ABACE Convention News 04-15-14

Page 1

ABACE

请翻阅本刊内页中的公 务机信息(中文版)

www.ainonline.com

PUBLICATIONS Tuesday, 4.15.14 SHANGHAI

Convention News

®

获取亚太地区商务航空新闻的首选渠道

ABACE to stay at Hongqiao until 2021, or longer by Chad Trautvetter Ed Bolen, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) president and CEO, and Li Derun, Shanghai Airport Authority president, signed a memorandum of agreement at ABACE 2014 yesterday to keep the annual Asian business aviation

More FBOs for Deer Jet by Curt Epstein Deer Jet, which owns four of the six FBOs currently in operation on the Chinese mainland, expects to at least double that number by the end of this year, according to Peng Zhang, company vice president. “We are talking with several different airport authorities [who] want to cooperate with Deer Jet [Booth P424] to have

an FBO facility on their field,” Zhang told AIN. This includes Beijing Capital Airport, where the company is awaiting permission to begin operations from a facility that was last used for the 2008 Olympics and would be the second FBO on the airport. Deer Jet, part of the HNA Group (that also owns several

Continued on page 37 u

上海将继续举办亚洲商务航空会 议和展览并至少持续到2021年 美国国家商务航空协会(NBAA)的总裁及 首席执行官艾德·博伦先生和上海机场集团 董事长李德润在昨天的2014亚洲商务航空会 议和展览(ABACE)上签署了展期协议备忘 录,一致同意将继续在上海虹桥机场合作举 办每年一度的亚洲公务航空展并至少持续到 2021年。双方曾于2011年6月签署协议,决 定从2012年的ABACE开始,连续5年在上海 虹桥机场举办亚洲公务航空展。昨天新签署 的备忘录将2011年协议中合作办展的期限延 长了一倍。 n

DAVID McINTOSH

DAVID McINTOSH

wings of the world With general aviation gradually expanding its toehold on Chinese airspace, the benefits of business aviation are beginning to become more visible in the region. The ABACE display area reflects the diversity of aircraft now in play.

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, left, announced an agreement with Li Derun, president of the Shanghai Airport Authority to “double down” on a contract to keep the ABACE show right here.

show at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport until at least 2021. The agreement doubles the life of the original five-year arrangement signed by the parties in June 2011 to hold the show at the Chinese airport starting with ABACE 2012. NBAA organizes the event in partnership with the Shanghai Airport Authority, with the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) co-hosting the event. Once again, Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre, a joint venture between the Shanghai Airport Authority and Hawker Pacific, is the host facility.

Continued on page 37 u

Airports and FBOs

OEM Merger

Market Growth

Helicopter Production

Emerging Market

Bizav Squeezed Out of Hong Kong

Seamless Integration Expected

Hurdles for Chinese Business Aviation

Agreement to Build EC175/AC352

Indonesia Booms

There’s almost no room for business jets at Hong Kong’s Chep Lap Kok International Airport, which is bursting at the seams due to lack of space and the environment. Page 2

With Cessna and Beechcraft now joined under Textron Aviation, the company will maintain the brands of Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker “to preserve their rich histories and respective strengths in the marketplace.” Page 8

The government has strict control on fuel sales and there’s a lack of executive aviation airports. Parking is a problem and visas are hard to get swiftly. But still, “the market is increasing at a commendable rate.” Page 9

Airbus Helicopters and China’s Avicopter, which jointly developed the EC175 and AC352, signed a $21 billion agreement to build 1,000 examples of the two models over 20 years. Page 32

Business aircraft OEMs see Indonesia as the emerging country for business aviation in Asia. They believe that sales, although still relatively slow, are poised for growth. Page 36

通往

豪华

飞行

世界

的指

中国

版|

请在ABACE这里收集您个人的 限量版商务机旅行者采购指南

Chin

a Edit

ion

| 201

4

®

国际 西航 巨星成龙 空莱 格赛 搭乘巴

201

BU

500。 Film an emstar Jac bra kie er leg cha acy n in 500.

4版

YE

RS

bjt

on

lin

购机

’ G 指南 UID E

e.c

om

Collect your PERSONAL copy of the limited edition business jet traveler’s Buyers’ Guide here at ABACE


Bizav squeezed out of Hong Kong by space and environmental issues by Liz Moscrop Speaking recently at the Singapore Airshow on behalf of the Asian Business Aviation Association’s (AsBAA, Booth H527) Hong Kong operators committee, Mike Walsh, CEO of Hong Kong’s AsiaJet, said, “We are all quite jealous in Hong Kong that the Singapore CAA has rightly recognized the economic importance of having your own strong and vibrant business aviation community that already provides employment of highly skilled jobs to Singaporeans serving customers in the southeast Asian region from Seletar Airport.” He added, “This should be a wake-up call to the complacent HK authorities who didn’t even think of us in the first public submission for the development of its proposed third runway at Chap Lap Kok. We commend the Singapore Transport Ministry for its vision and continued support of our vital industry.” The main issue in Hong Kong is the space squeeze. According to one operator, getting takeoff and landing slots is no problem; the difficulty is finding space for maintenance. Operators in Hong Kong have approval for only six hours’ parking; any longer is a massive challenge, especially for home-based aircraft. Sources say it can take up to seven days

to get engine run slots. Another issue is that Chek Lap Kok is massive, so business jets are dotted all around the field. All the operators are struggling to get maintenance space–and there is only certain work that can be performed on the tarmac. Hong Kong also has acid rain, which is detrimental to paint. There is no hangar space and companies are not allowed to use ground power units, all factors which make it difficult to work on aircraft. Firms have to do lots of extra work to keep corrosion to a minimum level. The fact that there is only one FBO is also an issue. Plans for a third runway were put on ice and, consequently, proposals for a second FBO were also put in the freezer. This is also an issue for operators, since there is a monopoly on fuel at the Hong Kong Business Aviation Center, which comes in at some $1.20 per gallon more than neighboring airports. Operators Coping

However, the locals are still doing well, albeit away from Hong Kong. With 42 aircraft on its books–and three more coming online this year–BAA Asia is the largest operator of privately owned business jets in Greater China. Leung added

DAVID McINTOSH

There’s almost no room at the inn anymore for Hong Kong’s business jets at Chep Lap Kok International Airport, which is bursting at the seams–with resident billionaires who own private jets, and local operators, all having to jostle for space to park their managed planes. This year’s Greater China Business Jet Fleet report, prepared by Hong Kong business aviation consultants Asian Sky Group (Chalet 4), illustrates the point. That is, there’s a definite decline in numbers on the managed aircraft books in the Special Administrative Region since last year, although operators are reporting increased business elsewhere. It’s not a sharp decline, but there is a decrease in numbers. “It’s obvious why,” explained Ricky Leung, CEO of Business Aviation Asia Ltd. (BAA), which is headquartered in Shenzhen and has bases throughout China and Hong Kong. “The parking issue in Hong Kong is discouraging people to base their aircraft [there]. Parking is so far away from the hangars, it is difficult to do line maintenance, or engine runs, and it is even a hassle to wash the aircraft.” The lack of space is a thorn in the side for Hong Kong operators.

reaching for the sky Getting ready for ABACE involves a beehive of activity in the days leading up to the show opening. Aircraft arrivals, booth set-ups and cleaning chores keep an army of workers busy for days. The end result is what you n see today, an aircraft display area chock full of the latest and greatest that business aviation has to offer.

2 ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

Metrojet claims to be the largest operator of business jets in Hong Kong, with 30 midand large-size aircraft reported in its stable in 2013 and more jets added this year.

Sino Jet Management, which operates aircraft under Part 91 regulations in China, is best known for handling Jackie Chan’s Embraer Legacy 650, the first of the type to be based in the country. The company also advises on aircraft financing and charter.

that he is expecting at least five more before the end of the year, mostly Gulfstream and Bombardier types with a couple of Airbus Corporate Jets. Hong Kong is still home to several other operators as well. According to the latest ASG report, Hong Kong Jet, a subsidiary of Hainan Airlines Group (HNA), the large privately owned airline group headquartered on Hainan Island, manages 25 aircraft including several corporate airliners, making it one of the largest operators of these types in Asia. However, most of its 74 aircraft are based in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Hainan Island. Hong Kong-headquartered TAG Aviation Asia, meanwhile, offers charter, aircraft management and maintenance services with aircraft based in Hong Kong, China and Macau. TAG Aviation manages 34 aircraft, 27 of which are Bombardier models. It is the largest operator of Global 5000 types in Asia. It also has an Airbus ACJ318 on its books. Established in 1995, Metrojet (Booth H418) pioneered business aviation services in Hong Kong and claims to have the largest fleet of business jets there, with 30 mid- and large-sized jets under its wings, two more than last year. The firm also has an engineering facility at Clark Airport in the Philippines, as well as Tajair Metrojet Aviation in Mumbai and Metrojet Hanxing Zhuhai in Zhuhai, China (Booth H414). Reflecting the pressure on Hong Kong space, announcements may be forthcoming

during ABACE about expansion of its facility at Clark. The Jet Aviation fleet of 22 aircraft is primarily based in Hong Kong. Jet Aviation (Booth P328) provides aircraft management services together with maintenance and aircraft charter services. The company’s Hong Kong’s fleet is down three this year, from 25 to the aforementioned 22. Last year the firm took delivery of the first Gulfstream G650 to land in Greater China. AsiaJet is also growing fast. According to Walsh, the company’s tie up last year with U.S.based Jet Edge (a company in which it has a 12-percent equity share) has paid dividends in terms of international interest in business. He said retail clients account for 80 percent of the company’s card membership business, and aircraft sales and other consultancy services are also proving profitable. Chinese firm Sino Jet Management (Booth P202) offers business aviation services ranging from acquiring an aircraft and hiring flight crews to scheduling tailor-made travel arrangements. It operates aircraft under Part 91 regulations in China, and is perhaps best known for managing Jackie Chan’s jet–the first Legacy 650 to be based in China. Sino Jet helps find financing and also offers VIP charter, as well as flight dispatch and concierge services. CEO Jenny Lau pointed to the fact that Chinese investors and subsidiary firms are looking to place aircraft on both Chinese and U.S. aircraft registers. o


SHPBASC approved for Hawker 800 service by James Wynbrandt with 12 based in China and 16 in the region. In addition to the region’s current Hawker 800 series base, NetJets will initially operate two Hawker 800 aircraft as it introduces its retail charter business in China this year. Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai, where SHPBASC is based and ABACE is held, will be an important destination for NetJets, putting SHPBASC in excellent position to deliver base maintenance and field support. “We are excited that Hawker Pacific has extended its capability to include the Hawker 800XP, NetJets China’s certification aircraft,” said Eric Wong, CEO NetJets China–Hong Kong (and vice chairman, NetJets China– People’s Republic of China), adding, “Shanghai Hawker Pacific has been a long-time, approved-maintenance vendor for NetJets, providing worldclass maintenance and service.” SHPBASC, a joint venture between Shanghai Hawker Pacific and Shanghai Airport Authority, also announced it has been designated as an authorized service facility for Cessna Citations. Approval by the CAAC to perform MRO work on Citation

Hawker 800-series operators can now turn to Carey Matthews (right) at Shanghai Hawker Pacific Aviation Service Centre (SHPBASC) for maintenance service.

Sovereigns is expected within a month. Matthews calls the partnership with Textron and Cessna “a huge step forward for the MRO,” and the ability to service the Citation line “a superb opportunity for our company.” Since opening in 2011 as the first dedicated MRO for business aircraft in China, SHPBASC has seen substantial growth, registering a 70-percent increase in business in first quarter of this year over the same period in 2013, which itself was a record-setting year. “We are doing more business than ever and keeping the hangar filled,” said Scott Corbett, SHPBASC director of maintenance. Last year the SHPBASC FBO saw a 19-percent increase

in activity over 2012, with more than 4,000 flight movements at Shanghai’s Hongqiao and Pudong International Airports, and Matthews said traffic has been growing about 20 percent annually. Shanghai to Beijing or Hong Kong are the most popular routes for operations the FBO supports, but “overseas destinations are also a very significant portion of the flights we handle,” Matthews said. He expects both MRO and FBO services to continue their growth. “Business aviation is steadily becoming accepted in Asia,” Matthews said. “What we’re seeing is owners are flying more and they’re getting more utility out of their aircraft,” said Matthews. SHPBASC plans to build a

DAVID McINTOSH

Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre (SHPBASC, Booth H128) received Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for maintenance of Hawker 800-series business jets, the company announced here yesterday at ABACE 2014. It also has been designated as an authorized service facility for Cessna Citations by the newly formed Textron Aviation, which also owns Hawker and Beechcraft. The Hawker 800 approval is the first in China for this aircraft type granted to a Part 145 maintenance facility. “The Hawker 800 family has a significant number of aircraft flying in Asia,” said Carey Matthews, general manager, SHPBASC. “Our approval from both the CAAC and the FAA allows us to expand our service offering for the fleet. Our staff has extensive experience on this type of aircraft and we are well positioned to support the fleet.” Though no longer in production, Matthews noted that several operators in China and Hong Kong use Hawkers as a core component of their fleets,

second hangar here at Hongqiao, and a dedicated FBO and hangar at Pudong, though no timetable for the projects has been set. Meanwhile, the company will continue serving as “The home of ABACE,” as NBAA designates SHPBASC, with a multi-year commitment to keep Hongqiao as the show’s site. o

《公务机旅行者》杂志出版中文《采购指南》 Business Jet Traveler publishes China edition of Buyers’ Guide Charles Alcock 作者:

AIN出版公司在发行ABACE会展新闻之 外,同时还出版 “公务机旅行者” 杂志(简 称BJT)。这份双月刊杂志能帮助乘坐公务机 的旅行者最大程度地享受他们的私密飞行。 众所周知, BJT 将在今年中国上海举行的公 务机展会上第三次发行其广受赞誉的年度 购 买指南。 购买指南为读者提供了关于飞机及飞机制 造商的丰富信息,对巴西航空工业公司的莱 格赛450新型飞机的介绍,以及对未来的公务 机模型的展望。除此之外,还刊登了对建筑 师Frank Gehryde的采访(他是举世闻名的北 京国家艺术馆的创造者),以及对中国的高 尔夫球场后起之秀——山钦湾的专题报道。 AIN出版公司发行业内处于领导地位的“航 空国际新闻” 杂志至今已经有四十多年的历 史,它发行的BJT杂志也凭借内容多元和信息 丰富的优势在其它同类杂志中独树一帜。无论 是阅读双月刊杂志还是点击它的网址bjtonline. com,读者都能获得关于新飞机或二手飞机的 公正评论,关于公务机买卖的建议,以及与此 相关的信息,包括税收、法律法规、金融、飞 行安全、飞机维护及保险等方面的信息。除此 之外,读者还能读到新型豪华车、度假目的地 和其它休闲娱乐方面的内容,包括对青睐公务 机旅行的名流们的采访报道,例如成龙,理查 o 德-布兰森及朗朗。

通往豪华飞行世界的指南

中国版 | China Edition | 2014

®

国际巨星成龙搭乘巴 西航空莱格赛500。 Film star Jackie chan in an embraer legacy 500.

2014 版购机指南

B U Y E R S’ GU I D E bjtonline.com

Film star and business jet operator Jackie Chan is on the cover of the China edition of Business Jet Traveler Buyers’ Guide.

by Charles Alcock AIN Publications, the company that produces ABACE Convention News and the industry-leading Aviation International News for more than four decades, also publishes the bimonthly magazine Business Jet Traveler, which helps passengers make the most of private air travel. BJT, as it is widely known, is distributing the third China edition of its annual Buyers’ Guide here at the show in Shanghai. The guide features a wealth of information about aircraft and manufacturers, a review of the new Embraer Legacy 450 and a look at future jet models. It also includes an interview with architect Frank Gehry, the world-famous creator of Beijing’s National Art Museum; and a feature on

Shanqin Bay, China’s stunning new golf course. Business Jet Traveler offers a blend of content you can’t quite find in any other magazine. In each bimonthly print edition and at bjtonline.com, you’ll discover unbiased reviews of new and used aircraft; advice about buying and selling jets; and information about such subjects as taxes, laws, financing, safety, maintenance and insurance. You’ll also enjoy articles about new luxury autos, vacation destinations and other leisure pursuits, plus interviews with jet-set celebrities like Jackie Chan, Sir Richard Branson and Lang Lang. o

www.ainonline.com • April 15, 2014 • ABACE Convention News 3


ABACE

Embraer’s Lineage 1000E long-range business jet is making its debut here at ABACE.

Convention News

®

FOUNDED IN 1972 James HolaHan, Founding editor Wilson s. leacH, managing director r. randall PadField, cHieF oPerating oFFicer editor-in-cHieF – Charles Alcock editor – Ian Sheppard Press room managing editor – R. Randall Padfield DAVID McINTOSH

Production director – Mary E. Mahoney tHe editorial team Bill Carey David Donald Thierry Dubois

Curt Epstein Neelam Mathews Liz Moscrop

Production editor – Lysbeth McAleer tHe Production team Mona L. Brown John T. Lewis Jane Campbell John Manfredo Alena Korenkov Erik Nowicki

Embraer anticipating 10 years of prosperity

Mark Phelps James Wynbrandt Matt Thurber

Colleen Redmond Annmarie Yannaco

PHotograPHer – David McIntosh online editor – Chad Trautvetter lead Web develoPer – Mike Giaimo Web develoPer – Evan Williams digital media designer – Colleen Redmond

by James Wynbrandt

translation services – Echo Lim, Stella Qing

Over the next decade Chinese customers will order a projected 805 business jets worth some $29 billion, representing 9 percent of the world’s total deliveries. This is according to a 2014-2023 global market forecast released at ABACE 2014 by Brazilian OEM Embraer Executive Jets (Chalet 3). “In China, we see urbanization at record levels, the number of high-net-worth individuals at record levels, GDP at 7.5 percent and domestic consumption growing–all positive drivers for business aviation,” said José Eduardo Costa, Embraer market intelligence senior vice president. He cautioned that lags in opening China’s airspace to private aircraft “may be a bottleneck for growth of business aviation in the country.” Globally, economic indicators “suggest mild growth for business aviation,” Costa said, and the forecast predicts 9,250 business jets worth $250 billion will be sold worldwide during the period. Embraer aims to

Press room manager & it solutions – Mona L. Brown

claim a significant percentage of that total. The company has sold 35 executive jets to Chinese buyers already, and here at the show it is spotlighting the breadth of its fleet, with three of the models on static display: a Lineage 1000E, a Legacy 650, and a Phenom 300. Lineage

The long-range Lineage 1000E, making its ABACE debut, is the company’s flagship model, carrying up to 19 passengers in five cabin zones. The E (for “Enhanced”) features upgraded seats, electric doors, refreshed galley and cabinetry design, automatic tables and improved noise reduction, in addition to other cabin amenities, and a fully digital high-definition Honeywell Select entertainment and cabin management system. It is also equipped with the latest electronic flyby-wire flight control system. The large cabin, 14-passenger Legacy 650 features three cabin zones, best-in-class

PublisHer – Anthony T. Romano associate PublisHer – Nancy O’Brien advertising sales – nortH america Melissa Murphy – Midwest +1 830 608 9888 Nancy O’Brien – West +1 530 241 3534 Anthony T. Romano – East/International +1 203 798 2400 Joe Rosone – East/International/Middle East +1 301 834 5251 Victoria Tod – Great Lakes/UK +1 203 798 2400 advertising sales – international – Daniel Solnica – Paris

The Lineage 1000E (for “Enhanced”) is the flagship model for the Brazilian manufacturer. The cabin includes upgraded seats, soundproofing and more.

galley and up to two lavatories. With a 3,900-nm range with four passengers, the aircraft can fly non-stop from Beijing to Dubai or Hong Kong to Adelaide, Australia. The Phenom 300, a light jet that has gained a 47-percent market share for the category in just four years since introduction, has a six-occupant range of 1,971 nm, allowing non-stop flights between Beijing and Manila, and Hong Kong and Singapore. Embraer is rounding out its fleet with the mid-size Legacy 500, expected to enter service by this summer, and the mid-size Legacy 450, scheduled to enter service in 2015, Costa said. Embraer also announced Hong Kong-based Metrojet (Booth H418) has been

selected as Greater China’s first Legacy 500 authorized service center (ASC). Metrojet is already an Embraer ASC for the Lineage 1000E and the Legacy 600 and 650. “We are grateful for the excellent services that Metrojet has extended to each of our valued customers over the past two years,” said Siu Ying Yeung, chief operating officer of Embraer China. o

AIN SEEKS REPORTERS IN CHINA AIN is looking for reporters to expand its coverage of the aviation industry in China. To discuss opportunities contact AIN Chief Operating Officer Randy Padfield, +13910434963, email: rpadfield@ainonline.com.

