Swiss business aircraft manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft is further expanding its presence in the U.S. market by acquiring aircraft sales and maintenance provider Skytech. Founded in 1976, Skytech counts two East Coast bases—in Baltimore, Maryland, and Rock Hill, South Carolina—and has served as a Pilatus-authorized sales and service center since 1993.
“As part of an upcoming succession plan, Pilatus has decided to take over Skytech, and the entire workforce of 120 or so will continue to be employed by the Swiss aircraft manufacturer,” Pilatus said. It added that the business will still operate as an independent company under the Skytech brand, with responsibility for servicing and sales of PC-12s and PC-24s on the East Coast, in addition to aircraft types from other manufacturers.
According to Pilatus, Skytech CEO Justin Lazzeri, along with his current team, will continue to lead the company. However, Skytech co-founder and owner John Foster is stepping down following the sale.
Pilatus said this acquisition will allow for expanding its direct involvement in the U.S. market, which it termed to be of “great importance to the company.” Its Colorado-based subsidiary, Pilatus Business Aircraft, is Pilatus’s general importer and completion center for North and South America. The Swiss company said it will use the acquisition of Skytech to further improve the continuity and quality of customer service on the U.S. East Coast.
Decades ago, the FAA removed spin training from the private pilot curriculum. Rather than teach spins, the FAA focused on stall recognition and prevention. This paradox promotes a theory that in the absence of a stall, there would be no spin. The problem is that people continue to die from stall/spin accidents.
Today, only flight instructor candidates are required to do spins. Oddly enough, most CFIs today are required to only have a spin “sign off”—a logbook endorsement—and often do not have the thorough in-depth academic or on-aircraft training required to properly teach a spin.
Industry professionals engaged in upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) programs recognize that the chronic risk in spin training is the poorly trained instructor.
Aviation Performance Solutions CEO Paul “B.J.” Ransbury said that “spin training as done today typically skips major knowledge, skills, and awareness development by going from the docile coordinated stalls right into the fully developed spin without comprehensively addressing the stages of escalation of the stall/spin between those extremes. For example, the dangerous nature of a skidded turn cross-control stall is often overlooked.”
Bombardier will demonstrate its sustainability efforts this weekend as a major sponsor and participant in the debut of the Volaria Airshow in its hometown of Montreal, Québec. The show, which will feature aerial performances and a static aircraft display, was designed to highlight the region’s rich aerospace history, including Bombardier, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.
The airframer will be displaying its new super-midsize Challenger 3500, which is assembled in Montreal Dorval by some of its 8,000 employees in the province. In addition, it will highlight its EcoJet research initiative that aims to reduce business aviation’s environmental footprint. The OEM will show a scale model representing the integrated wing-fuselage design of a future intermediate business aircraft, a design that will test unconventional aircraft configurations that could significantly reduce fuel consumption in the future.
With the support of its sponsors, the festival has been declared carbon-neutral. Carbon offsets will be used to nullify all greenhouse gas emissions generated by its activities.
“Bombardier is very pleased to support the Volaria Airshow, an event where families can come and see airplanes up close and have a glimpse of the vibrant aerospace sector in Québec,” said Ève Laurier, the airframer’s v-p of communications, marketing, and public affairs. “You never know when you will spark a passion, which may one day become a fascinating career.”
The inventory of preowned business jets is down 27 percent from a year ago, with just 2.7 percent of the in-service fleet on the market, according to a report released on Wednesday by Jeffries Equity Research. Large-cabin jets led the decline in availability, down 34 percent since last September, followed by midsize jets (down 27 percent), and light jets (down 24 percent).
By OEM, the year-over-year decline in used inventory was led by Gulfstream, which fell from 3 percent of the available fleet last September to just 1.8 percent, or 34 aircraft, this month. Dassault inventory levels decreased by 36 percent, with nine aircraft on the market—or 1.7 percent of the Falcon Jet fleet.
Meanwhile, available Bombardier jets dropped by 29 percent, to 48 units. The number of the Canadian airframer’s on-market, preowned Globals and Learjets decreased while its Challenger offerings rose by 20 percent on the market year-over-year. Embraer units for sale fell to 28 jets—a 13 percent decrease from a year ago. There are also 76 Cessna Citations on the used market, representing a mere 1.9 percent of its active fleet.
