Business aviation Archives

Flexjet adds the Gulfstream G650 to European jet fleet

Flexjet adds Gulfstream G650 in its European fleet

By Satu DahlBusiness aviation, FeaturedNo Comments

Premium private jet operator Flexjet has announced it has registered its first Gulfstream G650 in Europe.

A second G650 will be joining the fleet within the next six months. The operator has seen success of its Gulfstream G650 programme in the US and is now providing its shared ownership programme customers in Europe with the same in ultimate long-range private travel. The aircraft offers a range of nearly 11,500km and a top cruise speed of Mach 0.925.

The G650 was welcomed at Malta Airport on Friday 23 September. Since securing its Maltese Air Operator Certificate in July 2021, Flexjet has expanded its team and infrastructure in Europe, including moving its Operational Centre to new, larger offices in Malta’s Ta’Xbiex district earlier this month.

Marine Eugène, Flexjet European Managing Director said: “Our ultra-long-range programme is well-established in the US, and we are delighted to welcome our first Gulfstream G650 into our European fleet – a significant investment that is a key milestone in our ambitious expansion plans.

“With an +153% annual uplift in fleet activity so far this year, and our programmes in strong demand, this exceptional aircraft significantly enhances our world-class product offering.
“Registering our first European Gulfstream G650 in Malta demonstrates how pivotal this location is to our future growth. We have been impressed by its dynamic and professional aviation community, and growing pool of industry talent.

“As we continue to invest in our operation here, I look forward to building on our excellent relationship with Transport Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate, who share our commitment to the highest standards of safety and compliance”.

September 30, 2022

Gogo comments on SmartSky’s preliminary injunction request ruling

By Satu DahlBusiness aviation, Featured, IFEC, InsightsNo Comments

Business aviation connectivity provider Gogo has commented on the ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware that denied SmartSky Networks‘ motion for a preliminary injunction.

The court ruling denied SmartSky’s request that the Court preliminarily enjoin Gogo Inc. and Gogo Business Aviation LLC from making, using, offering to sell, or selling the Gogo 5G system pending the resolution of the patent infringement suit brought by SmartSky against Gogo.

“This ruling supports our frequently stated position that Gogo is not infringing any valid SmartSky patent,” said Oakleigh Thorne, Gogo’s Chairman and CEO.

“We will continue to vigorously defend Gogo against SmartSky’s meritless patent infringement claims. We look forward to successfully launching Gogo 5G and remain unwavering in our focus on executing our strategy to deliver improved broadband performance for business aviation customers.”

September 28, 2022

Alexander Proschka, Executive Vice President Commercial at Hahn Air

Hahn Air begins offering Res 360 as part of its distribution package

By Satu DahlAirlines, Business aviation, FeaturedNo Comments

Hahn Air has announced it is now offering cloud-based Passenger Service System Res 360 as part of its distribution package.

Res 360 will allow airlines looking to enter the world of indirect distribution to obtain all essential components from Hahn Air. The company is already offering solutions to enter and expand GDS sales, close distribution gaps and unlock new markets.

Hahn Air is partnering with leading technology service provider InteliSys Aviation to deliver its state-of-the-art PSS solution. “For any airline, the PSS is at the heart of airline distribution,” commented Alexander Proschka, Executive Vice President Commercial at Hahn Air. “It is only a natural step for Hahn Air to offer this component as part of our distribution package. With Res360, airlines benefit from a one-stop-solution with our unparalleled service combined with the leading technology powered by InteliSys. We are excited to be bringing this offering to the market for airlines around the globe.”

Res360 is 100% cloud-based and allows airlines of any size and business model to connect to all sales channels. The following components are included in the Res360 PSS suite:

Inventory and Reservation System
Departure Control System
Reporting Module
Fully responsive Internet Booking Engine (including online check-in and flight tracking tools)
Travel Agent Portal
Corporate Customer Portal
Ancillary Management and Sales Module
Loyalty Module

The API infrastructure also guarantees flexibility and scalability as it allows airlines to connect further applications and channels in the future and to customise the system to their evolving needs.

September 26, 2022

NBAA-BACE: Shaping the Future of Business Aviation

NBAA-BACE 2022 to showcase business aviation excellence

By Satu DahlBusiness aviation, Featured, InsightsNo Comments

This year’s NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), held at the Orange County Convention Center on 18-20 October, will feature key industry exhibitors promoting their latest products and services, impressive aircraft displays and more than 50 education opportunities.

The event will embrace future-forward and innovative perspectives and explore the best of the modern high-tech business aircraft, as well as products and services that are essential for business aviation.

Single-engine piston aircraft, turboprops, business jets of all sizes, rotorcraft and advanced air mobility aircraft will all be on display. The event will also connect industry colleagues and nearly 1,000 companies that are shaping the future of the business aviation industry, including new and returning exhibitors in a state-of-the-art exhibit hall, and highlight inspiring people, bold ideas, new markets and emerging technologies transforming the sector.

