EBACE Convention News 05-25-16 by Aviation International News

THE CHALLENGER 650 AT T H E F O R E F R O N T O F D E S I G N A N D T E C H N O LO G Y

T H E C R E AT I O N O F A NEW INFLIGHT EXPERIENCE Bombardier has designed a new cabin concept, drawing inspiration from the ﬁnest and most forward-thinking examples of interior and technology design. The result is a distinctly authentic yet contemporary cabin experience, enjoyed in an environment as aesthetically rich and rewarding as it is conducive to productivity.

DESIGNER CREATIVITY AND

THE TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE

A NEW TAKE ON AUTHENTICITY

MORE OF EVERY JOURNEY

The Challenger 650 cabin’s subtle, organic curves and depth-accentuating lines are a signature design aesthetic. Fluid metal inlay work outlines and embraces the cabin technologies. Deep tailored seats feature hand-sculpted head and backrests, while the cabin control touchscreens are optimized for angle and position. All these elements combine to provide passengers an inﬂight experience unmatched not only for comfort and convenience, but for sheer luxury and beauty.

Anticipating every passenger need, the cabin technologies are among the most advanced in business aviation today. Complete cabin control is assured with the industry’s ﬁnest intuitive Cabin Management System. Access and compatibility are unmatched, with input media sourced from virtually any device, and – as one might expect from Bombardier – wireless streaming capability comes standard. A true testament to Bombardier’s commitment of making the most of every passenger’s journey.

Experience a design and technology encounter like no other visit the Challenger 650 aircraft at the static display today. Bombardier and Challenger 650 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. © 2016 Bombardier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Wednesday 5.25.16 GENEVA

EBACE

Convention News

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Ky outlines his vision for a more flexible EASA

MARK WAGNER

by Kerry Lynch

Pilatus PC-24 does an EBACE touch-and-go

Europe is continuing to evolve its regulations to become more proportional, flexible and developed in partnership with an industry that already has mature safety systems in place, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) executive director Patrick Ky told business aviation executives at the kickoff of EBACE. Ky, one of the featured speakers at the Opening General Session, outlined his vision for reforms at EASA and philosophies behind new rules such as Part-NCC that will be implemented this summer. Also speaking during the session were Channel IT Group chairman and CEO Bassim Haidar, who stressed how critical his airplane is to his business; and former French minister of foreign and European Affairs Bernard Kouchner, who shared how aviation played a role in his founding of Doctors Without Borders and in other critical humanitarian efforts.

Continued on page 4 u

The Pilatus PC-24 made its full public debut yesterday at EBACE when the Swiss manufacturer’s first prototype took a 24-hour break from an intensive flight-test program to take a starring role on the static ramp. With just more than 500 flight hours logged by two prototypes, and with a third due to join the campaign towards the end of 2016, the mid-light twinjet is not quite a quarter of the way towards completing type certification, scheduled for late 2017.

According to Pilatus chairman Oscar Schwenk, the aircraft is comfortably meeting, and in some cases exceeding, projected performance benchmarks. The two prototypes have been busy flying in Switzerland, Spain, Iceland and Scotland. “In the past few months we have conducted numerous important tests to explore the flight envelope and observe how the aircraft handles in natural icing conditions,” said Schwenk. “The

results are extremely positive and confirm that the PC-24 will be a superb aircraft, in line with the high standards of our ‘Pilatus Class’—exactly as our customers expect. Pilatus (Booth K115) is on track to deliver on its promise of an aircraft with the short-takeoff and landing (STOL) performance of an advanced turboprop, with the speed of a light jet and the cabin of a midsize aircraft. Continued on page 61 u

DAVID McINTOSH

by Charles Alcock

Bernard Kouchner (center), the former French minister of foreign and European affairs, cut the ceremonial ribbon yesterday morning, officially opening EBACE 2016. He is flanked by NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen (far left) and EBAA CEO Fabio Gamba (far right).

Engines

Associations

Interior Design

Onboard Connectivity

Remanufacturing

GE OK’d For Two Engines

IBAC Brushes Up Its Brand

Pegasus Wins H160 Deal

Gogo Unveils Jet ConneX

Nextant G90XT Update

GE Aviation has received certification from EASA for its GE Honda jointventure HF120, and also FAA approval for its Passport engine, earmarked for long-range business jets. Page 14

The International Business Aviation Council announced here at EBACE it has launched an updated website, and also added two new membership categories - Partners and Operator Affiliates. Page 24

Airbus Helicopters declared a winner in the contest to design a VIP interior for its latest medium twin helicopter. A panel of customers and luxury goods specialists were the judges of the contest. Page 41

In-flight connectivity specialist Gogo Business Aviation began rolling out airtime and support programs for the Jet ConneX Ka-band service. Gogo also named a new European sales manager. Page 44

Refreshing aircraft designs is Nextant’s specialty, and its G90XT King Air 90 reengining program is certified, but awaiting approval of its single-lever throttle control before first delivery at year-end. Page 50

KING AIR

WHERE CLASS AND EFFICIENCY INTERSECT

KING AIR SERIES The new King Air 速 cabin: Extraordinarily quiet, with enhanced wireless features, and high-speed Internet. Now availablein the productive comfort only King Air provides. Learn more at Beechcraft.com.

Air Hamburg inks deal for second Embraer Legacy 650 Air Hamburg (Booth H074) announced it has signed an agreement with Embraer (Booth Z073) for another Legacy 650 business jet. The aircraft will be the ninth Embraer in Air Hamburg’s fleet, which includes seven Legacy 600/650s and one Phenom 300. The new aircraft will be delivered during the third quarter of 2016.

The Legacy 650 carries up to 14 passengers in three distinct cabin zones. It features internet connectivity, HD inflight entertainment /cabin management with Honeywell’s Ovation Select system, and Honeywell’s Primus Elite avionics suite. The aircraft has a range of 3,900 nautical miles (7,223 kilometers) and can fly nonstop from Geneva to Boston in

the U.S. or Mumbai, India. Marco Túlio Pellegrini, president and chief operating officer of Embraer Executive Jets, said, “Partnerships are established based on real commitment, and we are pleased to support Air Hamburg’s continuous growth. We understand that executive jets are powerful tools for successful decision makers worldwide, who value speed, flexibility, efficiency and productivity in their daily business relations as well as for leisure travel with their family. The Legacy 650 offers all these values, including outstanding cabin comfort based on a proven platform with over 25 million hours flown.” o

Ky outlines vision of flexible EASA

fundamental change,” Ky said. He pointed to rulemakings intended to forward that philosophy, citing Part-NCC as one example. “We believe this is a very proportionate new rule.” It relies on operators to declare their safety systems rather than requiring certification. He also cited an opinion signed yesterday that calls for the introduction of safety management principles into the certification of aircraft, parts and repairs under Part 21. And, he pointed to efforts to make general aviation regulations more proportionate and to overhaul the Basic Regulation. While Ky outlined the future of the regulatory framework and collaboration with business aviation, the other speakers focused on its value. “A private jet is not a luxury... it is a tool that is a necessity,” said Haidar. He outlined how his aircraft enabled him to build a business that began in developing nations in Africa and spread into the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

But, Haidar said, “The perception of business jets needs to change.” The notion that a jet should be obtained only when a business is doing well is a mistake, he said. Business leaders need to understand “how important it is to own a private jet” and how it can be used to enhance a business. Haidar credited politicians with spreading a negative message about business jets. But he also believes manufacturers play a role by positioning aircraft as luxury vehicles. He further believes manufacturers can do more to foster ownership, including improving aircraft availability by reducing downtime and better controlling maintenance costs. Kouchner, meanwhile, admitted he knows little about aviation, but knows that the availability of aircraft helped him create Doctors Without Borders, which was recognized with a Nobel Prize. He also said aircraft were essential in establishing hospitals and delivering other aid in war-torn African nations. o

by Samantha Cartaino

uContinued from page 1

Ky said EASA is moving away from a legal approach to regulating to one that is focused on safety. The rulemaking branch was reshaped to team with the oversight branch for better understanding of how the rules are implemented and what their effects are, he said. The regulators were also reminded to focus more on risk than on prescriptive rulemaking. “We are not aviation lawyers,” Ky said. “Regulation is not the goal. The goal is safety.” Underscoring the safety record of business aviation, Ky said EASA should rely more on the sector’s mature safety management systems that are already in place, and partner on best practices, rather than prescribing those practices. “This is a

EBACE

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HONDA AIRCRAFT REALLY DELIVERS AT EBACE Marshall Aviation Services director of aircraft sales Howard Povey (r) took the keys for HondaJet M-HNDA from Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino yesterday morning at the EBACE static line. This is the ninth HondaJet to be delivered worldwide and the second to be handed over to a European customer. Marshall is the northern European sales and service provider for the HondaJet. Its sales territory encompasses northern UK regions, the Isle of Man, The Channel Islands, Ireland, Scandinavia and the Benelux countries.

4 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

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EBACE Convention News is a publication of The Convention News Co., Inc., 214 Franklin Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432; Tel.: +1 201 444 5075. Copyright © 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part w ithout 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, Business Jet Traveler, EBACE Convention News, HAI Convention News, LABACE Convention News, MEBA Convention News, NBAA Convention News, Dubai Airshow News, Farnborough Airshow News, Paris Airshow News, Singapore Airshow New, Mobile Apps: AINonline; Aviation International News Printed in Geneva by Atar Roto Presse Computer Services: Léni Software & Services

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Falcon celebration hails customer-care progress

Falcon models and number of in-service aircraft

2,444 aircraft delivered since 1965 – 2,088 aircraft in service

by Caroline Bruneau This year’s annual Dassault Falcon community get together was a bigger-than-usual event, in part because the company is marking the 100th anniversary of its origins. The gathering near the Eiffel Tower in Paris on April 13 drew some 500 customers and Dassault employees from around the world. Before champagne flowed for the 100th birthday party, presentations from key Dassault Falcon officials offered a comprehensive overview of the new services developed by the company for its worldwide operator community. Meet and greet sessions gave delegates a chance to meet the companies that are behind the Falcon family, including suppliers of satellite communications services on board, and other manufacturers of key components. Facing some heat for schedule delays was Snecma (part of the Safran group), provider of the Falcon 5X’s Silvercrest engines. In order to promote its aircraft, faced with the stiff price competition initiated by Bombardier, Dassault (Booth U056) worked hard last year on its customer service department to support the 2,088 aircraft currently in operation worldwide. Eloi Dufour, chief of the services department explained how, in July, a Falcon rapid response unit–including a company-owned and operated Falcon 900 emergency delivery jet–was established at its New York-area Teterboro base, mirroring the one already in place at Le Bourget Airport near Paris. That initiative was soon followed up by introduction of the Falcon Response App in November. This app for iPhone and Android allows customers to alert Dassault Falcon of a problem and get a quick response, 24/7. As for helping its customers with more efficiency, the company opened seven new maintenance sites last year in Teterboro, Dallas, Helsinki, Lagos, New Delhi, Libreville, and a Sabena Technics Center in Dinard, on the French west coast. In addition, a new factory-owned Dassault Falcon Service (DFS) center will open in Merignac (near Bordeaux, southern France) before the end of this year.

Service capacity for the Falcon 7X has also been expanded at Paris Le Bourget, with seven aircraft parking spots now available. The service success rate reached 98.6 percent in 2015, Dassault said. The company performed 116 missions in 2015, with “43 customer flights saved,” said Jacques Chauvet, Dassault Aviation’s senior v-p worldwide customer service. The 15 Falcon spare parts warehouses around the globe store about $800 million worth of spares for all types of Falcons. “We will continue to increase this inventory,” the company stated, in particular in Russia, despite the current political tensions. In April, the company promised that 100 percent of parts to support the developmental 8X were to have been purchased and stored. The Falcon Internet portal, launched in 2014, now has 13,600 registered users and 2,500 visits per day. It offers 24/7 support to customers, backed up by the new mobile application. The app, available on the Apple iPad, provides a library section, service documentation, tutorials and FAQs. To date, more than 1,000 customers have registered for the Dassault app on the iPad since its launch. During the general seminar, many topics were addressed. The company offers help for customers to prepare for upcoming new regulations. It also offers insight in the new EASy III avionics flight deck for the Falcon 8X. There will be a new Honeywell 3D RDR-4000 weather radar, an autothrottle for one-engine-out situations, a graphical CPDLC and the core software of NG FMS is to be fully redesigned, along with a new-generation Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and “Falcon Eye” as an option for a new head-up display. The EASy avionics suite is a success for Dassault, with 693 aircraft already flying with it. EASy II’s third certification round is still ongoing, covering the 900X, the 2000X and the 7X. The general session closed with an impressive illustration of Dassault Falcon’s new virtual training, which allows the trainee to use virtual glasses to explore throughout the aircraft. Dassault also gave some guidance on its roadmap for

256 in-service

Falcon 7X

576 in-service

577 Delivered

Falcon 2000 Series 517 Delivered

Falcon 900 Series

513 in-service 330 in-service

351 Delivered

Falcon 50 Series

136 in-service

226 Delivered

Falcon 10 Series

277 in-service

515 Delivered

Falcon 20 Series

1965 1970

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104 Front Line Representatives: + 25 % since 2010 Columbus Detroit

Seattle

London

Chicago

Paris

Springfield

Le Bourget

White Plains

Eindhoven en

Teterboro

Boise

Moscow Hanover

Wilmington

Sacramento Los Angeles Phoenix

Basel

Denver enver

Lisbon Toluca

Atlanta A

Lagos

Charlotte C

Mumbai Beijing

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34 OFFICES IN 14 COUNTRIES – NEW IN 2015: TOLUCA, LAGOS, HANOVER

Expanded portfolio Of AOG solutions BROADCAST MESSAGE

AOG EVENT The aircraft needs a repair

OPERATOR CALLS OR SENDS AN EMAIL

FALCON SPARES

FALCON COMMAND CENTER FALCON GOTEAMS

AIRCRAFT RELEASED AFTER REPAIR Passengers continue their journey

FALCON AIRBORNE SUPPORT* Alternate lift for passengers

TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS FALCON AIRBORNE SUPPORT

MRU Falcon 900

Mobile Repair Unit

AIRLINE

Dassault continues to make major investments in product and customer support initiatives for more than 2,000 Falcons in service today.

2016. The company will focus on four main points: the 8X entry in service; customer relationships, as shown during the seminar; responsiveness; and operational availability; the latter two addressed through the new services. Dassault plans 16 M&O (maintenance and operations) seminars worldwide in 2016. The most recent ones took place just before EBACE, one in San Jose, California on May 11, and two

6 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

on May 19, one in West Palm Beach, Florida, and the other in Mahwah, New Jersey. The seminar was also used as an opportunity by the company to invite all the participants to a celebration of Dassault’s 100th anniversary, held a couple of days later at the Grand Palais, a luxurious 19th century glass and steel light framing hall just off the Champs Elysees in Paris. Dassault also invites EBACE attendees to visit its booth, chalet

and static display to help celebrate this momentous milestone. At the seminar, a video was also presented on the history of Dassault Aviation, which began with founding patriarch Marcel Dassault’s design of the revolutionary “Éclair” (“Lightning”) propeller. The young aeronautical engineering student created an all-new design that greatly enhanced performance of France’s SPAD pursuit ships during World War One. o

THE WORLDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOST ADVANCED LIGHT JET IS CERTIFIED AND BEING DELIVERED. In December 2015, the HondaJet received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification, and Honda Aircraft Company began deliveries. Join the celebration and learn more at EBACE 2016, Booth N072 or hondajet.com.

A Snapshot of Europe’s Textron Fleet Breaking Textron Aviation’s European turbine (jet plus turboprop) fleet down by country, Germany, the UK and France come out on top. The fleet includes approximately 1,700 aircraft, with more than 1,000 jets (including 800 Citations) and more than 650 turboprops (including 400+ King Airs), according to v-p sales Europe Tom Perry. Of the jets, the Citation Mustang and the Citation Excel/XLS/ XLS+ are the most numerous, at 100+ and 70+, respectively. The Citation CJ3+ is among the most popular types on the charter market, Perry went on. Germany is the single largest market for Textron’s jets in Europe; the UK and France again complete the list of the top three countries. Perry mentioned the Eastern part of ‘greater’ Europe–especially Turkey and Poland–as an area of growth. Asked for a breakdown of customer categories (governments, corporations and owner-pilots), he replied, “the mixture is a pretty reasonable balance among the three.” As for options, European customers increasingly ask for a wireless Internet network on board. Such a network is now standard on the Citation Latitude. “They like to make their aircraft future-proof, choosing options such as CPDLC and ADS-B out,” Perry went on. In retrofits, avionics upgrades and Tamarack’s n Atlas active winglets are popular add-ons.

