Preowned Bizcraft Inventory Climbs 2% in 2019

Preowned business aircraft inventory climbed 2 percent across all market segments—jets, turboprops, pistons, helicopters, and bizliners—at the end of last year, to 6,324 aircraft, up from 6,201 at year-end 2018, according to data released yesterday by JetNet. Business jets and fixed-wing pistons accounted for the majority of this increase.

In addition, the number of preowned sale transactions slid by nearly 1,200, or 11.8 percent fewer, year-over-year, JetNet said. Most segments were down by double-digit percentages in 2019, with business jets and bizliners each declining about 14 percent. These two segments accounted for nearly half of all transactions last year, the aviation data firm noted.

For-sale inventory of business jets and pistons each rose by a 0.7 percentage point last year, with the former inventory rate now at 9.7 percent of the installed base—technically still a buyer’s market. For business jets, “a period of transition is now in play, wherein the pendulum continues to swing in favor from the buyer to the seller,” added JetNet.

Average time to sell across the board inched up two more days in 2019, though this was mixed as some segments took longer to sell while others took fewer days. Here, business jets excelled, taking 273 days to sell last year, 13 fewer than in 2018.

TAG Hong Kong Receives Bombardier Service Authorization

Bombardier Aviation has appointed TAG Aviation Asia an authorized service facility in Hong Kong, the MRO announced yesterday. Under the authorization, TAG Asia can perform line maintenance on the Global 5000, 6000, and 7500, as well as the Challenger 605.

The new authorization strengthens TAG Asia’s service offerings for the Bombardier product line in the Asia-Pacific region, according to TAG Asia director of maintenance Phil Balmer.

“This important partnership with TAG Aviation will ensure that our customers in the greater China region will continue to receive the outstanding aftermarket service they demand and deserve,” added Bombardier customer experience v-p and general manager Jean-Christophe Gallagher. “We are committed to expanding our aftermarket services in this region, where we see a bright future for our growing aircraft portfolio.”

With maintenance centers in Hong Kong and Macau, TAG Asia provides maintenance and related services including internal and external aircraft cleaning, and Permaguard paint protection. It also operates mobile repair services across the region.

BBGA Conference To Focus on Sustainability Issues

Sustainability and the environment will take the spotlight at the upcoming British General Aviation Association (BBGA) annual conference on March 5 at Luton Hoo’s historic Mansion House. The event will kick off with a keynote address by author, former European Parliament member, and World Bank representative Stanley Johnson.

BBGA has provided input for the Future Aviation Strategy 2050 plan, particularly how the unique characteristics of business and general aviation can contribute. Paul Maynard, minister for aviation and major infrastructure, will discuss the importance of the forward-looking plan.

“We are on a precipice of an exciting new world in aviation, encompassing alternative fuels, modern renewable powerplants, new eVTOL models,” said BBGA CEO Marc Bailey. “Our recommendations for a sustainable future include maximizing use of airspace, performance-based navigation and multiple approach paths to minimize noise and fuel burn, and the need to invest in sustainable fuels.”

The last will be the focus of a panel featuring Bruce Parry, EBAA’s head of environment, with Thorbjörn Larsson, Air BP’s manager for the UK and Nordics, and Bryan Stonehouse, Shell Aviation's global biofuels manager. The conference agenda will also include topics such as sustainability at airports and tightening regulations on illegal charter operations.

West Star Expands Mobile AOG Support

West Star Aviation has nearly doubled its mobile repair team (MRT) for AOG in the past year, the business aircraft MRO provider and FBO operator said this week. It now has AOG/MRT services available from its four full-service, six satellite, and four non-fixed base locations, including at Atlanta DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) and Florida's Tampa International Airport (TPA). It’s part of a continuing effort by West Star to increase its AOG coverage across the U.S. and reduce response times, according to the company.

“We can provide services such as maintenance, inspections, evaluations, and repairs at our facilities, or bring the necessary services directly to [the customer],” said West Star satellite operations and MRT manager John Mansfield. The MRT expansion also allows West Star to provide on-site support at major sporting events such as the Super Bowl.

Besides Atlanta and Tampa, West Star’s expanded AOG/MRT network includes Scottsdale, Arizona; Aspen, Denver, and Grand Junction, Colorado; Chicago and East Alton, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Perryville, Missouri; Cincinnati, Ohio; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; and Madison, Wisconsin.

