Gulfstream Aerospace has delivered the 50th G600, with the milestone aircraft going to an undisclosed North American customer. The large-cabin twinjet, which is a longer-range sibling of the G500, entered service in August 2019.
“With every new customer delivery, operators around the world are experiencing the benefits of the G600,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “The G600 dominates the sweet spot of range, speed, cabin comfort, and fuel efficiency, and market enthusiasm is exceeding even our own high expectations.”
According to Gulfstream, the G600’s Pratt & Whitney PW816GA engines and aerodynamics have resulted in improved environmental credentials, with nitrogen oxide emissions 27 percent lower than ICAO requirements. Emissions for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and smoke are also more than 75 lower than international requirements. In addition, the G600 is significantly quieter than the latest Stage 5 noise limits, Gulfstream said.
The G600, which can fly 6,600 nm at Mach 0.85 and 5,600 nm at Mach 0.90, has to date set more than 20 city-pair speed records around the world. Besides FAA and EASA approvals, the G600 has earned certifications from aviation authorities in the UK, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Mexico, San Marino, and Turkey.
Bombardier’s Global 7500, Challenger 350 Go on Tour
Bombardier has launched a European tour of its Global 7500 ultra-long-range and Challenger 350 super-midsize business jets with plans for stops in a number of countries. Traveling with the use of Neste-provided sustainable aviation fuel, the aircraft began their tour in Germany and are heading to the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Denmark before ending in Sweden on October 5.
The Canadian manufacturer is launching the tour as interest—and business aviation traffic—has picked up in Europe as Covid restrictions ease.
“As interest in business aviation grows in Europe and all over the world, it’s important for customers to see first-hand how the cabins and attention to detail aboard Bombardier jets set themselves apart,” said Emmanuel Bornand, Bombardier regional v-p of sales, Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
The tour gives Bombardier a chance to showcase the Challenger 350 model and its future as the company is set to bring the recently unveiled follow-on Challenger 3500 to market next year. In addition to a number of interior enhancements and an autothrottle, the newest variant was designed with sustainability from materials to the use of a new fuel optimization app.
The tour also comes as Bombardier has ramped up production of its flagship Global 7500 with the 100th aircraft being manufactured. Heading into the third quarter, the model had a backlog stretching two years.
Safran Taps Piaggio for Ardiden 3 Critical Engine Parts
Piaggio Aerospace and Safran Helicopter Engines have signed a letter of intent to cooperate on the production of the Ardiden 3 engine family. Under the agreement, Italy-based Piaggio will manufacture “critical parts” for turboprop and turboshaft variants of the 1,700- to 2,000-shp Ardiden 3. The companies already collaborate on the RTM322 and Aneto engine families for production of hot section parts of these engines.
Safran has received EASA approval for an Ardiden 3 turboshaft variant that powers the Kamov Ka-62 helicopter but is now developing the Ardiden 3TP turboprop under the European Clean Sky 2 program. The Ardiden 3TP is expected to have 15 percent better fuel efficiency than current turboprop engines.
According to Safran, the agreement with Piaggo strengthens the European team built around the Ardiden 3TP for general, regional, and military aviation aircraft turboprop applications. This team also includes ZF Aviation Technology in Germany and ITP Aero in Spain.
“With the Ardiden 3TP, we are committed to deliver a 100 percent European engine featuring high levels of design maturity and competitive operating and maintenance costs,” said Safran Helicopter Engines executive v-p of OEM sales Florent Chauvancy. “It will be designed, built, and supported by highly experienced teams using modern industrial capabilities in Italy, Germany, Spain, and France.”
TBM Convention Returns as Live Event
After being held online last year due to the Covid pandemic, the TBM Owners and Pilots Association’s (TBMOPA) annual convention made its return last week as a live event for the 2021 edition. Held over four days at West Virginia’s Greenbrier Hotel, the convention drew more than 280 attendees, as well as 101 TBM turboprop singles to nearby Greenbrier Valley Airport.
“TBM aviators came out in full force for this year’s convention, once again underscoring their enthusiasm for aviation and their commitment to safe flying,” noted Nicholas Chabbert, senior v-p of Daher’s aircraft division, adding that the event provided an opportunity to discuss the TBM 940’s new Homesafe emergency autoland system. “We were also able to explain how the growing use of data supports safety, including the increasing utilization of the Me & My TBM application by pilots.”
Among the featured speakers were NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, Nexrad weather radar pioneer Dr. David Strahle, medical expert and TBM owner Dr. Ian Fries, and former U.S. Air Force SR-71 Blackbird pilot Brian Shul. Garmin, Pratt & Whitney Canada, and flight planning software provider ForeFlight also made presentations.
The convention raised a record $207,000 for the TBMOPA Foundation, which funds pilot training scholarships and develops safety seminars. Next year’s event is slated for September 21 to 25 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Safer Training Through High-Tech Reality Replication
Safely preparing a crew for whatever anomalies the aircraft or nature may bring is best done in a full flight simulator – the more realistic, the better. Through continuous improvement and technology innovation, FlightSafety continues to provide the most realistic simulator training available for the business and private aviation market.
Textron Aviation began delivery of a fleet of up to 10 Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft to São Paulo, Brazil-based Azul Conecta, a subsidiary of Azul Airlines, the Wichita-based aircraft manufacturer announced today. The regional carrier, stationed at the Jundiai airport, recently ordered five of the Caravans with options for up to firm more of the turboprop singles. Azul Conecta will operate the aircraft on its routes to smaller cities and remote locations throughout Brazil.
