Business aircraft activity experienced a notable shift in the first half of the year with consistent declines in the Part 135 market, a jump in fractional operations, and a mostly flat Part 91 sector, Argus reported in its newly released Mid-Year Business Aviation Review. Globally, business aviation flight activity ebbed by 2.6 percent during the first six months versus the first half of 2022.

“We are six months into 2023 and different dynamics are at play in the broader business aviation market, compared to the prior years,” the aviation safety and data specialist said. 

The combined dynamics between the three operational sectors collectively resulted in a 3.7 percent decline in first-half operations in North America. By segment, fractional flights in the region were up 6.9 percent year-over-year in the first half, while Part 135 operations dropped by 10 percent and Part 91 by 1.9 percent. Flights were also down in all aircraft categories led by midsize aircraft (-5.5 percent) and followed by light aircraft (-4.3 percent), turboprops (-3.2 percent), and then large-cabin jets (-1.1 percent).

Europe has seen a consistent decline—down 11.9 percent year-over-year in the first half—but Argus sees signs of stabilization. Going forward, Argus expects a leveling of between 5 and 10 percent year-over-year.

Argus is projecting that global flight activity will dip by 0.6 percent year-over-year in the back half of 2023.

The NTSB is investigating after two California firefighting helicopters collided in midair last evening just before sunset. The aircraft—a 1975 Sikorsky S-64E Air Crane and a 2004 Bell 407—were responding to the Broadway Fire in Cabazon, 17 miles northwest of Palm Springs. The 407 was being operated by Aero Leasing of Medford, Oregon, on behalf of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The three aboard that aircraft died and the wreckage ignited another small brush fire.

Also under contract to Cal Fire and operated by Siller Helicopters of Yuba City, California, the S-64E made a hard landing and all three onboard survived. The accident was reported shortly before 7:20 p.m. local time. Sunset was at 7:42 p.m.

“While engaged in the firefight, two helicopters collided,” said Cal Fire southern region chief David Fulcher. He identified the dead as the contract pilot, a Cal Fire division chief, and a Cal Fire captain.

The aircraft took off from Hemet-Ryan Airport within minutes of each other shortly after 6:30 p.m. According to officials, the fire began at 6 p.m. when a structure fire ignited nearby grasslands, quickly grew to 20 acres, and began threatening residences in the area. Cal Fire immediately called for aerial support as part of its strategy to attack fires in their nascent stages.

Jet.AI's new carbon offset transaction program, DynoFlight, allows aircraft operators to offset emissions from their flights by purchasing carbon removal credits that fund the direct extraction of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

According to the artificial intelligence specialist, the system provides users with an accurate record of the carbon extracted as a direct result of the credits purchased. The DynoFlight platform will be available starting next month, permitting users to register credits to individual aircraft in their fleet, record carbon emissions from each aircraft, and receive emissions estimates for specific routes for more than 250 aircraft types burning either jet-A or sustainable aviation fuel.

Jet.AI can help air charter operators to integrate DynoFlight into their flight booking process. When a customer purchases a carbon removal credit, the operator will receive a live link to a carbon credit certificate page that can be shared with its clients.

“Quality carbon offsets are hard for most companies to identify and typically require large working-capital outlays,” said Jet.AI founder Mike Winston. “The DynoFlight platform offers operators the flexibility to purchase removal credits and enables the flight-by-flight purchase for small dollar amounts.”

Last week, Jet.AI launched its CharterGPT app, which allows consumers to use voice commands to interact with its charter flight booking platform.

Gogo Business Aviation has simplified installations of its Avance L5 air-to-ground airborne connectivity equipment with the introduction of the LX5 LRU. Buyers of the LX5 will be able to upgrade to Gogo’s 5G high-speed service (up to 75 to 80 Mbps) by replacing the L5 LRU with the LX5 instead of having to install two LRUs.

Although Gogo's 5G ground network won’t be ready until mid-2024, buyers can install Avance L5 now with the MB13 5G antennas; then, when 5G is ready, they can swap the L5 LRU for the LX5.

“For the more than 2,200 aircraft already equipped with Avance L5,” Gogo said, “an upgrade to Gogo 5G will consist of a simple box swap and replacement of the DDA antennas with the new MB13 antennas.”

The LX5 system will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of approximately $141,500, according to Gogo. Like Avance L5, LX5 will allow owners to add Gogo Galileo satcom that runs on the OneWeb low-earth-orbit satellite network, which is expected to be operational in the second half of 2024.

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) has approved the Piper M600/SLS Halo safety system with Garmin Autoland and autothrottle, Piper Aircraft announced today. This follows FAA and EASA nods for the system on the M600/SLS in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

“The certification of Halo in Canada is an important accomplishment for M600 owners, Piper, and our Canadian dealer, Aviation Unlimited,” said Piper Aircraft v-p of sales, marketing, and customer support Ron Gunnarson. “It is our mission to bring the latest and greatest technology in our aircraft to customers worldwide.”

For M600/SLS aircraft already operating in Canada, the installation of a kit containing Halo components and a new software load will enable the entire Autoland system, according to the Vero Beach, Florida-based aircraft manufacturer.

“We are thrilled to have the certification of Halo completed in Canada and to offer our customers the promised peace of mind that comes with the Garmin Autoland system,” noted Aviation Unlimited president Solly Capua.

Virtual reality simulator company Loft Dynamics (formerly VRM Switzerland) said its EASA-approved training devices for the Robinson R22 and Airbus H125 helicopters are being evaluated by the FAA. Both simulators have been installed at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The newly installed Robinson R22 EASA-qualified flight and navigation procedures trainer and EASA level-3 Airbus H125 flight training device feature full-scale replica cockpits and 360-degree views for precise visual cues inside and outside the aircraft; realistic flight models for accurate studies of nominal and off-nominal events and development of safety metrics dependent on rotorcraft aerodynamics; six-degrees-of-freedom motion platforms, replicating haptic sensations including sling loads, runway texture, and force feedback from flight controls; adaptable software for customizable training scenarios that mirror real-world encounters, terrain, and maneuvers; and a compact size that the company said is 10 times smaller than that of traditional full-motion simulators.

"To receive approval from EASA and now introduce our technology to the FAA is an exciting and important milestone," said Loft Dynamics founder and CEO Fabi Riesen. "We're thrilled to kick off this partnership and collectively forge a safer, more scalable, and sustainable future for U.S. aviation.”