New Embraer Exec Jets-authorized MRO Opens in Latvia

Latvian aviation services provider FBO Riga has partnered with international business aviation MRO Jet Flight Service to establish an Embraer Executive Jets-authorized service center at Riga International Airport. The facility is certified for line and base maintenance for the Embraer Legacy 600/650, along with line maintenance on the Legacy 450/500. It can also be approved to perform line maintenance on Gulfstream G450s.

The MRO has already completed its first aircraft assignment—a C-check on a Legacy 650, which also underwent its 96-month inspection and had ADS-B Out and FANS-1A installations, as well as the replacement of nose-section skins. A second Legacy 650 is undergoing a C-check, and the facility’s capacity will allow for work on two such aircraft simultaneously. Plans call for the partners to enhance the component maintenance and repair capabilities in Riga to reduce aircraft downtime.

“FBO infrastructure and the level of MRO services are very important for business jet operators,” said Roman Starkov, the FBO’s co-owner, adding that Riga’s favorable geographic location, quality of service and timely delivery of spare parts and components will be attractive for customers from both the West and the East.

“Together with Jet Flight Service professionals we have applied many years of experience and knowledge to create the Embraer-authorized service center on the basis of our infrastructure and gather a team of skilled mechanics, engineers, and managers.”

French Airport/FBO Operator Sees Banner Year

France-based airport and FBO operator Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur Group finished what it described as a record-breaking 2018 with a 5.5 percent increase in business aviation movements at its Nice Côte d’ Azur, Cannes-Mandelieu, and Golfe de Saint-Tropez Airports, which combined saw a total 77,373 movements.

The company’s Sky Valet FBO chain with bases throughout France, Spain, and Portugal reported a nearly 10 percent rise in movements last year, boosted by an 8.5 percent increase throughout its nine Spanish locations (Girona, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Ibiza, Malaga, Madrid, La Coruna, and Santiago de Compostela), and an increase of more than 50 percent at the highly competitive Paris Le Bourget Airport to nearly 6,200 movements for the year.

The company also noted an increase in the average weight of the aircraft it served, which rose 3.5 percent year-over-year, to 21.6 metric tons. “The record-breaking performance of our FBO activities confirms our strategy to deliver premium services and to extend our network, with the acquisition of licenses for Madrid and Barcelona Airports in 2018, and the renovation of our terminal in Ibiza,” noted Michel Tohane, Sky Valet’s executive vice president and director of the parent company’s general aviation business unit.

Last year, the company also launched the Sky Valet Connect affiliate brand, which has already attracted airport operators in France, Italy, and Bulgaria.

Lee Aerospace Expands Mx Capabilities, Staff

Lee Aerospace, a Wichita-based aircraft supplier, has expanded its repair capabilities and is increasing repair staff in Utah. As part of the expanded capabilities, the company added composite repairs for the main entry door assembly of the HondaJet and HondaJet Elite to its FAA Part 145 repair certificate.

It also has hired two new and repositioned two other seasoned A&Ps to Duncan Aviation’s new maintenance facility in Provo, though they can also be dispatched to other parts of the Western U.S., where the company is seeing rising customer demand, Lee v-p of marketing Malissa Nesmith told AIN. “We’re actively looking for additional A&Ps” for company sites in Provo, Wichita, and Florida.

The addition of the HondaJet work to Lee’s repair station certificate is an extension of the work it already does for Honda Aircraft. According to Nesmith, Lee manufactures the HondaJet’s composite main entry door assembly.

Founded in 1989 by president and owner Jim Lee, the company is widely known for its commercial, business, and general aviation aircraft cabin windows and cockpit windshields. It also is a supplier of major and complex aerostructures and assemblies to OEMs, including the fuselage of Viking Air’s Twin Otter.

Embraer Bizjet Deliveries Slide in 2018

Embraer delivered 91 business jets in 2018, a more than 16 percent drop from the 109 it handed over to customers in the prior year. In addition, 2018 results fell short by at least 10 percent of its forecast. Embraer had previously estimated shipments of between 105 and 125 business jets for 2018. As a result, its Executive Jets group revenues, which had been forecast at between $1.35 billion and $1.5 billion for 2018, are now estimated to be $1.1 billion.

However, the company said it would meet its delivery estimate of between 85 and 95 commercial aircraft, a product line that will transition into a joint venture with The Boeing Company.

Embraer pointed to a number of factors that led to “a more cautious approach” toward its 2018 business jet deliveries. While global conditions were improving, they “continue to recover more slowly than expected,” the Brazilian manufacturer said. In addition, the company said it kept its focus on improved profitability and price preservation. Embraer further is in the midst of bringing its new Praetor 500 and 600 midsize/super-midsize jets to market this year, an effort that also played a role in the results.

