In the first half of the year, the number of retail transactions and aggregate value of those transactions fell for twin-engine helicopters, according to Aero Asset's “2023 Half Year Heli Market Trends Twin Engine Report." The consultancy notes that total transactions fell to 76—15 percent below the year-ago period—while dollar value declined 11 percent, to $288 million.

“Supply for sale grew 18 percent year-over-year (YOY), to 177 units, and the absorption rate increased to 14 months of supply at current trade levels at the end of June," said Valerie Pereira, Aero Asset v-p for market research.

Within the twin-engine space, light and medium models for sale increased 20 percent YOY; sales volume of medium twins decreased nearly 45 percent year over year, while light and heavy retail sales remained stable. In the heavies, the Sikorsky S-92A pricing was stable, while the price of the Airbus EC/H225 increased by more than $1 million. 

First-half retail sales volume decreased YOY in North America and Europe but increased in other regions. However, North America and Europe accounted for 75 percent of total transactions in the first six months. Supply for sale increased twice as much in North America than in Europe over the same period.

Satcom Direct’s Plane Simple Ku-band tail mount antenna system received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Gulfstream G650, the company announced today. It worked with Gulfstream Aerospace on the STC and installation of the antenna on a U.S.-based corporate flight department-operated G650. The antenna variant will become available for installation through the Gulfstream service network starting next month.

Plane Simple uses the Intelsat FlexExec high-throughput satellite network for connectivity service. Satcom Direct also provides customer support, hardware, software, ground infrastructure, and cybersecurity for the system.

“This STC is significant for us as we continue to raise the connectivity bar with this new class of hardware, which has been purpose-built for the business aviation sector,” said Satcom Direct CEO Jim Jensen. The antenna installation requires fitting two-line replaceable units, the tail-mounted antenna, and the SD modem unit. Plane Simple STCs already are available for the Gulfstream IV, V, G450, and G550 through the Gulfstream service network.

Satcom Direct has served as the exclusive provider of cabin connectivity service plans on both in-production and in-service aircraft for the Gulfstream Connectivity Service program. In fact, the SD FlightDeck Freedom platform is the default datalink system for in-production Gulfstream G500s, G600s, and G650/G650ERs.

The G650/G650 appears to be next in line for supplemental type certification (STC) approval for installation of SpaceX’s Starlink satcom, according to a Gulfstream Aerospace maintenance and operations letter (ALL-MOL-23-0013) dated September 15. The letter references “Nextant/Starlink’s recent…[FAA] approval to install their connectivity solution via [STC] on G650/G650ER aircraft, with other models to follow.”

The FAA’s STC database does not yet list the Nextant STC. But given that SpaceX founder Elon Musk has Starlink installed on his G650, this STC seems like a logical step. The first Starlink STC was for the Embraer ERJ series, and it was engineered by Aerospace Design & Compliance of New Castle, Delaware.

The Gulfstream MOL points out to Gulfstream operators that the Starlink STC was developed by a third-party and thus is not supported by Gulfstream. “Since Gulfstream is not the STC holder,” it noted, “Gulfstream technical operations and engineering teams will not have the data or ability to support any repairs common to the area [fuselage structure with respect to the antenna installation] or that may arise with the STC upon installation or afterward.”

However, Gulfstream did explain in the MOL that it “will continue to work with Starlink to evaluate new technology, and we are committed to validating solutions on our aircraft when and if the data we gather supports the viability of the product.”

Toronto-based private jet services company Chartright Air Group today introduced its Light Jet Lease Program that offers a one-year renewable term, guaranteed availability,  and no positioning fees under an "all-in" hourly rate.

Options include a 25-hour or 50-hour lease program for Citation Ultra and Encore twinjets with an occupied hourly rate of CA$2,500. The program offers flight accessibility from major Canadian cities such as Barrie, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Ottawa, Toronto, and Windsor. Chartright plans to extend its services to the U.S. and the Caribbean with no positioning costs.

The company said the lease program offers clients transparent pricing, adaptable lease conditions, and the option to upgrade to larger aircraft.

Chartright Air Group provides private jet charter, aircraft management, FBO services, aircraft lease, and aircraft maintenance. In late May, the company opened its second FBO in the Toronto area at Waterloo International Airport (CYKF).

Along with 150,000 sq ft of ramp space that holds a designated medevac area, the Waterloo Airport complex features 100,000 sq ft of hangar space capable of sheltering aircraft up to a Boeing 767. The company also built a 47,550-gallon fuel farm. Chartright operates a charter fleet of nearly 40 aircraft, ranging from the Bombardier Global 7500 to the Leonardo AW109SP helicopter.

