The Council on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (CoSAFA) has published its “Methodology of SAF Environmental Attribute Transactions,” a system of procedures for the accounting and auditing of global sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) book-and-claim programs.
Launched in 2021, CoSAFA—which includes many of the industry alphabet organizations such as NATA, NBAA, EBAA, IBAC, GAMA, and IATA—was designed to provide transparency to book-and-claim, which gives customers the ability to purchase SAF and receive the environmental credits even in areas where SAF is unavailable. Under book-and-claim, the corresponding amount of SAF would be dispensed at a location where actual SAF supply is present—typically near SAF production facilities—into a different aircraft. That aircraft operator would not be entitled to any reporting benefits.
The process depends upon strict bookkeeping to prevent double counting of carbon-reduction benefits. CoSAFA has developed a list of fair rules governing the system, including equal access to decarbonization methods for all global aviation entities, creating an attractive investment environment for commercial decarbonization solutions, and ensuring the integrity of book-and-claim transactions for sustainability compliance requirements.
“CoSAFA has engaged a broad range of stakeholders in developing this methodology, which provides the critical transparency needed in the development of fair rules for book-and-claim,” explained NATA president and CEO Curt Castagna. “Through continued collaboration across the aviation industry, CoSAFA can provide a unified foundation for SAF transactions.”
King Air interiors kit specialist Aviation Fabricators (AvFab) received a supplemental type certificate from the FAA for its Monarch sidewall kit for 300-series King Airs on May 12. The kit brings the turboprop twin’s interior up to factory-new standards, mimicking that of a King Air 360, and includes the Royal Side Ledge system, Regal window shades, and Crown headliner. The side-ledge drink rail table system—the heart of the upgrade—includes deeper cup holders and a sharper finish, while the sculpted sidewalls help give the entire cabin a more modern look, said G.R. Lowe III, founder and president of the Clinton, Missouri aftermarket provider.
AvFab’s Regal pleated window shades allow as little as 4 percent light transmission and up to 75 percent heat reflection, and their insulating properties reduce heat loss by 20 percent. The shades can be left closed at all times, unlike OEM polarized shades, and come with a five-year warranty.
The Monarch kit’s Crown headliner is made from composite material and can accommodate customizable LED light schemes in coordination with the installer. The interior’s finish and upholstery can also be customized in collaboration with the installing MRO.
AvFab also offers upgrade kits for 90-, 200-, and 300-series King Airs, including lateral-tracking seat bases, Clearview headrests, side-facing seats, and aft jump seat. Additionally, it can provide a two-place divan for 300-series King Airs.
Signature Aviation held a grand-opening celebration for its newly completed FBO at Scotland’s Edinburgh Airport (EGPH) late last week. The facility, which took two years to build, features a 5,575-sq-ft (518-sq-m) terminal with discrete entrances for passengers and crew. Amenities include VIP suites, conference room, coffee bar, business center, crew lounge, and 48-space secure vehicle parking lot.
The location has nearly 70,000 sq ft (6,497 sq m) of dedicated ramp, which allows it to handle any size aircraft up to an Airbus A330. It is fully self-sufficient with its own equipment ranging from a pair of fuel trucks to airstairs, tugs, ground power units, and belt loaders.
Signature has invested substantially in the FBO and its security screening equipment. Installation of a CT3 X-ray machine upgrade is planned for early 2024. The company is in negotiations with airlines to introduce its Elite Class product there, which will allow commercial passengers to use the facility for arriving and departing flights.
“We are looking forward to a successful partnership with Edinburgh Airport as we grow our business in Scotland and the UK,” said John-Angus Smith, Signature’s managing director for EMEA.
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) plans to invest $10 million to expand the capabilities of its Wichita Falls, Texas engine component repair facility. As part of the investment, P&WC will modify its existing coatings line using a new application process. The expansion, expected to be completed in early 2025, will add 30 jobs at the site.
The facility repairs the hot sections of a variety of P&WC engines. As part of the repair process, certain engine parts, such as turbine blades, get a special coating that protects against the high temperatures needed for high-performance engines.
“Our Wichita Falls facility will be the first of our plants to pioneer a new coating process that will significantly improve the durability and performance of our engines," said P&WC v-p of customer service Irene Makris.
"Since acquiring the current facility in 1997, Pratt & Whitney Canada has worked diligently to expand the plant's capabilities and grow its workforce,” said Leo Lane, chairman of the Wichita Falls Economic Development Corp. “It is initiatives like [this] announcement that help us grow our aviation and aerospace sector, important for a city that is home to the Sheppard Air Force Base.”
So you own an aircraft, now what?
Hey, you've got yourself an aircraft, congrats! But do you know all the nitty-gritty details your repair station needs before going in for your first maintenance event? It's like your first visit to a new doctor—except the repair facility is filling out dozens of pages of information on the aircraft's health history—not you.
