Signature Expands Italian Service Network

Signature Flight Support has expanded its European footprint with the addition of six affiliate FBO locations in Italy, the company announced today. The BBA Aviation subsidiary already had a presence in the country through its relationship with SEA Prime, which operates Milan Linate and Malpensa Airports, as well as a facility at Rome Ciampino.

The new locations include Bergamo-Orio al Serio International, Catania-Fonanarossa, Florence, Naples International, Palermo’s Falcone Borsellino Airport, and Pisa International Airports. Operating permits, slot acquisition, and PPR approvals for those airports will be added to the portfolio of handling services coordinated from Signature’s 24/7 Italian operations center located at Milan-Linate.

“Signature has identified Italy as a key strategic market for business aircraft operations in Europe,” said John-Angus Smith, the company’s managing director for EMEA. “By adapting our business model to conform to local conditions, including our joint venture with SEA Prime and our latest handler arrangements at several Italian airports, we have developed a comprehensive support network for business aircraft operators visiting major airports throughout the country.”

Tamarack Returns To Installing Active Winglets

Tamarack Aerospace has returned to installing its Atlas active winglets following the decision of U.S. and European authorities this month to permit aircraft equipped with the winglets to begin flying again. Airworthiness Directives (AD) in the U.S. and Europe had grounded Atlas-equipped Cessna Citation CJ1s, CJ2s, and CJ3s and halted further installations, leading the company to Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy in June. A CJ1 at Tamarack’s Sandpoint, Idaho facility is now receiving the first new installation of Atlas winglets.

“In the last few weeks, Tamarack has taken three deposits and scheduled two installations with more sales in the pipeline,” said Tamarack CEO Nick Guida. “We are also working with our nine U.S. and seven international service centers to support their sales and installation efforts.”

The ADs were issued in April by EASA and in May by the FAA over concerns that a malfunctioning Tamarack active camber surface within the winglet system could lead to loss of control. EASA lifted its AD earlier this month and the FAA issued an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) on July 10 that effectively lifted flight restrictions on Atlas-equipped Citations.

“The fact that the resolution to the AD was incorporating the preexisting Service Bulletins (SB) we provided to customers at no cost starting 18 months ago is an example of our commitment to safety and to our customers,” Guida explained.

Daedalean Steps Up Autonomous Flight Control Efforts

Backed by a new round of funding completed this month, Swiss artificial intelligence start-up Daedalean is pressing ahead with plans to develop what it claims will be the first certifiable DAL-A level autopilot system to support autonomous aircraft operations. Its latest funding round was backed by Carthona Capital, Redalpine and Amino Capital. Daedalean has now raised a total of just under $12 million.

Design assurance levels (DALs) are used by aviation authorities to define safety criticality of a software application. The Zurich-based company is aiming for a DAL-C autopilot solution that will support pilots as an interim step to full autonomy.

According to Daedalean founder and CEO Luuk van Dijk, the company aims to release the DAL-C solution in 2021. It plans to partner with avionics manufacturers to get the technology integrated into aircraft cockpits to operate in tandem with existing flight controls.

Daedalean’s business model is to lead the introduction of autonomous flight software for applications such as eVTOL aircraft being developed for passenger- and cargo-carrying use and existing general aviation aircraft. The company acknowledges that regulatory structures are not yet in place to support the immediate integration of fully autonomous flight controls and so wants to support aircraft and avionics manufacturers as they take incremental steps towards the eventual goal of full autonomy.

Safety Forum Looks at Industry Reg Participation

A final report from the recent European safety seminar produced several findings and recommendations aimed at improving regulatory participation by stakeholders and mitigating operational risk factors. The forum was sponsored by the Flight Safety Foundation, the European Regions Airline Association, and Eurocontrol.

During the meeting, three main sessions were held: from drawing board to published regulation; procedural shortcomings; and technology and science. The meeting concluded with a number of findings and recommendations, which were then used to develop safety improvement strategies to “prevent, contain, or mitigate a specific risk.”

A key finding centered around the failure of communication. Conference attendees reported that aviation system users “often do not feel listened to.” The forum sponsors agreed that there “must not be walls or barriers that might isolate. Clear responsibilities and easy, just culture-based communication should be encouraged.”

