Argus: Expect More Mild Growth for U.S. Bizav Flying

Business aircraft flight activity in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean increased by a moderate 0.9 percent last year, while flight hours rose 0.7 percent in the same year-on-year period, according to Argus International’s just-released 2018 Annual Business Aviation Review. This compares with year-over-year increases in flight activity of 4.8 percent in 2017 and 8.1 percent in 2016.

“Flight activity grew at a flatter pace compared to previous years, but growth is still growth,” Argus said. “We eclipsed the three million flight mark for the second year in a row and look to be on track for more of the same in 2019.”

Activity was positive in the first half of 2018, climbing 2.3 percent year-over-year, but fell 0.5 percent in the latter half, it added. All operator categories saw growth in the period, with fractional flying taking the lead with a 1.2 percent increase, followed by Part 91 (1.1 percent) and charter (0.5 percent). By aircraft category, midsize jet activity took top honors with a 2.3 percent year-over-year increase, trailed by large-cabin jets (1.2 percent) and turboprops (0.7 percent). Light jet activity decreased by 0.6 percent last year.

After a “mild, but positive, year,” Argus TraqPak analysts estimate that this trend will continue into 2019, calling for a 0.5 percent increase in the first quarter.

VistaJet Sees Global Expansion as it Turns 15

Business aviation services company VistaJet logged a 31 percent increase in new members and saw a 25 percent jump in its global operations last year, the company reported today. VistaJet marked the record year as it celebrates its 15th year.

The charter operator saw utilization of its fleet of more than 70 long-range Bombardier jets climb by 20 percent, while operations jumped 46 percent year-over-year in North America alone. Europe has also become a key market, accounting for 48 percent of all VistaJet flights. It also saw growth of 38 percent in flights in the Middle East, prompting an expansion in this region with the opening of a larger sales office in Dubai this month.

The positive results also came as the Malta-based company realigned its operations last year as part of Vista Global Holding and acquired U.S. based charter firm XOJet. Under its new umbrella, the U.S. operator is part of a global network of 116 business jets.

Looking ahead, VistaJet founder and chairman Thomas Flohr said, “Despite increasing economic and geopolitical headwinds, we anticipate resilience across our customer base for 2019.”

FAA Warns of Airspace Restrictions for Super Bowl LIII

The FAA, ramping back up after the 35-day partial U.S. government shutdown, has issued a warning that the airspace surrounding Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is a “no drone zone” for the three days leading up to and during Super Bowl LIII, which will be held this coming Sunday.

From 5:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on game day, the FAA is establishing a temporary flight restriction prohibiting drones within a 30-nm radius of the stadium up to 17,999 feet msl. The drone restrictions further extend for one nm around the stadium up to 1,000 feet agl during specified hours from January 31 to February 3, then leading up to the more extensive restrictions.

The “no drone zone” comes in addition to the 30-nm-radius TFR in place for general aviation aircraft on Super Bowl Sunday and the air traffic management plans required in the days leading up to the event for these operations. The FAA has established a webpage outlining operational restrictions this week over the Atlanta area.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft will assist in patrolling the TFR airspace. The FAA warns that pilots and drone operators who violate the TFRs could face penalties exceeding $20,000 and potential criminal prosecution.

Optimism Follows Bumper Year for Preowned Bizjets

Confidence was high yesterday at the Corporate Jet Investor (CJI) London conference, driven by the strength of ultra-long-range business jets such as the Bombardier Global family and Gulfstream G650. Aircraft brokers told delegates that 2018 was a bumper year for preowned business jets, while they don't expect the raft of new models to dampen the preowned market. However, some, including Jay Mesinger of Mesinger Jet Sales, admitted that finding good preowned aircraft has become more challenging.

Bombardier Business Aircraft president David Coleal gave the opening address. Setting the scene, he noted business aviation was on a high and that Bombardier is preparing for growth, while underlining the company's commitment to the environment, especially biofuel. 

Meanwhile, Pascal Bachmann of Jetcraft said 2018 was the company’s “best year ever” as it notched sales of more than 100 aircraft for the first time. “We expect the market to continue in the same fashion,” he said. “One-third of total deliveries [going forward] will be long-range aircraft.” This third, Bachmann noted, will account for 60 percent of manufacturers' revenues.

Possible brakes on the industry included the strong dollar and shortages of skilled workers, a challenge Embraer chief commercial officer Stephen Friedrich highlighted at the event. 

