Embraer Delivers 600th Phenom 300

Embraer delivered its 600th Phenom 300-series light twinjet today, the Brazilian airframer announced. The milestone delivery to Superior Capital Holdings of Fayetteville, Arkansas, represents the first jet for Superior, which previously operated a turboprop single and was looking to upgrade to an aircraft that would provide enhanced cabin comfort, speed, and range. Many of Superior's trips are on routes of more than 1,000 nm.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW535E1 engines, Superior's Phenom 300E—which features upgraded avionics, Gogo Avance L5 connectivity, improved cabin soundproofing, and extended cockpit seat tracking—has a five-passenger range of 2,010 nm with NBAA IFR reserves and a high-speed cruise of 464 ktas. Since ANAC type certification in December 2009 followed by FAA and EASA certification in May 2010, Embraer has delivered the Phenom 300 and 300E to customers in more than 35 countries, with the fleet accumulating more than 1.2 million flight hours.

Final assembly of Phenom 100s and 300s is performed at Embraer's facility in Melbourne, Florida. The company delivered 50 Phenom 300/300Es last year and nine 300Es in the first quarter.

AINsight: On the Precipice of Another Talent Shortage

There’s a clear return to flying as vaccinations ramp up and regions reopen. In fact, just this week, a business aviation director told me that all three of his company’s aircraft were in use—along with a NetJets share. Other flight departments have sent executives to India and Europe.

Business aviation is back, and not far behind is the pilot shortage. For several months, I’ve cautioned that the pilot shortage will be back before we know it—with a vengeance! And from what I can see, it’s already started.

So how will business aviation win at retaining pilots and attracting the next generation? How will our Part 91 and Part 135 operators become employers of choice? My recommendations are to change our mindset and flight hour minimums, recruit from the military, and consider hiring less experienced pilots who can be mentored and developed.

Now is the time to examine your talent strategy, and in a two-part process. First, focus on pilot and maintenance retention. In addition to retention, it’s time to look at what your needs will be a year or two from now. The data shows that it will likely be harder and more expensive to hire in 18 months when your senior captain retires. So there is a financial benefit to cultivating a great hire earlier than later.

Reduced Flight Ops Affecting Pilot Proficiency

Reduced flight time resulting from Covid-19 is degrading professional pilots’ performance, according to Paul Ransbury, CEO of training provider Aviation Performance Solutions. Ransbury made the observation Thursday in an online presentation, “Manual Flight Operations—Proficiency Fallout due to Covid-19,” as part of a Bombardier Safety Standdown webinar series.

“It's really unprecedented for a large body of pilots to go this amount of time without flying or having an alternative way of staying current,” he said, citing operations declines ranging from 60 percent initially to today’s 40 to 48 percent. Meanwhile, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University research into pilot reports from the FAA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System filed during this period found “items identified most readily with a proficiency-currency issue increased by 1,000 percent—a tenfold increase” in the aftermath of operations reductions, Ransbury said. He identified manual flight control skills as those most affected.

Pilots with little experience “are the most vulnerable” to loss of this proficiency, while those with “a substantial amount of experience can get back up to a very high level of proficiency in a relatively short period of time,” Ransbury said. Mitigation strategies include improving awareness of the aircraft state, following the guidelines from ICAO’s 2014 Upset Prevention and Recovery Training manual, and “dedicated practice.”

Aviation Industry Cheers New SAF Tax Credit Bill

A broad-based consortium of aviation companies and organizations yesterday applauded the introduction of the Sustainable Skies Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Among those lauding the legislation were airlines, fuel manufacturers and providers, airframers, engine makers, and aviation alphabet organizations such as NBAA, GAMA, NATA, AOPA, HAI, and A4A.

Sponsored by Reps. Brad Schneider (D-Illinois), Dan Kildee (D-Michigan), and Julia Brownley (D-California), it would establish a $1.50-per-gallon “blender’s tax credit” for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that achieves at least a 50 percent reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. In addition, the fuels would receive another one-cent-per-gallon credit for each percentage point in reduction above 50 percent. Thus, a 100 percent reduction would receive a $2-per-gallon credit. Under the measure, the tax credits would be in effect until 2030.

“The Sustainable Skies Act will help spur the private sector investments needed to boost the production, distribution, and uptake of SAF,” explained GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “A blender’s tax credit will also assist in making SAF a cost-competitive alternative to conventional jet fuel.”

"The broad coalition of environmentalists, airlines, sustainable fuel producers, and labor in support of this bill demonstrates how SAF can be both a win for the environment and a win for our economy,” said Brownley.

MSB Unveils Zero Gravity Side Ledge Table

MSB Design this week launched its Zero Gravity two-place side ledge table lift system that, when deployed with its four-place hi-lo conference table, can create a six-place setting for onboard dining and meetings. Named for its ease of operation, the surface can be used as a two-place table or ottoman, according to the Montreal-based business aviation engineering firm. When installed with MSB’s hi-low system, tables can be used independently or combined with a single control button into a table for six.

Three years in development, the Zero Gravity system weighs less, is quieter, and has less shock impact during deployment and stowage than the four-place system and reflects “the need for a more flexible table solution in larger-cabin aircraft,” said MSB Group v-p Mario Sevigny. “While the design and engineering that went into developing this new table is highly complex, it is exceptionally simple to use.”

