VistaJet Would Like To Add Up to 10 Global 7500s

Vista Global Holding, owner of all-Bombardier large-cabin charter fleet operator VistaJet, could buy up to 10 Global 7500s, VistaJet COO Ian Moore said this week at MEBAA 2018. “We haven’t decided how many we’re likely to take,” Moore said. “It’s a $70 million aircraft, and we have to be careful not to burden the company [with debt]. If you ask me what I would like: between five and ten 7500s in the future.” But Thomas Flohr, VistaJet founder and chairman, does hold several delivery position options for the 7500 in his name, according to Moore.

Any Global 7500 purchased by Vista would likely first go to individual entities through recently formed Vista Leasing, Moore said, before any would be added to VistaJet’s charter fleet. But he believes the model would find favor among the clientele of VistaJet’s product, particularly given the long-range missions the company’s fleet is designed to support.

Were Vista Global to proceed with purchase plans, the first option would be exercised in the third quarter of 2019, and the aircraft would then first go on a showcase tour. Meanwhile, the company currently has no plans to order the new Global 5500 or 6500, Moore said. “I have another 30 percent capacity in the fleet we already have,” he explained. “My job is to sell into the fleet and deleverage the company."

Elliott STCs Electronic Window Shades, Lighting Systems

Elliott Aviation has received an STC for its Prizm brand LED lighting and electronically dimmable Smart Vision Shades systems. Prizm, which is expandable to meet the needs of most turbine-powered business aircraft, features full-color spectrum mood lighting, controlled through a mobile application or existing lighting controls. It is available for upwash, downwash, lower accent, galley, lavatory, and cupholders, complete with preset, selectable lighting configurations.

The Smart Vision Shades are inner window panes with five different colors of electronically dimmable film. They feature variable control for each window and can block up to 99 percent of UV rays. In conjunction with Prizm, they can also be adjusted via an app. The STC installation on both was completed in a Cessna Citation Excel.

“Aircraft repair stations and refurbishment centers have been looking for a solution that is both well designed and cost-effective for LED lighting and electronically dimmable shades,” said Mark Wilken, Elliott’s vice president of avionics programs and operational logistics. “They’re easy to use, easy to install, and will be available at a price point that is affordable to the end-user.”

The company is currently ramping up production on the systems, which will be available from approved dealers and aircraft OEMs early next year under the Elliott Technologies label.

Baker Aviation Breaks Ground on New FTW HQ

Texas-based aircraft maintenance, management, and charter provider Baker Aviation has broken ground on a new headquarters facility at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (FTW). The development signals the centralization of the company’s business at FTW, as it plans to relocate its Part 145 repair station there from nearby Addison Airport in January.

The project on the east side of the airport consists of a 30,500-sq-ft climate-controlled maintenance hangar, which will be completed by November 2019, and a 35,850-sq-ft hangar with a spacious lobby, which will house the company’s Part 135 aircraft charter and management unit, scheduled for completion the following January. Both will feature 28-foot-high doors to accommodate the latest large-cabin business jets.

“This is a terrific opportunity for us to carry out our strategy to further expand the Baker operation,” said Roy Goyco Jr., president and CEO of the company’s aviation maintenance division. “Just seven years ago, we established the Part 145 repair station and quickly expanded into three hangars at Addison Airport 30 miles from here. As we centralize our operations, our existing infrastructure will remain intact, including the experienced and talented team of employees who are familiar to our clients.”

Swiss Firm Wins EASA Part 145 Approval

Nomad Technics, the maintenance subsidiary of Switzerland-based Nomad Aviation, has received EASA Part 145 approval to perform full line and base maintenance on a variety of business and commercial aircraft at its Basel location. “We are excited that we have been awarded the EASA maintenance organizational approval, which is a great expansion of our range of business aviation services,” said company executive chairman Heinz Koehli.

The approvals include the Bombardier Global family, up to the Model 6000, as well as the Challenger 600 and 800 series and CRJ 100; Embraer Legacy 600/650 and EMB-135; and Cessna Citation CJ1, CJ2, and CJ3.

The company occupies a dedicated 80,000-sq-ft (7,400-sq-m) hangar at EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, along with another 75,000 sq ft (7,000 sq m) of ramp space. It can provide hangarage there for bizliner-class aircraft.

“We are looking forward to inviting operators of Embraer, Bombardier, and Cessna aircraft at our facility to maintain their assets and to build relationships with industry partners,” noted Roman Hug, the company’s director of maintenance and CAMO.

