Business jet deliveries remained virtually unchanged in the first quarter of 2023 from the same period last year, while turboprop deliveries increased by more than 6 percent, according to information released yesterday by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
Manufacturers delivered 117 jets in the first three months of 2023, one fewer than they did a year ago, while the same number represented a seven-unit increase for turboprops. The higher-end pressurized turboprop segment, however, was off by 5 percent, with two fewer deliveries in the first quarter of 2023. Total airplane billings declined by 3.5 percent year-over-year.
The delivery totals for most jet OEMs were equal to their 2022 numbers or slightly lower in the first quarter of 2023, though there were some exceptions, particularly in the very-light-jet category. Cirrus ramped up the year-over-year deliveries of its single-engine SF50 Vision Jet, handing over seven more of them in the first quarter of this year than in the same period in 2022, while for the first time in five years, Eclipse Aerospace delivered a pair of Eclipse 550s. Pilatus delivered three more PC-24s in the first quarter than it did in the same time last year.
Daher and Piper were the only pressurized turboprop manufacturers to improve on their first-quarter 2022 delivery totals, with the former handing over three more single-engine TBMs in the first three months of this year, and the latter improving upon its M600 total.
AINsight: Fatal In-flight Upset Poses Important Lessons
On March 3, 2023, a Bombardier Challenger 300 was involved in an accident en route from Keene, New Hampshire, to Leesburg, Virginia, killing one passenger. Initial media reports suggested that an encounter with severe turbulence was the cause, but this was later ruled out.
A recently published NTSB preliminary investigative report on the accident identified an in-flight upset caused by a pitch trim malfunction. The report raises many questions about the pitch trim system on this super-midsize business jet and yet more questions about the actions of the flight crew leading up to the in-flight upset event.
The Challenger 300/350 has been in service for nearly 20 years, with more than 800 examples delivered worldwide.
In recent years, both the FAA and Transport Canada have issued airworthiness directives (AD) related to the aircraft’s horizontal stabilizer trim system. Each AD identifies a scenario following a “STAB TRIM FAULT” advisory and autopilot disconnect, where flight crew commands for a nose-up trim resulted instead in the nose-down trim movement of the horizontal stabilizer.
The FAA plans to allow business and general aviation aircraft to resume using en route Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) by August 31 under a plan presented at a meeting of its Data Communications Implementation Team on May 24.
The FAA en route CPDLC trial that was suspended in October 2022 will now sunset but about 1,000 business jets enrolled will be allowed to resume using the service by August 31. By that date, the FAA will lift the October 2022 Notam that restricted business and general aviation aircraft from using en route CPDLC. It will also allow new business, general aviation, and Part 135 aircraft to use CPDLC if there are no known avionics issues.
The FAA plans to rescind the notice in June that restricts agency inspectors from consenting to the use of CPDLC. The FAA will make changes to operator-held letters of authorization with restrictions on using domestic CPDLC and in a related effort is considering not requiring domestic CPDLC authorization.
Collins Aerospace launched the Iridium Certus 700 IRT NX satcom, a high-speed cabin connectivity solution for business aircraft of all sizes, and Bombardier will be the first customer to install it in new and existing aircraft beginning in the second half of this year, the company announced on Tuesday at EBACE.
“This is a game-changing solution for the business aviation market, and we are proud to see our long history of collaboration on connectivity services continuing with Bombardier,” said Nate Boelkins, v-p and general manager of business and regional avionics at Collins Aerospace.
Powered by the Iridium Next global satellite network, the lightweight and low-cost Certus satcom system offers reliable pole-to-pole connectivity with initial data rates of up to 704 kbps. Eventually, it should achieve speeds of up to 1 Mbps, according to Collins.
The higher 700-kpbs data rate allows passengers to browse the internet, send emails and instant messages, and make voice calls in the air, but it doesn’t support high-bandwidth applications like videoconferencing. It offers all the Certus features, including safety services and segregated cockpit and cabin communications. It also supports Future Air Navigation System and Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System requirements.
“Applications range from complementing existing Ku/Ka-band service in large cabins to introducing cabin internet to small and medium-size aircraft,” said Clotilde Enel-Réhel, executive director of programs at Collin Aerospace’s Connected Aviation Solutions business unit.
The July 9, 2022, fatal crash of a Bell 206L-1 Long Ranger in New South Wales was caused by the pilot’s precipitous control inputs after a bird strike, according to the Australian Transportation Safety Board (ATSB) final investigation report.
