GAMA: Bizjet, Piston Deliveries Up, Turboprops Down

Boosted by business jet and piston shipments, general aviation airplane billings and deliveries respectively rose 12.9 percent and 7.8 percent year-over-year, according to first-half 2019 statistics released today by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

Business jet deliveries increased by 35 units year-over-year, an improvement of 12.5 percent. Pilatus continues to ramp up production of its PC-24 light jet, handing over 16 in the first half, an increase of 13 over the previous year. Gulfstream boosted deliveries of its large cabin offerings from 37 in the first half of 2018 to 50 in the same period this year, while Embraer increased its overall deliveries year-over-year from 31 to 36. Textron bumped up its Citation output by six from 84 to 90. Dassault Falcon will release its first-half delivery data next month.

“Our mid-year report shows new aircraft reaching entry into service milestones, with additional models expected to enter into service before the end of 2019,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce.

Turboprop deliveries, however, dropped by 11.2 percent, with high-end pressurized models seeing an even greater erosion of 24 percent. Textron saw a decline of nearly 50 percent in King Air 350 deliveries year-over-year, while Piper handed over 14 of its turboprop singles in the first half of the year, compared with 23 last year.

FAA Clears Citation Longitude of Fuel Tank Issue

The FAA recently granted Textron Aviation an exemption for the Cessna Citation Longitude's fuel tank, which is expected to resolve at least one issue that has held up certification of the super-midsize jet originally expected two years ago. Company officials anticipate Longitude type certification by the end of next month.

“We are pleased that the FAA has affirmed the permanent fuel tank exemption for the Citation Longitude,” Textron Aviation said in a statement to AIN. “The purpose of the exemption is to align the Longitude’s fuel system compliant design with the regulation, which did not anticipate the type of solution used. This is the permanent means of full compliance with the regulation.” All Longitude deliveries will have a compliant fuel system, the company added.

It largely puts to rest a process that began more than a year-and-a-half ago and a requirement by the FAA that Textron Aviation asserted at one point “would result in the disruption of production deliveries of the Model 700, causing [the compny] to experience a significant loss of revenue.” Textron Aviation’s initial appeal for exemption in February 2018 centered around a difference in interpretation between the FAA and the company on what constitutes a center fuel tank.

Tamarack Obtains Financing During Bankruptcy Reorg

Active winglet developer Tamarack Aerospace Group has received U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval for $1.95 million in debtor-in-possession financing, the Sandpoint, Idaho company announced on Friday. “This financing from friendly investors is now the only debt secured by our IP [intellectual property] and is an important step in our reorganization, which allows us to continue serving our expanding fleet,” said Tamarack president Jacob Klinginsmith.

The “friendly investors” includes a group of customers who have purchased Tamarack's Atlas active winglet system, vendors, and other stakeholders “who are committed to Tamarack’s future,” the company added. In June, Tamarack filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, citing FAA and EASA Airworthiness Directives that effectively grounded Atlas-equipped Cessna CitationJets as the primary cause.

Those groundings have since been lifted, with the FAA and EASA having agreed that previously-issued Tamarack Service Bulletins were all that was necessary to comply with the ADs. “We’re excited to be back on track with our sales and installation process,” Klinginsmith said. “We have several installations scheduled or in process now, and we’re seeing strong interest. It’s going to be a good second half of the year.”

AirMed Bolsters Reach to Central, South America

AirMed International has acquired a Nextant 400XTi for its base in San Antonio, Texas, which joins a Beechjet and two Beechcraft King Airs there, the air ambulance provider announced today. The aircraft will provide transport to emergent and non-emergent patients, as well as for organ transplant teams.

“We will be able to build on our footprint, which extends to Mexico, Central America, and over water to South America,” said AirMed president Denise Treadwell. “From our San Antonio base, we also fly throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.”

A remanufactured version of the Beechjet 400A/400XP, the 400XTi is outfitted with a pair of 3,052-pound-thrust Williams FJ44-3AP engines, giving it a range of 2,160 nm with NBAA IFR reserves, and Collins Aerospace Pro Line 21 avionics. AirMed’s 400XTi also was outfitted for international medical transport by Elliott Aviation.

A U.S. Department of Defense contracted carrier and preferred fixed-wing air medical transport provider for the Mayo Clinic, AirMed has operated more than 20,000 missions in all 50 states and in more than 150 countries on six continents.

