Kopter has frozen the design of its SH09 turbine single-engine helicopter and will begin assembly of its first production aircraft by mid-2020, the company announced yesterday. It further said the final design will be revealed next month at Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California, where it plans to present a full-scale mockup of the helicopter kitted with a seven-seat “Traveller” configuration designed and manufactured in cooperation with Metro Aviation.
The design freeze comes one year after Kopter began accelerated flight testing of prototype P3 at its flight-test center in Pozzalla, Sicily. Kopter also said it would reveal its SH09 training simulator developed with VRM Switzerland at Heli-Expo.
Earlier this year, Kopter announced it was redesigning the SH09 to feature a larger cabin and increased mtow. At that time, the company said the redesign allowed the helicopter to carry an additional passenger and increase its mtow to 6,613 pounds from 6,283 pounds, due in part to a redesign of the fuel tank system. In October, Kopter revealed that it had successfully tested a new main gearbox aboard aircraft P3.
The Swiss company claims it has orders for more than 70 SH09 helicopters.
NetJets today launched QS Security Services to provide global security as an add-on option for its customers. The new subsidiary will also help to enhance NetJets’ crew security by vetting airport-hotel transportation/routes and hotels used for crew rest, according to Jack VanderStoep, v-p of global security at NetJets and the head of QS Security Services.
QS Security Services will initially be offered as a premium service on select routes with tiered security packages that correspond to both the destination threat level and passenger needs. Currently, security packages are being offered at Paris Le Bourget and popular destinations in Mexico, VanderStoep told AIN. This will be progressively expanded to the rest of North America and Europe next year and Central and South America, the Middle East, and Africa in 2021, with worldwide coverage expected in 2023.
Security packages range from vetted limo transportation services and routes to armed convoys employing armored vehicles, in addition to close-protection agents and medically trained personnel. QS Security will also be able to provide onboard armed security officers to meet Homeland Security requirements to operate into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Beyond the currently-available executive protection services, the subsidiary later plans to add security consulting and training to its portfolio.
QS Security Services will also eventually provide security for customers of NetJets subsidiaries NetJets Europe and Executive Jet Management, said VanderStoep.
November ADS-B Equipage Rate Continues Modest Ascent
ADS-B equipage of U.S. business and general aviation turbine-powered aircraft rose modestly from a month ago and was up by double-digits from a year ago, according to FlightAware’s November 2019 ADS-B report released yesterday. Eighty-eight percent of business and general aviation turbine aircraft—15,520—were compliant with the FAA’s January 2020 mandate in November, a 3 percent increase from October and 24 percent higher than the 10,107 equipped aircraft reported last November.
The aircraft types with the highest equipage rates in the period were the Cessna Citation Latitude and Embraer Legacy 450 twinjets, both at 100 percent; followed by the Cessna Citation CJ4 at 98 percent; and the Citation Sovereign, Dassault Falcon 7X, Gulfstream G650, and Honda HA-420 HondaJet, all at 97 percent.
Leading aircraft with the lowest ADS-B equipage rates for the period was the Air Tractor AT-802, 42 percent, followed by the Quest Kodiak, 59 percent; Cessna Citation III, 67 percent; Learjet 55, 70 percent; and Dassault Falcon 20, 72 percent. According to the report, 2,099 U.S.-registered turbine aircraft remain unequipped.
Gulfstream Mod Ends G650/650ER Speed Restriction
Gulfstream has released Aircraft Service Change (ASC) 134 for the G650/650ER that modifies the rudder trailing edge contour to prevent an aircraft yawing condition in the event of rudder control failure. Once completed, this modification eliminates a speed restriction for the twinjet “to remain at or below 250 KCAS/Mach 0.925, which is typically not an impact in cruise flight.” The limit came per a maintenance and operations letter issued by Gulfstream last month, following an October 24 rudder control failure incident that resulted in yawing motion not previously “seen on in-service G650 aircraft and did not take place during flight testing."
According to Gulfstream, ASC 134 incorporates a rudder trailing edge wedge installation to adjust the rudder hinge moment characteristics in sideslip to avoid adverse aircraft response in the event of a rudder control failure. To ensure fleet compliance with the ASC, Gulfstream will release a Customer Bulletin to require installing the wedge within 12 months.
A Gulfstream spokeswoman told AIN that all required parts inventory has been procured and is readily available to support installation. “There are more than 50 dedicated teams across 16 Gulfstream and Jet Aviation facilities approved to perform the installation; this total includes Field and Airborne Service (FAST) teams to perform work, or required training, at additional locations if/as necessary,” she added.
Mente: Used Bizjet Market Busy, Balanced as Year Ends
The preowned business jet market is seeing a flurry of activity and more balance as the year ends, according to brokerage Mente Group. However, the Dallas-based firm is less certain that balance will remain in 2020.
"With more aircraft on the market recently, buyers and sellers are seeking to make deals before the end of the year to hedge against the economic, political, and tax uncertainties that 2020 might bring,” said Mente president and CEO Brian Proctor. He added that the market is finding an equilibrium now with an even number of buyers and sellers seeking to make deals.
"We have seen some slight price declines recently that have offset higher prices on a slower volume earlier in the year,” he said. Since the currently favorable tax climate could change in 2020, both buyers and sellers have been trying to lock in certainty in recent months, Proctor noted.
