Modern Aviation has completed its purchase of Sheltair’s FBOs at New York John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports, part of the sale of Sheltair’s New York locations that was first announced last year. According to a Sheltair spokesperson, the deal, which marks the transition of the company out of the New York market, will be completed in stages with the two New York City locations—in both cases representing the sole service provider on the field—to be followed later this quarter by its facilities at Republic (KFRG), Long Island MacArthur (KISP), and Francis S. Gabreski (KFOK) airports.
Sheltair president Lisa Holland noted that removing itself from the New York market will give the company more flexibility to expand in its home state of Florida, as well as Georgia and Colorado, where it also operates.
“We have every confidence in Modern Aviation, their team of professionals, and their ability to meet the needs of this demanding market,” Holland said. “As we anticipate smooth and coordinated transition in the days ahead, it is important to pay tribute to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. They are consummate aviation professionals and we are deeply appreciative of their efforts and guidance.”
Modern CEO Mark Carmen added that his company will retain the Sheltair employees as part of the agreement.
The FAA is investigating a ground collision at New York City-area Long Island MacArthur Airport (KISP) between a taxiing Pilatus PC-12 and a Hawker 1000 parked on the Hawthorne Global Aviation Services ramp.
According to the FAA, the single-engine turboprop, which is registered to AGF Capital, struck the parked Hawker 1000 around 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday. A video of the incident posted online shows the PC-12 taxiing—at a normal taxi pace—directly toward the nose of the jet before suddenly speeding up, prompting the ramp marshaller to dodge out of the way before the turboprop single struck the Hawker's starboard wing. The PC-12 then spun around, ending up behind the Hawker and a large snowbank.
A spokesperson for Nassau County said there were no injuries reported by the two occupants of the PC-12. Both aircraft suffered substantial damage, with the entire right wing severed from the PC-12 and the Hawker losing the outboard half of its right wing. There was no resulting fire.
Aviation insurer USAIG has added Polaris Aero to its Performance Vector safety initiative, which allows policyholders with turbine aircraft to select one program option annually to enhance knowledge of human factors and safety. With the addition of Polaris Aero, one of those options now includes Vocus, Polaris’s cloud-based “safety intelligence platform” that streamlines the input, processing, and sharing of critical safety-related information via a secure and scalable platform.
USAIG will contribute up to $2,500 toward Polaris Aero Vocus subscription costs for policyholders choosing this option. Vocus applications include a safety management system (SMS) that facilitates compliance with ICAO standards and recommended practices; a risk-assessment system that automatically identifies the hazards and risk mitigation procedures most relevant to a flight; and an online training program that provides initial and recurrent training for employees on SMS principles.
“Many of our policyholders have told us Polaris Aero’s applications fit superbly and drive meaningful advances in their safety initiatives,” said USAIG president and CEO John Brogan. “We’re proud to establish this connection between Vocus platform services and our policyholders that can best use these advanced tools, and to share some of the expense for those who choose this option for their annual benefit.”
Farnborough Airport today announced plans to build a third hangar—a four-bay, 175,000-sq-ft structure slated to open in 2024. The London-area airport also revealed a new partnership with UK-based Vertical Aerospace, which is working to bring a four-passenger eVTOL aircraft into commercial service in 2024, to explore eVTOL operations at Farnborough.
Projected to cost £35 million ($47 million), the expansion project will almost double the available hangar space, adding to the 220,000-sq-ft, temperature-controlled buildings already in use. Farnborough Airport CEO Simon Geere said this project represents the long-term commitment of owners Macquarie Funds to the site.
Local officials granted planning permission for the new hangar in January, and the airport has now gone out to tender with construction contractors with a view to building works starting in the third quarter. Geere told AIN that there is a waiting list for hangar space, which is available to operators on year-round contracts. He said operators are willing to pay a premium for access to hangar space through the winter months at the airport.
Farnborough is also looking to add to the number of “contact stands" it offers close to its terminal building. These are mainly used by charter operators whose passengers have to go through security checks and then can walk out to their aircraft.
Real Flight Data Powers Flightsafety’s Enhanced Training Environment
Under a partnership unlike any other in the business aviation industry, GE Digital will provide data-driven C-FOQA insights to FlightSafety International, which will use them to enhance training and ensure pilots are prepared for any possible risk before they encounter them in the sky. It follows with FlightSafety’s philosophy that proficiency alone isn’t the goal of training.
The FAA has rolled out an interactive online map to provide up-to-the-minute information on the impacts of 5G network transmitters at 87 airports. Map users can view information on specific aircraft types, airports, and runways to learn whether low-visibility landings are permitted or whether the potential for 5G interference exists.