The table surface can be finished with either a traditional wood veneer or carbon-fiber material to complement the black anodized aluminum mechanisms. MSB expects that the Zero Gravity table, which is currently in the qualification process, will be available through OEMs Bombardier, Embraer, and Gulfstream by year-end. In the aftermarket, it can be added as a stand-alone two-place table or added to an existing hi-low system. Pricing has not been announced.

Tuskegee Airmen’s RedTail Academy Selects Piper Pilots

Tuskegee Airmen Inc. has ordered two Piper Pilot 100i single-engine trainers as it prepares to launch RedTail Flight Academy in September to help provide flight training opportunities to minority youth. In honor of the original Tuskegee Airmen, the academy will offer an aviation scholarship program covering the full cost of flight training.

Plans call for kicking off training with six students and for increasing to 30 per year by 2026. Based at New York Stewart International Airport, the academy will provide a Part 141 curriculum that spans 10 months and results in a multi-engine commercial pilot license with an instrument rating for candidates between the ages of 18 and 21.

“Our vision is to create a flight training academy that uses aviation as a developmental tool focusing on STEM, leadership development, and the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen,” said Glendon Fraser, director of the Lee A. Archer Jr. RedTail Youth Flying Program. “The addition of two Piper Pilot 100i aircrat is a key milestone as we work to achieve our vision and meet our goal of providing 30 commercial pilots per year with zero cost to deserving candidates.”

Helping to launch to program, the Tuskegee Airmen received a donation of a Sikorsky helicopter that was then sold. Proceeds from that transaction will fund scholarships and the purchase of the initial two training airplanes.

NBAA Backs Bill To Promote Transportation Workforces

House aviation subcommittee chairman Rick Larsen (D-Washington) is continuing his push to bolster the aviation and other transportation workforces, reintroducing bipartisan legislation that would facilitate public service campaigns to promote career opportunities and improve diversity in those sectors. Joining Reps. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Angie Craig (D-Minnesota), Larsen initially introduced the Promoting Service in Transportation Act in November, expressing concern that industry stakeholders are facing increased competition as they seek to fill pilot, air traffic controller, mechanic, and other positions.

The aviation industry will need more than 800,000 pilots, 769,000 technicians, and nearly 20,000 controllers over the next 10 years, he said. In addition to facing a shortage of workers, the industry is confronting a diversity issue, as white males still comprise more than 90 percent of airline pilots.

This legislation has received strong backing from NBAA, which noted that the bill (H.R.3310) recognizes the importance of the transportation industries and will help “build a brighter, more diverse, and inclusive future for the transportation sector.”

“Our country’s unparalleled ability to safely, quickly, and efficiently move people and goods is one of our greatest national advantages,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, who added that members of his organization should voice their support for the bill.

Astronics Secures STCs for Enhanced Vision on EC130s

Astronics Corp. has been granted supplemental type certificate (STC) approval from the FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada Civil Aviation for the installation of its Max-Viz 1200 and 1400 enhanced vision systems aboard the Airbus Helicopters EC130B4 and EC130T2.

The electronics specialist worked with Avio Canada in Calgary, Canada, to secure the STCs. EuroTec Canada performed the initial installation of the Max-Viz 1400 using the STC, upgrading Garmin Txi avionics.

The Max-Viz 1200 and 1400 are lightweight, solid-state, and low-power systems that improve visibility in poor weather conditions such as haze, dust, smoke, smog, and light fog. They further help pilots detect and avoid clouds in flight and identify the runway and view terrain clearly in times of reduced visibility.

Incorporating an uncooled thermal camera, the systems will display images on any flight deck that accepts NTSC or PAL/Analog RS-170 video signals, including multifunction displays and primary flight displays. In addition, images will display on standalone devices such as tablets, depending on aircraft configuration.

“The Astronics' Max-Viz technology provides pilots with an unprecedented level of situational awareness and safety,” said Tom Geiger, Max-Viz business unit director for Astronics. “Our EVS is perfectly suited for these single-engine light utility helicopters.”

AIN Product Support Survey Now Open

Tell us about the product support you receive from business aviation OEMs. The 2021 AIN Product Support Survey is now open, ready for selected readers to rate aircraft, engine, and avionics support. AIN readers who have been picked to participate in this year’s Product Support Survey should have received their password and link to the online survey by e-mail. The survey needs to be completed by midnight on June 11.

Photo of the Week

EBACE throwback. To mark the virtual EBACE Connect held this week, AIN’s stellar graphics department scoured the archives for their favorite photo from the last in-person EBACE (in 2019). Taken by long-time AIN freelance photographer David McIntosh, this shows the pre-pandemic days when we could congregate in large numbers at trade shows. And with Covid-19 vaccinations rising and correspondent lowering infection rates, we’ll be able to do this all again in person soon.

If you'd like to submit an entry for Photo of the Week, email a high-resolution horizontal image (at least 2000 x 1200 pixels), along with your name, contact information, social media names, and info about it (including brief description, location, etc.) to photos@ainonline.com. Tail numbers can be removed upon request. Those submitting photos give AIN implied consent to publish them in its publications and social media channels.