Bombardier’s Querétaro Manufacturing Facility Turns 15

Bombardier is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its Querétaro, Mexico aerospace manufacturing facility, which recently completed the 100th rear fuselage for the company’s flagship Global 7500. Established in 2006, the location manufactures key structural components for Bombardier business jets, including the rear fuselage for the Global family. It also makes components and complex systems for the Challenger 350 and 650.

“Bombardier has played a significant role in the development and growth of Mexico’s aerospace industry,” said Bombardier executive v-p of operations and operational excellence Paul Sislian. In addition to recognizing the 1,200 employees at the Querétaro facility, he highlighted organizations that have supported the aerospace industry in Mexico, including the Aeronautical University in Querétaro, the Mexican Federation of Aerospace Industries, and the Aerocluster Querétaro.

Besides supporting the Mexican aerospace industry, Bombardier and its Querétaro employees are committed to the local community. In fact, the company has an alliance with the Sierra Gorda World Biosphere Reserve, one of Mexico’s most important protected natural environments. Additionally, Bombardier funds social projects run by employee-led group Causa Querétaro.

Pipeline Closure Could Disrupt Jet-A Supply

A ransomware attack that spurred the shutdown of the Colonial pipeline on Friday has triggered an increase in spot fuel prices and prompted the U.S. Department of Transportation to declare a state of emergency in 17 East Coast states, paving the way for the temporary loosening of restrictions on truck transport of fuel. Colonial shut down operations on four lines spanning 5,500 miles that carry an estimated 45 percent—an estimated 2.5 million barrels per day—of the gasoline and distillates supply, including jet fuel, to the East Coast from Texas to New Jersey and well westward.

Last night, Colonial said it continued to work to “understand” the issue, but gave no indication when service would be restored. Industry fuel experts predict that supply problems could emerge as early as tomorrow, as refined products begin to back up in Texas. This morning, the price of jet-A increased modestly on the spot market above its $1.82-per-gallon closing price on Friday.

While who launched the attack has not been officially confirmed, several intelligence sources pointed to international criminal cells of hackers collectively known as the DarkSide as the likely perpetrator. Aviation cybersecurity expert Ben Rothke told AIN that most companies are woefully underprepared for any kind of ransomware attack, and the fee hackers now charge to restore data held hostage can be “deep into the seven figures.”

Avidyne Atlas FMS Gets FAA TSO, STC for Citation 560XL

The FAA has issued TSO and STC approvals for installation of Avidyne’s Atlas flight management system (FMS) in the Cessna Citation Excel, XL, and XLS. The Dzus-mounted Atlas FMS adds capabilities such as LPV approaches to older business aircraft without the need to update all of the onboard avionics.

With an introductory price of $44,999, Atlas will be available from Avidyne MRO partners, and Avidyne and the MROs will develop STCs for installation in other Part 23 and 25 business aircraft. The price includes the Avidyne STC for the Excel, XL, and XLS.

Designed for installation in consoles in business aircraft, Atlas measures 7.5 inches high, 5.75 inches wide, and 10.615 inches deep and it is “form-factor compatible” with a variety of legacy FMSs. In addition to meeting TSO-C146c for SBAS/LPV approach guidance, Atlas meets requirements to act as an approved ADS-B Out position source.

While Atlas has a spill-proof QWERTY-style physical keyboard, the display is a touchscreen that can be used for map panning, rubber-band flight plan editing, and “virtually all functions,” according to Avidyne. But pilots can also use buttons and knobs instead of the touchscreen—what Avidyne calls a “hybrid-touchscreen user interface.” The display itself includes a moving map that can show airspace, terrain, navaids, and airports, as well as Jeppesen charts.

Piper Aircraft Set To Start European M600/SLS Shipments

Piper Aircraft recently received EASA approval for its M600/SLS Halo safety system, which includes Garmin Autoland. This follows FAA certification of the Halo safety system in Piper’s turboprop single last May. The first M600/SLS delivery under the European aircraft registry is expected next month, according to Vero Beach, Florida-based Piper.

“European certification is a key milestone for the M600/SLS, which has garnered substantial interest with the Garmin Autoland system, said Piper v-p of sales, marketing, and customer support Ron Gunnarson. “Our customers are looking for the value proposition available in the M600/SLS, as well as the peace of mind that comes with Halo and the Garmin Autoland system.”

As the Covid-19 pandemic wanes, Piper Aircraft plans to launch a European M600/SLS demo tour later this summer, visiting all Piper dealer partners and key markets in the region. To date, Piper has delivered nearly 70 Garmin Autoland-equipped M600s in the U.S. market.