Bizjets Make Up Majority of EMAS Arrestments

Since the first engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) was installed in 1999 at JFK International Airport, there have been 15 incidents where an aircraft has rolled onto an EMAS during an overrun, the FAA said. The first such encounter was by a Saab 340 at JFK in May 1999, while the most recent incident involved an Embraer Phenom 100 at Kansas City Downtown Airport in February.

Business jets accounted for eight of the incidents, with airliners making up the balance. No serious injuries resulted to the 406 crew and passengers aboard those flights that were safely stopped by an EMAS. Currently, EMAS has been installed at 116 runway ends at 69 airports in the U.S., with plans to install three more at two U.S. airports.

EMAS uses crushable material placed at the end of a runway to stop an aircraft that overruns the runway. The tires of the aircraft sink into the lightweight material and the aircraft decelerates as it rolls through the material. An EMAS installation can stop an aircraft going up to 70 knots from overrunning the runway.

Although FAA Advisory Circular 150/5220-22B notes that EMAS may not be as effective for incidents involving aircraft with mtows of less than 25,000 pounds, safe stops did occur for two jets with mtows under 20,000 pounds: a Beechjet and the aforementioned Phenom 100.

Asset Insight Offers Free Access to Aircraft Info

Asset Insight has made in-depth and real-time business jet valuation information available free of charge through its eValues system, the business aircraft valuation firm announced on Friday. The new offering includes serial-number-specific market values accounting for actual modifications, hourly cost maintenance program coverage, and maintenance inspection completions, as well as current and projected values by make, model, and year of manufacture.

“The industry has been seeking transparency, standardization, and timely information from the vast sources of data produced by business aviation,” said Asset Insight president Tony Kioussis. “Previously, this information had to be aggregated from various sources, at a fee, limiting knowledge for individual aircraft owners and small businesses. By providing this intelligence to all members of the eValues community, and at no cost, Asset Insight is providing the means for community members to communicate knowledgeably and efficiently about their aircraft and the industry at large.”

For those requiring additional information, Asset Insight said it has lowered its subscription fee to $99 a month. That includes appraisals by its American Society of Appraisers accredited staff at a member-only rate. The eValues system can be accessed online through a desktop or mobile device and subscribers can choose between free and paid plans that track covered aircraft.

Clay Lacy Expands To Naples with GV

Clay Lacy Aviation is expanding its international travel capabilities from South Florida with the addition of a Gulfstream GV to its fleet. Based at Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF), the 12-passenger GV provides Clay Lacy with a third location in South Florida, joining a Bombardier Global 6000 at Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI) and a Challenger 350 at Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport (KOPF).

“We are delighted to offer the first ultra-long-range business jet for charter at the Naples Airport,” said Clay Lacy senior v-p Chris Hand. “This beautiful GV is capable of nonstop flights from Naples to destinations throughout the Western Hemisphere, North Africa, and Europe.”

Sporting a recent update to the interior, the aircraft is fitted with 4G Wi-Fi, three interior monitors, Airshow moving map, audio streaming, and power outlets at each seat. It further is stocked with four iPads and includes a fully equipped galley. The three-zone aircraft offers spaces designed for work, entertainment and comfort, including divans that convert into beds for longer flights.

IBAC Looks To Draw Small Ops To IS-BAO in Latin America

The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) is hoping to build further participation in the International Standard for Business Aviation Operators (IS-BAO) and International Standard for Business Aircraft Handler (IS-BAH) programs throughout the Latin American region, especially among smaller entities.

“Overall, the programs help operators and handlers minimize hazards and reduce the likelihood of accidents and incidents,” said Kurt Edwards, the director general of IBAC. “It is reasonable to think that implementing IS-BAO shows a commitment to safety and excellence. Almost all operators are already doing 90 percent of what any IS-BAO operator is doing. They just haven’t documented their processes.”

He acknowledged that documentation could seem daunting to some, but said, “It should not be viewed that way at all.” Several of the largest commercial operators and flight departments in Brazil are registered, as are large operators in other parts of the region. IBAC, however, believes that large and small operators alike could benefit.

“This is a performance-based program that can be scaled to any type of operation,” Edwards said. “There are more small aircraft and helicopters operating in Brazil and throughout Latin America that could benefit from the structure, SMS, and just culture aspects of IS-BAO implementation.”

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