Ahead of the opening of the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Coalition, which includes NBAA, EBAA, IBAC, NATA, and GAMA, arranged to have SAF delivered by Neste and available at Zurich Airport for the first time to fuel departing aircraft. A press demonstration today featured a business jet being fueled with the blended SAF, which will be added to the airport’s fuel supply to illustrate its drop-in Jet-A compatibility. Air BP is also offering SAF at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport, as an option for WEF-related flights.
“If you take a look at some of the demonstrations we’ve done with Van Nuys, with Farnborough, and now with Zurich Airport, I think the more places we can demonstrate that this is here, it’s available, [and] customers just need to ask for it, the more places we are going to see [SAF] turn up,” said Doug Carr, NBAA’s vice president for regulatory and international affairs.
As well, operators heading to WEF from the U.S. can also partake in a new “book-and-claim” initiative, through Jet Aviation and World Fuel Services. Operators departing from the Jet Aviation FBOs at Teterboro, Hanscom, and Washington Dulles Airports can purchase virtual SAF and receive the credit for it, while the actual fuel will be dispensed to aircraft departing the Jet Aviation FBO at Los Angeles-area Van Nuys Airport.
StandardAero has acquired an Ireland-based provider of component repair and manufacturing processes for industrial, aero-derivative, and aircraft gas turbines that will expand one of its divisions as well as its portfolio of MRO and component repair services. The acquisition of TRS Ireland—a subsidiary of TRS Global Services—gives StandardAero nearly 70,000 sq ft of MRO operations, more than 100 employees, and an installed base of customers that include Siemens, GE, and Rolls-Royce.
“TRS Ireland has a long-standing, hard-earned reputation in the industry as a reliable service partner and will bring immediate growth and opportunity for StandardAero,” said StandardAero chairman and CEO Russell Ford. “The company has also been extremely successful in implementing lean manufacturing initiatives to drive efficiency.”
TRS Ireland will expand StandardAero’s Components, Helicopters & Accessories (CH&A) division with its experience as an OEM-approved specialty coating provider of engine component repair and MRO services on blades, vanes, and other hot section components for both new engines and a rising number of mature engines. It has more than 180 OEM approvals/licenses and unique FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency certifications. “We see significant opportunities to leverage these capabilities and capacity to the fast-growing aerospace and aero-derivative turbine engine repair markets,” added CH&A division president Rick Stine.
With the acquisition, StandardAero has 40 primary repair facilities located on five continents with more than 6,400 employees.
Mexico Delays ADS-B Mandate Until 2022
ADS-B Out requirements for Mexico airspace were delayed until Jan. 1, 2022, according to a circular issued by the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority. Originally, the mandate was scheduled to go into effect this past January 1.
According to the circular, when the requirements do take effect, they will apply to operations in Mexico Class A, B, and C airspace and Class E airspace above 10,000 feet. It is required now in Class E airspace over the Gulf of Mexico, at and above 3,000 feet msl within 12 nm of the Mexican coast.
The Mexican CAA gave no official reasons for the delay but several other countries have recently delayed their ADS-B compliance dates because required equipment either is not readily available or not installed in enough aircraft; government and ATC infrastructure for supporting ADS-B operations is not fully in place to meet the original deadline; and/or they are responding to stakeholder requests for a delay.
Last November, Nav Canada announced it was delaying its 2021 mandatory compliance with ADS-B in response to feedback from stakeholders. The company, which operates Canada’s ATC system, noted that ADS-B will be used for surveillance in Class A airspace starting in February 2021, but there will be no mandate for equipage at that time.
CBAA Chief Lays Out 2020 Goals
The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) has outlined a busy agenda for 2020 that focuses on access, sustainability, and taxation. “With the start of the new year, I am excited to share how we will work with members, government, and industry to promote and simplify business aviation in 2020,” said CBAA president and CEO Anthony Norejko in an annual letter to members.
Norejko laid out three specific objectives: ensuring that business flights have equitable access to airports; encouraging the government to invest in and support the use of sustainable aviation fuels; and eliminating the risk of a “luxury tax” on aircraft used for business purposes.
“We will also work with the civil service and are already engaged with Transport Canada directly on important regulatory issues like modernizing and simplifying CARs,” said Norejko. “We will also continue to advocate for business aviation directly with Nav Canada and other aviation and transportation organizations that affect our operations.”
CBAA is working to develop new operational tools, such as additional delegations and exemptions, as well as to publish an updated economic impact study showing the value of business aviation, he said. “Our goals are ambitious, but they are necessary,” conceded Norejko. “We won’t hit all the targets overnight, but thanks to an engaged membership, dedicated chapter leaders, a committed board, and a professional team, we will reach them.”
