A bipartisan tax package lawmakers introduced by the leadership of House and Senate tax committees yesterday would extend key measures surrounding bonus depreciation and research and development expensing. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) unveiled the agreement, characterizing it as a common sense, bipartisan, bicameral tax framework.

The path forward for the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 was unclear, but backers of the package were anxious to move on it given the 2023 tax season begins later in the month. While the package covers the child and low-income housing tax credits, it also includes a range of business-oriented measures.

These include an extension for 100 percent depreciation for most qualified business property placed into service before Jan. 1, 2026. However, the provision extends that further, to before Jan. 1, 2027, “for longer-production period property and certain aircraft.” The measure would continue 20 percent bonus depreciation for two more years after that.

In addition, the agreement would restore full research and experimental expensing through 2025. Currently, these costs must be amortized over five years.

Aerospace Industries Association president and CEO Eric Fanning praised the agreement, saying, “This framework returns the country to a tax code that drives the development of cutting-edge technologies, creates good-paying jobs, and supports small businesses.”

Fort Worth, Texas-based Part 145 repair station Trimec Aviation has received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for installation of Universal Avionics’ InSight flight display system in Dassault Falcon 2000s and 2000EXs. The InSight system replaces the stock Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 avionics and includes Universal’s SBAS flight management system and UniLink communications management system, supporting RNP 0.3 instrument approaches, and CPDLC, digital clearances, FANS 1/A+, ATN B1, and push-to-load flight planning from the ground.

Trimec has begun taking reservations for the upgrade and offers customers three options. The primary option is the complete cockpit solution with the CPDLC and FANS 1/A+ and ATN B1 protocols. Customers may alternatively choose to upgrade just the cockpit or choose only the CPDLC/FANS option.

“We stand ready to work with Falcon 2000/EX operators to provide this efficient solution as they face irreplaceable CDUs and FMSs for the existing Pro Line 4 avionics,” said Trimec Aviation general manager John Holland. “This upgrade is a great way to extend the Falcon 2000s operating efficiency, increase its available payload, and enhance pilot safety.”

Atlantic Aviation is making plans for eVTOL aircraft operations at multiple locations in its U.S. network of FBOs. Partnership agreements were announced this week with rival manufacturers Joby and Archer. The partnerships will see electric recharging equipment provided by both companies installed at Atlantic Aviation sites, as well as joint work to explore the next steps in preparing for the launch of eVTOL air taxi services in 2025.

This morning, Archer reported the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding with Atlantic Aviation covering the provision of vertiport infrastructure at airports in the New York City and Los Angeles metropolitan areas, as well as in San Francisco and Miami. At almost the same time, the business aviation services group announced a similar agreement with Joby, covering the installation of its global electric aviation charging system at several FBOs, starting in New York and Southern California.

The equipment to be installed with Archer is the Combined Charging System developed by Beta Technologies, a company that is also developing an eVTOL. Both systems are intended for use with multiple aircraft types, but the agreements announced this week did not state who is bearing the cost for the equipment.

Airwolf Aerospace has received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approvals to install True Blue Power TB17 main-ship lithium-ion batteries in 10 helicopter models. The STCs cover the Airbus AS350/H125, AS355, EC120, and EC130/H130; Bell 206A/B and L through L4; Enstrom 480B; Hiller UH-12E; and MD Helicopters MD369/500. Other STCs are in the works.

The battery kit includes the True Blue Power TB17, annunciator, wiring harness, and mounting hardware. According to Airwolf, “This is everything required except weight that may need to be added in some installations depending on the weight and balance of the helicopter.”

A key advantage of the TB17 battery is that it weighs 16 pounds, which is up to 45 percent lighter compared to lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries, according to True Blue Power. The lithium-ion battery provides faster and cooler engine starts, an average eight-year life with a two-year maintenance cycle, and a built-in heater to warm the battery in cold weather.

When fully discharged, the TB17 has a fast recovery time and can be recharged in 30 minutes. Battery protection features include overcharge, over-discharge, over-current, short circuit, over-temperature, under-temperature, and charge current limiting protection.

For AS350 installations, the TB17 can be installed in several locations such as “the baggage compartment, the large door tail cone, and the small door aft tail cone positions,” Airwolf said.

Signature Aviation—which has more than 200 locations in its worldwide FBO network—has ended its flight representation at Singapore Changi Airport (WSSS). While it did not operate an actual FBO or office there, Signature had in the past stationed employees at the airport to meet arriving private flights, assist customers through customs, and help them with any departure issues.

But the discrepancy in traffic levels between Changi and the dedicated private aviation airport Seletar (WSSL) proved too much to justify the activity and expense. 

“Changi is so commercial airline-focused that it's very challenging to operate out of that facility,” said Signature CEO Tony Lefebvre. “The traffic preference is clearly going into Seletar, it's closer to the city as well so it just makes sense.”

According to industry data tracker WingX Advance, more than 93 percent of the nearly 4,800 private aviation flights into Singapore last year landed at Seletar.

While Signature does not have a presence at Seletar, it does supply sustainable aviation fuel to the Bombardier service center there. Though it has a partnership with a local operator where it can refer its customers’ flights, the company is keeping an eye on the airport.

“I’d say it’s an area that we are interested in, and for the right opportunity we would pursue it,” Lefebvre told AIN.