During the first nine months of this year, worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales reached more than $2.4 billion, according to the Aircraft Electronics Association's (AEA) third-quarter Avionics Market Report. This figure represents a 15.9 percent increase in sales compared with the same period in 2022, bolstered significantly by a 26.2 percent rise in forward-fit sales.

Avionics sales for the third quarter amounted to more than $814 million, up 9.9 percent from the same period a year ago. These sales compare with $777.6 million in the first quarter and $824 million in the second quarter.

Dollar figures include sales of all business and general aviation aircraft electronics, reflecting net sale prices and excludes costs associated with repairs, overhauls, extended warranty, or subscription services.

According to the AEA report, 40.7 percent of these sales were from the retrofit market, while forward-fit sales accounted for 59.3 percent, indicating significant demand in the manufacturing sector. The U.S. and Canada claimed the majority of sales at 73.3 percent.

AEA president and CEO Mike Adamson provided insights into the market dynamics, noting that "the industry continues to produce robust forward-fit sales." He acknowledged a modest 3.6 percent year-over-year growth in the retrofit market.

Dassault Aviation plans to open a company-owned service center early next year at São Paulo Catarina International Executive Airport. The center will replace Dassault’s existing facility at Sorocaba.

The Catarina facility will offer nearly 40,000 sq ft of floor and office space and accommodate up to five Falcon business jets at a time. It also will be large enough for the ultra-long-range Falcon 10X, which is now in development.

Plans call for Dassault Falcon Jet Catarina to perform line maintenance up to B-level checks for Brazilian-registered Falcons in the Falcon 7X and Falcon 2000 families, as well as a pre-purchase evaluation (PPE) program for customers considering buying a preowned Falcon. PPE operations include a thorough physical evaluation of the aircraft, systems operational checks, and a detailed record search.

The new facility will hold repair station certification from Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), the FAA, and EASA, as well as from airworthiness authorities in Argentina, Bermuda, and Uruguay. It will carry authorization to perform line maintenance and most major inspections on Falcon 50, 900, and 2000-series models, as well as on the Falcon 7X and 8X.

Along with airframe inspections and service, the facility will qualify to provide engine line maintenance on the CFE-738, Honeywell TFE731, and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307A, PW307D, and PW308C.

Global business aviation flying in October fell 0.6 percent year-over-year (YOY), with Europe leading the decline, according to newly released TraqPak data from Argus International. The European market finished the month down 7.2 percent from October 2022—in line with Argus’ expectations for the region—while North American activity decreased 1.9 percent versus a forecasted 0.4 percent rise. Business aircraft flying rose by 20 percent YOY in the rest of the world.

In North America, fractional flying was the only operational category to trend upward last month, climbing 13.4 percent YOY. Part 135 activity fell 6 percent from a year ago, while Part 91 activity slowed by 3.5 percent. By aircraft category in the region, large-cabin jets led with a 2.5 percent YOY increase, followed by midsize jets, up 0.4 percent; light jets, down 2.7 percent; and turboprops, down 5.8 percent. 

European flying was down in all aircraft categories last month, with YOY declines for large-cabin jets (14.5 percent), turboprops (9.1 percent), light jets (2.4 percent), and midsize jets (0.6 percent).

Meanwhile, turboprop flying in South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa climbed 29.9 percent YOY and business jets in these regions saw mid-teen percentage point increases, depending on category.

Argus is forecasting a 0.7 percent YOY increase in North American flying this month but expects European activity to fall 1.2 percent.

Blade is offering its first jet card, the Blade JetPass, which gives the holder the ability to purchase one-way midsize business jet service between New Jersey's Teterboro Airport (KTEB) and three Florida airports—Miami-Opa Locka (KOPF), Boca Raton (KBCT), or Palm Beach International (KPBI)—for a guaranteed price. Aircraft offerings include the Cessna Citation VI/VII and Excel/XLS/XLS+; Gulfstream G150; Hawker 800/900 series; and Bombardier Learjet 45, 60, and 75.

The guaranteed price of $18,000 does not include applicable taxes, upgrades, add-ons, and/or credit card processing fees, and flights are subject to availability. All flight requests are subject to a three-day non-peak-day and seven-day peak-day advance booking requirement.

Service to/from New York's Westchester County Airport (KHPN) and Florida's Fort Lauderdale International Airport (KFLL) is available for an additional $2,500.

