Barbados Grantley Adams International Airport has received a second FBO with the opening of the new M Jet facility. Built at a cost of more than $3 million, the facility includes a 3,200-sq-ft terminal with a passenger lounge, crew suite with private shower facilities and kitchenette, 12-seat conference room, business center, refreshments, concierge, and pet relief area. It also has an in-house customs and immigration facility, which is normally open daily from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. local time with after-hours available on appointment, while the FBO itself is staffed 24/7. Aircraft disinfection services are also available.
While the FBO already has a 10,000-sq-ft hurricane-resistant hangar that is capable of sheltering aircraft up to a Dassault Falcon 7X, the company is in the process of building another 26,000-sq-ft hangar that will be able to simultaneously accommodate two BBJs. It is also working to nearly triple the size of its 35,000-sq-ft private ramp. Fuel is provided by SOL, but the company offers many well-known contract fuel programs.
“We are the premier FBO and private aviation service provider in Barbados and pride ourselves on providing our customers with an unmatched experience on their journeys whether it be for business or for pleasure,” said concierge manager Jennifer Hoad. “We aim to be seen as an industry leader, constantly exceeding the expectations of our guests.”
Avidyne Switching On FOQA for Bizav
Aircraft equipped with Avidyne IFD, Atlas, and Helios avionics will soon be able to participate in a flight operations quality assurance (FOQA) flight safety program led by Avidyne, with data analysis provided by CloudAhoy and data download and transmission via AirSync hardware.
“The beauty is it doesn’t take any pilot action,” said Dan Reida, Avidyne director of business aviation sales. The AirSync plugs into USB power on the aircraft, and after it detects power off when the flight ends, it automatically sends the data captured by the Avidyne avionics via cellular data to CloudAhoy’s servers.
A CloudAhoy report card will then show the pilot an evaluation of key parameters, using a red-yellow-green indicator, based on values such as Vref, landing distance from threshold, speed over threshold, and touchdown point. This allows pilots the opportunity to evaluate their performance, spot trends, and take corrective action before a serious incident can occur, Avidyne said.
The company is planning to offer various levels of service for its FOQA Flight Data Intelligence program, with one-stop shopping for the hardware and analysis services. To help aircraft owners and operators learn more about the new FOQA Flight Data Intelligence program, Avidyne is hosting a webinar on November 10 at 1:30 p.m. EST, moderated by AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber.
Hill Helicopters today revealed a homegrown 400-shp (440-shp takeoff power) GT50 light turbine engine designed specifically for its HX50 turbine light-single helicopter that was unveiled earlier this year. The company said designing its own turboshaft enables it to “move outside the constraints of existing engines designed in the 1950s” and create a “compact, light, reliable, and innovative solution” that fulfills “a specific market need.”
The new engine’s architecture features proprietary Fadec, a three-can combustor system, and eliminates the heavy compressor gearbox of current designs for a direct-drive starter generator. Hill said the engine also features “extensive use of redundant electrical engine ancillaries” and “a modular design” for easy maintenance of core components.
CEO Jason Hill said developing its own engine allowed the company to unlock “the potential of the helicopter in terms of both performance and cost, providing the enchanting opportunity to relaunch general aviation.” Specifications for the engine include a 5,000-hour/20,000 cycle on-condition TBO, an installed weight of 220 pounds, maximum fuel consumption of 35 gph, and the ability to burn jet-A1 (alternative) fuels.
Private Aviation Ripe for Consolidation, Banker Argues
The private aviation industry, particularly charter operators, is ripe for consolidation, according to a video by investment banker Brooks Crankshaw, the managing director of Balmoral Advisors. “Private aviation presents a new and interesting opportunity for buyers and sellers to participate in what could be a larger consolidation of this growing industry,” he said.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Crankshaw argues that private aviation has become a “popular alternative” to airline flying. Citing a variety of data from Argus, FlightAware, McKenzie, and JetNet, he said private aviation has rebounded to 85 percent of its 2019 levels, fueled by leisure fliers as opposed to business ones, as well as more first-time fliers.
However, the industry is highly fragmented, with a strong divide between major players and smaller operators, Crankshaw explained. Further, the top 25 charter operators flew nearly 550,000 hours in 2019, which he said represents only about 35 percent of the charter activity in the U.S.
“Industry players can benefit from [consolidation] multiple ways,” he said. “Smaller or midsize players can get a leg up in the competitive landscape with technological advances that they otherwise could not afford. Operators can overcome the barriers to growth [such as] finding qualified pilots or securing more aircraft. The benefits of a buy-and-build strategy can lead to economies of scale, diversification, and horizontal or vertical integration.”
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) released its 2020 Watchlist on Wednesday with no new aviation recommendations. However, runway overruns and incursions, as well as several other topics also applicable to aviation, remain on the list.
“Despite actions taken to date, the number of runway overruns in Canada has remained constant since 2005 and still demands a concerted effort to be reduced,” according to the TSB. The rate of runway incursions, meanwhile, “has increased by 86 percent over 10 years.” The TSB has recommended “greater focus on direct-to-pilot warnings and in-cockpit electronic warning aids” to address these two issues.
Still on the watchlist are the multi-modal issues of fatigue, safety management systems, and regulatory oversight. The last two items were previously combined as a single topic, but the TSB split them into separate categories because “although related, they are nonetheless distinct, and each will need its own unique solution.”
