Signature Aviation and luxury commercial aviation services provider PS have signed an agreement to bring the latter’s offerings to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (KATL). PS, which already operates at Los Angeles International Airport, will occupy a Signature building at KATL adjacent to the Signature Flight Support terminal under a long-term lease.
At that location, PS will provide its clients the opportunity to bypass the commercial terminal and enjoy luxury FBO-style amenities, including chauffeured transport to and from the aircraft door, high-end lounges and private suites, on-site TSA and customs screening, chef-prepared meals, and an extensive cocktail menu. The company coordinates with government, security, and airline officials to provide privacy, security, and efficiency.
“We look forward to serving our thousands of members at the nation’s busiest airport,” said PS co-CEO Joshua Gausman. “The city of Atlanta is one of the few places where a PS terminal will be a perfect fit, and we’re excited to work closely with Signature here and in other key cities around the world.” He added that his company’s customers often fly privately and are familiar with the Signature brand. “Creating ways to make [their] commercial flight connections faster and easier makes sense.”
AINsight: Marathon or Sprint?
When I first broached a looming pilot shortage at NBAA-BACE in 2013, people told me I was crazy. Well, it has indeed happened. Compensation for aviation professionals, and especially pilots, has been increasing at an unprecedented rate since mid-2018. Subsequently, business aviation employers have had to react to the increasing demand for pilots, revising compensation and employee benefits to try and keep up with the airlines.
In recent discussions with hiring managers and candidates, I’m hearing about more employee demands. It’s an employee’s market, and business aircraft pilots are threatening to leave if their flight departments don’t show them the money. Yet it leaves me to wonder if these aviation pros are turning their marathon-length careers into a sudden burst to reach the top. What can we do to ensure that we are focusing on the marathon and not the sprint?
Aviation professionals should consider their career paths from both sides of the equation. Do not allow situational opportunism to rule decision-making. Instead, consider the same fairness extended to them by their employer during the pandemic. If the company didn’t make a snap decision (and perhaps even fought for them) at an unprecedented time, perhaps it’s fair to offer them the same grace?
Everyone deserves to be paid what they are worth, but we must all consult our own personal values before pushing employers beyond realistic thresholds.
The median value of business jets across all size categories continued to rise year-over-year, according to Amstat’s quarterly report and estimates from analyst Jeffries. Large-cabin jet valuations increased 32 percent over the past 12 months, while super-midsize and light jets each climbed 46 percent in the same period. Year-over-year midsize jet and turboprop valuations also rose by 34 percent.
At the same time, the number of preowned business jet transactions was mixed. Preowned large-cabin and super-midsize jet transactions rose 7 percent and 10 percent year-over-year, respectively. However, transactions in the same period fell by 11 percent for midsize jets and by 9 percent for both light jets and turboprops.
In terms of utilization, charter and fractional activity continues to increase from a year ago, according to Jeffries and Amstat. Part 91 flying, which was about 40 percent below 2019 levels last year, has likely increased year-to-date but is still trailing 2019 levels by 15 to 20 percent, according to Jefferies.
NBAA is praising the formation of the bipartisan Congressional Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Caucus, which aims to educate members about this emerging technology. Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-California), an ATP pilot and CFI, and Jimmy Panetta (D-California) are co-chairs of the caucus. According to NBAA, Reps. Garret Graves (R-Louisiana) and Dina Titus (D-Nevada) were also instrumental in creating the caucus.
“Advanced air mobility has the potential to combine the benefits of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, small general aviation aircraft, and intercontinental business jets,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “It allows the U.S. the opportunity to lead on this emerging technology, which is why it’s essential that Congress play a role to ensure we are competitive with other world leaders in this space. NBAA looks forward to engaging with the caucus on AAM technology, which will help connect with communities that have been left behind by existing transit systems.”
The House of Representatives recently passed the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act (H.R.6270), which authorizes funding to plan for and eventually build new AAM infrastructure by leveraging existing vertiports and other public transportation facilities to support AAM operations. Similar legislation—S.4246—was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Alex Padilla (D-California) and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas).
The Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC) and Helicopter Association International (HAI) have partnered with aviation noise consultancy PlaneNoise to launch a helicopter noise complaint system in the Washington, D.C. region. Their new initiative focuses on airport and aircraft noise complaint–management solutions, noise abatement–procedure compliance monitoring, and related government and community affairs. “Both ERHC and HAI take seriously the obligation to fly neighborly and represent our industry responsibly,” said John Shea, director of government affairs for HAI.
ERHC and HAI seek to work with the D.C. community to review and process noise complaints and use this data to help mitigate helicopter noise. D.C.-area residents may complete and submit noise concerns via web form, iPhone and Android-compatible mobile apps, or voicemail at the noise-complaint hotline.
Using available flight-tracking data, the system will identify likely aircraft generating concerns and all associated data. ERHC chairman Jeff Smith said his group is “grateful to be working with HAI and the FAA to collaborate on finding a commonsense solution to the noise issue in Washington, D.C. This program offers a single-point repository to track complaints and then look at the data to find options for addressing the issue.”
London Biggin Hill-based aviation services provider Oriens Aviation has received authorization to provide third-party maintenance, repair, and overhaul on Cirrus SR-series piston singles. As a result, Oriens is expanding its presence at Biggin Hill to accommodate the type.
Several Oriens technicians have completed factory training on Cirrus SR-series airplanes—the SR20 and SR22—and the company is committing further investment to equipment and tools for the types. “We are delighted to become a Cirrus SR2X Partner,” said Oriens general manager for maintenance Stuart Locke. “The Cirrus is a fantastic aircraft and a great brand in personal aviation, testament to its excellent sales performance. We look forward to working with the team in Europe, supporting UK and European owners.”
Oriens’s location is expected to complement other Cirrus-authorized MRO in Gloucestershire and Leeds, UK as well as in Guernsey. The company also is an exclusive distributor of Pilatus and Tecnam aircraft.
Air charter broker and jet card provider Paramount Business Jets (PBJ) reported this week that it has experienced a 318 percent increase in business over the past two years and more than tripled its revenue. In 2021, the Leesburg, Virginia-based company topped $35 million in sales, averaging more than 100 bookings a month. Further, the 17-year-old firm is projecting its revenue to reach $70 million by 2025.
“When the pandemic struck our world, we were very fortunate to have our highly-experienced charter consultants already located around the globe to respond quickly and professionally to requests for aircraft,” said PBJ founder and CEO Richard Zaher. “We had the right people, ethics, and processes in place, which allowed us to continue to exceed our clients' highest expectations even as our competitors scrambled to adapt to the changing work environment.”
Zaher added that PBJ’s focus going forward will be to further invest and improve upon the technology behind its web-based platform, as well as increase hiring. “Our team has never been as strong as it is today; at the same time, we are investing in the future to ensure our stability for years to come and seeking additional charter professionals,” he said.
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is taking steps to address the lack of specific aircraft class ratings for single-pilot, less complex, multi-engine helicopters. To alleviate the problem, CASA has proposed a temporary exemption to establish a multi-engine helicopter class rating until flight crew licensing rules are formally amended. The exemption is scheduled to be in place by late July.
According to CASA, the current regulatory approach to prescribe a type rating for each multi-engine helicopter is a key reason for the limited availability of suitably qualified flight instructors, flight examiners, and operators to conduct training and assessments for some multi-engine helicopters. “This has led to increased costs and time to access training and assessment, and impacts on the availability of suitably qualified pilots,” said CASA. “The problem is exacerbated by the very small number of these types of helicopters in Australia.”
In addition to allowing pilots to obtain class ratings, the multi-engine helicopter class rating will allow flight instructors and examiners to conduct training, testing, and flight reviews for multi-engine helicopters in class. It will also permit Part 141 training operators to perform training for the new class. Comments on the proposed exemption are due July 4.
Photo of the Week
Bizav shines at Big Apple event. The NBAA regional forum at New York City-area Westchester County Airport on Wednesday saw about 2,500 attendees coming out for the association’s second, and last, regional forum this year. The event also featured nearly 200 exhibitors on a sold-out show floor and 16 aircraft on display, which had a steady stream of attendees waiting in lines to peruse the airplanes. Thanks to NBAA for sharing this photo!
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