Textron’s maintenance facility in Düsseldorf, Germany not only accommodates as many as 12 aircraft at once, but also serves as the manufacturer’s European parts depot, with availability that rivals the company’s factory and headquarters in Wichita, Kansas.

Textron sees Europe ‘waking up,’ redoubles customer support efforts by Thierry Dubois Textron Aviation is here (Static Display, and Booth V029) promoting its strengthened customer support in Europe. The region is second after North America for the deliveries of Cessna and Beechcraft turbine aircraft, as 20 percent of these took place in Europe last year (Hawkers, although supported, are no longer produced). “We are happy to see Europe waking up,” Kriya Shortt, senior v-p, sales and marketing, said during a press visit in April. Moving to a direct factory service model has been a continuous process, according to v-p sales Europe Tom Perry. He referred to the creation of the Paris Le Bourget service center back in the late 1990s as the point where the process really started. “Through this model, customers have direct access to the experts who designed and built their aircraft,” the company said. At Düsseldorf Airport, Textron has upgraded a Jet Aviation

maintenance facility that Cessna bought in late 2012. The largest of the two hangars can accommodate six to 12 aircraft, depending on their size, while the roof has been moved up for higher-tail aircraft such as the Citation Latitude. A movable paint shelter gives flexibility, removing the need to transfer assemblies from a hangar to a paint shop. Düsseldorf is a distribution depot and ranks second after the primary hub in Wichita, Kansas (where Textron has its headquarters and factories). In the latter warehouse, the expected availability rate for parts is 99.8 percent. In the German facility, it is 90 percent, according to Brad Thress, Textron Aviation’s senior v-p for customer service. He wants to have Düsseldorf on a par with Wichita, eventually. The facility shares tools that are expensive but seldom used with other Cessna service centers around Europe. Tools

are delivered within 24 hours. Similarly, technicians can spend a few days at another facility that is experiencing a spike in workload. Engineering data is made available to every inspector’s laptop. It is no longer necessary for an employee in Düsseldorf to wait for Wichita experts (a seven-hour time difference) to be in the office. Thanks to a virtual private network, the employee may hook onto a server in Kansas. “This is faster than it could be for any third-party repair station,” Perry pointed out. The air response team uses a Cessna Citation CJ3 based at Düsseldorf airport. It can deliver parts and accompanying experts throughout Europe in case of an AOG situation. And it is free of charge, Thress pointed out. “We have close to 1,700 Citations, King Airs and Hawkers in Europe and we have to support them,” he said. Company-owned service centers can be found in Paris, Düsseldorf, Valencia,

As part of Textron’s network of service centers, the Düsseldorf facility shares resources with other sites, transferring tools and employees as needed.

8 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

Tall tails: Textron raised the roof of its Dusseldorf facility so larger jets, including the new Latitude, can fit.

Doncaster (UK) and Prague. Textron’s aftermarket workforce in Europe totals 400. A fifth line service station opened late April in Bremen, in cooperation with Lufthansa. This is to thwart Atlas Air Service’s Cessna maintenance activity, a source familiar with German business aviation told AIN. Atlas Air Service, formerly a sales representative for Cessna, has recently switched to Embraer but wanted to keep offering maintenance on Cessna aircraft, the source explained. Line maintenance stations provide on-the-ground support and can perform a variety of services, including troubleshooting, minor repairs, component replacement and compliance with some service bulletins. Other Textron Aviation line service stations are located in Luton (UK), Stuttgart, Cannes, Nice and Geneva (the latter two being seasonal, from June to August). “From the addition of a dedicated support aircraft to the expansion of our service center authorizations, the level of factory-direct support solutions we offer is unmatched in the industry,” Thress said.

Textron’s improved online documentation, 1View, includes 200 flight manuals and 600 maintenance manuals, Thress said. The interface now allows users to zoom in and out of drawings, and rotate them under certain formats. A particular wire path can be highlighted, and the text can be supplemented with notes, for example “remember to remove left screw first.” A feature in Textron’s by-thehour maintenance programs is the possibility to receive a partial refund. This happens if the operator uses fewer services than planned, Thress explained. About half of Textron’s fleet is now on such programs. In fact, the airframer’s sales force is particularly focused on increasing the proportion of the participating King Air fleet. Textron’s strategy to bring factory service close to European customers also can be seen in pre-purchase inspections. “When the inspection takes place at a Textron facility, we add six months of extended protection,” Thress emphasized. The coverage is said to be similar to a warranty. o

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With U.S. FAA certification nearly at hand, Cirrus’s SF50 Vision singleengine jet holds promise as a personal aircraft for pilots in Europe.

Cirrus single-engine jet is almost market-ready by Matt Thurber As Cirrus Aircraft nears FAA certification of its Vision SF50, the first modern civil single-engine jet, the company is highlighting a growing presence in Europe. Here in Geneva, Cirrus is displaying SR22 piston single. The U.S. manufacturer also makes a turbocharged SR22T version and the SR20. In February, it introduced the new 2016 SR models, featuring improved connectivity and cabin design that the company compared to luxury automobiles. FAA certification and delivery of the first Vision SF50 jet is scheduled to occur before the end of June. Cirrus has a backlog of 550 orders for the $1.96 million (2012 dollars) all-composite jet. Pilot training has already begun for Cirrus

employees, and CAE is in the final stages of preparing the Vision Level D fullmotion simulator for the type-rating program. Simulator training will take place at the Cirrus Vision Center, which is under construction at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee. The center will include two buildings, one a factory service center and the second a customer center, which will house the simulator, delivery center and sales and marketing offices. For customers, Vision training will begin about six months before scheduled delivery, starting with online training and culminating in the simulator and with the type-rating check ride. Cirrus will also offer pilot mentors to help new owners transition to operating

Cirrus has become the piston aircraft of choice for personal pilots in the U.S., and the company holds several orders for its SR20, SR22 and SR22T models in Europe. With its whole-airplane parachute system, Cirrus appeals to cautious passengers.

10 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

the jet. “We will be working closely with customers to provide the solutions they need,” said Vision SF50 project manager Matt Bergwall. The training program will be run by Cirrus, because most jet buyers have owned or currently own a Cirrus piston single. “We decided since most are ownerflown, we know our customers best and want to control that experience and set them up for success,” he explained. The initial type rating program should take about 10 days, possibly less for pilots with turbine experience. FIKI Approval Expected

The three Vision SF50 flight test jets have flown more than 1,000 hours, and Bergwall expects that number to reach about 1,500 by the time of certification. Remaining tasks in the certification program include FAA testing, natural ice testing and some function and reliability testing. The plan is to have flight-into-known-icing approval completed by the time of certification, he said, “so customers can utilize the full [capability] of the jet.” The new aircraft can fly as high as 28,000 feet and as fast as 300 knots, while needing less than 2,500 feet to take off over a 50-foot obstacle. Bergwall has flown the Vision jet about 10 hours, and said he has learned during that time how easy it is to fly for current Cirrus SR pilots. “For customers who have been flying the SR, I think they’re going to find the Vision quite a logical step up,” he said, “including where the controls are, how it feels, and the same familiarity of the SR. It will make the transition hopefully easier. It’s a really simplified cockpit. And the nice

thing about a clean-sheet design is that we can really think about, ‘Do I need this knob there?’ We can figure out what’s really needed.” The Vision has a true sidestick for flight control, and this will be new for SR pilots used to the piston model’s side-mounted yoke. Bergwall said that flying the Vision jet still feels very similar to the SR, even with the new sidestick. Despite no previous turbine engine experience, he said after an hour he felt comfortable in the jet. Takeoffs, although likely using more runway than the SR, “feel like you are getting off quicker and accelerating faster,” he said. “It’s weird when pushing in the throttle to hear a jet engine.” One control that is the same on both the SR and the jet is the fully castering nosewheel, which should make SR pilots feel at home. The jet also is equipped with a ballistic parachute system, which sets the Cirrus airplanes apart from most competitors. The jet’s Garmin-based Perspective Touch avionics suite is also familiar to owners of many SRs, as are the built-in envelope protections that help prevent loss-of-control. Unlike the SR series, the Vision jet features an angle-ofattack indicator, plus a stick shaker and pusher system. It also is equipped with three touchscreen avionics controllers, which aren’t available in the SR. Cirrus currently builds about 300 SR piston single-engine airplanes per year. Once the Vision jet is fully ramped up, Bergwall said, it should reach a rate of more than 100 per year. “We’re very excited to get it into [owners’] hands,” he said. “We are at the finish line, talking to the first customers about how excited they are and how some have been with us since 2007. “I truly think that this airplane is going to help enhance this industry and bring people in who never thought they would be part of it. It feels like we’re creating a new category. Our owners are savvy individuals, and they have figured out that even though this is the slowest jet out there, it’s still quite a bit faster than their current airplane. I think with this airplane, with its low price point, we’re hoping it will bring people into aviation who might not think of personal travel as attainable. “The Vision jet will be the solution for many of them. And it will encourage them to learn to fly. We’re hoping that the jet brings that to the next level, and will [attract] people who may not have [considered buying a Cirrus] because it had a prop in front.” To date, around 10 percent of orders for the vision have come from Europe. Cirrus intends to build on its existing sales and support network in the continent with partner distributors established in almost 20 countries. The company’s regional director for Europe, Adam Hahn, is based in the UK. o

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Air BP introduces new environmental service by Curt Epstein Global aviation fuel provider Air BP is using its appearance here at EBACE as a platform to

launch its new Environmental Solutions offering. With a goal of helping reduce carbon emis-

sions throughout the industry, the petroleum giant is taking a “reduce, replace, neutralize” approach to carbon management, which it hopes to demonstrate to showgoers in Geneva. While the UK-based company, which has been providing aviation fueling for nearly a century, has offered environmentally friendly services in the

Air BP’s new Environmental Solutions program is a mix of strategies to lower carbon output.

past, it notes this is the first time that they have been combined into one product. According to Air BP, the package will offer operators, airports and FBOs “tailor-made” solutions that will allow them to achieve reductions in carbon emissions. The program includes Air BP Biojet fuel, which offers a minimum carbon emission of 35 percent, and is now available via the main hydrant system at Oslo Airport in Norway. A suite of tools such as StopStart technology, waste management, electric vehicles and state-of-the-art flow switches will replace carbon-creating systems, while a carbon reduction and management program, delivered in partnership with BP Target Neutral will allow industry members to calculate and offset their emissions through rigorously selected environmental projects. The company’s emissions trading department can help customers achieve compliance with carbon cap and trade programs, permitting greater cost certainty through future hedging. One of the world’s largest aviation fuel suppliers, Air BP currently supplies more than 7 billion gallons of jet-A and avgas to its customers annually, and through its direct operations, fuels more than 6,000 flights a day at over 700 locations globally. “Air BP is committed to the aviation industry’s efforts to achieve its ambitious environmental targets,” said Norbert Kamp, the company’s chief commercial officer. The launch of the Environmental Solutions offer here at EBACE demonstrates that Air BP is focused on supporting the business aviation sector in meeting the target of a 50 percent reduction in total emissions by 2050, relative to 2015.” As for its own operations, the company expects to achieve carbon neutral status by this summer. During the show, visitors to the Air BP exhibit (Booth S131) can have the carbon emissions generated from their travel to Geneva calculated and offset for free. o

12 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

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GE gets OKs for two engines

MARK WAGNER

by James Wynbrandt

Dassault has expanded its service center network for the Falcon line by 25 percent over the past four years. The airframer is also enhancing its web-based support technologies to better serve Falcon operators.

Dassault shores up support with more new service centers by Kerry Lynch

MARK WAGNER

Dassault Aviation continues to invest in ramping up its customer support with more service centers and tools for Falcon operators and maintenance professionals. The company is preparing to open its new maintenance facility this fall in Bordeaux-Merignac, France to handle Falcon overhauls. The company broke ground last fall on the 7,200-square-meter (77,500-squarefoot) facility, which will handle six Falcon 7Xs and/or 8Xs, and is anticipating a grand opening in November, said Olivier Villa, senior v-p civil aircraft for Dassault Aviation.

With the Falcon 8X poised for service entry this year, Dassault is beefing up its support network. Its new maintenance shop, which can accommodate up to six 8Xs at a time, will open in BordeauxMerignac this fall.

That company-owned and operated center is to come on line in addition to the growing authorized service center network, which now numbers 51 locations and has marked a 25 percent increase over the past four years. The latest addition enhances Dassault’s service availability in Northern Europe. Helsinki-based Polar Aviation was approved as an authorized service center to provide line maintenance on

Falcon 2000/2000EX/2000EX EASy, 900EX/900EX EASy and 7X. The center also will dispatch GoTeams for AOG (aircraft on ground) situations. Polar Aviation’s facility includes a 3,500-sq-m (37,674-sq-ft) heated hangar with backshop capabilities that include battery service, wheels and other component work. Dassault Aviation is also developing new web technologies to better serve Falcon customers. The company released Falcon Flight Doc for the iPad last year and has now developed a Falcon Maintenance Doc (FMD) app specifically for maintenance staff. The app, which works on iPads, provides a search tool, and can create bookmarks and notes, export documents and review several manual revisions at one time. “The FMD app is a new step to have less paper involved in the execution of maintenance, and it brings more flexibility to our operators during maintenance operations and the documentation process,” said Jacques Chauvet, senior v-p of worldwide customer service. Available through the Apple Store, MFD is free for Falcon customers with a Field (Falcon Interactive Electronic Library Documentation) subscription. While Villa said technology is important, he added that customer face-to-face involvement is important as well. The company has increased its “frontline” representatives by 25 percent over the past six years. Spares availability has been another area of emphasis for the company, with efforts well underway to “right-size” pricing. With new regional centers and a worldwide inventory of $800 million in spares, customer satisfaction is approaching 99 percent, he said. o

14 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

GE Honda Aero Engines (GHAE, GE is also developing an Advanced Booth S124), the joint venture between Turboprop (ATP) engine, selected by GE Aviation and Honda Aircraft, Cessna to power a next generation singleannounced on Monday that it had engine turboprop. The ATP, at 1,650 shp, received EASA certification last month delivers 10 percent more power and burns for its HF120 turbofan engine, which 20 percent less fuel compared to a Pratt powers the HA-420 HondaJet. The engine & Whitney PT-6 of equivalent power, is already FAA certified. said Brad Mottier, GE Aviation’s viceDuring the past year GHAE has president, Business and General Aviation been expanding its support network and Integrated Systems. The engine utifor the engine, and recently added the lizes “all proven technology,” minimizing UK’s Marshall Aviation Services and risks of development snags or unforeseen Germany’s Rheinland Air Service (RAS) problems after entry into service. to its list of European authorized serThe ATP is being developed and will vice providers. be built here in Europe, with the Czech Two HondaJets are on display here at the show, one owned by Marshall and the other by RAS. GHAE has also established the EMC (Engine Maintenance Care) program for HondaJet operators, and all nine HondaJets now in service have signed on to the program, said GHAE president Steve Shaknaitis. GHAE will deliver its 100th HF120 in June, and plans to produce up to 160 of the 2000-pound-thrust-class engines annually. To absorb that production capacity, GHAE is seeking additional OEM platforms for the HF120 “beyond the HondaJet,” said Shaknaitis, and is also “studying doing a bigger engine, in the range north of 3,500 pounds of thrust,” dependent on “market dynamics going forward.” Meanwhile Honda’s partWhile celebrating European certification of its joint-venture GE ner in the venture, GE Aviation Honda Aero HF 120, GE Aviation’s Brad Mottier, left, also toasted (Booth A013), is highlighting FAA approval of its Passport engine with Bombardier’s David here the FAA’s certification Coleal. The Passport will power Bombardier’s Global 7000. for business jet applications of its Passport engine, which will power Republic the current leading candidate Bombardier’s Global 7000, scheduled for the location of the production facility. for 2018 entry into service. Designed for The engine is expected to have its initial a new generation of extra-long range run in Q4, 2017. Mottier said the combusiness aircraft requiring engines in pany is “talking to” other aircraft OEMs the 10,000 – 20,000-pound-thrust cat- about using the engine in their programs, egory, thus far the engine has accumu- and expects to expand the ATP product lated some 2,400 hours of operation and line in the future. “It’s the start of a fran2,800 cycles. chise,” said Mottier. o

EBAA RECOGNIZES SAFETY FOCUS EBAA has honored four European companies with Safety of Flight Awards during the EBACE Safety Workshop on Monday. Brian Humphries, EBAA president, said, “Several years ago, we decided to include at EBACE recognition of companies that have made safety a continuing mission, and have achieved magnificent accident-free records over many years to show for it.” This year’s awards and winners include: • Diamond Award, for 50 years or 100,000 hours’ flying without an accident: VistaJet, Malta. • Platinum Award, also for 50 years or 100,000 hours’ flying without an accident: PrivatAir, Geneva, Switzerland. • Gold Award, for 40 years or 80,000 hours’ flying without an accident: Jet Aviation Business Jets, Lausanne, Switzerland. • S ilver Award, for 30 years or 60,000 hours’ flying without an accident: GlobeAir, Linz Austria.