The agenda on Tuesday 18 October and Wednesday 19 October will feature keynotes by inspiring industry figures such as legendary pilot Tammie Jo Shults who, on 17 April 2018 successfully landed a Boeing 737 at Philadelphia International Airport and saved the lives of 148 passengers and crew after an uncontained engine failure damaged the aircraft’s fuselage and caused rapid decompression of the cabin.

The organisers of the event say this year’s NBAA-BACE will bring together approximately 25,000 industry professionals from around the globe. Learn more about this year’s NBAA-BACE.

September 23, 2022

Bombardier’s Challenger 3500 wins prestigious design award

By Satu DahlBusiness aviation, FeaturedNo Comments

Bombardier’s newest business jet, the Challenger 3500 aircraft, has been honoured as the “Grand Winner” in the Industrial Design/Automotive & Transportation category at the 15th edition of the “Grands Prix du Design.” The win was announced at a gala ceremony in Québec City on 16 September.

The award recognises excellence in design and celebrates the talented professionals who inspire through their creative vision. “I am delighted that the new Challenger 3500 aircraft has once again been recognised for its innovative and exceptional cabin design,” said Éric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier. “Our talented team at Bombardier designed and crafted the industry-leading Challenger 3500 business jet for our discerning customers, offering them what they look for most in a business jet – an unprecedented cabin experience.”

The Challenger 3500 business jet, which was launched last year, is the latest evolution of Bombardier’s best-selling Challenger platform. Bombardier says the aircraft introduces a redesigned cabin interior unlike any other in a medium-category business jet, combining intelligent and sustainable cabin features that offer the ultimate in comfort and function.

The jet features Bombardier’s patented Nuage seat as part of the aircraft’s standard configuration, as well as other new baseline features such as the industry’s first voice-controlled cabin to manage lighting, temperature and entertainment systems, wireless chargers available throughout the cabin and the only 24-inch, 4K display in its class.

September 20, 2022

PW812GA engine to power Gulfstream G400 reaches significant milestone

By Satu DahlBusiness aviation, Featured, MRONo Comments

Pratt & Whitney Canada has announced that its PW800 engine programme has reached a key milestone by receiving the Type Certification of its PW812GA engine from Transport Canada Civil Aviation.

Gulfstream revealed in October 2021 that it had chosen the PW812GA engine to power the new Gulfstream G400 business jet.

“We worked closely with Transport Canada to create an efficient and thorough certification process that successfully led us to this point,” said Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “When it enters into service, the G400 will be the third Gulfstream aircraft to rely on our PW800 engine family. We are gratified by the steady progress the PW800 engine family has achieved based on its ability to deliver a new level of performance and efficiency to the large cabin business aircraft class.”

Pratt & Whitney says its PW800 engines are the most modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible engines in their class and on board, provide an unmatched experience with an exceptionally quiet and comfortable cabin, making them also the quietest engines in their class.

The PW812GA showed exceptional performance during testing with more than 3,400 hours of engine testing that included 260 hours of flight testing. More than 175,000 hours of testing and field experience have been achieved across the PW800 family and the PW814GA and PW815GA engines have flown more than 144,000 hours since entering into service.

“When we designed the PW800 engine, we did so with all of the engine’s key stakeholders in mind – passengers, pilots and maintenance crews,” said Edward Hoskin, Vice-President, Engineering. “The PW800 has numerous inherent advantages and functionalities to ensure best-in-class availability and to create an exceptional engine response. It also sets the industry standard for maintenance, requiring 40% less scheduled maintenance and 20% fewer inspections than other engines in its class.”

September 14, 2022

Constant Aviation adds Philadelphia-based AOG mobile response capabilities

By Satu DahlBusiness aviation, Featured, MRONo Comments

Constant Aviation has added a new AOG (Aircraft on Ground) mobile response group in Philadelphia.

The company, which has a network of mobile technicians as well as full-service aircraft maintenance facilities at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport that provide airframe and engine maintenance, major repairs, avionics, interiors and painting, says this is the second new location for the company this year as it has also opened a new station in Salt Lake City.

Constant Aviation operates 28 AOG teams nationally. “In my 25 years in the private aviation industry, this continues to be one of the most robust periods we have seen and that has generated record demand for our services,” said David H. Davies, Constant Aviation’s Chief Executive Officer.

“The increase in AOG service locations is intended to help meet current demand, but mobile AOG services have proven sustainable in all market conditions as aircraft always need on-demand service at the hundreds of smaller airports that lack substantial maintenance capabilities.”

Constant Aviation is actively hiring in Philadelphia and Salt Lake City, as well as high-demand areas such as California, Texas, Florida, the Chicago and Scottsdale metro areas and the greater north-eastern U.S.

“We’ve always said our most important asset is our workforce of trained, talented technicians, and that has never been more true than during the current surge in business,” said Davies. “We’re looking to expand our team by recruiting new technicians through a range of channels, and offering not only opportunity but also the most competitive compensation and the best working conditions in the industry.”