Dropped from this year’s list is “slow progress in responding to recommendations,” which was first highlighted in 2016. At that time, there were 52 outstanding recommendations that were at least 10 years old, with more than half over 20 years old. The TSB has determined that progress made to date—particularly in aviation—is sufficient for its removal.
Former NBAA Board Member Randy Hudon Dies
Randy Hudon, a long-time corporate pilot and former member of the NBAA board of directors, died on October 29 in Auburn, Alabama, after a six-year battle with cancer.
Hudon, who graduated from Auburn University in 1979 as a U.S. Air Force ROTC commissioned officer, subsequently spent 10 years in the USAF as a T-37 instructor pilot and WC-130 Hurricane Hunter pilot, according to the Auburn University Aviation Alumni Group. During that time, he also earned an MBA in aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, NBAA added.
Following his service, Hudon joined BellSouth in 1989 as a pilot, serving as captain on several business aircraft. He took over as director of safety and standardization for BellSouth’s aviation department and became president of corporate aviation and travel service in 1998. He joined the NBAA board in 2004, and, as a certified aviation manager (CAM), served on NBAA’s CAM governing board.
Hudon also remained active in the Auburn University aviation program. The alumni group credited him with developing an outline for the future growth of the program that was adopted by the university administration.
“Randy was a leader who cared,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “His passion for business aviation was evident in everything he did, from promoting Auburn Aviation to his service on NBAA’s board.”
Fireside Launches New Emergency Response Program
Fireside Partners has launched a new emergency response program that it said progressively enhances critical decision-making skills and advances emergency preparedness and response. This “tactical roadmap” to recovery comprises four stages.
Stage one of the program serves to develop the foundation to respond to an emergency, while stage two calls for integrating a company’s emergency and business continuity plans. The training of a company’s emergency response team with interactive curriculum and experiential scenarios is the third stage, and the fourth encompasses continuous improvement and after-action evaluations.
“From our customer’s perspective, whatever they thought it meant to be prepared prior to the year 2020 certainly changed as the year evolved,” said Fireside president and CEO Don Chupp. “A global pandemic, civil unrest, massive wildfires, hurricanes, and other emergencies present a need to respond to multiple, cascading events simultaneously. The most effective organizations, businesses, and niche operations take their responsibility to be prepared and effective very seriously.”
Intl Ops Safety Expert Guy Gribble Flies West
Guy Gribble, an American Airlines pilot who became known in corporate pilot circles for his international operations education leadership, died on October 26. Born on Sept. 24, 1959, Gribble attended the Army's Warrant Officer Candidate Aviator program and earned his wings in 1978. He was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, as an aero scout pilot flying OH-58s.
Gribble also earned naval aviator wings in 1986 and was assigned to the USS Midway in Yokosuka, Japan, as an A-6E attack pilot. He continued as a Navy Reserve pilot after his full-time service in 1991 and spent the next 25 years as a pilot for American Airlines.
In 2012 he took on the role of general manager of International Flight Resources, a flight operations research and training provider with an emphasis on international flight operations and human factors. In this venture, he presented on a range of in-depth international topics before the NBAA International Operators Conference, Bombardier Safety Standdown, Flight Safety Foundation European Airline Training Symposium, and NBAA regional events and groups.
“Guy’s technical insight and piloting expertise helped to make the IOC a ‘must attend’ event for anyone flying internationally,” said NBAA v-p of regulatory and international affairs Doug Carr. “We are grateful for his volunteerism with NBAA and will miss his humor and statesmanship.”
Webinar: Autothrottle Safety and Performance Benefits
Autothrottles greatly simplify the operation of turboprop engines, not only helping the pilot manage power changes automatically during busy flying periods in terminal airspace but also adding 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.
Mitsubishi Stops Work on SpaceJet M90 Airliner
Financial fallout from the pandemic has forced Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to suspend work and investment for its 80-seat SpaceJet M90 airliner. The project has already been delayed by around seven years due to various technical difficulties, but the Japanese company said it might restart the type certification process at some point in the future.
People in Aviation
Mente Group promoted Vince Restivo to COO. Most recently v-p of program management for Mente, Restivo has 37 years of business aviation experience, including as v-p of completions for Hawker Beechcraft and also as regional v-p of aircraft sales and director of completion sales for Gulfstream Aerospace.
LeMiracle Hendking joined FreeFlight Systems as director of sales. Hendking brings a background in the airline, business jet, and other transportation segments, having spent nearly 10 years holding sales and program management positions with Recaro Seating and also project and engineering positions with Aerotek, Huitt-Zollars, and the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Flying Colours named Scott Meyer COO. Meyer, who joined Flying Colours in December 2019 as v-p and general manager of its facility in St. Louis, Missouri, has nearly 30 years of international aerospace and aviation management experience.
Marilyn Vela joined Ross Aviation as director of network sales. Vela has more than 30 years of aviation industry experience and previously has served as regional sales manager for Signature Flight Support, as well as general manager for the chain’s Morristown Airport FBO.
Bii appointed Ian Foster as MRO director. Foster previously was MRO manager at AJW Aviation and before that jet spares manager at BAE Systems.
Duncan Aviation appointed Troy Nail airframe service sales manager for its Lincoln, Nebraska, and Provo, Utah facilities. Nail, who previously served in the U.S. Army, joined Duncan in 2001 as an airframe technician and has held a number of roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as Bombardier airframe service sales representative.
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