Bombardier’s new aircraft production facility at Toronto Pearson International Airport remains on track for a 2023 opening, the Canadian airframer announced at an on-site event this morning. In 2019, the company announced it would be moving the assembly facility for its Global family from its Downsview Airport location to a new $400 million, 770,000-sq-ft complex at Toronto Pearson in Mississauga, Ontario.
According to the manufacturer, the new facility will incorporate environmental features that will give it a 60 percent energy-use improvement over the previous 1960’s-era plant. Among them are the application of natural and more efficient lighting, improved heating, and updated processing systems that will slash greenhouse gas emissions by half. Water use will also be diminished due to improvements in shop workflow. Further, Bombardier will use electrically-powered ground equipment and install fuel farm tanks to hold a supply of sustainable aviation fuel for departing aircraft. The 2,000 workers at Downsview will migrate to the new facility once it opens.
The OEM confirmed that it will remain active in aerospace education and job opportunities in the region through the Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research consortium.
“By opening its new Global Manufacturing Center of Excellence in our city, Bombardier will strengthen our world-class aviation sector by continuing its relationship with Mississauga-based companies that provide leading-edge capabilities to support Bombardier’s family of Global business jets,” said Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie.
The increase in first-time buyers, the pandemic, and younger wealth is changing the dynamics of the aircraft industry, Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Michael Amalfitano said this morning during the opening day of Corporate Jet Investor Miami 2021. “You have to recognize and embrace what's happening,” he said, in particular with “who's flying—and that's changing very rapidly.”
Amalfitano noted the swing in first-time business aviation users—up 50 percent over historical data and buyers up 35 percent. “You have to start thinking about what they want. Who are these people? And you recognize they're getting younger.”
The growth of wealth in this segment is “huge,” he added, citing as an example that U.S. high-net-worth-individual wealth has grown 12 percent year-over-year. “We're seeing a lot of growth in terms of this segment today in private aviation in North America.”
These new buyers have different expectations about private aviation and travel needs. “The priorities are shifting,” Amalfitano said, noting that with the pandemic the focus has been on health and safety and “fewer touchpoints, quick, point-to-point destinations. It's about how do I get to where I actually need to go and doing that in a safe, healthy, and comfortable manner.”
The market was already trending toward connectivity, but that is accelerating given the new priorities. “We're very focused on digital solutions,” Amalfitano said. Sustainability expectations are also increasing, he noted.
Bombardier opened the 25th edition of its annual Safety Standdown today with about 200 in-person attendees and another 1,000 participating through online streaming. On the two-day event’s silver anniversary, held at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita, Bombardier officials noted the transition of Safety Standdown leadership from Andy Nureddin to Chris Milligan. Nureddin, who’s led the standdown for 15 years and is Global 7500 fleet leader, plans to retire at the end of 2022. Milligan is v-p of preowned aircraft services and flight operations for Bombardier.
The event opened with brief remarks from Bombardier executive v-p of services and support and strategy J.C. Christophe, NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, and FAA Central Region regional administrator Joe Miniace.
Christophe noted in his remarks that what began in 1996 as a human factors safety-training event for a small group of Bombardier demonstration pilots has evolved into an annual event that over a quarter of a century has provided training to more than 10,000 corporate, commercial, and military pilots. Miniace added that the longevity of the event is impressive. “What it really shows is you have found something that works,” he said.
Industrial engineering solutions provider Worley has been selected by Shell to provide design and procurement services for the establishment of a low-carbon fuel production operation at its Netherlands facility.
Previously known as the Pernis Refinery, the new processing plant at the Rotterdam energy and chemicals park will be one of the largest renewable fuel production sites in Europe when it is completed in 2024. With feedstocks derived from used cooking oil, sustainable vegetable oils, animal fats, and other industrial and agricultural wastes, the facility is expected to produce 820,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel a year that will then be used for blending with conventional fuels.
Shell made the decision to move ahead with the project just weeks ago. “The new hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) plant we are building is a major investment, vital to Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam’s path to net-zero” carbon emissions, said Jos van Winsen, the facility’s general manager.
Technology, Relationships Set Flightsafety Maintenance Training Apart
For decades FlightSafety International has been the go-to name in aviation training, preparing pilots for anything in the cockpit, and mastering their aircraft. But its name doesn’t stop with just the people who fly the aircraft. It resonates as the best maintenance training available – just as important to the safety and smooth operation of aviation as a whole.
Robertson Fuel Systems founder Dr. S. Harry Robertson, known for the past 50 years as the “father of crashworthy systems,” has died at the age of 87. He invented the self-sealing “Robbie Tank” that is credited with saving thousands of lives.
“Harry Robertson’s impactful work on creating crash survivable fuel systems for the rotorcraft industry and military forces has saved over 9,000 lives and continues strong for over 45 years.” said Robertson Fuel Systems president Newman Shufflebarger. “Everyone at Robertson is proud to continue Harry’s legacy of saving lives, and his absence is a true loss.”