For 2019, Embraer projects 90 to 110 business jet deliveries. Its commercial delivery estimates match those for 2018.

SaxonAir Boosts European Service with Phenom 300

Norwich, UK-headquartered operator SaxonAir has built a fleet of 13 helicopters and jets, most recently with the addition of an Embraer Phenom 300. The aircraft is the second Embraer jet in the fleet, joining a Legacy 500. It also continues to round out the company’s capabilities for a range of jet operations, from short hops to various European locations to longer range trips with aircraft such as the Gulfstream G550 and Bombardier Challenger 605 in its fleet. The Phenom has an 1,800-nm range, capable of transporting up to eight passengers from London to Moscow.

The aircraft “strengthens SaxonAir’s European-wide presence significantly,” said SaxonAir charter sales manager Jack Hellewell. “Although we have aircraft based at Stansted, Luton, Farnborough, and Norwich, as well as Cannes in Southern France, we expect to keep this aircraft flying consistently with competitive point-to-point pricing.”

SaxonAir Charter flies 3,500 hours annually on charter missions throughout Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa. Established in 2007, the company was sold in 2009 to Klyne Aviation and has continued to expand under that ownership.

In addition to its charter business, SaxonAir has built up a substantial flight-support operation, handling more than 10,000 movements and 700 metric tons of freight annually. It received a 10-year handling contract in 2010 at Norwich International Airport and a year later moved into its Business Aviation Centre there.

U.S. District Court Denies NATCA Restraining Order

A U.S. District Court judge yesterday denied the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) request for a temporary restraining order against the U.S. government, a move that for now continues the status quo of the government shutdown requiring air traffic controllers to work without knowing when their next paycheck will arrive. Judge Richard J. Leon, for the District of Columbia, however, did schedule an expedited briefing on NATCA’s motion for a preliminary injunction. That briefing will be held January 31.

NATCA filed the lawsuit last week, alleging violation of the Fifth Amendment for unlawfully ceasing wages without due process and for violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act for failure to pay at least the minimum wage to controllers who are working during the shutdown. The NATCA lawsuit was heard alongside a similar complaint filed by the National Treasury Employees Union.

“Although we are disappointed with the judge’s ruling denying NATCA’s motion for a temporary restraining order, we are encouraged that he acknowledged the ongoing hardships our members are facing because of the shutdown,” said NATCA executive v-p Trish Gilbert.

The lawsuit is part of a multi-pronged effort by NATCA to put pressure on Washington leaders to end the shutdown. NATCA also held a rally last week and is distributing leaflets at key airports.

Av8’s Businesses Combine Under One Banner

Aircraft specialty companies Av8 MRO, Av8 PMA, and Av8 AOG have consolidated their capabilities and resources under one brand now known as the Av8 Group. Av8 MRO is an FAA- and EASA-approved repair station specializing in Hawker landing gear overhauls, while Av8 PMA concentrates on the design, certification, and manufacture of out-of-production or hard-to-find aircraft parts, with a dedicated engineering facility and an on-staff FAA DER. Av8 AOG, the company’s newest unit, provides OEM and PMA parts sales and distribution, expedited parts delivery, and managed repair services, as well as inventory acquisition and liquidation.

According to the Houston-based company, the move simplifies the relationship between the companies and provides a unified brand as its services continue to expand. It has also launched a new website that encompasses all three businesses, providing specific details of all its service offerings.

“The new group logo and website was the logical next step to communicate our entire range of capability under one roof, with one common mission,” noted Av8 Group CEO Yoel Arnoni. “It was essential that with our continued growth that our overall messaging could communicate the synergies available among our three units.”

Helicopter Instructor Sal Disi Dies in Cart Start Accident

Salvatore “Sal” Disi, 62, died the afternoon of January 10 as the result of an apparent aircraft accident at the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Florida Regional Airport (KBKV) that involved trying to start a 1993 Bell 230 with a ground power cart near a hangar.

Disi was standing outside the aircraft at the time of the accident and was struck by the aircraft’s main rotor blades. Post-accident news photos from the scene show clear damage to the helicopter’s rotor blade tips.Witnesses reported that the helicopter briefly became airborne and then settled.

The helicopter is used by Dr. Alfred Bonati, who was reported on scene at the time. Disi was a well regarded fixture in the local aviation community for many years, was licensed to fly airplanes and helicopters, and held multiple certificates, including ATP, A&P, and CFI. Hernando County Sheriff Al Neinhuis called Disi “an acquaintance of my family for many years. He was a good man.” Multiple agencies are expected to investigate. 

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.