The company has enhanced its maintenance technician apprenticeship programme which allows applicants without military or college training to participate in a two-year aviation services programme and earn the FAA Airframe Certification. Constant Aviation is also recruiting established technicians by offering a $15,000 signing bonus for military veteran candidates, a $2,000 signing bonus for other successful technical position candidates and grants of up to $8,000 to successful AOG technician candidates following the completion of their first year with the company.

Constant Aviation’s 28 AOG mobile teams support 86 aircraft models from 14 manufacturers, and each AOG vehicle is fully equipped and supplemented with expanded tooling strategically placed around the country, so aircraft can be serviced wherever they are located.

September 14, 2022

Dassault Aviation Completes STC for Falcon 900 InSight Display System

Dassault Aviation receives STC for Falcon 900 InSight Display System

By Satu DahlBusiness aviation, FeaturedNo Comments

Universal Avionics has announced that Dassault Aviation has received FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Universal Avionics’ InSight™ Flight Deck upgrade on Dassault Falcon 900B.

The STC for the Falcon type allows aircraft owners to upgrade to a 4-display InSight System while maintaining existing factory-delivered and OEM-supported flight management systems.

According to Universal Avionics, the solution provides a new level of situational awareness to the flight crew, with features such as a 3D Synthetic Vision System and 2D interactive digital maps, and improves flight operations by introducing high brightness and large format displays with intuitive interfaces.

The installation also increases available payload by over 200 lbs (91 kg). Universal Avionics says the solution is fully compatible with the FANS 1/A+, CPDLC, and ATN B1 solutions that are already provided by Dassault Aviation and Dassault Falcon Jet.

“The InSight Display System continues to gain significant momentum in the market, with nine STCs available or in advanced development, demonstrating the scalability of the system for business aviation,” said Dror Yahav, Universal Avionics’ Chief Executive Officer. “Upcoming upgrades for Enhanced Flight Vision Systems and Flight Deck Connectivity will bring the updated airplane into the front line of business jets.”

September 9, 2022

AERO Secures $65M in Series B Financing to Accelerate the Future of Premium Air Travel

Aero Technologies secures US$65M in Series B financing

By Satu DahlBusiness aviation, Featured, InsightsNo Comments

Next-generation premium air travel company Aero Technologies has announced a new funding round which includes a US$65M capital raise, $50M in Series B funding and $15M in convertible notes, for a total post-money valuation of $300M.

The funding round was co-led by investment firms Albacore Capital Group, Expa and Keyframe Capital, with new investment from Capital One Ventures.

Aero says it is redefining semi-private air travel and is inspired by the golden age of aviation and designed for modern life, serving premium leisure travellers through private terminals. The operator has a fleet of sleek, black planes and flies to destinations within the US and Europe. According to the company, the Series B funding will be used to drive the company’s global market expansion and to further answer increased demand on existing routes.

Aero offers flights currently to Aspen, Los Cabos and Sun Valley from private US terminals in Los Angeles Van Nuys and San Francisco, as well as to Ibiza, Mykonos and Nice from London’s Farnborough Airport.

Uma Subramanian, Chief Executive Officer of Aero commented on the announcement: “I am really excited to announce Aero’s Series B raise to further ignite growth and expand into new markets. Aero’s success over the last few years highlights that customers in both the US and Europe have been waiting for the Aero travel experience. Aero is growing fast, and we look forward to bringing the Aero experience to new markets in the coming months.”

“Aero has consistently delivered an unforgettable flying experience, and proven to be a leader in the next chapter of premium air travel,” said John Rapaport, Chief Investment Officer at Keyframe Capital. “Aero has built a recognisable brand and a thoughtful jet service that customers love. We are excited to continue building upon Aero’s successes and to be by their side to develop next-level global air travel experiences.”

August 23, 2022

ALTO Aviation unveils new passenger controls replacement programme

By Satu DahlBusiness aviation, Featured, MRONo Comments

Business aviation aircraft cabin audio systems and passenger controls company ALTO Aviation has introduced a new Cadence™ direct replacement/upgrade programme to solve passenger control obsolescence in retrofit Falcon 900B, older Gulfstream GIV and other aftermarket aircraft equipped with non-serviceable Baker DECU switch panels.

According to ALTO Aviation, the new Cadence solution replaces and upgrades the obsolete Baker DECU with a drop-in, fit-compatible unit that does not require wood modifications. The replacement upgrades functionality by adding USB-A or USB-C charging ports, 15W, 3A output. T

ALTO says the existing wiring may power the charging ports, pending wire gauge and circuit breaker review and that the new unit utilises True Blue Power TA-202 supply with limited lifetime warranty.

Kevin Hayes, VP of Sales & Marketing commented: “ALTO saw an opportunity to provide customers with a viable alternative to the obsolete Baker DECU. This ALTO solution transforms a nonfunctional unit into a customer-valued added USB-A or USB-C charging port. Utilising ALTO direct fit-compatible approach, the Cadence™ replacement fits into the same cutout and may use the same wiring that powered the DECU unit. In addition, the replacement is installation-friendly and increases user value by adding USB charging within the same profile.”

August 22, 2022

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