Portugal has instituted a new tax aimed primarily at business aviation. Billed as a carbon-emissions tax, it was signed into law as a national budget amendment in April and implemented for aircraft with up to 19 seats at the beginning of July. Similar to a measure introduced in 2021 for airline passengers, the tariff is much more onerous for private aviation flights.
According to aviation industry data clearinghouse Ops Group, while a typical 250-seat airliner flying between Lisbon and Newark Airport in New Jersey will pay a €500 surcharge, a large-cabin business jet such as a Gulfstream G650 on the same route will pay four times that amount, despite the airliner’s much greater fuel burn.
The new tax will be imposed on all commercial and non-commercial flights departing from Portugal and also applies to tech stops in the Azores islands, which are Portuguese territory. Exempted from the tax are emergency diversions due to weather, mechanical, or medical problems, fully electric aircraft, PSO flights on government-subsidized routes, state-owned aircraft, and search-and-rescue and medevac flights.
ExecuJet MRO Services Africa has been certified by the civil aviation bodies of Aruba and Malawi to provide maintenance on select aircraft types registered in those countries.
In Aruba, ExecuJet will provide heavy and line maintenance on Dassault Falcon 7X, Falcon 900, Bombardier Challenger, and Bombardier Global series aircraft. The Caribbean country’s regulator has also authorized the company to overhaul Honeywell TPE331 turboprops and complete major periodic inspections on Honeywell TFE731 turbofans. The agreement follows the certification of ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia by Aruba authorities in May, allowing the company to provide maintenance support for various Dassault Falcon and Bombardier aircraft types, as well as Learjet 45s and Learjet 60s.
Separately, ExecuJet has obtained certification from the Department of Civil Aviation of Malawi to perform line and heavy maintenance on Embraer ERJ-135, Embraer ERJ-145, Embraer Legacy 600, and Embraer Legacy 650 aircraft.
“We are pleased to be recognized by so many international aviation bodies,” said Vince Goncalves, regional v-p for Africa at ExecuJet MRO Services. "This latest certification allows us to penetrate these two markets by providing world-class MRO services to local business jet operators and owners as well as those flying into different parts of Africa.”
A wholly owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, ExecuJet MRO Services Africa is based in Johannesburg and is certified in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, and San Marino.
Boston Logan International Airport's Runway 15R-33L will be closed to arrivals and departures from August 14 until mid-November while it undergoes pavement rehabilitation and safety improvements.
Last restored in 2012, the 10,083-foot runway is primarily used during northwest winds, which are typically prevalent in the winter and spring. It is the preferred noise-abatement runway for late-night flights over Boston Harbor.
The work, which will be done in phases, includes replacing pavement and improving runway and taxiway intersections, upgrading electrical infrastructure, and converting runway lights to energy-efficient LEDs. In addition, safety enhancements will be made to several taxiway intersections to reduce the risk of incursions.
A spokesperson for Massport told AIN that the work “will not impact access to” the Signature Flight Support FBO. Also, due to high traffic volume, PPR (prior permission required) is currently in effect for GA operations. According to the FBO, “With high demand during the summer/fall season, aircraft arriving at Signature Boston may experience hold times and parking delays due to ramp congestion.”
FlyExclusive has successfully installed SmartSky's new broadband Wi-Fi service on one of its Cessna Citation Excel business jets, the company announced this week. This marks the second installation of SmartSky’s broadband connectivity system on one of FlyExclusive’s jets.
FlyExclusive, a North Carolina-based charter and fractional provider with its own MRO operation, previously installed the inflight Wi-Fi service on a Citation X. In May, the FAA granted FlyExclusive Part 145 certification, giving the company permission to install third-party systems on its own fleet as well as other operators' jets. The FAA issued SmartSky a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Citation Excel on June 8.
“FlyExclusive’s MRO team did an incredible job with the STC installation on the [Excel], completing it in just 210 labor hours,” said SmartSky president Ryan Stone. “We are ecstatic for even more FlyExclusive customers to get to experience SmartSky’s unprecedented Wi-Fi performance in the sky.”
SmartSky’s air-to-ground network utilizes 60 MHz of spectrum, which is significantly more than the four MHz used by legacy ATG networks. According to SmartSky, this ensures consistent, responsive, and secure data flow to and from the aircraft. So far, SmartSky has acquired at least 12 STCs covering Cessna Citation Excel and Citation X models, Gulfstream IVs through G550s, Bombardier Challenger 601s through 650s, Embraer EMB-135s and -145s, Dassault’s Falcon 900 series, and King Airs.
Unleash Your Imagination: Designing the Dream Interior and Paint Scheme for Your Aircraft
Discover the thrilling world of aircraft customization as we embark on a journey to create your dream interior and paint scheme. From personalized colors to cutting-edge technologies, this article reveals the key considerations and expert guidance to transform your aircraft into a unique masterpiece. Get ready to soar in style!
London City Airport will appeal a decision blocking its application to extend operating hours and increase the cap on annual passenger throughput from 6.5 million to 9 million. The London borough of Newham recently rejected the planning application, which was lodged in December 2022.
The planning application proposed allowing three more flights in the first half hour of weekday operations between 6:30 and 7 a.m. The airport has also sought permission to allow flights until 6:30 p.m. on weekends and until 7:30 p.m. during summer months. Currently, flights are permitted at LCY until 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and until 1 p.m. on weekends.