These concerns are heightened by the fact that several international economies are teetering on recession. Adding to that are the ongoing impeachment hearings and the upcoming election. With these uncertainties, the future market could shift in favor of buyers, he said.
"With all of this going on as we wind up the year, the preowned aircraft market is trying to get ahead of potential changes. So aircraft brokers and lenders have been busy lately,” he concluded.
New Madrid GAT Ready for Operations
After nearly a year of work, the renovation of the general aviation terminal (GAT) at Spain’s Madrid Barajas Airport has been completed. In January, a consortium consisting of Universal Aviation Spain, United Aviation Service, and General Aviation Service was selected by Aena SME, the government-owned company that manages the country’s airports, to renovated and co-manage the general aviation terminals at Madrid, as well as Barcelona El Prat International Airport, under the names of Spanish FBO-Madrid and Spanish FBO-Barcelona, respectively.
In addition to shared common lounges, the GAT at Madrid features private crew and VIP lounges and facilities for each of the three companies’ clients. A common area also features a “living wall."
Arriving aircraft will be met on the ramp and their passengers and crew will be driven to the GAT—a ride of five minutes. All customs, immigration, and quarantine inspections will be performed there, as well as luggage x-ray scanning. After this, users can either access the shared common lounges for a fee or use their handler’s private lounges at no additional charge.
The upgrade project at the Barcelona GAT is expected to be finished by the end of next month, according to a Universal spokesman.
Amstat Upgrades Dashboard for Premier, Connect Users
Users of Amstat’s Premier and Connect services have access to a new customizable dashboard that allows them to select the information that they want to see, the New Jersey-based business aircraft market research provider announced. Using widgets, the upgraded dashboard enables users to track the information that’s most important to them.
For example, Amstat’s “For Sale Summary” and “Fleet Quickview” have been updated to allow users to have multiple widgets, each showing different aircraft makes and models, as well as the ability to track multiple markets at the same time. Another new widget, called the “Saved Search Territory Map,” puts the results of their saved searches on a global map that can be resized and enlarged. Users also can customize where on the screen the widgets are displayed.
“Amstat’s motivation for this new release was a desire to increase our user’s efficiency and to let them organize information in the way that best lets them work,” said company senior product innovator Kit Tankhiwale.
FAA Expands LAANC Drone Program
The FAA announced two important expansions of its automated drone flight application and airspace approval process for drones—the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) program. The agency added four major airports where the program is now available—Baltimore BWI, Washington Dulles, Houston Hobby, and Newark Liberty. The airports join the list of 400 air traffic facilities covering 600 airports where LAANC is available.
Further, the FAA added seven UAS service providers approved to provide access to LAANC—Airspacelink, Avision, Botlink, Collins Aerospace, Drone Up, Simulyze, and Skygrid—bringing the total number of approved UAS service providers to 21. More than 170,000 authorizations have been approved through LAANC since 2017.
Originally limited to Part 107 pilots, the program was expanded in July to provide near-real-time authorizations to recreational UAS pilots. “The program’s continued expansion further increases the ability of drone pilots to gain safe and efficient access to controlled airspace nationwide,” the FAA said.
Tomorrow’s Aviation Challenges
AIN is developing a 14-part series of articles and infographics that speak to “Tomorrow’s Aviation Challenges.” Drawing on the knowledge base of experts at Honeywell Aerospace, AIN will explore a variety of topics over the coming weeks, including safety in the world of autonomous flight, harnessing the power of big data, beyond the 2020 ADS-B mandate, and reducing pilot fatigue to increase productivity and safety.
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People in Aviation
Southern Cross Aircraft added Denise Alonso to its aircraft sales team. Alonso, who will represent Southern Cross in Brazil, brings 16 years of aviation sales experience to her new role, holding positions with charter, fractional ownerships, airport real estate, and manufacturers.
Western Aircraft promoted Steve Myers to jet service manager and Steve Rozbora to turboprop production manager. Myers has served with Western Aircraft for 13 years, holding roles previously as lead and team lead. Rozbora previously spent 21 years with Honeywell.
Gulfstream appointed Julien Nargeot regional v-p of sales for Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and Brian McCarthy as regional sales manager in the region. Nargeot brings 12 years of business jet OEM experience to his new role, including providing pilot training, operational support, aircraft technical support, customer service, and, most recently, holding a sales role in the Middle East. McCarthy joins Gulfstream with nine years of business aviation experience, most recently as a sales manager for an aircraft brokerage company, responsible for the sales and acquisition of preowned and new business aircraft in the Northeast U.S. and Asia-Pacific markets.
The Mason City Airport Commission appointed David Sims airport manager of Mason City Municipal Airport in Iowa. He succeeds Pamela Osgood, who is retiring after serving as airport manager for 17 years, as well as a 29-year career with the airport commission. Sims has spent the past 13 years serving in airport operations at Mason City.
Frédéric Lino was named v-p of purchasing of Safran Electrical & Power. He succeeds Patrick Prulhière, who has become v-p of purchasing for Safran Helicopter Engines. Most recently v-p of purchasing at Safran Landing Systems, Lino joined the company after serving with the Laboratory of Accidentology and Biomechanics, which was created by PSA Peugeot Citroën and Renault, and later for Renault Group.
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