G650ER Crew Attempts Record Polar Circumnavigation

To commemorate the launch of the first moon landing 50 years ago this month, an international team of pilots at the controls of a Qatar Executive Gulfstream G650ER is attempting to break the polar circumnavigation of the Earth record for any aircraft. The ultra-long-range twinjet took off this morning at 9:32 a.m. from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the same time and location where the Apollo 11 launch took place in 1969 and is required to finish there according to the sanctioning bodies Féderátion Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) and the Guinness Book of Records.

If successful, the approximately 48-hour mission will cross over both poles, breaking an 11-year-old FAI record for average speed set by Captain Aziz Ojjeh in a Bombardier Global XRS and the Guinness record based on minimum time set in 1977 by a Pan Am Boeing 747SP.

This attempt will cover 22,422 nm and require three refueling stops, which are being planned with race-car pit stop efficiency in Kazakhstan, Mauritius, and Chile. Among the crew is mission director Captain Hamish Harding, chairman of Action Aviation; former U.S. Air Force test pilot, space shuttle astronaut and former commander of the International Space Station (ISS) Col. Terry Virts; and Col. Gennady Padalka, Mir and Soyuz cosmonaut, ISS commander and holder of the record for most days in space by any human.

Call Direct for IFR Clearances from Non-tower Airports

The FAA’s Clearance Relay Initiative has changed the way pilots obtain IFR clearances from non-tower airports. For pilots calling for a clearance on the telephone, they can now obtain their clearance by calling the overlying Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) Flight Data Units or an approach control facility, according to the FAA. The reason for the switch, the FAA said, is to reduce the risk of potential errors.

Previously pilots would telephone Leidos Flight Service, the contractor that provides flight service information for pilots flying in the U.S., which would relay the request to FAA facilities. Leidos, however, will still relay clearances over remote-communications outlets (RCO) located on the airport. Leidos also will continue to provide full weather briefings and flight plan filing services, along with the relay and cancellation of IFR clearances, for medevac pilots via telephone (877-543-7433).

Pilots on normal flight plans can call ARTCC Flight Data Unit or approach control phone numbers to obtain their IFR clearance and also cancel clearances.

Applicable phone numbers are published in the FAA’s Chart Supplement, US (the former Airport/Facility Directory). Chart supplements for various regions are available for free online from the FAA and also from various pilot tablet app providers. Some apps also include the clearance delivery phone numbers in their airport information sections.

Bombardier’s Global 5500 Bound for U.S. West Coast

Bombardier received an order from an undisclosed U.S. West Coast-based customer for a Global 5500, marking the first sale for that model from the region. The order, valued at $46 million, was supported through Jet Transactions in Van Nuys.

“The combination of additional range, large-cabin comfort, smooth ride, and short-field performance capabilities, makes the new Global 5500 aircraft uniquely suited to meet our clients’ West Coast missions,” said Brant Dahlfors, co-founder of Jet Transactions.

Bombardier unveiled the 5,700-nm Global 5500, along with its 6,600-nm Global 6500 sibling during EBACE 2018. Based on the 5000 and 6000 program, the newest members of the Global family feature new Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engines, a re-profiled wing, updated flight deck, and a new interior highlighting Bombardier’s Nuage seat design. Bombardier is targeting entry-into-service by year-end. Toward meeting that goal, the company has already inducted the first 6500 into completions and by the end of May, 90 percent of flight test for the newest Globals was complete.

The updates improve hot and high performance and enable the 5500 to complete missions from Los Angeles to London, São Paulo, or Moscow.

BACA Becomes The Air Charter Association

BACA-The Air Charter Association is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a rebranding to The Air Charter Association, a move the organization says will give it a clearer identity. The organization was founded in 1949 as the Baltic Air Charter Association at London’s Baltic Exchange and has focused on representing the air charter industry before regulatory authorities and governments worldwide.

The brand change is the second for the organization, which is fully eliminating the “Baltic” reference for the first time. “With only two brand refreshes in those 70 years, the council has taken the opportunity to mark the 70th anniversary with a clear statement to the world of our purpose with the brand and identity change to ‘The Air Charter Association,'” the organization said. However, the association added it remains closely aligned with its original motto taken from the Baltic Exchange: “Our World, Our Bond.”

“This rebrand really cements in everyone’s minds what The Air Charter Association is here for and who we represent. We’re a global trade body with over 250 members around the globe,” CEO Dave Edwards said. “It’s been a great 70 years as BACA, but the time is right to drive the organization to its full potential now.”

