Textron Aviation pulled in a strong quarter with Citation deliveries increasing by four units, to 48, and overall backlog growing another $700 million, to $5.8 billion. However, Scott Donnelly, chairman and CEO of the Wichita airframer’s parent, Textron, cautioned that the supply chain is creating “headwinds” that may push some deliveries into 2023 and soften 2022 revenues by a few hundred million from its guidance.
In the second quarter, Textron Aviation delivered four fewer commercial aircraft overall year-over-year, with piston single deliveries off by 10 units, to 61. However, turboprop deliveries increased year-over-year by two units, to 35, and turbine aircraft in total by six units, to 83. The turboprop deliveries included the first SkyCourier to customer FedEx.
The delivery results, coupled with an 18 percent jump in the aftermarket business, pushed up revenues for the quarter by $123 million, to $1.3 billion, and profits by $59 million, to $155 million. “We continue to see strong demand, solid pricing, and increased deliveries for our Citation jets and turboprops,” Donnelly told analysts this morning in releasing the quarterly results.
Textron Aviation is trying to ramp up production but that is a more difficult process given the supply-chain issues, Donnelly said. “I think we'll probably be a little light on revenue. We'll probably miss some deliveries as things push into 2023.”
Sustainable fuel provider Neste will shore up its feedstock supply pipeline with the acquisition of Walco Foods, an Ireland-based animal fats distributor. Neste refines such wastes and residues into renewable fuels and other products using its proprietary NEXBTL technology. It has worked of late to solidify its feedstock network with the purchase of similar companies: IH Demeter, Bunge Loders Crokalaan, and Count Terminal in the Netherlands, along with Mahoney Environmental and AgriTrading in the U.S.
“This is another important step for Neste in the execution of our growth strategy,” said company president and CEO Matti Lehmus. “With this acquisition, we continue to build a global waste and residue raw material platform and add trading capabilities in Ireland.”
Walco, a family-run business, was established in 1996 and has grown to become one of Ireland’s leading animal fat and byproducts trading companies. The Neste purchase is subject to regulatory approval.
Leesburg Executive Airport (KJYO)—the second busiest general aviation airport in Virginia and located just 35 miles from Washington D.C.—has received a second service provider with the opening of Kuhn Jet Center. A sister to aircraft management provider Kuhn Aviation, the FBO is operating from a 34,000-sq-ft climate-controlled hangar that company president Scott Kuhn built in 2020.
The hangar, which can accommodate the latest ultra-long-range business jets, has a mezzanine with flight operation and aircraft management offices and a high-end owner’s lounge. Other amenities at the Titan Fuels-branded facility include heated garage parking; passenger lounge; concierge; eight-seat, A/V-equipped conference room; crew lounge and snooze room; crew cars; rampside vehicle valet; and on-site car rental.
“We are excited to open the Kuhn Jet Center to serve our growing community with more options, a higher level of service, and fair pricing,” said Kuhn. “Along with Kuhn Aviation, we look forward to our continuing partnership with the town of Leesburg and being part of the future of this thriving airport.”
The Air Charter Association (ACA) has accepted a request to join the UK’s Jet Zero Council Zero Emission Flight Delivery Group, a partnership formed between government and industry to facilitate the decarbonization of aviation.
The group provides advice on how to best accelerate the adoption of zero-emission flights and how to put the UK in a leading position to achieve it. It will build on the efforts of the Aerospace Technology Institute’s FlyZero Project, as well as the UK’s Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Flight Infrastructure project, with three areas of focus: zero-emission aircraft, ground infrastructure, and regulatory requirements.
“This invitation from the UK government demonstrates the significant role the association is playing for nonscheduled air transport,” said ACA chief executive Glenn Hogben. “I am delighted to have been invited to take part in this group representing charter aviation and supporting our collective goal to achieve zero-emission flights.”
Despite a sharp drop in traffic and almost complete collapse of the Russian business aviation sector, the authorities of the Russian Krasnodar region—Russia’s major Black sea resort—are teaming up with private investors to build a large-scale business aviation terminal at the local Gelendzhik Airport. The airport is one of the most modern in Southern Russia, having recently undergone a reconstruction that led to an almost doubling of its capacities.