ABACE Convention News is located on the second floor of the Hawker Pacific MRO, in Press Room 2, next to the ABACE press headquarters.

marketing manager – Zach O’Brien director oF Finance & neW Product/online develoPment David M. Leach Production/manuFacturing manager – Tom Hurley audience develoPment manager – Jeff Hartford manager oF onsite logistics – Philip Scarano III grouP brand manager – Jennifer Leach English sales/Production administrator – Susan Amisson advertising/sales secretary staFF Patty Hayes; Cindy Nesline Financial analyst & Human resources manager – Michele Hubert accounting/administration manager – Irene L. Flannagan accounting/administration staFF – Mary Avella; Rosa Ramirez u.s. editorial oFFice: 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432 Tel: +1 201 444 5075; Fax: +1 201 444 4647 WasHington, d.c. editorial team: Bill Carey (air transport and defense); bcarey@ainonline.com Tel: +1 202 560 5672; Mobile: +1 202 531 7566 Paul Lowe (business aviation); paulloweain@aol.com Tel: +1 301 230 4520; Fax: +1 301 881 1982 euroPean editorial oFFice: Ian Sheppard; isheppard@ainonline.com Hangar 9, Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey RH1 5JY, UK Tel: +1 44 1 737 821 409; Mobile: +1 44 775 945 5770 u.s. advertising oFFice: 81 Kenosia Ave., Danbury, CT 06810 Tel: +1 203 798 2400; Fax: +1 203 798 2104 euroPean advertising oFFice: Daniel Solnica; dsolnica@solnica.net 78, rue de Richelieu, Paris, France Tel: +33 1 42 46 95 71 russian advertising oFFice: Yuri Laskin, Gen. Dir., Laguk Co. Ltd.; ylarm-lml@mtu-net.ru Russia, 115172, Moscow Krasnokholmskaya Nab., 11/15 - 132 Tel: +7 05 912 1346, +7 911 2762; Fax: +7 095 912 1260 tHe convention neWs comPany, inc. – ain Publications President – Wilson S. Leach executive vice President – John F. McCarthy, Jr. vice President oF oPerations – R. Randall Padfield treasurer – Jane L. Webb secretary – Jennifer L. English

ABACE

ABACE Convention News is a publication of The Convention News Co., Inc., 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432; Tel.:+1 201 444 5075. Copyright © 2014. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of The Convention News Co., Inc. is strictly prohibited. The Convention News Co., Inc. also publishes Aviation International News, AINalerts, AIN Defense Perspective, AIN Air Transport Perspective, AINmx Reports, AINsafety, Business Jet Traveler, BJT Waypoints, Dubai Airshow News, EBACE Convention News, HAI Convention News, LABACE Convention News, MEBA Convention News, NBAA Convention News, Farnborough Airshow News, Paris Airshow News, Singapore Airshow News.

Convention News DAVID LAU

®

Top executives seal an agreement making Metrojet an authorized Embraer Legacy 500 service center. Seated, left to right, Siah-Joo Tan, Metrojet director of corporate development, and Siu Ying Yeung, Embraer China COO. Standing, left to right, Björn Näf, Metrojet CEO, and Guan Dong Yuan, president of Embraer China.

ABACE PRESS HQ

Printed in Shanghai by C&C Offset Printing Co., Ltd. Computer Services: Media International Ltd.

EE SHOP

4 ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com


湾流北京

最高速度 : 0.925马赫 最远航程: 12,964 千米 最高高度 : 15,545 米

湾流北京服务中心为 不断壮大的亚太机队 提供支持

超大机舱 | 超远航程 | 超高速度

T HE WORLD JUST GOT SMALLER

世界从此更小

With every technological advance, the world shrinks a bit more. Aboard the Gulfstream G650™, the fastest ultra-long-range certified civilian aircraft in existence, intercontinental travel has never been quicker or more comfortable. So if travel means the world to you, spend more time at your destination than getting there.

每一次的科技进步都让世界变得更小。搭乘速度快、超远程的湾流G650™,您将 感受到更快捷和更舒适的环球旅行新体验。更快的空中行程让世界变得更小, 让您有更多时间感受旅行目的地的精彩。

FAR EAST ASIA (NORTH): +86 10 8535 1866 – HERMAN CHAI (蔡海文) FAR EAST ASIA (SOUTH): +852 2918 1600 – PETER HOI (许建钿) ASIA PACIFIC: +65 6572 7777 – JASON AKOVENKO

ZS.GULFSTREAM.com

NBAA IFR 理论航程(搭乘 8 名乘客,飞行速度 0.85 马赫) 。实际航程会受到 ATC 航线调度、飞行速度、天气状况、选装配置以及其他因素的影响。


Tokyo’s Narita Airport opens private terminal by Bill Carey Narita International Airport (Booth 610), Japan’s major international hub, opened its

Premier Gate business aviation terminal in March 2012, the first in the Tokyo area. The

facility, which is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., is located close to Narita’s Terminal 2 and features co-located customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) facilities and a private lounge for departing and arriving passengers. Vehicles can pull up immediately in front of the terminal, allowing customers to transfer quickly to waiting

The lounge in Narita’s Premier Gate business aviation terminal offers drink service, a concierge, as well as currency exchange and catering by prior arrangement.

ALL FRACTIONAL AIRCRAFT OFFERED BY NETJETS® IN THE UNITED STATES ARE MANAGED AND OPERATED BY NETJETS AVIATION, INC. ALL FRACTIONAL AIRCRAFT OFFERED BY NETJETS EUROPE ARE OPERATED, MAINTAINED, AND CREWED BY NETJETS TRANSPORTES AÉREOS, SA , A PORTUGUESE/EU AIR CARRIER. MARQUIS JET PARTNERS, INC. SELLS THE PRIVATE JET TRAVEL CARD. PRIVATE JET TRAVEL CARD FLIGHTS ARE OPERATED BY NETJETS AVIATION UNDER ITS 14 CFR PART 135 AIR CARRIER CERTIFICATE. NETJETS INC. HAS ESTABLISHED A JOINT VENTURE WITH CHINESE PARTNERS, AND THIS JOINT VENTURE IS PURSUING CERTIFICATION BY THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF CHINA TO PROVIDE PRIVATE AVIATION SERVICES USING BUSINESS JET AIRCRAFT. ©2013 NETJETS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NETJETS, MARQUIS JET AND MARQUIS JET CARD ARE REGISTERED SERVICE MARKS.

limousines for a rapid trip to Tokyo. In addition, helicopter service can also be arranged to the Akasaka Ark Hills rooftop heliport, a 20- to 30-minute trip to downtown Tokyo. According to company representatives, Premier Gate represents just one step in a detailed plan by Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (CAB) to promote business aviation in Japan, both internally and by visitors. That strategy includes addressing issues that the CAB identified as inhibiting business aviation in Japan, including the lack of takeoff and landing slots, no exclusive passenger facilities, few parking spots, complicated CIQ procedures and lack of service and support. Narita Airport is aiming to expand its capacity to 300,000 slots by the end of fiscal 2014 and it believes that the development of a framework for accommodating corporate jet services will help bolster its role as a ­multiservice airport. In anticipation of the rise in demand that would follow the opening of the business aviation terminal, slot and stand vacancies became available on the Internet as of October 2011 and the number of dedicated stands was increased from 15 to 18. Although the dedicated parking stands are in the maintenance area south of the terminal, when not being used by scheduled flights, those in direct proximity to the terminal can also be used for boarding and deplaning. o

You cannot buy success,

BUT WE CAN CHAMPION IT.

Having the big ideas is one thing, but being able to see them through is quite another. That’s when flying the leader in private aviation with the resources of Berkshire Hathaway really means something. V I S I T N E TJ E T S AT B O O T H P 222 AT T H E A S I A N B U S I N E S S AV I AT I O N CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION. A BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY COMPANY

f o r b u s i n e s s , f o r f a m i l y, f o r l i f e

|

SHARE / LEASE / CARD

14820_AsianBusinessmen_AINFP_3.24.14.indd 1

6  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

|

852 3527 3222 / N E TJ E T S .C O M

3/28/14

Premier Gate provides users with an exclusive access to CIQ (customs, immigration and quarantine) facilities, ensuring security and privacy as well 6:13 PM as quick, stress-free passage through passport control.


At CAE, safe operations are our number one priority, as demonstrated by our excellent flight training. But we’re also serious about giving you the best experience possible. That’s why we offer convenient and enjoyable locations, unsurpassed service, and tailored programs and schedules that meet your needs. So work with the people who work with you. CAE. Elevate your training.

TrainWithCAE.com

©2014 CAE. All rights reserved.

Visit us at ABACE booth P1012.


PHOTOS: DAVID McINTOSH

Jet Aviation expands Asia hub, triples Singapore hangar space

Jet Aviation Seletar Airpark Hangar Trivia: The hangar structure was raised to a height of 79 feet (24 meters) in just seven hours. The structure spans 328 feet (100 meters) and has no center column. A Fengshui master was brought in to advise and, following this, adjustments were made to the design. A mango tree used by Hindus as a shrine was uprooted and replanted.

by Neelam Mathews Business aviation services provider Jet Aviation (Booth P328) is set to significantly boost its maintenance capability in Asia when it completes construction of its second hangar at Singapore’s Seletar Aerospace Park by the end of this month. Standing 79-feet high (24-meters), the new $25 million facility will triple the size of the group’s present site adding almost 54,000 sq ft of hangar space. During a recent visit to Seletar, Jet Aviation president Robert Smith told AIN that his company’s ability to grow its presence here is thanks in part to the “proactive policies of the Singapore government.” The decision to expand was driven by the growing demand for large, long-range business jets in the Asia Pacific region. “Asia is by far the fastest growing region and Europe is flat,” said Smith. “We expect to fill capacity [in the new hangar] and have a second shift soon.” Switzerland-based Jet Aviation, which is wholly owned by General Dynamics, manages 27 aircraft in Asia.

The new hangar will be able to accommodate up to five Gulfstream G650s or five Bombardier Global Express 7000s. Jet Aviation plans to tap business from neighboring countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Thailand and Australia. While there are just 10 to 15 business aircraft registered in Singapore, Jet Aviation selected the country as its Asian hub because it is business-friendly and offers good access to a large prospective customer base. “The nice thing about Singapore is they decided to give Seletar a business aircraft focus, moving away from Changi. At Hong Kong, business aviation is an ugly stepchild. “Singapore incentivizes people to come here. What you see is what you get. And English is the spoken language,” said Gary Dolski, Jet Aviation’s Asia Pacific vice president and general manager. Dolski is also responsible for the company’s operations in Malaysia and Hong Kong. Jet Aviation is the first maintenance, repair and overhaul provider to

Business aviation services provider Jet Aviation established its Asian hub at Seletar Airpark in Singapore because of the business-friendly climate there and its proximity to a large customer base in the region.

collaborate with Singapore’s Air Transport Training College, also located in Seletar Aerospace Park, to jointly offer a licensed aircraft engineer training program for business aviation. The company recently transferred ownership of a Dassault Falcon 20 to the ATTC. “With our new hangar facility nearing completion, we have a vested interest in

Cessna/Beechcraft synergy heralds bright future by Chad Trautvetter was excluded from the Textron Aviation senior leadership team and “is moving on to new opportunities,” a Textron spokesman told AIN. While the two aircraft manufacturers are now combined within a single segment, “Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker will each remain distinct brands to

DAVID McINTOSH

Textron closed its $1.4 billion acquisition of Beechcraft on March 14, bringing together Cessna Aircraft and Beechcraft to form Textron Aviation. Scott Ernest, Cessna’s president and CEO since 2011, was tapped to lead Textron Aviation as CEO. Meanwhile, Bill Boisture, Beechcraft’s chairman and CEO since 2009,

Beechcraft joins Cessna and Hawker to create Textron Aviation. The new company will produce complementary jet and turboprop products, while also forming the industry’s largest global company-owned service network.

8  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

preserve their rich histories and respective strengths in the marketplace,” the company said. A Textron spokesman confirmed that “Bell Helicopter is not part of Textron Aviation, and that is not envisioned for the future.” Newly formed Textron Aviation brings together several businesses with complementary general aviation products, including Citation and Hawker business jets, King Air and Caravan turboprops, five piston singles and the Baron G58 piston twin. The merged company also forms the industry’s largest global service network of company-owned, authorized and mobile service solutions. On the defense side, Textron Aviation will include the Beechcraft T-6 trainer and AT-6 light attack aircraft, but not the Textron AirLand Scorpion light attack and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance jet. “We expect the integration of Beechcraft and Cessna to be a seamless process that continues putting our customers first,” said Ernest. “Textron Aviation not only encompasses a world-class global customer service network and a strong portfolio of business and general

developing a highly skilled pool of local talent to support our customers in the region,” said Dolski. “Singapore is not inexpensive. It’s about efficiencies, and we have a network around the world. One of the risks we are facing is to fight for talent and retention. Our only competitive edge is our employees,” he said, concluding, “experience cannot be built overnight.” o aviation aircraft, but also a workforce with unparalleled industry expertise.” Wasting no time, Ernest sent an internal memo to employees just three days after the acquisition was completed to outline the composition of the senior leadership team which, the Textron spokesman said, “is a blend of senior managers from both Cessna and Beechcraft.” However, only three of the 14 vice presidents or senior vice presidents on the team are from Beechcraft. According to the March 17 memo, senior vice presidents include Russ Bartlett, defense; Ron Draper, integrated supply chain; Cindy Halsey, interior design engineering; Chris Hearne, jets; Joe Hepburn, piston aircraft; Bill Schultz, China business development; Kriya Shortt, sales and marketing; Christi Tannahill, turboprop aircraft; Michael Thacker, engineering; Brad Thress, customer service; and Jim Waters, human resources and communications. Rounding out the team are Eric Salander, senior vice president and CFO; Blake Meyan, general counsel vice president; and Dave Rosenberg, vice president of integration and strategy. “In the coming days, information about the structure of each team will be communicated by these leaders,” Ernest told employees. Further details about these team structures were still pending at press time. o


Experts identify hurdles bizav is facing in China “Yuan Fang, what do you think?” goes the catchphrase from China’s TV equivalent to detective Sherlock Holmes. The amazing sleuth Di Renjie depends on his assistant Yuan Fang for sound counsel, as he never knows the answer himself. It’s not a bad way to approach what is happening the business aviation market in the Greater China region today. The sector remains temptingly elusive for the big manufacturers, and has yet to deliver the huge prizes promised a few short years ago. There are major hurdles to overcome. The government has strict control of fuel sales, and infrastructure is underdeveloped with a lack of executive aviation airports. Parking is a problem, too, as is obtaining visas swiftly. This is causing consternation among the big local players. Speaking on behalf of the Asian Business Aviation Association HK Operators’ Committee, Asia Jet’s CEO Mike

Walsh said, “We are all quite jealous in Hong Kong that the Singapore CAA has rightly recognized the economic importance of having your own strong business aviation community that provides highly skilled jobs to Singaporeans. This should be a wake-up call to the complacent HK authorities, which didn’t even think of us in the first public submission for the development of its proposed third runway at Chap Lap Kok Airport. We commend the Singapore Transport Ministry for its vision.” In China there has been some positive government input, in the form of new regional offices that deal with importation approvals. This means reduced processing times to around four months. There is also an increase in the number of air operator certificates, which has risen to 186. Those are mostly CCAR91 (private), with just a few CCAR135 (commercial). The bad news is the

Nextant expects demand for upgraded business jets by Matt Thurber

MARK WAGNER

Nextant Aerospace (Booth P713) has expanded its marketing reach with the appointment of newly formed Nextant Pacific as its dealer in the Asia Pacific region. Nextant Pacific is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and was founded in February by managing director John Oppenheim, who previously was sales manager for Hawker Pacific. The new company is responsible

for sales, marketing and customer support for Nextant Aerospace’s remanufactured Nextant 400XTi (Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP) and G90XT (King Air). The first 400XTi sold into the Asia Pacific region is fitted with an aeromedical interior and is based in Singapore, but registered in Australia. “The 400XTi is a great aeromed aircraft,” said Oppenheim. “We’re

DAVID McINTOSH

by Liz Moscrop

The growth of bizav in China has been slow, but, according to some industry experts, it is now increasing at a commendable rate.

rumor of a potential new 25-percent “luxury tax” that could be imposed on new aircraft. More gloom comes from the fact government charters have reduced drastically, which has impacted operators, some of whom have been forced to place aircraft outside China on short-term leases. Walsh added, “The continuing crackdown on spending on luxury travel has resulted in a shortterm oversupply of the Mainland charter fleet.” This situation may well continue. It is worth noting China’s 2013 economic results released this January. Gross domestic product grew 7.7 percent to RMB56.9 trillion–about $9.3 trillion. This is normally a

precursor to growth in the private aviation sector. However, offset this with the extent of the country’s debt accumulation. According to Derek Scissors of The Diplomat magazine, a recent official figure for local government debt was RM17.9 trillion ($2.96 trillion) in June 2013. This could lead to stagnation, which could bring the economy staggering to a halt. Indeed the private aviation sector has slowed since 2012, with–at the time of writing–only 18 percent slated as final official growth figures for 2013, versus 40 percent in 2012. However, this is no cause for alarm, said Dominic Lee of HK law firm de Bedin and Lee, who countered, “While the

able to get an aircraft that provides [excellent] performance but with operating costs lower than a King Air. It competes against the Cessna CJ4 and Embraer Phenom 300 but at a fraction of the price.” The 400XTi is a remanufactured jet with new Williams International FJ44-3AP engines, Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics, winglets and an improved engine-mounting configuration with redesigned nacelles and pylons, according to Nextant Aerospace. The upgrade takes more than 6,000 man-hours to complete and includes zero-time life-limited components, all scheduled

inspections, more than 60 engineering orders that are designed to improve reliability and lower costs, and installation of a new primary wiring harness. The upgrade boosts performance and delivers a range of 2,003 nm (four passengers with 100nm NBAA IFR reserves) and a high-speed cruise of 460 knots. Oppenheim also sees a strong market in the Asia Pacific for Nextant Aerospace’s King Air G90XT remanufacturing program. “In Australia and New Zealand the King Air mod is a very appropriate aircraft,” he said. “The King Air has always been a popular aircraft [in the region].” The G90XT upgrade includes new GE H80 engines and Garmin G1000 avionics. “It has a quickchange interior and single-lever power controls,” he said. “This is going to be a terrific product.” Nextant will make a variety of configurations available, including aeromedical, freight, surveillance and flight training. While Jet Aviation Singapore will provide maintenance services for Nextant operators in the region, Nextant Pacific plans to launch its own network of service centers as sales of the 400XTi and G90XT grow. “The pipeline of prospects is quite good,” Oppenheim said. o

The Asia Pacific region offers a ready market for Nextant Aerospace’s 400XTi and G90XT remanufactured business aircraft, according to Nextant Pacific’s managing director John Oppenheim.

