Textron Aviation Announces Wichita Layoffs

Textron Aviation will lay off some employees at its Wichita headquarters effective December 31, the airframer announced today. Positions primarily affected by the layoff are professional, the manufacturer said in a statement to AIN, including engineers and business support staff.

Company officials wouldn’t disclose the number of positions affected. Textron’s hourly workers in manufacturing and customer support aren’t expected to be affected by the job cuts. Textron employs about 9,500 people in Kansas, the majority in Wichita, where it assembles Beechcraft piston airplanes and Cessna turboprops and Citation twinjets.

The action follows a voluntary retirement program Textron offered recently to some salaried-exempt employees in Wichita. Just eight months ago, CEO Ron Draper told 600 customers and suppliers gathered at its annual customer conference in Wichita that Textron had hired 1,000 people in 2018 and expected to add another 1,000 this year.

“Textron Aviation remains focused on our long-term strategic workforce plan and will continue hiring as needed for skilled advanced aviation manufacturing positions such as composites, tooling, A&P mechanics, avionics technicians, and other direct manufacturing and customer support jobs,” the company said in its statement today.

In the third quarter, the company reported mixed deliveries on revenue of $1.2 billion and a profit of $104 million.

Bizjet Fleet Shrinks in Asia-Pacific as Optimism Erodes

As business confidence ebbs in Asia-Pacific, the outflow of business aircraft is currently higher than the inflow in the region, with the anticipation that the business jet fleet in the region will shrink by 1 percent to 2 percent in 2019, Jeffrey Lowe, managing director of Asian Sky Group, said in the latest edition of the Asian Sky Quarterly.

The report details responses to a moods and intentions survey, finding a 5 percent increase in pessimism from a year ago. “This has consequently translated into a higher percentage of sellers and a significantly higher percentage of the ‘I’m not sure’ when it comes to purchase intentions, increasing a whopping 10 percent so far through 2019,” Lowe said.

Net deductions in Mainland China and Hong Kong fleets are driving the decline, he said, adding in Greater China “optimism has…fallen off a cliff—from a high of 88 percent in first-quarter 2018 to a measly, dark and gloomy 32 percent in third-quarter 2019.” Exacerbating this situation is aircraft sidelined by legal proceedings surrounding financial distress. “These cases account for around 10 percent of the fleet,” Lowe said.

But he is optimistic long-term, saying the region is experiencing a market correction from the overheated growth a few years ago.

Drone Hits Newscopter over L.A.

A news helicopter cruising at 87 knots and 1,100 feet hit a drone last night over Los Angeles. The 2004 Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 (AStar) was being operated by long-time electronic newsgathering aviation and charter firm Helinet for television station KABC. The drone punctured, dented, and scraped the leading edge of the right vertical stabilizer immediately forward of the tail rotor.

The collision occurred over downtown Los Angeles at approximately 7:15 p.m. local time. Chris Christi, the news reporter aboard, said the impact initially sounded like a bird strike. It did not affect the ability of the pilot to control the helicopter, which made a safe precautionary landing.

The Air Support Division of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) dispatched its own helicopter to the scene in an attempt to locate the drone pilot. LAPD subsequently issued a statement via Twitter reminding Angelinos to “be a responsible and legal unmanned aircraft operator” and to “know the rules.” Those include a local ordinance passed in 2015 that prohibits recreational drone flights that violate federal laws or that are operated in a “careless or reckless manner.” The still-unidentified drone apparently was operating in violation of a number of them, including flight after civil twilight and flight above 400 feet agl.

Upstate NY Airport Gets Second FBO

New York’s Elmira-Corning Regional Airport (ELM) has received its second FBO with the opening of Premier Aviation. The privately-owned company now occupies a facility on the Northwest corner of the field that was formerly home to a charter flight operator.

The location offers a 28-foot-door-height, 12,000-sq-ft heated hangar that can accommodate large-cabin business jets, while the adjoining 6,000-sq-ft terminal features a passenger lounge/lobby, 12-seat conference room, snack bar, pilot lounge with snooze room and shower facilities, and flight-planning area. Amenities also include crew car, on-site car rental, and concierge service.

“We have committed over $2 million to the facilities and equipment at ELM, and we are excited about bringing enhanced aviation services to the Twin Tiers,” said company president Robert Cleary. The FBO is open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. with 24-hour call-out availability. As the newest Avfuel-branded FBO, it will participate in the Avtrip customer loyalty rewards program as well as offer contract fuel.

Premier also provides aircraft maintenance for the airport’s commercial operators and next month will open an on-site specialized brake and wheel shop as it moves toward establishing an FAA Part 145 repair station.

