Titan Aviation Fuels Breaks Out of Its Shell

Titan Aviation Fuels, which has served as the official branded distributor of Shell Aviation fuels for general aviation in the U.S. for the past 18 years, is rebranding its 550-member Shell FBO network under its own independent, full-service Titan Fuel brand. Thus, the Shell Aviation fuel brand will end in the U.S. after more than a century.

“The main [strategic] change for us is to move from a branded model to an unbranded one,” Shell Aviation president Anna Mascolo told AIN, adding the company will remain focused on its growth throughout the U.S. “We will continue to reliably service the aviation industry with quality aviation gasoline and jet fuel and look forward to expanding our customer base within the U.S. aviation market.” Shell noted the change will not affect its aviation brand outside the U.S, and that it would continue to supply Titan and other GA distributors in the U.S.

Titan—formerly Eastern Aviation Fuels—said the transition for its customers will be seamless, involving little more than the replacement of the iconic red and yellow scallop Shell logo with a new capital T sporting a red wing.

“All the programs, the cards, the contract fuel, they were all branded Shell, but they were administered by us,” said Titan president Robbie Stallings, who added that the network-wide rebranding is expected to be completed within six months.

SD Starts Flight-testing New Ku-band Satcom Antenna

One year after the launch, Satcom Direct has started in-flight testing of its Plane Simple tail-mounted Ku-band antenna system mounted on its Gulfstream G350 testbed. The next phase of testing takes it from ground assessment to aerial use to demonstrate the full performance capabilities of the unit, as well as confirm its integration with SD’s hardware, software, and supporting ground infrastructure. Satcom Direct's new antenna, intended for super-midsize to large-cabin business jets and developed with Germany-based QEST, is the first in a planned series of Plane Simple antenna systems.

This phase of the testing program comes after extensive drive testing in Melbourne using a custom mobile platform. In-flight testing is expected to conclude in the second quarter, with entry-into-service by June. Satcom Direct also plans to roll out a similar Ka-band unit next year, followed by an electronically-steered fuselage-mounted antenna to deliver connectivity through upcoming low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations.

“The aerial validation is the next step in becoming a single-source provider of end-to-end connectivity solutions for business and government operators worldwide, which will streamline the connectivity ownership experience and customer support services,” said company founder and CEO Jim Jensen. Satcom Direct's Ku-band system will provide customers with a broadband connectivity solution that supports enhanced aircraft data management and analytics, he added.

UK Bizav Hits the Skids, but Outlook Bright

The UK’s business aviation sector is experiencing the most challenging period in its history due to the pandemic and Brexit, but its outlook is bright thanks to the expected imminent lifting of lockdown restrictions and potential fresh business opportunities as an independent trading nation. This was the key message from the British Business and General Aviation Association’s annual conference held virtually late last week.

WingX said at the event that departures of UK-registered charter aircraft to EU member states in the first two months of 2021 fell 64 percent, to 175 movements. This compares with 482 departures in January and February 2020, and 658 during the same period in 2019.

Despite uncertainty and concerns for UK operators, BBGA members expressed optimism for the country’s business aviation industry going forward. The easing of the UK coronavirus restrictions over the coming months, thanks to the successful vaccine rollout, should put an end to debilitating lockdowns and enforced quarantines, BBGA argued, and trigger a surge in business and leisure travelers.

While Brexit is proving a major challenge, there is a “silver lining” to the UK now being an independent nation, according to BBGA vice-chair Alex Durand. “The UK happens to have everything it needs to become a world-leading jurisdiction of choice [for businesses], including world-class legal, financial, insurance, and regulatory expertise.”

Bell Moves To Remedy Cracked 505 Collectives, Restrictions

In an information letter issued to customers, Bell said it is attempting to lift the 25-hour fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) requirement on the right-side pilot collective sticks on Model 505 helicopters. The company is working with supplier Mecaer to retrofit, exchange, or replace the collective sticks in the light turbine single helicopters.

Requirements for the repetitive inspections were levied by Transport Canada and the FAA last month following reports of cracks in the sticks that could lead to catastrophic failure and loss of aircraft control. Initially, Transport Canada mandated FPI only if cracks were discovered, while the FAA mandated FPI for all of the 25-hour inspections.

Bell's strategy to eliminate the 25-hour inspection is to require the helicopters be flown only from the left seat as an “interim measure” and that the company is “working diligently to introduce a permanent fix based on testing and data received from the field. Corrective action options are presently in engineering review following the design phase.”

However, Bell cautioned that “we will have limited quantities of replacement parts to offer upon release of the approved design changes. Initially, we will provide replacement collective stick assemblies on a case-by-case basis…As rework options get approved, we will increase the supply to meet the demand.” Bell told customers that the costs associated with the 25-hour inspection requirement would be covered under warranty.

