Seeking an FBO That Has SAF? 4AIR’s Got a Map for That

With awareness of the benefits of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) growing, along with heightened interest in its use, industry sustainability solutions provider 4AIR has introduced the first interactive SAF map depicting the fuel’s distribution for business aircraft operators. The map currently shows approximately 20 verified locations worldwide with supplies of SAF available for general aviation customers.

It excludes locations that don't make the fuel available to all business aviation customers, including sites that have received one-off tanker loads for demonstration purposes and ones that stock SAF only for a particular user. Each active listing includes the facility’s contact information and address.

4AIR's map currently features a preponderance of locations on the U.S. West Coast and in Europe (close to existing SAF production refineries), but will be continually updated as announcements are made and verified. As the number of SAF distribution points increases, 4AIR can offer benefits to its private jet operator members by assisting with uplift documentation tracing and providing calculations for emissions reductions through programs such as CORSIA.

“[SAF] is an efficient and effective way to reduce the impact private jets have on climate change,” said 4AIR president Kennedy Ricci. “This is the best single way for aviators to find this climate-beneficial fuel. And by making it easier to find SAF, we hope to promote its use and expand its availability.”

Embraer Launches Upgraded TechPubs Platform

Embraer Services & Support has released a TechPubs platform for the company's executive jets division that replaces its eTechPubs platform with one that is more user-friendly and distributes aircraft technical publications “in a smart, flexible, and mobile way,” the Brazilian airframer has announced.

The new, “more intuitive and modern” platform features “workspaces” that allow users to create their own interfaces and share them internally with other users, which Embraer said will accelerate the maintenance process. Additionally, those workspaces can be shared between multiple devices such as laptops and desktops with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, iPads and tablets, and smartphones. Further, TechPubs is set up to allow users from outside parties to share information in the same workspace, although Embraer told AIN that “we are assessing the further impact of this feature.”

TechPubs will be integrated with other Embraer services such as EmbraerX’s Beacon digital maintenance platform, one capability of which will allow customers to upload technical manuals from other OEMs. “TechPubs could also support videos for maintenance tips to complement the maintenance task information inside Embraer manuals,” the company said. “Customers or any company outside Embraer could [also] develop, integrate, and deploy their software solution in TechPubs to explore data in our platform. In summary, we have lots of possibilities to explore and we are studying which ones add more value to our customers.”

Business Aviation Factbook Showcases Industry Benefits

Nearly 80 percent of business aviation flights are to airports in small communities, business aircraft make about 15,000 flights a year for humanitarian purposes, and the industry helps support more than one million jobs, according to the latest Business Aviation Factbook. NBAA, in partnership with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, just released the 33-page updated factbook, which provides a look at the industry’s benefits to citizens, companies, and communities.

Downloadable as a PDF and also available in print during NBAA-BACE next month in Las Vegas, the factbook is designed to serve as a resource for industry professionals and advocates and to help civic leaders educate the public about business aviation.

It discusses what business aviation is and the jobs its supports, and also explains how the industry enhances productivity, serves as a lifeline for communities, and provides humanitarian support. In addition, it covers safety and security as well as emerging technologies ranging from advanced air mobility to supersonic and air traffic advancements.

Regarding sustainability, the factbook reiterates that business aviation contributes only about 2 percent of all aviation emissions and 0.04 percent of global emissions. In addition, it notes that the industry has achieved a 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions over the past four decades.

UK Firm Brings Bizjet AOG Insurance to U.S. Market

UK-based private jet cancellation coverage specialist Falcon MGA Services has teamed with aviation insurance veteran Peter Schmitz to bring the company’s JetSure AOG flight-cancellation insurance product to the U.S. Schmitz, the former global CEO of Aon’s Aviation Specialty insurance division, will head up the newly established JetSure USA, which has exclusive rights to market this AOG insurance to U.S. business jet operators.

The JetSure product insures companies against unexpected financial costs incurred in the event their aircraft suffers a technical fault, according to Falcon MGA. “It covers many expenses not covered in your aviation insurance policy such as the cost to replace an aircraft AOG, relocation of the aircraft, crew costs, and many other expenses,” Schmitz said. “JetSure offers an affordable way to budget for the unexpected costs jeopardizing your profitability.”

Joining Schmitz at JetSure USA is Chad Ingram, a pilot and entrepreneur. “As a pilot and jet aircraft owner and operator, I understand the costs involved in AOG, such as lost revenue and extra costs involved in providing backup lift,” he added. “These can be significant, and we have a solution that can balance out clients’ indirect costs and even make their operations more competitive.”

