Gulfstream G700 Sets Intl. City-pair Speed Records

Gulfstream Aerospace's first production G700 set the ultra-long-range model’s inaugural city-pair speed records when it flew from its home base in Savannah, Georgia, to Doha, Qatar, and then on to Paris Le Bourget. The aircraft performed “flawlessly” on both legs, Gulfstream senior v-p of worldwide sales Scott Neal told reporters today at Le Bourget.

The fully outfitted G700 production test aircraft—S/N 006 and registered as N706GD—left Savannah on Friday for Doha, covering a distance of 6,711 nm at an average speed of Mach 0.88 in 13 hours and 16 minutes. The aircraft then set another city-pair record yesterday from Doha to Paris, flying 2,953 nm in six hours and 15 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.90.

In keeping with the OEM's sustainability commitment, the G700 burned a blend of sustainable aviation fuel on the Savannah to Doha flight, while Gulfstream also purchased carbon offsets for both flights.

The aircraft, which is being used to test the G700’s new cabin, is staying in Paris until Saturday when it will fly back to Savannah. Gulfstream decided not to take part in any international aviation events or trade shows during the Covid-19 pandemic and brought the aircraft to Doha and Paris to introduce the jet in-person to customers in the Middle East and Europe, Neal said.

Service entry of the G700 is slated for next year.

Garmin Tops in AIN Avionics Product Support Survey

Garmin once again placed tops in AIN’s 2021 Product Support Survey for flight deck avionics, with readers giving the Olathe, Kansas-based avionics manufacturer an overall rating of 8.6 out of 10. This was followed by second-place finisher Collins Aerospace’s rating of 8.3 and Honeywell’s 8.1 rating. Universal Avionics' 8.2 rating, a 0.1 decrease from last year, is broken out separately as the number of responses fell just below AIN's threshold for comparison with the other OEMs.

In the cabin management systems (CMS) segment, Honeywell led with an overall rating of 8.3, with a tie for second place between Collins and Gulfstream Cabin Management, each of which received an overall rating of 7.9—a 0.1 increase for Collins but a 0.4 decline for Gulfstream. New to this year’s CMS listing is Cessna/Beechcraft Cabin Management, which earned a 7.8 overall rating, earning it a third-place finish ahead of Lufthansa Technik with its 7.4 score.

In the airborne connectivity segment, Gogo Business Aviation was the top finisher with an overall rating of 8.5. Honeywell was just behind at 8.3, a 0.2 gain from last year. Satcom Direct finished third with an 8.2 rating, 0.3 lower than in the 2020 survey. Collins received an 8.3 rating, up from 7.8 a year ago, but a smaller number of respondents prevented direct comparison with other OEMs.

GAMA: Genav Shipments Improve Across All Categories

Business and general aviation manufacturers gained steam in the second quarter with total fixed-wing deliveries reaching 618 aircraft, up 123 from the same period last year and just eight units shy of the same quarter in 2019, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

GAMA reported deliveries were up year-over-year across all categories. Both turboprops and piston deliveries exceeded 2019 totals, though business jet shipments were still down significantly from two years ago. Business jet shipments reached 151 units in the second quarter, up from the 130 handed over in the second quarter of 2020 but fewer than the 192 units in 2019. Turboprop shipments jumped to 137 aircraft, compared with 81 a year earlier and 109 in 2019. Piston deliveries reached 330 in the quarter, up from 284 in 2020 and 325 in 2019.

For the first six months, total fixed-wing deliveries were up 16.8 percent year-over-year to 1,050 units. Business jet deliveries climbed 8.2 percent to 264 units, and piston deliveries rose by 12.3 percent to 565 in the first six months. Meanwhile, turboprop deliveries jumped 45.4 percent to 221 units. First-half aircraft billings increased by 9.4 percent YOY to $8.6 billion but down from $9.9 billion in 2019.

At 341 units, first-half helicopter deliveries marked increases in both the piston and turbine categories, for a 32.7 percent improvement.

Avcon STCs Dual 400-amp Starter-generator for King Airs

Avcon Industries has received FAA STC approval for its dual 400-amp starter-generator special mission power system installation for Beechcraft King Airs equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A turboprop engines. As STC'd, the installation provides a total generator capacity of 800 amps, which is more than the factory standard starter-generators, according to the Newton, Kansas-based subsidiary of Butler National.

A user-customizable power distribution system with 400 amps of power from two dedicated electrical buses is featured in the modification that is intended to optimize special mission operations. The modification “significantly increases the capabilities in light of the continuing demand for power for the evolving electronic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems,” said Avcon director of sales Aric Peters. “We continue to maximize the use of the corporate King Air 350 to develop cost-effective and market-niche products.”