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CAE unveils its upset recovery program by James Wynbrandt CAE announced here at EBACE that its business aviation Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) program, aimed at preventing loss of control in flight (LOC-I), is now in place and ready for trainees. The course curriculum has been updated and CAE’s instructors completed training earlier this month in accordance with EASA regulations, attending an Instructor Upset Delivery training program that included ground school, simulator and in-aircraft training. “We felt it was extremely important to make sure our instructors are properly prepared to teach the appropriate procedures and techniques to our customers,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE’s group president, civil aviation training solutions.

The Canada-based global training provider offers customized recurrent training and operator conversion courses to meet UPRT regulatory requirements. Last year CAE announced early adoption of industry standards to help prevent LOC-I, through qualification of the first simulators equipped with EASA- and FAA-approved, and ICAOcompliant, UPRT instructor stations. The company also announced its joint venture Embraer-CAE Training Services will expand its training programs for Phenom 100/300 pilots by adding Amsterdam to its current training locations in Dallas, Texas in the U.S. and São Paulo, Brazil. The expansion “reflects the growing number of operators in Europe, and our commitment

to delivering world-class training to our customers close to home,” said Marco Tulio Pellegrini, president and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. A d d i t i o n a l l y, CAE announced EASA has qualified the company’s CAE 7000XR Gulfstream G650 full-flight simulator to Level D, the highest qualification for simulators. The Level D sims will be located at the Emirates-CAE Flight Training Centre in Dubai, UAE, and instruction will incorporate CAE Simfinity XR Series ground school training solutions, which include distance learning, a tablet application and prestudy tools. o

CAE’s new upset prevention and recovery training program employs both simulator and in-aircraft instruction. Its program, designed to help pilots avoid loss of control in flight, is now up and running.

Meet Textron’s New Turboprop Single Signature adds affiliate FBO in South Africa by Curt Epstein

Textron Aviation finally revealed what its new single-engine turboprop (SETP) will look like, as well as basic performance specs, this week at EBACE 2016. The low-wing, T-tail airplane will be slightly larger than the Pilatus PC-12 and have a large aft cargo door. Inside, it has a flatfloor configuration that can seat up to eight passengers. Preliminary performance data includes a 285-knot cruise speed and 1,060-nm range at high speed cruise with four passengers. The SETP is expected to get a formal model name this summer, and first flight is pegged for 2018.

16 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

Signature Flight Support (Booth C051) has signed an agreement with South Africa’s Lanseria Jet Centre, making the FBO the latest affiliate in the Signature Select program. That allows Lanseria, one of three service providers at Lanseria International Airport, to maintain its own name and ownership while participating in Signature’s worldwide network, which now numbers approximately 200 locations after the BBA Aviation subsidiary’s acquisition of rival Landmark Aviation in February. Once the transition to a Signature Select location is complete, the location will offer a private passenger lounge with separate Wi-Fi-equipped meeting rooms, wine and refreshments, concierge, a dedicated crew lounge with private Wi-Fi, flight planning and weather services, secure car park and a private crew bus for airport transfers. Onsite line maintenance, aircraft detailing, water and lavatory services will also be available along with fuel

coordination. The non-slot controlled airport, which serves the suburbs of Dainfern, Fourways and Sandton, is open 24/7 with onsite customs and immigration service. “We couldn’t be more pleased to be part of the Signature network as a Signature Select location,” said Steve Anderson, CEO of the Johannesburg-area FBO. “Our decision to join as a Signature Select was driven by the unsurpassed value proposition, not only for our customers, but also the best practices in the industry that have made Signature Flight Support the world’s leading FBO network.” “Signature’s presence in South Africa at Cape Town is now complemented by this agreement with Lanseria Jet Centre,” noted Mark Johnstone, managing director of BBA Aviation Flight Support for EMEA. “Johannesburg and Cape Town are the two largest aviation hubs in South Africa and this provides our customers with consistent, world-class flight support services.” o

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EXTENSIVE AND GROWING RANGE OF PROGRAMS ATLANTA, GA Beechcraft King Air 90 Series Beechcraft King Air 200/B200 Beechcraft King Air 300/350 Bombardier Learjet 31A/35A Bombardier Learjet 40/40XR/45/45XR Bombardier Learjet 60 Cessna Citation I/II/SII Cessna Citation Sovereign COLUMBUS, OH Bombardier Challenger 350 Bombardier Challenger 650 Bombardier Global 5000/6000 Cessna Citation Excel Cessna Citation Latitude* Cessna Citation Sovereign Cessna Citation X Cessna Citation XLS/XLS+* Dassault Falcon 2000/2000EX Gulfstream G200 Hawker 750/800/800XP/850XP/900XP DALLAS, TX (North) Bell 212 Bell 412EP Bell 430 Dassault Falcon 10/100† Dassault Falcon 20/20-5† Dassault Falcon 2000/2000EX† Dassault Falcon 2000EX EASy/ DX/LX/S/LXS† Dassault Falcon 7X† Dassault Falcon 900C† Dassault Falcon 900EX† Dassault Falcon 900EX EASy/DX/LX† Gulfstream G100† Gulfstream G150† Gulfstream G200† Gulfstream G280† Gulfstream G350/G450 Gulfstream G550 Gulfstream GII/III† Gulfstream GIV/G300/G400† Pilatus PC-12/47 Pilatus PC-12/47E Pilatus PC-24* DALLAS, TX (South) Airbus Helicopters H135 Bell 212 Bell 412EP-Fast Fin Sikorsky S-76B DENVER, CO* Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3* Airbus Helicopters H130* Airbus Helicopters H135* Bell 407GXP* GREENSBORO, NC HondaJet† HONG KONG, CHINA Gulfstream GIV/G300/G400 Gulfstream G550 HOUSTON, TX Bombardier Challenger 601-3A/3R Dassault Falcon 50

Embraer Legacy 600† Hawker 750/800/800XP/850XP/900XP LAFAYETTE, LA AgustaWestland AW139 Bell 206 Bell 407 Sikorsky S-76C+/C++ Sikorsky S-92 LONDON FARNBOROUGH, UK Beechcraft Beechjet 400A Beechcraft King Air 200/B200 Cessna Citation Bravo Cessna Citation CJ2 Cessna Citation Excel Cessna Citation Mustang Cessna Citation Sovereign Cessna Citation XLS/XLS+ Gulfstream G550 Gulfstream G650* Hawker 400XP Hawker 750/800/800XP/850XP/900XP Sikorsky S-92 LONG BEACH, CA Beechcraft King Air 90 Series Beechcraft King Air 100/A100 Beechcraft King Air 200/B200 Cessna Citation I/II/SII Cessna Citation V Gulfstream G350/G450 Gulfstream G550 Gulfstream G650 Gulfstream GII/III Gulfstream GIV/G300/G400† Gulfstream GV NEW YORK, NY Beechcraft King Air 90 Series Beechcraft King Air 100/A100/B100 Beechcraft King Air 200/B200 ORLANDO, FL Cessna Citation Bravo Cessna Citation CJ1+ Cessna Citation CJ2 Cessna Citation CJ3 Cessna Citation CJ4 Cessna Citation Encore/Encore+ Cessna Citation Excel Cessna Citation Mustang Cessna Citation Sovereign Cessna Citation X Cessna Citation XLS/XLS+ PARIS, FRANCE Dassault Falcon 10/100† Dassault Falcon 20/20-5† Dassault Falcon 2000/2000EX† Dassault Falcon 2000EX EASy/ DX/LX/S/LXS† Dassault Falcon 50† Dassault Falcon 50EX† Dassault Falcon 7X† Dassault Falcon 900/900B/900C† Dassault Falcon 900EX EASy/ DX/LX† Embraer Legacy 600/650† Embraer Lineage 1000

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WICHITA, KS (EAST) Beechcraft Baron Beechcraft Beechjet 400/MU-300 Beechcraft Beechjet 400A Beechcraft Bonanza Beechcraft King Air 90 Series Beechcraft King Air 200/B200/200GT/250 Beechcraft King Air 300/350 Beechcraft Premier I/IA Cessna Caravan I/G600/G1000 Cessna Citation CJ3+ Cessna Citation M2 Cessna Citation Mustang Hawker 4000/400XP Hawker 750/800/800XP/850XP/900XP WICHITA, KS (LEARJET) Bombardier Learjet 25D† Bombardier Learjet 35A† Bombardier Learjet 40/40XR/45/45XR† Bombardier Learjet 55† WILMINGTON, DE Beechcraft Premier I/IA Bombardier Challenger 300/604/605† Bombardier Global Express/XRS/5000† Dassault Falcon 900/900B† Gulfstream G200 Gulfstream G550 Gulfstream G650 Gulfstream GIV/G300/G400 Gulfstream GV Hawker 700/750/800/800XP/850XP/900XP† IAI Astra/Astra SP† IAI Westwind† DEDICATED MAINTENANCE CENTERS MONTREAL, CANADA Engine Training: Pratt & Whitney Canada SAVANNAH, GA Engine Training: Rolls-Royce BR725 Maintenance Training: Gulfstream WICHITA, KS (CESSNA MAINTENANCE) Engine Training: Pratt & Whitney Canada Maintenance Training: Cessna WICHITA, KS (EAST MAINTENANCE) Engine Training: Pratt & Whitney Canada Maintenance Training: Beechcraft, Hawker and Piaggio Aero

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Sapphire Pegasus honors excellence by Mark Phelps The Sapphire Pegasus Bus iness Aviation Awards were presented for the first time at an event in the Czech capital Prague last month. According to organizer Media Tribune,

the new awards were con ceived to honor companies for their service to the indus try. They are supported by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), Central

Europe Private Aviation and the Russian United Business Aviation Association. The inaugural awards pro gram attracted 87 nominations, and winners were selected by

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20 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

Among the winners in the inaugural Sapphire Pegasus Business Aviation Awards were (left to right): FBO Riga (best handler/FBO); Meridian Air Company (business jet operator); and Vnukovo-3 private aviation terminal (outstanding business aviation performance in Russia).

a process of open online vot ing (accounting for 40 percent of scores) and a panel of in dustry experts (60 percent). The winners for the 13 catego ries were as follows: Meridian Air Company (business jet op erator); Colibri Aircraft (aircraft broker); Jet Aviation (MRO fa cility); FBO Riga (FBO/han dler); TAG Farnborough Air port-London (business aviation airport); Vertis Aviation (innova tion in business aviation); Euro pean Business Aviation Associa tion president Brian Humphries (lifetime achievement); Mos cow’s Vnukovo 3 private aviation terminal (outstanding business aviation performance in Rus sia); Erica Da Veiga, co-found er of Vertis Aviation (woman in aviation); UAS Internation al Trip Support (charity effort); BAA Training (outstanding in tegration of social media); and Dagmar Grossmann (outstand ing performance in Central and Eastern Europe). The busi ness aviation journalist award went to AIN editor-in-chief Charles Alcock. “I believe that in these chal lenging times it is important for us to celebrate our successes,” commented EBAA chief execu tive Fabio Gamba. “These awards are a tribute to the business avia tion industry, especially in central and Eastern Europe, and it is with pleasure that EBAA is involved with an event that recognizes excellence in business aviation.” According to Prague-based Media Tribune CEO Antonia Lukacinova, part of her motiva tion in launching the Sapphire Pegasus awards was to encour age and recognize in particular the progress that business avi ation has made in central and Eastern Europe. “There still exists a gap between the West, where business aviation devel oped from the early days on, and the East, which entered the market much later,” she said. o

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Web Manuals CEO Martin Lidgard (l) and Aircraft Technical Publishers CEO Charles Picasso (r) celebrated a deal here in Geneva to team on cloud-based operations and maintenance manuals for business aviation operators and maintenance providers. A full launch is planned for July.

ATP, Web Manuals team on cloud-based ops, mx manuals by Charles Alcock Information management specialist Aircraft Technical Publishers (ATP) is launching a partnership with digital documentation group Web Manuals that it says will allow aircraft operators and maintenance providers to more efficiently manage operating manuals. By combining their respective cloud-based systems, the two companies say clients will be able to author, update and distribute documents more cost effectively, while also ensuring full regulatory compliance. U.S.-based ATP provides a database of technical documents from aircraft and component manufacturers. Sweden’s Web Manuals (Booth S132) aims to make it easier for operators to keep both their own manuals and third-party documentation completely updated and available through their organization.

ATP will be offering Web Manuals’ functionality through its ATP Aviation Hub, which will give online access to ATP Libraries, ATP Parts, ATP Maintenance, and the AskBob AMT Community. The combined offering is still at the proof-ofconcept stage, with a full launch expected in July. “Even small business jet operators with three or four aircraft and 20 employees could have more than 20 different manuals to manage, and it’s ridiculous to do this using a program like Word because that’s how lots of mistakes get introduced,” Web Manuals CEO Martin Lidgard told AIN. “Web Manuals is a GoogleDocs for the aviation industry. Everything is in the cloud in HTML format with hyperlinks that can be used by the people who update the documents,

making it simple and efficient for them to make changes. The risk of someone opening the wrong version of a document is greatly reduced compared with using hard copies or emailed PDFs.” For pilots, Web Manuals allows them to access documents online through their maintenance companies’ own portals, or they can use an iPad app. They get a message when a document is out of date and needs updating. According to Lidgard, by combining its approach to digitizing documents with ATP’s extensive database it will make the whole process more cohesive. “Both ATP and Web Manuals are helping the industry evolve through digitization and interconnectivity of workflows, processes, and data,” said ATP chief executive Charles Picasso. “It’s clear the rate of complexity and change in the industry will continue to rise. In order to keep pace with these changes, our customers will need to be more proactive in managing their operating manuals and related documentation.” Regulatory concerns are a big factor, especially in Europe where requirements can change on a monthly basis. “What I find a little shocking is that the EASA Ops regulation that came into effect around a year ago says that the AOC [air operators certificate] is only valid if the operator remains compliant at all times,” said Lingard. “That’s hard to be sure of with the regulations changing all the time. If you don’t have a tool that gives you complete transparency, it may be hard to do this. So you have to wonder how many operators are not fully compliant and what the consequences of this could be, such as insurance being invalidated.” o

MARSHALL EXPANDS SERVICE PORTFOLIO Marshall Aviation Services is continuing to expand its support capabilities, with its the Broughton facility in North Wales adding approvals for the Citation 560, Citation XL and Citation XLS to its EASA Part 145 certificate. The facility completed its first work on a Citation XLS on May 20. The Citation support will complement the Broughton facility’s longstanding services for Hawker and Beechcraft, which are now sibling aircraft under the Textron Aviation umbrella. Marshall (Booth P114) has further rounded out its Beechcraft King Air portfolio with the recent EASA approval for its C90 maintenance. Marshall previously had EASA approvals for the King Air 200 and 300 series. Separately, Marshall has broadened the range of aircraft it supports as a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) with the additions of the Bombardier Challenger 604 and 605. As a CAMO, Marshall is responsible for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft maintained for third-party customers. This includes performing regular checks to ensure compliance with airworthiness directives, and taking responsibility for quality management and documentation. On the FBO side, Marshall’s facility in Birmingham is hosting a number of additional bizliners. Resident charter operator Cello Aviation added a second Boeing 737-300 to its fleet, joining its Avro RJ, along with a 757-200 and 737-400 that are regularly flown by GainJet of Greece. To accommodate the larger jets, the taxiway is being widened for live aircraft movements close to the FBO doors. –K.L.

Jet Aviation notches repair approvals in EMEA region Jet Aviation (Hall 4, Booth A050) has recently obtained several approvals at its support facilities around the world. In Russia, Jet Aviation Moscow Vnukovo obtained U.S. FAA repair station approval. It may thus provide scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, airframe and engine repairs, avionics modifications, inspections and defect rectifications on U.S.-registered aircraft, according to Vitaly Aleksikov, the location’s general director. India’s civil aviation authority (DGCA) has certified Jet Aviation Singapore as a repair station for India-registered aircraft. The authorization is for line- and base maintenance, as well as interior modifications, refurbishments and upgrades, John Riggir, general manager, said.

Jet Aviation Dubai has secured approvals from the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and EASA for its nondestructive testing (NDT) shop. It may thus provide fluorescent-penetrant testing, ultrasonic testing and eddy-current testing to all aircraft registered in the UAE and Europe. It may do the same for N-registered aircraft, as it has also held an FAA approval since November. “NDT technologies help identify latent issues and are an integral part of business jet maintenance,” general manager Hardy Butschi commented. Jet Aviation Dubai also has been approved by the GCAA to support Airbus A320 family aircraft. This allows the facility to support ACJs registered in the UAE, with line and base maintenance. o

22 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

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IBAC brushes up its brand; unveils new member options by Curt Epstein The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) is unveiling a new look here at EBACE as well as debuting two new membership categories. The organization (Booth B031), which celebrates its 35th anniversary of representing business aviation on a global scale this year, premiered its new logo and announced the re-launch of its newly updated website, at a reception last night on the show floor.

