GrandView Aviation has added three new Embraer Phenom 300 light jets to its fleet and plans to add more bases in 2021 as it continues “to gain momentum amidst the pandemic,” the Baltimore, Maryland-based charter operator announced today. The new twinjets bring its Phenom 300 fleet to 10, along with Sikorsky S-76D and Bell 407GXi helicopters.
“Going into 2021, a safe and private way to travel has never been more important and we are expanding our base locations to meet more customers where they are,” said GrandView COO Jessica Naor. “We are transitioning from a regional operator to a national provider of light jets for charter.”
With a recent base opening in Scottsdale, Arizona, GrandView said it will add three more bases in 2021. The company currently operates five charter bases: Scottsdale; Baltimore; Austin, Texas; Chicago; and Atlanta. Company-wide employment is also expected to increase to 80 employees under GrandView’s expansion plans.
Also planned for 2021 is the launch of a pay-per-seat subsidiary. That’s in addition to a program allowing passengers to earn miles on charter flights that can be redeemed for catering, flight credit, and other amenities. That program also offers a flexible cancellation policy and empty-leg specials.
Gogo Completes Commercial Aviation Sale to Intelsat
Air-to-ground connectivity provider Gogo has closed on the previously announced $400 million cash sale of its commercial aviation business to Intelsat to focus exclusively on business aviation. The Broomfield, Colorado-based company will continue to be publicly traded and will use the proceeds of the sale to reduce its net debt and invest in its growth products such as Gogo 5G.
“The completion of the sale of our [commercial aviation] business to Intelsat marks the beginning of a new chapter for Gogo; we are a leader in business aviation and now turn our singular focus toward serving that attractive market,” said Gogo president and CEO Oakleigh Thorne. “Our business aviation division has proven resilient in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, as the number of business aircraft online today has nearly returned to January levels.”
According to Gogo, there are more than 1,500 business aircraft flying with its Avance L5 or L3 airborne connectivity systems installed. At the end of September, Gogo reported 5,577 aircraft were flying with its air-to-ground systems onboard and 4,737 aircraft were flying with satcom installed.
Bizav Flight Activity Decline May Be Stabilizing
Business aviation activity worldwide continues to be diminished by the Covid-19 pandemic but the overall dip in flights appears to be stabilizing, according to the latest data from WingX. As of November 26, the company’s Global Market Tracker showed activity during November to be 19 percent lower than the same period in 2019 and also slightly weaker than the October trend.
According to the industry analyst, the business aviation sector is still doing far better than the airlines, which it said have suffered a 62 percent decline in year-on-year activity for the same period. Since November 16, private jet and turboprop activity has picked up, “with a rolling seven-day average close to regaining the post-pandemic peak from mid-October.”
In the most recent period reported by WingX, North America has shown a 22 percent decline, while European traffic has been 18 percent down. But with U.S. activity bouncing back over the last week, and European activity flagging, the two regions appear to be converging. By comparison, the Asia-Pacific region has seen a 30 percent dip in flight hours, even though the number of business aviation sectors recorded is only down by 10 percent.
Bell has opened a new center in the Dallas/Fort Worth region that will support its commercial business globally. Based at the former American Airlines building about seven miles from both Bell’s headquarters and the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the Commercial Business Center (CBC) will house about 600 employees covering all commercial programs, global sales, and customer support and services. In addition, supporting business functions, supply chain, information technology, human resources, and finance personnel will be based at the location.
“As we continue to expand our footprint in Fort Worth, it is important we create a space for our employees to innovate and think creatively,” said Michael Thacker, executive v-p of commercial business and technology innovation. “Having a dedicated facility for commercial business will allow enhanced collaboration throughout the entire enterprise and support Bell’s vision to continue to advance the future of mobility and vertical flight.”
The CBC is part of a series of renovations and expansions that Bell is undertaking in the Fort Worth region. These also include a renovation at the headquarter campus and a previously announced Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC), which could accommodate growth necessary to support the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) and Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) programs.
Ascent Global To Expand Charter Biz with Acquisition
Michigan-based Ascent Global Logistics has acquired the stock of bankrupt Hageland Aviation Services in Alaska—including its assets and operating certificate—and will launch Rambler Air, which will provide scheduled air service along with passenger and cargo charter. Rambler’s launch is scheduled for early 2021 using eight Piper Navajo Chieftains and two Beechcraft 1900Ds.
“Rambler Air will provide a much-needed service to Alaskan communities and businesses,” said Ascent president and CEO Tom Stenglein. “We enter Alaska with more than four decades of running USA Jet, a [Part] 121 and 135 certified airline in the lower 48 states."
