California-based Clay Lacy Aviation has received permission from the Connecticut Airport Authority to expand its East Coast aircraft maintenance, management, and charter facility at Waterbury-Oxford Airport into a full FBO. The company has had a presence at the airport since 2015 when it purchased the former Key Air and occupied its 65,000-sq-ft facility. Last year, the location, which currently employs 50 people, received FAA Part 145 maintenance approval.
While the company will continue to use that facility, the airport authority awarded it a new 30-year lease on another 16-acre plot, on which it will build a new $20 million FBO. The first phase, slated to open in early 2022, will consist of 40,000 sq ft of hangar and terminal space. An additional 120,000 sq ft of hangar, office, and MRO space will be completed in the following years.
"The award of this lease is the culmination of a five-year strategic plan to expand our capabilities and support services in the Eastern U.S.,” said Clay Lacy president and CEO Brian Kirkdoffer. “We are delighted to partner with the Connecticut Airport Authority to bring new jobs and expanded services to the local economy."
Business aviation flight hours increased 87.5 percent between the second and third quarters, according to Jet Support Services’ (JSSI) quarterly Business Aviation Index. Further, business aviation activity has recovered to 78.4 percent of 2019 levels after average flight hours reached all-time lows in April due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The index is based on global utilization for more than 2,000 jets, turboprops, and helicopters enrolled in JSSI hourly cost maintenance programs. Month-over-month flight activity climbed 7.1 percent between August and September, the first monthly increase in flying hours since the third quarter of last year.
“While this quarter reflects a welcome sign for business aviation, utilization is still down 21.6 percent year-over-year,” said JSSI president and CEO Neil Book. “I think we will see elevated leisure travel during the winter months, as tighter travel restrictions coupled with the virus resurgence will continue to inhibit business-related flight hours.”
Among industries using business aviation, business services and financial services recovered the most flying hours in the third quarter with gains of 84.3 and 111.4 percent, respectively. Large aircraft had the largest year-over-year flight hour decrease during the period—30.7 percent—while small-cabin aircraft had the least, at 2.1 percent.
All regions saw flight-hour increases but the most acute were found in Central and South America, according to the index.
FAA Funds Second Phase of Cybersecurity Assessment
Astronautics has received additional FAA funding to continue with the second phase of its Aircraft Systems Information Security/Protection (ASISP) research and development risk assessment contract. The work by the Wisconsin-based company will continue to explore areas such as air-to-ground communications to identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.
“Astronautics is an expert in air-ground communications and connectivity for aircraft,” explained David Jones, the company’s manager of avionics security assurance, adding it will leverage that expertise to conduct in-depth studies. As a member of the U.S. Cyber Safety-Commercial Aviation Team, an organization that aims to advance National Airspace System safety, the company will work with other members of the group to develop a report for the FAA with cost-effective strategies to mitigate risk before cyber-attacks happen.
“Astronautics has been at the forefront of cybersecurity research and knows the importance of security for our customers,” said company president Chad Cundiff. “We are committed to continuing to work with the FAA to begin a practical phase for using the developed cybersecurity risk-assessment methodology.”
In October, the U.S. Government Accountability Office published a report calling on the FAA to fully implement “key practices” to guard against cybersecurity risks to avionics.
Corporate Angel Network Nets $275k in Virtual Auction
The Corporate Angel Network’s (CAN) Fund an Angel Virtual Auction that concluded on Friday raised more than $275,000 through sponsorships, auction items, and donations, the organization announced today. CAN moved its annual fundraiser to an online format due to the Covid-related cancelation of the 2020 NBAA-BACE. The nonprofit group arranges for transportation of cancer patients to treatment centers on business aircraft.
“While we wish we could have been in person this year, we are grateful we could still partner with the business aviation community and generate important funds for our mission,” said CAN chairman Jean Rosanvallon. “The industry has rallied behind CAN’s mission throughout the pandemic and its unwavering support is what helped to make this event a success.”
While Covid-19 has affected CAN’s model, the organization has continued transporting cancer patients to treatment throughout the pandemic. CAN exhausts all resources and alternative options when looking for patient flight matches, it said.
The auction featured a plethora of items, including flight training packages, a beachfront hotel stay, signed golf memorabilia, a trip to Jackson Hole, and one-of-a-kind art pieces. CAN expects to resume its normal format for the 2021 Fund an Angel Cocktail Reception on October 13 in Las Vegas during NBAA-BACE.
EASA Approves SkyWay Group’s SkyStep for Citations
EASA has awarded The SkyWay Group approval for SkyStep, its Cessna Citation cabin door step replacement, the Texas-based company announced late last week. Certifications from EASA—numbered STC 10074500, 10074602, and 10074623—include the range of Citation twins certified earlier by the FAA.
The SkyStep is now EASA and FAA certified for the Citation 500, 501SP, 550, 551SP, S550, 560, 525A (CJ2), and 525B (CJ3). SkyWay said the new step improves upon the factory step through precision machining of high-strength aluminum to prevent cracking and breaking; enclosing the back and sides to prevent slipping and stability; and adding a third step for ease of entry, as well as pneumatic cylinders for gentle deployment of the door. The first step is also closer to the ground, eliminating the need to carry a separate step.
