Second-quarter aircraft deliveries soared by 54% year over year (YOY) at Gulfstream Aerospace, to 37 aircraft (six super-midsize G280s and 31 large-cabin jets). While G280 handovers were flat from a year ago, the large-cabin jet shipments climbed by 72%, mostly driven by 11 deliveries of the recently certified G700. First-half deliveries rose nearly 36% YOY, to 61 jets (nine G280s and 52 large cabins), putting it on pace to reach parent company General Dynamics’ forecast of about 150 this year.

According to General Dynamics chairman and CEO Phebe Novakovic, 15 G700 deliveries were planned in the quarter, but four slipped into July—two related to cabin STC approvals. One is now in the hands of the customer, while the other three handovers are “imminent.” She reconfirmed that Gulfstream will deliver 50 to 52 G700s this year, with 16 more planned by October and 23 to 25 in the fourth quarter.

The slower start for the G700 stemmed from a late certification requirement to bundle some wires in the tail, requiring tail removal of already manufactured aircraft to do the “minor” modification before delivery, Novakovic said. She added that this issue is now “largely behind us.”

Revenues at General Dynamics’ aerospace division—which includes Gulfstream and Jet Aviation—ascended 50.5% YOY, to $2.94 billion, in the quarter, while earnings rose 35%, to $319 million.

ITP Aero and Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) have extended their cooperation with the signing of an agreement under which the former Rolls-Royce subsidiary will continue to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul services on mid-turbine frame (MTF) and low-pressure compressor (LPC) modules of the P&WC PW800 engine until 2028. The deal, in which ITP serves as a risk and revenue partner, aligns with the company's strategic focus on expanding its presence in the MRO market. 

"This milestone adds to our long-standing collaboration with Pratt & Whitney Canada and is in line with our strategy to grow our aftermarket capabilities on some of the most important engine platforms currently in service,” said Mikel Lantero, executive director of ITP Aero's civil business unit.

PW800 engines power the Gulfstream G500 (PW814GA) and G600 (PW815GA), as well as the Dassault Falcon 6X (PW812D). The PW812GA will also power the in-development Gulfstream G400.

ITP Aero and P&WC signed an initial agreement in 2021, positioning ITP as the exclusive supplier of original equipment MRO services for the MTF and LPC modules of the PW800 engine family. ITP is also responsible for the design, development, production, and assembly of the LPC and MTF modules.

Leading sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer Neste has signed an agreement that will give it additional terminal capacity in Houston for the blending and storage of SAF and will open the possibility of finally bringing the flow of SAF to the Northeast U.S.

The new capacity at the ONEOK terminal provides the refiner with approximately 33.5 million gallons of volume that is directly connected to the fuel pipeline infrastructure feeding the Eastern U.S. In 2022, a demonstration proved the ability of the pipeline system to transport SAF from Texas to New York.

“Neste is fully committed to supporting the U.S. aviation industry in its efforts to decarbonize,” said Alexander Kueper, Neste’s v-p of renewable aviation, adding that this latest expansion of its storage capability with supply chain partners such as ONEOK underscores that commitment. “It provides a reliable basis for supplying SAF to domestic and visiting airlines at airports across the eastern part of the country as well as a solid base for supporting policies on state, federal, and local levels in the U.S.”

Several Northeastern states—including New York and New Jersey—are currently working on their own tax incentive programs that would further advance the SAF market in the region.

Citing federal preemption, the U.S. District Court for Hawaii this week struck down a state requirement for air tour operators to provide detailed reports of their operations. At dispute was a section of Hawaii Act 311, signed into law in July 2022, calling for the state to adopt rules to regulate air tour operations through permits with detailed monthly reporting requirements.

The state legislature said the act was intended to enable Hawaii to monitor compliance with federal regulations and formally establish an air noise and safety task force. State committees and task forces had expressed concern about “excessive noise and safety hazards posed by tour helicopters and small aircraft.”

Vertical Aviation International (VAI) joined Safari Aviation (dba Safari Helicopters) in challenging the law, saying federal law preempted the reporting requirements. They asked the court to issue a permanent injunction barring enforcement of the reporting requirements.

In the July 22 decision, the court agreed with VAI and Safari, granting the permanent injunction. The court found that “Congress intended federal law to occupy the field of aviation safety” and cited a previous court decision that the FAA administrator “must balance considerations of safety, efficiency, technological progress, common defense, and environmental protection in the process of formulating rules and regulations with respect to the use of the nation’s airspace."

Gogo Business Aviation is bringing a new satellite-based inflight connectivity service, Gogo Galileo, to business aviation operators worldwide that will deliver a broadband experience with fast data rates and low latency to accommodate more devices onboard and data-hungry services like streaming video, video conferencing, cloud computing, and gaming. It is designed to fit on business aircraft of all sizes.