China market may slow, it is still growing at a commendable rate. China and Asia orders are essential to supporting the industry.” That said, as local buyers get savvier, they are taking longer to choose an aircraft. Jeff Lowe, general manager of the Asian Sky Group (ASG) consultancy, said, “China has been a little overhyped, but is settling now.” Lowe’s firm creates reports on the state of the market. Although Chinese airspace restrictions are challenging, Lowe reckons that the relaxation of rules governing lower altitude airspace in some provinces means that helicopter orders have flourished. ASG is due to release new reports this month, which indicate helicopter sales have increased enormously. De Bedin’s Lee pointed to another initiative. He added, “There will be interest this year in the Shanghai free trade zone but it is too early to see how effective the FTZ will be, as it is something of a work in progress. What will be essential for the industry’s future growth is credible and effective safety management.” Hong Kong’s Metrojet would agree. Bjorn Naf, CEO, reckons that the MRO market is maturing. His company has opened up new bases in Zhuhai, and in the Philippines. He said, “The market may have slowed down, but we are still extremely busy.” And although deliveries are low, the number of flying movements is up, which Carey Matthews, general manager of the Shanghai Hawker Pacific business aviation service center, said he believes is a better barometer. He explained, “We have seen our flight activity increase by double-digit percentages in 2013. I feel the strength of the industry should be focused on how much people are flying. By that measure, the business aviation industry is doing well.” What is evident is that the China private aviation sector remains a challenge, and we have mixed reports on its health from those in the know. Yuan Fang, what do you think? o

www.ainonline.com • April 15, 2014 • ABACE Convention News  9


您的本土良伴, 全球挚友

Your local partner with global reach

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING INSERT PREPARED FOR UAS BY AIN PUBLICATIONS • ABACE 2014

AIN刊物为UAS特别预留的广告位 • ABACE 2014


总部位于迪拜的United Aviation Services (UAS) 是专家级的国际旅行支持服务商,提供24/7全球飞行支 持。自去年起,UAS推出了一项雄伟的投资计划,以实 现向运营商提供全面旅行支持的战略目标,该公司的座 右铭是“您的本土良伴,全球挚友”。 UAS能够满足各种私人及公务航空的需求,它的服务 范围覆盖出行前计划、预算、途中事宜,再到着陆后 的各种服务。UAS拥有1400多家客户,其中大部分运营 公务机和私人飞机,此外,公司还为商用飞机公司提 供服务,比如四川航空(因为它在一些目的地尚未设 立服务站)。 上个月UAS在南非约翰内斯堡建立了一个新的地区

总部。Wynand Meyer被任命为UAS非洲业务发展总经理, 此前他为波音公司的旅行计划子公司Jeppesen服务,负 责管理这家美国公司在非洲、中东和印度的地勤网络。 UAS在几个重点国家都设立了办事处,而且它还拥有 一个覆盖全球的固定基地运营商(FBO)及燃油提供商合 作伙伴网络,所以说UAS是一家名符其实的全球化公司, 在非洲和中国拥有市场主层地位,UAS创建人之一也即行 政总裁Mohammed Husary说。UAS的非洲旅行业务大部分 来自美国和欧洲,但也有不少业务来自中国。 虽然约翰内斯堡距离中国上海虹桥国际机场有6340海 里远,UAS还是认为非洲业务的拓展可以与中国的公务航 空产生部分联系。因为迪拜距虹桥机场仅3464英里,

UAS新生代员工培训 UAS经理层深知与客户打交道的工作人员是至关重要 的,拥有好的员工才能确保客户获取期待中的VIP体验。 “非洲当地员工对我们的成功至关重要,” UAS创建人之 一也即行政总裁Mohammed Husary说。所以公司推出了一个 针对非洲员工的培训与发展项目。 2014年2-3月份UAS从南非约翰内斯堡、尼日利亚拉各 斯、肯尼亚内罗毕选送了20名员工到迪拜总部接受培训。它 还从国际航空运输协会(IATA)请了一名指导教师,为这些 员工上了一周培训课,课时共计40小时,课程主题为“航空 地勤服务管理”。这次培训的内容包括如何根据IATA手册提 供地勤服务,如何增加服务站的运营效率,如何在UAS地勤

经理与公司航线和其它客户之间建立可持续性联系。 UAS期望“针对培训的投资能够产生涟漪效应,从而提 升非洲的服务和安全水准。”待约翰内斯堡非洲地区总部 和非洲各地的机场主管聘请更多雇员之后,UAS将再度启动 此类培训。 UAS还在教育领域努力促进非洲民用航空的发展。公 司推出了一个教育补助与实习项目,两名来自埃塞俄比 亚航空学院的学生得到项目资助,正在接受阿联酋航空 大学的教育,之后他们将在UAS办事处完成为期两周的实 习。学成之后,他们将返回埃塞俄比亚,为国家航空基 础设施的发展做出贡献。

AIN刊物为UAS特别预留的广告位 • ABACE 2014


United Aviation Services (UAS), an international trip support specialist based in Dubai, provides 24/7 support to flight operations around the world. Since last year, the company has launched an ambitious investment program to back up its strategic goal of providing comprehensive trip support to operators under the motto, “Your local partner with global reach.” The capabilities of UAS span all the trip requirements for private and business aviation, from pre-trip planning and estimation, through en route clearances, to a wide range of after-landing services. The majority of UAS’s more than 1,400 clients operate business and private aircraft, but the company also serves commercial carriers, such as Sichuan Airlines (at destinations where it does not have its own station). Just last month UAS opened a new regional headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. Wynand Meyer, the recently appointed UAS director of business development for Africa,

previously worked for Jeppesen, Boeing’s trip planning subsidiary, where he oversaw the U.S. company’s ground handling network for Africa, the Middle East and India. With offices in several key nations and a worldwide network of partner FBOs and fuel suppliers, UAS is a truly global company, and it is the dominant provider in Africa and China, according to Mohammed Husary, Co-Founder & Executive President. Much of the traffic that the company handles into and out of Africa comes from the U.S. and Europe, but there is also a good deal of business from China. While Johannesburg lies 6,340 nautical miles from Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport, UAS sees its expanded operations in Africa as particularly relevant to Chinese business aviation. Dubai is only 3,464 miles from Hongqiao, so it is positioned well as a gateway to the African content for Chinese business travelers. “We already have a big presence in China,” Husary said.

Training the Next Generation of UAS Employees To deliver the VIP experience that clients expect from UAS, the company’s executives know that the people who work with their clients are critical. In Africa, “African employees are crucial to our success,” said Mohammed Husary, UAS Co-founder and Executive President. So the company initiated a training and development program for its African staff. In February and March this year UAS flew 20 staff members from its offices in Johannesburg, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya, to its headquarters in Dubai. It also brought in an instructor from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to conduct a weeklong, 40-hour course on “Station Ground Handling Management.” The course covered how to provide ground handling in accordance with the IATA manual, increase the efficiency of the stations as service providers and build a sustainable relation-

ship between UAS ground-handling managers and the company’s airline and other customers. UAS anticipates that this “investment in training will generate ripple effects that should help increase service and safety standards across Africa.” The company also plans to repeat this training when it hires more staff for its new Africa Regional Office in Johannesburg and airport supervisors across Africa. Another area where UAS is helping to advance civil aviation in Africa is through education. The company has implemented a grant and internship program in which two students from the Ethiopian Aviation Academy are receiving education in the Emirates aviation college before undertaking an intensive two-week work period within the UAS office. They will then return to Ethiopia equipped to assist with the development of the aviation infrastructure in the country. n

UAS今年初从南非、尼日利亚和 肯尼亚选送20名员工到迪拜接 受培训,培训内容为飞机地勤 服务,课程由IATA的一名指导 教师讲授。 UAS flew 20 staff members from South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya to Dubai earlier this year for training in aircraft ground handling by an IATA instructor.

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING INSERT PREPARED FOR UAS BY AIN PUBLICATIONS • ABACE 2014


它可以成为中国公务旅行者前往非洲的一个中转站。 “我们已经中国占有相当大的市场份额,”Husary 说,“每天我们服务的出入中国的飞机数量达到25-50 架。在中国建立一个地区总部是我们的增长计划的一部 分,这个地区总部将类似于休斯顿和约翰内斯堡的地区 总部。现在我们正在研究实现这个方案的最佳途径。” 在中国建立地区总部的计划加上非洲的网络拓展, 将使UAS有能力为中非之间的旅行提供更好的飞行支 持。“通过填补中非之间的服务空白,我们希望能在这 两个快速增长的经济体蒸蒸日上的公务飞行市场上创造 新的商机。” 非洲第一 “自从公司创立之始,我们就一直聚焦于非洲市 场,” Husary说。“非洲是我们最大的市场。”2013 年UAS服务的出入非洲的飞机数量约为7000架,它预计 2014年的业务增长将达到30%,2015年的业务增长将达 到50%。USA计划相应增加雇员及服务设施。 “非洲商业活动量日增,但商务航空公司仍然紧缺, 这种情况将促进(非洲)公务航空的增长,”他说。 “主要城市之间的距离和薄弱的地面交通基础设施也会 促进公务航空的增长。公务航空的长期前景一片光明, 我们希望未来20年里非洲地区公务航空行业的增长将达 到新的顶峰。” 非洲有54个不同的国家,它们的政府机构及政治稳 定性也各不相同,所以在非洲大陆上拓展业务需要面临 一个主要挑战是能否及时获取着陆许可和飞越领空的许 可。UAS在这个领域极具优势。“在获取非洲国家许可 方面,我们是专家,”Husary说。“因为我们可以与政

UAS 3月份在南非约翰内斯堡创建了非洲总部。图中是Wynand Meyer(右起 第三人)和核心员工,Wynand Meyer是UAS新任命的非洲业务发展总经理。 UAS opened its new African headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, in March. Wynand Meyer (third from the right), shown here with his key employees, is the company’s newly appointed Director of Business Development Africa.

UAS持有者及UAS历史 Mohammed Husary 和 Omar Hosari兄弟对航空事业的兴趣继 承自他们的父亲Hicham Husary。Hicham Husary是20世纪50年代 到60年代中东地区航空事业发展的先驱,二战之后曾在美国接受 飞行训练,后来他为中东地区民用航空基础设施的建设做出了重 大贡献,特别是在空中交通管制和机场管理方面。他还开办了一 个由政府资助的航空学校。Husary把他对航空事业的热情传给了 两个儿子:Mohammed和Omar。两兄弟从小就立志要成为企业家, 拥有自己的航空事业。 Mohammed和Omar高中一毕业,就加入了区域飞行支持公 司Hadid工作,他们在这家公司遇到了公务航空的长期倡导者 Mamoun Milli。2000年左右,两兄弟决心离开Hadid创建自己 的事业,这时Milli已经拥有了约15年的Hadid机场运营创建 及管理经验。考虑到双方经验可以互补,Husary兄弟与Mille 促膝长谈,得知Mille也对创建新公司很感兴趣。Mille又把 自已的朋友Mohsen Felo介绍给了兄弟俩。Mohsen Felo是一 位企业家,他答应为新公司提供初期资助。于是四人协手创 建了UAS。 “我们在2000年5月投入运营,” Mohammed Husary说。“六 个月后,(英国)交通管理协会就称赞我们是航空业增长最快的 公司。”近期《商务航空》杂志把UAS列入了“2013年值得关注 的5家公司”。 仅仅两年不到,UAS就获得了惊人的发展,于是持股相同的 四位创始人决心把公司总部设在迪拜。公司起步之初仅有25名 员工,到2005年员工数量增至75人,到2012年增至130人,现 在它已拥有400名正式员工,而且在全球范围拥有1200名推销 商。2000年公司业务聚焦于中东和北非地区,2005年拓展到了 欧洲,之后又拓展到了全球范围。2013年10月UAS在美国德克 萨斯州休斯顿建立了美洲地区总部,此外还新增了15名地区业 务拓展经理,欧洲、亚洲、美洲各5名。UAS的每个地区总部, 无论是位于迪拜、休斯顿、还是约翰内斯堡,都有内部运营中 心,这些运营中心提供24/7服务,员工来自50多个国家。 “我和Omar的性格正好互补,” Mohammed Husary说。“我 喜欢拓展业务,实现快速增长,而Omar则喜欢慢下脚步,使工作 更细致更完善。所以我们彼此互补,这对我们的事业很有好处。 我们的父母给了我们良好的教育,他们教会我们如何看待彼此的 不同之处,彼此尊重,并拥有团队精神。虽然我们负责公司的所 有决策,在公司重大决策方面,我们也会定期与Milli和Felo进 行协商。” Mohammed的工作聚焦于全球战略、业务增长与市场销售,而 Omar则负责内部运作和流程、质量控制、会计与财务。“我们是 这样分工的,但是分工实际上并不那么严格。”

UAS创建人之一也即行政总裁 Mohammed Al Husary

Mohammed Al Husary, UAS Co-founder & Executive President

AIN刊物为UAS特别预留的广告位 • ABACE 2014


“Every day we handle 25 to 50 aircraft into and out of the country. Part of our growth plan is to have a regional headquarters in China, similar to those we have in Houston and now Johannesburg. We are currently studying the best way to do this.” UAS’s plan to launch a headquarters in China, coupled with its extensive network in Africa, will position the company to better support flights between the two regions. “We hope that by bridging the service gap between China and Africa, we will create opportunities for business aviation to prosper in both these fasttrack economies,” said Husary. Number One in Africa “Since day one we have been focusing on Africa,” Husary explained. “Africa is our biggest market share.” The company serviced approximately 7,000 flights in and out of Africa in 2013 and expects to see an increase of 30 percent in 2014 and 50 percent in 2015. It plans to increase its staff and facilities accordingly. “Growth in business aviation [in Africa] will be fueled by the lack of commercial airline connections to support the amount of business activity on the continent,” he said. “Distances between major cities and poor ground transportation infrastructure will also fuel growth. The long-term prospects for business aviation are solid and we expect the industry to reach new heights in Africa in the next 20 years.” With 54 very different nations and varying levels of bureaucracy and political stability, one of the major challenges in the continent is the timely acquisition of landing permits and overflight clearances. This is one area where UAS shines. “When it comes to getting certain permits we are the experts in Africa,” Husary said. “Due to our direct contact with agents and aviation authorities, as well as our extensive knowledge of rules and regulations of African countries, our competitors outsource their permits to UAS.” The new African headquarters, with an initial staff of 17 people, is part of a major investment that UAS is making in Africa where it intends to open more new offices and increase local representation. It opened a new regional office in Lagos, Nigeria, during the Nigerian Business Aviation Conference in March and another regional office

The Owners and the History of United Aviation Services Brothers Mohammed Husary and Omar Hosari caught their aviation bug from their father. A pioneer of aviation in the Middle East in the 1950s and 1960s, Hicham Husary, who had trained in the U.S. following World War II, helped to establish a civil aviation infrastructure, including air traffic control and airport management, in the region. He also ran a government-funded aviation school. The elder Husary passed on his enthusiasm for aviation to his sons Mohammed and Omar, who from the start were more interested in becoming entrepreneurs and having their own aviation business. Mohammed and Omar landed their first jobs in aviation right out of high school with Hadid, a regional flight-support company, where they met Mamoun Milli, a long-time advocate of business aviation. Around 2000, when the brothers decided it was time to break out on their own to establish their own business, Milli had by then acquired some 15 years of aviation experience building and managing Hadid’s airport operations. Given their combined experience, the Husary brothers spoke with Milli, who was also interested in forming a new business. He introduced the brothers to his friend Mohsen Felo, a businessman and entrepreneur. Felo agreed to finance the company in its early stage. The four joined forces and co-founded United Aviation Services. “We started operations in May 2000,” said Mohammed Husary. “Six months later, the [UK’s] Institute of Transport Management recognized us as the ‘Fastest Growing Company in the Aviation Industry.’” More recently, Aviation Business magazine named UAS as one of “Five Companies to Watch in 2013.” Within two years, the company was doing so well that the four equal co-owners decided to establish the company’s headquarters in Dubai. After starting with 25 employees, the company grew to 75 in 2005, 130 in 2012 and now has more than 400 regular staff and 1,200 agents around the world. After being focused on the Middle East and North Africa region in 2000, the company expanded into Europe in 2005 and then continued globally. It opened its headquarters for the Americas in Houston, Texas, in October 2013 and added 15 regional business development managers, five each in each Europe, Asia and the Americas. Each of UAS’s headquarters– the first in Dubai, then Houston and now Johannesburg–has an in-house operations center. They operate 24/7 and their combined staffs represent some 50 countries. “Omar and I have different personalities that complete one another,” Mohammed Husary explained. “I’m into development and fast growth, while Omar likes to slow down and run things better. So we complement each other, which really helps the business. We were raised by good parents who taught us how to manage our differences, respect each other and how to cooperate with a team spirit. Although we are responsible for all the decisions of the company, we regularly consult and involve Milli and Felo in high-level decision making.” Mohammed focuses on global strategies, growth and marketing while Omar takes care of internal operations and processes, quality control, accounting and finance. “We divide the work in a way, but we are not entirely independent.” n

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING INSERT PREPARED FOR UAS BY AIN PUBLICATIONS • ABACE 2014


府人员和航空主管部门直接接触,而且我们娴熟掌握了 非洲各国的法律法规,所以就连我们的竞争对手也把获 取非洲国家许可的任务外包给了我们。” UAS新建的非洲总部有17名员工,它是UAS非洲投资计 划的主要部分,UAS计划在非洲开办更多办事处,以强 化它在非洲大陆的存在感。3月份尼日利亚公务航空大 会召开期间,UAS在尼日利亚首都拉各斯开办了一家新 的地区办事处,4月份在肯尼亚首都内罗毕开办了另一 家地区办事处。拉各斯办事处有四名员工,其中包括一 个地区经理、两个运营专家、一个业务发展经理。内罗 毕办事处有一个地区经理和两个运营专家。 Husary说UAS在非洲的成功秘诀在于它把自己的推销 机构放在了“现场”,而非像其它旅行服务公司一样, 通过第三方推销机构发展业务。“我们的服务是由自己

支持非洲未来发展 作为2012年成立的非洲公务航空协会(AfBAA)的一名创 始成员,UAS致力于推动非洲大陆上公务航空的发展。创始成 员们贡献集体力量,合力推进公务航空行业的发展,他们深 信彼此共享有价值信息,才能在未来收获更大的市场。AfBAA 创始成员都是最优秀的的运营商和供应商,大家有志为协会 共创一个美好的明天。为了感谢创始成员对协会的贡献,协 会给予所有创始成员终身认可,还把他们列为所有 AfBAA董 事会议的观察员。 “我们欢迎UAS所展现的积极性,”AfBAA执行董事Rady Fahmy在UAS非洲总部创立时说。“作为一家协会,我们一直鼓 励国际航空公司考虑非洲的巨大潜力,我们很高兴能与他们密 切合作,支持他们的投资和增长。” “协会工作很重要的一部分内容就是对积极发展非洲可持 续性公务航空活动的行为提供支持,” Fahmy说。“我们要表 彰UAS做出的努力,他们物色并培养当地人才,投资于人才培 训项目,并第一手处理非洲运营商面临的一些挑战。想把非洲 航空提升至国际水准,这些努力是至关重要的。”AfBAA目前 拥有大约50名成员。 在约翰内斯堡非洲地区总部开业时,UAS在3月13日与AfBAA 联手组织了一个正式晚宴。晚宴的目的是树立合作典型,突出 呈现航空业成功案例如何发源于利益相关者之间的有效合作, 其中包括航空公司、政府、专业人员协会和支持产业。 “UAS非洲总部创建晚宴是一个推动相关讨论的良好机 会,”UAS非洲事务发展总经理Wynand Meyer说。“有了这样 的平台,我们才能一起面对所有挑战,推动行业发展,共同见 证行业的巨大潜力。”

UAS通过地区办事处、分支机构、 及当地推销商支持非洲公务航空 事业的发展。

的员工提供的,而非分包商。客户在非洲可以享受到跟 其它地区一样温馨的服务。” “去年我们有六家推销机构,”他说。“今年我们有 大约20家,预计到明年年底,我们将在非洲54个国家各 建一家办事处。这是一个庞大的投资计划,但我们自创 立之初,就一直拥有正向现金流。” 为什么在非洲拥有当地员工很重要 非洲业务运营的关键性挑战在于通讯、设备质量、机 场可用性和设备维护。 “有了当地员工,我们就可以在现场与供应商直接接 触,这样我们就能对任何可预见的事宜做出诊断,并提 前做出补救,”Meyer说。“我们可以源源不断地获取 信息,实时掌握行程延期、设备及燃料短缺、登机口变 更、以及旅行计划的任何重大或微小的偏差。任何计划 都会遇到些小问题。关键是要在这些问题影响到客户之 前及时诊断并解决它们。本土支持大大地降低了我们解 决问题花费的时间。” UAS的非洲当地员工负责数种工作,其中包括定期检 查推销商的设备质量和可用性;审核供应商的产品质量 是否符合国际标准与法规;与当地机场签约,以实时掌 握运营信息,因为不是所有时候都能在网上实现信息掌 控;与航空主管部门接触,以掌握法律法规的任何变 更。“信息变更很少通过网络传达,所以可能会耽误许 可证与签证的办理时间,”Meyer说。 此外,UAS还做了设备与技术方面的投资,以保障 员工的移动能力。“我们建立了一个移动运营中心, 该中心的便携技术能够使员工更好地处理电气和电信 方面的故障,”Meyer说。“这就保证了我们的客户 能够随时收到关键性的信息,比如飞行计划和许可证 确认等。”

UAS supports business aviation’s future in Africa via its regional and branch offices and local agents.