September’s issue of NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) Callback shares challenges, hazards, and lessons learned during visual approaches. One such incident report submitted by a Bombardier Challenger 350 captain involved a wake-turbulence encounter.

After the business jet crew was cleared for a visual approach to Runway 28L at San Francisco International Airport (KSFO), approach control called out a Boeing 777 that would be landing on the parallel runway. The pilots were told to keep the B777 in sight, which they acknowledged, and were cautioned about wake turbulence.

“After joining the final, we began a descent,” the captain said. “At about 2,800 feet, we encountered wake turbulence, and the aircraft abruptly rolled left to approximately 70 degrees followed by an immediate roll to the right of approximately 70 degrees.” The first officer, the flying pilot, countered both roll excursions with opposite aileron, and the aircraft quickly recovered to level flight, continued the approach, and landed.

Although the captain estimated that the horizontal distance between the Challenger and the B777 was two to three miles, “both the lateral offset and horizontal spacing [were] insufficient,” said the captain. He added that the wind on final was different than reported by ATIS and may have blown the vortices toward the aircraft.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is emphasizing the urgency of addressing an ATC staffing shortage issue in the U.S. Noting the controller workforce has shrunk by 10 percent over the last decade, NATCA agreed with airline executive concerns reported after last week’s Global Aerospace Summit in Washington, D.C., that travel disruptions could continue for at least five more years as a result.

“The effect that air traffic controller staffing shortages has had on air travel this summer is well known, and although there has been an increased focus on training, the hiring and training process to overcome the staffing shortage will take years,” NATCA warned, noting that currently, many controllers work mandatory overtime, including 10-hour shifts six days a week.

“Air traffic controllers are doing an exemplary job in a very difficult situation, but this is not sustainable,” the association said.

NATCA pointed to a Transportation Inspector General report saying the FAA has made limited efforts to ensure adequate controller staffing at ATC facilities. “It is our union’s hope that when Michael Whitaker—a former airline executive himself—is confirmed as the next FAA Administrator, he will share his former colleagues’ views on the urgency of the staffing crisis,” said NATCA president Rich Santa.

Honeywell has received FAA technical standard order approval for its new Type J diplexer/low-noise amplifier (DLNA), which is designed to mitigate interference by certain terrestrial and cellular networks with L-band satellite communications. Typically, business aviation operators use L-band for safety services functions such as FANS 1/A messaging, LTE and 5G cellular networks being deployed can cause such interference because they operate in frequency bands adjacent to Inmarsat’s L-band network, according to Honeywell.

No changes to the aircraft’s wiring, connector interfaces, or mounting provisions are needed when replacing existing diplexers with the Type J DLNA. All operators with Class 6 or 7 satcoms can upgrade to the new diplexer. 

“There has been growing concern globally that certain 5G services could interfere with some aircraft satcom systems, and the Type J DLNA can limit those effects,” said Honeywell Aerospace v-p and general manager of services and connectivity Steve Hadden. “With the upgrade, airlines and aircraft operators will continue to have access to Future Air Navigation System [FANS] routes, which allow airplanes to fly at their optimum altitudes and burn less fuel. That creates a significant reduction in flight durations and fuel costs while improving overall flight safety.”

Severe weather damaged more than 90 hangars and numerous light aircraft at Arizona’s Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ) last Tuesday night. According to Cunningham Aviation—one of three service providers on the field—the microburst struck the south side of the airport, where its facility is located, around 9 p.m. The FBO suffered minor damage to its 30,000-sq-ft hangar, and two aircraft overturned on its ramp.

A World War II-era hangar occupied by the Falcon Warbirds Foundation was severely damaged. The storm's velocity blew one heavy metal sliding door off the tracks to the back of the hangar. The other bent inward and damaged two T-6 Texans. A portion of the roof was ripped from the building, leaving splintered timber beams, exposed electrical fixtures, and broken water pipes from the fire sprinkler system.

Part 145 maintenance provider Precision Heli-Support, which occupies another 20,000-sq-ft, 1940s-era facility, lost the roof of one of its hangars, as well as its doors. According to an airport spokesperson, the building is still structurally sound and will be re-roofed. Heliponents, another service provider, also suffered door and roof damage to its hangar, according to the airport authority.

While the Avflight FBO on the northern side of the field reported no ill effects, flight-training providers on the field such as CAE and Leopard Aviation received damage to their instruction aircraft fleets.