The FAA has issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin AIR-21-17R1 to advise owners, operators, crew, and passengers of techniques and equipment to avoid rotorcraft bird strikes as part of its new Rotorcraft Safety Promotion Concept (RSPC). According to the FAA, 90 percent of all bird strikes occur at altitudes of 3,500 feet agl and below.

Thus, the agency suggests several voluntary mitigation strategies for helicopter operators. They include installing equipment safety enhancements and flying helicopters with bird-resistant designs. Aircraft that fall into the latter category, according to the RSPC, include the Airbus H225 and BK117 series; Leonardo AW139, AW169, and AW189; and the Sikorsky S-92A. Additionally, crews should wear helmets and visors when practical.

OEMs and MROs are encouraged to contact FAA ACOs for approval of design modifications that provide a higher level of bird strike protection. Pilots should make flight planning and in-flight decisions that keep rotorcraft away from bird-dense environments. It is also important to understand seasonal bird migrations.

The FAA suggests reducing airspeed and increasing altitude when practical because 77 percent of all bird strikes occur at speeds above 80 knots. Additionally, a bird strike is 32 percent less likely for every 1,000 feet above 500 feet agl.    

Twenty-five people were killed in six accidents involving U.S.-registered business jets in the first nine months of this year versus zero such fatalities in all of 2022, according to data compiled by AIN. Meanwhile, five people were killed in two accidents involving non-U.S.-registered business jets in the first three quarters; that compares to three accidents and 14 fatalities in the first nine months of 2022.

The August 23 crash of an Embraer Legacy 600 in Russia that killed all 10 onboard was not included in our data because the suspicion of malfeasance persists in what downed the twinjet while at cruising altitude. In fact, Eric Schouten of Dyami Strategic Security Services told AIN that his team concluded that an air-to-air missile likely caused this crash.

All but one of the fatal accidents of U.S.-registered business jets were being conducted under Part 91. These accidents include a January 2 crash of an Embraer Phenom 300 in Provo, Utah, killing the pilot; March 3, Bombardier Challenger 300, one fatality; May 10, Bombardier Learjet 36A, three fatalities; June 4, Cessna Citation V, four fatalities; July 8, Citation II, six fatalities; and August 17, Beechcraft Premier 1, 10 fatalities.

Meanwhile, a civilian German-registered Learjet 35A accident on May 4 killed both pilots. And the two pilots and passenger perished on in a July 28 crash of a Mexico-registered Citation.

Year-over-year business aviation flight activity for North America dropped 4.2 percent last month, according to Argus International’s TraqPak review. However, this was slightly better than the 4.5 percent drop that Argus had forecasted.

European flying declined 11.9 percent, Argus said—“its usual trend of further slowing during September…due to the transition from summer flying.” In Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America, “Overall activity remained positive, finishing up 13.6 percent year-over-year.”

For North America, the best year-over-year performance was for the fractional category, which was up 9.2 percent. Part 91 midsize jet activity fell 8.4 percent, while Part 135 dropped 4.1 percent “thanks to sluggish activity in turboprops and small-cabin aircraft.”

In terms of aircraft categories in North America, large-cabin jets posted the best numbers year-over-year, down 0.2 percent, with midsize jets down 3 percent and light jets down 4.6 percent.

"Overall, September went about as we expected, which is neither good nor bad,” said Argus senior v-p, market intelligence Travis Kuhn. “It's encouraging that the daily flight average increased from August to September, but the industry is still off 4.5 percent for the month. We will watch Q4 closely to evaluate the health of our industry from an activity standpoint. We expect activity to be positive for the quarter, which would certainly be an encouraging trend.”

JSX is ratcheting up its campaign to preserve its business base after the FAA put out a notice that it is rethinking air carrier definitions in a move that could push certain operations flying under Part 380 public charter economic authority into Part 121.

Released in August, the FAA notice of intent stated that the agency is planning a rulemaking to address “the exception from FAA’s domestic, flag, and supplemental operations regulations for public charter operators.” The notice followed appeals from several  airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association to prohibit the operation of models such as JSX’s under 380, saying those operators are using a “loophole” to avoid Part 121 standards.

JSX has issued public appeals for support, saying that the airlines and labor unions want to legislate it and other similar operators out of business. “They're using unsubstantiated allegations about aviation safety to push for our shutdown out of greed…If these airlines and labor groups succeed, JSX will be forced out of business,” the operator said.