“It’s really bringing the association more into modern times, so to speak,” IBAC’s director general Kurt Edwards told AIN. “We haven’t updated our image since the organization was founded in the early 1980s. I think [we] provide a lot of value to the industry, and having an updated, more dynamic image helps us to show that.” IBAC also announced the membership categories of Partner and Operator

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affiliates, with Bombardier Business Aircraft named as the association’s first Partner member. “If I look around at my member associations around the world, they also include membership and input from manufacturers and service providers, and that’s the fuller community,” noted Edwards, who added that the organization will establish an industry advisory group of its Partner members, with a voice on the IBAC governing board. “We believe IBAC represents an increasingly important voice for business aviation, especially at ICAO, and we have all witnessed first-hand how it also interacts with numerous business jet operator associations worldwide,” said Leo Knaapen, Bombardier Business Aircraft’s chief of industry affairs. “We welcome this development and look forward to further supporting IBAC on issues and portfolios of significance to our entire segment.” The Operator affiliate membership arose in response to industry requests, explained Edwards. “This came from a number of larger flight departments who said they support IBAC and want to make sure we can help it continue to grow and be more active and present for us.” He added their participation is not a substitution for the local and regional business aviation groups that make up the core of IBAC’s constituency. “We’re not trying at all to supplant the member associations in what they do,” Edwards said. “They want to be able to demonstrate support for us and so this is the compromise.” Annual membership in the two

categories ranges from $2,500 for Operators up to $15,000 for Partners. IS-BAH Discounts

The organization also noted the progress on its two sister programs, the International Standard for Business Aviation Operations (IS-BAO) and its younger sibling the International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAH). “Increasingly, what we are hearing from our operators and from the growing number of handlers is that they like the standards and they want to be recognized for undertaking it voluntarily. And we’re hearing from a number of national regulators that they are looking to it as a means of compliance. So these are two standards that are getting taken very seriously,” said Edwards. Launched in 2001, IS-BAO now lists more than 720 operators on six continents who currently conform to industry best practices and standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Mexico recently became the latest government to accept IS-BAO accreditation as proof of regulatory compliance for its community of approximately 300 operators. IS-BAH, which was introduced here at EBACE two years ago, had 14 registered business aviation handlers on four continents by the end of 2015. The association expects that number to rise to 25 by the end of this year, and anticipates soon welcoming its first accredited location in South America. o

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Business jet financing group Global Jet Capital (Booth T131) is pressing ahead with further expansion of its worldwide sales team, despite seemingly unsettled market conditions. The U.S.-based company is about to announce the appointment of two sales vice presidents based in Europe, and the individuals, who are still serving notice periods with current employers, are expected to join the board by early- to mid-summer. “Europe is going through a bit of a tough time. The pre-owned aircraft inventory is creeping up, and the industry globally has slowed,” acknowledged Global Jet Capital chief operating officer Dave Labrozzi. “But we are so convinced that this market will grow again that we are investing in people, processes and capital, even if it seems counter-intuitive.” In a report released today at the EBACE show, Global Jet Capital said that 41 percent of Europe’s business aircraft fleet are in the mid-size to large category (compared with 32 percent for the global fleet). Its analysis of JetNet data shows that there are 1,691 midsize to large private jets in Europe, with the UK accounting for the largest share, with 15 percent of the total (249). The majority of Portugal’s fleet are in this category (81 percent), followed by Russia (71 percent) and Austria (60 percent). The research also showed that between 2011 and 2015, 709 midsize to large jets

were delivered to customers in Europe, with a combined value of over $35.4 billion. While overall deliveries to Europe during that period were 35 percent down compared with 2006 to 2010, deliveries of midsize to large jets increased by 18 percent. By contrast, global deliveries of aircraft in this category decreased by 19 percent over the same timeline. Global Jet Capital specializes in financing midsize to large aircraft, and company officials have said they believe that European owners are poised for a wave of fleet modernization. Its report showed that 16 percent of midsize to large jets in Europe are 20 years old or more, and that 8 percent are at least 30 years old. According to Labrozzi, further anticipated adjustments in new aircraft production rates by leading manufacturers could help to correct the imbalance between supply and demand. “Many of those who own aircraft want to sell now, but those who are buying are in no hurry. But it’s a great time to buy, and in six months it will likely be an even better time to buy.” Also contributing to a slowing in the market, Labrozzi told AIN, is that average usage of business aircraft is “about double what it used to be, with customers hanging on to aircraft for upwards of eight to 10 years.” Another factor, he indicated, is uncertainty as to whether fractional ownership companies are currently expanding or contracting their fleets. —C.A.

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TOP European FBOs

European FBOs once again excel in AIN’s reader survey by Curt Epstein

lmost across the board, European airports saw declining business aviation traffic in 2015, leaving FBOs battling to hold their share of a soft market that shows little prospect for improvement this year. Nonetheless, seemingly spurred by tougher market conditions, European FBOs once again made a strong showing in AIN’s 2016 survey of FBOs across the Eastern Hemisphere. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the high-rated FBOs seemed to be bucking the downward economic trend.

TAG Farnborough London

Since it took over the management of Farnborough Airport from the UK’s Ministry of Defence 13 years ago, the TAG Aviation group has invested $150 million in infrastructure, and that has served to make it the highestrated European business aviation facility in AIN’s survey for the past several years. While FBOs outside North America tended to lag in terms of survey scores, the TAG Farnborough Airport is high enough that the facility would place among the top 10 percent of North American service providers. The dedicated business aviation airport, which has no other FBO on site, received the highest overall category score for its facilities. It also scored highest among non-Americas FBOs in

Universal Aviation London Established at London Stansted Airport in 1984, Universal Aviation (the FBO arm of Universal Weather & Aviation) has seen a bounceback in traffic from the recession,

AIN has been conducting its FBO survey since 1981, and opened it up to European FBOs in the 1990s. The survey has adopted a significant new format (see box on page 32), but many of the leading players once again shone in the latest assessment of pilot preferences. European FBOs accounted for the majority of the top-ranked facilities as selected by AIN readers. The following is a summary of the top-rated European FBOs with their overall average scores (out of a possible 5).

4.68 the categories of passenger amenities and pilot amenities. Over the past year, the FBO (Booth Y044) relocated its administrative staff from the 50,000-sq-ft (4,645-sq-m) terminal to another building in a nearby office park. In the reclaimed 12,000 sq ft (1,115 sq m) of space it added a VIP customer lounge that can accommodate up to 60 people for high-volume flights, crew snooze rooms, work area, shower facilities and gymnasium. A new airport “fast track” entrance dedicated to customer use has also been opened, and the location offers “drive-through immigration clearance” for those flights that are not met upon landing by a UK Border Force agent. With 25,000 movements last

4.57 according to Sean Raftery, managing director of Universal Aviation UK and Ireland. The location has seen steady gains over the past 24 months. “I believe this is mainly due to

year, the airport in fact saw 1.4 percent growth in operations, according to CEO Brandon O’Reilly, who noted a continuing trend of higher-volume flights. “The use of airliner-derived business jets continues to increase at TAG Farnborough, with a record 939 movements accommodated last year,” he said.

No aircraft with a published maximum takeoff weight of more than 80 metric tons can use the airport, which is home to 45 based aircraft, sheltered in the FBO’s 329,500 sq ft (30,612 sq m) of hangar space, and outdoor parking is never a problem with 1.3 million sq ft (120,774 sq m) of ramp.

Farnborough is open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. during the week, and from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekends. O’Reilly told AIN that “an airspace change proposal has been submitted to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, which, if successful, will deliver more efficient airspace around Farnborough.”

the growing interest in London Stansted Airport,” noted Raftery. “There are several airports around London that are available to business aviation, but London Stansted is popular as it operates 24 hours, has a 10,000-foot runway and is easy to operate in and out of.” The FBO, one of four at the airport, can handle widebodies and, as Raftery told AIN, it has “many customers who bring their 767, 747 and A340 aircraft.” Normal business hours are 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. with after-hours call-out available. Twenty percent of the traffic to the FBO (Booth X089) operates outside regular business hours. The two-story, 11,000-sq-ft (1,022-sq-m) stand-alone facility was remodeled in 2012 and has

an on-site customs and immigration office, with clearance conducted on board the aircraft or in the arrivals lounge. Among the other amenities are a departure lounge, crew lounge, crew business center and separate drivers’ lounge. The FBO is also home to Universal’s 24/7 European operations center and its air passenger duty administration service, which equips the company to handle customer inquiries more efficiently. “It is commonplace to answer a question on Stansted customs, then another on Stansted ramp access followed by a flight plan question and then an inquiry on EU [European Union] aircraft importation or EU tax rules all in the same breath,” said Raftery.

With security a major concern these days, the FBO just completed an upgrade of its CCTV system. The location has a recently enlarged 40,000-sq-ft (3,716-sq-m) private ramp, and while it does not possess any hangar space of its own, it has made arrangements for thirdparty hangarage at the airport. Universal Stansted’s 50 staff members earned the highest scores among non-Americas FBOs in the categories of line service and customer service representatives, at 4.78 and 4.76, respectively. “We are living in a more regulated world that is ever changing,” said Raftery. “The aim is to stay ahead of unforeseen events, reducing our clients’ operating stress and risk.”

26 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

Continues on page 28 u

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TOP European FBOs uContinued from page 26

Eccelsa Aviation Olbia

Eccelsa Aviation, wholly owned by Olbia Airport Management, has been the lone service provider at Italy’s Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport since 2003. Located on the island of Sardinia, the FBO serves as a gateway to the Mediterranean yachting and resort scene, and handled 10,000 aircraft movements last year. “Our destination is primarily leisure and the seasonality is strong; therefore, the traffic concentration in the summertime is somewhat significant,” said general manager Francesco Cossu. “We have seen an exciting aircraft type evolution in the past decade, and now the airliners in private configuration flying to Olbia in the summertime are a fairly significant number,” he added, noting the traffic is not just BBJs and ACJs, but also larger aircraft up to 747s. The FBO has 27 acres of ramp and, when necessary, access to a

KLM Jet Center Amsterdam

While KLM Jet Center has served GA traffic at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for 30 years, it has been in its current facility at the shared general aviation terminal (GAT) only since 2011. Its location offers a reception desk in the main passageway; a passenger lounge with minibar; an A/V-equipped conference room with coffee machine; crew lounge with pool table, darts, TV/DVD and video game console; and a flight preparation center with computers and printer. Using Newspapers Direct, customers

4.49 portion of the airline ramp, but at peak times traffic at the location can nearly fill that as well. Eccelsa has an agreement with sister company Meridiana Maintenance to use its 54,000 sq ft (5,017 sq m) of hangar space, as well as provide customer aircraft repairs and servicing. One of the location’s most popular features is the aircraft canopy attached to the FBO, a rarity in Europe. The current 43,000-sq-ft (3,995-sq-m) terminal, built in 2009, provides a variety of passenger amenities, which earned the location its highest score of 4.65. Along with passenger and crew lounges, there are plenty of diversions for customers: a restaurant and bar area, shopping (luxury eyewear, cosmetics, shoes and perfumes), a gourmet food and wine shop and a jeweler. The facility is also home to a seasonal Bombardier aircraft sales office and the sales office for a yacht manufacturer.

4.48 can print 300 publications from around the world. Soft drinks, wine, snacks and Wi-Fi are complimentary. KLM Jet Center (Booth K059) also has an agreement with Summum Lounge, which operates a facility in the GAT offering more luxury meeting rooms and the option for on-site meals provided by Michelin Star restaurants, allowing customers to fly in, meet and dine while the aircraft is being serviced, all arranged and invoiced through the FBO. It has a similar billing

Under construction is a spa facility, which will be available to both passengers and crew. Eccelsa, the first FBO in Italy to obtain handler certification from the Italian Civil Aviation

Authority (ENAC), is open from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m., with 24-hour callout service available. All staffers (the total reaches 45 in peak season) are fluent in English, while some are also conversant

in Arabic and Russian, reflecting the service provider’s clientele. “We are a service provider and we are conscious that in the industry of services, service is everything,” Cossu told AIN.

relationship with nearby FAAand EASA-approved MRO provider Jet Support for maintenance services. The facility is open in accordance with airport general aviation (GA) regulations, from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m., but for special needs the FBO can request an extension, said general manager Edwin Niemöller. The company also operates the Rotterdam Jet Center, which offers 24/7 operations just 40 miles (60 km) away. The Schiphol location, which claims 90 percent of the GA traffic at that airport, saw 9,100 movements last year, 2 percent more than in 2014. While Niemöller noted a sharp slide in smaller aircraft over the past

year, it was offset by use from larger aircraft. “This is mainly the effect of an increase in long-haul traffic, especially U.S. traffic,” he told AIN. The GAT’s ramp has allocated spaces to handle bizliners such as BBJs and ACJs, and with coordination with the airport authority it can accommodate even larger airplanes. “Operators are focusing more on quality and safety management in ground handling,” said Niemöller. “The FBO business is getting more professional to meet this demand for quality and safety control. Introduction of an industry standard [IS-BAH], which I applaud, is a good example.” With that mindset, not

surprisingly, Niemöller’s facility earned its highest score (4.54) in line service. All 14 members of the location’s ramp team are trained in all operations, from fueling to de-icing to lavatory service, and two of the staff are certified instructors, ensuring line service training is always current. One of the location’s biggest strengths lies in its employees who have been with the company for years. “The biggest asset is that they are committed and know a lot of our customers by heart,” said Niemöller. “It’s vital to know what your customer is looking for, and trying to answer the question before it’s asked is how we try to differentiate ourselves from our competition.”

28 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

Continues on page 30 u

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TOP European FBOs Continued from page 28

Signature Flight Support Nice

The former Landmark Aviation FBO at Nice Cote d’Azur International Airport in the south of France has earned recognition in the AIN FBO Survey in the past, and that trend continues this year, with the facility (part of BBA Aviation’s purchase of the Landmark chain earlier this year) now branded as Signature Flight Support. According to general manager Nicolas Gourjon, the transition from one company to another went smoothly, both for the FBO staff and for its customers, thanks to the efficiency and professionalism of Signature’s European operations team. The location claims 40 percent

TAG Aviation Geneva

4.40

of the GA traffic among the three service providers, which share identical space in the airport’s GAT. Each currently occupies 11,000 sq ft (1,022 sq m) of the building, and Signature (Booth C051) offers a pilots’ lounge, flight-planning room and passenger lounge. To make more room for customers, the FBO relocated some of its administration staff offsite, and discussions continue with the airport authority to enlarge the available space, possibly by year-end. That can only serve to enhance the location, which earned its highest score in passenger amenities (4.50). It refurbished its lounges last year and recently

4.38

introduced valet service for customers who wish to simply pull up to the front door and not worry about their cars. The 24/7 FBO saw a 3-percent gain in traffic last year over 2014, and like most of the FBOs on this list, reported a rise in longrange aircraft movements, 25 percent year-over-year in this case. The airport authority controls the ramp space, so aircraft of any size can be accommodated.

Uncommon at most European airports, the location operates its own pair of refuelers. The location has a staff of 65, and employees speak French, English, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Czech and Portuguese, to name a few, as befits the French Riviera’s reputation as an international playground. Given the lack of hangar space at the airport, the service

providers at Nice primarily serve transient customers, and that makes them more aware of the global fluctuations. “We noticed that it is getting harder to make long-term plans, and the impact of the economy and crisis is driving our market,” Gourjon told AIN. As an example, he noted, since last summer the location has seen less Russian traffic but gains from the U.S. and China.