Among the expected investors in the project are VTB Bank and a local businessman, Taimuraz Bolloev. So far, the partners have begun work on the development of a concept for the new business aviation terminal. These plans have been recently confirmed by the airport. Total investment in the project has not been disclosed, but local analysts and sources close to the airport said they may reach two billion rubles ($34 million).
Implementation of these plans will be part of the existing state strategy for turning the Krasnodar region into a new hub of business aviation in Russia. This new hub is occurring because many foreign destinations are now closed to most Russian-registered business jets and their owners due to Ukraine war-related sanctions.
Libra Group unit LCI has ordered two Airbus Helicopters H175 super-medium twins and optioned four more in a deal potentially valued at more than $125 million. Deliveries to the aircraft lessor will begin in late 2023.
LCI’s current fleet includes 50 airplanes and Airbus helicopters that are deployed by 14 operators in 10 countries on a range of missions, including emergency medical services, search and rescue, and offshore wind. Since its inception in 2004, LCI has undertaken in excess of $8 billion of transactions in the aviation markets.
“The Airbus H175 is a versatile, multi-purpose helicopter and this order will help to maintain the breadth of LCI’s product offering,” said LCI CEO Jaspal Jandu. “This latest chapter in our partnership is an important element of our long-term growth strategy, and demonstrates our confidence in the helicopter leasing market.”
Entering service in 2015, the seven-tonne H175 is powered by a pair of 1,776-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-67Es that can propel the helicopter to 19,685 feet in less than seven minutes. Configured for offshore operations, the 17,196-pound-mtow helicopter seats 16 passengers.
Aircraft paint specialist Aviation Exteriors Louisiana is adding maintenance and conversion services through an expansion of its facility at Acadiana Regional Airport New Iberia. The company estimates the $2.5 million project, which will involve upgrading a 60-year-old maintenance hangar, will add 100 jobs in addition to the 83 existing positions. The state of Louisana is offering a $2 million grant and other services for the work, in addition to tax incentives.
The move into maintenance and conversions marks a shift for the 32-year-old company, which spent its first decade focused on the painting of airliners and then added corporate jets and military aircraft in the later years. It also comes after the company was acquired by its new CEO, Jerry Hernandez.
“I’m excited to have chosen New Iberia, Louisiana, and AvEx to fill a void in today’s market to provide world-class service to our loyal aviation customers and the industry,” Hernandez said. “After a thorough search of the Southeast U.S., I was impressed with both the local and state enthusiasm for our company’s mission and the AvEx 32-year history of operations.”
Iberia Parish president Larry Richard added: “The expansion of Aviation Exteriors at Acadiana Regional Airport speaks highly of the need for this type of business in Iberia Parish.”
AAR received FAA recognition for its corporate safety management system (SMS), becoming among the earliest independent third-party MROs to have secured such acknowledgment. AAR’s SMS enables all employees to proactively identify and report hazards, perform risk analysis and mitigation, and share best practices, the Wood Dale, Illinois services provider said, adding it is part of the company’s commitment—supported by senior leadership—to quality and safety.
“Moving to a corporate SMS demonstrates the maturity of our program and our proactive approach to safety,” said AAR president and CEO John Holmes.
Brian Sartain, AAR’s vice president of repair and engineering, added: “Our corporate SMS thrives on collaboration and problem solving on a network-wide scale. We endeavor to proactively identify risks and partner with customers to find mutually beneficial solutions. The response has been incredibly positive.”
Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR provides global aerospace and defense aftermarket services with operations in more than 20 countries.
Teaching Helo Pilots How To Survive IIMC Situations
Inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC) is a common cause of helicopter accidents. Southern Utah University’s helicopter training program has integrated with Chuck Aaron's advanced flight academy to offer the world’s only collegiate helicopter upset recovery and advanced instrument flight training. The program focuses first on preventing pilots from getting into IIMC situations, but if they do find themselves in danger, students are taught how to fly out of the situation in one piece.
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