Spidertracks Adds AHRS Data

Satellite flight tracking service Spidertracks is launching a new generation of hardware—Spider X. The new hardware builds on the company’s Virtual FDR algorithm, used to provide accurate and high-resolution representation of an aircraft’s actual flight path and movements in near real-time, and adds an attitude and heading reference system (AHRS). The AHRS data is transmitted over the air, allowing simple and easy access to information about the aircraft’s orientation and position.

Spider X is equipped with Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, USB-C, and serial port interface capability. Similar to the company’s legacy equipment, Spider X can use a dedicated channel on the Iridium satellite network to securely transmit data.

“I am really proud of what the team has delivered with the SpiderX. The look, feel, and design concepts reflect 13 years of aviation DNA and learnings and future-proofs our customers to meet their ever-evolving requirements,” said Dave Blackwell, Spidertracks’ CEO. Founded in 2007, Spidertracks has customers in more than 100 countries. 

Bell Teams With Japan Airlines, Sumitomo on UAM

Bell, Japan Airlines, and Sumitomo Corp. yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop plans to develop the concept of mobility-as-a-service. The agreement focuses on developing the infrastructure and regulatory environment to support plans to launch on-demand air mobility services using Bell's new Nexus 4EX eVTOL aircraft.

The announcement makes no mention of Bell's new Japanese partners being directly involved in the development of the all-electric Nexus 4EX aircraft. Japan Airlines and Sumitomo will help Bell to develop planning and policy recommendations, as well as identify air mobility-use cases and pilot programs and develop infrastructure requirements.

Sumitomo's expertise spans multiple activities, including transportation, construction, manufacturing real estate, digital technology, and energy. “We have been inspired by Bell's vision and their capability of penetrating into this urban air mobility market,” said Eiji Ishida, executive officer for the group's lease, ship, and aerospace business division. 

According to Tomohiro Nishihata, Japan Airlines' managing executive officer for innovation, “Japan Airlines is eager to explore the future of air travel beyond its existing framework, and we believe this is the right team to set the standard for Japan for future cities to implement urban air mobility systems."

Asia Jet Plans Growth in Malaysia with AOC, ASP in Hand

Asia Jet Partners Malaysia has become the sole commercially registered private jet operator in Malaysia with the recent awards of a 9M commercial air operating certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and an air services permit (ASP) from the Malaysian Aviation Commission, the Kuala Lumpur-based provider said this week at the Singapore Airshow.

The approvals come as Asia Jet Partners prepares to add a second Bombardier Global 5000 to its fleet this spring, joining its sibling that is based at Subang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shan Airport. “As we enter our fifth year and under new ownership, our investors are very supportive of growing our charter and managed fleet and bolstering our maintenance capability,” said Asia Jet Partners Malaysia CEO Stutijn van Till.

As it expands its fleet, the operator further is laying plans to move into a new hangar facility as part of a Subang Airport redevelopment masterplan and to increase its service offerings. “We are looking to establish a suite of business aviation services in Malaysia that will rival the excellent facilities at Seletar in Singapore,” said van Till. “Mature Southeast Asia business hubs such as Hong Kong and Singapore are becoming congested and expensive. Our goal is to deliver a first-class experience for private jet companies coming into Subang, supported by modern facilities and excellent infrastructure.”

S.A.F.E. Develops New Pitch Link Tool for Robinson Helos

S.A.F.E. Structure Designs has developed a unique pitch-adjustment tool for all models of Robinson helicopters. The tool, inspired by Southern Utah University (SUU) maintenance manager Jared Britt and his team, ensures accurate adjustment and replacement of pitch change links and makes track and balance adjustments easier.

“The tool allows for accurate measurements in adjusting and replacing links and rods,” said Johnny Buscema, S.A.F.E. CEO. “This can save hours and provides greater accuracy than the trial and error method used in the past. We designed a similar tool for Blackhawks for the USCG fleet of MH-60s three years ago.”  

S.A.F.E. said it will be designing and manufacturing similar pitch adjustment tools for other helicopter models in the future. It is also working with SUU to develop a certificate training program on track and balance for A&P mechanics. The pitch-adjustment tool will be used to teach students how to perform the track and balance procedures with increased accuracy. Track and balance will be the first of several certificate programs from S.A.F.E. and SUU for mechanic training in helicopter specific maintenance. The first class will start in September. SUU has already received FAA approval on a helicopter-specific A&P program.