Little more than a year since a major renovation and refurbishment of its FBO here at Geneva International Airport, which added 2,700 sq ft (251 sq m) of space and separate entrances for passengers and crew, TAG Aviation Geneva continues to refine comfort and privacy for its customers, noted Franck Madignier, president of maintenance and FBO services for TAG Aviation Europe. Given the airport’s bi-national status, perched on the border between Switzerland and France, the TAG facility offers on-site customs and immigration for both countries, as well as concierge service for accommodations and ground transportation (even helicopter booking). It has complimentary Wi-Fi, three passenger lounges with business and entertainment features and a 12-seat A/V-equipped conference

room, all of which combined to give the FBO its highest category score (4.51) in passenger amenities. For pilots, it also has a flightplanning room, crew lounge, relaxation room, snooze room and kitchen. The location, which claims more than half the private aviation traffic among Geneva’s four service providers, is home to 20 turbine aircraft, from Cessnas to a Global, and like many international service providers it sees the pendulum swinging toward bigger aircraft. “We continue to receive a growing percentage of large-cabin aircraft in Geneva,” said Madignier. “Many of these arrive from destinations in Europe, with more, too, from Asia, the Middle East and the Commonwealth of Independent States.” Madignier said the facility handled 17,000 movements last

year, a decline of 5 percent from the previous year, a deficit he attributes at least partly to less activity from Eastern European countries, along with difficulties obtaining slots and parking constraints at the airport. TAG (Booth Y044), which is a stakeholder in a working group addressing those problems, shares 10 acres of ramp with its EASA and FAA Part 145 maintenance department, which has 65,000 sq ft (6,039 sq m) of hangar space. The location, like the airport, is open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., but Madignier noted his team will do whatever is requested to accommodate customer needs. The FBO has a staff of 35, including fueling and de-icing specialists. They are led by Erturk Yildiz, who has served as general manager of the facility for more than a quarter century.

30 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

Continues on page 32 u

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TOP European FBOs uContinued from page 30

Jet Aviation Geneva

While the volume of business aviation traffic at Geneva International Airport declined by 5 percent last year, the Jet Aviation FBO managed to eke out a gain of 2 percent, noted Joao Martins, the location’s manager of FBO services. “We’re actually flying against the trend,” he told AIN. So far this year, Martins has noted business is above the pace set last year, with customer aircraft typically in the midsize class and up. “We are also seeing some private widebodies such as the 747 and A340, although this is normal in Geneva during the first quarter because of the ski season,” he said. The facility (Booth A050) has 28,000 sq ft (2,601 sq m) of ramp parking and access to a 43,000-sq-ft (3,995-sqm) hangar through the Jet Aviation Geneva maintenance facility, a Part 145 repair station that provides AOG service and is authorized to

ExecuJet Aviation Zurich

The past 12 months have been busy for Switzerland-based ExecuJet Aviation. Now a subsidiary of the Luxaviation Group, the company (Booth S073) has added 13 FBOs to its network, and the Zurich location was the first in that country to receive certification under the International Business Aviation Council’s (IBAC) International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAH). As part of its safety commitment, ExecuJet established a structured staff-training program that extends throughout its FBOs worldwide to share best practices. The Zurich location, which has been in operation since 2001, saw 15 percent more movements last year, climbing to 6,900 from 6,000 in 2014. FBO manager Basil Gamper expects that number to top 7,200 this year. During the annual World Economic Forum, held each year in the nearby resort town of Davos, ExecuJet handled 250 aircraft movements and pumped

4.34 work on most Gulfstreams, BBJs, Bombardier Globals, Hawkers, Dassault Falcons and smaller Citations. While the hangar is normally occupied with maintenance projects, Martins said the two divisions have always been able to accommodate customers. In operation since 1969, the facility recently underwent a major renovation, which added a second floor and more customer space. It now occupies 7,000 sq ft (650 sq m) with three private passenger lounges, a luxury passenger bathroom with showers, a pair of audio-visual-equipped conference rooms, a pilots’ lounge with separate snooze room and a crew bathroom and showers. According to Martins, the company is looking to enlarge the crew rest area further. Introduced over the past year was the position of customer care coordinator, a customer service representative

AIN Launches New Year-Round FBO Survey

dedicated to welcoming and taking care of customers and crews upon arrival or departure from the FBO, which is normally open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. but can accommodate earlier or later operations on request. It has a staff of 25, all of whom have received customer assistance training in addition to other mandatory internal and external training in categories such as ramp safety, fire and hazardous items. The location’s line service crew earned its highest score among AIN’s readers with a 4.43.

Martins describes the company’s relationship with the airport authority as very good, adding that the two are working together to alleviate some of the problems business aviation faces at the airport, such as slot and parking restrictions. Regarding the current operating climate for service providers, Martins expects the consolidation trend in the U.S. to extend to Europe as well. “Europe represents a mature FBO market, and stronger FBOs will need to expand by acquiring or partnering with smaller FBOs,” he said.

passengers’ onward transport,” said Gamper, who has noted the proliferation of new long-range aircraft such as the G650 and Globals in the European market. “This trend represents a challenge for smaller FBOs that might not have the capacity or resources to support these larger aircraft,” Gamper told AIN. Over the past year, Execujet remodeled the terminal’s passenger lounges, and the facility also installed more crew and passenger auto parking spaces, now offering nearly 5,400 sq ft (502 sq m) for vehicles. The location, which has its own security screening, customs clearance

and passport control, received its highest scores in the categories of passenger amenities and facilities, earning a 4.51 in both. It has eight “flight administrators” responsible for flight operations and customer care, along with one porter driver who takes care of passenger arrival, crew transport and car parking. “One unusual service ExecuJet Zurich provides is the pre- and post-flight checks for Rega [the Swiss Air Rescue Service], which is located in the same building,” said Gamper, adding that this type of support requires great attention to detail to ensure high safety standards. o

4.31 114,000 gallons of fuel at Zurich and the Dübendorf military airfield, which handles overflow parking during the event. One of three FBOs at Zurich, the facility has 12 line technicians, who receive training through the Shell Fuel program, and many have been with the location from the beginning. ExecuJet is open from 5 a.m until 10:45 p.m. and claims to be the only service provider on the airport that operates a private hangar, private ramp and facility reserved solely for its customers. The 27,000-sq-ft (2,508-sqm) hangar is home to a pair of Falcon 7Xs, a G550 and a trio of smaller jets (a Learjet 45, Phenom 300 and Phenom 100). Its 43,000 sq ft (3,995 sq m) of ramp can accommodate a pair of large-cabin business jets for overnight parking, while still leaving space for arriving aircraft. “Aircraft will always be parked directly in front of the ExecuJet Zurich FBO, which means minimal time is spent between the aircraft and the

32 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

The most obvious change to the new format AIN FBO Survey is a revised evaluation scale to a 1-5 scale, with 5 being the highest; previously, it was a 1-10 scale. The 1-5 scale presents respondents with a simpler range to use during the evaluation process, with 3 representing average, 5 well above average and 1 well below average. More significantly, this year’s FBO Special Report (see AIN’s April and May editions) marks the start of a new process by which AIN collects and reports customer feedback from around the world. Earlier this year we launched our FBO website, which can be accessed anytime online. This mobile-friendly website allows our readers to view, comment on and evaluate FBOs at any time that suits them, year-round. On this site we have compiled all the FBO comments and evaluations that AIN has collected over the past four years—so the average scores that you will find on the site reflect a cumulative average and not a single year in isolation. With the launch of this approach, the average scores shown in the accompanying article represent aggregated scores for the past four years. This marks a major departure from our traditional report as an annual feature built on responses gathered during a defined survey period, which has been in existence for the past 30 years. We believe that the new survey format provides both a more compelling way for business aircraft operators to make their preferences known and a more relevant assessment of service providers. AIN has always prided itself on innovative and trustworthy coverage of key sectors of the business aviation industry. By modernizing our approach to surveying FBO customers over the years, we have ensured that we present the most credible and independent assessment of service providers in this industry. The survey process is now far more interactive and meaningful for the pilots who participate. The new process still ensures that only qualified readers are able to give their ratings and that each participant’s rating of an FBO counts only once. So if Captain Joe Smith rated XYZ FBO and ABC Airport in 2014 and then rated the same FBO at the same airport again in 2016, the only rating counted is the most current 2016 rating. View the new FBO site at www.ainonline.com/fbosurvey.

AfBAA expands EBACE footprint by Ian Sheppard The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) is exhibiting here at EBACE again (Booth Y140), for what will be the fourth year in a row, according to Rady Fahmy, the association’s executive director. An Egyptian who lives in Canada, Fahmy says he is shuttling to various places in Africa every few weeks, and despite not having an aviation background, believes he’s really found his forte heading up AfBAA. “I started out in finance at Morgan Stanley and then went into IT in Cairo, then moved into aviation as a business consultant,” he told AIN. There he found that his background was very useful, given that “the fundamentals of business are pretty much standard.” Reflecting on how African business aviation has developed since he started (and AfBAA was established) in 2012, Fahmy said that, back then, “Africa was a hotbed of growth” in the sector. “Oil prices were at an all-time high and

business aviation grew, as a result. “The fundamentals are there– Africa needs business aviation for its entrepreneurs, oil and gas industry and medevac because it doesn’t have a well developed infrastructure. So it’s a good partner. But the continent is immense and many areas are not yet served, even by business aviation.” Forward-wind to 2016 and many OEMs are now seeing Africa as “the last resort,” said Fahmy. “A lot of the optimism went away as the rate of growth has slowed–but we’re not seeing a bubble in expectations that will burst like it has in China.” While Fahmy acknonledges Africa can be viewed as four or five distinct areas, and many talk about it as “North Africa” and “Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said that AfBAA is “discouraging” these characterizations and wants to look at the continent as one place. “A business aviation person from Egypt is similar to a South African one,” he said. “And we’ve come to the

realization that there is a lot of potential looking [to South Africa] too.” He said that he’d started to form a good bond with the Civil Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA). “Africa is a difficult market,” admitted Fahmy. “I think the lull situation is there and a few OEMs are focusing less on the continent and more on two or three countries.” He noted that the main five are Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Angola and Kenya. “Morocco is in and out of the top five or six,” he added. The DRC has a lot of aircraft but “are more pre-owned.” The continent also doesn’t have very many FBOs. “With the exception of a few, the vast majority are run by the state and don’t seem to be interested in relinquishing [part of their] ground handling, fuel etc. We continue to lobby on behalf of FBOs to secure space [at African airports],” he noted. “Let the passengers choose whether to go public or private.”

AfBAA founding chairman Tarek Ragheb, left, and executive director Rady Fahmy still have high hopes for African bizav.

However, he agreed that there are a lot of places where government agencies are looking to better accommodate private aviation, even if they run the facilities. There is no private FBO that has yet received custom and immigration approval, although Fireblade at Johannesburg is hoping for this soon. “If anyone is able to get C&I approval it would be Fireblade,” said Fahmy. “It’s coming,” he added, referring to this service eventually being available more widely at FBOs. At EBACE this year, AfBAA has “The African Pavilion” with several African business aviation companies set up in one large area, which is bigger than in previous years, “and has a

better position,” said Fahmy. “We should benefit from a better footprint and be more visible.” “We are going to the exhibition to get awareness” among the 25,000 or so visitors. By being in one pavilion with AfBAA running it, member companies can also get around the show rather than being tied to their booths all the time. Six of AfBAA’s 105 members have participated in the coordinated effort, he said. Fahmy said that AfBAA has its conference scheduled for November 17-18 in Cape Town, South Africa. The meeting is also going to be bigger than previous events and have some novel aspects, said Fahmy. The African Business Aviation Conference (AfBAC) will be “more global” and also look at non-traditional areas, such as RPAS (remotely piloted aerial systems). “There are two things we are working on at the moment. One thing is data [on African business aviation, which they started collecting in 2014]. And our next endeavor is folding the UAV/ RPAS business into our association. We in Africa could be in step with the rest of the world,” he said. 

www.ainonline.com • May 25, 2016 • EBACE Convention News 33

Safety 1st is spreading globally by Kerry Lynch A year after the 2015 EBACE served as a springboard for the U.S.-based National Air Transportation Association (NATA) to expand its Safety 1st training

programs internationally, Safety 1st has doubled its reach outside the U.S. The programs are now in place at more than 70 locations internationally. In Europe, the

program received a boost when ground support services provider Euro Jet (Booth J065) partnered with NATA to deploy the Safety 1st Professional Line Service

Training program (PLST) throughout its network of ground handling agents. NATA president and CEO Tom Hendricks had noted that the association always had a few international companies use Safety 1st programs such as PLST, but with the rollout of the International Standard for Business Aviation Handling

(IS-BAH), which includes NATA’s Safety 1st Ground Audit Program, more operators outside the U.S. became interested in the programs. The programs are well established in the U.S. at hundreds of FBOs, but as NATA looks to expand them internationally, the association also is looking to make them better suited for international uses. “NATA’s Safety Committee… established a globalization working group that is examining the unique training needs of worldwide users and its training subcommittee proposed a new model for online line service training that accounts for the various ground service delivery models used around the globe,” Hendricks said. Changes will be incrementally incorporated into the program over the next few years with input from aviation businesses around the world, added Mike France, NATA director of safety and training. France noted that a major component is an education effort that Safety 1st and IS-BAH are complementary programs. Working in concert with the International Business Aviation Council, NATA is launching an educational effort to highlight the benefits of both programs. “A key feature of this campaign is a website where aircraft operators can verify the status of an individual ground handler or FBO [www.fbostatus.com and www.groundhandlerstatus. com],” Henricks said. NATA also will be displaying Safety 1st plaques during EBACE at booths of companies that have adopted the program, France added. “We are getting participation from ground handlers around the world,” he said. o

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Business aircraft flying in Europe eked out a gain of just 0.1 percent last month, with 63,602 departures recorded in the region, according to data released by WingX Advance. The overall improvement stems from 2-percent growth in business jet activity; business turboprop and piston activity dragged down the results, declining between 2 and 3 percent. Year-to-date, flying in the region is still trailing 2015 by 1.6 percent. In the jet category, very light jets led the pack as activity ascended 22 percent year-overyear last month. This was followed by an 8-percent increase in ultralong-range flying and 2.5-percent growth in light jet activity. Turboprop flying in the region fell 2.4 percent. n

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Qatar Executive meets its region’s bizav needs by Peter Shaw-Smith Qatar Executive, the business jet arm of Qatar Airways, has added a second Airbus ACJ319 to its fleet, bringing the number of such aircraft it manages to two. “In total we have now two 40-seat A319 aircraft ready for charter for worldwide travel, and we expect to receive a significant number of bookings, not just for the busy summer season but, starting in June, during Ramadan, which is a popular time to perform Umrah [a pilgrimage to Mecca at any time of year, in contrast to the more significant Hajj, which falls in certain months of the Islamic calendar] in Saudi Arabia,” a Qatar Executive spokesperson told AIN. Qatar Executive made waves at EBACE last year with the announcement of its intent to purchase up to 30 aircraft from Gulfstream, an increase from the original order of 20, announced as part of a memorandum of understanding first agreed to in October 2014. The increased orders and options are for a combination of Gulfstream’s new G500 and G600, for which Qatar Executive is the launch customer, and the flagship G650ER. The first G650ER was delivered in the last quarter of 2015, and a second arrived this March. The G500 made its first flight in May 2015, and Gulfstream expects to receive type certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency in 2017. The G600 flight test program may now begin a little earlier than expected around the end of this year, with entry-into-service projected to be

sometime in 2019. The Qatar Executive fleet today consists of three Bombardier Challenger 605s, two Global 5000 Visions, two Global 5000s, one Global XRS and two Gulfstream G650ERs. In recent years, Qatar Executive (Booth J059) has expanded its service portfolio and also substantially grown the aircraft management business. In addition to its wholly owned fleet of Bombardier and Gulfstream aircraft, the company also manages three owned jets for clients in the Middle East. “The service we provide to aircraft owners is tailored to each individual’s requirements, but generally includes taking care of the entire flight operation: the trip planning, the allocation of highly-experienced pilots and flight attendants up to the organization of catering and all ground arrangements including fueling, hangar parking and cleaning of the aircraft in Doha and worldwide,” explained the spokesperson.

Qatar Executive now offers two Gulfstream G650ERs, above, for charter, and also manages a pair of 40-seat VIP Airbus A319s, below.

New Terminal To Come

Some customers offer their aircraft for charter whenever they do not use them, while others prefer to have their aircraft exclusively at their own disposal, he said. QE is planning to open a new Qatar Executive terminal at its home airport in Doha in the final quarter of this year. “Our new full-service private aviation hub will cater to the growing number of private jets flying into Qatar, and create a memorable travel experience for our VIP guests as well as other operators through its elegant

design, exclusive offer of services and genuine hospitality, for which we are renowned worldwide,” said the QE spokesperson. The Doha-based company is growing its flight operations and pilot workforce. It currently employs 40 pilots and is looking

ESTERA IS THE NEW NAME FOR OFFSHORE REGISTRY SPECIALIST Offshore fiduciary and administration specialist Estera Aviation (Booth S100), formerly Appleby Aviation, is exhibiting at this year’s EBACE show for the first time under its new name. The company helps businesses and individuals with all aspects of aircraft registration and can assist with registrations in no fewer than 10 offshore jurisdictions. These include its home base, the Isle of Man, which has registered some 850 private aircraft since its registry was founded nine years ago (with 467 still active). Estera’s technical director of aviation Brian Johnson, along with client director Sandra Georgeson and manager Aidan McCowliff are representing Estera in Geneva this week. The new name was adopted following a management buyout from the Appleby Group in December 2015. With representatives of the Isle of Man government present at EBACE this year, Estera hopes to increase the number of aircraft registered there. “The Isle of Man aircraft registry continues to go from strength-tostrength,” said Simon Williams, Isle of Man director of Civil Aviation. “This success is very much down to the relationship the registry has with the island’s aviation sector, and with so many of them represented at EBACE this year, we will be able to truly showcase this aviation expertise on a global stage.” –S.C.