“The pilot was likely startled by sighting the bird or the helicopter striking the bird, reacting via abrupt control inputs,” said the ATSB. “These inputs led to the main rotor striking and severing the tail boom, and the helicopter breaking up in flight.” The sole-occupant pilot was killed.
Sun glare and a required radio frequency change meant it was unlikely that the pilot saw or had time to avoid a wedge-tail eagle before the helicopter struck the bird just below the front left windscreen at about 500 feet agl. “An assessment of the time of day (about 11:45 a.m.) and sun position relative to the aircraft’s altitude and track indicated that the helicopter was flying directly into the sun,” according to the report.
The pilot held commercial airplane and helicopter certificates and was approved to fly the LongRanger. Electronic logbook software indicated the pilot logged 4,800 hours in helicopters up to Oct. 19, 2020, when he stopped using the software.
Between 2018 and 2022, the ATSB reported 212 bird strikes involving helicopters. However, only one of those—this accident flight—resulted in the loss of the aircraft.
Fokker Services Group (FSG) unveiled at EBACE 2023 its new widebody hangar in Hoogerheide, The Netherlands. The Dutch firm expects that the bizliner completions hangar—which measures 87 meters long by 86 meters wide and 27 meters high—will make a crucial contribution to the company’s long-term objective as market demand for completion services continues to surge.
According to FSG CEO Roland van Dijk, “We’re in a relentless pursuit of global excellence with a strong focus on sustainability, of which this new hangar is a key milestone.” With sustainability a top priority, the facility incorporates a geothermal energy system and by year’s end will have photovoltaic solar panels on the roof.
The modern hangar reflects FSG’s own forward-focused capabilities. “Our cutting-edge technology, engineering skills, and centennial history are putting us in an uncontested position to become the partner of choice for the widebody airframe maintenance and completions and conversions market,” said van Dijk.
Co-designed with Gaptek, developer of modular architecture, the hangar employs a patented lightweight system, and the improvements will reduce the CO2 emissions from the construction by 75 percent compared with a conventional hangar, according to FSG.
Jet Aviation on Wednesday signed an agreement with drone and artificial intelligence (AI) specialist Donecle to use AI and advanced image analysis algorithms to enable fast and accurate aircraft inspections. By capturing detailed records of aircraft, the technology can enhance the accuracy of existing services such as pre-purchase inspections, while offering the potential for new services centered on predictive maintenance.
“Innovation is essential to continue to drive the industry forward and ensure we evolve to meet the rapidly changing expectations of our customers,” said Jet Aviation senior v-p of regional operations for EMEA Jeremie Caillet. “AI is developing at an exciting pace and has the potential to play a central role in increasing efficiency and effectiveness across a wide range of MRO procedures.”
The Donecle drone and AI technology support operations for inspecting the external structure of aircraft, including lightning strike inspections, general visual inspections, regulatory marking inspections, and paint quality checks. The drones will arrive at Jet Aviation in June and the team will work with Donecle to explore how the technology can integrate into operations to allow for an even more seamless customer experience.
“This agreement marks a key milestone for Donecle, as this strategic partnership with Jet Aviation will allow us to expand our current scope by applying our technology to business aviation,” said Donecle CEO Matthieu Claybrough.
Silkwings Jet has secured fresh funding from Shanghai’s Capital 8 investment group and the Hong Kong-based L’Voyage private flight provider for the development of its business jet fractional ownership program. The Hangzhou-based joint venture did not disclose the amount of this funding.
Launched in late 2022 with support from the French government, the Sino-French company aims to operate a fleet of Dassault Falcons in China and other key Asian markets under air operator certificates in multiple countries. It will also offer management services for aircraft owners and opportunities for clients to offset ownership expenses, such as acquisition and operating costs through charter revenue.
“We set up Silkwings Jet with a very clear mission—allowing our clients to maximize asset ownership and utilization [while] always seeking to generate maximum value for every dollar spent into their aircraft,” said Silkwings Jet founder and CEO Franck Dubarry. “The versatility of our jet-sharing program and our deep knowledge of operating in the region makes it a more efficient option than traditional private jet charter or other jet card programs.”
Business as Usual. The presence of heavier than usual security due to the threat of activist protests did not deter crowds of visitors at this year's edition of EBACE. The annual European business aviation showcase attracted more than 300 exhibitors and thousands of attendees this week in Geneva. AIN photographer David McIntosh snapped this photo of showgoers examining the manufacturers' latest aircraft and cutting-edge industry technology in the sold-out static display. Thanks for sharing, David!
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