Overall, Jeffries's analysis determined that average list prices for preowned aircraft have risen by 22 percent from a year ago. This was led by Cessna Citations, which saw their average price climb 36 percent year-over-year.
Avfuel and Atlantic Aviation have partnered to ensure abundant sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is available for the United Nations’ Mountain Global Partnership meeting to be held next week in Aspen.
Atlantic began stocking continuous supplies of SAF at its Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (KASE) FBO last year, and today it will receive an additional two loads of Neste’s blended SAF, delivered by renewable diesel-powered tankers, and placed into a newly dedicated tank. To commemorate the occasion, Atlantic will have a specially marked “Atlantic Evolve” refueller.
The conference, which is held every four years, invites representatives from mountainous countries around the world. This marks the first time it will be held in North America. Attendees will include hundreds of environmental scientists, along with approximately 40 UN delegates from the UN General Assembly underway in New York, some of whom will arrive by air via the Atlantic FBO.
“Atlantic Aviation is firmly committed to going higher when it comes to promoting sustainable aviation, especially in sensitive mountain environments for which air travel is critical infrastructure for people, goods, and services,” explained Brian Corbett, the FBO operator’s chief commercial and sustainability officer. “All of us at both Atlantic Aviation and Avfuel are pleased to increase our constant supply of SAF at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport for this landmark event.”
Atlantic also offsets all of its carbon emissions at KASE through purchased credits.
The world helicopter market is forecast to grow from $30.6 billion in 2022 to $41.2 billion by 2027, according to a new report from the research firm MarketsandMarkets Research. The expansion translates into a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1 percent.
The growth will be driven by the demand for light helicopters of less than 3.1 tonnes, greater aftermarket demand, and the commercialization of advanced air mobility and eVTOL aircraft, according to the firm. Europe is predicted to be the fastest-growing region for demand in this market.
As usual, military aircraft will drive a large portion of the market. According to MarketsandMarkets, “Based on application, the transport helicopters of the military segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the helicopters market from 2022 to 2027. Rise in adoption of transport helicopters by military to conduct defense missions will drive the overall demand in the helicopters market,” the company said.
Aerocare Aviation Services has completed modifications to its paint facility at Hawarden Chester Airport in Wales, following its acquisition by Complete Aircraft Group of Exeter, England. The modifications include widening the opening of the paint hangar's doors to 22 meters (72 feet), which enables the facility to accommodate the repainting of business jets as large as the Embraer Legacy 600 and Bombardier Challenger 850.
“Under our new ownership, we are making substantial investment in the real estate, equipment, and manpower for the aircraft operators and owners we serve,” said Aerocare managing director Peter Mankelow. In addition to the paint facility modification, Aerocare has increased its in-house capabilities and approvals, he added.
The company noted that contrary to competitors in the region, Aerocare has an established Part 145 repair facility adjacent to its paint operation, allowing aircraft owners access to maintenance, repair, interior refurbishment, and modifications. Additionally, Aerocare is an authorized dealer for Honeywell, Collins Aerospace, Standard Aero, BendixKing, and Gogo Business Aviation.
Magellan Jets is reintroducing its college tours 15-hour jet card in response to high demand, the Boston-based charter broker announced this week. Under the program, cardholders tell Magellan what colleges they would like to visit and the company then handles all logistics, including pickup and drop-off services.
Additionally, Magellan works with the consulting firm Top Tier Admissions, which offers data to clients to help them select colleges and provides them with the right questions to ask to aid in the decision-making process. Magellan can also supply a “college concierge” to clients that will accompany students on their tours.
Because private jets can access more airports than airliners can, they offer a more efficient way to conduct college tours, said Magellan, which notes that some clients are able to visit more than one school in a single day.
Photo of the Week
Cumulogranite at 9 o’clock.Michael Hodel took this image from his Dassault Falcon 900LX as he was flying by Mount Rainier (elevation 14,410 feet msl) on the way from Seattle Boeing Field/King County International Airport (KBFI) to Portland International Airport (KPDX). We love this view off the left wing, and thanks for sharing, Michael!
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