Textron eAviation has become the latest OEM to join NBAA’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Roundtable. Established in 2021, the roundtable focuses on maintaining the U.S. position as a global leader in aviation and aerospace, as well as harnessing the full safety, economic, environmental, and national security potential of AAM. Founding members of the group include Archer, Beta Technologies, Hillwood Aviation, Joby Aviation, Lilium, Overair, Supernal, and Wisk.

“In just a few years, NBAA’s AAM Roundtable has proven to be a powerful voice in the development and advancement of these exciting and sustainable technologies,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “We are pleased that Textron eAviation has joined in this effort to advance the safety-driven integration of AAM vehicles and supporting infrastructure into our National Airspace System.”

The NBAA AAM Roundtable claims two key legislative victories on Capitol Hill in 2022: The Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act (S.516) and the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act (AAIM Act). The former established an interagency working group to review and examine factors that will allow the maturation of the AAM ecosystem within the U.S. and develop an AAM national strategy.

Most recently, the AAM Roundtable worked with the bipartisan congressional AAM Caucus and leading authorizers in Congress to advance pro-AAM policies in legislation to reauthorize funding for the FAA. These priorities are reflected in the FAA reauthorization bill, which passed earlier this year.

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) secured U.S. FAA approval for its PW545D turbofan, checking off another key milestone as Textron Aviation works to bring the Cessna Citation Ascend to market next year. The FAA type data sheet with the PW545D included alongside its siblings was issued last month, just two months after Transport Canada granted type certification of the model.

Rated at 4,218 pounds of thrust, the PW545D will provide a 1,900-nm range, 441-knot maximum cruise speed, and a 30-minute time to climb to FL450 maximum altitude for the newest member of the Citation 560XL family.

Textron Aviation announced the Ascend during EBACE 2023, unveiling a $16.725 million aircraft that will be equipped with Garmin G5000 avionics, autothrottles, the more powerful P&WC PW545D, a higher maximum takeoff weight and payload, increased range, flat cabin floor, and other cabin amenities.

Sporting a Fadec that enables the integration of autothrottle on the Ascend, the two-spool PW545D is designed with an enhanced three-stage compressor and is driven by a single-stage cooled high-pressure turbine module.

The model is part of the venerable PW500 family, which has some 4,600 engines in service and has accumulated about 24.5 million flight hours. PW500-series engines also power the Citation Bravo, Excel, XLS, XLS+, Ultra Encore, and Encore+.

Metrojet Haite Business Aviation has completed the sale of its stake in Chinese aircraft operator Funian Aviation to Southern Star Aviation. The Hong Kong-based company, which is a joint venture between ExecuJet Haite and business jet operator Metrojet, announced the completion of the equity transfer today, explaining that the transfer of its remaining shares in the company was completed on July 26.

ExecuJet Haite and Metrojet Hong Kong Commercial Aircraft acquired Funian Aviation in 2022. The company, established in 2017, has its main operating base and headquarters in Shenzhen, China. Funian provides aircraft management services and private charter flights, with a specialization in Gulfstream business jets. It holds both Part 91 and Part 135 operating approvals from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, as well as Part 145 maintenance authorization.  

According to Metrojet CEO Gary Dolski, Metrojet will continue to operate in Hong Kong and the Philippines, serving clients across the Asia-Pacific region. He and ExecuJet Haite general manager Paul Desgrosseilliers said that the change of ownership at Funian will support the company's future success and growth.

Million Air Dallas has stood up an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) for its flight operations and maintenance teams. With the ASAP effort, the company said it is promoting a proactive safety culture by encouraging pilots and mechanics to voluntarily report any safety-related issues or events without fear of reprisal. Million Air Dallas provides business aircraft charter, Part 135 and 91 aircraft management, maintenance, and FBO services.

“Implementing ASAP is a testament to our commitment to aviation safety and continuous improvement,” said Million Air Dallas president and CEO Don Rickerhauser. “This program will empower our teams to report safety issues freely and help us identify and mitigate risks effectively. Our ultimate goal is to ensure a safe and reliable experience for all our clients and staff.”

In addition, Million Air Dallas director of safety Rodrigo Pezzoni said ASAP “represents a critical evolution in how we approach safety management. By encouraging open communication and addressing issues proactively, we are not only enhancing our operational standards but also reinforcing our dedication to the highest levels of safety and professionalism.”

AEG offers a complete sustainability solution package designed to offset carbon emissions and provide operators with easy access to SAF. In turn, operators will receive both SAF credits and Carbon credits. The company sees this program as the gold standard in sustainability, making it easier for customers to manage their carbon footprint.

Solojet Shares is adding a fifth Hawker 400XP to its fractional ownership program because it has sold out its first four, the company announced ahead of LABACE. In addition, the Brazilian business aviation services provider now has a Cessna Citation X in its fleet, but that is under a shared aircraft management arrangement.