AIN刊物为UAS特别预留的广告位 • ABACE 2014


Supporting Africa’s Future As a “launch member” of the African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA), which started in 2012, UAS is committed to the advancement of business aviation on the continent. Launch members support a collective approach to growing the industry, believing that the sharing of valuable content leads to a greater market in the future. AfBAA launch members are select operators and suppliers, who would like to shape the future of the association. For their dedication to the objectives of association, launch members are accorded lifetime recognition as well as observer status at all AfBAA board meetings. “We welcome the initiatives shown by UAS,” said Rady Fahmy, executive director of AfBAA, on the occasion of the launch of UAS’s new African headquarters. “As an association we are always encouraging international aviation companies to consider the potential for Africa and we are pleased to work closely with them to support their investment and growth. “A very important part of the association’s mandate is to support initiatives that contribute to the increase of sustainable business aviation activity in Africa,” Fahmy continued. “We want to recognize UAS for scouting and developing local talent, investing in training programs and tackling first hand some of the challenges that operators face in Africa. These efforts are critical for raising the standards of African aviation to global levels.” AfBAA currently has some 50 members. As part of the launch of its new African headquarters in Johannesburg, UAS organized a formal dinner on March 13 in association with the AfBAA. The goal was to establish a cooperative precedent that highlights how aviation success stems from effective collaboration among stakeholders, including airlines, governments, professional associations and the support industry. “The UAS Africa Launch Gala Dinner was a great opportunity to drive the required conversations,” said Wynand Meyer, UAS director of business development Africa. “With platforms such as these, together we can tackle all challenges, keep things moving forward and realize the potential of our great industry.” n

in Nairobi in April. The Lagos office is opening with four employees, including a regional manager, two operations specialists and a business development manager, while in Nairobi there are a regional manager and a pair of operations specialists. The key to UAS’s success in Africa was the company’s decision to put its own agents “on the ground” instead of using third-party handlers, as the other service companies were doing, Husary explained. “Our services are performed by UAS people and not subcontractors. Customers expect a similar service in Africa as they do elsewhere.” “Last year we had about six agents,” he said. “This year we have about 20 and by the end of next year we expect to have an office in each of Africa’s 54 countries. It’s a big investment, but we have had a positive cash flow from day one.” Why Local Staff Is Important in Africa Key challenges facing operations in Africa include telecommunications, equipment quality and availability at airports and equipment maintenance. “By having local staff you have direct on-site contact to suppliers, so we are able diagnose any foreseeable issues and remedy them in advance,” said Meyer. “We are constantly informed in real-time of delays, equipment and fuel shortages, gate changes and any minor or major deviation from the trip plan. There will always be a glitch in the plan. The key is to identify and resolve it before it impacts the client. Having local support drastically reduces problem-resolution turnaround time.” UAS local staff in Africa have several jobs. These include regularly inspecting agents for equipment quality and availability; conducting audits of UAS vendors to ensure compliance to international standards and regulations; making contact with local airports to stay current with operational information, which is not always available online; and contacting aviation authorities for any changes in requirements. “Updates are rarely communicated online and cause delays in processing times of permits and visas,” Meyer said. In addition, UAS invests in equipment and technologies that allow the staff to be mobile. “We have created a mobile operations center with portable technology that allows our staff to better cope with electrical and telecom failure,” Meyer explained. “This ensures that our clients can receive mission critical information, such as flight plans or permit confirmations, every time.” o

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING INSERT PREPARED FOR UAS BY AIN PUBLICATIONS • ABACE 2014


SOUTH SUDAN

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

SEYCHELLES

UAS Regional Headquarters

MAL

UAS Regional Office UAS Branch Office Agent

We have Africa covered Many aviation companies consider locations across Africa as “challenging to serve”. At UAS, we see such missions as part of a typical day.

In the last 14 years, UAS has serviced over 800 000 flights worldwide; our hands-on experience makes us subject matter experts. This means that no matter where you fly in the world, including the most remote stations across the globe, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that UAS has given its seal of approval on your mission, every step of the way. Across Africa and around the world, we have you covered.

Our vast range of services for VVIP, private, charter and commercial operators include: • • • • • • • • • •

Global flight planning and weather services Quality ground handling services Short-notice overflight and landing permits Global fuel supply Crew and VIP airport and ground assistance Luxury hotel accommodation and transportation arrangement Exclusive airport meet-and-assist services Gourmet catering services Charter services Concierge services

UAS Africa Headquarters

Postnet Suite #112, Pvt Bag X21 Johannesburg , 2021, South Africa Tel: Fax: Arinc: Email:

+ 27 11 514 0755 + 27 11 514 0545 JNBWZ7X jnb@uas.aero

| www.uas.aero

Your Local Partner with global reach


ExecuJet Indonesia is preparing to move into a new FBO it is establishing adjacent to the general aviation terminal in Bali. The base, seen at left with roofs reminiscent of 20th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial style, will increase the FBO’s current space tenfold and is to include three separate lounges.

ExecuJet readies new FBO in Bali and preps to open Beijing MRO by Ian Sheppard ExecuJet Aviation, which has made steady progress in the Asia Pacific region over the past few years, is set to open a new maintenance repair and overhaul center just outside Beijing this month through its local joint venture ExecuJet Haite Aviation Services. The Swiss-based group, which has offices in Beijing and in Kuala Lumpur, also is currently in the final stages of establishing a new FBO in Bali. Graeme Duckworth, managing director of ExecuJet Asia (Booth P510), told AIN said the company also has “a big focus on Singapore,” and picked up two aircraft for management at the Singapore Airshow in February. These will be handled from its offices at Kuala Lumpur’s Subang Airport, which also has Bombardier and Gulfstream service center capabilities. It is also concentrating on Indonesia, especially Bali. “We are moving into a new

facility [there] in a couple of months,” he said. ExecuJet’s joint venture in Indonesia with P.T. Dimitri Utama Abadi–P.T. ExecuJet Indonesia–is gearing up to move into its new facility located adjacent to the general aviation terminal at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. This will give the FBO about 10 times as much space as it occupies in the existing building, with a surface area of 34,000 sq ft (3,159 sq m) and three separate lounges. The Bali airport company is to build a pair of 27,000sq-ft (2,508 sq m) hangars adjacent to the business aviation enclave’s 690,000 sq ft (64,101 sq m) of apron. ExecuJet has relocated Gary Forster from its FBO in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to run the new operation. Duckworth explained that its Indonesian joint venture is running the new terminal on behalf of

the government-owned airport company. In terms of total number of aircraft under management, ExecuJet Asia currently has seven, “with a couple more coming. We’re starting to get a meaningful number now,” Duckworth said, suggesting that the first few are the hardest to get operational in a new region. Its aircraft management support services, for a worldwide fleet of around 150 jets, are coordinated from its base at Cambridge Airport in the UK. Activity Doubled

Meanwhile, ExecuJet Australasia is offering a new managed aircraft for charter from Wellington, New Zealand–the first Gulfstream G650 available in the region. The Sydney-based division’s managing director, Darren McGoldrick, told AIN that his team is increasingly cooperating with colleagues across the Asia Pacific region to generate more

ExecuJet is responding to the increase in MRO activity in Australasia, which has doubled recently, being driven by the increased demand for charter flying–much of which has come from wealthy Chinese travelers. In addition, with the used aircraft market growing in the region, ExecuJet foresees the opportunity to provide in-country service to operators who otherwise would leave the country for maintenance.

10  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

aircraft management and charter business. It has three managed aircraft based in Perth and three in Sydney. ExecuJet Australasia operates authorized service centers for Bombardier, Gulfstream and Beechcraft in Sydney and Melbourne. There is also an FBO in Sydney run for the group by Universal Aviation. The group has line maintenance facilities in Perth and Wellington, where is runs an FBO in partnership with Capital Jet Services. “Over the past four years we have probably doubled our level of activity just in the Australasia market,” said McGoldrick. “A lot of it is driven by rising charter demand and the main­ tenance work that goes with it.” A significant part of the increased

ndemand for private flights has come from wealthy Chinese travelers. In Malaysia, ExecuJet has received European EASA Part 145 certification for its maintenance facility at Kuala Lumpur’s Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. “There are quite a number of EASA-registered aircraft in the region,” Duckworth explained. The facility is a Bombardier authorized service center and also provides limited Gulfstream warranty service. “The [Asian] market is certainly growing and is one we can work in–bearing in mind we work in parts of Africa and other developing countries. We see a lot of new aircraft coming in, especially in Southeast Asia…

Continued on page 12 u


Space in a class of its own. This is the future of midsize jets. It's the first in its class with an unbelievable 6ft tall cabin and flat floor. With its advanced fly-by-wire technology, you're guaranteed a smoother flight to enjoy the space that makes this jet experience out of this world. See what makes this jet so remarkable at EmbraerExecutiveJets.com Latin America +55 11 3469 4121, U.S., Canada and Caribbean +1 888 868 9838, Europe and Africa +44 1252 379 270, Middle East +9714 4280682, China +86 10 6598 9988, Asia Pacific +65 6734 4321


ExecuJet expansion uContinued from page 10

China, of course, has different challenges and opportunities,” he said. “China primarily is a market for the long-range, bigger cabin aircraft, though it is very similar to Southeast Asia.” Duckworth said the scope for adding more FBOs in Asia

is “relatively limited” as the market is “very centralized” in the main places like Singapore. For example, he said, “a lot of Singapore-based aircraft are Indonesian-owned.” The main centers tend to be in Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, although the company is not considering the latter for a base, as it is “pretty full.”

One issue that became apparent at the last two ABACE shows was that new buyers from Asia and China are tending to buy aircraft as if they are buying a car, without giving enough thought to operational and maintenance aspects. Duckworth said of operators in China: “A lot continue to go it alone and absorb into their

companies, a lot of others outsource,” suggesting the message to buyers is perhaps getting through–that professional aircraft managers tend to be essential for all but companies with their own flight departments. From a sales viewpoint, Duckworth said you have to “get in early” as owners in the region tend to stick with the set-up they

start with. However, he added, there is an in-country opportunity for maintenance because “a lot of aircraft leave the country for maintenance.” With used aircraft starting to feature in the market, and with more start-ups and owners wanting to charter aircraft, ExecuJet sees potential there, too. “There has been a movement toward used aircraft, for example, where [people are] setting up their own AOCs to do charter.” Operationally, Duckworth said, “Things seems to be improving” with permits, although he admitted, “We have to use outside agencies sometimes.” Getting trained local personnel has been a challenge. “We try to use local people and have been very successful [in our bases around the world] in developing local people. But we have to start [in new places] with an expat[riate worker] base.” However, he added, “We have found some very good skills in China and Malaysia–although it’s always a challenge.” And what of ABACE and its value to ExecuJet? “It exposes our brand and capabilities–we expect Asian, not just Chinese, business out of the show,” said Duckworth. o

ExecuJet Ready for Dubai Runway Closure ExecuJet Middle East will be operating the company’s line maintenance activities out of Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport during Dubai International Airport’s runway closure (May 1-July 20). The company has established a line station at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport with all the necessary approvals. Nick Weber, maintenance director, ExecuJet Middle East, said: “The runway closure period at Dubai International Airport will unfortunately mean a disruption to airport traffic and blanket restrictions against all GA movements. As well as establishing a line station at Al Maktoum International Airport, we are in ongoing discussions with Dubai International Airport to obtain limited slots to carry out base maintenance activities on arriving and departing aircraft and have currently secured four slots. During the runway closure period, we will continue to provide a high level of service to our customers.” –I.S.

12  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com



DAVID McINTOSH

More than 130 Gulfstream aircraft are based in Greater China, including this G450 operated by charter provider AllPoints Jet.

Gulfstream to expand Beijing center’s capability by Charles Alcock Gulfstream Aerospace’s substantial investment in establishing China’s first factory-owned service center for business aircraft appears to be paying off as the U.S. airframer prepares to add support capability for its latest G650 and G280 models later this year. The facility, which opened at Beijing Capital International Airport in December 2012, supports more than 130 Gulfstream jets now based in Greater China (out of a total Asia Pacific fleet of around 234 aircraft) as well as growing numbers of visiting aircraft. The U.S. airframer delivered its first aircraft into Greater China in 2003 and over the past five years the number of Gulfstream aircraft based there has increased fourfold. The service center, which is a joint venture with Hainan Airlines Group subsidiaries Hainan Aviation Technik and Beijing Capital Airlines, now employs 42 people. That number is expected to reach 100 in the next few years, and to include a higher proportion of Chinese nationals. The process of getting a complex technical operation established in China was far from straightforward but, according to Gulfstream product support president Mark Burns, the company has succeeded by taking the time to carefully respond to the requirements of local regulators and by making a big investment in training personnel. “In fact, it has gone very smoothly from a technical point of view, and training and mentorship have played key roles,” Burns told AIN. “We have conducted surveys and have had very good comments from Western customers and positive feedback on our [Beijing] technicians. They haven’t seen any drop in service levels [compared with Gulfstream service centers in other parts of the world]. This is important because customers didn’t want this to be an inferior product. They expect consistency in the support we provide.” Gulfstream Beijing has been under the leadership of general manager Kay Ardalan since the project was in the development stage. The operation started with seven experienced Gulfstream technicians, including several with more than 20 years of experience. This team has recruited and trained Chinese nationals

14  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

and Burns said the company has been very impressed with the caliber of these local recruits. Initially, the facility was approved to work on the G450 and G550 models. In recent months, Gulfstream has seen growing numbers of long-range G650s visiting China and it will soon be applying for Chinese approval to support this type in Beijing. There is also a growing need to support the super-midsized G280, so the approval process for this aircraft will also begin later this year. “It’s not really harder to set up a service center in China, there are just a few more gates to walk through,” added Burns. “You really need a business partner in the country to make sure you don’t make any mistakes.” Spares Supplies

One challenge is the process for importing aircraft parts into China. “The importation laws for materials are very different [in China] compared with the West. It’s far more restrictive,” said Burns. Nonetheless, the Beijing service center benefits from having its own spares warehouse and more extensive stocks are available in Gulfstream’s main regional parts store in Hong Kong, which has just been doubled in size and now carries around 50 million parts. It also has a spares warehouse in Singapore. Over the next few years, the company will expand its spares inventory in Beijing. Typically, aircraft are generally at the Beijing service center for between 7 and 10 days and its staff usually work on three to four aircraft each day. As staffing increases, the company expects the team to be ready to work on six to eight aircraft each day. Gulfstream’s Hong Kong team is establishing a more comprehensive Asian support office with dedicated technical personnel available to help operators trouble-shoot issues, and maintenance planning and flight operations staff to support new customers. The company also is adding field-service representatives in China, including one stationed here in Shanghai. Meanwhile, the G450 and G550 simulators installed at Flight Safety International’s Hong Kong training center are getting busier as pilot numbers for these types increase in this part of the world. o


rolls-royce.com

CorporateCare®a global liquid asset

Aircraft enrolled on CorporateCare have higher asset values and liquidity as well as access to a truly global service network. So while you are enjoying engine reliability, supported by the resources and engineering expertise of the OEM, you’ll know you are helping to maximize your asset’s value and liquidity for the future. For more on CorporateCare, contact Steve Friedrich, Vice President – Sales and Marketing, at +1 (703) 834-1700, or email corporate.care@rolls-royce.com.

Trusted to deliver excellence.


Asia Pacific market remains strong for Boeing Business Jets by Randall Padfield At ABACE last year, Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) marked the service entry of a BBJ owned by charter operator Nanshan Jet Co., which is based in Yanti, China. This year BBJ and Nanshan Jet are partnering on their presence at ABACE 2014 and the two are also cohosting a dinner for select customers, according to Chuck Colburn, BBJ director of marketing. Boeing derived the original BBJ from the 737-700, giving it the wing of the 737-800. Fuselage extensions added the BBJ2 and BBJ3 to the lineup of airplanes, all derived from the single-aisle 737 series of airliners. The VIP models derived from Boeing’s twin-aisle, wide-body jets are the BBJ 747, 767, 777 and 787. The company, Seattle-based Boeing Business Jets, was formed in 1996 and delivery of the first BBJs (sometimes the

called BBJ 1) took place in 1999. Some 18 BBJs of various models are now based in Greater China, Colburn told AIN. The Asia Pacific region remains strong for BBJ, he said, adding that six of the total of seven BBJs that Boeing delivered last year worldwide found homes in the Asia Pacific, and five of these six are in China.