Chairman Nick Weston unveiled the new identity during the association’s 70th-anniversary event held July 4 at the Institute of Directors in London’s Pall Mall.

Helo Lessor LCI Secures $75 Million More in Financing

Libra Group’s helicopter lessor unit, Lease Corporation International (LCI), has successfully closed a new asset-backed helicopter financing facility in excess of $75 million, led by CaixaBank along with a consortium of financial institutions. The new arrangement is CaixaBank’s first with LCI and follows the successful closing of a similar facility earlier this year with Close Brothers Aviation and Marine. It will be used to support the continuing growth of LCI’s helicopter fleet for civilian use. 

LCI’s fleet, which comprises approximately $1 billion of assets in service, on order, and under management, is focused on the latest technology light-twin, medium, and super-medium helicopters manufactured by Leonardo, Airbus, and Sikorsky.

“We’re delighted to be working with CaixaBank and the consortium to help drive the growth of our fleet of next-generation helicopters, whose efficiency and reliability is proving popular with the many civilian helicopter operators to whom we lease them,” said LCI CFO Jaspal Jandu. Since its inception in 2004, LCI has acquired a fleet of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft with a value of approximately $6 billion.

EBAA: Russian Rule for Business Aircraft Lacks Clarity

A new Russian regulation requires, among other things, that operators of non-Russian-certified business aircraft obtain approval five days before their intended flights to or from the country, and that there is no “objection” determination by any of eight Russian airlines. However, according to the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), the rule was implemented on June 21 without clear guidance or processes in place.

EBAA has reached out to the Russian United Business Aviation Association (RUBAA), which initiated an emergency meeting with the Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation on June 26 to get clarification of the requirements. “The authorities were receptive to the arguments RUBAA put forward on behalf of the business aviation industry regarding flights to and from Russia,” said the EBAA. “The regulation will be looked at by the ministry but there is currently no date when or if any changes will take place.”

Aware that confusion about the new requirements might cause operational delays, the two associations said they “are continuously monitoring the situation and are working together with the authorities.” To this end, EBAA and RUBAA are organizing a Moscow Business Aviation Roundtable for operators on September 13 at Vnukovo-3 International Airport. “This and other topics will be discussed at length.”

NATA To Sponsor Hangar Foam-suppression Study

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has agreed to sponsor a University of Maryland research project that will delve into the causes, hazards, and associated costs of accidental discharges of foam fire-suppression systems. It will address both high- and low-expansion foam systems in addition to determining the rationale for the requirement of foam systems in the National Fire Protection (NFPA) 409 standard for aircraft hangars. According to the organization, industry feedback indicates a high risk associated with accidental discharges, with significant clean-up and aircraft damage costs as well as possible environmental damage.

“There is significant uncertainty surrounding the benefits versus potential hazards related to hangar foam fire-suppression systems,” stated Gary Dempsey, NATA president and CEO. “NATA members have repeatedly voiced concern that the cost of installing these foam systems dramatically increases the expense of new hangars, while providing limited risk mitigation due to the low incidence of hangar fires.”

The revision cycle for NFPA 409 is currently underway, with industry comments due by November 14. The NFPA’s technical committee will review those comments for consideration in the next standard, which is expected to be published in early 2021.

“We believe that this analysis will confirm what our members have expressed: that the cost of installation, maintenance, and clean-up from false discharges far exceeds the risk reduction of these systems,” Dempsey concluded.

NAA Honoring Bruce Whitman with New Annual Award

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is creating a new award, the Bruce Whitman Trophy, in honor of the late chairman, president, and CEO of FlightSafety International and noted philanthropist. Whitman, who passed away in October 2018, will be the initial recipient of the trophy established in his name in recognition of his contributions to the aerospace industry over 60 years. NAA will present the first trophy to Whitman’s family and colleagues at the NAA Fall Awards Dinner.

“Bruce will be sorely missed by the thousands he has touched,” said NAA chairman Jim Albaugh. “Over the years, he gave generously of his time to promote and remember the sacrifices of our military. This trophy is meant to honor his legacy, and to recognize individuals who have provided like service to aerospace and our country.”

The award will be presented annually to “outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation or aerospace in the U.S., and who by working with museums and other institutions have promoted an appreciation by students and the broader public of the sacrifices and legacy of members of the military service."

Count on AIN for Full Coverage of LABACE

As ever, you can count on AIN for full coverage of LABACE 2019. Our team will publish three of our award-winning daily LABACE Convention News editions at the show on August 13, 14, and 15. 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 Ian Sheppard.