According to NBAA senior director for air traffic services and infrastructure Heidi Williams, “The FAA created this resource in direct response to industry requests for updated and geographically-targeted information about the ongoing 5G deployment. But notams still remain the best source for detailed information about specific impacts to business aviation operations from possible 5G interference.”
Airports shown in green on the map are where 90 percent of the most common commercial aircraft types have either an approved radar altimeter or alternative means of compliance in place to operate with an active 5G network. Airports highlighted in yellow have between 50 to 89 percent for such approvals.
AerCap unit Milestone Aviation Group has completed the delivery of new Leonardo medium AW139 helicopters for the fleet renewal program of Aramco Overseas Company. The deal had included five Airbus H145 light twins, which were delivered in 2019, as well as 21 AW139s.
“Aramco’s commitment to this fleet renewal program is a testament to the benefits of leasing, and we are incredibly proud to support them in their oil and gas missions across Saudi Arabia,” said Claire Brugirard, Milestone's vice president commercial for Africa and the Middle East. “Our team was able to continue deliveries throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, overcoming some of the most challenging circumstances.”
Aramco awarded the medium and light twin fleet renewal contract to Milestone after a competitive tender process in 2018, with aircraft deliveries to be spread over several years. Milestone’s relationship with Aramco began in 2016 with the lease of three AW139s and has subsequently grown.
Milestone supports over 40 customers in more than 35 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining, and other utility missions.
A year and a half after debuting the D2 Air pilot smartwatch, Garmin has released an updated version, the D2 Air X10, with voice assistant control and phone calling from the watch. The X10 retails for $549.99.
The original D2 Air, which was priced at $499, offered pilots key features from the more expensive D2 series, including most aviation functions and the pulse oximeter, as well as a high-resolution Corning Gorilla Glass 3 touchscreen Amoled display.
Now the X10 lets pilots receive phone calls from the watch and access voice assistant features when the watch is paired with a compatible iOS or Android smartphone. This gives Apple iPhone owners a new option for a non-Apple watch with built-in aviation features and voice and phone capabilities.
Aviation features include a three-axis compass and horizontal situation indicator (HSI) and altimeter with adjustable barometer setting. The HSI is useful for navigating to an airport or waypoint, which is selectable with the direct-to function or by picking one from the database. The user can set alerts for altitude, speed, time, and distance, and there is a handy fuel timer, as well as flight tracking.
Battery life of the X10 is improved from the original D2 Air, now up to seven days in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours while flying and using GPS and the pulse oximeter.
Priester Aviation has hired Rich Ropp as the Chicago-based business aviation provider’s new president. Ropp succeeds CEO Andy Priester who also held the role of president and added the title of chairman late last year. Ropp, who has 30 years of experience in aircraft management and aviation sales, comes to Priester from Jet Linx, where he was president of its St. Louis base.
In his role at Jet Linx, Ropp, a native of St. Louis, was also responsible for growing the operation as v-p of business development and aircraft management sales. “Rich enhances our team as a proven leader and developer of talent,” said Andy Priester. “We pride ourselves on the level of service we deliver to our clients daily, and the relationships we’ve built with industry professionals to ensure that. Rich’s experience and dedication to that commitment will continue to benefit our clients and the company.”
Prior to Jet Linx, Ropp was national sales director at Jet Aviation, where he served as the single point of contact for major clients and flight departments.
People in Aviation
Barry Brown joined the Naples Airport Authority as director of operations and maintenance. Brown has a 10-year background in operations and maintenance at airports, including at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport, and, most recently, Portland International Jetport in Maine.
Western Aircraft hired Robert Stockton to serve as interior sales manager. Stockton has more than 18 years of aircraft interior design experience, holding design roles with Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Embraer in addition to serving with Garrett Leather and in the U.S. Army.
The Wichita Aero Club (WAC) named Ashley Bowen Cook, v-p at the Greteman Group, as its new chair. Cook, who is the first female to lead the organization, succeeds John O’Leary in the role. O’Leary, who is v-p and general manager of Airbus Americas Engineering, remains on the WAC board as immediate past chairman and head of the Education Committee. Daughter of aviation photographer Paul Bowen, Cook served with Bombardier Learjet and Flexjet before joining Greteman in 2003. In addition, Jess Smith is filling the Wichita Eagle’s board seat and Frank Craven has returned to the board representing the startup data firm Aviowiki.
Patt Poinsett was named director of operations and finance for Women in Aviation International. Poinsett brings 10 years of experience to her new role, previously overseeing finances, facilities, and administration with Wolf Haven International.
Kenneth Quinn has joined Clyde & Co as a partner leading the law firm’s global aviation practice. Based in Washington, D.C., Quinn is a former FAA chief counsel, counselor to the Secretary of Transportation, and senior advisor to the U.S. Office of the President-elect, and has served on the Royal Aeronautical Society and International Aviation Club boards.
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