36 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

to recruit further type-rated first officers and captains for the entire fleet. It serves direct customers as well as private jet brokers, who book flights for clients through a dedicated sales team, which is on constant standby. Passengers can be airborne in as little as four hours after a booking is made, with only a 10-minute check-in required at its dedicated business aviation facilities. Connecting from Qatar Airways’ commercial airline service to charter services is also possible, especially from North America. The operator sees a trend towards more long- and ultra-long-range travel, so, at a time when the delay in the Global 7000-8000 program has put Bombardier at a disadvantage, the Gulfstream fleet’s availability has boosted business. “Our fleet strategy is built around providing our customers with aircraft that are young

and modern, as well as leaders in cabin comfort, size and range,” said the spokesperson. “To successfully serve the markets we target around the world, we need aircraft that can reach the main global business centres in the shortest possible time. They also need significant passenger baggage payload and maximum cabin comfort, and it’s that combination which attracted us to Gulfstream. There are a number of design features about the G650ER that make it very attractive for our passengers. It has the largest panoramic windows of any aircraft within its category, low cabin noise levels, low cabin altitude and outstanding payload-carrying capabilities.” o

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FSI upgrades rejected-takeoff training by Chad Trautvetter FlightSafety International (Booth G043) has expanded its “Rejected Takeoff Go/No-Go” Ad PC-12 - (199 x 264) course for pilots of Gulfstream aircraft. The course, which promotes best practices and

AIN

enhances go/no-go decisionmaking, is now available for GIV, GV, G450, G550 and G650 jets. During this four-hour course, two-pilot flight crews

will be put through a series of V¹ decision scenarios that will allow them to become proficient in their flight department’s takeoff briefings and the go/no-go decision. In total,

each crewmember will face 18 different V1 scenarios, requiring a decision to either continue the takeoff or abort. Additionally, the rejected takeoff course gives pilots multiple opportunities to experience the high stress and demands of an emergency return. “Many pilots have never operated their aircraft

with the level of aggressiveness required to get back to the airport quickly under emergency conditions,” FlightSafety said. The course is offered at FlightSafety learning centers in Dallas, Texas; Hong Kong; Savannah, Georgia; Long Beach, California; Wilmington, Delaware; and at the UK’s Farnborough Airport. In related news, the company is adding training for the G650 at its Farnborough center starting in March 2017, following level-D qualification of the simulator. This will be FlightSafety’s fourth training location and fifth simulator for the Gulfstream flagship. Currently, two G650 simulators are at its center in Savannah and one each at Long Beach and Wilmington. o

HONEYWELL TAPS FLIGHTSAFETY FOR MAINTENANCE TRAINING Honeywell has chosen FlightSafety International (Booth G043) at its exclusive maintenance training provider. Under the agreement, FlightSafety will offer training for Honeywell engines, auxiliary power systems, avionics, satcoms and environmental control systems. The training will be available starting next month at FlightSafety’s learning centers in Dallas, Texas, and Wichita, Kansas. It will be expanded next year to other locations in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe and Africa. “Our courseware designers and subject matter experts are working closely with Honeywell to develop new courseware and update existing materials to be aircraftand platform-specific,” said FlightSafety senior vice president of operations Daniel MacLellan. “Our instructors will deliver interactive training using instructional technologies and equipment, including desktop and graphical flight deck simulators, other handson training devices, training aids and test equipment.” According to FlightSafety, customers will also benefit from online course selection, scheduling and registration for training offered at the company’s centers, at client’s own facilities and webbased courses. –C.T.

FASTER ON LESS FUEL. THAT’S HOW WE ROLL. For the 2016 PC-12 NG, outstanding performance becomes even more exceptional. We began by adding a custom Hartzell composite five-blade propeller, and then made smart improvements to the aerodynamics. The result is pure Pilatus. A new top speed of 285 knots. Faster climb to altitude. Shorter take-off distance. But with no extra fuel burn. And an even quieter, more relaxing cabin. Pilatus Aircraft Ltd • Switzerland • Phone +41 41 619 61 11 • www.pilatus-aircraft.com

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VistaJet’s business model pampers its global travelers by Samantha Cartaino Private charter provider VistaJet has increased its fleet twelve-fold over the past 10 years, having last month received its 100th aircraft to take the current total to over 60 Bombardier Global and Challenger jets. The Europe-based company keeps its fleet young, with an average age of just under two years, and so has sold almost 40 aircraft to date. It started back in 2004 and in 2006 still had just five aircraft. Much of the growth has happened over the last couple of years, with 10 new aircraft having arrived in just 31 days in 2015. Over the past 10 years, VistaJet has flown around 210,000 passengers to some 1,500 destinations in 190 countries. In 2015, it carried 37,000 passengers. Originally based in Austria, the operator now has its headquarters in Malta, where 52 of its aircraft are registered. In 2008, it acquired Bombardier’s Skyjet

International charter division. Its 750 employees are now spread across offices on four continents. Since 2015 the VistaJet fleet includes some aircraft registered in China–a move that the company says has resulted in a 30 percent increase in Asian traffic. Last year also saw a 139 percent boost to its U.S. flight activity, following its entry into the North American market in 2014. VistaJet’s regular service area now covers 90 percent of the globe. “In the current market where private [aircraft] ownership is becoming less and less of a viable option, it makes sense for customers to leave the asset risk and up-front capital costs to VistaJet,” commented chairman and founder Thomas Flohr. “Our clients simply pay for the time they spend in the air. No other operator can offer the same guaranteed global reach at fixed rates, and as little as 24 hours’ notice.” o

SOURCE: VISTAJET

100 Things You Never Knew About VistaJet, the Highlights: Flight Stats • VistaJet flew around the world 679 times in 2015 • One of the company’s aircraft takes off every 36 minutes • Southernmost destination: Ushuaia-Malvinas Argentinas airport, Argentina • Northernmost destination: Svalbard, Norway • Highest airport: Inca Manco Capac, Peru at 12,552 feet (3,862 meters) • Farthest flight: 6,386 nm (11,819 km) • Longest flight: Singapore to Nice (13 hours and 43 minutes) • Fastest flight: Napa to the Cayman Islands (5 hours 5 minutes, 4,436 km)

Crew • trained by British Butler Institute in London • receive WSET Level 2 training in wines and spirits • wear custom-designed Moncler spring and winter jackets • includes 50 different nationalities and over half of them speak two or more languages

Hangars. Parking. FBO.

Cabin Experience • VistaJet’s amenity kits are filled with raw organic products from California’s The Body Deli • Wines are hand-picked by chairman Thomas Flohr, including vintage Dom Perignon champagne • Aircraft fragrance was designed by luxury perfumier Le Labo to complement the cabin interior • VistaJet has its own branded caviar on board • In-flight menu created in partnership with Japanese restaurant Nobu • Coffee served in Christofle china • Global aircraft include a specially curated library of dozens of books selected by London-based bookstore Heywood Hill • The VistaJet Ultimate Sky Sleep includes a special Skysleeper mattress, feather duvets, Egyptian cotton linens and cashmere blankets • The red roses on its aircraft are actually white but are dyed to ensure “perfect coloring” • In 2013, VistaJet celebrated Easter by offering customers limited edition fine egg pendants from master jeweler Fabergé. The company later partnered with UK artist Ian Davenport and Fabergé to paint a custom Fabergé egg on the tail of its Global 6000 • VistaJet partners with global healthcare provider MedAire to ensure that passengers and crew have access to medical care

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40 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

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CABIN SPACE, THE FINAL FRONTIER? Widebodies such as the just announced Airbus ACJ350 offer the equivalent of several houses of floorspace, so creating cabins that meet demanding certification rules can be challenging. Thus, Airbus will pre-equip the aircraft’s carbon-fiber fuselage of the ACJ350 with hundreds of attachment points, allowing for possibilities such as this passenger lounge configuration.

Jet ConneX broadband close to bizav service by Charles Alcock Inmarsat’s Jet ConneX service is set to bring unprecedented inflight connectivity rates of up to 50MB per second to the first paying business aviation customers this year, following an anticipated wave of supplemental type certificates (STCs) for a variety of aircraft applications. The most recent breakthrough was Bombardier’s STC in March to install the Honeywell JetWave-based system on its Global family of aircraft, while Rockwell Collins announced here at EBACE that it had validated the performance of Jet ConneX, which forms part of its ArincDirect services. The second half of the year is expected to see STCs for other mainstream business aircraft, such as the Gulfstream G450

and G550, as well as for the Dassault Falcon 900 and VIP versions of the Airbus A330 and Boeing 777. “The goal for this year is to hit every major business aviation platform with an STC,” Inmarsat’s business aviation v-p Kurt Weidemeyer told AIN. The Jet ConneX service designated specifically for business aircraft users is being marketed by various service providers, including Satcom Direct, Gogo, Arinc Direct and Satcom 1. Since the third quarter of 2015, the new Inmarsat-5 satellite constellation, on which the service is based, has been serving other sectors such as maritime operators. Meanwhile, Inmarsat’s European Aviation Network, which will produce a combined

network using both satellites and LTE ground stations as an alternative way to deliver high speed broadband, is due to go operational in the first quarter of 2017 and eventually should provide connection rates for 75MB per second. Inmarsat (Booth A023) is partnering with Deutsche Telekom in this project, which is intended as a lower cost solution that will be better suited to smaller aircraft that cannot carry the larger antenna required for Jet ConneX. “We are now seeing a very high level of interest in Jet ConneX to the extent that we are now having issues with [achieving] the STCs and scheduling engineering work,” said Weidemeyer. “We are seeing interest from operators seeking the ability to offer video conferencing in the sky, which will work better with Jet ConneX than it does with the existing SwiftBroadband service. People are also excited that they can use IP-based TV services with multiple live streamed channels running in an aircraft at the same time.” o

JET AVIATION ST. LOUIS OFFERS COMPETITIVE MAINTENANCE CHOICE Making a transatlantic trip for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work can be cost effective for European operators, according to Jet Aviation’s St. Louis facility, which is promoting its extensive capabilities here at the EBACE show. The Jet Aviation (Booth A050) St. Louis team is working in close collaboration with its sister facility in Basel, Switzerland, to offer clients the option to have work done in the U.S. “This would mainly make sense for heavy refurbishment work or major maintenance checks,” explained Aaron Kreissler, director of sales with Jet Aviation St. Louis. “For example, we just announced that we have signed our 35th 120-month inspection for [Bombardier] Globals, and that complements our capabilities on other Bombardier airframes, as well as Gulfstream, Boeing Business Jets, Embraer, Hawker

and Falcon. And we have delivered more than 230 custom completions.” The St. Louis facility is an FAA-approved Class 4 repair station, as well as holding approvals from the European Aviation Safety Agency and from Mexican authorities. Along with its Jet Aviation sister operations in Basel, Geneva and Singapore, it can handle warranty work. “The warranty is simply transferred internally, so it is seamless to customers,” explained Kreissler. Generally speaking, the work is less expensive at the U.S. facilities, but European customers are still able to deal with their local sales representative. “There are times when Basel simply can’t take the work, and going to St. Louis also makes sense, if the customer is spending time in the U.S.,” said Kreissler. –C.A.

This winning design for the Airbus H160 is here at EBACE.

Pegasus Design wins Airbus H160 contest by Thierry Dubois Pegasus Design has won Airbus Helicopters’ design contest for the H160 VIP cabin interior, the airframer announced here on Tuesday. At the Airbus Helicopters display (Hall 5, Booth N060), showgoers can experience the medium twin’s cabin interior, electric footstep and hinged doors, thanks to a virtual reality immersion tool. The contest was launched in October 2015. It culminated in an evaluation by “a large panel of customers and specialists in luxury goods,” said Frédéric Lemos, Airbus Helicopters’ head of private and business aviation. Airbus’s inhouse design team will now work closely with Pegasus Design, following the latter’s “design intention.” It will not be the first cooperation between the two companies, as Pegasus was previously selected to design the H175’s VIP and corporate cabin interiors. The H160 test program has been progressing as planned, according to Airbus Helicopters, which targets EASA certification in 2018. The two prototypes (PT1 and PT2) have accumulated around 140 flight hours in 100 sorties. A third will join the fleet next year. Also taking part in the

effort are two advanced ground test beds–Dynamic Helicopter Zero and System Helicopter Zero. PT1, which first flew in June 2015 with Pratt & Whitney Canada engines, has been modified with Turbomeca Arranos and will be back flying this month. Meanwhile PT2 has been flying since January, powered by Arranos. “This has been a very promising beginning with the Turbomeca engines, which are maturing,” Bernard Fujarski, head of the H160 program, told AIN. The aero-mechanic configuration of the rotorcraft has been “progressing rapidly,” he added. Night flight trials have begun. The flight envelope has been “widely open,” Fujarski said. PT2 has flown several times at 20,000 feet. It has performed turns at 2.2 g. It also recently flew a planned test flight at greater than Vne speed. “We are totally on target,” Fujarski said. Coming up are Arrano performance flights and cold- and hot-temperature tests. The aeromechanic configuration is to be finalized soon. The H160 order book was opened in March and has since signed several letters of intent. o

www.ainonline.com • May 25, 2016 • EBACE Convention News 41

Returnjet rides internet wave of charter-broker innovation by Ian Sheppard

MARK WAGNER

The world of charter booking has brokers (it has around 650 registered so been changing over the past few years far), whereas Stratajet seeks to supplant and remains a hotbed of start-up activity brokers and connect end-user passengers for IT entreprenuers who see private avi- directly to operators. “Charter operators can market their ation as a potential goldmine. Disruptive business models are all the rage, and at aircraft to more than 1,500 brokers,” said Westlake, a former helicopter the end of the proverbial rainpilot who later spent five years bow are business aircraft that “helping NetJets resell blocks are undeniably underutilized. of hours.” He became a private One of those believing it jet consultant in 2012 before has spotted an opportunty starting to think “the next step is Cheltenham, UK-based was to develop a global platReturnjet (Booth D065). form similar to Avinode, but AIN spoke with Steve free to use. Avinode is getting Westlake, aviation director expensive.” At that point he of Returnjet, only a couple met Mark Blanchfield, an IT weeks after a comprehensive briefing from competitor Returnjet aviation director entrepreneur who had started Stratajet, which also claims it Steve Westlake believes Returnjet (he is the CEO). he has the right formula is about to shake business avi- for online charter booking. But “it was focused on empty legs,” said Westlake. “I said, ation up forever by allowing ‘You can’t run a platform just for empty online, real-time firm quoting. Westlake said that Returnjet is differ- legs.’ But he had the platform and had ent, more of a competitor for Avinode; in invested £500,000 [around $700,000] in fact, he said it will be better than Avinode it already. I said, ‘You need to make it in the end. First, three-year-old Returnjet free and user friendly, and then the brois free for users, consisting primarily of kers will use it.’” He said revenue comes

EMBRAER ADDS DIVAN TO LEGACY 450 CABIN OPTIONS The Embraer Legacy 450 here on static display has a new interior configuration: an eight passenger (nine with belted lav) configuration with a two-place divan opposite the entry door. It also sports small flight information screens in the overhead panels.