“The Solojet Shares program is a success, and more and more customers have been won over by sharing,” said Solojet CEO André Bernstein. “All they have to do is worry about their own business and organize their schedules, and we'll take care of the rest.”

Increasing the fleet further enables more flight ability beyond the fraction purchased, Bernstein said. “Since we have a fleet of aircraft, it is possible to offer aircraft available for flight to meet the most diverse needs of the client more easily,” he explained.

The shared program further reduces expenses, which are spread among the owners, the company added, citing costs of maintaining a crew, hangarage, maintenance, and insurance, among many other fees.

Based at Jundiaí Airport in São Paulo, Solojet also provides business aircraft purchase and sales support, interior renovation, and other services. It also represents companies such as Raisbeck Engineering and Blackhawk Modifications.

Leasing company Milestone Aviation Group and Australia-based Helitak Firefighting Equipment have received an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) for installation of the Helitak FT5000 fire tank on the Sikorsky S-92A helicopter.

The carbon-fiber fire tank is removable in minutes and its high-flow hover pump can fill the 5,000-liter (1,320-gallon) tank in just 48 seconds. Mounting the tank to the helicopter requires no structural modifications to the helicopter’s airframe, according to Helitak. Pilots have full control of tank operations using the Helitak cockpit controller.

VIH Aviation Group of Canada has taken delivery of the first FT5000-equipped S-92A, which will be flown on firefighting missions in Western Canada.

Milestone Aviation and Helitak partnered on the development of the STC. “The S-92A presented some unique design challenges for the Helitak team,” said Helitak founder and CEO Jason Schellaars, “but after working with our project partner, Milestone, we believe we have delivered a world-class firefighting solution. With older S-92As coming out of the offshore market, the addition of the Helitak FT5000 system will allow S-92A operators to capitalize on the aircraft’s versatility by operating it as a standard-category aircraft.” 

“The Milestone and Helitak teams have worked tirelessly to create a solution that harnesses the advanced capabilities and versatility of the S-92A, combined with Helitak’s innovative tank design,” said Milestone president and CEO Pat Sheedy.

Connecticut-based aircraft brokerage and consulting firm Guardian Jet has launched a division dedicated to light jet and turboprop sales and acquisitions. While the company has long been a major player at the larger aircraft end of the spectrum, this new unit will focus on aircraft popular in the pilot-owner sector such as Cessna Citations, Embraer Phenoms, Beechcraft King Airs, Pilatus PC-12s, and Daher TBMs.

Among the tools it will bring to potential buyers is the ability to list and compare similar makes and models as well as create a cash flow budget to determine which they can afford.

“Expanding our focus to light jets and turboprops allows us to leverage our extensive data and market intelligence on over 150 aircraft models to better serve aircraft owners and operators,” explained Guardian managing partner Mike Dwyer. “Our clients benefit from our comprehensive technical data, market expertise, and professional approach, ensuring they will receive the best value in their aircraft transactions.”

Heading up the division are Keegan Dwyer, who has been a part of the company’s sales team since 2019 and was recently promoted to sales director of light jets and turboprops for the Northeast U.S., and Andy Moss, previously regional director for Textron Aviation’s Cessna Caravan and Beechcraft King Air sales in Mexico, who joined the company as sales director of light jets and turboprops for Texas, Mexico, and Central America.

Airwolf Aerospace has inked a deal with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) air support division to install True Blue Power TB17 lithium-ion batteries on the LAPD’s new Airbus H125 helicopters. The TB17 battery offers lower weight, faster and cooler engine starts, an average eight-year life span, less maintenance, and good cold operating capabilities thanks to a built-in heating system.

According to Airwolf Aerospace, the company has more FAA supplemental type certificate approvals for lithium-ion helicopter battery installations than any of its competitors. These approvals include 17-amp-hour True Blue Li-ion batteries for the Airbus H125/AS350, AS355, EC120, and H130/EC130; Bell 206A/B and 206L/L1/L3/L4; Enstrom 480B; Hiller UH-12E; and MD Helicopters 369/500. In addition, it can install 20-amp-hour Li-ion batteries in the Airbus H125/AS350 and AS355.

“Airwolf Aerospace is pleased to be able to offer the LAPD the advantages of lithium power,” it said. “Look for more Airwolf STCs for more helicopter applications and additional battery models soon.”

There are more inflight connectivity options on the market today than ever before. Join us on August 21 at noon ET to learn what you need to consider when reviewing your options and the implications of this decision today and for your aircraft's future. We’ll be discussing ATG vs Satellite, LEO satellite solutions, and the ROI of IFC. Sponsored by Gogo Business Aviation.