Fargo Jet Center formed a strategic partnership with satellite communications technologist Stellar Blu Solutions to boost special-mission aircraft connectivity capabilities. Through the collaboration, the companies have developed an aircraft testbed modified with Stellar Blu’s Sidewinder, an electronically steered antenna-based satcom terminal that will support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) activities. Fargo Jet installed a Stellar Blu Sidewinder antenna on a Cessna Citation Encore+.

The project will involve global demonstrations and testing of advanced ISR capabilities via multi-network satellite connectivity services using Stellar Blu’s Sidewinder platform. Replacing traditional high-drag mechanical gimbal-based directional antennas and limited line-of-sight systems, the installation will showcase connectivity capabilities such as high-definition video streaming to and from the aircraft. The partnership has secured ISR contracts on the Bombardier Challenger and de Havilland DHC-8 platforms.

"We are excited to partner with Stellar Blu, bringing together our expertise and innovative solutions," said Justin Ladner, who is heading up special mission programs at Fargo Jet Center. "This collaboration will enhance our ISR program offerings and pave the way for future advancements in special mission aircraft."

"From the beginning, we believed Sidewinder's development would lead to additional partnership opportunities," added Stellar Blu CEO Tracy Trent. "Fargo Jet Center's focus on the global ISR and special mission fleet complements our partnerships in commercial aviation and further underscores the unmatched performance, flexibility, and value Sidewinder brings."

With the Summer Olympic Games starting this weekend in Paris, Signature Aviation has stocked a limited supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its Paris Le Bourget (LFPB) FBO. The fuel—a 20% SAF blend provided by Shell—will result in a 16% reduction in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to standard fossil-based fuel.

“As travelers from all over the world gather in Paris for the games, it presents an important opportunity to shine a light on the future of aviation through sustainability,” said Sophie Lesnoff, Signature’s area director for mainland Europe. “We’re excited to bring SAF to Signature [LFPB] and, in turn, give our guests from all over the world the chance to actively participate in the most meaningful way to make an impact on carbon emissions reductions.”

In May, Avfuel announced it would be establishing permanent supplies of SAF at three Paris-area airports, including Le Bourget, in time for the start of the games.

Signature recently transitioned its FBOs at Los Angeles International and San Francisco International airports to become the industry’s only private aviation terminals with a 100% supply of blended SAF, and it is available on a regular basis at 17 of its locations worldwide. The chain recently surpassed the 35-million-gallon mark in terms of SAF blend delivered across its network.

This weekend, control of the Newark-area airspace sector will be reassigned from New York’s Terminal Radar Approach Control (Tracon) to Philadelphia’s facility, a transition that will encompass not only Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR) but Teterboro (KTEB), Morristown (KMMU), Caldwell (KCDW), and Linden (KLDJ) airports. As a result, area designation will change from New York Approach to Newark Approach, while the switch in ATC communications should be seamless for operators. The FAA claims the move will help alleviate short staffing at the New York Tracon in Westbury, New York.

According to NBAA’s air traffic service desk, this realignment—which will take place during the overnight shift from Saturday into Sunday—could result in implementation of ground delay programs at reduced arrival rates for KEWR, KTEB, and KMMU, and possible airspace flow programs that would control KTEB, KMMU, and KCDW as one. It could also entail changes in rerouting requirements that differ from standard preferred routes.

NBAA warned that operators intending to fly to KTEB from the south should ensure adequate fuel in case of possible extended distances, times, and delays.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is protesting the move, which would relocate 12 air traffic controllers from the New York Tracon to Philadelphia for up to two years, and argues that it will only exacerbate the staffing shortage.

Textron Aviation designated Gama Aviation as its authorized sales representative for special mission aircraft in the UK and Ireland. Announced last week at the Royal International Air Tattoo airshow, the authorization builds on Textron Aviation’s longstanding partnership with UK-based Gama and covers special mission variants of the entire portfolio of Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft.

“As a long-term design, embodiment, maintainer, and operator of Textron Aviation platforms for air ambulance and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance [ISR] missions, we feel ideally placed to advise end users and operators of the art of the possible in their special-missions configuration,” said Mark Smith, managing director of special missions at Gama Aviation.

Under the authorization, Gama Aviation can work with customers on their total needs—from developing the requirements to offering turnkey missionized aircraft and full in-country support.

“With an established and growing base of our special-missions aircraft in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Textron Aviation is continuously investing in providing the best aviation experience for customers,” said Bob Gibbs, v-p of special mission sales for Textron Aviation. “Gama Aviation has a proven record of providing quality maintenance and excellent service on Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft, and this latest authorization provides an even greater level of convenience for new and returning customers.”