Banyan Completes First HondaJet APMG Upgrade

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based aviation services provider Banyan Air Service has completed its first Advanced Performance Modification Group (APMG) package upgrade on a HondaJet. It reduces the light twinjet’s takeoff field length by 443 feet to 3,491 feet, increases forward baggage capacity by 200 pounds, and boosts the mtow to 10,700 pounds.

The package includes a horizontal stabilizer extension, removal of the vortex generators on the tail and winglets, and the elimination of the mid-aileron fences. Upgrades to the Garmin G3000 avionics software enhance situational awareness and safety, through increased connectivity with Flight Stream 510 compatibility, electronic checklist, and advanced integrated takeoff and landing (TOLD) calculations.

Banyan, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this month, has been the exclusive HondaJet sales and service facility for the U.S. Southeast since 2014, with staffer Michael Gibson recently recognized by the manufacturer as the world’s top sales performer.

In addition to the APMG modifications, the company’s MRO team provides a range of services including inspections, structural modifications, engine work, and avionics installations for Wi-Fi and high-speed data, as well as repairs to its G3000 cockpit suite.

Bizav Flights in Europe Continue To Slip

Business aviation activity in Europe continued to slow last month, falling 2.5 percent year-over-year, to 90,550 departures, according to data released today by Germany-based WingX Advance. Most of the decline last month came from midsize and light jets, with this activity down 3 percent from July 2018; large-jet activity slid 1 percent. Year-to-date, flight activity slipped by 1.8 percent compared with 2018, while the 12-month trend is down 0.8 percent.

Most of the year-over-year decline last month was due to a 6 percent slowdown in flights from Germany and the UK, while activity in the busiest European market—France, at about 19,000 departures—remained flat. Of the other main regional markets, Italy was flat, Switzerland inched up slightly, and Spain fell 3 percent.

WingX said the strongest growth last month came from Turkey, which was up 4 percent, while the biggest decline came from Russia, where business aviation flights plummeted 22 percent year-over-year.

“While this is drawing a disappointingly premature end to the recovery in regional activity that we saw in 2018, the month was still one of the busiest months on record,” said WingX managing director Richard Koe. “The impetus is coming disproportionately from…super-mid, heavy, and ultra-long-range jets. This reflects the relatively strong growth of the active fleet in Europe at the top end of the market.”

Savcom Intros Secure Communications Platform for Bizav

Savcom is now offering a communications platform that allows 256-bit end-to-end encrypted phone calls, as well as encrypted text, audio-videoconferencing, and file sharing on users’ personal mobile devices and/or laptops used aboard business aircraft. The feature is built into Savcom’s user app, meaning there are no browser plug-ins or virtual private networks (VPNs) needed (some countries, including Russia and China, no longer allow visitors to establish a VPN). Savcom has an app available for both iOS and Android devices, while laptops are secured via a browser-based “Command Center."

“We founded Savcom on the commonsense belief that business aviation operators, flying expensive equipment with very important passengers and typically representing very large security-sensitive corporations, must communicate safely and securely at all times as an industry best practice,” said company CEO Martin Hamilton.

Communications methods and open systems such as cellular voice, SMS text, email, and free-to-the-public chat apps are not secure, he said. “This is especially true of foreign telecom data and voice telephony services, public Wi-Fi, and the vulnerability of personal devices that are susceptible to viruses and malware.”

According to Hamilton, there are billions of attempts made each day around the globe to steal data and do harm. “Fortune 500 corporations and high-profile and high-net-worth individuals are specifically targeted,” he added.

Boeing Launches CBP Clearance App for GA Pilots

Boeing has launched a digital application through its Jeppesen subsidiary that will simplify U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processes for general aviation pilots. Known as Mobile QuickClear and available for both the iOS and Android devices, the new app was created in partnership with Airside Mobile for encryption and data management services.

According to the company, it works seamlessly with the Mobile Passport app that is already in use by more than seven million commercial passengers. Mobile QuickClear securely collects passport information and relays it to CBP agents to expedite the manifest clearance process.

The new app’s launch also expands the scope of Mobile Passport to include private aircraft passengers and is expected to reduce clearance errors and related fines or penalties on air travelers by as much as 30 percent. “Mobile QuickClear helps pilots manage the entire customs process in one place, improving their efficiency by enabling easier access to required clearance information,” said William Ampofo, v-p of business and general aviation with Boeing Global Services. 