Last year at ABACE 2013 Steve Taylor, BBJ president, presented a model of Nanshan Jet’s BBJ to Yu Bin, chairman of Nanshan Aviation Development Co.

somewhat (a suggestion found elsewhere in AIN’s pre-ABACE strongest country in the region. research). However, Colburn did “Asia-Pacific is home to 17 permention that one of the three cent of all BBJ variants and 20 preowned BBJs delivered in percent of the customers for China last year had been in stor- these airplanes,” he said. age, so it was essentially new. The Middle East is another China-based charter opera- strong region for the BBJ. Coltors have seen some decrease in burn said Royal Jet of Abu Dhabi business, he said, since the Chi- has floated a request for proposnese government banned travel als (RFP) for seven new aircraft by government employees on to replace its current fleet of six Preowned Market private aircraft (as part of the BBJs. The RFP stipulates the Interestingly, Chinese cus- fall-out from the crack-down on delivery of one new aircraft every tomers are now apparently con- corruption which has seen a lot year starting in 2015, he said, sidering preowned BBJs, as well of other expenditures curtailed). adding that announcement of as new aircraft, as three of the “Some charter operators with Royal Jet’s selections is expected six BBJs entering service in the BBJs in their fleets, such as Deer in the middle of this year. country last year were preowned, Jet and Beijing Airlines, are now Considering another region, said Colburn. In previous years, looking for growth opportuni- Colburn said, “The Russian aircraft salesmen and others ties outside China, It including in themarket was starting to look like Please dohave not delete rule border. is part of ad design. frequently told AIN that many the U.S., Europe and the Middle it was improving,” but current Half page (horizontal) 10” x 6.5” political events in Crimea and high-net-worth individuals in East,” Colburn explained. China preferred buying new airHe confirmed that the Asia Ukraine have made the future craft and that many would not Pacific region remains the of this market unclear now. even consider used business jets. strongest market for both BBJs Meanwhile, Boeing delivPerhaps this attitude is shifting and airliners, with China the ered the second and third BBJ

787 in February, after the first was delivered in December. The company plans to deliver three more later this year, Colburn said, as well as the first BBJ 747-8. Overall, Colburn sees the prospects for BBJ sales improving. “The market has hit bottom and is in an uptick,” he claimed. “Sales year-to-year are improving. We’re getting more inquiries and I think many will turn into sales.” In 2013, BBJ had seven gross orders and one cancellation, for net sales of six aircraft, he said. The company is also developing the BBJ Max 8 and 9, based on the Boeing 737-800 and -900 Next Generation series to replace the BBJ 2 and BBJ 3. A BBJ Max upgrade of the BBJ 1, which would require an increase in max gross weight, is still being studied, said Colburn. o

Your own kind of elegance. Surround yourself with sumptuous luxury, refined sophistication, and a style that’s all your own. AeriA Luxury interiors specializes in ViP completions for Boeing and Airbus airframes, replete with exquisite craftsmanship, premium materials, and uncompromising quality. The AeriA team has renowned expertise, proven in successful completions on more than 50 aircraft. imagine what we’ll build for you. Visit us at www.aeriainteriors.com or call +1 210 293 6925. Come see AeriA at booth H229 during ABACe 2014, April 15 -17. 9800 John Saunders road, San Antonio, Texas 78216, U.S.A.

The Luxury of Experience. AeriA Luxury interiors is the completions division of ST Aerospace San Antonio, L.P., which is an affiliate of ST Aerospace.

16  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com


JetNet updates fleet analysis product by Ian Sheppard JetNet, the U.S. aircraft fleet analysis company, is here at ABACE (Booth P519) demonstrating the updated version of its Evolution Marketplace product. The update includes a new data export module and new folder management feature, as well as new user analytic functions (so users can gauge how often their aircraft are being viewed) and account administrator tools. While the Evolution software has an “intuitive and customizable” graphical user interface, allowing subscribers to view charts, tables and other selected information, the company also offers its JetNet iQ (Intelligence Quarterly) service. According to the company, 6,500 surveys had been completed as of March, including responses from 115 countries. This, said JetNet, makes it “the most comprehensive on-going study of business aircraft owners and operators ever conducted.” The 2014 JetNet iQ Summit will take place June 3 and 4 in New York, added the company.

on aircraft airframes, engines, avionics and cabin amenities, as well as aircraft owners and operators, lessors and lessees, fractional owners and a host of other entities. Also included

are transaction histories dating back more than 25 years, monthly market summary reports and several other tools for accessing the global fleet and aircraft market. o

Bizav Market ShareS Synergy with CayMan iSlandS regiStry Richard Smith, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI), is leading the delegation of this first-time ABACE exhibitor (Booth H523). He is accompanied by Steve Scott, CAACI flight operations manager, and Guy Healey, airworthiness manager. The Authority considers ABACE an opportunity to connect with aircraft owners, operators and key decision-makers in both the Chinese market and Asian region. The emerging business aviation market in China is synergistic with the affluent target market for the Cayman n Island’s Aircraft Registry, according to CAACI.

celebrating 100 years

State-of-the-Art Tools

“We’ve put tremendous information and state-of-the-art tools in the hands of professionals in the Asian aviation market,” said Vincent Esposito, JetNet president. “We’re adding to the information every day, and releasing new products to make their jobs easier and more profitable.” “There can be no discounting of the growing importance of Asia, particularly China, to business and commercial aviation,” added Esposito. “This is a time of unprecedented opportunity for the aviation professionals we serve. JetNet’s management team is keenly aware of this.” As of March 2014, JetNet’s database of in-operation fleet was more than 100,000 aircraft, which includes business jets, business turboprops, commercial airliners (both jets and turboprops), and helicopters (both turbine and piston). Paul Cardarelli, JetNet v-p of sales, said, “Our staff seeks out original information directly from sources who work with or own aircraft. We review and confirm all the data we gather for accuracy and completeness. Only then do we add it to the JetNet database, for instantaneous access by our clientele, a network of aviation professionals around the globe.” The JetNet database includes comprehensive details

Celebrating 100 Years in Aviation For a century, Honeywell and its legacy companies have been at the forefront of flight, bringing a countless number of inventions to the aerospace industry. Thousands of Honeywell products and services are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft in the world. We look forward to providing innovative aviation solutions over the next 100 years, and continuing to integrate technology that makes the possibilities of flight even safer, more efficient, comfortable, higher performing and productive.

To learn more about Honeywell’s 100 year celebration visit aerospace.honeywell.com © 2014 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

www.ainonline.com • April 15, 2014 • ABACE Convention News 17


news clips Amac Aerospace has secured its first aircraft completions contract from an Asian customer. The Swiss-based group, which also provides maintenance and refurbishment services from its headquarters in Basel, will be handling all aspects of the completion of an Airbus ACJ319 using designs developed by interior designer Alberto Pinto. The work is due to start this summer and will be delivered to the aircraft’s Chinese owner in the second quarter of 2015. This will be Amac’s third ACJ319 completion project. The aircraft will incorporate exclusive materials such as mother of pearl paint for the exterior, earth color leathers for furnishings, black lacquers for the top and side surfaces and champagne gold satins for the plating. Carbon fiber will be used for the seats, sofas, side ledges and tables. The ACJ319 will have 10 business class seats, a shower, two lavatories and an aft gallery. The cabin will be reconfigurable for use by passengers on night flights.

Nextant Aerospace sees strong market potential for the 400XTi, shown at the recent Singapore Airshow, and G90XT in China.

Nextant selects AVIC as its locals sales agent

z Safran and Avic Sign Deal for 120 Engines

by Matt Thurber

Safran Turbomeca and Avic Dong’an announced on March 26 an initial order for 120 WZ16/Ardiden 3C turboshaft engines that will power the Avic AC352 helicopter, the Chinese version of the Airbus Helicopters EC175. Certification of the engine by Chinese aviation authorities is expected at the end of 2015. Safran Turbomeca and Avic Dong’an launched the joint project to develop, produce and support the engine in 2008. Based on the success of this cross-border partnership, the two companies also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a new project for commercial jet engines. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, and François Hollande, President of France, attended the signing in Paris.

z PT6/PW100 Training Moved To Haikou

CHAD TRAUTVETTER

FlightSafety International technician training programs for Pratt & Whitney Canada engines have been moved from Beijing to Haikou, and will be provided at the new location by FlightSafetytrained instructors working for Lufthansa HNA Technical Training. FlightSafety is also providing all courseware and training engines for the program, which initially includes theory and practical training on the PT6A and PW100 series engines. A joint venture between Lufthansa Technical Training and Hainan Airlines’ independent MRO operation HNA Technik, Lufthansa HNA Technical Training opened in 2007 and provides basic, type and component training that meet CAAC requirements as well as standards set by worldwide regulatory agencies, including Australia’s CASA, Europe’s EASA, the U.S. FAA, and Transport Canada. “FlightSafety is pleased to enhance the training it provides for maintenance technicians who support aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada engines based in China and the surrounding region,” said Mike Lee, director maintenance training, business development. “Our cooperative agreement with Lufthansa HNA Technical Training, and the relocation of the program from Beijing to Haikou, will further increase the quality and effectiveness of the courses.”

A PT6A-66D turboprop engine as installed in the new Daher-Socata TBM 900.

Nextant Aerospace is announcing today at ABACE 2014 that it has selected AVIC International Aero-Development as its exclusive sales representative for the Greater China region (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau). This follows Nextant’s appointment of Nextant Pacific as its dealer in the Asia-Pacific region (not including Greater China). Nextant Aerospace of Cleveland, Ohio, specializes in the remanufacturing of business aircraft. Its first product is the Nextant 400XTi twin-engine jet, a Beechjet 400A/XP with new Williams International FJ443AP engines and Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics as well as other aerodynamic and reliability improvements. The company is currently developing the G90XT, a modified King Air 90 twin turboprop with new GE H80 engines and Garmin G1000 avionics. Nextant Aerospace expects to receive CAAC certification for the 400XTi this year. “We put in an application with the CAAC last year,” said Nextant president Sean McGeough, “and we’re working with a consultant to fast-track that.” While the Beechjet 400A/XT is certified in China, the 400XTi changes will likely be certified under a supplemental type certification program, he said, as they are in the U.S. and other countries. The upgrade boosts performance and delivers a range of 2,003 nm (four passengers with 100-nm NBAA IFR reserves) and a high-speed cruise of 460 knots. AVIC International AeroDevelopment (Booth P713) will own the first 400XTi in China and has signed for the first delivery position. While Chinese business jet buyers have tended to favor larger aircraft, McGeough, who has lengthy experience

18 ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

working in China, sees a ready market for the 400XTi. “AVIC International AeroDevelopment’s focus on aviation, its extensive customer network and its market and policy insights give Nextant direct lines of communication with all of our target markets: corporations, entrepreneurs and charter operators,” McGeough said. “In a climate of increased focus on efficiency and productivity, the Nextant value proposition is especially compelling. Coupled with relaxing regulatory constraints and expanding aviation infrastructure we see strong nearand mid-term potential for the region.” This includes special-mission variants of the 400XTi such as air ambulance, airport calibration,

MARK WAGNER

z Amac to Complete ACJ319 for Chinese Owner

surveillance, search and rescue, high density and cargo. McGeough sees a strong market for the G90XT in China as well. “GE has a great footprint in China and the King Air is well-respected in China,” he explained. “We’ve had tremendous interest in the last several months from flight schools and entrepreneurs in China.” “We are very pleased to partner with Nextant Aerospace for the Greater China region,” said Fu Yuming, vice president of AVIC International Aero-Development. “Senior business leaders in China are looking for cost-effective solutions for travel within China that isn’t reliant on commercial airline schedules. The 400XTi has the ability to fly direct anywhere in China and provide needed private space to conduct business during the flight. It is a high-quality product at a reasonable cost, and that kind of value will be in high demand in the coming years.” o

Newly established Avicus sees opportunity in region Newly formed Avicus Group (Booth P232) is here at ABACE 2014 to introduce its full slate of aviation services to the growing China market. Launched by Jane McBride, CEO, and Patricia Zinkowski, president, the company’s capabilities include worldwide charter brokering, creation of customized international travel programs, aircraft sales and leasing and aviation consulting. McBride and Zinkowski began doing business in mainland China in 2011, opening Private Jet Journeys, a charter brokerage, in Shanghai. Avicus is an extension of that company, which will continue specializing in high-end travel packages, and brings the additional services of sales and leasing, aviation consulting and online charter technology to the group.

The duo started working together in 1985 when they founded charter broker Flight Time in Boston, which specialized in large aircraft charters. In between running Flight Time and launching Private Jet Journeys, McBride and Zinkowski took time off from aviation to found nonprofit organization FriendsofThaiDaughters.org to help protect young Asian girls from human trafficking. With a representative office in Shanghai, Avicus Group is headquartered in the U.S. and has sales offices in London and Hong Kong. The company is designed to provide a range of aviation services to clients worldwide, but also to connect the traditional world of western aviation with the China market–what Avicus said will be “the future center of the global aviation industry.” –M.T.



A E R O S PA C E E V O


YOUR FLIGHT IS OUR MISSION™


Heads-up Technologies’ Lumin cabin management system in the Cessna Sovereign+ uses a combination of fiberoptic and wireless technologies. The control display (inset) is located at the end of the console facing the passenger seat. The CMS was designed from the outset to be an integral part of the cabin.

CMS no longer ‘nice,’ now a cabin necessity by Kim Fredonia What is the point of flying privately if your journey is not considerably better than if you use scheduled services? Wise manufacturers know that a good cabin management system (CMS) is essential to business aviation. Think of the CMS being to the passenger what the glass cockpit is to the pilot. No longer a “nice to have,” rather “an essential part of the journey.” Generally, today’s interface to the cabin management system will be via the user’s smart phone, tablet or iPod. Their device of choice then interacts wirelessly with everything from the automatic window shades to the entertainment system. A CMS consists of several components. A standard approach is to use gigabit Ethernet as the backbone from the server and

100-megabit Base-T Ethernet to each of the end point devices, either wireless communications nodes or HD TV screens. Beyond that, the heavyweight manufacturers are developing extras to differentiate themselves in the air. Demonstrating that ABACE has come of age and is now attracting in-flight entertainment and connectivity manufacturers and suppliers, as well as the airframers, several are out in force in Shanghai showcasing their latest offerings for corporate jets. Honeywell Aerospace (Booth P310), for example, has signed a partnership agreement with airline content management company IFP and its sister company, in-flight software development expert DTI (both subsidiaries of Global Eagle Entertainment) to

launch a new HD audio-video on demand (AVOD) in-flight entertainment upgrade for its Ovation Select CMS. With the upgrade, passengers can enjoy an updatable library of in-theater, new release and classic films from major motion picture studios and distributors worldwide. They can access movies either through individual in-cabin controls and monitors, or wirelessly via personal entertainment devices (PEDs), such as iPads and iPhones. Rockwell Collins (Booth H514), meanwhile, launched a similar service back in 2011, partnering with Dassault Falcon Jet. The company’s Skybox made its debut on DFJ’s FalconCabin HD+ CMS, which leverages technology from Rockwell Collins’ Venue. Skybox allows

Lufthansa Technik’s Nice remote incorporates an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch as a content on-demand provider.

Rockwell Collins’s Venue system features its Skybox upgrade, which allows passengers to share Hollywood-protected content to and from their PEDs. The CMS also offers highspeed connectivity and wireless streaming of documents from tablets to cabin displays.

22 ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

passengers to share Hollywoodprotected content wirelessly to and from their PEDs. Initially devised for IOS devices, content is streamed using Apple’s AirPlay or DLNA–the protocol from the Digital Living Network Alliance. Updating is straightforward. Skybox is wired to a USB port or an Ethernet jack, and then hooked up to a portable drive to upload new content. It, too, works over Wi-Fi, and can even be bridged to a local network from a hangar or FBO to the cabin local area network (LAN). Denmark’s Satcom1 (Booth P406) delivers the AvioIP system, which has been flying on VVIP Aircraft since 2005 on a router hardware platform. It is the critical link between aeronautical LAN and the wide area network (WAN) onboard the aircraft providing stability, reliability and features to satisfy the “office-in-the-sky” concept, which includes services such as enhanced Internet access, email, video conferencing and smartphone usage over VoIP with guaranteed voice quality. Meanwhile, Hamburg-based Idair, the joint venture between Lufthansa Technik (LHT) (Booth H614) and Panasonic Avionics, went live in the middle of April 2011. Focusing on narrowbody and widebody VIP aircraft, their offering includes LHT’s nice CMS and Panasonic’s Global Communications Suite (GCS).

LHT’s “nice” system includes a number of media interfaces (USB, Apple, HDMI) that enable encoding and streaming on the Ethernet network by connecting personal devices to the backbone. LHT has also developed a multifunctional HD media center unit that includes a Blu-ray player with built-in storage and software packages that transform it into a media server. One unit can host all the applications and simultaneously play back two applications at once in HD. It is added to Panasonic’s suite of Global Communications Services, which comprises eXConnect, eXPhone and eXTV. Backed by LHT’s Ku-band aeronautical satellite network, which the firm reckons “is the only global, broadband in-flight connectivity service available in the world today,” eXConnect also enables eXTV, which is a global, in-flight television service. eXConnect is a global, twoway broadband solution that provides high-speed connectivity to the aircraft, supporting data rates up to 50 Mbps. Together with AeroMobile, eXPhone enables passengers to make and receive calls and SMS text messages with their personal devices. Visitors to the Cessna chalet (Chalet 13) will be able to see first hand Heads Up Technologies’ Lumin cabin management system, which uses a combination of fiberoptic and wireless technologies to provide bandwidth of up to 40 gigabits per second, enough to allow each passenger simultaneously to access the Internet, watch different Blu-ray movies from the aircraft’s video library, listen to different XM radio stations, watch moving-map and weather displays or control cabin comforts such as temperature and lighting from either built-in touch-screen consoles or apps on consumer devices. Although the local market has shown little appetite for retrofits–yet–they are surely on the horizon, as the plethora of interiors houses at the show demonstrates. One Chinese firm at the forefront of IFE installation in the country is Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Co. (Booth H318). It is the only Airbus- and Boeing-approved cabin completion center in Asia. o Honeywell’s Ovation Select touch screen serves as a master controller, capable of displaying and controlling the complete cabin system. Passengers can control audio/video source equipment, lighting and temperature, even window shades and galley functions–all without leaving their seats.


Cessna sells 10 new Caravans to Beijing tourism operator by Chad Trautvetter Cessna Aircraft (Chalet 13), a division of Textron Aviation, announced a 10-aircraft order for float-equipped Grand Caravan EXs yesterday at ABACE 2014 from Beijing-based Reignwood Group for tourism services in China. The company agreed to acquire the amphibian turboprop singles through the CessnaAVIC Shijiazhuang facility, which has been assembling Cessna Caravans for the Chinese market since late last year. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) granted approval in March for the Cessna Grand Caravan EX to operate on floats in China. Powered by

configured mean it can be put into service for freight deliveries, commuter air travel, executive travel, aerial survey or tourism, all while being durable enough for both on- and off-airport operations and for amphibious use with floats.” According to Harris, sales of both wheeled and amphibious Caravans in the region has been “strong.” Cessna-AVIC Aircraft Shijiazhuang is in its first year of operations and has been delivering Caravans to customers in China since the fourth quarter of last year. The joint venture was formed in 2012 with China Aviation Industry

Ameco Beijing Unveils ‘silk RoAd’ viP inteRioR In keeping with the spirit of Asia’s largest business aviation exposition, Bejing Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Corporation (Ameco), located at Beijing Capital International Airport, is introducing its “Silk Road” interior design for Airbus ACJ320s at ABACE 2014 in Shanghai. The design uses cultural elements taken from different regions along the Silk Road of ancient China, conveying the fabled route’s cultural spirit and meaning, while satisfying the need for comfort and safety. Silk Road motifs patterns, inspired by Han Dynasty influences, include auspicious clouds and lotus and dragon patterns. Ameco, a joint venture between Air China Limited and Lufthansa German Airlines established in 1989, provides completion and maintenance services for VIP and business jets. Ameco Beijing has Booth H324 here at ABACE. –J.W.