42 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

from advertising from FBOs and other companies, rather than user fees. “We have a tech team based in Romania,” he explained, “and they have turned our crude empty-leg site into a pretty good alternative to Avinode.” This has taken “probably another £1 million [$1.6 million] of investment,” he added. The Returnjet Mechanism

Westlake said, “With our system, the broker will put its search in with all their criteria, and get a list of available aircraft. The system scans from the home base then outwards until it has 30 possible aircraft. The broker can select the ones he wants to consider and the system automatically sends out quote requests. “Then we have a team following up–most operators now have people on call 24 hours.” This level of availability, he suggested, had been stimulated by Avinode publishing operator response times. “Through our platform we have a

Skype channel where brokers can request documents etc. There’s no need for e-mails. Then a PDF presentation document is sent that the broker can send to the client as a proposal. You can do it all in a couple of hours.” He said that most operators could now provide quotes “within minutes.” So with Returnjet all operators are available. “Avinode’s weakness is that you only have the operators that pay to be listed,” explained Westlake. He admitted however that “it’s hard getting through to the operators,” but once they use it once, they tend to use it a lot. Some even leave Avinode, he claimed. “Our big message is that Returnjet is free to operators and brokers.” On a final note, Westlake said that Returnjet linked up with Argus to “launch our broker awards.” There are prizes every three months, one in the U.S. and one in Europe, for the broker booking the most flights using Returnjet. o

Online Booking Market Dynamics Asked whether the market was getting a little crowded with online platforms, Returnjet aviation director Steve Westlake replied confidently that the broker platforms were all “competing for the end user” rather than just providing a database for brokers. “Stratajet, Victor, Privatefly etc…they’re all competing. And they have platforms they want operators to participate in, so there is a lot of demand on operators to give their availability to everyone. The hungry ones like LEA are happy to do it. But the downside is operators are bombarded.” He suggested that they usually got the same request from several brokers and platforms and “probably just give the same quote to all of them.” He noted that in the U.S. there is CharterPad, “a competitor of ours and Avinode… and then you have JetHunter, which has some traction in the U.S. and is looking to come to Europe, and Stellar too…so with us there are probably five.” So what is Returnjet doing here at EBACE? “We’re announcing a free-to-use API for brokers. It’s very simple, we give them the code and a search widget box for their website.” He added, “We hope that Victor PrivateFly and others will also use this and realize they don’t actually need to go to the operators themselves. “Then about two months after EBACE, we will launch a fully-functioning app that brokers can offer their customers. They will even be able to brand it as their own. For example, Air Partner could do it, with our back end.” Could Avinode respond and start doing the same? Westlake admitted there was a risk; “Unless Avinode is prepared to give its data and technology away for free, we’re hopng we’ll be the go-to platform.” One long-term goal, he said, is that all the players vying for bookings and providing new technology could stimulate demand, and perhaps create a whole new genre of business aircraft user. “Absolutely,” said Westlake. He said that private clients could also

register on Returnjet and seach for empty legs–it is not exclusive to brokers. ReturnJet spent a lot of time and effort developing its “empty-leg corridor technology,” he added. “It took us about a year to get it right, but if there is a New York-London empty leg and someone wants to go from Washington to Paris,” the NY-LON flight would come up and prompt a request to the operator to get a quote to use the aircraft. “We worked out that even a diversion to Iceland [to pick up paying passengers] would be cheaper [than going back empty].” But he ended on a philosophical note regarding an oncoming juggernaut. In the end, Westlake believes that Stellar, a U.S. company “owned by two billionaires,” has the most potential in the online private aircraft booking arena. It can make deals with major travel sites such as Expedia and others and stimulate a new market for business jet access. “I think that further down the line someone like Stellar will [take over] the whole thing.” But in the meantime he believes there will be a few years when the also-rans can fill their pots with gold. The opportunity that one big entity could take up, believes Westlake, is to “click and buy” from the operator, with no mark-up (even Stratajet has a 10-15 percent markup, he claimed). “But we’re not there yet. The end user still can’t get the price [for free] from the operator. To do that, the quote would have to use the operator’s system,...so it would need to be flight-planning software.” He sees the future centered with mobile devices; “Eventually it will be high-net-worth individuals on their mobile phones doing a search, and they’ll click and pay there and then. But it’s probably a few years until we get there. You’ve got to have the tech to give a fixed price the operators are also happy with.” He noted that operators can sometimes make very good profits from one-offs, and will be wary of losing out on the occasion when they are the only ones that can fulfil a particular mission. –I.S.

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Gogo unveils Jet ConneX services and expands its European programs by Kerry Lynch In-flight connectivity specialist Gogo Business Aviation has started to roll out its airtime and support programs for the Jet ConneX Ka-band service over the Inmarsat Global Xpress satellite network, in cooperation with its Jet ConneX distribution partner Honeywell. Jet ConneX expands a wide portfolio of inflight voice data services that Gogo can offer, including Gogo Biz, SwiftBroadband, Classic Aero, Swift64, Iridium terrestrial 3G and Gogo Cloud. As its portfolio grows, U.S.-based Gogo is expanding its programs and staff for the European market. By folding the new service into a suite of network and inflight entertainment offerings, Gogo (Booth D051) is providing capabilities that include real-time television, high-speed broadband internet access, video calling and conference, voice over IP, large file transfers and VPN access, along with flight deck and crew applications. To coincide with the roll-out of the new capabilities, Gogo

is unveiling here at EBACE a refined customer loyalty program that includes a shorterterm commitment (reduced from five to three years), transferrable service (in case the aircraft is sold) and a monthly service plan option. Under the loyalty program, existing Gogo customers can receive equipment for Inmarsat SwiftBroadband at no cost when installed by an authorized dealer and assuming they activate a new SwiftBroadband airtime contract. Customers will be responsible for installation and certification costs. Gogo has planned a range of performance tiers and data packages for Jet ConneXequipped aircraft and will provide single-source activation, support and consolidated monthly billing for the services. “Our back-office systems are in place and our team is prepared to support customers worldwide as the service comes on line,” said John Wade, Gogo Business Aviation executive v-p and general manager.

To accommodate the growing customer base in Europe, Gogo also named Dave Perry as U.K. sales manager. Perry brings 20 years of satellite network service international sales and business development experience to his new role. Inmarsat has launched three satellites and is preparing to launch a fourth later this year to provide seamless global Global Xpress coverage and enabling speeds of up to 33 Mbps. Meanwhile Gogo is expanding its Gogo Cloud wireless content delivery network into Europe. The service currently is available at the Jetex FBO at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. Two more locations will be added this summer with additional locations planned for 2017. Gogo Cloud is designed to enable the automatic delivery of large data files for in-flight entertainment. Customers of Gogo Vision, the company’s in-flight entertainment service, can automatically receive updates when they visit a Gogo Cloud location. o

WORLD FUEL SERVICES ROLLS OUT TWO NEW AVCARDS Global fueling services provider World Fuel Services (WFS) has introduced two additions to the Avcard portfolio here at EBACE. According to the Miami, Florida-based company, the new Flight Department Avcard is designed for chief pilots and aviation directors to help them control costs across their operations. Traditional aviation charge cards are usually associated with aircraft tail numbers, making it difficult to track expenses not pertaining to the particular aircraft, WFS said. Instead, the Flight Department card is issued to the department, allowing them to more easily manage purchases such as those for pilot training, connectivity subscriptions and association dues. The MRO Avcard is aimed specifically at maintenance directors, streamlining AOG maintenance and major repair final payments, avoiding the need for other costly methods such as wire transfers or ACH

(automated clearing house) payments. “Our new MRO and Flight Department cards allow our customers to conserve cash and uniquely control new purchasing categories,” said Michael Szczechowski, World Fuel’s senior v-p for business aviation sales. “Our customers need controls and visibility to keep them on top of their aviation spending. We provide a variety of financial tools and support services to help them, which are all backed by World Fuel Services’ global acceptance and financial strength.” In association with the launch, several new companies have been added to the Avcard network of merchants, including FlightSafety International, CAE Simuflite, Simcom, JSSI and Gogo Business Aviation. Their purchases through the Avcard will also be eligible for points through World Fuel’s FlyBuys Rewards program. –C.E.

44 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

Banyan Air Service has been named as an authorized dealer and installation facility for the Advent Aircraft System GPS/digital anti-skid braking system (Advent eABS). Advent recently secured U.S. FAA supplemental type certification for installation of the eABS on Beechcraft King Air B300/B300Cs equipped with Rockwell Collins Pro Line/GPS 4000S or Garmin G1000/430W/530W avionics. Designed for turbine aircraft weighing up to 20,000 pounds (9,072 kg) maximum takeoff weight, the eABS improves braking, tire protection, tactile feedback (during anti-skid operation, the pedal pushes back), low-speed cut out (the system will not operate in anti-skid mode when aircraft speed is below 10 knots) and touchdown protection. The installation requires minimal downtime and can be performed separately or during regularly scheduled maintenance inspections, said Matthew Schepers, director of MRO services for Banyan Air Service (Booth G089). Certification work for the King Air B200 and Pilatus PC-12/12NG is ongoing, Schepers added. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Banyan Air Service is an authorized service center for Beechcraft, Piaggio, Quest and Honda Aircraft. Banyan also services Citations, Learjets, Hawkers, Challengers and Falcons. –K.L.

Jet Aviation prepares for Part-NCC guidance by Curt Epstein With European operators anticipating the new EU Part NCC (non-commercial operation of complex aircraft) regulations–which will take effect this August 25 this year–Jet Aviation is offering guidance and compliance assistance. The measure is intended to bring non-commercial operators that have their principle place of business in an EU member state, closer to the safety standards applied to commercial operations. The regulations will apply to operators or owners of any aircraft certified for operation by two pilots. That includes fixedwing aircraft of more than 5,700 kilograms (12,566 pounds) or more than 19 seats; any jet or multi-engine turboprop; and any rotorcraft of more than 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs). Aircraft registered in a state other than an EASA state but having their principal place of business (i.e. operator is established or residing) in an EASA state will also be affected by the new rule. It will require the creation of an operations manual, along with the submission of a Compliance Declaration to their national aviation authority accepting responsibility, accountability and liability for their operation under the new regulations. “EASA aircraft owners and operators want to ensure they comply with EU Part NCC,

and as with any new regulation that is rolled out, they have questions and uncertainty about how the regulation applies to their aircraft operation and other compliance questions,” said Claudio Peer, Jet Aviation’s v-p of aircraft management and charter sales in EMEA and Asia. “Jet Aviation is here to support our customers,” added Peer. The General Dynamics subsidiary (Booth A050), continues to grow its managed fleet, which now numbers nearly 300 aircraft worldwide, having added a pair of Gulfstream G650s, a G550 and an Airbus ACJ to its EMEA and Asia operation. It has also added two Dassault Falcon 2000s, a Bombardier Global Express and a Sikorsky S-76 in the U.S. over the past two months. “Aircraft owners and operators trust our professional expertise in operating their business aircraft, and they appreciate our global scope and scale,” said Juerg Reuthinger, senior v-p and general manager, aircraft management and charter, EMEA and Asia. “We have experience with all types of aircraft and strive hard to provide comprehensive and quality service across our network of facilities to ensure our customers have the support they require when and where it’s needed.” o

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UAS demonstrates its new app for self-service flight planning by Chad Trautvetter

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46 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

Designed in cooperation with flight-planning specialist ForeFlight, UAS International’s FlightEvolution application is a do-it-yourself flight planner. It uses technology from sophisticated gaming programs.

Responding to a trend of business aircraft operators migrating to “self service” flight planning, UAS International Trip Support (Booth E065) is unveiling and demonstrating its new flight-planning platform, developed in partnership with ForeFlight, this week here at EBACE 2016. Currently in beta testing, the alldigital platform–dubbed FlightEvolution– allows schedulers, dispatchers and flight crews to plan every aspect of a trip without any outside help. “By developing advanced operational tools on the market, we are responding to the complex and ever-changing requirements of operators and pilots who demand more powerful and sophisticated tech capabilities,” said UAS executive vice president Jay Ammar Husary. “Being more solutions-focused allows us to best meet the unique requirements of each individual. There are a number of online flight planning tools on the market today, but what makes FlightEvolution different is the user experience.” Distinguishing itself from competing online flight-planners, FlightEvolution was built as “mobile first,” UAS regional director for the Americas Ryan

Frankhouser told AIN. “It was developed first for iOS devices, then the web. Because of this approach, we were able to make sure all of the features and functions, with the exception of flightplan filing, work on the iPad/iPhone app even if the user is offline,” he said. The web version requires an Internet connection, however. Feature-rich Menu

Besides flight-plan filing, planning features include graphical weather, rubber-band routing, overflight permits, navigation fee estimates, fuel orders and FBO/aircraft handling arrangements. The iOS app can also display approach charts with overlays, ADS-B traffic and worldwide synthetic vision. The beta version can already perform all of these functions, but features such as catering orders, hotel accommodations and executive ground transportation bookings will be added in the future, possibly with other partners, the company said. Frankhouser said the app borrows vector-based mapping engine technology developed for video games. “Games such as ‘Call of Duty’ have such smooth and robust graphics, but flight planning software mapping lags behind or is tiled,” he said. “So we brought in some gaming programmers as part of our development team to eliminate these issues.” This technology also allows data to be highly compressed–the key to permitting mapping for route planning, approach chart overlays and synthetic vision to be used worldwide while the iOS device is offline, he told AIN. Even with this enormous amount of stored data, the company’s recommended minimum onboard storage space for an iPad or iPhone with the FlightEvolution app is only 32GB. However, Frankhouser said the app runs better on the newer iOS devices, which have faster processors. Thus, he recommends running the app on an iPad 2 or newer iPad, or the iPhone SE or 6/6S. Pricing will be comparable to existing online flight planning applications, he said, adding that specific details will be available before October. o

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Globals’ device-based CMS is faster and ‘future-proof ’ by Charles Alcock Bombardier (Booth Z115) is unveiling a significant upgrade to the cabin management system (CMS) of its Global 5000 and 6000 jets. The new package combines Rockwell Collins’s Venue CMS with the high-bandwidth 67 GB/sec fiberoptic backbone of the Bombardier’s Wave system to deliver 15 MB/sec connectivity. “The Global 5000 and 6000 are now the only purpose-built business jets able to stream multiple high definition media anywhere on the planet, apart from the poles,” said Blair McEwen, Bombardier Business Aircraft associate product planning manager. The CMS is designed to be ultra-fast, flexible and intuitive to use, with its own app providing a user-friendly interface for passengers. The aircraft feature a dedicated fire-proof, ventilated media bay with multiple HDMI and USB ports to connect with multiple consumer electronic devices, allowing passengers to stream media via channels such as Apple TV, Netflix and live news and sports broadcasts. They can also view content from their laptops on the cabin displays. The new system, which

also features a Bluetooth connection, is compatible with Android and iOS tablet devices. It also allows passengers to control cabin features such as environmental controls and lighting from their seats. “The design philosophy for this is all about embracing consumer electronics so that passengers can use all their own devices on-board,” said McEwen. “Great off-the-shelf equipment can be hard to integrate in an aircraft cabin. A lot of engineering goes into a simple enclosure so we can get the equipment into the cabin.” The most obvious difference with the new CMS is that you don’t see any popout monitors integrated into seats by avionics manufacturers. All that’s visible is a universal tablet arm holder to take passengers’ devices. “This is not hard-wired technology that can become quickly outdated,” said McEwen. The improved CMS will be available on new Globals from the third quarter of this year. Bombardier has not yet confirmed whether it will be baseline equipment, or an optional item. For now, list prices for the Global 5000 and 6000 are

With Bombardier’s new personal-device-based CMS, there’s no need for hard-wired controls.

unchanged. It will also be available as a retrofit for in-service Global aircraft through Bombardier service centers. “Our long-range Global business jets routinely fly the world’s most discerning travelers to remote destinations in the ultimate luxury and comfort,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Bombardier Business Aircraft’s vice president of strategy, marketing and innovation. “These customers are seeking the same cutting edge technology in the air as they use in their offices or living rooms. This new cabin management system seamlessly blends ease of use and advanced functionality.” Here in Geneva, EBACE visitors can view the new CMS in one of two Global 6000s. Bombardier also is exhibiting its Challenger 350 and 650 models, as well as a Learjet 75 featuring a new pocketdoor forward bulkhead that reduces cabin noise by up to eight decibels. o

By mid-year, Universal Avionics (Booth T063) expects to bring its controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) capabilities to European customers with the anticipated technical standard order (TSO) approval of the latest software for its UniLink UL-800/801 Communications Management Unit (CMU). This will allow operators with the necessary CPDLC message sets to meet the European Link 2000+ Program mandate requirements, which take effect from February 2020. Dan Reida, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing, said, “Our FANS-1/A+ customers have repeatedly touted these benefits for oceanic operations and now it will be available for European domestic operations as well.” According to the Arizona-based manufacturer, the upgraded software control number (SCN) 31.X, addresses industry requirements for operational consistency and human factors for all FANS CPDLC and ATN CPDLC messages for operators flying in both continental Europe and oceanic airspace, and can be used for other FANS applications such as the FAA’s Data Comm. The UL-800/801 CMU can be installed on a wide range of platforms, even those with a third-party Flight Management System (FMS), while the UL-801 model also features an integral VHF data radio, saving the weight and space of a remotemounted data radio. n

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48 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

NEWS CLIPS z All King Airs Now Certified with Pro Line Fusion Beechcraft Corporation (Booth V029) here on Tuesday announced it has received FAA and EASA type certifications for the new Pro Line Fusion-equipped Beechcraft King Air C90GTx turboprop. All current production models of the King Air are thus available with the new Rockwell Collins touchscreen-based avionics as standard equipment, the Textron Aviation subsidiary said. Pilot training is offered at Textron’s TRU Simulation+Training facility near Tampa, Florida. Pro Line Fusion for the King Air is the first full touchscreen flight display system in civil aviation. It uses three 14-inch displays. Capabilities include: touchscreen checklists; graphic touchscreen flight planning; high-resolution synthetic vision with airport “dome” graphics; presets to reconfigure all three displays with a single touch; dual multi-sensor flight management systems; and automatic wireless database and chart uploads.

