Farnborough Airport Logs Record Traffic Growth in 2019
Business aircraft traffic grew 5.3 percent last year at London-area Farnborough Airport, with 32,366 movements recorded in the 12-month period, it reported today. The privately-owned airport has achieved three consecutive years of record traffic growth and indicated that the trend is set to continue in 2020 with a further 3.5 percent growth in movements achieved so far this month.
In September, Macquarie Investments and Real Assets purchased Farnborough Airport from the TAG Group. Unveiling new branding for the business, CEO Brandon O’Reilly told reporters today that the airport’s new owners have instructed the management team to continue implementing the master plan published in 2009.
Through 2030, local government has approved further growth of up to 50,000 movements per year. Subject to further approval, this limit could, in theory, be raised in the longer term.
Starting February 27, new standard instrument departure and arrival routings will take effect as part of a new Class D airspace zone approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. These new routings will allow aircraft to climb faster into controlled airspace, resulting in less noise for surrounding residential areas.
Farnborough achieved its goal of being fully carbon-neutral last year, laying claim to be the world’s first business aviation airport to reach this level of environmental performance.
EASA and EHA Partner To Launch New European Rotors Show
The European Helicopter Association (EHA) and EASA today launched a new annual conference and trade show called European Rotors. The first event will be held from November 10 to 12, 2020 in Cologne, Germany.
This new show is intended to include all vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, including both conventional helicopters and new-generation electric (eVTOL) aircraft being developed for so-called urban air mobility applications. The conference program will include EASA’s annual Rotorcraft Symposium, which has been held at its headquarters in Cologne.
EHA said it has the support of all leading helicopter manufacturers, including Airbus, Bell, Leonardo, and Kopter. Sikorsky and MD Helicopters were not present at today’s launch press conference and have yet to state whether they will also participate.
European Rotors is being organized in partnership with Messe Friedrichshafen, which organizes the annual Aero Friedrichshafen general aviation show in Germany. Show director Frank Liemandt told reporters that the plan is to keep the event in Cologne for two or three years and then move it to various locations around Europe.
The new show will include an indoor static display for aircraft. An arrangement has been made for helicopters to be moved to the downtown Koelnmesse convention center from nearby Dusseldorf Airport.
FlightSafety Textron Offers G5000 Excel/XLS Training
Pilot initial, recurrent, and differences training on Garmin G5000-equipped Cessna Citation Excel/XLSs is now being offered by FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training under an exclusive arrangement. Those courses are now available at the FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training Learning Center in Wichita, where differences training is available using a Garmin G5000 training kiosk.
A level-D-qualified Excel/XLS simulator equipped with Garmin G5000 will be added later this year, according to FlightSafety. “Adding this important new program is another example of our commitment to provide programs that meet the current and future needs of our customers,” said FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training CEO Rich High.
The G5000 retrofit replaces the Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics and offers fully integrated ADS-B Out, as well as PBN/RNP 0.3 with LPV/APV approach capability. It also supports synthetic vision technology, enhanced situational awareness, datalink weather, and Link 2000+ and CPDLC support for terminal and en route operations.
“FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training is recognized for its training excellence, and we are excited to team with them to offer training on the G5000 integrated flight deck in the Cessna Citation Excel and Citation XLS,” said Garmin v-p of aviation sales and marketing Carl Wolf. “The addition of the level-D qualified simulator by FlightSafety is yet another vote of confidence for the G5000 retrofit in these aircraft.”
ACA Works Toward 2020 Goal as ‘Go-to’ Organization
Following its rebranding to the Air Charter Association (ACA) last year, the European trade organization is moving forward this year on an ambitious strategy to become a “go-to” source for air charter providers and suppliers. As part of this plan, the ACA has developed short-, medium-, and long-term goals and is developing a number of new working groups surrounding industry issues and association business to reach its objectives.
As part of that effort, ACA developed a mission statement: “We aim to be the leaders in self-regulation and promoters of supply chain relationships for the air charter industry. We aspire to be the primary source of air charter industry information, to provide support and guidance to our members and external authorities and to hold first-class networking events and trade gatherings.”
ACA is now going to be governed by board members, rather than council members. Those board members will bring their various areas of expertise to the new working groups. In addition, the group will continue to hold its spring and autumn lunch events, exhibit at EBACE, and host its 2020 Air Charter Expo (ACE20) conference and exhibition on September 15 at London Biggin Hill Airport.
“These are very exciting times for the association and I am confident that the creation of the working groups will help drive the association’s plans forward during this year and into the future,” said ACA chairman Nick Weston.
Elliott Sells First G5000-equipped Citation 560XL
Elliott Aviation’s brokerage arm Elliott Jets sold the first available Cessna Citation 560XL equipped with the Garmin G5000 integrated avionics suite. The preowned jet sold for about 85 percent of its retail price, constituting a higher level of value retention than expected, according to estimates from aviation appraisal and valuation firm VREF Aircraft Value Reference & Appraisal Services. The sale also occurred in less than half the time of industry average, VREF said.
