February 13, 2025
Thursday

Piper Aircraft closed out 2024 with a strong performance, reporting a nearly 20% increase in deliveries from a year earlier. In total, Piper delivered 291 aircraft—46 more than in 2023. It attributes the success to the popularity of the M700 Fury, which received FAA approval in March and logged 46 deliveries last year. Significant growth in diesel Archer DX trainer sales also boosted sales.

2024 was more than a year-over-year milestone for Piper, which is reporting its highest delivery count in more than two decades. The successful introduction of the M700 solidified the company’s position in the high-performance turboprop market.

The U.S. domestic market accounted for 217 of the company’s 2024 deliveries, representing a 7% increase over 2023. Meanwhile, international deliveries soared 76%, to 74 aircraft, showing Piper's expanding global presence. Relatedly, the M700 received a flurry of foreign certifications in the second half of last year.

“We are proud of our continued growth, both domestically and internationally,” said Piper Aircraft president and CEO John Calcagno. “The increase in international deliveries highlights Piper’s expanding global footprint and the growing appeal of our aircraft worldwide.”

Piper said it remains committed to expanding its reach to meet the needs of owners, pilots, and training fleet operators across the globe.

The year kicked off on an upswing for global business aircraft flight activity, jumping 7% from last January, while all regions saw an increase last month, according to industry data and safety analyst Argus International. In North America, activity climbed 4% year over year (YOY), while Europe saw a 1.8% gain, and the rest of the world combined for a 22.9% leap, Argus said, citing its TRAQPak analytics.

However, Argus sees mixed results heading into this month, with Europe—which saw precipitous declines in 2024—remaining positive with a 0.2% edge while North America is predicted to see a 3.9% decline.

In North America, all categories of aircraft saw YOY gains last month in flight activity, led by midsize jets, up 6.5%. This was followed by turboprop activity, +4.3%; light jets, +3.1%; and large-cabin jets, +0.2%.

Fractional activity in North America once again paved the way for the gains, up 11.1% YOY in January. Part 135 flight activity appeared to rebound a bit with a 5.9% improvement, but Part 91 flying was down 0.2%.

In Europe, all three jet categories flew more: large-cabin jets by 6.4%, midsize jets by 3.5%, and light jets by 0.2%. Turboprop activity, however, dipped by 3.4%. In other regions of the world, turboprop activity surged by 38.6%, followed by midsize jets, +20.8%; light jets, +14%; and large-cabin jets, +6.1%.

Duncan Aviation recently completed an interior refurbishment of a Gulfstream G200 at its Lincoln, Nebraska facility that follows a recent trend toward darker tones. The aircraft was previously repainted in 2019 and this time its worn beige interior was updated.

“We are seeing a trend toward blacks and darker palettes for 2025,” said Duncan lead designer Jaime Blanken. “Customers are incorporating accents of grey, instead of making it dominant. This aircraft is a great example of the design selections we expect to see more of going forward.”

The updated interior includes charcoal-colored wool carpeting, refined veneer, and complementary fabrics. A standout feature is the quarter-figured Makore veneer, which exhibits a subtle chevron pattern and warm black-brown tones that shift under different lighting. The seating incorporates two-tone hand-stitched leather with contrast stitching, balancing elegance with durability. Meanwhile, the entryway features luxury vinyl tile resembling stained concrete.

Galley countertops are finished with Calcutta stone while the sidewalls feature quilted black vinyl and off-white "peppered" fabric, maintaining contrast and lightness. The divan was updated with squared armrests and a dark grey fabric-leather combination. Satin-smoked nickel hardware enhances the cabinetry’s cohesive aesthetic.

Additional refinements include an eco-friendly wool fabric in cabinets, a redesigned flight deck curtain for seamless visual transition, and a white-wash Ultraleather headliner to balance the darker elements.

Charter broker Air Charter Service (ACS) last week opened an office in Milan, marking its expansion into Italy and 35th location globally as it expands its presence in Europe. The Milan office is part of a broader strategy to strengthen local relationships and enhance services.

“We have been looking to have an office here in Italy for a number of years and feel that now is the right time for this investment,” said ACS regional director for Europe Andy Summers. “We have been dealing with many Italian clients through our other European offices since the early days of ACS, but we want to now focus on our service to those customers and further cement our relationships with local airlines with an office in the country.”