“Innovative applications like Mobile QuickClear are critical for the future of aviation,” added Mark Baker, president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), which supported its development. “Simplifying the international customs process will give more time back to pilots to focus on other tasks and enhance the flying experience.”

Kashmir Crisis Threatens Pakistani Airspace Closure

The amendment to the Indian constitution on August 6 that revoked special autonomy status to Muslim-dominated Kashmir has raised tensions between India and Pakistan and appears likely to lead to the closure of Pakistani airspace once again. Pakistan’s airspace closure from February to mid-July had caused major losses to both nations in overflying revenues. Now, airlines have begun plans to again reroute flights over Pakistan to and from India.

“Flights may be flying, but they may not be taking the optimum route,” an Indian safety official said. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority told AIN that it “will inform as and when such a decision is made.”

Meanwhile, following a security committee meeting led by Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, Pakistan said it plans to downgrade its diplomatic relationship and suspend bilateral trade with India. Pakistani minister for aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan said last month that the CAA suffered a loss of $50 million because of the airspace restrictions. India lost around $83 million. Closure of airspace affected not just SpiceJet and Air India flying to Kabul, but exports from India fell by 30 percent. Airlines such as Air Astana temporarily withdrew all services. 

Paramount Bizjets Outlines Industry Recruitment Efforts

Charter broker and jet card provider Paramount Business Jets is supporting a variety of initiatives and scholarships to build the ranks of young people entering the aviation industry, the Virginia-based firm announced today. “I absolutely believe those of us who’ve found our own callings within the aviation community have a responsibility to help these students reach their full potential and to develop our industry’s future,” said Paramount CEO and founder Richard Zaher.

Its flagship effort is the Paramount Business Jets Aviation Scholarship, which is a total of $2,500 awarded annually to three current aviation students attending a university, college, or flight-training program. The Paramount Business Jets Scholarship Fund is a partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to ease the financial burdens for students attending its campus in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Meanwhile, on November 1 Paramount will once again support FBO operator ProJet Aviation’s annual Aviation Education and Career Expo. In its 12th year, the event hosts young adults aged 16 to 22 at ProJet’s facilities at Leesburg (Virginia) Executive Airport and is aimed at exposing them to aviation careers through exhibits and speakers. It also showcases scholarships available to students, with more than $362,000 in aviation education and flight training benefits to be awarded. This year’s event is expected to attract more than 600 students.

Pulselite Now Standard on Bell 407GXi

Precise Flight’s Pulselite will now be standard equipment on the Bell 407GXi. Pulselite is an FAA-certified lightweight electrical controller that alternately pulses helicopter landing and auxiliary lights, thereby increasing its visibility and reflecting the speed and directional movement of the aircraft. The system provides increased aircraft recognition and has been proven effective in reducing bird strikes. It may be installed as an aftermarket modification to existing aircraft.

“We believe the incorporation of the Pulselite system as standard equipment is a great addition to this aircraft as it supports operations in the most demanding environments,” said Bell’s Eric Sinusas, program director, light aircraft.

Pulselite is FAA-certified for all major rotorcraft and was recently granted foreign co-validation from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC), and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for the Bell 407. Pulselite flies on some of the world's largest rotorcraft fleets, including those of Air Methods, Metro Aviation, Maverick Helicopters, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Forest Service, and PHI Helicopters.

SkyWest To Lease ACI Jet Hangar for New Mx Base

ACI Jet will lease a 17,000-sq-ft hangar at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) to SkyWest Airlines for a maintenance base that’s expected to create more than 40 new jobs, the central California FBO operator, MRO provider, charter operator, and aircraft management firm announced late last week. The hangar, which ACI acquired and renovated, was previously an American Airlines maintenance hangar.

Housing up to five regional aircraft simultaneously, the hangar will support overnight maintenance of SkyWest’s fleet of nearly 500 regional jets. It is expected to be operational in September.

“ACI has been built by Californians committed to California and this is a great example of how we work to best serve the communities we support,” said ACI Jet CEO William Borgsmiller. “We are excited about our relationship with SkyWest Airlines and the opportunities they bring in the form of jobs to our San Luis Obispo community.” 

Borgsmiller explained that his company is working with community colleges in the area to develop an aviation maintenance program to serve as a pipeline for SkyWest and others at SBP, as well as ACI Jet, which last month was named an authorized service facility for Bombardier Business Aircraft.