FAA Awards Leidos Long-term Flight Services Contract

Reston, Virginia-based technology specialist Leidos received a follow-on prime contract valued at up to $1 billion to continue to provide flight briefing services to the general aviation community under the FAA’s Future Flight Services Program (FFSP). The single-award contract covers a five-year base period and includes 10 one-year options.

Leidos initially had received a contract covering the predecessor Automated Flight Service Station program in 2005 and since has delivered a range of flight services through its flight specialist and self-service options via 1-800-wxbrief.  The contractor will continue to provide weather data, aeronautical information, and flight planning services in the contiguous U.S., Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.

In addition, Leidos will work with the FAA to improve the delivery of flight briefing services, reduce the costs of the program, update the associated technology, and engage the broader general aviation community.

"We look forward to delivering enhancements, like our interactive map application, to keep general aviation pilots better informed as they plan their flights with the FAA,” said Jim Moos, Leidos Civil Group acting group president.

Bombardier Teams with Tech School for Global 7500 Jobs

Bombardier has developed an apprenticeship program with Texas State Technical College (TSTC) to develop local skills as it ramps up manufacturing of the Global 7500 wing in Red Oak, Texas. The Canadian manufacturer acquired the Global 7500 wing program in Red Oak from Triumph Group earlier this year and signed a lease to continue production of the wing line there. Further, Bombardier retained the employees who supported the program.

Looking forward, Bombardier and TSTC have developed a two-year Bombardier aviation apprenticeship to help build a pipeline for that program, as well as provide students with an entry into the aerospace sector. Students will train at TSTC’s facilities and receive on-the-job training, enabling them “to benefit at no cost from industry-tailored modules, experienced instructors, tools, and equipment and financial support,” Bombardier said.

The program covers health, safety, and quality best practices; aircraft drawing and specification comprehension; “manufacturing appreciation of standard;” and regulatory compliance, among other topics.

“The growth of Bombardier’s Global 7500 program is paramount to the future success and development of Bombardier Aviation, and this new apprenticeship program will foster the development of a talent pipeline necessary to keep up with all of our customer demands,” said Bombardier COO Paul Sislian. “This new program will also create strong partnerships with local, state, and federal level government bodies in the Red Oak region.”

Helicopter Is This Year’s White House Ornament

This year’s official White House Christmas ornament is a helicopter. The holiday decoration is being sold to generate revenue for the non-profit White House Historical Association, which was founded in 1961 by the late first lady Jacqueline Kennedy to fund the executive mansion’s acquisition and display of Americana.

In recent years, each ornament has commemorated a symbol of a past presidency. This year's ornament is reflective of President Dwight Eisenhower, who was the first American president to regularly use a helicopter—initially an Air Force Bell 47 Ranger and later the military variant of the Sikorsky S-58, either the Army H-34C or Marine Corps UH-34, the latter depicted on the ornament. Both the Army and Marines provided rotorcraft for the executive mission up until the Ford Administration, which then gave the task exclusively to the Marines as part of an efficiency campaign. 

Eisenhower’s first flight on the UH-34 came on Sept. 7, 1957, when, while vacationing at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, he needed to make a quick day trip to Washington during the Little Rock public school integration crisis. Eisenhower took the UH-34 to Quonset Point Naval Air Station, where Air Force One was waiting on the ramp. Using the helicopter cut a two-hour car trip to seven minutes. Sikorsky has provided helicopters for the presidential mission ever since.

Hartzell Gathers Service Network at Biennial Event

Hartzell Propeller recently held its biennial three-day maintenance conference, gathering the global network of service facilities to highlight the latest on propeller safety, quality, and training. “This gathering every other year brings together propeller service professionals and business leaders from around the globe for three days of intensive update sessions with Hartzell Propeller's technical team of experts,” said JJ Frigge, executive v-p and general manager for Hartzell.

The conference reviews technology advances, warranty trends, customer service updates, industry insights, new products, and technical requirements, Frigge said. “In addition, we take the opportunity to recognize the worldwide team for making the best propeller maintenance available to pilots around the world."

Hartzell’s network of recommended service facilities and service and support centers comprises 30 independent propeller overhaul, repair, and maintenance shops strategically positioned around the world. Recommended service facilities offer services for major repairs, warranty work, and full propeller overhaul. Service and support centers, meanwhile, perform most major repairs and warranty work.

The network shop must meet Hartzell standards, in addition to complying with regulatory standards. Hartzell verifies compliance with regular on-site quality systems and process audits, along with providing training to technicians and ensuring the shops maintain the necessary approved tools and equipment. The facilities must also maintain Hartzell's special process approvals.

Land, Taxi, Park, Then Rate FBO While You Wait

Don’t wait—AIN’s FBO survey is now open for year-round feedback. It 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. Log on to www.ainonline.com/fbosurvey to rate your experiences at the FBOs you visit.