The Milan office will be led by Leonardo D’Alessandro, who has been with the company since 2015. He initially worked at ACS’ London headquarters before moving to the Geneva office in 2018, where he primarily worked with Italian clients. The opening of an office in Italy had been part of the company’s long-term plans.

“I’m thrilled to be opening this office in Milan, it has been in the pipeline for a while now and it’s great to get the team together here and to get started,” said D’Alessandro. “The Italian economy is the eighth largest in the world, so the potential here is huge.”

Beta Technologies’ electric aircraft charging network is poised to expand into the western U.S. under a new partnership with the State of Utah and 47G, Utah’s aerospace and defense association. The partnership aims to lay the groundwork for an advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem in Utah ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

Utah governor Spencer Cox, Beta founder and CEO Kyle Clark, and 47G president and CEO Aaron Starks cemented the deal with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on January 28 at 47G’s annual Utah Aerospace & Defense “Day on the Hill” event at Salt Lake City’s Capitol Rotunda. Utah’s Department of Transportation (UDOT) and the governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity also signed letters of support for the agreement.

Under the new partnership, Beta and 47G will work with Utah’s legislature to identify ideal routes for future electric aircraft operations and begin deploying charging infrastructure. They will also examine possible locations for flight demonstrations and pilot training activities, according to Beta.

“Utah is at the epicenter for cutting-edge innovations in the commercial aviation industry that will play a critical role in Utah’s economic future. Utah is not just embracing the future of transportation—we are leading it,” said governor Spencer Cox.

Four training classes for pilots and mechanics on the nuances of maintaining Enstrom Helicopters will be available this year, with piston courses offered June 9 to 13 and September 22 to 26 and turbine helicopters covered June 16 to 20 and September 29 to October 3. Classes take five days, running 8 a.m. to 4 p.m..

While the classes focus on maintenance and are designed for A&P mechanics but also accredited for inspection authorization renewal, another option for certification, according to the company, “is for non-mechanics to certify familiarization with Enstrom.” Topics covered include “inspection procedures, routine maintenance, overhaul, airframe and rotor system troubleshooting, main rotor tracking, and tail rotor balance procedures.”

Classes are open to anyone interested and they can also attend a refresher course as often as they like.

“It’s great to meet people from all around the world,” said Chip Zeismer, Enstrom’s repair station coordinator. “These pilots and mechanics get to see inside the Enstrom factory and gain a glimpse at what goes into making the aircraft. We’ve seen the demand for these classes grow consistently year after year. Last year, we had many new mechanics and owners sign up, and we also saw several familiar faces choose to join us for a refresher course.”

If demand is high enough, Enstrom will add another class in the third quarter.

SUSTAINABILITY QUESTION OF THE WEEK

When does the European SAF mandate take effect?
  • A. January 1, 2025
  • B. January 1, 2026
  • C. January 1, 2027
  • D. January 1, 2030

AIN’s senior-level Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) East, set for July 14-16 in Boston, Massachusetts, will address the latest topics, strategies, and solutions in business aviation. The summit is attendee-centric and serves as an educational and professional networking platform, connecting corporate aviation leaders with peers, industry experts, and solution providers in a relaxed, informal environment. We invite U.S.-based flight department leaders to apply to attend this all-expenses-paid event as our guests.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • NBAA ORLANDO REGIONAL FORUM 2025
  • ORLANDO, FLORIDA
  • February 26, 2025
 
  • BAAFEX - BUSINESS AVIATION ASIA FORUM & EXPO
  • SINGAPORE
  • March 4 - 6, 2025
 
  • VERTICON (FORMERLY HAI HELI-EXPO)
  • DALLAS, TEXAS
  • March 11 - 13, 2025
 
  • AEA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW
  • PHOENIX, ARIZONA
  • March 18 - 21, 2025
 
  • NBAA SCHEDULERS & DISPATCHERS CONFERENCE
  • NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
  • March 25 - 27, 2025
 
  • AIN FBO AWARDS DINNER & GALA
  • NEW ORLEANS
  • March 27, 2025
 
  • SUN 'N FUN
  • LAKELAND, FLORIDA
  • April 1 - 6, 2025
 
  • 4TH ANNUAL H2-AERO SYMPOSIUM
  • LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
  • April 2 - 3, 2025
 

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