U.S. Bizav Flying Ends 2019 on a High Note

Business aircraft flights in North America and the Caribbean soared 6.9 percent year-over-year in December as weekend activity surged by nearly 23 percent during the month, according to TraqPak data released yesterday by Argus. The company predicts that flying this month will increase 5.8 percent from a year ago.

All operating segments were in the black last month, with fractional activity leading the pack with an 11.9 percent rise from December 2018. This was followed by 7.7 percent and 5.3 percent gains in Part 135 and 91 flying, respectively.

Likewise, all business aircraft categories logged year-over-year increases last month, led by midsize jets at 8.9 percent. Next in line was light jets, up 7.6 percent; large-cabin jets, up 7.2 percent; and turboprops, up 4.3 percent.

Notably, there were several double-digit, year-on-year increases in individual categories in the charter and fractional segments in December. Part 135 midsize and large-cabin jet flying jumped 10.3 percent and 12.5 percent, respectively, while fractional light and midsize jet activity soared 12 percent and 16.8 percent, respectively. The only decreases in individual categories were in the fractional space, with turboprop and large-cabin jet flying down around 5 percent each in the segment.

Once again, the Southeast was the leader by U.S. region, at 61,898 departures, with the top-three rounded out by the Southwest Coast (33,825 departures) and Central South (32,581 departures).

Clay Lacy Adds Legacy, Praetor To Embraer Mx Bona Fides

Clay Lacy Aviation has added Legacy and Praetor business jets to its Embraer-authorized service center credentials, the Van Nuys Airport (VNY)-based aircraft charter, management, maintenance provider, and FBO operator announced this week. The expanded credentials allow it to perform service on the Legacy 450, 500, 600, and 650, and Praetor 500 and 600, in addition to its existing authorization for the Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 light jets.

“We have been an authorized service center for Phenom aircraft since 2009 and are honored by Embraer’s continued trust and support,” said Clay Lacy v-p of maintenance Ed Mirzakhanian. “We are excited to support all Embraer owners and these outstanding aircraft with our growing team of factory-trained experts and continued investment in specialized tooling to provide superior service.”

Operating from its 152,000-sq-ft service center at VNY, the company provides heavy airframe inspections, engine and APU maintenance, and light line maintenance. It has performed more than 10,000 hours of work on Phenom 100s and 300s and recently wrapped up some of the first 10-year Phenom 100 inspections.

TBM, Quest Deliveries Both Soften in 2019

Deliveries softened slightly for both the TBM and Kodiak families, with Daher reporting total shipments of 68 for the combined turboprop-single product lines in 2019. This marks Daher’s first report of combined results since acquiring the manufacturer of the Kodiak utility airplane—Sandpoint, Idaho-based Quest Aircraft—in October.

Daher delivered 48 TBM 910 and 940 variants in 2019, while 20 Kodiak 100 Series II airplanes were shipped. This compares with combined deliveries of 73 in 2018, including 50 TBM 910/930s and 23 Kodiaks.

North America remained the dominant market for the Kodiak, accounting for 14 of the deliveries—11 in the U.S. and three in Canada. However, three were also handed over to customers in China and another in Thailand. Two Kodiaks went to Europe.

As with the Kodiak, the majority of the TBM models went to the U.S., accounting for 38 in all. Europe was the next largest TBM market in 2019, with three going to Germany, two to the UK, and one to Russia. Another three went to Latin America (two to Brazil and another to Mexico), and one, a TBM 940, was handed over to a customer in Japan. Daher noted the delivery to Japan was the first since it had shipped several TBM 700s to Japanese customers in the early days of the TBM program.

Constant Aviation Names New CEO, ‘Refocuses’ Business

A “refocus” on Constant Aviation’s business prompted the closing of its facility at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport last week, the Cleveland, Ohio-based MRO provider announced late yesterday. Constant also said former Flexjet chief operating officer David Davies has been named its new CEO, replacing Stephen Maiden, who left the company on January 1.

In its announcement, Constant said its research shows a trend in greater demand for heavy maintenance inspections, particularly among maturing Bombardier Challengers, that the company is “well positioned” to handle at its Cleveland facility. Aircraft paint and refurbishment, a specialty for Constant’s facility at Orlando Sanford International Airport, is another segment that the company has identified as a “high-growth opportunity.”

“Having concluded a deep analysis of the future of MROs, we are putting into place a business strategy to adapt to the changing needs of our current and future customers,” Davies said. “With growth in our AOG mobile teams and refurbishment business, we have decided to redirect our efforts toward Sanford and Cleveland. However, we intend to look at reopening Mesa in the future.”

Employees at Constant’s Mesa facility were offered comparable jobs at its other facilities, as well as at sister company Flexjet, the company said. When asked by AIN, a spokesman did not say how many Mesa employees were offered positions.

