Flight Tests Near for Proof-of-concept TriFan 600

XTI Aircraft expects to receive new electric motors for its 65-percent-scale, proof-of-concept (POC) TriFan 600 within seven days and is “targeting first flight soon after,” according to Robert LaBelle, CEO of the Denver-based company. The $6.5 million, six-seat hybrid-electric VTOL is expected to enter production in early 2023.

The company has logged more sales over the past year, with some 76 TriFan 600s now on order. “The new orders come at an excellent time because this solidifies our budget and improves our revenue projections as we head into the initial flight tests for our POC aircraft. The total number of orders represents $494 million in gross revenues upon delivery of the aircraft,” LaBelle said.

Enhanced changes made recently to the design include those to the propulsion system, moving the horizontal stabilizer to a T-tail configuration, and adding winglets and trailing-edge flaps, XTI v-p of global business development Saleem Zaheer told AIN. He confirmed the POC prototype is undergoing ground and systems tests and should commence flight tests in a few weeks.

The TriFan 600 will have the speed, range, and comfort of a business turboprop while having the ability to takeoff and land vertically, XTI said. Range at 300 knots is expected to be up to 1,200 miles.

More Gray Charter Action Needed, Says BACA

Following debate over the legality of the flight that ended in the death of Argentinian soccer player Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson, the Air Charter Association (BACA) said regulators need to play a more active role in investigating illegal, or “gray,” charter flights. BACA, which represents air charter brokers, has reacted with incredulity to a series of multiple such flights leading up to the fateful Piper PA-32 Malibu flight from Nantes, France, to Cardiff, Wales. The Malibu crashed north of the Channel Islands, near France, on January 21.

“We did our research into these flights. We've identified which aircraft they were and the routes they flew, and that gave us rise for significant concern,” said BACA chief executive Dave Edwards. BACA has passed on to the CAA its research on the flights connected to the £15 million (about $20 million) transfer deal to sign Sala to Cardiff City’s soccer team.

Willie McKay, who brokered the deal, told BBC Wales that he and his family arranged and paid for the flights. But, according to BBC Wales, the flights were conducted by three different companies or individuals and all the flight plans designated them as “general aviation”—meaning private rather than commercial, with none flying under an air operator certificate (AOC). BACA has continued to highlight the need for an AOC for flights for profit.

DeerJet To Introduce Helo Service into Greater Bay Area

China’s DeerJet is planning to introduce helicopter service in the Greater Bay Area, as the business aircraft operator sees rising demand for its offerings in the Hong Kong, Zhuhai, Shenzhen, and Macau region. DeerJet told AIN that it will be partnering with Beijing Capital Helicopters Co. Ltd. for the venture and is evaluating the Airbus Helicopters H125 and H135. However, the company has not yet decided on a time period for the launch.

DeerJet has an ongoing partnership with Beijing Capital Helicopters for other regions in China. The Beijing municipal government and Hainan Airlines Group jointly established Beijing Capital Helicopters in 2011.

A DeerJet spokeswoman said more Chinese citizens now see business aircraft as a tool to save time. The Chinese business aviation market is still dominated by large-cabin jets, although there is some growth in the light and midsize jet segments. DeerJet operates a fleet of Gulfstream G650ERs, G650s, G550s, and G450s, Bombardier Challenger 604s, and Dassault Falcon 7Xs.

DeerJet has also recently launched its own aircraft maintenance credit program that includes AOG, scheduled check, line, and cabin maintenance and is divided into four categories according to the amount of shop time involved: 100, 300, 900, and 2,000 hours. DeerJet’s MRO facility is based at Beijing Capital Airport and is approved by the CAAC and FAA to perform aircraft maintenance.

DOT Watchdog Calls on FAA To Step Up on Cybersecurity

Delays in implementing cybersecurity tools are inhibiting the FAA from remaining up-to-date on its efforts to fully identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, according to a new report from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). At the request of U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders, the OIG examined the FAA’s progress in meeting cybersecurity enhancements that Congress mandated in the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act adopted in 2016.

The OIG found that the FAA has taken significant steps in enhancing security. As required by Congress, the FAA completed a cybersecurity strategic plan, coordinated with other agencies to identify vulnerabilities, and developed a threat model and research and development plan, the OIG said.

However, the agency has not yet completed a comprehensive framework for the identification and mitigation risks, the OIG added. Specifically, the FAA has not set target dates to implement four recommendations covering engines, propellers, rotorcraft, and general aviation. At the time of the audit, the agency was still working to implement its cybersecurity risk model across the National Airspace System, as well as mission support and formulating R&D future priorities. 

The OIG recommended that the FAA develop targets dates on the outstanding four recommendations, develop target dates to fully implement the cybersecurity risk model, and establish R&D priorities. The FAA has agreed to move forward on all fronts.