A Retrofit Upgrade That’s Truly Worth Considering

Airplanes like the Pilatus PC-12 are built to operate for decades. Ideally, a well-maintained airplane can be active for years.  However, the longer an airplane stays in circulation, the more likely the cockpit will need an upgrade. Fast-moving technology, required safety mandates, and parts obsolescence, keeping your aircraft FAA compliant can be a challenge both in time and feasibility. For the PC-12, and other applicable aircraft, there is a retrofit upgrade that’s worth the consideration and the investment.

Jet Aviation Expands Gulfstream Mx Support in Europe

Jet Aviation has expanded its support of Gulfstream aircraft in Europe at its Vienna, Austria, and Geneva, Switzerland operations, the Geneva-based sister company to Savannah, Georgia-based Gulfstream Aerospace announced this week. At Vienna, Jet Aviation has received approval from EASA to perform line maintenance on the Gulfstream G500 and G600. That builds upon Vienna’s factory-authorized service facility credentials for the GV-SP series.

“This latest approval attests to our high standards and ongoing commitment to remain the partner of choice for Gulfstream owners and operators in the region,” said Hakan Tin, managing director and accountable manager at Jet Aviation’s MRO and FBO facility in Vienna. Separately, the Vienna facility recently completed its first 48-month base maintenance check on a G550, which was delivered on time and with a new windscreen.

At Geneva, Jet Aviation has expanded its support of Gulfstream models to include Turkey-registered G450, G550, and G650/650ER twinjets.

Airacer Intros Two AI-based Charter Apps

Online technology firm Airacer today introduced charter apps Airacer Pro, to provide one-stop shopping for traditional jet charter, and Airacer Air Taxi, for quick ride-hailing access to short-haul flights. The portals provide all the information needed to quickly find available lift, select all travel details, and book and pay for the trip online seamlessly, said Airacer CEO Wen Wang.

Along with the expected selectable options (passenger count, cabin size, luggage, etc.), charter customers can choose trips by Argus and/or Wyvern operator safety rating, ancillary ground services, or onboard services. Customers can also contact operators with suitable aircraft directly for quotes, review the contract, and book and pay for the flight through the apps.

Airacer Pro is primarily for high-end jet charter customers, while Airacer Air Taxi is for last-minute short-haul flights aboard turboprop and piston aircraft and helicopters. Currently, Air Taxi doesn’t support the scheduling/price comparison shopping that the Pro apps allows.

Its database of lift providers currently numbers more than 10,000 aircraft worldwide, with about 57 percent of that in the U.S. and the majority of the remainder in Europe. The apps are free to use for charter customers, who must register and provide all necessary documentation before using the system to book flights.

Textron Aviation Begins Pro Line Fusion Installs in CJ2+

Textron Aviation has recently completed the first two installations of Collins Aerospace’s Pro Line Fusion touchscreen avionics in Cessna Citation CJ2+ twinjets at its North American service centers. The equipage follows FAA approval in March of Collins’s STC for installation in the type.

It replaces the original Pro Line 21 avionics found in the CJ2+ with three 14.1-inch touchscreen displays in landscape format, synthetic vision system, airport dome, and extended runway centerline features. As a follow-on modification to a 2017 STC approval for Fusion in the CJ3, the new system for the CJ2+ also includes integrated V-speeds, fuel sensing, predictive performance, and controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC).

“We are dedicated to supporting our customers through the life of their aircraft,” said Textron Aviation senior v-p of customer support Brian Rohloff. “This includes providing the resources they need to keep their aircraft in the air.”

Garmin Certifies Smart Rudder Bias in Cessna 414A

Garmin’s Smart Rudder Bias autopilot enhancement has received FAA approval for the twin-piston Cessna 414A. In addition, the GFC 600 autopilot is now approved for installation in the Piper Meridian turboprop single.

Smart Rudder Bias was certified late last year in the Beechcraft Baron B58/58A and Piper Navajo PA-31-300 through 325. Its primary purpose is to adjust rudder force to help control sideslip after engine failure, but it also works with Garmin’s Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) autopilot feature to help the pilot control bank and avoid flying too slowly in an engine-out situation. To install Smart Rudder Bias, the aircraft must be equipped with a G500 or G600 TXi display with engine indication system data, plus the yaw axis option for the GFC 600 autopilot.

The 414A GFC 600 adds modern autopilot functionality, including altitude preselect, indicated airspeed hold, VNAV (when paired with a GTN or GTN Xi navigator), and dedicated level (LVL) button that automatically returns the airplane to straight-and-level flight. The autopilot also adds ESP limit cueing, underspeed and overspeed protection, yaw damping, coupled approaches, and support for Garmin’s new Smart Glide, which automatically steers the airplane and provides guidance toward a nearby airport after engine failure.

Last Chance for AIN Sustainability Event in New York

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. Less than a week remains before the conference near New York City on September 22. Future locations for this event include Texas, Florida, and California.  Register today