Bombardier is creating Wichita as a center of excellence (COE) for Learjet as it transitions its facilities and employees there from production to maintenance and support of the line of light and midsize jets. The move comes as company executives are hoping to reinforce to the market that activity at the Wichita site is “alive and well."
In February, the Canadian manufacturer announced it was ending Learjet production. With more than 2,000 still in service, Bombardier executives stressed this week that the company was not abandoning the brand, but instead expanding its support efforts. Bombardier is planning to hand over the final Learjet early next year, but the transition is already underway with hangars being shifted to its support and other activities.
In addition, Bombardier has begun to train Learjet production workers to become certified A&P technicians to continue its support of the fleet. Chris Debergh, v-p of OEM parts and services, said this was a natural move because these workers are most familiar with the product line. He estimated that it affects 130 to 150 employees.
As a COE, Wichita will not only be a major maintenance center for Learjet but also serve as the “heart of engineering” for the family including future and existing modifications and other support.
Business aircraft data specialist JetNet's iMarket Report 2021, released today at the JetNet iQ Summit in New York City, predicts “an enduring business aircraft recovery.” The report forecasts 718 new business jet deliveries this year, up 15 percent from 2020, and a 7 percent delivery increase in 2022, before flattening in 2023 due to supply chain issues before anticipated increases in production. JetNet predicts some 8,529 new business jet deliveries over the next decade worth $245 billion.
Based in part on ongoing, statistically valid surveys with owners and operators, the forecast reflects the highest level of optimism since JetNet began measuring customer sentiment more than a decade ago, said Rolland Vincent, consultant and JetNet iQ creator.
More than 80 percent of respondents reported they are likely to buy a new business jet in the next five years. Another bullish indicator: nineteen of the world’s 20 largest economies are expected to grow 3 percent or more this year.
In the preowned market, as of the end of July 2021, 3,205 preowned retail transactions were registered globally, and 1,289 aircraft (about 5 percent of the in-service fleet) were available for sale. “We’ve never seen inventory so low,” said Vincent, and the shortage is driving some shoppers to buy new, rather than a preowned jet.
ZenithJet Adds Biz Aircraft Cost-management Program
Business aircraft consulting firm ZenithJet has rolled out a cost-management program for business aircraft owners and operators. Dubbed Aviation CFO, the program helps reduce aircraft operating costs by benchmarking against real-world data.
ZenithJet uses data generated by sister company Elit’Avia, an aircraft management and charter provider, along with additional industry databases to provide “highly-reliable comparative data” on business aircraft services. The company’s subscription-based Aviation CFO program formalizes operating-cost-reduction services it had already been performing for managed aircraft clients.
Aviation CFO provides analysis of recurring expenses—including fuel, handling, parking, maintenance, hangarage, insurance, crew salaries, and other operational costs—as compared to ZenithJet’s benchmarked data. It also offers an analysis of aircraft programs and warranties to ensure maximum coverage, as well as negotiation of aircraft maintenance proposals and final costs.
“Operating a business aircraft can easily cost millions of dollars per year and expenses are often summarized in dozens of complex line items,” said ZenithJet executive v-p Kevin Rodgers. “We leverage the proprietary data that we have generated as business aircraft operators to analyze and assess expenses, programs, and warranties, and negotiate for the financial benefit of our clients. Aviation CFO enables owners and operators to derive maximum value from their aircraft investment by ensuring that operating costs are optimized.”
NBAA-BACE To Place Focus on AAM
The emergence of advanced air mobility (AAM) will take a center stage at NBAA-BACE next month in Las Vegas with several manufacturers exhibiting, a panel scheduled that brings in key government leaders, and a keynote from a driving force behind the developing technology. NBAA-BACE is set to have its largest display of eVTOLs yet with exhibitors including Bell, Honeywell, Jaunt Air Mobility, Kitty Hawk, Northern Plains UAS Test Site, Overair, and XTI Aircraft.
In addition, a number of AAM-focused presentations are slated to take place through October 12 to 14, including a panel on October 13 at 2 p.m. PDT that will explore federal perspectives on AAM from the perspectives of FAA, NASA, and the U.S. Air Force.
Moderated by former FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, the panel also includes Steven Clarke, deputy associate administrator for NASA’s, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate; Col. Nathan P. Diller, director of the U.S. AFWERX program that is focused on developing innovation; and Christopher Rocheleau, FAA acting associate administrator for aviation safety.