CDC OKs Covid Home Test Kits for Intl Flight Mandates

In a move that had been requested by NBAA, NATA, and AOPA, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has agreed to permit use of Covid-19 home kits as a means of complying with pre-departure testing requirements for passengers bound for the U.S. On January 26, the CDC began requiring air passengers entering the U.S. to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test or recovery from the virus. That order applied to passengers across the board, including those on business aviation, charter, or scheduled airline flights.

The aviation groups appealed to the agency to provide flexibility in testing, including the use of home kits under certain protocols. “The need for preflight Covid-19 testing protocols is becoming more critical as travel continues to increase worldwide,” they told the agency in a joint letter. “However, current international protocols are burdensome, time-consuming, and have inherent limitations in processing large numbers of travelers.”

The CDC's original order called for negative Covid-19 results from an authorized testing center or laboratory within 72 hours before boarding an aircraft. In the latest update to its guidance, the CDC is allowing for self (home) tests that involve a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test and provide real-time supervision remotely.

EBACE Connect To Feature Erik Lindbergh, OEM Leaders

EBACE Connect is set to kick off next week with pilot and aviation visionary Erik Lindbergh headlining the keynote session on Tuesday, followed by a town hall featuring leading OEMs on Wednesday. The virtual event, which is supplanting the in-person EBACE held annually in Geneva, will run from May 18 to 20 and include a host of informational sessions and a media day, in addition to the keynote, town hall, and other activities.

EBAA secretary-general Athar Husain Khan and NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen will moderate both the EBACE Connect keynote and town hall. Calling Lindbergh a pioneering aviator, business leader, and philanthropist who “knows personally what it takes to usher in a new era of aviation,” EBACE Connect organizers said he is expected to share his insights on sustainable flight, emerging transport technologies, workforce development, and other priorities for the Lindbergh Foundation.

In addition to serving as chairman of the foundation, he is a co-founder of VerdeGo, which is designing engines for advanced air mobility vehicles, and heads up the foundation’s ForeverFlight initiative to advance zero-carbon fuels. 

As far as the Wednesday town hall, airframe OEM heads will discuss their perspectives on a range of topics, including new business aviation clientele, the outlook for a post-Covid “new normal,” and advances in technologies.

Metrojet Adds MedAire’s Security Offering

Business aviation services provider Metrojet is expanding on offerings it receives from MedAire by signing on for its operational security solution. Hong Kong-based Metrojet already employs MedAire’s in-flight and ground medical assistance service.

With the addition of MedAire’s digitally delivered operational security service, Metrojet will receive in-depth, real-time travel security reporting that covers destinations, regions, airspace, and airports. MedAire’s aviation security team, comprising 2,300 personnel posted worldwide, is also available to Metrojet around the clock for advice and assistance services related to security risks, events, and threats.

“MedAire’s integrated security solution of information and analysis complements the travel health component they already provide to our crew and passengers," said Metrojet CEO Gary Dolski. Added MedAire CEO Bill Dolny, “The pandemic has changed the landscape we operate within, but security will continue to be a top priority for operators around the world.”

Airbus AStar Gets Power Boost

Airbus Helicopters has received EASA certification for a 10 percent power upgrade for the Safran Arriel 2D engine in its H125 single. While the helicopter’s maximum takeoff weight remains unchanged, the extra power will increase internal and external load capability by up to 309 pounds and the hover ceiling out of ground effect at mtow by more than 1,500 feet, to 12,600 feet. 

This extra power is standard on all new H125s beginning this September and immediately available as an upgrade to in-service helicopters within the EASA region, with additional certifications expected later this year. The retrofit consists of a vehicle and engine monitoring display software upgrade, available from Thales in-shop or via standard exchange. “The extra power offered by this major upgrade represents a 10 percent to 20 percent payload increase for a typical aerial work mission versus the aircraft’s current lifting capabilities,” said Axel Aloccio, head of light helicopter programs for Airbus. 

More than 4,000 H125 AStar series helicopters are in service with 1,500 customers and have accumulated 28.5 million flight hours. In the last 10 years, 1,420 H125s have been delivered, giving the model a 52 percent market share in the single-engine light utility helicopter category.

Count on AIN for Full Coverage of EBACE Connect

You can count on AIN for full coverage of EBACE Connect. Our team will publish one issue of our award-winning EBACE Convention News in early June. We will also have comprehensive real-time reporting of all the top news at AINonline.com and in our daily e-newsletters. Companies that wish to share news or propose pre-EBACE Connect interviews and briefings can contact show editor Chad Trautvetter.