Bombardier is now offering an advanced avionics upgrade (AAU) for the Vision flight deck installed on in-service Global 5000/5500s and 6000/6500s, bringing those jets to the same configuration as factory-new Global 5500s and 6500s. The software upgrade, which is available from Bombardier service centers, was first applied to a Global 6000. 

The AAU software “allows for installation” of Bombardier’s combined vision system (CVS) in Collins Aerospace-based Vision flight decks of in-service Globals. CVS integrates synthetic and enhanced vision system imagery in a single view. Other features with the AAU include improved message logic for the engine indicating and crew alert system; integrated flight information system; SiriusXM Weather enhancements; and electronic flight instrument system improvements for the head-up display, primary flight display, and synthetic vision system.

Optional add-ons with the AAU include ADS-B In cockpit display of traffic information, airport moving map/synthetic vision taxi mode, and weather radar with vertical weather and predictive windshear options. Some of the optional updates will require new hardware.

“The primary objective of this upgrade, and our long-term collaboration with Bombardier, is to proactively provide information to the flight deck that improves safety and confidence in decision making,” said Marc Ayala, senior director of sales, business, and regional avionics at Collins Aerospace.

Hurricane Idalia made landfall this morning as a Category 3 storm in Florida’s Big Bend region—where the panhandle meets the peninsula on the Gulf Coast—packing strong winds and heavy rain. In addition to causing power outages for hundreds of thousands of residents, Idalia was responsible for airport closures throughout the region.

Venice Municipal Airport (KVNC) closed last night at 8 p.m. but was back in operation this morning, as was Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ), while Tampa International Airport (KTPA) ceased all commercial operations at noon Tuesday. Authorities there today reported that the facility sustained minimal damage from the storm and will begin receiving incoming flights today at 4 p.m., with departing flights and normal operations to resume early Thursday morning. At St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (KPIE), operations ceased at 3 p.m. yesterday and an airport spokesperson told AIN they would resume this afternoon.

Tallahassee International Airport (KTLH), which serves the state's capital, closed last night at 11 p.m. and is not expected to reopen until Thursday morning.

According to the National Weather Service, a weakened Idalia will likely travel directly over Savannah, Georgia, later today, and a spokesperson from Savannah International Airport (KSAV) stated that while all scheduled departing flights for the remainder of today have been canceled, the airport will remain open to any arriving flights.

Expansion of Textron Aviation’s parts and distribution facility in Wichita continues on schedule following the completion of the roof and all flooring, exterior walls, and windows. The company expects to finish the project by the end of the year; it broke ground in October 2022.

The construction team has now turned its attention to interior finishes, including wiring, painting, and preparing the 180,000-sq-ft space for the Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker parts the company stocks and ships to support customers worldwide. The footprint includes additional room for parts storage, warehouse space, offices, and dedicated customer support analysts.

Textron Aviation operates seven distribution centers and 17 stockrooms around the globe. Its Wichita location houses more than 120,000 parts and employs more than 350 people to support distribution operations.

The larger footprint will allow the company to continue to invest in inventory to not only support new models such as the Cessna SkyCourier and Beechcraft Denali but also to increase stock levels for other product lines. In addition, the expansion includes a dedicated lane for customers to drop off or pick up parts in person, as well as opportunities for consolidated shipments. The expanded operations will also provide expedited support to the company’s service center in Wichita.

Business aircraft broker Aerocor today released its latest Beechcraft Premier I/IA fleet update report, which covers avionics and engine program status, aircraft utilization patterns, factory options, relevant upgrades, and operator feedback. The report uses recent survey data collected from the Premier I/IA owner group and builds upon the company's first fleet update issued last year for the twinjet, which has a composite fuselage and aluminum wings.

“Fleet data is a cornerstone for both buyers and sellers in the aviation industry,” said Aerocor co-founder and president Gavin Woodman. “It provides a robust foundation for making well-informed decisions, equipping operators and market participants with the insights to evaluate relevant Premier upgrades and aircraft values.”

According to Woodman, this initiative reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to empower Premier owners with relevant and timely information. “Building upon the success of [our] Premier buyer's guide, new owner’s guide, and Premier market updates, this fleet update is just one piece of our exclusive Premier asset library that provides invaluable data to the Premier community,” he added.

According to the report, 269 Premiers (116 Premier I and 153 IA models) of the 297 manufactured are still in service. The active fleet shrunk by four aircraft during the last two years as a result of aircraft being parted out, however. Eleven Premier IAs and nine Premier Is (one of which is a parts airplane) are currently on the preowned market.