“The Caravan platform provides a valuable form of transportation throughout Brazil, especially for people in rural areas,” said Marcelo Moreira, Textron Aviation v-p of sales for Latin America. “It’s a proven and versatile platform in Latin America, flying passengers, cargo, or both. With its combination of performance and rugged reliability, the Grand Caravan EX is capable of reaching remote areas that other aircraft cannot; connecting many people throughout the region, and supporting the development and economic growth of the country.”
Textron Aviation, which handed over the first two of the latest order from Azul Conecta, expects to hand over a third Grand Caravan EX this year and the remaining two early next year. With the most recent deliveries, Azul Conecta is now operating 18 of the aircraft type, making it the largest operator of the Grand Caravan in Brazil.
APS has put together a program to be delivered by aviation safety experts from the NTSB, Airbus, Alaska Airlines, and Wyvern, among others. Session topics include extended envelope simulator training, business aviation UPRT program development, the use of lower-technology training devices, instructor qualification and training, and emerging training technologies such as virtual reality. Other topics include human factors and a safety leader’s view of LOC-I accidents and training.
More than 3,300 attendees from around the world have already registered for the summit. Professional pilots are the primary audience, but flight department managers, safety officers, regulators, and anyone else with an interest in flight safety or training can register for this event.
Brown, Bosco Among NAA Distinguished Statesmen Slate
The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) selected seven aviation leaders for 2021 Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesmen and Stateswomen of Aviation awards, including NBAA COO Steve Brown, Tailwinds Communication proprietor and long-time business aviation advocate Cassandra Bosco, and aviation safety expert and former NTSB member John Goglia.
Also being recognized are Angela Gittens, who retired last year as director-general of the Airports Council International; famed “Berlin Candy Bomber” Col. Gail Seymour “Hal” Halvorsen, USAF (Ret.); long-time GE Aviation executive Jean Lydon-Rodgers; and Gen. John Raymond, the chief of the space operations for the U.S. Space Force.
“The women and men we honor this year as Stateswomen and Statesmen of Aviation represent the depth and breadth of our industry,” said NAA president Greg Principato. “They represent all sectors of aviation and span the gamut from the Berlin Airlift to efforts to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Their contributions have inspired and continue to inspire.”
NAA has honored distinguished aviation leaders for more than six decades. Past recipients include Scott Crossfield, Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, Katherine and Marjorie Stinson, Charles Bolden, Olive Ann Beech, Clay Lacy, Fran Bera, Bob Hoover, and Chuck Yeager. This year’s slate will be recognized during the NAA Fall Awards Dinner on December 6.
JetNet To Highlight New Bizav Data Products at NBAA-BACE
Business aviation data company JetNet will debut the revamped JetNet Values program in partnership with Asset Insight in two weeks at NBAA-BACE 2021 in Las Vegas. JetNet Values is a single-source asset valuation platform that combines key historical market data and reported sold prices with access to estimated residual value figures produced by Asset Insight’s eValues product.
JetNet will also provide a sneak peek at its new business intelligence platform, which is scheduled to launch early next year, at the trade show. Dubbed JetNet BI, the data solution will provide graphic visualizations and interactive dashboards that provide insight into business aircraft fleet stats, flight activity, values, JetNet iQ surveys and forecast data, and more.
Additionally, JetNet iQ will present a state-of-the-market overview at NBAA-BACE on Tuesday, October 12 at 11:30 a.m. PST in room W213 at the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall. This presentation will highlight business aircraft market conditions, fleet data, and delivery forecasts, as well as insights from JetNet iQ’s global business aviation surveys.
AIN Lunch at NBAA: Building 5G for Business Aviation
Join us for lunch on October 13 at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas to hear from a distinguished panel of experts who will discuss 5G as the the latest technological advancement for connectivity in aviation. Learn what it takes for a team to build, operate, and support a vast ground network, including some of the more extreme challenges weather and wildlife present that have to be overcome to keep the network performing at optimal levels. The speakers will help you cut through the noise in the market to better understand 5G for business aviation and what it will mean for anyone traveling on a private aircraft. Registration is free but required. Sponsored by Gogo Business Aviation.
People in Aviation
Cutter Aviation appointed Mark Herzog as flight department director. Herzog has more than 20 years of aircraft management, maintenance, charter, and client relations experience, and has managed aviation assets and global operations.
West Star named Jim Ellis avionics technical sales manager at its East Alton, Illinois facility. Ellis brings more than 26 years of avionics experience to his new role, formerly holding the role of avionics senior crew chief with StandardAero and serving in the U.S. Air Force and Illinois National Guard.
PCX Aerostructures promoted Thomas Holzthum to CEO, succeeding Jeff Frisby. Frisby, who is now executive chairman, has served on the PCX board of directors since February 2016 and as president and CEO since April 2017. Holzthum, who joined the PCX board in 2019 and was named COO in January, previously served as executive v-p of integrated systems for Triumph Group.
FlyExclusive named Chuck Williams CFO and Rich Ropp senior v-p of enterprise sales. Williams joins flyExclusive after serving as chief transformation officer with McKinsey & Company and also has held roles with J.P. Morgan and Bank of America. Ropp previously was president of Jet Linx St. Louis.
Go Rentals hired Craig Anderson to serve as v-p of car rental revenue. Anderson has more than 25 years of experience with a major national rental car company. In addition, Go Rentals promoted Trissy Pickett to v-p of aviation development. Pickett, who previously was director of aviation development, has 22 years of general aviation experience, including nearly eight with Go Rentals. Meanwhile, Go Rentals named Catherine Kaminski as director of film and studio. Kaminski joined Go Rentals after heading up a specialized film and studio business. Also, Colleen Jones was promoted to v-p of human resources. Jones, who previously was director of human resources, has served with the business aviation car rental specialist for eight years.
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