Gulfstream G800 Makes First Flight

The first Gulfstream G800—registered as N800G—completed its inaugural flight this morning, officially launching the flight-test program for the 8,000-nm twinjet. N800G lifted off from Gulfstream Aerospace’s headquarters at Georgia’s Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (KSAV) at 9 a.m. and landed back at the field two hours later. It made the flight using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel.

“When the first G800 test aircraft rolled out at our announcement [in October], we changed the game once again for our industry,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “The G800 pushes the boundaries of performance even further with Gulfstream-designed aerodynamics and cabin technology, and we look forward to our customers benefiting from the longer range at higher speeds in our exceptional cabin environment.”

Powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, the G800 features the company’s Symmetry Flight Deck, dual head-up displays with a combined vision system, fly-by-wire with active control sticks, circadian lighting in the cabin, and 16 large cabin windows. 

“We are seeing great interest in the G800, and this first flight brings us even closer to delivering a Gulfstream for every mission,” said Burns. Gulfstream expects that the G800 will enter service in the third quarter of next year.

NATA Launches Career Center for Aviation Industry

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has launched the NATA Career Center, a “comprehensive resource for [aviation] industry recruitment and career development.” The center will seek to assist members in building connections with aviation professionals globally, in addition to providing education and guidance for potential new members of the industry.

NATA detailed examples of the resources which the center will give to job seekers and employers. In addition to NATA member benefits, the center will provide job seekers control over which employers are able to see completed applicant details through anonymously posted resumes and optional alerts for newly available jobs.

“Among our members’ top challenges is employee recruitment and retention,” an NATA spokeswoman said. “By offering job seekers tools for career development and providing them information that highlights our industry, NATA’s Career Center is much more than a job board.”

The career center promises “extensive employment brand advertising opportunities for employers” and exposure to aviation professionals seeking jobs. It will incorporate social media and emails to registered job seekers to connect them with employers. In addition to the center, NATA is working on implementing aviation pathway programs into universities.

Wheels Up and Hertz Partner To Offer Electric Cars

Car rental firm Hertz is partnering with Wheels Up to offer the aviation company’s clients access to a variety of high-end vehicles, including Tesla and Polestar electric (EV) models in North America. The partnership is another step by Wheels Up to expand its service to provide first-to-last-mile travel for its members and customers. “Our mission is to serve our members' needs throughout their entire travel experience, from the moment they leave their home to the moment they return,” said Wheels Up chief marketing officer Lee Applbaum.

The EV models are available for rent from Hertz at 111 general aviation airports, with plans to expand to more than 500 airports in the coming months. Members also will receive complimentary President's Circle top-tier status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program. President's Circle members gain access to an elevated selection of vehicles, guaranteed upgrades, dedicated customer support, and bespoke benefits.

Wheels Up members will also receive discounts for Hertz Prestige and Dream Car Collection vehicles, on-tarmac delivery and pickup service, and access to a dedicated Hertz private aviation specialist at the Wheels Up call center to assist with reservations and ground transportation needs. 

Hertz joins lifestyle brands already available to Wheels Up members, including Inspirato, Barton & Gray, Pinehurst, and Abercrombie & Kent.

NBAA Members Get Pilot Records Deadline Extension

NBAA has secured a limited exemption for certain association members from the FAA requirement to begin reporting pilot records created on or after June 10 to the Pilot Records Database (PRD) within 30 days. The exemption applies to NBAA member companies conducting Part 91K and 135 operations that hold OpSpec A025 or MA205, respectively, for electronic training records.

According to NBAA, the exemption provides relief only from the reporting requirements outlined in FAR 111.215(a) and expires Jan. 10, 2023. NBAA requested relief because the PRD proposed rule indicated that the FAA would provide two methods of data entry into the PRD: electronic transmission or manual entry. However, NBAA noted that the electronic transmission method is not expected to be ready until later this year.

“Some NBAA member companies deal with high volumes of pilot records, and asking them to submit records manually is not only inefficient, but it also creates accuracy concerns,” said Jason Maddux, principal at Garofalo Goerlich Hainbach and vice-chair of NBAA’s Regulatory Issues Advisory Group. “Manually submitting large volumes of data introduces a human-error risk and defeats the purpose of the PRD, which is to improve safety by providing potential employers with accurate pilot records.”

Qualifying entities must submit a letter of intent to the federal e-rulemaking portal through the comment process under Docket FAA-2022-0795.