Newham Council’s Strategic Development Committee rejected the application on the grounds that the changes would increase noise impact on local residents. The airport said, however, that it will not increase the total number of annual permitted aircraft movements above the current cap of 111,000.
The airport has made a commitment to permit only cleaner, quieter aircraft, including the Airbus A220 and Embraer E2 airliners, to operate during the extended hours. To increase passenger numbers while not increasing the number of movements, LCY intends to encourage larger, more modern aircraft, which it says can have a noise footprint as much as 60 percent lower than that of earlier models (in the case of Embraer’s regional airliners).
Online aircraft maintenance price-quote platform MRO Insider has reached a milestone, with more than 700 participating service providers.
Launched in 2016, the company—which now has more than 2,900 registered tail numbers among its clients—allows users to receive multiple quotes for service with a single request. Work requests can include AOG, scheduled airframe and engine maintenance, avionics, paint, interior, detailing, and parts.
Through the platform—which can notify providers about the aircraft’s location at the time of the request—customers can even issue requests for FBO services such as fueling, hangar rental, and ground handling.
“We are so excited to push through the 700-service-provider mark as we strive to fulfill any AOG, parts, or scheduled service request from our registered flight departments,” stated president Andy Nixon, adding that the company has AOG coverage in 30 countries. “Thanks to our vetted service providers, we are now seeing AOG events quoted in less than 15 minutes, which helps aircraft operators quickly establish a plan without losing charter revenue or needing to locate supplemental lift on the Part 91 side.”
Cabin systems specialist Alto Aviation says it has now fitted more than 250 Gulfstream business jets with its digital audio systems and Cadence switch panels. The U.S. company’s Alto audio systems are standard equipment on current production Gulfstream aircraft and are available as aftermarket upgrades for older models, including the GV/550, the GIV/450/400, the GIII/300, the G200, the G150, and the G100/Astra.
When the audio systems are retrofitted, Alto customizes the sound according to each aircraft’s specifications. The company, which this year is marking its 25th anniversary, says the installations include its Premium Nvelop digital surround sound, as well as the Alto MySound and Soundstage immersive sound and acoustic solutions. The equipment is controlled by passengers using the Cadence switch panels and the Alto cabin control app.
Alto’s Cadence cabin control upgrades comprise the direct replacement of existing systems including legacy equipment provided by Airshow, Audio International, Baker Electronics, and Pacific Systems. The modernized equipment is installed in existing cutouts in the cabin interior structures.
In addition to its own engineers, Alto uses a network of authorized dealers to install its systems. These vendors include Banyan, CE Avionics, Clay Lacy, Constant Aviation, Duncan Aviation, GEF Aviation, Flying Colours, Gulfstream, Jet Aviation, Pentastar, Pro Star Aviation, Standard Aero, Stevens Aerospace, Superior Avionics, Trimec, West Star Aviation, and Western Jet Aviation.
Vision Systems in Business Jets: SVS, EVS, and CVS Webinar
Join us on July 19th for a webinar panel discussion with Collins Aerospace and experienced business jet pilots discussing synthetic vision systems and how they improve the operational efficiency of business jet flights.
Supersedes AD 2021–24–04, which required revising the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). Since the FAA issued AD 2021–24–04, Bell revised the RFM to incorporate more restrictive operating limitations. This AD is prompted by the determination that the existing altitude limitations were not valid for certain fuel types and that revising the existing RFM to align with the limitations of the Safran Arrius 2R engine is necessary. This AD requires revising the existing RFM as specified in a Transport Canada AD.
Supersedes AD 2023–01–12, which required replacing affected fire detectors and prohibited installation of affected fire detectors. Since the FAA issued AD 2023–01–12, the agency has determined that Model Arriel 1K1 engines are also affected by the unsafe condition. This AD is prompted by reports of false engine fire warnings. This AD requires replacing the affected fire detectors, prohibits installation of affected fire detectors, and adds Model Arriel 1K1 engines to the applicability, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD.
Requires installation of a frangible split plastic grommet at the airframe cutout where the sump drain fitting passes through to prevent the fuel drain quick disconnect valve from catching on the airframe cutout and to reduce the load on the valve body by preventing metal-to-metal contact following an impact. Prompted by finding during fuel system crash impact testing for a modification certification that when the airframe was rolled to the left to be inverted after the drop test, fuel leakage was observed from the fuel drain quick disconnect valve located at the sump drain port. The knurls on the locking sleeve of the fuel drain quick disconnect valve contacted the airframe cutout upon impact, resisting the fuel bladder rotational action and causing deformation of the poppet, which led to the valve remaining in the partially open position and subsequent fuel leakage.
Requires a records check and replacement of affected left-hand direct current power center units. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of erratic electrical system status on the push button annunciators and the engine instrument and crew alerting system (EICAS) while on-ground and during flight.
Supersedes but retains requirements of AD 2023–03–06, which mandated revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include limitations to mitigate radar altimeter interference from 5G C-band wireless signals. Updated AD requires further revisions to the limitations section of the AFM to incorporate limitations prohibiting dispatch under a certain master minimum equipment list item.
Model(s): Global Express, XRS, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500
Published: July 12, 2023
Effective: July 27, 2023
Supersedes but retains requirements of AD 2023–03–06, which mandated revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include limitations to mitigate radar altimeter interference from 5G C-band wireless signals. Updated AD requires further revisions to the limitations section of the AFM to incorporate limitations prohibiting dispatch under a certain master minimum equipment list item.
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