Elliott Aviation installed the Garmin G5000 system, replacing the existing Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics on the 560XL. The avionics suite includes a new autopilot, ADS-B, WAAS/LPV, electronic charts, engine monitor data, SafeTaxi, XM weather, and emergency descent mode. It comes with a number of options, including synthetic vision, underspeed protection, Chartview, turbulence detection, controller pilot datalink communications, and lighting and hail prediction. A three-year warranty is included.
“The Garmin full-cockpit retrofits, like the Garmin G5000 for the Citation Excel and XLS, Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP, and the Garmin G1000 NXi upgrade for the King Air offer tremendous added value as well longevity for resale,” said Jason Zilberbrand, president and CTO of VREF.
In response to an NTSB recommendation, NBAA updated its training guidance for certain single-pilot operations to reflect risk management in winter operations. The NBAA Training Guidelines for Single Pilot Operations of Very Light Jets (VLJ) and Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) addresses training in jet aircraft weighing 10,000 pounds or less; certified for single-pilot operations; and equipped with advanced flight deck automation, automated engine and systems management, and/or integrated autoflight, autopilot, and flight guidance systems.
After its investigation of a 2014 crash of an Embraer Phenom 100 in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the NTSB cited as a probable cause the pilot’s attempt to conduct an approach in icing conditions without proper use of the deice system or accurate consideration for landing performance speeds based on weather and aircraft weight.
As a result, the NTSB asked NBAA to update training guidelines on risk management in winter operations with a special emphasis on appropriate use of ice-protection systems and related operating procedures, said Mark Larsen, NBAA senior manager of safety and flight operations. “These revised training guidelines reflect the safety recommendation by placing additional emphasis on these key skills.”
The guidance focuses on areas of greatest risk, including winter operations; pre-arrival training and proficiency; recurrent training recommendations; and increased knowledge of the unique flying quality of aircraft type.
Airbus Helicopters Bringing Diverse Fleet To Heli-Expo
Airbus Helicopters is bringing three aircraft to its booth (3432, Hall B) at Heli-Expo 2020 next week in Anaheim—an H125 single, ACH130 single in Aston Martin livery, and H175 super-medium twin in offshore configuration. Helicopters sold via Airbus Corporate Helicopters are badged ACH.
Additionally, the company’s exhibit will feature a “digital support concept” and an “immersive experience” for the new H160 medium twin in three configurations: offshore energy, private and business aviation, and air ambulance. At the “HCare Corner,” attendees can receive more information regarding a new online customer portal, digital services, analytics, training, and HCare global contracts.
More Airbus helicopters will be on static display, including an AS332 from Heli Austria in a firefighting configuration, H125 from Brainerd Helicopters in an aerial work configuration, H125 from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Air Support Division in law enforcement configuration, H145 from San Diego Gas & Electric, and the Vahana eVTOL demonstrator. On the flight line at Heli-Expo, customers can experience a demo in an H125 equipped with the new Garmin TXi avionics, H135, and ACH130 with a bespoke interior.
Bombardier has received FAA certification for the Garmin G5000 flight deck upgrade on the Learjet 70 and 75. According to the Montreal-based airframer, the avionics suite will be incorporated on new Learjet deliveries, including the recently announced Liberty version of the Model 75 that is expected to enter service by midyear. A retrofit option for existing Learjet 70/75s will also soon be available.
“The Learjet is an iconic symbol that is known for its performance and efficiency, and the popular Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck further enhances this platform with modern features such as wireless connectivity, FANS 1/A+, and more,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin’s vice president of avionics sales and marketing. He added that the modern avionics suite reduces pilot workload, improves situational awareness, “and gives pilots a superior in-flight experience.”
Bombardier has recently introduced several improvements to the Learjet 70/75, including a standard pocket door between the cockpit and passenger cabin and extended maintenance intervals to drive down operating costs. The six-seat cabin configuration on the Liberty gives it one of the category’s most spacious interiors combined with a 464-knot top speed and 2,080-nm range.
Count on AIN for Full Coverage of Heli-Expo
As ever, you can count on AIN for full coverage of the 2020 Heli-Expo Convention. Our team will publish three of our award-winning daily HAI Convention News editions at the show on January 28, 29, and 30. 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.
People in Aviation
Duncan Aviation appointed Craig Rathjen director of flight operations and Jon Kroesche chief pilot of flight operations. Rathjen has served with Duncan since 1997 and has 30 years of aviation experience. Kroesche began his aviation career in 1996 and joined Duncan in 2002.
ServiceElements International named Lisa Archambeau as v-p, facilitator, and strategist. Previously a facilitator with ServiceElements, Archambeau rejoins the company with more than 30 years of business aviation experience, including with FlightSafety International and Universal Weather and Aviation. In addition, ServiceElements added Alainna Ikola as an administrative and operations teammate.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) named Andre Castro director of communications. A University of Kansas graduate in communications, Castro joins the association from Capitol Hill, previously serving as director of communications for Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas), as well as an aid to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas).
Aircraft Propeller Service named Mauricio Mazzini director of quality, responsible for quality management, certifications, and supplier audits and training, among other areas. Mazzini is relocating to APS’s Lake Zurich, Illinois headquarters from the APS Brazil facility, where he was responsible for coordinating the company’s quality assurance system and working with Brazilian and other foreign entities.
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