Prepared is the Ultimate Training Objective

Pilots—and the flight departments who depend on them—should seek out the training options that challenge them to excel, to command, and to master. In other words, to prepare them. It is a question every pilot should ask themselves before the time comes when the answer is critical. Am I prepared for anything? FlightSafety-trained pilots can say yes.

U.S. Aviation Insurance Market Stabilizes in First Half

The aviation insurance market in the U.S. has been relatively stable in the first half after a prolonged hard market that began in 2018, according to Aviation Specialty Insurance president Matt Drummelsmith. So far this year, he said, aircraft insureds with “good loss experience” have seen only moderate increases, not the severe rate increases they experienced between 2018 and 2021.

“This has brought some predictability to many aviation insurance buyers who have experienced significant rate increases and additional underwriting scrutiny since 2018, Drummelsmith said. “The moderating rate curve is expected to continue throughout 2022 for many segments of the aviation industry. Even though the rate environment appears to be stabilizing, underwriting standards remain high across the industry, and underwriters continue to seek rate increases on most renewal accounts.”

On a positive note, he said a new carrier entered the aviation insurance market in the first quarter, bringing additional capacity into the marketplace and a more competitive environment among underwriters. “We have also seen existing carriers looking to expand their offerings and appetite. The combination of a new market entrant and the potential expansion by existing markets has helped alleviate the capacity shortcomings experienced since 2018,” he concluded.

Cyprus Takes Six Airbus H145 Helicopters

Cyprus has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of six, five-blade H145Ms, with an option for six more, for use by the Cypriot National Guard. 

Airbus Helicopters's H145M is a twin-engine, multi-role, light utility military helicopter derived from the civil H145. It is already in service in Hungary (20), Germany (15), Serbia (9), Thailand (5), and Luxembourg (2). In addition, the U.S. Army operates a fleet of more than 460 domestically-built H145M-family helicopters as UH-72 Lakotas. 

The H145 is powered by two Safran Arriel 2E turbine engines and is equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite featuring a four-axis autopilot. When equipped with the Airbus HForce weapons system, the H145M can be operated as a light attack helicopter with weapons including guns, rockets, and missiles, as well as combined with manned-unmanned teaming capabilities in networked combat. 

“The H145M will enhance the national guard’s day and night capabilities in delivering rapid response, firepower, and precision, providing effective combat support and acquiring critical information,” said Cypriot defense secretary Andreas Louka.

Bombardier Workers Ratify New Contract

Bombardier announced that it would pay down more debt after workers in Dorval and Saint-Laurent, Québec ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement, following a job action earlier this month. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local 712 employed on the company’s Challenger business jet programs rejected a prior offer, with about 1,800 walking off the job in Montreal for a “study day” on June 13.

The newly accepted offer features an 18.5 percent pay raise over five years. Bombardier said the company “is pleased with the results of the vote and is committed to working closely with IAMAW Local 712 member employees and their union leadership to maintain its position as an industry leader.”

Subsequently, Bombardier announced that it would pay down another $350 million in debt via repurchase of a portion of senior notes due in 2024, 2025, and 2027 that carried interest rates of between 7.5 to 7.875 percent. 

“As of the Early Settlement Date [June 29, 2022], Bombardier will have repaid over $750 million of debt, resulting in almost $60 million of incremental interest savings on a per annum basis since the start of 2022. This puts our progress to date ahead of where we thought we would be after 18 months as a standalone business jet company,” said Bombardier executive v-p and CFO Bart Demosky.

Summit Aviation Hosts Cancer Survivor Flight Camp

Summit Aviation began its 8th Annual Cancer Survivor Flight Camp yesterday. The camp, which runs through Friday, has brought together four young cancer survivors to train with Summit Aviation owner Ben Walton and company flight instructors to take a seat in the cockpit during the immersive five-day experience. 

The four campers began with a flight over the natural landscape of Montana, where the camp is based. Campers will also get unique glimpses into airports during private tours. On the final day, the campers will get an aerial view of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Tetons in a “graduation flight,” which will take them to Driggs, Idaho.

“The event is such a special experience. All of our campers have missed out on fun or cool opportunities during their treatments, and some of them still deal with limitations from that to this day,” said Walton. “This camp provides an incredible opportunity for those young cancer survivors to not only explore their love of aviation, but also boost their confidence and show them what they’re capable of.”

Participants in this year’s camp are (last names omitted by Summit Aviation for privacy) Parker, a lymphoblastic leukemia survivor; Brianna, an osteosarcoma survivor; Seamus, a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor; and Quinn, a bone cancer survivor.