Gama Aviation Springboards into Heli Special Missions

Farnborough, UK-based Gama Aviation has launched an initiative to enter the helicopter special missions market, having been inspired by taking over the rotary element of the Scottish air ambulance—something that saw it purchasing three Airbus H145s.

Earlier this week it presented the third “spare” aircraft in Gama colors that can support the two new H145s in the color scheme of the Scottish Ambulance Service under a contract for NHS Scotland, while also exploring “other roles,” said Mark Gascoigne, managing director Europe Air for Gama.

Having taken on the helicopter side of its long-standing contract in Scotland (for which it also provides the fixed-wing element with two King Air 200Cs), Gama saw an opportunity to enter the market for managing helicopters, too. It is required to operate the H145 type for another three years under the current contract.

The two main Scottish H145s will start operations on June 1 out of Glasgow and Inverness Airports and nine new crews are completing training on the Airbus H145. A maintenance base has been set up at Glasgow Airport, where Gama has an FBO, and a new hangar is being built at Inverness Airport.

“This is part of a $20 million investment for us,” said Gascoigne. The three new H145s are fitted with an Aerolite air medical interior, Trakka searchlight, and six belly-mounted LED lights.

FAA Steps Up Illegal Charter Clampdown

The FAA, working collaboratively with industry stakeholders, has significantly stepped up its campaign to stamp out illegal air charter, but Randy DeBerry, manager of the South Carolina Flight Standards District Office, warns that much more needs to be done and what he has seen in the field is “frightening.”

DeBerry gave an overview of ongoing efforts yesterday during the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s 2020 Air Charter Safety Symposium, crediting the efforts of his team and of industry stakeholders, including NATA, in spreading the word to educate about what constitutes legal and illegal activity.

When he began looking into activity, he found that in South Carolina illegal activity was fairly rampant. He discovered some airplanes with anywhere between 40 to 100 dry leases—a clear indicator that “something is not right.”

He began to hold industry meetings on the subject and further has worked with stakeholders on an educational campaign to help inform operators that might have unwittingly strayed into illegal territory, as well as the traveling public who might not know any better. “If you know better, you can do better,” he said. In addition, this has led to a number of investigations and several enforcements. The educational campaign has included discussions with airport and FBO managers, meetings that are now being held throughout the country, and posters that are being distributed.

Nashville Airport Begins To Pick Up the Pieces

As officials continue to assess the damage caused at Nashville John C. Tune Airport (JWN) by a tornado early Tuesday morning, initial estimates describe $93 million in infrastructure damage to the lone FBO terminal, 17 hangars, fencing, signage, lighting, navigational aids, and utilities. 

That total does not include the more than 90 aircraft that were destroyed or damaged, including several jets. JWN has been notamed closed until March 10 as crews continue to clean up the wreckage. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, which owns and operates the facility, issued a statement saying there were no injuries reported at the airport attributed to the storm and that the surrounding area has been secured, as communications with stakeholders and tenants continue.

JWN is the busiest general aviation airport in the state, tallying more than 86,000 operations last year and serving as a reliever airport to Nashville International Airport (BNA), which was unscathed by the tornado.

“The devastation wrought by this storm throughout the city and beyond is dramatic and a deep tragedy for so many of our friends and neighbors,” said Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority president and CEO Doug Kreulen, who offered his support for those impacted. “We will immediately begin rebuilding [JWN] and will open for operations as soon as it is safe to do so. Like all of Nashville, we will work together to recover.”

Pilot Allegedly Flying DUI Scheduled for Arraignment

Escaping without serious injury after crash landing his Cessna Citation 550 on July 19 at Nevada’s Mesquite Airport, the sole-occupant pilot who was subsequently arrested on one count of operating a vehicle under the influence has been scheduled for arraignment on April 15. The twinjet, N320JT, was on a ferry flight from Pasco, Washington, destined for Henderson Executive Airport in Las Vegas, about 80 miles from Mesquite. It was consumed by a post-crash fire.

The pilot—41-year-old Ryan Dashiell of Spokane, Washington—was arrested on suspicion of operating an aircraft while under the influence of alcohol and is facing a gross misdemeanor charge. After the accident, he was taken to jail and is currently free on bail.

According to FAA pilot records, Dashiell held an ATP certificate with airplane and helicopter privileges, flight instructor, and multi-engine airplane ratings, and was typed in several jets, including the Citation 500 series. Dashiell’s attorney listed on court records did not return AIN's messages seeking comment.