FAA Soliciting Input on Florida Airspace Changes

The U.S. FAA is planning a series of public meetings early next year to solicit public input as it develops new flight paths for operations over Central and South Florida. Through its South-Central Florida Metroplex project, the FAA is replacing dozens of existing air traffic procedures with more efficient satellite-based routes. Similar initiatives have been completed or are under way at 11 international metropolitan areas.

Its South-Central Florida Metroplex project focuses on the four major airports in the region—Miami International (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL), Orlando International (MCO), and Tampa International (TPA)—but also will involve changed procedures for Palm Beach International (PBI) and various satellite airports.

“We encourage the public to attend the workshops to talk with experts, learn how proposed changes could affect their communities, and provide comments that we will consider as we finalize the new procedures,” said Michael O’Harra, regional administrator for the FAA Southern Region. Dates and times are still being confirmed but will be posted on the agency’s community involvement webpage and social media platforms. An environmental review will also begin in the second quarter.

Ikhana Secures FAA Nod for Twin Otter Weight Boost

Ikhana Aircraft Services received U.S. FAA approval for a 1,500-pound-mtow increase for the DHC-6-300 Twin Otter under standard commuter category operations. The Ikhana RWMI DHC-6-300HG supplemental type certificate increases the mtow of the Twin Otter from 12,500 pounds to 14,000 pounds, a 12 percent boost, and enables up to a 31 percent rise in payload based on average empty weight of 7,700 pounds, according to Ikhana.

“The FAA’s certification of our RWMI DHC-6-300HG upgrade adds significant capabilities for operators to expand their mission role, optimize payload and range, add value to their aircraft, and increase revenues,” said Ikhana president and CEO John Zublin. “This takes the aircraft well beyond its original capability.”

Ikhana previously has received FAA and Transport Canada approval for the mtow increase on the DHC-6-300 for restricted-category purposes under the RWMI DHC-6-300RG upgrade. But with RWMI DHC-6-300HG upgrade, carriers can fly the aircraft in revenue service without special-purpose restrictions. This enables carriers to carry 19 passengers with two crew and fly 450 to 500 nm.

The STC culminates an effort that has spanned several years. “This has been a long-term and intensive engineering effort for Ikhana and we are pleased that this long-awaited enhancement is now approved and available on the market,” Zublin added.

SmartJets, VIP Completions Move To New Quarters at FLL

Business aircraft broker SmartJets and its maintenances and completions affiliate, VIP Completions, relocated to new facilities on the southwest side of Florida's Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL). The facilities include 4,400 sq ft of hospitality and office space, alongside a 15,500-sq-ft hangar that can accommodate the latest generation of ultra-long-range business aircraft, including the Bombardier Global 7500. In addition, SmartJets and VIP Completions acquired a nearby workshop/warehouse location that adds another 9,500 sq ft of space.

Ben Shirazi, president of SmartJets and VIP Completions, called the opening of the new facilities the next chapter in the growth of both companies. “Building on our success, it was the right time to invest,” Shirazi said. “We are now better positioned to serve existing and prospective clients.” The location offers easy access to Bombardier and Embraer business jet service centers and is next to FLL's international terminal, he added.

Along with the opening of the new facilities, Manny Kapranos was appointed director of sales and marketing for both companies, based in the companies’ new Montreal office. Kapranos has 12 years of international business aviation experience, including holding senior roles with Bombardier's aerospace division.

Airbus Enrolls First Skywise ACJ319 Operator

Airbus has signed the first ACJ319 operator to its Skywise data management platform. MJet of Austria, which has operated the bizliner since 2012, will now be able to integrate its own operational, maintenance, and aircraft data into the system, allowing it to store, access, manage, and analyze selected data from the airframer’s own fleet data collection.

Launched in June, Skywise provides all users with a single access point for that enriched data, achieved by combining input from multiple industry sources. According to Airbus, that will provide new insights at the aircraft, company, and global level, allowing users to enhance their operations by improving operational reliability, reducing operational interruptions, and identifying efficiencies, cost savings, and enhanced revenue opportunities.

MJet will also work with the OEM to further develop product and support services specifically for ACJ operators. Currently, there are nearly 200 ACJs in service globally.

Make Your Voice Heard in the 2019 FBO Survey

AIN’s FBO survey is open for year-round feedback, but the deadline to vote in the 2019 survey is February 8. The results will be published in the April issue. The survey takes only a minute, and you can do it while waiting for passengers, on the shuttle bus to/from the hotel or any other time that is convenient for you. Participants will be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card. Log on to www.ainonline.com/fbosurvey to rate your experiences at the FBOs you visit.