Demand Growing for Aspen Evolution Max Upgrades

Special pricing for Aspen Avionics customers to upgrade their Evolution glass displays to the new Max configuration expires April 30, and demand for the upgrades is strong, according to Aspen president and CEO John Uczekaj. Certification of the Max displays is expected in the second quarter, and they will be installable under an approved model list STC for more than 600 aircraft types.

“Our corporate philosophy from the time we introduced the Evolution 1000 PFD 12 years ago was to offer new functions and safety features our current customers could adopt affordably,” he said, “and provide future owners the peace of mind that their investment is protected as technology evolves.”

The Max displays feature improved 400-by-760-pixel active-matrix glass and redesigned electronics with faster processing speed and font and window enlargement. Also included are GPS-aided AHRS to provide attitude information in case of pitot-static failure; audio panel interface; altitude intercept based on climb rate; and, for the MFD500 and MFD1000 Max displays, chart and countdown timers, 350-nm zoom levels, height above ground level on navigation and terrain maps, and Metar flags on the navigation map.

Max upgrade prices vary from $2,995 for those currently with a single Evolution PDF to $5,995 for those with the Evolution 2500. New Max display prices range from $5,495 to $9,995.

Comlux Receives First of Three Airbus ACJ320neos

Airbus has delivered its first of three Airbus Corporate Jet ACJ320neos to business aviation, transaction, and completion services provider Comlux, the European airframer announced today. The aircraft will be outfitted with a VIP interior at Comlux Completion in Indianapolis.

“The new ACJ320neo gives us the means to deliver nonstop flights to even more of the world,” Comlux CEO Richard Gaona said. “CFM International has supported Comlux over the years, and we have chosen its new fuel-efficient and highly reliable Leap 1-A engines to power the aircraft.”

Airbus has orders for 11 of the airplanes, with Switzerland-based Comlux representing the aircraft’s biggest customer. More than 700 A320neos are in service with airlines, and Airbus has a total order book for more than 15,000 of the narrowbody aircraft. The 25-passenger ACJ320neo has a 6,000-nm range.

Comlux’s fleet currently includes the ACJ318 and ACJ319; Boeing BBJ777-200LR and BBJ767-200ER; Sukhoi SBJ; Bombardier Global 6000, Challenger 850, and Challenger 650; Embraer Legacy 650; and Hawker 900XP.

Mente Group Extends Bizav Services, Locations

Mente Group has expanded to include offices on both coasts of the U.S. and in Eastern Europe, as well as increased its menu of services, the Dallas-based business aircraft and aviation consultancy announced today. The firm has new consultants in seven additional U.S. cities and entered an alliance overseas that extends its work to the European continent, it said.

“Strategically, we have broadened our consulting reach beyond simply business jet transactions to encompass a comprehensive array of aviation specialties and that means finding the industry's best experts across the country and the world,” Mente Group CEO Brian Proctor said. “We are now more than purely transactions specific, to include talent management, asset management, technical services, strategy, and program management.” 

Its new U.S. locations and their functions are Boston, where its East Coast managing director resides; Chicago, where it has asset management expertise; Denver, which specializes in aircraft completions and program management; New York, where its head of transactions is located; Portland, which is home to its West Coast leader; San Francisco, where its talent management expert is located; and Scottsdale, Arizona, where its Central U.S. leader is based. 

Additionally, Mente has formed a pact with aircraft charter, sales, and management company ProAir Aviation, which has headquarters at Stuttgart Airport (STR) in Germany and operations extending to Hungary, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Garmin Certifies G3X Touch in GA Piston Singles

The long-awaited move to bring Garmin’s G3X Touch integrated flight displays to certified aircraft has finally come to pass, with Garmin announcing this morning that G3X Touch is certified in nearly 500 aircraft and will be available early next month. List prices with the display, installation kit, GPS antenna, AHRS sensor, and magnetometer start at $7,995 for a single 7-inch display and $9,995 for a 10.6-inch display. Included in those prices are Garmin’s Connext wireless connectivity and synthetic vision.

The G3X can operate as a standalone VFR navigator; for IFR, it can be paired with Garmin navigators and navcoms such as the new GPS 175/GNX 375, GTN 650/750, GNS 430W/530W, GNS 480, SL 30/40, and GNC 255. The Connext capability allows wireless flight plan transfer and sharing of traffic, weather, and backup attitude information.

G3X Touch can display VFR sectional, IFR en route, and geo-referenced instrument approach charts. When connected to the GEA 24, engine information for engines up to six cylinders can be displayed on G3X Touch, including “engine gauges, color bands, alerts, fuel, and other vital information,” said Garmin.

Buyers can opt for the GMA 345/342 audio panels, which add auto squelch, 3D Audio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The G3X Touch can control two comm radios, and Garmin’s GTS 800 active traffic system is also an option.