The new Anchorage-headquartered company builds on Ascent’s Arctic On-Demand charter brokerage started earlier this year exclusively for Alaska. “Alaska’s economy relies on air services more than any state in the Lower 48, making it perfect for Ascent’s proprietary air charter bid-board technology, which powers Arctic On-Demand,” said Ascent executive chairman Chris Jamroz.
As a result of the acquisition, the company expects to create up to 45 aviation jobs in Alaska. Hageland was one of several airlines in Alaska owned by RavnAir Group and operating under the name Ravn Connect, according to media reports. RavnAir filed Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy earlier this year and later converted to a liquidation bankruptcy.
Air Methods Settles Suit Over Crumbling Pitot Tubes
Air Methods, the largest air ambulance provider in the U.S., has agreed to pay $825,000 to settle a civil case filed last year by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) alleging that the company violated FAA regulations by operating a helicopter with severely corroded pitot tubes. As part of the settlement, Air Methods did not admit to any liability.
The suit stems from a 2014 FAA inspection of an Air Methods helicopter based in Tampa, Florida. According to the DOJ, Air Methods continued to fly the helicopter for several days after the inspection even though “the helicopter’s pitot tubes were severely corroded and crumbling to the touch,” and that both the helicopter OEM and Air Methods employees agreed that the condition of the tubes was outside the scope of acceptable condition. “Internally, Air Methods’ employees agreed that severely corroded pitot tubes ‘are way beyond acceptable’ and ‘indicative that our crews are not paying attention,’” the DOJ said.
“When an FAA safety inspector informs an air-ambulance company about a potential safety issue, the company needs to address it immediately,” said U.S. attorney Jason Dunn. “The consequences of not working cooperatively with the FAA to minimize safety risks can be disastrous for the crew and for those being transported while seriously ill or injured. This settlement reflects how seriously we take any regulatory violations that could create such unnecessary risks.”
Hackers Gain Access to Embraer IT Systems
Embraer on late Monday said its IT systems suffered a cyberattack, resulting in the disclosure of data allegedly attributed to the company in the early hours of November 30. The company said it identified the attack on November 25 and noted it made access to a “single environment” of the company’s computer files unavailable.
Embraer immediately began an investigation and had to isolate some of its systems to protect the overall computer network, causing a temporary effect on some of its operations, the company reported in a statement. It added that it continues to operate using so-called contingency systems and with no “material impact” on its activities.
“The company is using all its efforts to fully normalize its operations, investigate the circumstances of the attack, determine whether there is any impact on its business and third parties, and define the measures to be taken,” said Embraer. “The company will keep the market informed of subsequent developments arising from this event.”
Coleal To Head Up Incora as CEO
David Coleal, who recently departed Bombardier Aviation as president, has stepped into a new role as CEO of global supply chain management specialist Incora. Based in Valencia, California, Incora was formed earlier this year through the $1.9 billion acquisition of Wesco Aircraft by global investment firm Platinum Equity and merger with Platinum portfolio company Pattonair.
Rebranded as Incora, the combined Wesco and Pattonair entity created a $2.4 billion business with a footprint of 60 locations across 17 countries. Incora provides a suite of supply management services, including just-in-time, chemical management, kitting, vending, and redistribution for the aerospace, defense, and other industries.
Coleal brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience to this role. During his tenure at Bombardier, the Global 7500 was brought to market and the Global 5500 and 6500 were introduced and brought to market.
In addition to knowledge gained from an OEM that works with a wide net of suppliers, Coleal has experience from the supply side as executive v-p at Spirit AeroSystems.
“I am very proud and excited to lead the talented team at Incora,” Coleal said. “This merger of the world’s leading supply chain solutions companies Wesco Aircraft and Pattonair allows us a broader reach and scale to provide our customers with the most innovative and integrated solutions in the industries we serve.”
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People in Aviation
Argus International hired Mike McCready to serve as senior v-p of operations and business development. McCready, who brings 25 years of aviation experience to his new role, previously founded the consultancy World Jet Group and has served with Jet Aviation and The Boeing Company/Jeppesen.
Panasonic Avionics appointed Abby Bried as v-p and general counsel. Bried, the past president of the International Aviation Women’s Association who has been in trade groups such as the International Air Transport Association and Airlines for America, has 25 years of aviation experience and most recently was a partner with the international law firm Jenner & Block in Washington, D.C.
Adyson Aviation Group named Rich Eilers U.S. sales director. Eilers brings a 26-year background in the luxury assets business to his new role, most recently as customer service manager of Viking Yachting Center.
Jet Support Services named Pascale Barhouch director of business development for the Middle East and India. Barhouch has 13 years of experience, previously holding senior sales and marketing roles with Abjad Group, Rizon Jet, and, most recently, Gogo Business Aviation.
PHI Americas appointed James Maner chief pilot. Maner, who also has worked as a line training captain for PHI, previously served as chief pilot and director of training for Bristow.
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