Bombardier Deliveries Flat, but Revenues Climb in Q1

Bombardier delivered 26 business jets in the first quarter, on par with a year earlier, but revenues are expected to come in 18 percent higher, according to the company’s preliminary results. Providing a sneak peek at its anticipated results slated for release on Thursday, Bombardier reported $1.3 billion in expected business jet revenues, well ahead of analyst consensus estimates of $1.18 billion.

“The first quarter was a strong start to the year, with our cost-reduction initiatives beginning to contribute to the bottom line, continued progress of our Global 7500 learning curve, and robust demand supporting significant year-over-year margin expansion," said Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel.

However, the company noted it received a letter from a holder of debt that matures in 2034 alleging that Bombardier’s sales of its transportation, regional jet, and aerostructures businesses were in breach of the loan covenants. Bombardier stressed it believes the allegations are without merit and that the sales “enabled it to reposition the business, strengthen its balance sheet, accelerate de-leveraging, and better position Bombardier for long-term growth and value creation.”

Bombardier, however, is launching a consent solicitation with its outstanding senior notes or debentures to “clarify that the transactions are permitted by the applicable indenture and do not and will not give rise to any defaults.”

Pilatus Aircraft Hands Over 1,800th PC-12

Pilatus Aircraft last week handed over the 1,800th PC-12 turboprop single, just three months after delivering its 100th PC-24 twinjet. The milestone PC-12 NGX, S/N 2070, was delivered to Alán Aguirre, owner of Divine Flavor, a family-run and grower-owned distribution company based in Nogales, Arizona, with greenhouses and vineyards throughout Mexico.

Adrian Zambrano—managing director of Pilatus Center de México, the authorized Pilatus sales and service center in Mexico—handed over the keys to the PC-12 NGX to Aguirre at the Pilatus completions and delivery center in Broomfield, Colorado. “The PC-12 program continues to exceed all expectations originally set for it by Pilatus,” Pilatus Business Aircraft CEO Thomas Bosshard said at the delivery ceremony. “The market response to the PC-12 NGX has been fantastic.”

Pilatus shipped 82 PC-12s last year, which the company said made it the most-delivered turbine business aircraft model. The PC-12 NGX, which represents the third major evolution of the aircraft, was introduced at NBAA-BACE 2019 and marked the first electronic propeller and engine control system to be incorporated into a production turboprop.

Ross Aviation Acquires Nebraska FBO

Ross Aviation has expanded its Midwest footprint with the addition of the Silverhawk Aviation FBO at Nebraska’s Lincoln Airport to its network. One of two service providers on the field, Silverhawk’s 14-acre leasehold includes an 18,000-sq-ft, two-story terminal with passenger lounge, business center, crew lounge with showers, eight-seat conference room, crew vehicles, and on-site car rental. It also has nearly 80,000 sq ft of hangar space that can accommodate aircraft up to an Embraer Legacy 650.

While the deal includes the Silverhawk MRO operation, it does not include the company’s fractional aircraft ownership program or its charter and management business, which will continue to operate as Silverhawk Aviation under its original ownership.

“This is an important addition for us, not only from a geographic perspective but from an operational one as well,” explained Ross CEO Brian Corbett. “[Silverhawk’s] MRO capabilities dovetail nicely with those of our other repair stations in Westfield, Massachusetts, and Sarasota, Florida.”

This latest acquisition brings the company to a total of 18 locations in the continental U.S., Alaska, and the Cayman Islands.

Jet Aviation Secures FAA Part 125 Certificate

Jet Aviation announced today it has received Part 125 approval from the FAA, enabling the Basel, Switzerland-based aviation services provider to operate aircraft seating 20 or more passengers. The wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics used a Boeing 787 widebody in pursuing its Part 125 certificate.

“The team worked diligently to deliver this complex approval, satisfied the customer, and created an important capability to add to our suite of aircraft management services,” said David Best, Jet Aviation’s senior v-p of regional operations and general manager for the Americas.

With the FAA approval, Jet Aviation will be able to operate charter flights for large corporate groups, educational institutions, and sports teams. In addition to charter, Jet Aviation provides aircraft sales and management, completions, maintenance, FBO services, and staffing from 50 locations worldwide.

Viasat’s Ku System Approved for Challenger 604/605/650

Viasat’s Ku Advanced in-flight connectivity (IFC) system is now available for Bombardier Challenger 604, 605, and 650 business jets following STC approval from the FAA, the California-based satcom provider announced this week. The Ku Advanced IFC system offers improved performance and coverage over existing air-to-ground or satellite L-band systems, according to Viasat.