Participants requested that the “roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the system—from ICAO down to front-line operator—should be clearly identified and close communication and understanding should link each stakeholder.” In addition, regulatory authorities need to “advertise the channels that already exist to make them more functional,” they said.

UPS Applies for Part 135 Certificate for Drone Deliveries

Global package delivery company UPS has applied for an FAA Part 135 certification to operate commercial drone flights under a new subsidiary business called UPS Flight Forward, the company announced on Wednesday. The company said it could receive Part 135 approval this year, making it one of the first fully certified, revenue-generating drone operations in the U.S. UPS says it ultimately intends to operate delivery drone flights day or night and beyond the operator’s visual line of sight.

“UPS is committed to using technology to transform the way we do business,” said UPS chief transformation and strategy officer Scott Price. “UPS’s formation of a drone delivery company and application to begin regular operations under this level of certification is historic for UPS and for the drone and logistics industries.”

Currently, UPS operates drone healthcare deliveries in a specific use-case under FAA Part 107 rules at WakeMed’s hospital and campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. Under that program, the company delivers medical samples via unmanned drones, supplementing a ground courier service. UPS said it intends to expand its drone delivery service to other hospitals or campus settings.

Mid-Continent Adds Dealer to Trig Avionics’ Bona Fides

Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, Trig Avionics’ only North American authorized service center, is now an approved dealer for the UK-based aircraft instruments manufacturer, the Wichita-based company announced. The agreement builds upon Mid-Continent’s exclusive service partnership that the companies entered into in 2013.

“Our team of expert technicians and customer service representatives have been working with Trig products for more than half of a decade,” said Mid-Continent director of sales David Copeland. “Customers can now purchase new Trig products while receiving technical support and repair services in the same convenient location.”

Trig’s product line includes transponders, radios, nav/com, audio panels, GPS receivers and antennas, and UAS products. Mid-Continent is a manufacturer of aircraft instruments, avionics, and True Blue power systems, and also a Part 145 provider of instrument and avionics repair and overhaul, with additional operations in Van Nuys, California. It joins more than 800 approved dealers in 42 countries. 

Global Trek Joins Aviaa Supplier Network

Global private aviation group purchasing organization Aviaa has added UK-based FBO operator Global Trek Aviation to its network of preferred suppliers. Global Trek, which was founded in 2014, operates a full-service 24/7 FBO at Belfast International in Northern Ireland and earlier this year expanded to a second location with a brand new facility at Wales’ Cardiff International Airport.

Aviaa’s current operator fleet consists of North American, European, and Middle Eastern customers. Since its launch last year, the company has grown to provide procurement services for more than 1,000 aircraft and has more than 70 preferred suppliers. Its network of FBOs now totals nearly 150 members, and it uses economies of scale to negotiate discounts for its customers.

“We are committed to offering a diverse and wide range of FBOs for our members, and the high quality and variety of services Global Trek offers make their two FBOs excellent additions to our growing international FBO network,” said Irena Deville, Aviaa’s European managing director.

Witness: AW139 Was Spinning before Bahamas Fatal Crash

More details have emerged into the July 4 AW139 helicopter accident that killed American coal billionaire Chris Cline and six others during a night flight in the Bahamas. According to the NTSB’s preliminary report, an eyewitness saw a running light pattern that suggests the helicopter was spinning on its vertical axis just before it hit the water. The witness saw the helicopter depart and climb to an altitude of 40 to 50 feet agl, “then shortly thereafter, he noted blue and white lights spinning to the left at a rate of about one to two seconds between rotations while descending.” He estimated that the helicopter “rotated to the left three to four times” before hearing the sound of impact.

The helicopter wreckage was found later that afternoon by local residents approximately 1.2 nm from the departure point, inverted, in 16 feet of water. According to the NTSB, the helicopter was found with the “tailboom was separated from the aft fuselage and was recovered in multiple pieces." 

Cline’s helicopter landed on Big Grand Cay between 1:30 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. local and then hot-loaded the passengers for the planned flight to Fort Lauderdale International airport (FLL). Weather at the time was reported as VFR with a 2,500-foot broken ceiling and visibility of 10 miles.