DAVID McINTOSH

Beijing-based Reignwood Group has ordered 10 float-equipped Cessna Caravan turboprop singles for tourism services.

the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140, the EX offers a 38-percent improvement in rate of climb over the standard Grand Caravan, as well as a 10- to 12-knot boost in cruise speed. “The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is incredibly durable and versatile, exactly what Reignwood was looking for to fit the types of missions they are planning,” said Cessna vice president of sales for Asia and Asia Pacific Bill Harris. “The options for how the aircraft can be

General Aircraft Co. (CAIGA), a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The joint venture officially began operating when its business license was approved in September. To date, Cessna has delivered more than 2,200 Caravans since the aircraft was introduced in 1985. The company delivered the 100th Grand Caravan EX last Wednesday to Hussain Ali Rashid Almoalla for use at his aviation club in United Arab Emirates. o

gloBAl jet now Flying chARteRs in chinA

new PoweR-line seRvice PRovideR tAkes A Bow At ABAce

Global Jet’s fleet in China has grown with the addition of three more jets this year, and the company’s Asia-based fleet now numbers five aircraft. The Geneva-headquartered private jet company’s worldwide fleet of privately operated and charter aircraft has now reached 67. The new jets include a 2011 Airbus ACJ319 and 2012 Cessna Citation XLS+ that joined the fleet in January and a Bombardier Challenger 605 added in February. The Global Jet fleet ranges from a Citation CJ2 to an Airbus A340 and also includes a Falcon 2000 and 7X, a Gulfstream G450, a Bombardier Global Express XRS and a Global 6000 and many others. In China, Global Jet (Booth P218) is partnered with Hangzhou-based Jinggong Business Aircraft, which is part of Jinggong Group and also holds a Chinese air operator certificate. Under the partnership, Global Jet is able to operate charter flights in its China-based jets. “We can now claim with pride that we are a China-based operator,” said David Mezenen, chief representative for Global Jet in greater China. In addition to charter services, Global Jet specializes in aircraft management, sales and acquisitions and design and completion services. The company has been operating in China since 2006. In addition to its Geneva headquarters, Global Jet has a presence in Beijing, Hangzhou, Luxembourg, Monaco, Moscow, Paris and Vienna. –M.T.

A trio of aviation companies from China, Hong Kong and Australia announced here on the eve of ABACE 2014 in Shanghai the forming of a new partnership, the China General Aviation Power-Line Service, to offer power line maintenance and associated services to Chinese utility companies. The partners are Shenzhen Kings Aviation Ltd., a category A general aviation company with an aircraft operating certificate approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, which provides aircraft management, aerial surveillance and power line inspections; Heliservices (Hong Kong) Ltd., a Hong Kong-based helicopter services provider that has been operating in the Pearl River Delta and Guangdong Province for more than 35 years; and Aeropower Pty Ltd. of Brisbane, Australia, a global aerial power line maintenance provider with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. The new joint venture aims to contribute to the stability and reliability of electrical power distribution and transmission in China. Services offered will include overhead power line maintenance and patrol services, airborne linesman and power line pilot training, power line equipment sourcing, distribution and education, leasing and chartering of specialized aircraft and overhead line technology consulting services. –J.W.

www.ainonline.com • April 15, 2014 • ABACE Convention News 23


Comlux expands reach with widebody bizjets

With the Airbus ACJ319 Elegance model, buyers’ modular choices of interior appointments are greatly simplified.

by Charles Alcock

In addition to winning more contracts for Boeing Business Jets, Comlux is displaying an ACJ319 that it operates for charter and for which it produced the cabin interior above. The company also announced it will refurbish a BBJ for a Chinese owner.

and the choice of the colors white, light beige and gold, the designers of Comlux America have managed to create his vision throughout the cabin.” Last year, Comlux (Booth H718) conducted similar work for a BBJ owned by South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Company. “Since 2010, our mechanics and craftsmen have gained solid experience working on BBJ aircraft,” commented Comlux America CEO Jim Soleo. “As always, our objective is to deliver the aircraft at the highest quality and with minimum downtime. Our staff is fully prepped and readily awaiting the arrival of the aircraft in our facilities.”

rather than domestic flights,” said Gaona. He added that Comlux has no immediate plans to secure a Chinese AOC. “But we do see opportunities for partnerships in China and we have been approached by some people,” Gaona added, indicating that these opportunities may be in the areas of maintenance and completions work. “We are now in talks on these points, but it is not a matter of urgency. China will probably grow and people are buying a lot of preowned aircraft that will need local maintenance support. We want the right partners and we have a two- to three-year plan for China.” o

Airbus ‘Elegance’ model eases buyers’ choices by Curt Epstein With the aim of easing the buying process for its customers, Airbus has introduced a new model of its ACJ319 Corporate Jet here at ABACE. Called the ACJ319 Elegance, the new derivative relieves the customer of some of the nearly endless design decisions by offering a new modular cabin that still allows them to choose from a wide range of lounge, office, dining and conference configurations. While the airframer acknowledges that some of its customers appreciate the challenge of making all the decisions required to completely outfit an aircraft, such as would be required for the fully customizable version of the 319, there are others who don’t want to invest the time and effort. The company theorizes that most customers basically want the same things in their aircraft, so its modular system will help them quickly determine what they are looking for. “The ACJ319 Elegance has a fixed front and back, you get a bedroom and a bathroom at the back and at the front you’ve got a galley, two bathrooms and a crew rest,” explained David Velupillai, the company’s marketing director. “Then you, as a customer, choose what you put in the middle.” Despite the modular approach, there remains vast scope for personal customization in the three remaining cabin zones, according to Velupillai. “You still have a choice of colors and fabrics. It’s essentially the layout that is predefined,” he said. The weight and center of gravity calculations for

24 ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

the modules have already been done, easing the planning process even more. At the ACJ press conference yesterday morning, Benoit Defforge, making his first trip to ABACE since being named head of Airbus Corporate Jets in February, told the audience the Elegance will carry a price tag about $10 million less than that of the $90 million fully-customizable version. Another benefit of the modular interior will be simplifying future upgrades and allowing easy changes by new owners when the jet is sold. All the aircraft will be completed by the Airbus Corporate Jet Center (ACJC), the manufacturer’s cabin outfitting and maintenance subsidiary in Toulouse, France, which developed the concept. According to

Defforge, who continues in his role as head of ACJC, the first aircraft will take 20 months from order to completion, while the company is aiming for 16 months for future deliveries. Airbus has sold 170 of its corporate jets worldwide, including some 20 currently operating in China. Here in Shanghai, the company is inviting attendees to visit the Comlux ACJ319, which is making its ABACE debut in the static display. o

DAVID McINTOSH

Here at the ABACE 2014, Airbus is displaying an ACJ319 bizliner, which is operated in the charter market by Comlux. It is the first time the aircraft, featuring an interior developed by Comlux America, has been shown in China. Comlux itself is also displaying a Bombardier Global 6000 long-range business jet. According to Richard Gaona, Comlux president and CEO, the Europe-based group currently has an ACJ319 and an ACJ320 largely based in Asia and operating under a European air operator certificate (AOC). He told AIN that there is increasing interest among businesses and wealthy individuals in China and other parts of Asia to use large aircraft like these, as well smaller business jets. “In Asia, with the exception of the Chinese mainland, if you have a U.S. or European aircraft, you can operate it almost anywhere for international flights. Most of the demand is for these

DAVID McINTOSH

Comlux has won a contract to conduct major maintenance and refurbishment work on a Boeing Business Jet “bizliner” based in Asia. The airliner-size business aircraft, operated on behalf of its private owner by Hong Kongbased management company Sino Jet, is due to arrive at the Comlux America completions center in Indianapolis during the second quarter of 2014 and will spend four months there. The maintenance program will include a mandatory 12-year C-check. The Comlux America team also will completely repaint the BBJ and conduct a comprehensive remodeling of the cabin, including reupholstered seats, a new custom-made carpet and reworking of the valence panel and bulkheads. “The owner wanted to bring light into his aircraft,” said Jenny Lau, Sino Jet CEO. “Thanks to the new material selection–leather and suede–

Benoit Defforge was named head of Airbus Corporate Jets in February.

Airbus Sheds Light on Billionaire Buyers Airbus for the first time has released results of its “ACJ Billionaires Study,” which focuses on the growing economies in China, the Middle East and Russia. Commissioned by the company from UK-based Ledbury Research, the study predicts that the number of Chinese billionaires will double to more than 1,000 by 2017, rivaling the number in the United States. The study noted that when billionaires travel, they tend to do so with a large retinue of advisors and staff, who already know their wants and preferences. This allows these ultra-high-net-worth individuals to extend their lifestyles on the ground to the air. The study determined that billionaires in China travel mainly within the country or to Hong Kong and Macau for both business and leisure–flights that last up to 4-5 hours only. They have an average age of 50, which makes the group among the youngest billionaires in the world, according to the Airbus study. Being of a younger “wealth generation,” they are more likely to spend their wealth than those who have possessed their fortunes for longer periods of time. –C.E.


www.Beechcraft.com

Š2014 Beechcraft Corporation. All rights reserved. Beechcraft is a registered trademark of Beechcraft Corporation.


PHOTOS: BARRY AMBROSE

贝尔推出的525机型主要针对深海离岸油气开采市场,不过该公司已经预见到了这一自动 驾驶机型的其他用途。 Bell’s 525 Relentless was developed primarily with the deepwater offshore oil and gas market in mind but the company envisions a multitude of other missions for the fly-by-wire super-medium twin.

贝尔公司的新型505 Jet Ranger X 矮轻型接受订购

Bell Helicopter’s Jet Ranger X marks the company’s return to the light single market. Carrying a price tag of around $1 million, the Garmin avionics-equipped Model 505 aims to compete with Robinson Helicopter’s R66.

作者:Mark Huber 贝尔直升机如今正全力将其矮轻型直 升机推向市场,并已经在2月份加州阿纳 翰举办的直升机博览会上推出了最新型 号的505 Jet Ranger X型直升机。在即将 举行的亚洲公务航空会议和展览会上, 贝尔将携其中国分销商华云航空(P539 摊位)一同参展并推销其新型的双引擎 Bell525型飞机。 贝尔公司已经开始接受Jet Ranger X的订 购,但该机型的具体价格仍未确定。不过 据贝尔公司商用直升机市场销售部负责人 Chuck Evans透漏,与售价为839000美元的 罗宾逊 R66机型相比,505机型的售价将会 具备很好的竞争力,Robinson R66自从2010 年获得联邦航空局许可证以来已经售出500 架,一度在轻型单引擎直升机市场上独领 风骚。在2010年,贝尔的标志性机型206 Jet Ranger在投产43年并交付了7500架之后宣 布停产,不过不排除未来继续生产的可能 性,该举动引起了业界的相当关注。 这些商业规划目前已日臻成型。在阿 纳翰博览会上展出的505模型展现出了出 色的细节设计、在配置方面广泛适用于多 种用途、行政/乘客运输、执法等,并配 有探照灯及FLIR(前视红外线摄像机)。 一架多用途版本模型完美展示了机型特 点,模型上配有主旋翼、传送装置、飞行 控制系统、及搭配了双通道全权限数字电 子控制系统的Turbomeca Arrius 2R引擎( 持续457轴马力)。 505机型还会配备Garmin G1000H航电 套件。依照初始数据,505机型拥有61立 方英尺(1.7立方米)的平板客舱,巡航 速度达125节,最大半径360海里(666公 里),以及1500磅(680公斤)的有效载 重。贝尔计划在本年底进行首飞,并计 划于2015年在路易斯安那的组装工厂开 始正式生产。“我们会尽快拿到生产许可 证”,Evans如是说,但并未给出具体的 时间截点。 Evans提到在直升机博览会上展出的505 多用途机型模型和如今设计的机型毫无二 致,看到模型的观众甚至可能会以为这是 早就投入飞行的型号。 “与525机型(超级无间歇双引擎)类 似,505机型是与我们客户咨询委员会间 密切合作的设计成果,”Evans说。“该委 员会在设计的最初阶段便参与其中,并对 我们提出了高标准。他们要求在该型号中 采用全集成玻璃驾驶舱。他们还要求采用 全权限数字电子控制引擎,这也是我们选 择Arrius 2R的原因,Arrius 2R拥有双通 道全权限数字电子控制系统以及备份设

贝尔生产的Jet Ranger X表示着该公司回归轻型单引擎直升机市场。售价约为100万美元、并 装配了Garmin航电系统的505机型将与罗宾逊公司的R66机型展开竞争。

备。Turbomeca能够满足这一点,其合适 的传动轴马力刚好适用我们的要求。我们 的客户也需要更大的客舱,以及全部朝前 的座椅。” Evans提到客户会注重价格,无论是购 买价格,抑或从后续维护的角度出发。 有鉴于此,针对505机型及其他产品,贝 尔正致力于一项新使命---核心支持套装服 务---以小时为单位的维护计划。Evans表 示计划细节目前仍在完善中。 505机型以及毛重达19300磅(8755公 斤)的更大机型525标志着贝尔公司新一 轮民用设备销售的开始。虽然525机型的 设计初衷是为了满足日渐蓬勃的深海油气 田开发市场,但贝尔同时也预见了该机型 的其他用途。在2014年直升机博览会上展 出的525模型喷绘了国际通用的海岸警备 队图案,同时配备了搜救设备,包括吊 索、医疗紧急处置内部结构,该结构是贝 尔与空中救援公司合作研发的成果。贝尔 目前正在其集成实验室中继续测试525机 型上的所有飞行仪器、自动驾驶系统、飞 行控制系统、操纵台面、以及驾驶舱。 “我们正在进行模拟飞行,将飞行数 据录入自动驾驶系统,同时调整机内的控 制系统,”Evans提到。当飞行员在模拟器 中飞行时,隔壁房间的滑盘及操纵台面也 在同时进行调整。Evans说,在装配首飞机 型之前,这一过程将会使得各系统日臻成 熟,同时也有助于完善训练大纲。 “贝尔仍未正式开始接受525机型的订 购,不过已经有很多客户透漏了对该机型 的兴趣,”Evans提到。贝尔目前也未给出 525的官方售价,不过业界普遍认为售价 将会在1800万到2500万美元之间。 贝尔还在直升机博览会上展出了一架 装配有轮式起落架的轻型双引擎直升机 模型,该机型是最近刚刚获得联邦航空 局许可证的变异机型。“客户对该机型的 兴趣越来越大,这些客户主要来自国际市 场, ”Evans如是说。 对于第27条款将429机型的最大毛重提 升500磅(227公斤)的豁免,即总毛重达 到7500磅(3402公斤),联邦航空局拒绝 了这一豁免,目前贝尔正在上诉。考虑到 越来越多的航空机构已经放宽了条件, 加拿大运输部已经对贝尔公司在魁北克 米拉维尔生产的429机型发放了初步许可 证。不过联邦航空局却初步拒绝了发放 许可证,援引第27条款下关于限重7000磅 (3175公斤)的规定,并有意将设计标准 与欧洲标准接轨。贝尔的竞争对手已经多 o 次表示了对该豁免的强烈反对。

26  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

Bell opens order book for new 505 Jet Ranger X light single by Mark Huber Bell Helicopter is stepping up efforts to bring its “short light single” helicopter to market, having formally unveiled the new model as the 505 Jet Ranger X at the Heli-Expo show in Anaheim, California, in February. Here at ABACE, the company is exhibiting with its Chinese distributor Aerochine (Booth P529) and is also promoting its new twin-engine Bell 525. The U.S. manufacturer has begun taking orders for the Jet Ranger X, but has yet to publicly set a price. However, according to Chuck Evans, Bell director of marketing and sales support for commercial helicopters, the 505 is designed to “be price competitive” with the $839,000 Robinson R66, a helicopter that has reinvigorated the light single market with nearly 500 delivered since its FAA certification in October 2010. Bell exited the light single market that same year, halting production of its iconic 206 Jet Ranger after 43 years and more than 7,500 delivered, but vowing to return.

Those plans have now taken tangible form. The 505 mockups displayed in Anaheim featured an unusual level of detail, fitted in utility, executive/passenger and law-enforcement configurations complete with searchlight and FLIR (forwardlooking infrared) camera. A mockup of the utility version closely resembles a ­prototype aircraft and is fitted with real main rotor blades, transmission, working flight controls and a Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine (457 shp continuous) with dual-channel Fadec. The 505 also will feature the Garmin G1000H avionics suite. Preliminary data calls for the 505 to have a 61-cu-ft (1.7 cubic meter) flat-floor cabin, a cruising speed of 125 knots, a maximum range of 360 nm (666 km) and a useful load of 1,500 pounds (680 kg). Bell plans to conduct a first flight before the end of the year and to start production in 2015 at a new assembly facility being built in

Continued on page 28 u

Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Gains Traction in China Bell Helicopter revealed at the end of March that it has sold three Bell 505 Jet Ranger Xs to China Star Aero Investment. The sale was made at Heli-Expo, held in Anaheim, California, in February, but not announced at the time. The agreement includes an option to purchase an additional seven aircraft. Bell said that China Star Aero will use the new helicopter as part of the so-called “Beautiful China” tourism campaign. This will involve an aerial sightseeing initiative, which is supported by China’s central government. “We are very pleased that China Star Aero has chosen the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X as the aircraft of choice for their new business venture,” said Chris Jaran, Bell Helicopter’s managing director for China. “Their endorsement of

the aircraft is another data point reinforcing our decision to re-enter the short light single market with a high-performance, high-value aircraft.” China Star Aero Group specializes in aircraft sales and leasing and uses its existing fixed-wing and rotorcraft fleet in a variety of markets, including aerial tours, advertising and photography. “We knew the aircraft we chose for this new venture had to be multi-purpose,” said Li Lei, president of China Star Aero. The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is a five-seat, single-engine turbine helicopter with a cruise speed of 125 knots, range of 360 nm and useful load of 1,500 pounds. The Bell Jet Ranger’s fully flat floor, increased cabin volume and clamshell doors provide the configuration flexibility needed in today’s market, said Bell. –I.S.


®

ALL THE VALUE THE OEM MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS PROVIDE

PLUS ALL THE ADDED VALUE THEY DON’T

+

TRANSFERABILITY

+ +

SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT BUY-IN OPTIONS

+

+

+

OVER 325 MAKES & MODELS

MRO FLEXIBILITY

+

SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT You get a single point of contact to control maintenance costs for your entire fleet, regardless of manufacturer.

Visit us at ABACE Chalet #2 ®

jetsupport.com Q communication@jetsupport.com +1 312 644 8810 Q +44 1252 52 6588

THE JSSI TRUST


Bell Jet Ranger X uContinued from page 26

Louisiana. “We will get this aircraft certified as fast as we can,” Evans said, without committing to a specific deadline. Evans said the utility-configured 505 mockup displayed at the Heli-Expo show “very closely represents the basic aircraft as it

is designed today.” People who looked at it, Evans said, “may have thought we already have a flying aircraft constructed. “Much like the 525 [supermedium Relentless twin], the 505 has been a very collaborative design with our customer advisory council,” Evans said. “They have been involved in this aircraft from the start. They set

a pretty high bar for us. They asked for the fully integrated glass cockpit as standard on this model. They also wanted a Fadec-controlled engine for this ship and that is why we chose the Arrius 2R; it has a dual-channel Fadec with backup. Turbomeca had that and the right shaft horsepower for this helicopter. Our customers also wanted

a large cabin with all fully forward-facing seats.” Evans said customers also wanted an affordable aircraft, both in terms of acquisition and full life-cycle costs. To that end, Bell will be offering a new mission-critical support package–an hourly maintenance plan–for the 505 and its other products. Details of the plan

Nonstop excellence. Nonstop elegance. At Castle & Cooke Aviation, “full-service FBO” is an understatement. Settle into a well appointed private office or conference room, or indulge in pure R&R in our exclusive lounge. Plus, we’ve upgraded our Van Nuys facility with a new hangar, and new, larger ramp and lobby. Castle & Cooke Aviation. The highest standards. And climbing.

