Brazil-based fractional aircraft provider Amaro Aviation has inked a 500 million Real ($98 million) deal with Synerjet, Pilatus Aircraft’s Latin American dealer, to take up to eight PC-12 NGXs and four PC-24s. The schedule calls for deliveries of the Pilatus turboprop singles and twinjets to begin next year and continue through 2028.
Under the unique arrangement, Synerjet will be a one-eighth shareholder in each of these new Pilatus aircraft. “The partnership with Synerjet brings us a new positioning in the executive aviation market, in addition to allowing customers absolute flexibility to operate in several airports where other aircraft do not operate,” said Marcos Amaro, the founder of Amaro Aviation.
Founded in 2020, Amaro Aviation has three fractional aircraft in its fleet—a PC-12 NGX, PC-24, and Gulfstream G550—based at São Paulo Catarina International Airport, which has an 8,100-foot runway and was certified last year as an international airport by Brazil’s national civil aviation agency. The company also manages seven other aircraft.
Amaro Aviation plans to be a major force in the Brazilian fractional aircraft share market—a segment that is expanding with the arrival of the country’s own Part K regulations. The company includes several heavy hitters in the Brazilian aviation scene, including CEO David Barione, a founder of GOL and former president of TAM, and partner Francisco Lyra, the ex-chairman of Brazil business aviation association ABAG.
Indianapolis-based completions specialist Comlux has launched Comlux Tech, which will offer complementary after-sales services through four main activities. Those activities include technical services such as avionics and cabin upgrades, as well as line and base maintenance; operational services for the sourcing of fuel, ground handling, charter management, and warranty administration insurance handling; consulting services for aircraft selection, appraisals, and pre-purchase inspections; and crew services for the sourcing and training of flight and cabin crews and flight support engineers.
The new organization will provide technical support to Comlux’s Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty, which is expected to enter service early next year. Comlux is the exclusive completion center for the first 15 ACJ TwoTwenty aircraft, which is the bizliner/VIP variant of the Airbus A220 narrowbody airliner.
Comlux Tech also will serve customers in the Middle East through a maintenance and refurbishment hangar under construction at Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub at Dubai World Center/Al Maktoum International Airport. The hangar is expected to open at the end of 2023.
“With the launch of Comlux Tech, the group is now providing the complete luxury aviation service to our customers around the world,” said Comlux Group chairman and CEO Richard Gaona. “Our goal is to develop further the synergies between Comlux aviation operations, Comlux transaction expertise, and Comlux completion know-how in VIP cabin engineering and craftsmanship.”
NBAA is advising that the Russia/Ukraine conflict and the associated international sanctions highlight the importance of buyers, sellers, and air carriers to fully conduct due diligence before moving forward with transactions. Noting that the U.S. and many other countries are now focused on seizing aircraft and other assets of sanctioned Russian entities, NBAA said buyers must have accurate ownership histories to ensure they are not connected with such entities. Additionally, sellers need to be aware of who they are selling to, given restrictions on exports to Russia.
“Aircraft buyers and sellers need to focus on obtaining ultimate beneficial owner information that may not be apparent from cursory searches of public databases,” said Scott O’Brien, NBAA senior director for public policy and advocacy. “You may need to conduct additional research and engage with your aircraft transaction team.”
International trade and aviation lawyer Jonathan Epstein, who is a partner with Holland & Knight, told NBAA that “just having a sanctions clause [in the purchase contract] where the other party says ‘I’m not a sanctioned party’ is not a 'get out of jail free card' and does not replace due diligence.”
Epstein acknowledged that due diligence may not be 100 percent foolproof, but a party should have written records in case questions arise. Full due diligence could help protect a buyer’s rights, NBAA said.
SocialFlight—an app that helps pilots find events, airport restaurants, and interesting places to fly—has launched its FAA Learning System. Developed in collaboration with the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), the new system provides no-cost, on-demand video education for pilots, A&P/IAs, and other FAA-certified aviation maintenance technicians (AMT).
Version 8.0 of the SocialFlight app incorporates a library of FAASTeam-accredited educational video programs, content-based quizzes, and links to additional reference materials. The videos qualify for FAASTeam’s WINGS pilot proficiency program, a voluntary pilot training and safety initiative, as well as the FAA’s AMT Awards program.
Upon successful completion of a training program, the SocialFlight system updates the user’s FAA Safety account with the appropriate course credits towards their WINGS/AMT program goals. For IA refresher training, it issues certificates of completion that can be submitted to the FAA Flight Standards District Office along with the A&P/IA’s Inspection Authorization renewal application.
The company said its library of educational content is “growing quickly with interesting and timely safety programs added regularly.”
Dassault Aviation has won an order to provide two Falcon 900LX trijets for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Bristol, UK-based aircraft management and services company Centerline AV is directly acquiring the Falcons and will support the business jets on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
To replace a fleet of four BAe 146s, the 900LXs will initially be operated with a mix of civilian and RAF crews, transporting senior defense and government officials, and occasionally members of the royal family.