New Million Air location open in El Paso (ELP)

Expected to set the bar for the region, Million Air opened a new state-of-the-art FBO at El Paso International Airport.

Garmin Autoland Joins Finalists for NAA Collier Trophy

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has selected seven finalists, including Garmin Autoland and the Bell V-280 Valor, for the 2020 Collier Trophy. They join a field that also includes the Boeing Confident Travel Initiative, Reliable Robotics Remotely Operated Aircraft System (ROAS), SpaceX Falcon 9 and Dragon 2, the U.S. Department of the Air Force Green Propellant Infusion Mission Team, and Yates Electrospace Corporation’s Silent Arrow.

Considered one of the aerospace industry’s top honors, the trophy is awarded for the “greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America.” The award was commissioned in 1910 by aviator, humanitarian, and sportsman Robert J. Collier to encourage excellence in aeronautic development, NAA said.

Programs recognized in the past have ranged from the Gulfstream V and the Cirrus Vision Jet to the B-52, the International Space Station, and the F-22. Winners have included Orville Wright, Howard Hughes, Glenn Curtiss, William Lear, and the crews of Apollo 11 and Apollo 8.

“This year’s finalists represent a broad spectrum of achievement in our industry,” said NAA president Greg Principato. “The selection committee has their work cut out for them.”

Plans call for the selection committee to meet virtually in June to decide the winner with an announcement to follow after the selection. The actual presentation will take place once health and safety protocols are deemed appropriate, NAA added.

Obit: Michael O’Leary, AEA’s Longest Serving Chairman

Michael “Mike” O’Leary, a 50-year aviation veteran who had become the Aircraft Electronics Association’s (AEA) longest-serving chairman, died on February 14 from Covid-19 complications. He was 69. A celebration of life is tentatively scheduled for September 12 in Phoenix.

O’Leary, who had retired from Elliott Aviation in 2020, was born and raised on a farm in northwest Iowa. After graduating from Emmetsburg High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a torpedo man on the USS Towers destroyer, according to AEA.

After leaving the military, he earned his pilot’s license and A&P mechanic license, beginning his career as an avionics installer. That launched a career that continued through his retirement and involved positions at a number of avionics and electronics companies.

During that time, he was active with AEA, serving on the board of directors from 1996 to 2009 and chairman from 2002 to 2009, the longest tenure in the organization’s history. He also had served as secretary and vice chairman for the association.

“He made countless special friends as his aviation career took him to many different cities—living and traveling extensively across the U.S.,” AEA said. “O’Leary was the consummate professional and was truly an expert in his field and a perfectionist when it came to his work.”

NovaJet Adds Waterloo Charter Base

Canadian business aircraft charter and management provider NovaJet Aviation Group has opened a new base at Waterloo International Airport to serve clients in the Waterloo/Kitchener region. This builds on growth at its Windsor International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport bases and its expansions last year in Atlantic Canada, which includes the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

“The latest expansion will provide a base from which we can more effectively meet the needs of our current and prospective customers in the Waterloo region,” said NovaJet business development director Anthony Haries. “We look forward to strengthening the existing relationships and enhancing NovaJet’s reputation as one of Canada’s leading business aviation service providers.”

Supporting the Waterloo base is a Bombardier Learjet 45XR in addition to pilots and maintenance staff. The aircraft is currently only available for essential travel but will be opened up to regular clientele once Covid-19 travel restrictions are lifted, the company said.

Embraer Founder Ozires Silva Receives Guggenheim Medal

Embraer co-founder Ozires Silva was honored with the Daniel Guggenheim Medal, becoming the first Brazilian to receive the international recognition. Established in 1929 to honor innovators who have made notable achievements in the advancement of aeronautics, the medal is jointly sponsored by the AIAA, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, SAE International, and Vertical Flight Society

“This distinguished recognition to Ozires Silva reflects his innovative and exceptional contributions to aviation. His passion, courage, and leadership paved the way for Embraer to expand in ways that few imagined, transforming regional aviation, and leading our company to be admired globally,” said Embraer president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto.

Born Jan. 8, 1931, in São Paulo, Brazil, Silva entered the Brazilian Air Force in 1948 and later received a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Technological Institute of Aeronautics. After graduating, he led the Research and Development Institute's Aircraft Department and in 1965 began working on a project that ultimately became the Bandeirante. As that program began to develop, Silva helped establish Embraer in 1969 to produce the aircraft.

The first of the regional twin turboprops was handed over in 1973 and production continued through 1990 with nearly 500 built. Silva served as the company's superintendent director until 1986 and returned in 1992 for a brief stint as the company restructured.