Leasing Targets Growth in EMEA
JSSI Parts & Leasing has named Ben Edwards as regional manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in an effort to bolster its presence and aftermarket parts services in the region. Edwards was previously head of sales for UK-based aircraft parts supplier Allaero and before that, served as an engineer with the Royal Air Force.
“Since its founding in 2014, JSSI Parts & Leasing has enjoyed a growing presence in the business aviation aftermarket, primarily focused on North America,” said JSSI Parts & Leasing president Benjamin Hockenberg. “With Ben’s leadership, we will not only be positioned to deliver enhanced support to our local parts customers in EMEA with strategically located inventory and expertise but also to provide localized maintenance event assistance to our colleagues supporting JSSI’s hourly cost maintenance clients.”
JSSI Parts & Leasing has a worldwide network of MRO parts providers and more than 38,000 stock lines from which to draw, supporting a wide variety of business jets, turboprops, and helicopters. In addition, the company maintains a portfolio of commercial jet and turboprop engines available for lease. JSSI Parts & Leasing supports more than 10,000 aircraft maintenance events annually.
AIN’s Solutions in Business Aviation
We invite you to review our latest sponsored resource guide. Solutions in Business Aviation features real solutions to business aviation’s biggest challenges from some of our most trusted brand partners—innovations that are designed to help our industry and make your job easier.
AINalerts News Tips/Feedback: News tips may be sent anonymously, but feedback must include name and contact info (we will withhold name on request). We reserve the right to edit correspondence for length, clarity and grammar. Send feedback or news tips to AINalerts editor Chad Trautvetter.
AIN Alerts is a publication of The Convention News Company, Inc., 214 Franklin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.