Born Oct. 2, 1934, in Phoenix, Robertson graduated from Embry-Riddle School of Aviation before joining the U.S. Air Force, where he participated as an examiner in military aviation accidents and became interested in the damage caused by post-crash fires, according to the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
In the 1960s, he formed Robertson Research Engineers and spent seven years analyzing crash-test results to solve the issue of crash impact on aircraft fuel tanks. Receiving a large order from Hughes Helicopters in 1974, he launched what was initially known as Robertson Aviation in Tempe, Arizona, and produced the crashworthy Robertson Fuel Systems, nicknamed Robbie Tanks.
Robertson has received numerous recognitions for his pioneering work, including the Living Legends of Aviation/Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award and was inducted into numerous aviation halls of fame.
FBO operator and aviation real estate developer Sheltair has partnered with Avfuel on a new scholarship program entitled Future Takes Flight. Unveiled last month at NBAA-BACE, the two aviation companies will provide $30,000 a year in educational funds consisting of six $5,000 scholarships across three categories.
The first pair of awards are for individuals learning to fly, earning advanced pilot ratings, working towards a CAM certification, or completing specialized training such as upset recovery. The next two will be given to individuals pursuing or furthering careers in aviation maintenance or earning a mechanic’s inspection authorization certification, and the final pair is earmarked for continuing education, allowing individuals to develop further skills needed in the FBO, aircraft charter, aircraft maintenance, or flight school businesses.
According to the companies, the scholarship application window will open each year on December 1 and close on June 1. Winners will be selected on the strength of their essay submissions and financial need, notified in August, and announced at NBAA-BACE.
“The Future Takes Flight scholarship stems from a desire to reinvest in the aviation community we love and are so deeply passionate about,” said Sheltair president Lisa Holland. “The Sheltair and Avfuel teams felt the best way to do so was by providing meaningful financial support to aviators pursuing a greater commitment to business aviation. We’re giving back to the industry that has given us everything.”
Aircraft operators are held to high standards, but the methods of ensuring compliance with those standards can cause other problems. The Honeywell Forge team has identified a clear example of this and also developed a solution that improves safety and helps facilitate efficient flight operations across the North Atlantic.
The problem stems from transatlantic flights where FANS procedures rely on datalink messaging via satellite and position tracking using ADS-C. Basically, ADS-C and datalink messaging come with standards that must be met for accuracy and timely response. If an operator's aircraft doesn’t meet the requirements, they may be sent to purgatory—in this case forced to fly away from the efficient North Atlantic Tracks or even at a lower altitude where fuel consumption skyrockets.
However, the results of measurements of ADS-C and datalink accuracy are compiled only at six-month intervals and delivered three months after that. So if an operator is having an accuracy problem, they might not know until nine months after the fact, explained Honeywell senior technical sales manager Carey Miller.
Honeywell’s Forge fleet-management platform provides a simple way to solve this problem, Miller explained. Operators signed up with Honeywell’s datalink service now have access to Forge’s performance-based communications and surveillance (PBCS) tool, which provides near-instant feedback for FANS surveillance (ADS-C) and communications performance.
M. Johanna O’Toole, who spent nearly 30 years providing administration and accounting support with the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and NBAA, passed away last week.
“We are deeply saddened by Johanna O’Toole’s passing. Johanna cared deeply for the association and its members, treating those close to her and their loved ones like an extended part of her family,” said NATA president and CEO Timothy Obitts. “Over time she became association historian and industry cheerleader, always mindful of preserving and sharing the rich history of NATA and its members. Johanna could always be counted on for her sage advice, stellar member service, and sharp wit. If you were lucky enough to spend time with Johanna and hear her laugh, it is something that you will always remember.”
O’Toole had joined NATA in 1998 initially as director of administration and financial services. In 2012 she was named comptroller, leading the administrative/financial team and overseeing day-to-day association operations. She departed the association in 2017 to launch her own venture, Business Solution Tooles, to assist small businesses with their accounting and administrative needs. She also spent more than five years as the vice mayor of Toms Brook, Virginia.
Before serving with NATA, O’Toole was an account manager for association management firm Degnon and Associates and spent more than 10 years with NBAA as manager of membership.
JetHQ promoted Chris Morales to president of its Latin America region, overseeing territories that include Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and South America. Morales, who has more than 25 years of aviation sales and management experience, has served with the company since 2016 and previously was v-p of sales.
Jet Linx promoted Jay Vidlak to the newly created position of senior v-p aircraft. Vidlak, who began his career with Mayo Aviation, joined Jet Linx in 2002 as a flight scheduling coordinator and has held positions of increasing responsibility since, most recently as senior v-p.
Ann Pollard has joined Duncan Aviation’s aircraft sales and acquisitions team. Pollard has more than 30 years of experience, previously holding positions in sales and acquisitions, charter and managed aircraft accounts, airport management, and FBO operations management.
Philippe Minot has joined Blueberry Aviation as commercial director of the Middle East. Minot brings more than 32 years of aerospace industry experience to his new role, most recently spending 15 years as head of sales for the Middle East for Airbus Helicopters and also formerly serving with Dassault Electronique and Thales.
Christy Hutchison joined Axis Jet as a flight operations specialist. Hutchison has more than 30 years of aviation industry experience, including 12 with XOJet as an operations business manager.
TrueNoord appointed Stephen Spillane as a technical manager in Dublin, Ireland. Spillane previously served as an engineering services specialist for CAE Parc Aviation.
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