In addition, Dr. Martine Rothblatt, NBAA’s Meritorious Service to Aviation Award recipient who plays a key role with multiple AAM companies, is a keynote speaker on the opening day of NBAA-BACE.
An Atypical Gulfstream G550. Designed and Delivered by Duncan Aviation.
It is satisfying for members of Duncan Aviation’s design, interior and paint teams to see an interior project come together at Duncan Aviation. This Gulfstream G550 refurbishment was even more satisfying because of its unusual color schemes, cutting-edge designs, and customized interior work.
At its virtual Ground Handling Safety Symposium this week, NATA announced the creation of the Ground Safety Alliance (GSA), a collaborative, industry-led, data-gathering body that will work to raise the bar on aircraft ground-handling operations and reduce the number of incidents. While injuries arising from these incidents are rare, “hangar rash,” towing mishaps, and ground vehicle-aircraft collisions often result in costly aircraft damage.
“Data is critical for aviation business success and has been used to improve safety in aircraft operations for years,” said Michael France, NATA’s managing director for safety and training. “The GSA will provide the foundation for ground-handling operators and other industry stakeholders to collaborate on the collection, analysis, and distribution of safety data and intelligence.”
The fledgling GSA’s governing board includes industry experts from Atlantic Aviation, Tac Air, Signature Flight Support, NetJets, Sheltair Aviation, Jet Aviation, Cutter Aviation, American Aero FTW, and First Wing Jet Center. It is currently working to establish a robust data collection system that protects confidentiality while providing operational insight.
Over the coming weeks, the alliance will invite other FBOs, aircraft operators, safety consultants, and others to join this push to improve safety through data collection.
Duncan Expanding ACA Installs to Multiple Bizjet Types
Duncan Aviation is increasing the number of business jet types in which it can install the Aviation Clean Air (ACA) ionization system through STCs it has developed itself or partnered on. Beginning late last year and continuing through this year, Duncan developed STCs for ACA installation packages on Bombardier Globals and Challenger 300/350s and Dassault Falcon 7Xs and 2000/2000EXs.
Additionally, the Lincoln, Nebraska-based MRO recently partnered with Peregrine Avionics to develop ACA STCs for Gulfstream GIVs and Challenger 604s. Installation packages include the ionizer and parts manufacturer approval (PMA) parts kits developed by Duncan. It continues to develop ACA ionization packages for additional business jet makes and models.
“When we say the package includes everything, we mean every screw, nut, bolt, and switch necessary for the installation,” said Duncan manager of avionics install line Pat Mapes. “There’s been great interest in the industry in the ACA system.”
Installation is performed at Duncan’s three main facilities in Lincoln; Battle Creek, Michigan; and Provo, Utah, as well as at several of its satellite stations across the U.S.
Less than three months after joining the European Business Aviation Association as an associate member, the International Association of Aircraft Dealers (IADA) has also joined the membership of the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA).
“Several of our member companies have executives that serve on the CBAA board of directors and our dealers are obviously active in Canada, so our board viewed membership in CBAA as a natural extension of IADA’s activities in North America,” said IADA executive director Wayne Starling.
CBAA membership also furthers IADA’s reach into aviation industry affairs beyond Europe and the U.S.—the latter through NBAA membership—Starling added. The development also comes on the business aircraft brokers group’s 30th anniversary, which until a rebranding and reorganization beginning in 2018 was known as the National Aircraft Resale Association.
Leasing Venture Orders 12 More Helicopters
Helicopter lessor LCI and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing (SMFL) are acquiring a dozen more helicopters worth more than $120 million under their helicopter leasing joint venture. The new aircraft include four Airbus H145s, three Leonardo AW139s, and five Leonardo AW169s. They join the 19 helicopters already owned by the joint venture that are leased on missions such as emergency medical services, search and rescue, and transportation to offshore wind farms.
"The robust model of our joint venture, featuring ESG-friendly, long-term leases and full power by the hour maintenance contracts, together with LCI’s skill as a partner, make this expansion a natural progression,” said SMFL managing executive officer Shinichiro Watanabe.
Overall, LCI’s fleet comprises approximately $1 billion of assets in service, on order, and under management, and is focused on medium and super-medium helicopters made by Leonardo, Airbus, and Sikorsky. LCI has raised more than $1 billion in new capital since 2019 over the course of 25 transactions sourced from over 20 separate financial institutions.
"Helicopters are eminently financeable assets and we have attracted new and diverse capital into the market by demonstrating their virtues, which include long economic lives, full power-by-the-hour coverage, and mission-critical contracts,” said LCI CEO Jaspal Jandu.
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