Customers also get access to a dedicated Blade JetPass relationship manager to handle all bookings, onboard requirements, and helicopter or ground transfers to their jet; competitive preferred pricing for any non-New York-Florida flights they may need; an optional Go Rentals high-end rental car in Florida or New York, with the first day complimentary for every flight taken; optional helicopter transfer to and from the side of the jet at preferred pricing; and a complimentary Hamptons Summer 2024 commuter pass ($3,750 value).

An errant washer is being blamed for the emergency landing of a Bristow Sikorsky S-92A. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) has concluded that the washer was probably introduced into the aircraft’s main gearbox (MGB) during maintenance and eventually became lodged standing on edge in the oil passageway, reducing the flow of oil in the return oil channel.

According to the NSIA, the washer likely had been present for nearly 500 flight hours before the event occurred on Sept. 25, 2020, triggering cockpit warnings for MGB loss of oil pressure and rising oil temperature. The crew declared an emergency but continued the flight for another 25 to 30 nm to the airport at Sola, the intended destination. Upon landing, visual evidence revealed a significant oil leak on the left side of the MGB.

NSIA believes that the washer entered the MGB when the generator was removed from the flange on the accessory module—a procedure done 487.35 flight hours before the incident. Post-incident investigation located the washer in the oil passageway after the input module had been disassembled. The safety agency recommended that the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority follow up on the operator’s procedures and routines related to foreign object debris in connection to gearbox maintenance.

The FAA has published Information for Operators (InFO) 23009 to remind Part 135 certificate holders of the “requirements and authorizations necessary to use airport aeronautical data, including runway obstacle analysis products.” Part 135 Subpart I requires operators of large multi-engine transport and commuter-category airplanes to ensure net takeoff flight path obstacle clearance following an engine failure on takeoff.

Agency surveillance has revealed some Part 135 operators are “lacking proper authorization and/or sufficient knowledge, training, and checking on the use of runway obstacle analysis products and one-engine-inoperative (OEI) departure routing/procedures.” The InFO says an acceptable means to meet these requirements is described in FAA Advisory Circular 120-91A.

Operators using such sources “must have OpSpec A009 issued and should provide sufficient training and checking on the application of runway obstacle analysis products…including the use of special OEI procedures.” The InFO notes that these obstacle analysis sources are used to comply with Part 135 Subpart I. “They are not an alternate means of compliance with climb gradients and altitude requirements published on instrument flight procedures,” it adds.

Additionally, the InFO recommends that “training managers and operators should ensure that flight crews understand the intended use of these products, any limitations, and how the pilot’s pre-takeoff briefing and flight deck set-up could be affected by prescribed use of such products.”

FBO software systems integrator X-1FBO has introduced the latest enhancement to its Cloud Connect platform for fuel truck operations. The use of the company’s Cloud Connect modem provides a new level of fuel automation for users.

Notably, it moves the tanker’s fuel register information into the X-1FBO system and its Single Point fuel management module. The system allows remote control of the TCS meters, allows users to create on-the-spot fuel tickets, and includes a built-in GPS transmitter to permit the tracking of fuel trucks.

For existing X-1 customers, this provides an enhancement to their operations, as well as an incentive for those looking to adopt the management system.

“From the drawing board to the ramp, we envisioned the X-1 Cloud Connect as the nexus of technology, data, and fueling technology," said company co-founder and CEO Jim Wiley. “Today, seeing it connect devices, trucks, and the cloud with such precision…we’re not just improving fueling operations; we’re transforming how FBOs operate for the future.”

Indian aircraft leasing group Vman Aviation Services has agreed to add Lyte Aviation’s planned 40-seat LA-44 SkyBus hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft to its portfolio. A deal announced on November 1 covers preorders for 10 of the aircraft being developed by the European start-up with deposits to be paid at a later date as Lyte Aviation gets closer to anticipated type certification later this decade.

Vman was founded in 2021 and is based in Gandhinagar in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Its portfolio consists of an Airbus H125 helicopter, a pair of ATR 72-600 regional airliners, and 10 Piper training aircraft. It holds further orders for 10 of Hindustan Aeronautics’ Light Utility Helicopters for entry into service in 2025 or 2026 and another 30 unspecified training aircraft to arrive in 2025.

According to Vman CEO Vishok Mansingh, the Indian government supports efforts to launch new last-mile connectivity options. The Vman team estimates that this approach could support the business cases for more than 1,000 new air routes, taking advantage of the SkyBus’ projected range of 1,000 kilometers (625 miles).

Lyte Aviation says it aims to have a full-scale prototype ready to start test flights by the end of 2025. It is targeting type certification and the start of series production in 2028 or 2029.