Slated to enter service this summer, the aircraft were acquired through an open tender, Dassault said. The company added they will upgrade the range capability and substantially reduce operating expense, fuel consumption, and emissions over the current fleet of quadjets. With 12 to 14 seats, the 900LX has a 4,500-nm range.
“We look forward to strengthening this relationship over the coming years,” said Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. “With more than 550 airplanes sold to date, the 900-series Falcon is a proven performer and is entrusted with critical missions throughout the world by governments and leading businesses.”
Arizona-based Cutter Aviation has broken ground on an additional hangar complex at its FBO at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport. The $12 million, 60,000-sq-ft facility will consist of three 20,000-sq-ft bays able to accommodate aircraft up to a Gulfstream G700, along with 3,700 sq ft of office space. It will be situated near Taxiway Charlie on the west side of the current facility.
As the single service provider on the field, the hangar will bring the location to more than 85,000 sq ft of aircraft shelter. The new facility is expected to be completed early next year. Around that time, the company will start work on a second, identical complex to be located on the east side of the Phillips 66-branded facility.
“We are excited to begin construction of this new hangar complex at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport,” said Will Cutter, president and CEO of the family-owned business, which will be celebrating its 95th anniversary next year. He noted that there has not been any new construction at the busy general aviation airport in nearly two decades, adding, “The opportunity to invest, grow, create new jobs, and support regional economic development for the city of Phoenix has never been greater.”
Genesys Aerosystems has unveiled a new control panel and announced development of a fourth axis for its HeliSAS Autopilot system.
The new Genesys Control Panel (GCP) operates with the company’s current digital radio product line, providing additional control options for Genesys Digital Radio (GDR) navcom units. It provides a single controller for VHF and UHF communications, as well as navigation frequencies. While not yet certified, Genesys plans to make the GCP available to customers early next year.
Genesys also has begun development of autopilot flight controls that, with the push of a button, can put a helicopter in a stable fixed-position hover-and-hold orientation for hands-free operation. The system should relieve pilot workload and includes collective control to “ensure proper speed inputs for all phases of flight,” according to Genesys.
Pricing for the four-axis autopilot will be announced following certification and the issuance of a supplemental type certificate, which the company anticipates by late 2023. HeliSAS will be available through Genesys Aerosystems dealers for the Airbus EC135/H125 and Sikorsky UH-60 helicopters.
The European Helicopter Association is bringing back the European Rotors conference and exhibition in November, following its debut late last year. The second edition of the VTOL event will run from November 7 to 10 in Cologne, Germany, with the exhibition portion open during the latter three days. As with the inaugural European Rotors event, the November show will be held in tandem with EASA’s annual Rotorcraft and VTOL Symposium, which delves into safety issues.
In addition, EHA executive director Isabella Abbate said this year’s European Rotors is lining up sessions to focus on an array of issues affecting operations, training, and maintenance. Noting that EHA is calling the event a VTOL show rather than a rotorcraft conference, Abbate said plans include a drone pavilion and other activities to reach across a spectrum of vertical flight.
EHA is encouraged that the event will build on the inaugural show, which drew more than 150 exhibitors from 36 countries and exceeded expectations, despite the pandemic. Some 25 percent of exhibitors had immediately signed up for the 2022 show at the conclusion of the 2021 event.
Plans call to hold the event annually but rotate it to different locations around Europe, with Cologne—where EASA is headquartered—housing the event every other year.
Attendees Leave Notes at Ukrainian Helicopters Booth
The Ukrainian Helicopters company wasn’t able to attend this year’s Heli-Expo show in Dallas, Texas. Instead of leaving its booth empty, it became a place for attendees to leave heartfelt notes and well-wishes.
People in Aviation
West Star Aviation promoted Jeff Yeager to landing gear senior team lead at its Grand Junction, Colorado MRO. In addition, West Star hired Darin Perryman as accessories and landing gear program manager, also at Grand Junction. Yeager, who has served with West Star since 2018, previously was the accessories and landing gear manager. Perryman brings to his new role more than 14 years of experience with Gulfstream, mostly in the landing gear division.
Henderson Jet Services appointed Scott Lawson as general manager. Lawson has more than 20 years of commercial, corporate, and general aviation experience that has included leadership roles with Airborne Express and Evans Composites.
Toby Woolrych was appointed CFO for Ontic. Woolrych has more than 30 years of financial and business management experience, including CFO roles with Renewi, Consort Medical, and Acta.
Lee Brewster has joined Thoroughbred Aviation as v-p. Brewster formerly was v-p of marketing and engagement for ATP (Flightdocs) and before that served with FlightSafety International, as well as ATSM International.
Griffin Global Asset Management named Gonzalo Ramos v-p. Ramos joins Griffin after spending 17 years with Airbus and before that as an engineering consultant.
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