Bowles Joins ASTM Board, while ASTM’s DeJong Joins GAMA

GAMA is tightening its relationship with the standards-setting organization ASTM International with the appointment of Gregory Bowles, who serves as GAMA’s vice president of global innovation and policy, to a three-year term on the ASTM board of directors. In that capacity, Bowles will work with legislators and regulators to enable emerging aviation technologies and shape and harmonize regulations and policy. Bowles, who has held positions with Keystone Helicopter and Cessna Aircraft, joined GAMA in 2005 and has previously served as director of European affairs and engineering in Brussels, Belgium, for the association.

Along with Bowles taking a leadership role on ASTM, GAMA hired former ASTM official Christine DeJong to serve as director of global innovation and policy. DeJong has more than 13 years of experience with standards and business development at ASTM, steering initiatives involving general aviation, aircraft systems, and unmanned aircraft systems. She played a role in the launch of ASTM’s additive manufacturing center of excellence and the autonomy in aviation cross-sector committee.

“Christine’s vast experience at ASTM International will be of immense value to GAMA member companies as our scope of work expands into areas such as electric and hybrid propulsion, increased automation, and supersonic,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce.

Former CRS Jet Spares Exec Launches New Company

Jack Caloras, the former v-p of sales for Florida-based component exchange provider CRS Jet Spares, is launching a new company with three other partners, AOne Parts & Logistics. “For me personally, this is an opportunity to create a company using the experience and knowledge that I have gained throughout my journey,” said Caloras, who was at CRS for nearly 20 years.

AOne’s services will include the purchase and sales of airworthy aircraft and those that are useful only for parting out, as well as consultation for aircraft owners who are evaluating whether to upgrade their airplanes or sell them for parting out. Its other services will cover sales of new and used aircraft parts, the acquisition of parts inventories for out-of-production aircraft, and inventories that provide a viable alternative to OEM parts for newer aircraft, Caloras said. The company also will partner with OEMs and suppliers to improve their market share and revenue, he added.

The company is based in North Carolina. “We are excited about the possibilities of our vision and believe that the benefits to all involved will be unique and well appreciated,” Caloras said.

WAI’s Bosco To Receive Public Administration Honor

Cassandra Bosco, who steers education and industry affairs for Women in Aviation International (WAI), was selected as the 2019 recipient of the American Society for Public Administration’s (ASPA) Truitt-Felbinger Award. ASPA’s Section on Transportation Policy Administration will present the award on March 10 in Washington, D.C., in recognition of Bosco’s “significant contributions to aviation non-profit organizations, continued efforts in outreach to underrepresented groups, and recruitment efforts for the next generation of aviation professionals.”

Bosco has nearly four decades of experience in industry outreach, spearheading numerous programs to raise awareness about the value of the aviation industry to the general public, government, and industry leaders, as well as to ignite interest and enthusiasm within the schools at all levels.

In addition to her current role at WAI, Bosco has served as the interim executive director at University Aviation Association, as well as directed communications at both NBAA and GAMA. She helped develop the No Plane No Gain joint NBAA/GAMA public awareness campaign and programs such as AvKids, which was designed to bring aviation awareness into the schools. She also has served on the Board of Trustees at WAI and the Aero Club of Washington, and through her own company, Tailwinds Communications, has helped initiatives at numerous other aviation associations.

Erickson Aircrane Lost in Australia, Crew Safe

An Erickson Aircrane was lost while firefighting in Australia earlier yesterday. All three crewmembers survived when the 1967 S-64E, N173AC, better known as “Christine,” crashed while fighting the Thomson Complex Catchment fires in Gippsland, Victoria.

According to official reports, the helicopter, call sign Helitak 341, crashed near the edge of a dam or into the dam. The accident occurred at approximately 7:15 p.m. local time near Jericho in an area of difficult access and hilly topography known as the Yarra Ranges. First responders needed nearly an hour to reach the crash site. Fortunately, the crew was able to swim to safety.

The Aircrane was one of 10 aircraft on the fire; Victoria has 49 contracted aircraft for firefighting this season, including two Aircranes. Erickson holds the type certificate for the S-64 and operates approximately 20 Aircranes worldwide. It also services and builds S-64s for third-party customers. When rigged for firefighting, the aircraft is typically fitted with a 2,650-gallon water tank and a quick-fill snorkel.

Three other Aircranes operating in Australia have been grounded pending a safety review.

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.