Environmentalists Tout Report in Supersonics Opposition
As manufacturers make strides in advancing the next generation of civil supersonic transports (SST), environmental groups are stepping up opposition with a new study they say shows supersonic aircraft would be a “dirty, noisy climate disaster.”
The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) released the study this week, finding supersonic airplanes would produce 96 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year—or roughly the combined emissions of American, Delta, and Southwest Airlines in 2017. Frequented regions could be exposed to between 150 and 200 sonic booms per day, it added. The study is based on a premise of “a new unconstrained SST network” of 2,000 aircraft by 2035.
“The aviation industry should be reducing its massive carbon footprint, not enlarging it with exorbitant luxuries for the super-wealthy,” said Clare Lakewood, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity.
Supersonic business jet (SSBJ) developer Spike Aerospace, however, disputed the findings, saying they are based on unfounded assumptions and adding the study was released in the interest of “fear mongering.” The company stressed, “The environmental groups should start a discussion with us on their concerns, rather than preemptively suggesting we are destroying the planet.” Spike added that its own SSBJ in the works will not create the loud sonic boom as claimed by the study.
As a new year begins, I wanted to take the pulse of the preowned business jet market by reaching out to some of my closest colleagues. Every year, throughout much of January, the calls seem to be a little slower than normal. I typically attribute this to everyone shaking off the ride of the previous year and looking inward to their own personal and corporate priorities.
This year is no different, but the typical reasons are occurring in conjunction with a few other distractions and possible game changers that one could mistake for a possible flu. The partial U.S. government shutdown could certainly be billed as more than a distraction, the stock market volatility, and trade discussions with China seesawing are also creating conversation and concern.
What will these year’s opening events do to the confidence in and the certainty of our marketplace? Once all this clears up and surely it will, is the underlying strength of our market still going be as strong of a foundation as we enjoyed over the last 24 months? My sense, and that of several of my colleagues that I have spoken to, is “Yes!”
The Super Bowl has already kicked off at Atlanta airports, which have begun welcoming private aircraft for Sunday's big game. Parking reservations and slots are required from January 29 to February 5, and FBOs reported being virtually sold out days before.
At DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, arrival slots for the three FBOs (Atlantic Aviation, Epps Aviation, and Signature Flight Support) are scheduled at three-minute intervals. Fulton County Airport, closest to the game site and home of Hill Aircraft, expects 15 to 16 arrivals per hour. At Cobb County International, the sole international GA field, Hawthorne Global Aviation Services anticipates some 1,000 operations, including an arrival from Australia. Reservations are about $1,500 to $1,700 at most FBOs, in line with rates seen at recent Super Bowls.
Most airports have created overflow parking areas, and large-cabin jets account for a great preponderance of the transients straining ramp space. VIP tents, catered viewing parties, and giveaways are among the activities FBOs are hosting, along with shuttle service by Maserati. Bombardier is also using the event to highlight its new Global 7500, and Dassault is showing a Falcon 8X. Most FBOs have imported additional line, maintenance, and customer service staff members to handle the surge, while several OEMs have brought in mobile maintenance vehicles to handle any AOG situations.
Leonardo Opens Helicopter Support Facility in Louisiana
Leonardo Helicopters opened a new customer support facility yesterday in Broussard, Louisiana, bringing the number of such centers in the Americas to four. The 21,000-sq-ft repair and warehouse facility is situated on a two-acre site and will initially employ 15, provide 24/7 customer support, stock a wide variety of helicopter parts, and provide a far-ranging menu of repair services, including blade repair and mobile blade repair. It also includes space for sales, tech reps, and engineering support. Three tech reps will be based there.
The Gulf Coast Support Center is strategically positioned to support the approximately 90 AW139s, 40 AW119s, and numerous W109s operating in the region, according to Michael Hotze, Leonardo’s vice president of customer support and training for AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp. Regional customers include major offshore energy helicopter service companies Arrow Aviation, Bristow Group, ERA, and PHI.
Troy Penny, who will be the general manager at Broussard, said the facility will be able to overhaul a set of rotor blades in 21 days and throughput up to 1,500 blades per year. Turn times for most repairs will be 30 days or less, while complex repairs and overhauls will be 60 days or less, he said. The Broussard facility will provide area customers with pick-up and delivery service using a dedicated truck and, when possible, provide same-day service.