Air Methods Promotes JaeLynn Williams to CEO
Air Methods is transitioning its senior leadership with the promotion of JaeLynn Williams to succeed Steve Gorman as CEO, effective today. Gorman, who has steered the air medical services provider for the past 18 months, will remain on the board of directors.
A former Delta and Aviall executive, Gorman took the reins of Air Methods in the summer of 2018, about a year after the company was acquired by American Securities. Under his leadership, Air Methods has taken several steps to address patient cost concerns, including expanding its in-network health insurance agreements and benefits.
“The Board is…deeply grateful to Steve Gorman for his leadership as CEO over the past 18 months, during which he has been instrumental in setting Air Methods on a path of strategic excellence and operational growth by building a strong leadership team and making significant operational improvements to create a great foundation for continued success,” said Air Methods chairman Michael Fisch.
Williams, who has been executive v-p of sales, marketing, and communications, joined Air Methods in early 2018 after a nearly 27-year career that included serving as chief commercial and marketing officer for GE Healthcare Division. Air Methods credited Williams with revitalizing the company’s sales and marketing functions, as well as putting customer-centric improvements and management operating systems in place.
FAA Opens New Fire Research Facility in Atlantic City
The FAA completed construction and opened a new environmentally friendly indoor fire research center at its Atlantic City, New Jersey facilities to conduct performance tests of a potential replacement for current fire extinguishing foam used at airports. Construction of the new facility started in November 2018 and testing began this month.
Work conducted in the $5 million, 2,500-sq-ft building will support research on fluorine-free firefighting foams. “The fully enclosed fire-test facility will eliminate weather-related variables in testing and enhance data collection capabilities,” the agency said. “It will also contain and collect the byproducts of fire testing chemicals and prevent any contamination of the surrounding area and groundwater, allowing for more frequent and efficient testing.”
Current firefighting foam used at airports is a highly effective combatant to jet fuel fires, but it has also generated concerns about potential environmental and health impacts because these foams contain potentially hazardous chemicals.
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 directed the agency to stop requiring the use of fluorinated chemicals in aircraft firefighting foams within three years. However, fluorine-free foams on the market today do not match the performance of their fluorinated counterparts.
Western Completes First Gogo Avance Install on PC-24
MRO provider Western Aircraft completed the first install of a Gogo Avance L5 in-flight connectivity system on a Pilatus PC-24 twinjet, the Boise, Idaho-based unit of Greenwich AeroGroup announced. The installation went smoothly, and the aircraft was delivered early, according to Western Aircraft director of aircraft services Jody Harris.
“These are very exciting times for our industry, Gogo and our valued partner, Western Aircraft, with their first installation of the Avance L5 in the prestigious Pilatus PC-24 business jet,” said Gogo Business Aviation v-p of aftermarket sales David Salvador. “We are grateful that Western Aircraft continues to look for opportunities to install Gogo’s inflight entertainment and connectivity systems on new airframes.”
Western Aircraft, a full-service FBO and FAA certified repair station, is an authorized maintenance and modification facility for Pilatus. It recently announced the completion of 20 percent of all PC-24 big aircraft modifications worldwide as well as five, 12-month inspections on PC-24s. Seven factory-trained PC-24 technicians at Western Aircraft support the Swiss-built light jet.
Aviation Safety Question of the Week
Provided by
In a jet, at what V-speed can the maximum endurance be achieved?
A. At Mmo.
B. At VMo.
C. At 1.05 times Vstall.
D. At VMd.
Ruag Creates Training Program For Helo Mx Check Flights
New European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations have prompted Swiss MRO provider Ruag to offer maintenance check flight (MCF) training to helicopter flight crews. EASA now mandates that MCFs be conducted on helicopters after work has been carried out. That includes having a technician aboard during such a flight.
Noting that MCFs are not part of a helo crew’s daily routine, Ruag believes a market now exists for such training since all systems on a rotorcraft cannot be inspected on the ground. Additionally, operators are obliged to offer their crews training on MCFs, which also require the crews to record all procedures during such flights.
The training provided by Ruag includes theory and simulator training as well as with the customer’s own helicopter. “If MCFs are carried out safely, competently, efficiently and carefully, it results in less risk as well as a cost reduction for the operator,” according to Ruag. “[C]ustomers benefit from consulting by experienced factory and test pilots who…regularly conduct MCFs.”
Bombardier's Global family of business jets are all about moving people around the globe. And the Global 6500 is the manufacturer's latest effort to make flights even more comfortable and cost-effective for those who need to travel this way. It entered service in September 2019, and we took a look at what Bombardier has brought to the table, including the Nuage Chaise, a feature making its debut on the new aircraft.
Bombardier unveiled the 5500 and 6500 at EBACE 2018, giving new life to the highly successful Global 5000/6000 series with redefined wings, new flight deck features, and Rolls-Royce’s new 15,125-pound-thrust Pearl 15 turbofans.
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