Spirit Aeronautics’ facility at Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth, has gained Part 145 certification as an FAA repair station, the Columbus, Ohio-headquartered avionics installation and modification specialist said. Spirit has operated from the 70,000-sq-ft hangar in Forth Worth since 2021. The company has also provided avionics modifications and flight line support for aircraft operators at Port Columbus International Airport since its establishment in 2000.
According to Spirit, it works on all makes of business jets and operates as a service center and dealer for Honeywell Aerospace, Collins Aerospace, Garmin International, and all other major avionics brands.
“This is a significant milestone in Spirit's history,” said CEO Rick Ochs. “Our Texas clients have asked us for years to stand up a new operation in the DFW metroplex. We answered by building a world-class team of avionics experts operating out of Meacham Airport in Fort Worth. Our growth in the southwest region is accelerating beyond expectations. Spirit's Texas team has become a magnet for many new business relationships."
Gogo Business Aviation said it is gaining momentum as the company and its partners prepare to inaugurate global low-earth-orbit (LEO) broadband service, which is expected to deliver an “order-of-magnitude” improvement in in-flight connectivity. OneWeb, Gogo’s satellite network provider, finished building out its broadband constellation in March with the launch of the final 36 satellites, bringing the number of satellites in the network to 618. The company said it is on track to have the network operational by first-quarter 2024.
Also, Hughes Network Systems recently announced that it has completed the preliminary design review for the electronically steerable aircraft antenna assembly that it will provide exclusively to Gogo for its LEO broadband service. This antenna can be installed on aircraft of all sizes, including business jets that are too small for other broadband solutions. Customers interested in using Gogo’s LEO broadband service in their aircraft can get a head start by installing an Avance connectivity platform. When Gogo launches the service, customers with Avance systems need to add only the antenna.
“Because we have strong partners in OneWeb and Hughes, we’re ahead of schedule, and we continue to make progress on the development of the system components,” said Gogo president and COO Sergio Aguirre.
World Fuel Services (WFS) has introduced its first all-electric refueler at France’s Toulon Hyères Airport (LFTH). Converted from diesel power, the first of the 5,283-gallon (20,000-liter) capacity trucks will be used to pump sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a continuous supply of which is now available to business and general aviation customers for the first time at the Vinci Airports-managed gateway.
As it worked on a decarbonization plan with the airport, WFS sought to lower the overall carbon intensity of its fueling operation, not just of the fuel but of the equipment as well. As a result, it pioneered the concept of electrifying existing refuelers rather than disposing of them. Complete with an electric drive train with an integrated pumping system, the converted trucks will serve to effectively eliminate carbon emissions during the fueling process.
"Our shared vision of a sustainable future has propelled us to expand our traditional services beyond renewables such as SAF, solar, and electricity into developing sustainable equipment for airport operations through electrifying traditionally carbon-intensive refueling vehicles,” said WFS v-p of fuel supply for Europe Duncan Story.
To further improve the carbon reduction at Toulon, World Kinect Energy Services, WFS’s sustainability division, installed solar panels on the roof of the airport’s fueling office.
Satcom Direct’s Plane Simple Ku-band tail-mounted antenna system has received FAA and EASA supplemental type certificate (STC) approvals for Dassault Falcon 7Xs. The latest certification complements the existing Falcon 2000LX/LXS/S and 900EX/LX approvals obtained earlier this year.
The simplified antenna installation requires fitting two-line replaceable units—the tail-mounted antenna and modem unit—reducing aircraft downtime and optimizing maintenance budgets, according to Satcom Direct. The Plane Simple Ku-band antenna variant is now available for installation through the Dassault factory MRO and Dassault Aircraft Services network.
“We are proud that Dassault recognizes the advantages delivered by the Plane Simple system and how it can enhance connectivity on the Falcon airframes,” said Satcom Direct founder and CEO Jim Jensen. “The STC makes the full Satcom Direct ecosystem of hardware, software, ground infrastructure, cybersecurity, and award-winning customer support immediately available to this set of Falcon owners.”
“Falcon aircraft are known for being technologically advanced, and the SD Plane Simple antenna system is the perfect complement to our aircraft,” added senior v-p of Dassault worldwide service network Geoff Chick.
Requires revising the aircraft maintenance manual limitations section with new maintenance tasks for a visual inspection of the wing anti-icing system.
Requires revising the aircraft maintenance manual limitations section with new maintenance tasks for a visual inspection of the wing anti-icing system.
Requires incorporating corrective actions that physically prevent improper connection of the hydraulic lines to the ground spoiler actuator. Prompted by a report that the ground spoiler actuator installation does not preclude improper hydraulic line connections that could result in unintended asymmetrical spoiler deployment.
Model(s): Global Express, XRS, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500
Published: May 16, 2023
Effective: June 20, 2023
Requires revising the existing aircraft flight manual to correct certain performance charts. Prompted by a report that some aircraft flight manuals contain figures with incorrect performance charts for landing on contaminated runways.
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