Peters added that Avcon—which specializes in complex structural modifications and system integrations for business aircraft and aircraft used for ISR, forestry and atmospheric research, and air ambulance—plans to pursue King Airs equipped with the PT6A-60A for its next 400-amp modification.

NBAA Plans To Require Vaccination for BACE Attendees

Citing best practices and health and safety concerns, NBAA is planning to require Covid-19 vaccination for attendees at its 2021 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), to be held October 12 to 14 in the new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. NBAA added that with such a requirement, it anticipates that mask-wearing will become a matter of personal choice for attendees and exhibitors.

The association said it will use a recognized verification process that is simple and effective. "We are working with leading companies in the U.S. and around the world to accomplish that aim. We will have further details in the near future. At this time, we are anticipating the vaccine requirement, but we are working with experts as this fluid situation continues to evolve," NBAA said.

“We are leveraging that approach to aviation safety to guide us with regard to NBAA-BACE. We are taking guidance from health and safety experts and adopting trade show best practices," NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said.

Health and safety experts say requiring vaccination is the most effective way to provide a safe environment for in-person events, NBAA noted, adding that the requirement is a best safety practice at other trade shows and live events.

“Including a vaccine requirement in the comprehensive safety protocols for the show will create the most interactive environment possible for buying, selling, networking, and learning,” Bolen said.

Deutsche Aircraft, Aero-Bildung Partner on Mx Training

German OEM Deutsche Aircraft and aviation training provider Aero-Bildung have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly train future aircraft mechanics, a first for the Dornier 328 type certificate holder and developer of the D328eco twin turboprop. Deutsche Aircraft said the agreement is part of its integrated recruitment strategy that will support the growth of the company.

Over 42 months, students will be trained on aircraft assembly and maintenance at Aero-Bildung’s facilities and test their knowledge at Deutsche Aircraft facilities near Munich. Select students will have the opportunity to work at Deutsche Aircraft upon graduation.

“The start of this vocational training program is part of a long-term growth strategy for Deutsche Aircraft,” said company CEO Dave Jackson. “It also supports our regional strategy as it will help strengthen the connection between our two German sites in Oberpfaffenhofen and Leipzig. During this program, students will learn the ins and outs of the business of aircraft mechanics and will test their newly acquired knowledge on aircraft."

The first class, which will comprise four students, is expected to start in September 2022. Applications will open next month.

"Investing in young generations is investing in the future,” said Aero-Bildung founder Robert Voit. “We are looking forward to this cooperation and offer a wide area of training and qualification beyond apprenticeships within the aviation industry.”

CHC Completes Babcock Acquisition

CHC Helicopter Group (CHC) has completed its acquisition of Babcock International’s offshore oil-and-gas aviation business, headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland. The acquisition expands CHC’s fleet by 30 aircraft across the UK, Denmark, and Australia. Babcock’s operations there will be held separately and operate independently, while CHC seeks merger approval from competition authorities in the UK and Australia.

The deal was first announced in March and followed more than a year of industry speculation that aviation, energy, and defense conglomerate Babcock International was looking to unload the unprofitable unit, formerly known as Bond Helicopters. In 2020, parent Babcock International took a $118.5 million charge related to its offshore aviation business and then-CEO Archie Bethel said the company was “restructuring our aviation sector to address the cost-base as the oil-and-gas revenues reduce.”

CHC CEO David Balevic said the acquisition “is a great success, opening new and broader opportunities for CHC both in existing markets like Australia and the North Sea” and “further cements CHC’s position as one of the world’s leading providers of helicopter transportation to oil-and-gas, search-and-rescue, and renewables customers.”

Avtrade Pegs Ametek Units for Avionics, Radio MRO

Ametek MRO’s UK-based business units, Muirhead Avionics and Antavia, have entered a joint three-year component repair support agreement with aviation component services provider Avtrade, which is also based in the UK. Under the contract, Muirhead will provide test, repair, and overhaul on a range of avionics, radio, and radar equipment.

The agreement also includes Muirhead’s provision of loan and exchange units for HF/VHF and ADF Gables Engineering control panels. Additionally, Antavia will provide Avtrade MRO support for aircraft lights, cabin, and mechanical components.

“Ametek MRO prides itself on the quality of its service and is trusted by operators around the world,” said Steve Wells, managing director and division v-p at Ametek MRO Muirhead Avionics. “We look forward to providing the same standards of excellence for Avtrade, as we further cement the long-standing relationship between our two organizations.”

AIN Events: Building a Sustainable Flight Department

AIN is hosting four one-day regional conferences on sustainability and the modern flight department. Attendees will learn about aviation’s contribution to carbon emissions and the reductions due to the Covid pandemic; regulator/government roles in minimizing aviation emissions (CORSIA, carbon credits); making sense of carbon offsets; building to LEED standards, and much more. Locations in New York, Texas, Florida and California. Register today