JSX maintained that it and “public charter flying have an untarnished safety record.” The carrier also noted that its pilot training program mirrors major U.S. airlines, and its pilots have thousands of hours. JSX further noted that if it were to cease operations, regular services to places such as Taos, New Mexico; Destin, Florida; and Odessa, Texas, would end.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the Lear Jet 23, the Classic Lear Jet Foundation—which is working to restore the first delivered example of the type (23-003)—is holding an open house and fundraiser this Saturday in Wichita at Building 14 at Bombardier’s complex.

The building served as the Lear Jet delivery center until production ended in 2021 and Bombardier has donated space to house the foundation’s recently acquired 003 during its restoration to flight status. It will be there, bookended by the last Lear Jet to be delivered and a Learjet 55 once owned by the late comedian Johnny Carson.

As part of the Lear Jet memorabilia on display, visitors can view the Collier Trophy received by Lear Jet founder Bill Lear for his development of the autopilot system on the F-86 fighter. In addition, Clay Lacy—aviation legend, Lear pilot, and founder and former CEO of Clay Lacy Aviation—will be in attendance.

The open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include a silent auction. There will also be a ticketed cocktail reception and dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. featuring guest speakers Al Higdon, Lear Jet’s former manager of information services and public relations; Brian Barents, CEO of the airframer from 1989 to 1996; and Chuck Cox, chairman of Lear Jet operator Northern Jet.

Erickson and Helicopter Express have formed a strategic alliance to support and diversify S-64 Air Crane operations in North America and meet the growing demand for the aircraft’s sustainment, modernization, and production. In October 2022, Chamblee, Georgia-based Helicopter Express became the first commercial operator to acquire an S-64F (N159AC). The company plans to acquire additional S-64s from Erickson later this year.

“The Helicopter Express team is thrilled to own and operate additional cranes, support existing customers, and bring the crane’s unique construction and firefighting expertise to new customers in North America and abroad,” said Scott Runyan, company founder and president.

Founded in 1995, Helicopter Express operates a diversified fleet of 24 helicopters and specializes in heavy lift, utility construction, and aerial firefighting operations. Its business model is built on the acquisition of new-production aircraft. Through the first half of 2023, Erickson owned and operated 15 Air Cranes.

“The alliance with Helicopter Express is a strategic step for us,” said Erickson president and CEO Barry Kohler. “Erickson is channeling resources to integrate the global supply chain and improve support for all operators.”

Erickson said it continues to optimize OEM support, including with its “Powered by Erickson” performance-based logistics plan, and expand the S-64 fleet. Both companies said they will coordinate with S-64 customers to prevent any disruption in service.

Heritage Aviation, the lone service provider at Vermont’s Burlington International Airport (KBTV), is the latest to join the Avfuel branded dealer network. The location offers in-house U.S. Customs clearance (8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with advance notice), an FAA Part 145 repair station, and 58,000 sq ft of heated hangar space. It was also the most highly-ranked FBO in the New England region, according to the 2023 AIN FBO Survey.

The modern multi-level terminal features a rooftop observation deck, a pilot lounge with a pair of snooze rooms, two conference rooms, a gourmet kitchen, and a fitness center with shower facilities.

As an Avfuel dealer, the FBO will participate in the fuel provider’s Avtrip customer loyalty and contract fuel programs, as well as accept the Avfuel Pro Card for all aviation-related purchases.

“Joining forces with Avfuel presents an exciting opportunity for Heritage Aviation to further enhance our offerings and continue leading the way in FBO service standards and sustainability,” explained Heritage CEO Matthew Collins.

The FAA has issued the first conditional approval for a vertiport at the Blackstone Army Airfield (KBKT) in Blackstone, Virginia. The action will enable the airport to establish the first licensed public-use vertiport in the state and the nation. KBKT is a dual-use airport for military and civilian flight operations.

Navos Air, a Virginia-based air navigation services company, was the proponent of the vertiport, as part of a project funded by the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation through the Virginia Commonwealth Center of Innovation for Autonomous Systems grant program. 

After the Virginia Department of Aviation licenses it, the vertiport will be used as part of research on an end-to-end concept of operations that Navos developed based on modifying and designing terminal instrument procedures and en-route infrastructure for UAS and advanced air mobility (AAM) use cases. Vertiports serve as the anchors to that system.

“Leveraging existing approved infrastructure methods modified for new use cases and research applications will enable AAM operations sooner while providing opportunities to inform the development of future air traffic management systems and facilities,” said Matt Burton, technical director at Navos. The company was the proponent of the vertiport as part of a research project using UAS to represent larger AAM vehicles for instrument flight operations research. These special instrument procedures can potentially deliver UAS/AAM to airport locations, off-airport locations, and newly established vertiports.