As the industry concerns grow over the labor shortage, MRO AAR has released a new report that explores opportunities to expand the pool of aviation maintenance workers. The report, “EAGLE Pathways: Bridging the Middle-Skills Gap to Careers in Aviation,” looks at means to bring in new workers and track progress through public-private partnerships, targeted recruitment, and career paths that provide for advancement.
It points to areas of potential recruitment, including the estimated 6.5 million discouraged or underemployed American workers, military veterans, and historically underrepresented workers such as women, African Americans, and Latinos. Prospects also include students who prefer a less expensive two-year degree or industry skills certifications to more costly a four-year degree.
Industry research has estimated a need for 189,000 new aviation maintenance technicians in North America alone through 2037. However, nearly 30 percent of the existing force is nearing retirement, while new hires represent only about 2 percent of workers.
AAR said it has been building partnerships with various cities, states, and schools to ensure its pipeline. In fact, AAR president and CEO John Holmes was in Indianapolis this week to discuss Indiana’s Next Level Jobs initiative with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and other local and state officials. That initiative includes employer-training grants of up to $50,000.
As ADS-B Mandate Looms, ACSS Ships 10,000th NXT Unit
With U.S. and European ADS-B Out mandates nearing, ACSS announced yesterday that it has delivered the 10,000th production unit of its NXT mode-S transponder family. The company, a joint venture between L3 and Thales, said its NXT-600, -700, and -800 units provide business, commercial, and military aircraft the capability to operate in ADS-B airspace.
Thus, the FAA and EASA mandates requiring aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B Out by January 2020 and June 2020, respectively, have led to a significant uptick in orders and deliveries, it said. Yesterday’s milestone follows the delivery of ACSS’s 5,000th NXT unit in March 2018, about four years after the NXT family’s introduction.
“The industry has worked hard to put plans in place to meet the upcoming FAA and EASA deadlines,” said ACSS president Terry Flaishans. “We’ve been working closely with operators and airlines for a number of years to fully prepare them for this change, and the delivery of our 10,000th unit is a testament to this. However, there are a number of smaller carriers and business jet operators that still need to complete the necessary planning. We strongly recommend that they conclude this shortly, with the mandate now a matter of months away.”
American Aero Nets Everest Fuel Award for Excellence
American Aero FTW at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport was among the first FBOs to receive the inaugural Everest Fuel Preferred Award this week at the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Contract fuel services supplier Everest Fuel said the award honors its highest-performing FBOs “for their unwavering commitment to safe operations, excellent service, modern facilities, and taking a long-term approach to relationships.”
Selection criteria included an on-site audit to confirm adherence to ATA 103 fuel quality control procedures and NATA Safety 1st or other equivalent training for line service personnel.
“We are proud to receive the Everest Fuel Preferred Award, as it is further acknowledgment of the incomparable standards that we have set for ourselves,” said American Aero founder Robert Bass. “Our mission is to provide an exceptional experience for our clients at every touchpoint. We don’t just adhere to best practices; we aim to set the pace for the industry.”
American Aero, which opened its new FBO facility in 2017, has also earned ICAO’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) Stage 2 registration.
Australia Plans Mandatory Drone Registration
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority has proposed rules for a graduated implementation process for drone registration and accreditation of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operators. CASA aims to implement initial registration requirements on July 1.
The registration mandate would apply to commercial operators of drones of any size and to recreational users of drones weighing more than 250 grams (0.55 pounds). Drones weighing 250 grams or less, those operated from CASA-approved model airfields, and RPAs operated indoors would be excluded from both the registration and pilot accreditation requirements.
Pilot accreditation would be free and involve watching a video and answering a quiz on drone rules. The annual cost of drone registration will depend on whether it is flown for recreation or profit, with a $20 or lower annual fee planned for the former and a range from $100 to $160 per drone annually for commercial use.
The rules will be finalized as is or might include changes based on comments CASA is soliciting from interested parties. Comments are due February 22.
Count on AIN for Full Coverage of Heli-Expo
As ever, you can count on AIN for full coverage of the 2019 Heli-Expo Convention. Our team will publish three of our award-winning daily HAI Convention News editions at the show on March 5, 6, and 7. We will also have comprehensive real-time reporting of all the top news at AINonline.com and in our daily e-newsletters. If you are an exhibiting company that wants to share news or propose pre-show interviews and briefings please contact show editor Kerry Lynch.
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