UK-based business aircraft brokerage and consultancy Moon Jet Group has partnered with luxury aircraft and superyacht design studio Alexander McDiarmid Design. According to the companies, the partnership will help to satisfy increasing demand for functional yet bespoke business aircraft interiors.

"We are delighted to partner with Alex from Alexander McDiarmid Design in this exciting endeavor,” said Moon Jet Group founder and CEO James Moon. “Alex is highly experienced, industry-recognized, and has a proven track record of excellence in designing exquisite aircraft interiors that perfectly blend aesthetics and functionality."

The partnership underscores what Moon Jet calls its commitment to offering comprehensive aircraft solutions that cater to the needs and desires of private aircraft owners.

“We always strive to push the boundaries of aviation design from exterior livery and paint scheme designs to aircraft interior design completions,” added McDiarmid Design founder Alexander McDiarmid. “Our partnership with Moon Jet Group allows us to take that philosophy and level of bespoke service even further where refurbishment can redefine perfection. We look forward to working closely with Moon Jet Group’s clients, bringing their visions to life creating interiors that are a testament to both luxury aviation design and innovation.”

After reaching out to the aviation industry to arrange a rescue flight for a rehabilitated Kemp’s ridley sea turtle that was stranded in Northern Wales, UK, charity Turtles Fly Too and other organizations were able to arrange an overseas flight to Texas, where “Tally” the turtle will be released. 

Stunned by the cold water, Tally washed up on the shore of Talacre in Wales in November 2021, where he was found by a dog walker who called British Divers’ Marine Life Rescue. Tally, who was near death, was taken to Anglesey Sea Zoo and nursed back to health, and then the search for a flight to Texas began. 

It wasn’t simply a matter of arranging for a flight that could accommodate a relatively small turtle that had apparently strayed into the Gulf Stream and unwittingly caught a ride to the cold Wales waters. The complex multiple-continent flight involved arranging an import permit with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Once that was settled, the team contacted Turtles Fly Too to help arrange the flight.

This was the charity’s “farthest and most complex mission ever flown,” according to Turtles Fly Too advisory board v-p Ken Andrews. The Royal Air Force also played a key role, offering its facilities at RAF Valley and RAF Northolt to help get Tally home.

Garmin has received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its GFC 600 digital autopilot in Beechcraft King Air F90s. The GFC 600 reduces workload and brings additional functions such as VNAV, automatic CDI switching when paired with a GTN series navigator, and enhanced go-around capabilities, including missed approach sequencing. Installations in King Air F90s will be available at select Garmin-authorized dealers starting next week.

The autopilot upgrade allows integration with G600 and G600 TXi flight displays, the GI 275 electronic flight instrument, and the GTN and GTN Xi series of navigators. The self-contained autopilot controller incorporates backlit keys and a sunlight-readable display that depicts autopilot status and mode selection. A built-in control wheel provides convenient adjustment of aircraft pitch, airspeed, and vertical speed modes. When the pilot selects the level button, the aircraft automatically returns to straight-and-level flight.

The system's hardened autopilot servos employ brushless DC motors that improve performance and reduce maintenance burdens compared with decades-old servo designs still in use. These servos offer more torque to help pilots better respond to the demands required of turbine aircraft.

The standard mark-width (6.25-inch) design of the GFC 600 mode controller ensures the autopilot controller allows for routine installation into the aircraft’s avionics stack, according to Garmin. In King Air F90s, the GFC 600 will require a G600 TXi or G600 flight display.

Private aircraft operators planning on flying to Singapore for the 2023 Grand Prix, set to take place from September 15 to 17, are advised to confirm aircraft parking and hotel arrangements as soon as possible, according to an Operational Insight notice from business aviation ground support company Universal Aviation. “While we recommend WSSL [Seletar] for most GA operations, because of more flexible parking options, routine weekly runway closures occur,” Universal said.

Seletar is Singapore’s primary general aviation facility and an airport of entry with noise-abatement policies, including a curfew. Open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, from September 10 to 12, WSSL will be slot-controlled and available to both Grand Prix participants and race spectators. “Airport authorities ask that slot reservation requests be submitted no later than September 6,” said Universal. “Requests after this date will be on a case-by-case basis, depending on parking bay availability. Pickup vehicles will be held at the public carpark until passengers have cleared immigration.”

Singapore’s major airline airport, Changi (WSSS), is available for quick turnarounds (pickups and drop offs) only to private flights whose passengers are directly involved with the Grand Prix—such as drivers and sponsors—from September 10 to 12. Universal cautions that WSSS will not consider slot requests submitted after September 6. Additionally, all flights, including diplomatic ones, must have filed flight plans.