World Fuel Offers SAF Offset for WEF-bound Bizjets

World Fuel Services and World Energy are offering a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) program for business jets flying from three U.S. airports to the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) next week in Davos, Switzerland. To participate, aircraft must fuel at and depart from Jet Aviation facilities at Teterboro (TEB), Boston/Bedford (BED), or Dulles (IAD).

Although Jet Aviation does not offer SAF at these locations, the WEF SAF program allows customers purchasing fuel there to opt-in and claim SAF environmental benefits. Under the program, for each gallon of conventional fuel uploaded at TEB, BED, or IAD, the customer can opt to pay the difference for an equivalent amount of conventional fuel to be replaced with SAF on flights departing from Jet Aviation Van Nuys in California, where it does provide SAF sourced from World Energy.

“In the future, this type of program would enable low-carbon SAF purchases regardless of geography,” said World Fuel Services v-p of business development Darren Fuller. “Our customers that want to participate are spread all over the world, and unfortunately the supply of SAF is not yet broad-based. This program will optimize and align new demand with limited supply while supporting the industry’s sustainability goals.”

Garmin GI 275 Solves Legacy Panel Problem

Garmin International today unveiled a new series of instrument panel-mounted displays that are rear-mounted into standard 3.125-inch panel cutouts, offering a simple way to replace legacy vacuum- or electric-driven instruments with electronic displays. The GI 275 can replace attitude indicators, attitude direction indicators, horizontal situation indicators (HSIs), and course deviation indicators (CDIs), in addition to replacing engine instruments as a primary engine indication system (EIS).

The GI 275 is FAA approved and available now. Approvals cover more than 1,000 single- and twin-engine aircraft, as well as some Class IV (commuter category; for example, Beech 1900) and Part 25 aircraft. Prices start at less than $4,000 and vary depending on configuration and options.

While the GI 275 isn’t conceptually new as other companies' 3.125-inch replacement electronic instruments, Garmin’s move is unique because the unit is compatible with many third-party autopilots without needing a separate adapter. It can also display more information, including synthetic vision (optional), traffic, weather, terrain, SafeTaxi airport diagrams, and multifunction display-type maps.

One GI 275 can also be a four-in-one instrument that can be installed as a standby display with a 60-minute backup battery. As a standby, it includes a VFR GPS for backup navigation. The GI 275 offers both touchscreen and dual-concentric knob interfaces. Aircraft owners can install up to six GI 275s in their instrument panels.

Richard D’Ambrogio, Wayfarer Ketch Pilot, Flies West

Richard D’Ambrogio, one of the earlier corporate pilots who flew for the Rockefeller family flight operation Wayfarer Ketch Corp. for decades, died on December 20 at his home in Rutland, Vermont. He was 89. 

Born in the Bronx on January 25, 1930, D’Ambrogio joined the U.S. Air Force originally as a mechanic. But his interest in flying led him to cadet school, where he became a pilot. During his time with the USAF, he was involved in the Korean War. 

Following his service, he joined the White Plains, New York-based Wayfarer Ketch flight department in the late 1950s, flying with them for 30 years, until he retired. D’Ambrogio operated a range of aircraft—the Twin Beech 18, Fairchild F-27, and Grumman Gulfstream I and II among them—and is estimated to have accrued as many as 20,000 hours. He also piloted for Time and Life. His wife of nearly 60 years, Eleanor, spoke of his passion for flight, saying “he enjoyed every minute” and a fellow Wayfarer Ketch pilot and friend described D'Ambrogio as an “old school corporate pilot, who knew how to fly 'em and fix 'em."

Along with his wife, D’Ambrogio is survived by his three sons, Richard, Robert, and Adam; four grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Hartzell Parent Acquires Genav Accessory Distributor

Tailwind Technologies, the parent company of Hartzell Propeller and Hartzell Engine Technologies, has acquired Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Quality Aircraft Accessories (QAA), an aftermarket distributor for general aviation accessory manufacturers. Tailwind plans to retain QAA’s current leadership team, including president Brett Benton.

“QAA will enhance Hartzell Engine Technologies' aftermarket presence by providing a strong distribution capability and the direct ability to serve maintenance professionals and end-users of HET’s products,” said Tailwind President James Brown III. “Moreover, QAA’s focus on the aftermarket along with its exceptional e-commerce skills will be a platform for future industry growth.”

In addition to Tulsa, QAA operates a second location in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is an FAA Part 145 Class 1 and Class 2 repair station for piston engine and aircraft accessories. Its relationship with accessory manufacturers includes Champion, Dukes Aerospace/Aero Fluid Products, Weldon Aerospace, Precision Airmotive, Marvel Schebler, Tempest, Ametek/Drake Air, Lamar, Rapco, Aerospace Turbine Rotables, and Kelly Aerospace.

“As a part of Tailwind Technologies, QAA will be able to take advantage of our new parent company’s expertise in improving operations through a focus on critical metrics,” QAA’s Benton said. “In addition, we see opportunities for the future by strategically developing content offerings.”