Airport surveillance video captured the airplane as it was sliding across the runway shortly after touching down. The main landing gear had collapsed before the aircraft entered the video frame and a large fire and dark smoke followed the airplane as it continued down the runway. The airplane disappeared from view as it exited the departure end of the runway.

Wichita Airport Begins $21.8M Runway Rehab Project

Wichita Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) began a $21.8 million runway rehabilitation project this week that started with the closing of its 10,301-foot-long Runway 1L/19R until July 2. The project, $19.5 million of which is paid for through FAA grants, also includes replacing concrete on ICT’s 7,301-foot-long general aviation runway, 1R/19L, that will begin in the fall after work on the longer runway surface is completed, Wichita Airport Authority assistant director of airports Brad Christopher told AIN.

In addition to concrete replacement, the project also involves upgrading the electrical and lighting systems of the runways, as well as new striping and signs. Because of magnetic declination, the runways also will be re-designated as follows: Runway 1L/19R will become 2L/20R; 14-32; the 6,301-foot-long crosswind runway will become 15/33; and Runway 1R/19L will become 2R/20L.

Christopher said the project started Monday on ICT’s longest runway because the snow and ice season is just about concluded. And the July 2 completion date means the airport's “most critical” runway will be open in time for the warmest months of the summer season, he added.

Luxury Hangar Campus Planned Near Houston

Sky Harbour Group is developing a campus of private hangars for business aircraft based at Sugar Land Regional Airport (SGR) near Houston. The first phase, which it expects to open in June, comprises eight hangars, followed by six hangars in the second phase, a Sky Harbour spokeswoman told AIN this week.

What makes the hangar project different is each climate-controlled hangar will be accessible only to the leaseholder and comes with a suite for offices and passenger lounge and is equipped with a kitchen, laundry, and bath. Hangars come in three sizes: 14,000 sq ft, the largest, with a 2,000-sq-ft suite; 8,000 sq ft with a 1,600-sq-ft suite; and 7,000 sq ft with a 1,400-sq-ft suite. The spokeswoman would not disclose lease rates though she said they are comparable to hangar lease rates in the area.

While not an FBO, Sky Harbour will have dedicated and trained line service crews for hangar tenants, as well as towing, access to discounted fuel, and in-hangar aircraft and vehicle detailing. Concierge passenger services include baggage handling and catering coordination, in addition to other services such as interior suite and hangar cleaning. Additional hangar development projects by Sky Harbour are currently underway in Miami and Nashville, Tennessee, according to the spokeswoman.

NTSB, Safety Experts ID Charter Safety Issues

Scenario-based training, enrolling in the Aviation Safety Action Program, adopting a scalable safety management system (SMS), and establishing a safety manager certification standard were among the suggestions offered this week by six safety experts at an NTSB panel on improving the safety of Part 135 operations, a key item on the agency’s “Most Wanted” list of priorities.

The FAA has declined to act on the Safety Board’s recommendation to require all Part 135 operators to have an SMS, flight data monitoring, and controlled flight into terrain avoidance equipment, all of which most operators lack, according to the NTSB. The panel focused on ways charter operators can enhance safety and on identifying stumbling blocks in that effort.

Jeff Baum, president and CEO of Wisconsin Aviation, labeled “the declining quality of upcoming pilots” as one of the impediments, while Janine Schwahn, Summit Aviation's director of operations, noted that operators cannot freely share information on problem pilots without fearing legal repercussions. Several said that SMS will become mandatory and urged operators to develop their own programs now. “SMS has long not been a requirement to us,” concluded NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt. “We deserve it.”

WAI, ERAU Join Efforts on Girls Aviation Course

Women in Aviation International and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have rolled out an online course designed to ignite the interest of girls in aviation and aerospace careers. Open to girls ages eight to 17, the free, self-paced Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) provides an overview into aviation and aerospace, covering topics such as the major parts of an airplane, flight characteristics of a helicopter, and goals of space exploration.

Built through the expertise at Embry-Riddle, the curriculum also includes engaging activities such as teaching students to make a paper helicopter, testing knowledge in module quizzes, and showing girls how they can be scientists. Participants earn digital badges and a personalized electronic certificate. Plans call to offer the course several times a year to students globally. Registration is currently open.

“Partnering with Embry-Riddle, a longtime WAI supporter, on this free online course for youth interested in aviation is another tool to expand our reach of our annual international Girls in Aviation Day all year round,” said WAI CEO Allison McKay. “Future aviation professionals will be inspired.”

“We believe in the mission of WAI and look forward to a partnership that helps young ladies go further—faster,” added Bettina Mrusek, assistant professor with the College of Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle.

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