Pricing of the SkyStep is roughly half the cost of a comparable composite step replacement from the OEM, according to SkyWay.
FreeFlight Adds Digital-to-analog Radar Alt Convertor
FreeFlight Systems has unveiled the FDC-500 Convertor, a compact digital-to-analog convertor that allows the replacement of heavy, legacy radar altimeters with FreeFlight Systems’ RA4000/4500 radar altimeters while retaining existing antennas, cabling, and flight deck indicators. According to the Irving, Texas-based company, the FDC-500 will allow RA4000/4500 installations into turboprops and small business jets, while retaining their original analog panel indicators such as the BendixKing KNI 415 and KNI 416 altitude Indicators.
The RA4000/4500 radar altimeter is a “robust and reliable solution to provide accurate height above terrain for aircraft in harsh conditions and environments time and time again,” the company said.
“In continuing FreeFlight’s mission to outfit legacy aircraft with avionics for modern airspace systems, the FDC-500 is an ideal product to add to our portfolio,” said FreeFlight Systems president and CEO Tim Taylor. Deliveries of the FDC-500 will begin next month, he added.
Russian Helicopters Launches Indonesian Test Program
Russian Helicopters has launched an operations pilot test program for its Mi-8/171 twin in Indonesia on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. This program is being conducted under contract with local operator PT National Utility Helicopters, a service provider to the Indonesian government, and is focused on firefighting operations.
Two Mi-8AMT helicopters are already on station in the region, supported by Russian Helicopters’ flight and maintenance crews. Russian Helicopters is also providing support and consulting regarding the formation of an indigenous-based fleet to carry out firefighting operations in the region, according to Leonid Belykh, managing director of Russian Helicopters’ Ulan-Ude aviation plant (U-UAP). The Indonesian pilot program borrows from a similar effort in partnership with UTair-VU in 2018, which used an Mi-171A2.
U-UAP has produced more than 8,000 aircraft over the last 80 years and today specializes in the production of Mi-8AMT (Mi-171E), Mi-171, and Mi-8AMTSh (Mi-171Sh) helicopters. State-owned JSC Russian Helicopters is headquartered in Moscow and is the sole developer and manufacturer of helicopters in Russia. The company includes five helicopter plants, two design offices, enterprises on production and service of vendor items, aircraft repair plants, and after-sale service and support.
Aviation Safety Question of the Week
Provided by
What does the following statement define? “The way safety is perceived, valued and prioritized in an organization. It reflects the real commitment to safety at all levels in the organization.”
A. Safety culture.
B. Safety management system.
C. Safety tool kit.
D. All of the above.
AMAC Keeps Busy with Multiple VIP Mx Projects
AMAC Aerospace reported it has more than a half-dozen VIP airliner projects in hangar or arriving soon, along with work on large cabin Bombardiers and a Gulfstream. Among the contracts: a head-of-state MD-87 is getting a new generation CVR and FDR system, multiple C-checks, and landing gear overhaul, as well as a head-of-state Boeing 747-8 for a C-check. One owner’s pair of BBJs are concurrently having Ka-Band Wi-Fi systems installed, along with base maintenance checks, while another’s VIP-configured 787 is coming for a 12-month check.
Additionally, an Airbus ACJ319 and ACJ318 are undergoing multiple inspections, and another ACJ319 is to get an avionics upgrade and heavy base maintenance check.
“Despite limitational circumstances of Covid-19 pandemic, we see a slow improvement of flight activities in business aviation, and are pleased to have regular maintenance inputs,” said AMAC maintenance director Alexis Ott.
Large-cabin aircraft projects include pre-purchase inspections on two Bombardier Global 6000s, and another Global 6000 is due in for maintenance checks shortly. AMAC is also performing a base maintenance check on a Gulfstream V. Meanwhile, the owner of a super-midsize Challenger 300 inducted for maintenance checks in September has now commissioned the Switzerland-based VIP MRO to perform cabin interior work on the twinjet.
Webinar: Autothrottle Safety and Performance Benefits
Autothrottles greatly simplify the operation of turboprop engines, helping the pilot not only manage power changes automatically during busy flying periods in terminal airspace but also add major safety benefits. For the first time, the Innovative Solutions & Support autothrottle system is now available for PT6-powered airplanes, and webinar attendees can learn about how the system works and all of the benefits it offers. Please join us on November 4 as AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber moderates an in-depth discussion with Tom Grunbeck, director of autothrottle products at Innovative Solutions & Support, and Aaron Tobias, FAA consultant DER flight test pilot.
AINalerts News Tips/Feedback: News tips may be sent anonymously, but feedback must include name and contact info (we will withhold name on request). We reserve the right to edit correspondence for length, clarity and grammar. Send feedback or news tips to AINalerts editor Chad Trautvetter.
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