“With this new STC, current Challenger business jet owners and operators no longer need to be left behind using a sub-par IFC system,” said Viasat business area director for business aviation Claudio D’Amico. “We are paving the way for them to cost-effectively take advantage of Viasat’s increased speeds and near-global coverage offered through the Ku Advanced service.”

The system is being sold through Viasat’s MRO partners at prices that start around $300,000, including installation. The STC was secured through a collaboration with Aerospace Design & Compliance. FAA-approved IFC hardware is available.

Avfuel Gains First Central American FBO Customer

Global fuel supplier Avfuel has announced that the LAATS FBO at Guatemala’s La Aurora International Airport is the first Central American FBO to join its branded dealer network.

LAATS was established as a ground service provider more than two decades ago. It opened Guatemala's first true FBO and private hangar complex, with a glass-walled terminal that offers lounges for passengers and crew, a conference room, and business center. FBO amenities include a bistro bar and gourmet dining as well as complimentary refreshments. Passengers and crew can access on-site immigration and customs service, and the FBO also provides catering, concierge services, laundry, and car rentals and other ground transport, including limousines and armored cars. To help keep pilots on schedule, LAATS can help with fuel and permit coordination, flight planning, line maintenance, and security.

The first operation in Guatemala to achieve IS-BAH Stage 1 registration, LAATS has also received certification under NATA’s Safety 1st Clean program. As a member of the Avfuel network, it will offer Avtrip rewards points and will gain access to the company’s training programs and payment-processing system.

NFPA Rejects NATA Proposal for 407 Overfill Standard

The standards council of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has denied NATA’s Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) 1558, which calls for the removal of the upcoming NFPA 407 requirements for automatic overfill protection systems at all airport loading racks that are compatible with mobile refuelers. NATA continues to believe these systems are an unnecessary and onerous burden for many small and midsize aviation businesses and that the proponents of the measure, which is set take effect on June 2, have failed to produce data that supports the need for implementation.

As a result, the organization has filed a Notice of Intent to Petition the NFPA board of directors as a last-ditch effort to oppose the requirement. In the meantime, with the deadline now less than a month away, NATA suggests that FBOs and other affected businesses work with their local authorities to request a modification to the retroactive component of the requirement, which could preclude existing equipment from the looming compliance date. It has prepared a form letter for use by those companies seeking such a modification.

While NFPA standards aren't mandatory by themselves, many local authorities incorporate them into their regulations for businesses and organizations in their jurisdictions.

New Team, New Focus at MD Helicopters

“It’s a new day for MD Helicopters,” said Alan Carr, who leads the company’s new management team as the acting CEO. Since taking over MD Helicopters (MDHI) following Lynn Tilton's March 2020 resignation, Carr has moved quickly to shore up customer support and return the company to relevancy in the commercial helicopter market. Carr recently appointed several new senior executives. 

Marc Brodeur, MDHI’s new v-p of commercial and military sales, has hired two sales directors to focus on the commercial market and since logged the sales of 10 new MD500 series helicopters: one MD530E and the remainder MD530Fs. MDHI has also has improved its support of the estimated 100 in-service MD900-series light twins, Brodeur said. “We found new suppliers for pitch casings and tail booms and blades and so on,” he added.

While reentering the commercial market with renewed focus, MDHI’s main business remains foreign military sales. “That is our sweet spot: producing light attack scout helicopters,” Brodeur said. 

In addition to Brodeur, the new management team includes Barry Sullivan, CFO; Chris Jaran, COO; Nick Nenadovic, v-p of aftermarket and customer support; Duncan Koerbel, v-p of program management; Mario Coracides, v-p of supply chain; Nick Nenadovic, v-p of aftermarket and customer support; Ramon Moro, v-p of engineering; and James Rodriguez, v-p of operations.

Correction

In Friday's issue of AINalerts, an item on the groundbreaking of the new FlightServ FBO at New Jersey's Trenton Mercer Airport (KTTN) incorrectly described the company as being the sole service provider on the field. Signature Flight Support also operates an FBO at KTTN.

AIN Flies the Cessna Citation Longitude

AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber evaluates the Cessna Citation Longitude, Textron Aviation’s flagship. Although it shares the flat-floor cabin width and height dimensions of the Latitude, the super-midsize Longitude is a fairly big step up from its smaller sibling. Powered by two 7,665-pound thrust Honeywell HFT7700L turbofans, the Longitude has a maximum cruise speed of 483 ktas and a maximum operating limit speed of Mach 0.84, putting it ahead of the Latitude’s 446 ktas and Mach .80.