PHNL

KPAE

THE NEW HANGAR AT OUR KVNY FACILITY

Visit us at ABACE in Shanghai – Booth H431

Van Nuys, California (818) 988-8385

Honolulu, Hawai‘i / La¯na‘i, Hawai‘i (808) 548-2948

www.castlecookeaviation.com

28  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

Everett, Washington (425) 355-6600

“are still coming together,” Evans added. The 505 and the larger, 19,300-pound (8,755-kg) max gross weight 525 begin a new series of civil sector product offerings from Bell. While the 525 was developed primarily to take advantage of the burgeoning deepwater oil and gas market, Bell envisions many other uses for the helicopter. The 525 mockup shown at Heli-Expo 2014 was painted in a generic international coastguard livery and outfitted with search-and-rescue equipment including hoists and an EMS interior that Bell developed in cooperation with Air Methods. Bell is continuing to test all the 525 flight instrumentation, flyby-wire system, flight controls and surfaces and cockpit in its systems integration lab. “We are flying simulator missions that feed pilot inputs into the fly-by-wire controls, and moving the control systems of the aircraft,” Evans said. When the pilots are flying in the simulator, in the room next to it the swashplates and all the control surfaces are moving.” He said the process matures systems before they are installed in the first flying prototype and also helps build the training syllabus. Bell still has not begun to take formal orders for the 525 but does “have a lot of interested customers,” Evans said. Nor is Bell prepared to set an official price for the 525, but it is widely assumed to be in the $18 to $25 million range. At the Heli-Expo show Bell also displayed a 429 light twin with wheeled landing gear, a variant that was recently certified by the FAA. “We are seeing growing interest in that aircraft, mainly from international markets,” Evans said. The company is continuing to appeal the FAA’s denial of its request for a Part 27 exemption to increase the 429’s maximum allowable gross weight by 500 pounds (227 kg) to 7,500 pounds (3,402 kg). Transport Canada granted initial certification on the 429–it is built at Bell’s plant in Mirabel, Quebec–and it has approved a gross weight exemption for the aircraft as have a growing list of certification authorities in other countries. However, the FAA initially refused, citing the 7,000pound (3,175-kg) weight limit under Part 27 and the desire to keep design standards harmonized with European standards. Competing manufacturers have repeatedly and vehemently objected to the exemption. o


性能铸就渴求,

奖状系列公务机 探究奖状系列公务机成为全球畅销的公务机品牌的原因, 从用户出于直觉被吸引, 到最后为其卓越性能所折服。从机身的第一颗螺钉到内装的一针一线, 每一处都彰显奖状的优异品质。这就是航空领域的权威。

敬请光临赛斯纳的贵宾厅及飞机静展区: 13号


VistaJet中国营运行将就绪 作者:Charles Alcock 如VistaJet能在2014年第四季 度前期获得国内颁发的航空营业 执照,则其有望在本年底在中国 开展营运。在本周的亚洲公务航 空会议和展览会上,Vistajet并 未就中国区的合作营运事宜披露 更多细节,不过其之前曾与北京 航空公司进行过磋商。 与此同时,VistaJet已经新派 驻了三到四名办公人员进入其香 港办公室,此外,该公司在北京 也拥有一座办公室。“这表明了 (亚洲)市场的巨大前景,我们 的机型在该市场潜力斐然”,首 席商务官伊恩-莫尔如是说。 该公司的中国区机型将包 括数架已经订购的庞巴迪快 车、挑战者350、及挑战者605 飞机。自6月份开始,VistaJet 将每月接收一架快车6000型飞 机,VistaJet的该笔订单订购于 2012年 11月 , 共 涉 及 142架 飞 机,根据该订单,其还将在本 年度接收8架挑战者350,用于 替 换 6架 仍 在 服 役 的 里 尔 喷 气 机,除此之外,仍将有10架挑 战者605陆续到货。 “我们看到的是可喜的亚洲 市 场(销 售 )数 据 ,而 且 事 实 上大亚洲区的整体市场市值更 大,而不仅限于中国本身,”莫 尔在国际航空对其的采访中

VistaJet 首席商务官伊恩-莫尔表 示亚洲的私人飞行需求正在迅 速增长。 VistaJet chief commercial officer Ian Moore says demand for private aviation is growing fast throughout Asia.

如此说。莫尔谈到东南亚客 户 尤 其 对 VistaJet的 航 空 解 决 方案(FSP)有极大兴趣,客户 可以通过该方案获得一定数量 的保障性飞行小时。如今,将 近60%的VistaJet客户选择使用 FSP,而在几年前,这一数字只 是35%。 以服务质量吸引客户 大部分亚洲地区的经济都在 蓬 勃 发 展 , 不 过 VistaJet却 认 为从航空行业角度来说这一地 区 仍 旧 处 在 初 级 阶 段 。“市 场 的 形 成 需 要 多 年 的 时 间 ,不 过 我们也要向市场证明我们的服 务 值 得 购 买 ,”莫 尔 说 道 。莫 尔 还 表 示 ,比 之 于 更 加 成 熟 的 西 方 市 场 ,亚 洲 在 私 人 航 空 的 选 择 面 更 加 狭 窄 ,也 因 此 需 要 在销售方面更注重指导性的培 育策略。 在某些情况下,由于高质量 航空服务的稀缺,客户会转而 选择私人航空。同时,莫尔强 调说,即便在香港这种区域性 航空枢纽城市,旅客也不一定 能够保证在服务及行程方面订 购到满意的航空服务。 据VistaJet透漏,亚洲地区的 增长率在20-25%之间,与世界 其他地区的增长率持平。“我们 (在亚洲)的增长之所以仍然有 限,是因为飞机数量的不足。” 和 其 他 航 空 公 司 一 样,VistaJet(P618摊位)并不 将飞机停靠在固定基地,而是根 据飞行需求进行轮转。公司详细 考察了世界范围内客户的旅行组 合习惯,并据此调整飞机轮转情 况,以此保证服务效率。 考虑到飞行员皆未居住在亚 洲并需要往返亚洲,公司对飞 行员采用每月17天当值、13天 休息的工作制度。VistaJet的乘 务人员则原则上要求在工作地 居住,并要求除英语外会讲至 少一门“本地”语言。 飞行时长达到一定数量的客 户,一般来说指超过每年200小 时,可以享受额外福利,例如享 受专属乘务人员或私人客户经理 为其旅行服务。 o

VistaJet旗下的庞巴迪私人飞机有着为人称道的内 部设计结构。公司将在近期向中国派驻该机型, 在国内建立营运中心并提供航空服务。

VistaJet’s fleet of Bombardier private jets feature specially designed interiors. The company will soon be positioning some of its fleet in China, where it is establishing a local operation to allow it to provide flights within the country.

VistaJet poised to start operations in China by Charles Alcock VistaJet expects to have its new operation in China up and running by the end of 2014 if it achieves its goal of getting its local air operators certificate approved by early in the fourth quarter of this year. Ahead of this week’s ABACE show, the Europe-based private flight provider was giving no further details of its local partnership arrangements for the China operation, but it has previously been in discussion with Beijing Airlines. Meanwhile, VistaJet has added three or four more staff to its office in Hong Kong and the company also now has an office in Beijing. “This shows how strong we see the potential there [in Asia],” said chief commercial officer Ian Moore. “The growth is definitely there for the type of aircraft we have.” The company’s China fleet will consist of an as-yet-unspecified number of the new Bombardier Global, Challenger 350 and Challenger 605 aircraft that it has on order. By June of this year, it is due to start receiving one Global 6000 each month from the batch of up to 142 aircraft that VistaJet ordered and optioned back in November

30  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

2012. This year it is due to get eight Challenger 350s, which will replace the six remaining Learjet 60s in its fleet. It still has 10 Challenger 605s to be delivered. “What we are also seeing is very good [sales] numbers right from Asia and, in fact, there is now more of a mix [of new business] from Greater Asia, rather than just from China itself,” Moore told AIN. He said clients in Southeast Asia, in particular, have shown strong interest in VistaJet’s Flight Solutions Program (FSP) through which clients can commit to contracts giving them guaranteed fleet ability for a specific number of flight hours. Today around 60 percent of VistaJet’s business comes through the FSP, which is up from around 35 percent just a few years ago. Service Attracts Clients

Despite the phenomenal economic growth still being seen in many parts of Asia, VistaJet still sees business aviation in the region as being in the early stages of development. “It will be for years to come, and we still have to convince markets here that the service is worth

the money,” said Moore. Mainly because there are still relatively few private aviation options in Asia, this sales effort requires a more educational approach than it might in more mature markets in the West, according to Moore. In some cases, new customers are drawn to private aviation due to the absence of convenient, high-quality airline service. But, Moore maintained, even in places like Hong Kong, which are key airline hubs in the region, travelers just are not assured of being able to book trips with an acceptable level of service and with the schedules they want. According to VistaJet, the growth in Asian demand has been on a par with the 20- to 25-percent growth rates it claims to be achieving in other parts of the world. “The only reason we haven’t grown more [in Asia] is because of the still limited number of aircraft there,” said Moore. As is its practice everywhere, VistaJet (Booth P618) does not position aircraft at fixed bases, but instead moves them around according to passenger needs. It carefully analyzes client travel patterns around the world to determine how to shift its fleet around in order to meet its guaranteed availability commitments. The company’s pilots work a 17 days on-duty/13 days off-duty shift pattern and for now they all commute in and out of the region as needed since none of them live in Asia. VistaJet’s flight attendants do tend to be based in the regions where they work and generally speak at least one “local” language in addition to English. Customers who commit to large numbers of flight hours– generally 200 or more each year–enjoy special perks such as their own dedicated flight attendants or a full-time personal account manager to oversee their trip arrangements. o


When You Choose FlightSafety, You Choose Safety. Visit us at

Booth

H112 Safety

Continues with ongoing investment and innovation • Reinforced in 1 million+ training hours each year Builds when you train as you fly, fly as you train • Backed up by the industry’s best Customer Care Benefits Customers from 167 countries • Advanced with superior simulation technology • Supported by factory-authorized training Practiced with a high-technology, integrated training system • Expands with a global network of Learning Centers Focus of 3,500 expertly designed courses • Taught by 1,800 professional instructors • Designed into a fleet of 300+ flight simulators

At FlightSafety International, we center everything we do on helping our Customers operate their aircraft to the highest level of safety while providing the outstanding service they expect and deserve. Safety Starts With the Best Training Our outstanding instructors provide the highest quality, most comprehensive professional training available. We offer courses developed by our training experts with one overriding goal – to enhance safety. Each course leverages today’s most advanced and innovative training systems for instruction that’s effective, relevant and clearly presented. Safety Drives Our Training Technology We design and build simulators and other advanced training devices specifically to complement, support and reinforce safety in our training. They exactly replicate the flying characteristics of the aircraft represented and are qualified to the highest standards by aviation authorities worldwide. Safety Extends to More Aircraft at More Locations We deliver unsurpassed training for the majority of business aircraft flying today on the world’s largest fleet of simulators located throughout our global network of Learning Centers. We continually invest in new programs and locations to meet current and future Customers’ requirements. FlightSafety. Our name is our mission.

Please contact Scott Fera, Senior Vice President, Marketing • 718.565.4774 sales@flightsafety.com • flightsafety.com • A Berkshire Hathaway company


Avicopter and Airbus team to produce helos by R. Randall Padfield Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter) and China’s Avicopter, partners in the development of the EC175 and AC352 medium-twin helicopters, signed an agreement last month for the

production of 1,000 of the two models. The agreement is valued at $21 billion over 20 years, with each airframer expecting to assemble approximately 500 helicopters.

Deliveries of the EC175, which was certified in Europe on January 27, are expected to begin later this year. The AC352, however, has yet to make its first flight and is not expected to earn its

certification by China’s civil aviation authority until 2017. As previously agreed, Avicopter will sell the AC352 in China, while Airbus Helicopters will sell the EC175 in the rest of the world.

The signing of the production agreement took place at the Elysée Palace in Paris, witnessed by Chinese president Xi Jinping and French president François Hollande. Airbus Helicopters CEO Guillaume Faury said the agreement would lead to good results for both sides, and “sets the stage for an unprecedented full-scale production framework by both partners and adds a new dimension to the relationship with Avicopter.” Li Fangyong, executive vice president of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic), said at the signing, “The production contract’s signature will allow both of us to satisfy the Chinese and worldwide market needs in the medium helicopter segment. This also puts Avicopter’s production resources to work in the aviation industry’s global industrial chain.” The event was all the more significant because of the prolonged silence by Avic about its work on the AC352 (formerly the Z-15). Both Avic and Avicopter, which is the helicopter business unit of Avic, have reported little about the development of the Chinese version of the EC175 since the original partnership agreement was signed in 2005 with (then) Eurocopter. When asked about the Z-15 over the years, Eurocopter officials typically referred all questions to Avic or Avicopter, which remained unresponsive. Design Work Shared

Development work on the design of the EC175/AC352 was shared equally between Airbus Helicopters and Avicopter, capitalizing on the abilities of both companies. In general, Avicopter is in charge of helicopters’ structures, while Airbus manufactures the systems and dynamic parts. But although the EC175 and AC532 come from a common platform, the two models are reportedly different, although how much different and what the differences are have not been reported. What is known is that Avicopter will assemble the AC352 in China primarily for the Chinese market, and Airbus Helicopters will assemble the EC175 in France for the worldwide market. Asked about the significance of the announcement last month, an Airbus spokesman told AIN that the production agreement should be viewed as a “historic ambition” that strengthens the EC175/AC352 program. “The Chinese see this as a way to meet their huge need for helicopters,” he added. o

32  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com


SOUTH SUDAN

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

SEYCHELLES

UAS Regional Headquarters

MAL

UAS Regional Office UAS Branch Office Agent

We have Africa covered

Many aviation companies consider locations across Africa as “challenging to serve”. At UAS, we see such missions as part of a typical day.

In the last 14 years, UAS has serviced over 800 000 flights worldwide; our hands-on experience makes us subject matter experts. This means that no matter where you fly in the world, including the most remote stations across the globe, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that UAS has given its seal of approval on your mission, every step of the way. Across Africa and around the world, we have you covered.

Our vast range of services for VVIP, private, charter and commercial operators include: • • • • • • • • • •

Global flight planning and weather services Quality ground handling services Short-notice overflight and landing permits Global fuel supply Crew and VIP airport and ground assistance Luxury hotel accommodation and transportation arrangement Exclusive airport meet-and-assist services Gourmet catering services Charter services Concierge services

UAS Africa Headquarters

Postnet Suite #112, Pvt Bag X21 Johannesburg , 2021, South Africa Tel: Fax: Arinc: Email:

+ 27 11 514 0755 + 27 11 514 0545 JNBWZ7X jnb@uas.aero

| www.uas.aero

Your Local Partner with global reach


Newest AW109–the Trekker– wears skids for multi roles

BARRY AMBROSE

by Curt Epstein

奥古斯塔-维斯特兰推出的AW109 Trekker装配了撬式起落架,这一设计让该轻型双发 动机直升机具备了极好的操作适应性,适合从多种用途、巡逻、医疗紧急处置、及乘 客运输等多种操作环境。 AgustaWestland’s AW109 Trekker is equipped with a skid landing gear that gives the light twin the operational versatility to serve in multiple roles, ranging from utility, surveillance and EMS work to passenger transport.

最新型AW109 Trekker— 多功能撬式设计 \作者:Curt Epstein 作为奥古斯塔-维斯特兰直升机家族 的最新成员,今年二月份面世的AW109 Trekker是该家族轻型双发动机飞机中第 一个装有撬式起落架的产品。这一新型 号将在近期获得许可证并于明年投放市 场,主要面向空中作业、多种用途、执 法、医疗紧急处置、巡逻、乘客运输等 市场,其装配的撬式起落架能够满足更 复杂的环境需求。 该机型将在奥古斯塔-维斯特的费城工 厂投产,机型将能够搭载6名乘客,或者 2幅担架外加2名医护人员。 在AW109/Grand的基础上,Trekker装 配了Garmin G1000HTM 驾驶舱,动力方 面则搭配了一对加拿大Pratt & Whitney全 权限数字电子控制PW207C 815轴马力引 擎,最大巡航速度达到160节。 该 机 型 最 大 起 飞 重 量 达 到 了 7000磅 (3175公斤),同时基于制造商的组合式 5电池燃油系统,最大航程达到4小时20 分钟,或445海里(824公里)。外载情况 下,最大重量可达7055磅(3200公斤), 其中有效载重1500公斤(3306磅)。 Trekker的客舱与Grand及GrandNew型 号的设计相同,能够搭乘6名乘客。从事 医疗紧急服务时,该机型能够搭载1副担 架外加4名医护人员,或者2幅担架外加2 名医护人员。如果需要,该机型可由单 飞行员进行飞行。 Garmin航电设备套件搭配1块10.4寸显 示屏,1块主飞行显示器,及1个多功能 显示器。为保证特殊情况下的感知能力 及安全性,驾驶舱内装配了集成直升机 合成视觉技术的高清影像设备及直升机 集成地形预警系统。标配设备包括移动 地图,飞行管理系统,双VHF/AM收音 机,双VOR,双GPS,1个备用电子工具 系统及S-模式应答机。 安全性方面,Trekker采用了茧型机 身、防坠毁燃油系统、以及乘务组及乘 客座椅、高温环境下完全A类/1级性能、

三轴自动驾驶仪、以及集成飞行指引仪 的GPS系统。 可 选 择 设 备 包 括 最 大 负 重 为 3.86磅 ( 1400公 斤 ) 的 货 钩 、 外 部 救 援 吊 索 (600磅/272公斤)、探照灯、外部扩 音器、前视红外线、视频下引线、滑雪 板、及紧急浮筒。 在亚洲公务航空会议和展览会上,奥 古斯塔-维斯特兰将携其中国分销商中 美洲际直升机投资股份有限公司共同参 展(P132摊位)。中美洲际直升机投资 股份有限公司已被指定为奥古斯塔-维 斯特兰在中国(不包含香港及澳门)的 唯一分销商。中美洲际直升机投资股份 有限公司隶属于上海正阳投资集团有限 公司,后者在通用航空及地产方面有诸 多建树。 o

The latest addition to AgustaWestland’s family of helicopters is the AW109 Trekker, which was introduced in February and will be the first of its light twin aircraft to offer skid landing gear. The new model is expected to receive certification and begin deliveries next year and is mainly aimed at applications such as aerial work, utility, law enforcement, emergency medical flights, surveillance and passenger transportation, for which the skid landing gear will give greater operational versatility. The helicopter, which can accommodate six passengers or up to two stretchers with two medical attendants, will be produced at AgustaWestland’s U.S. factory in Philadelphia. Based on the AW109/Grand, the Trekker is equipped with the Garmin G1000HTM glass cockpit and is powered by a pair of Fadec-equipped Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207C 815-shp engines for a max cruise speed of 160 knots. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 7,000 pounds (3,175 kg) and will, using the manufacturer’s ­modular five-cell fuel system, deliver a flight endurance of up to four hours and 20 minutes, or a 445-nm range (824 km). With external loads, the maximum weight is 7,055 pounds (3,200 kg) and useful load is 1,500 kg (3,306 pounds). The Trekker’s cabin is the same as that on the Grand and GrandNew models and can accommodate six passengers. In emergency medical use, it can carry one stretcher and four attendants or two stretchers and two attendants. If required, the aircraft can be flown by a single pilot. The Garmin avionics suite features

a pair of 10.4-inch displays, one primary flight display and a multi-function ­display. For improved situational awareness and safety, the cockpit includes integrated helicopter synthetic-vision technology with highway-in-the-sky depiction and the integrated helicopter terrain awareness warning system. Other standard equipment includes moving map, flight management system, dual VHF/AM radios, dual VOR, dual GPS, an electronic standby instrument system and a mode-S transponder. The Trekker’s safety features include a cocoon-type airframe, a crash-resistant fuel system, as well as crew and passenger seats, full Category-A/ Class-1 performance even in hot environments, a three-axis autopilot and a flight director coupled to the GPS. Equipment options include a cargo hook with a capacity of 3,086 pounds (1,400 kg), an external rescue hoist (600 pounds/272 kg), a searchlight, external speakers, forward-looking infrared, video downlink, snow skis and emergency floats. Here at the ABACE show, AgustaWestland is exhibiting with its Chinese distributor Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment (Booth P132). The company was appointed as the nonexclusive distributor for China, not including Hong Kong and Macau. It is part of the Shanghai Zenisun Investment Group, which is active in general aviation and real estate. o

Cirrus steps up flight tests for Vision SF50 Cirrus Aircraft’s first production conforming Vision SF50 very light jet, dubbed “C-Zero” (C0), achieved its maiden flight last month from Duluth International Airport, where the company has its headquarters. V1–a nonconforming SF50 prototype of the all-composite, singleengine jet–has been flying since July 3, 2008. C0, the first of three

34  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

conforming flight-test aircraft, was assembled from production-ready drawings, tooling and manufacturing processes, according to Cirrus. “The Vision Jet handled and performed very well and all systems functioned properly,” said Cirrus Aircraft director of engineering flight test and chief test pilot Mike Stevens, who flew C0 for its initial onehour flight on March 24. The first flight included systems checks of controllability, maneuverability and flight envelope testing and speed performance at an intermediate altitude. Cirrus, which is owned by the China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. subsidiary of the state-owned Avic group (Booth 713), said the seven-seat jet is expected to enter service in the second half of next year, following certification by the U.S. FAA. European certification is anticipated by the end of next year. According to Cirrus executive vice president of sales, marketing and support Todd Simmons, the company has on its books nearly 550 position holders for the very light jet. The second conforming aircraft is due to join the flight test fleet by the end of June, with a third to follow during the second half of 2014. The V1 aircraft will continue to participate in flight-testing. –C.A.


ABSOLUTELY ICONIC

The Business Aviation Gateway to London Experience TAG Farnborough Airport. The ultimate business aviation airport. Be inspired by the iconic architecture. The most discreet and efficient airport experience anywhere.

www.tagfarnborough.com


OEMs homing in on Indonesian prospects The Pilatus PC-12 single-engine turboprop is well suited to operating in Indonesia, where runways are often short and frequently have gravel or grass surfaces.

by Thierry Dubois Business aircraft manufacturers see Indonesia as the emerging country for business aviation in Asia. They believe that sales, albeit still relatively slow, are poised to grow, mainly due to favorable economic and geographic conditions. “We do see Indonesia as a growing market for business aviation,” Roger Sperry, Gulfstream’s senior v-p international sales, Asia Pacific, told AIN. In 2012, the country’s economy grew at its fastest pace in more than a decade, he said, which makes it fertile ground for

business aviation. That said, the concept of business aviation is still relatively new in Southeast Asia, Sperry noted. Seven Gulfstreams, divided approximately evenly between mid-cabin and large-cabin models, are based in Indonesia; customers include corporations, wealthy individuals and charter operators. “We are looking at Southeast Asia–particularly countries like Indonesia–as emerging growth countries for business aviation,” said John Rosanvallon, president and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet, which anticipates

Executive charter operator Susi Air has been successfully operating several twin turboprop Piaggio P180 IIs in Indonesia for a number of years. Aerocon_Ad 2013 v.3Avanti r.2_Layout 2 12/17/13 12:38 AM Page 1

Aircraft Interior Noise Reduction System . Air Conditioning – Air and Liquid Cooling . Air Stairs / VIP Lift / Crew Ladders . Auxiliary Fuel Systems . Auxiliary Power Units .

AEROCON Engineering Company

turboprop is well suited to the country’s commonplace short airfields that often have gravel or grass runways. Another turboprop aircraft that has found favor in Indonesia is Piaggio Aero’s P180 Avanti II twin turboprop. Executive charter operator Susi Air has been operating several of the type for a number of years. Airbus has an undisclosed number of ACJs in the country. “Like the rest of Asia Pacific, it is experiencing economic growth of more than five percent a year, and this drives business aviation,” an ACJ marketing executive said. Boeing agrees that economic growth in the country is steady and that the number of business jets there is increasing. “Indonesia is well represented by high-net-worth individuals, and will continue to grow,” a

delivery of the first Falcon in Indonesia this year. Textron Aviation (the new entity encompassing Cessna and Beechcraft) also sees Indonesia as a growth market. “In Southeast Asia, Indonesia is one of the strongest markets for us,” said Bill Harris, v-p sales for Asia Pacific. Mining sites and palm oil plantations are far from major airports, and companies need to get their engineers and executives there in reasonable time, he said. Cessna Citations are well suited to this environment, as they are known for short-runway performance, he said, adding that around 10 Citations and many King Airs are flying in Indonesia. Pilatus has two PC-12s flying in the country. One is operated by charity organization Yajasi, sales director Fred Muggli told AIN. The single-engine

Cargo Compartment Fire Protection . Cargo Hoist System . Special Projects and Programs . Crew Rest Compartment . FAA STC / PMA and EASA approvals .

T 818.785.2743 | F 818.785.2753 www.aeroconengineering.com

36  ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

spokeswoman said, expressing confidence that this will translate into more BBJ orders. In fact, a BBJ2 currently undergoing completion is expected to enter into service with the government of Indonesia this year. A Bombardier spokesperson made it clear that her company sees Indonesia as the number-one emerging market in Asia Pacific. “Economic growth is key to the increase in demand for business aviation,” she said. There currently are eight Bombardier aircraft registered in the country– five Learjets and three Globals. Meanwhile, Embraer singles out Indonesia as a country where its executive jets are particularly popular, with a claimed 40-percent market share. The Brazilbased airframer has a combined 20 executive jets flying in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. o

sales@aeroconengineering.com


The Greater China business jet fleet grew 21 percent last year to 371 aircraft, according to the latest data compiled by Hong Kong-based aircraft sales, management, charter and consultancy firm Asian Sky Group (Chalet 4). From 2007 to 2013, the fleet expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 34 percent, significantly more than the global rate of 5 percent. Of these 371 jets, 248 are based in Mainland China, 97 in Hong Kong, 15 in Taiwan and 11 in Macau. By manufacturer, Gulfstream has 38 percent market share of this fleet; Bombardier, 30 percent; Dassault Falcon, 9 percent; Cessna, 7 percent; Hawker, 5 percent; Airbus Corporate Jetliner, 5 percent; Embraer, 4 percent; and Boeing

Business Jets, 2 percent. Asian Sky Group said demand for business jets in Greater China is largely driven by robust economic growth, rising number of high-net-worth individuals, increasing corporate profits, successful listing of public companies and government support. “More and more companies are also increasingly using business jets as a tool to support corporate international growth and integration,” it added. Despite the high growth rate, there have been several factors hampering business aviation’s growth in the country, Asian Sky Group noted. This includes airspace restrictions, limited regional aviation support infrastructure, a shortage of locally licensed pilots and the difficulty and time

ABACE to stay in Shanghai

of which are from Asia–more than doubling the 36 exhibitors from the region at ABACE 2012. There are also 38 aircraft on static display, including piston airplanes for the first time. In fact, the Beechcraft Bonanza and Baron G58 here at the show are the first piston airplanes to land at Hongqiao, or at least in recent memory. This continues the expansion of operations that ABACE has facilitated–the first non-police helicopter was flown into the airport for last year’s show and the first turboprop airplane landed at the field for the 2012 event. “These types of operations at Hongqiao for ABACE provide a model for them throughout China,” Bolen told AIN. “ABACE is much more than just a three-day show in April.” Speaking of the three-day show that opens today, he highlighted several changes intended to make the event better for exhibitors and attendees. This includes a more efficient security setup to greatly reduce the lines of people waiting to get into the venue, better food vendor area and improved show site layout. In the longer view, Bolen said that a planned second hangar at Hawker Pacific would provide more exhibit space at the show site whenever that structure is eventually built. In addition, there is a plan for a convention center close to Hongqiao Airport that could be used to house ABACE exhibits at some point. o

uContinued from page 1

“When we signed the agreement in 2011, we said that ABACE would put China at the center of the business aviation stage, attract the leading business aviation individuals and companies from around the world and showcase Asian companies, and it would reflect Asian characteristics, attract high-ranking government officials and quickly become one of the truly great business events in the world,” Bolen said yesterday at the media luncheon where the MoA was signed. “Our promise has been kept, and our dream has been realized. ABACE has become one of the great aviation shows–a mustsee, must-participate event,” he continued. “At the opening session, we will have high-ranking officials from the aviation administration of China, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. These respected officials will open what will be the largest and most significant ABACE yet. We have indeed come a long way since we signed the first agreement in 2011.” Bolen noted that the ABACE show is still at the beginning of the journey. “It is not just a great event, but an enduring one,” he said, adding that there are 187 exhibitors at this year’s show, 73

More FBOs for Deer Jet uContinued from page 1

Chinese airlines), will celebrate its 20th year in business next year. It currently accounts for 70 percent of all private jet movements in Mainland China. The company’s fleet of 80 business jets, which logged more than 20,000 flight hours last year, consists of Gulfstreams, Bombardier Global family aircraft, Dassault Falcon 7Xs, Hawkers and Boeing Business Jets. Deer Jet expects to add more aircraft this year with deliveries of an additional Falcon 7X, another BBJ and an Airbus A320 VIP version. In fact, the company is the world’s largest operator of Airbus Corporate Jets, with six already in its fleet.

亚翔航空有限公司(位于4号展屋)的总部设在香港,是一家 提供飞机销售、管理、包机服务及咨询业务的公司。据该公司最 近搜集的数据显示,去年大中华地区的公务机数量达到了371架, 增长率为21%。。从2007年到2013年,该地区的公务机队以复合年 增长率34%的速度增长,大大高于全球性的5%增长率。 亚翔航空有限公司透露,该地区对公务机的需求在很大程度上 受到强劲的经济增长、高净产值个体的增加、企业收益的上升、成 功上市的公司以及政府支持的驱动。尽管该地区束缚公务航空发展 的因素依然存在,例如航空管制、支持性基础设施有限、取证飞行 员数量不足以及航空运营取证困难等,然而,亚翔航空有限公司预 期今年大中华地区的公务航空将继续保持强劲的高增长率。 n

example, China has 193 civil airports, 10 of which were completed last year. The CAAC plans are to have 244 airports in service by 2020. “As China continues to ease its airspace flight regulations, more opportunity for smallersized business aircraft mainly used for domestic flights should appear in the future,” Asian Sky said. “However, the current preference to large cabin is expected to remain strong in the short term.” The Greater China fleet is “strongly dominated” by largecabin and long-range aircraft, which account for 40 percent Over the past year Deer Jet has expanded its operations beyond the region, basing aircraft in the Middle East and Russia. Toward that end, the company signed a joint venture agreement with Jetex Flight Support at its FBO at Dubai World Central Airport. Last year, Deer Jet had more than 200 movements in the Middle East, a 30-percent increase over the previous year. This year the company also launched Deer Jet Air Rescue, an intensive care, medical-transport service, flying a pair of Hawker jets. Zhang also serves as chairman of the Gulfstream Beijing service facility, a joint venture 51-percent owned by Deer Jet with the remainder owned by Gulfstream. In operation since 2012, the facility is the only private jet MRO capable of performing heavy

and 29 percent, respectively. China, which has the second largest economy in the world, holds nearly 20 percent of the world’s population, 7 percent of the world’s billionaires and a 13 percent wealth annual growth rate, “Yet it holds less than 2 percent of the world’s business jets,” the company lamented. “The business aviation industry however is developing rapidly and signs of a maturing market are evident. Consequently, Asian Sky Group expects high growth to continue in 2014 as the business jet market in Greater China continues to develop and mature.” o

CURT EPSTEIN

by Chad Trautvetter

required to qualify for an air operator certificate. Other roadblocks to growth are taxation policies imposed on China-registered aircraft, including import duty and value added tax; the Chinese government’s current expenditure sentiment; and, for foreign-registered aircraft, operational challenges and costs in Mainland China. “Government support is a key factor in generating continued growth in the China business aviation industry,” Asian Sky Group said. “Some regulations and taxation policies in China are strict, but viewed as necessary by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) as a means to control the growth rate and ensure it is matched with sufficient infrastructure such as number of airports, FBOs, maintenance centers, air traffic control and other qualified aviation personnel.” However, China is expected to further ease some of the current barriers and allow the industry and its supporting infrastructure to grow in levels matching demand, the company said. For

Deer Jet vice president Peng Zhang

maintenance on the mainland. Over the past year Deer Jet has changed its focus from being solely an aviation services provider to becoming a luxury lifestyle provider when its parent company added yachts, helicopters and more services to its portfolio. As a consequence the company has forged an alliance with Medical Health International to create the Deer Jet Health Club, which will provide medical services to customers. o

g280 Breaks two City-pair speed reCords on flight to shanghai Gulfstream’s super-midsize G280 added two new speed records during its flight to Shanghai for ABACE 2014. From Friedrichshafen Airport in Germany the G280, piloted by Brett Rundle and Bruce Egart, flew 2,751 nm to Dubai International Airport in five hours and 49 minutes, at an average of Mach 0.84. The same crew then flew 3,449 nm to Hong Kong International Airport in seven hours and seven minutes, averaging Mach 0.82. To date, the G280 has achieved a total of 47 city-pair speed records. Today at 1:30 p.m. Mandarin Air plans to take delivery of the first G280 to be delivered in China during a ceremony at Gulfstream’s spot on the static display. –M.T.

DAVID McINTOSH

Bizav’s high growth rate in China to continue–ASG

亚翔航空有限公司的报告突出强调 中国公务机队的快速增长

www.ainonline.com • April 15, 2014 • ABACE Convention News 37


Flying Colours sculpts a carbon fiber interior by Charles Alcock A contract from a Hong Kong-based owner of a Bombardier Challenger 850 has given Flying Colours Corp. the opportunity to develop its first cabin interior entirely made from carbon fiber. The aircraft was delivered after 16 weeks of work just before this year’s ABACE show, where the Canada-based maintenance, completions and refurbishment specialist is exhibiting (Booth H606). The client worked with Flying Colours to specify the use of carbon fiber materials to give the cabin an innovative, modern look. The mainly black and gray surfaces are complemented by ebony hardwood veneer accents. The seats have been finished in white leather upholstery, with different fabrics used for the divans. The Challenger is configured to seat 16 passengers in three cabin sections: the forward area featuring four club seats, the midsection having a divan opposite standard double seats to create a meeting area, and the third area to the rear with a half-club layout with a berthing divan, beyond which is the rear lavatory. The cabin is equipped with a flight entertainment system featuring 22-inch widescreen displays and the Rockwell Collins Airshow 4000 system, with

software modified for the Asian region. SwiftBroadband connectivity supports inflight phone and wireless Internet service. According to Flying Colours vice president Eric Gillespie, Asian clients have particularly high expectations when it comes to inflight connectivity and entertainment systems. “This is the first time we’ve worked so extensively with carbon fiber on the interior of an aircraft,” said Gillespie. “The client chose the material for purely aesthetic reasons and where you would normally only use wood veneer, for example the tables, galleys, bulkheads, hand rails, lavatory vanities and toilet enclosures, we’ve used carbon fiber.” While Flying Colours has previously used carbon fiber for interiors, this has mainly been as no more than an accent to complement the main interior materials. “The counter tops are black and white, the divan is cherry red, the black carpet features a white ‘branches’ splinter pattern,” explained Gillespie. “It really is quite unique and we are extremely proud to have created such a stunning interior.” According to Flying Colours, it has seen growing demand for its CRJ ExecLiner program

AgustaWestland sets up its regional headquarters by Matt Thurber

DAVID McINTOSH

AgustaWestland and SinoUS Intercontinental of China celebrated the grand opening of

a joint regional business headquarters in Shanghai on April 9. Last September Sino-US

for converting regional airliners into private jets and also for its Challenger 850 completions capability. It also is currently working on the refurbishment of a Challenger 604 model for a Chinese customer. By the end of the third quarter of 2014, the company’s new interior refurbishment and reconfiguration facility in Singapore will be fully operational. Its new Asian subsidiary will be based within Bombardier’s own new service center at Singapore’s Seletar Airport. The new facility will undertake a full range of interiors services including preliminary inspections, interior removals and installation, repairs, modifications and refurbishment. The main focus will be on supporting Bombardier

This Bombardier Challenger 850, operated by a Hong Kong owner, features an all-carbon-fiber interior developed for the client by design specialist Flying Colours.

Intercontinental was appointed an official non-exclusive distributor for civil AgustaWestland helicopters in China, but not including Hong Kong and Macau. Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment is part of Shanghai Zenisun Investment Group, a real estate and general aviation company that has been selling and operating helicopters

in China since 2006. The company also offers aircraft purchase, import, management, support and training and airport construction services. There are more than 60 AgustaWestland helicopters based in China, 30 of which were delivered in the past 10 years. Sino-US Intercontinental (Booth P132) has two helicopters on static display here at ABACE 2014, an AgustaWestland AW139 intermediate twin and an AW109 Grand New light twin. The AW109 carries up to seven passengers and has a maximum range of 445 nautical miles, while the larger AW139 carries up to 15 passengers for nearly 600 nautical miles. The company has ordered 20 helicopters, including the single-engine AW119Ke, and twinengine AW109 Grand New, AW139, AW169 and AW189. “We are delighted to establish this regional business headquarters,” said AgustaWestland CEO Daniele Romiti, “and further

With local partner Sino-US Intercontinental, AgustaWestland has moved into China.

38 ABACE Convention News • April 15, 2014 • www.ainonline.com

aircraft registered in China, as well as in India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. Flying Colours is preparing to start recruiting local staff in Singapore. They will receive support and training from colleagues based in the company’s headquarters at Peterborough, Ontario. This month, it is beginning the first phase of an expansion program at the headquarters site, with the addition of a new 20,000 square foot hangar and an upgrade to its painting facilities. o strengthen our partnership with Sino-US Intercontinental in China. This event marks a new stage in the development of our common commitment to offer the Chinese civil helicopter market the best rotorcraft solutions available today. We are confident we’ll be able to meet the evolving requirements of one of the world’s most promising markets, one showing huge potential for exploitation of vertical lift transport.” Jianming Zou, chairman of Shanghai Zenisun Investment Group, sees a growing opportunity to expand the Chinese civil helicopter market. “By cooperating with AgustaWestland, we are introducing its cutting-edge technology and advanced operational system into China. We firmly believe we will be able to satisfy the various demands of Chinese commercial customers and promote the development of the entire general aviation industry in China.” o


We Have Friends in High Places.

For 10 years, Business Jet Traveler has been connecting companies with 35,000 influencers who rely on private air travel for business — and who subscribe to BJT for relevant news and information. Getting your message to these high fliers is as easy as it is essential, with a little help from your friends at BJT. Contact us to reser ve space today.

www.bjtonline.com | 203-798-2400



Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.