z ViaSat To Install Ku-band Terminal in Falcon 8X Dassault Aviation has selected ViaSat (Booth W089) to equip the Falcon 8X with a Ku-band broadband terminal. The multi-year agreement opens the door for ViaSat to deliver a bundled global Ku-band service offering, with in-cabin network equipment and in-flight connectivity service. The first delivery is scheduled to take place by year-end. The ViaSat Mobile Terminal 1500 (VMT-1500-C) shipset includes a Ku-band antenna, modem and antenna control unit. The cabin network will use a Satcom Direct Router provided by ViaSat. Installation of the system will begin in the middle of this year in Little Rock, Ark. Dassault Falcon Services is working on an STC for retrofitting the system on the Falcon 7X.

z Rockwell Collins Introduces CES Upgrades Rockwell Collins (Booth U073) has introduced a series of high-definition cabin management and cabin entertainment systems (CES) upgrades for Gulfstream aircraft that were originally delivered with aircraft condition monitoring systems (ACMS) and Micronet systems. At the same time, the U.S.based avionics company completed its first CES-to-Venue cabin upgrade on a Bombardier Global in Europe. With the CES upgrades on the Gulfstreams, operators can convert their cabins to HD. Rockwell Collins offers upgrade packages that include simple maintenance of base systems for cabin control to the installation of Venue, the company’s CES-equipped cabin solution. In collaboration with Amac Aerospace, Rockwell Collins was also able to install Venue on a Bombardier Global to preserve the cabin components already on the aircraft. Venue can adapt to new customer technologies as they appear on the market. When installed on any aircraft, Venue uses HD audiovisuals and cabin interfaces for a conference room-like experience, helping passengers conduct business while in flight.

z Resource Group To Develop Training Courses Resource Group’s Flight Crew Services division has been selected to develop a range of e-Learning courses for TAG Aviation. The three-year agreement calls for Resource Group (Booth X061) to develop up to 18 courses covering both mandatory and enrichment training. TAG (Booth Y044) has begun to use the first four courses– Dangerous Goods Awareness, Summer/Winter Operations, RVSM and NAT HLA–and Resource Group just completed an Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) theory course. The UPRT course is designed to meet EASA requirements. The flight crew e-Learning courses extend a 10-year relationship between the two companies and builds on the Resource Group’s existing portfolio of e-Learning offerings for technical and maintenance personnel, said Stephan Hickman, managing director of Resource Group’s Flight Crew Services division.

No answers yet after Norwegian crash by Thierry Dubois The Airbus Helicopters H225 type remains under scrutiny after the April 29 crash that claimed 13 lives. A CHC-operated H225 crashed near Bergen, Norway as it was flying back from the Gullfaks B oil platform. EASA has required inspections and Norway and the UK have suspended H225 commercial passenger flights. Investigators of the Norwegian air accident bureau (AIBN) are examining how the main rotor detached in flight. This also happened in 2009 on a Bond-operated AS332 L2 Super Puma in the UK North Sea. This was the result of a rupture of the main gearbox epicyclic module case, according to the UK’s AAIB. Causal factors were found in design and maintenance. In the April 29 accident, the AIBN ruled out “human error on board.” Airbus Helicopters said the cause should therefore be looked for in design, production or maintenance. The airframer, after preliminary examination of the vertical shaft that drives oil pumps, estimates the cause is different from the issue that caused two serious incidents in 2012. That problem has since been resolved, according to the company. EASA has issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD), requiring inspection on the Airbus Helicopters H225 type before any further flight. Under the terms of the AD, the installation of the three suspension bars (aka lift struts) located around the main rotor assembly must be checked. The chip detectors of the main gearbox, as well as the oil filter, must be checked for

metallic particles. According to the AAIB, detection and identification of such particles could have prevented the 2009 accident. The third step of the mandated inspection is, for those helicopters equipped with the M’ARMS vibration health monitoring system, to download data and check for any threshold exceedance.

Investigators have ruled out human error in the April 29 crash of an Airbus H225 near Bergen, Norway, but have yet to say what they suspect might be the cause.

In a statement released yesterday, Airbus Helicopters said its decision is now “not to suspend flights of any nature for the EC225 LP [H225].” The decision was made “considering the additional information gathered during the last 48 hours.” However, “out of respect for all those affected by the accident,” the company said it continues to stand by Norway’s and the UK’s decision to put commercial EC225LP passenger flights

Global Jet Capital jumps into business jet sales by Samantha Cartaino Aircraft finance firm Global Jet Capital (Booth T131) will launch an aircraft sales division after new research revealed that 11.5 percent of the world’s fleet of midsize- to heavy business aircraft are available for sale. The aircraft finance company partnered with Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI, Booth G051) to provide a six-month unscheduled maintenance package with technical support. It also partnered with

on hold. Search and rescue operations are still allowed. Investigators at the Norwegian air accident bureau (AIBN) have sent the combined flight data and cockpit voice recorder to their AAIB colleagues. The latter have recent experience with Super Puma-family incidents and accidents in offshore operations. Meanwhile, CAA Norway has revealed the main gearbox of the

FlightSafety International to provide pilot and maintenance training programs. Currently, there are 1,500 midsize to heavy business aircraft available for sale. There are 968 available in North America; 237 in Europe; 157 in Asia; 65 in South America; 41 in Africa; 18 in Australia and Oceania; and 14 in other regions. The aircraft available through Global Jet Capital’s aircraft sales division

accident helicopter was replaced on January 17. CHC then had the rotor head replaced on March 27. In Aberdeen (Scotland), the main UK base for offshore oiland-gas helicopter operators, Sikorsky S-92s and LeonardoFinmeccanica AW139s arrived yesterday to support those operations while the EC225 type is grounded. In 2009, the main rotor of a Bond-operated Airbus AS332 L2 Super Puma separated in flight. o are ones that the company has already provided financing. Through this sales division, Global Jet aims to match the right aircraft to a client’s needs. “With a relatively large number of large business aircraft on the preowned market, anybody wanting to sell an aircraft has to present the best possible package to prospective buyers. Our new aircraft sales division does just that, and we are confident that what we can offer is unmatched by anyone in the industry. Our aim is to become the first port of call for anyone looking for a preowned business aircraft,” stated Dave Labrozzi, chief operating officer of Global Jet Capital. o

www.ainonline.com • May 25, 2016 • EBACE Convention News 49

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GAMA AVIATION’S ‘CATEGORY ZERO’ RATES DESIGNED TO ATTRACT LIGHT JETS

European Gulfstream operators have been keeping maintenance centers busy, as the fleet has expanded by 25 percent over the past five years.

Gama Aviation has created new “Category Zero” handling rates to entice more light aircraft in the Gulf region to Sharjah International Airport in the UAE. The number of light jets is growing in the region, Gama Aviation said, noting the Middle East is home to 128 such aircraft, about 16 percent of the overall business jet fleet. Sharjah can accommodate a range of visiting and based aircraft with varying hangar and parking options, the company said. “The introduction of our Category Zero class of aircraft ensures that smaller aircraft types have an appropriate charging mechanism, and we hope this move will enable a greater number of clients to take advantage of our services,” said Martin Ringrose, managing director for Gama Aviation Middle East. Gama Aviation (Booth V045) is also vying for the additional traffic as it expands its operations at Sharjah. The company recently received formal approval for a new facility there. The location is designed to meet the needs of a business aviation fleet (across all categories) that is expected to grow by an average 7 percent a year between now and 2024. –K.L.

Gulfstream expands European support Nextant expects G90XT first delivery at year-end by Kerry Lynch

In addition, Luton technicians and members of Gulfstream’s European-based Field and Airborne Support Teams (FAST) performed more than 750 road trips last year to customers throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. To accommodate this increased demand for support throughout Europe, the company named Jet Aviation’s service center in Vienna and Altenrhein Aviation’s new Berlin line maintenance operation as authorized maintenance sites. The company noted that more than 30 of the

220 Gulfstreams in Europe are based in the central section of the region. The facilities join Jet Aviation’s facilities in Geneva, Basel and Moscow as authorized facilities. In addition, Alterhein’s Swiss facility is an authorized warranty center. In addition to increasing its service locations, Gulfstream’s parts distribution center near London, which opened in September 2014, is now housing $120 million in parts, part of an inventory of more than $1.6 billion worldwide. o

DAVID McINTOSH

Gulfstream Aerospace (Booth S141) is continuing to build up its product support in Europe as its London Luton service center experienced its busiest year yet in 2015. Gulfstream president Mark Burns is upbeat about the services opportunities in the region to keep up with a fleet that has grown by 24 percent in Europe over the last five years. “We had a strong year in services,” he said, pointing to the more than 1,300 on-site visits at the 120,000-squarefoot (11,148-square-meter) Luton center.

WECOME TO THE SHOW A Beechcraft King Air turboprop cozies up to its spot on the static display area here at EBACE. The Textron Aviation product is one of 60 aircraft on hand for this year’s show.

50 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

by Thierry Dubois Nextant Aerospace is in the middle of a post-certification effort on the G90XT remanufactured turboprop before delivering the first example to a customer at the end of this year. The Cleveland, Ohio-based company is here exhibiting a Nextant 400XTi, a type for which it is announcing further sales in Europe. Nextant’s G90XT is an updated and remanufactured version of the Beechcraft King Air 90 with GE’s H75 engines replacing the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6As. Nextant is also upgrading the avionics with Garmin’s G1000 suite and has redesigned the cabin and cockpit, as well as upgrading other systems. “Our G90XT was FAA certified last November–with one exception, the single-lever power control,” executive v-p Jay Heublein told AIN. The company expects the FAA to issue an amendment in August. To that end, initial flight testing was completed four weeks ago. In Europe, EASA is expected to issue type validation 90-120 days after FAA full certification. Nextant sees single-lever power control as a key feature, and as it is not retrofittable, deliveries of the remanufactured and re-engined King Air 90 have been postponed. Apart from that piece of equipment, the twin turboprop is said to be on specification. “The airplane has done everything we said it would do,” Heublein said. Specific fuel consumption and high-altitude performance are even slightly better than expected, he added.

The company will be ready to announce its next project by the NBAA show in November, Heublein said. This is expected to involve a re-engining and avionics upgrade for a larger business jet. Here at EBACE, Flexjet announced on Monday the selection of the Nextant 400XTi as the light jet for its newly announced European operation. With its 2,003-nauticalmile (3,710-kilometer) range, the 400XTi could make a trip from London to Moscow, Moscow to Nice, and Nice back to London. The fleet will feature a custom designed interior, including a refreshment center, fully enclosed aft lavatory, a threeplace divan and Wi-Fi. Nextant also announced here that Prague-based executive air charter operator TimeAir has added a fourth Nextant 400XTi to its fleet. o

NEWS NOTE Western Aircraft (Booth Y109) has completed a Dassault Falcon 900EX project that included major maintenance, interior refurbishment and the company’s first Honeywell Primus Elite II upgrade. The Falcon Elite II avionics package updates the aircraft to meet mandates such as ADS-B out, reduces crew workload and enables new approach procedures such as WAAS-LPV and RNP. Western Aircraft has a long history installing the Falcon EASy II upgrade, flat panel retrofits and other significant avionics modifications on jets.

EBAA looks to cleanse bizav’s public image by Thierry Dubois (commercial passenger IFR flights with turboprop singles), Nicolas Chabbert, chairman of EGAMA, said the industry is “seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.” Bunce also reiterated the industry’s goal to cap carbon emissions at their 2020 level. He expressed concern, however, that the development of alternative fuels at a large scale has fallen behind. And EBACE is staying put here in Geneva for the foreseeable future. Ed Bolen, NBAA president and CEO, said show organizers have signed an agreement for another five years at Palexpo. o

DC Aviation of Stuttgart, Germany, has teamed with BHS Helicopterservice to add charter helicopter flights to its repertoire. BHS operates this AIrbus Helicopters H135, as well as a Leonardo-Finmeccanica AW109.

DC Aviation expands into helo flights by Thierry Dubois

DAVID McINTOSH

EBAA may have found some leads on how to improve the image of business aviation, CEO Fabio Gamba said at EBACE’s media lunch on Monday. Meanwhile, the U.S.-based General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) sees improvements in regulation, according to president and CEO Pete Bunce. “Business aviation is a productivity tool, but we sometimes have a hard time passing along the message,” Gamba said. EBAA has recently hired survey specialist Grayling to measure the public perception the industry generates. The main result, in Gamba’s view, is that “the more people know about business aviation, the more they appreciate its value.” He concluded his association needs to reach out to a wider audience. Another study has put numbers on the time savings business aviation enables. One fifth of the aircraft movements save five hours per trip, compared to airline travel. The remaining four fifths save an average 127 minutes, Gamba said. On the regulatory front, GAMA’s Bunce reported “good things happening.” He alluded to the publication of the CS-23 notice of proposed amendment. “We see gains in proportionality,” as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach, he added. Referring to SET-IMC

EBAA CEO Fabio Gamba said that while business aviation is a legitimate productivity tool, “we have a hard time passing along the message.” Thus, EBAA plans to broaden its outreach.

Germany’s DC Aviation has partnered with fellow German company BHS Helicopterservice, enabling DC Aviation to add charter helicopter flights to its business jet flights. BHS has handled factory helicopter travel for automotive supplier Brose since 2008. The companies are respectively based in Stuttgart and Bamberg. So far, BHS has operated an Airbus Helicopters H135 and a Leonardo-Finmeccanica AW109 SP. Satellite telephones are available on board. In future, the fleet will be expanded to

four helicopters, flying from Bamberg, Stuttgart and Zurich. DC Aviation (Booth S052) signed another partnership with Lenz Aviation. The “strategic cooperation” with the Weinstadt-based company is meant to boost DC Aviation’s core business–aircraft management. Lenz Aviation brings 20 years of experience with aircraft sales and brokerage, as well as the same services for yachts and cars to ultrahigh-net-worth individuals. Also part of the effort to expand the business, DC

Aviation has appointed Exklusiv Aviation as its regional agent for the UK, as well as southern and western Switzerland. Exklusiv Aviation will promote DC Aviation’s aircraft management services and also offer aircraft for charter. DC Aviation claims to be Germany’s largest business jet operator and has branches in Dubai, Zurich, Malta and Moscow. In Stuttgart this month, the company is expanding its maintenance capabilities with the addition of a Bombardier Challenger 850 to its portfolio. o

The UK’s CSE Citation Centre (Booth C051), a division of Signature TechnicAir, was recently approved by Embraer to support the Brazilian airframer’s Legacy 600 series business jet. The maintenance provider, which is based along with its sister company Signature Flight Support at London Luton Airport, provides line maintenance service for a range of aircraft including Cessna Citation and Hawker aircraft. Since 2011 it has operated a mobile service unit from Luton, to meet a changing MRO support profile where mobile service has become more cost-efficient for operators. Services include AOG support, line service and light scheduled maintenance, available seven days a week, including all public holidays. “The addition of the Embraer 600 series aircraft brings extra maintenance capabilities to the CSE MSU,” said CSEs managing director Philip Lammiman. “With the Embraer 600 aircraft transiting through Signature Flight Support London Luton from across Europe, the addition of these capabilities adds a convenient service at one of London’s most favored airports for business and general aviation.” –C.E.

CSE Citation Centre in the UK is now authorized by Embraer to support the Legacy 600.

DAVID McINTOSH

LONDON LUTON MAINTENANCE PROVIDER OBTAINS EMBRAER LEGACY 600 NOD

www.ainonline.com • May 25, 2016 • EBACE Convention News 51

DAVID McINTOSH

The number of business jets covered by Rolls-Royce’s CorporateCare maintenance program has nearly doubled since 2010.

The Jet Aviation and Rolls-Royce teams celebrate at EBACE yesterday.

Rolls-Royce CorporateCare support network expanded by Ian Sheppard Rolls-Royce this week expanded its network of authorized service centers (ASCs) to support business aircraft engines under its CorporateCare program. On the first day of the EBACE show, the manufacturer announced new support options for operators in seven locations across four countries. It now has a total of 62 ASCs worldwide. In Munich, Germany, Ruag Aviation is increasing its capability to include maintenance for the BR710A2-20 engine. The Swiss-based group also extended its ASC contract for servicing the AE 3007A for another five years. Separately, Jet Aviation has established a new support hub in Basel, Switzerland, for the AE 3007A, which powers the Cessna Citation X and the Embraer Legacy 600/650. The maintenance provider will also have a spoke operation for supporting the engine in the Russian capital Moscow. Jet Aviation has also renewed its ASC contract for another five years to support the BR710 A1/C4/A2 engines, as well as

the Tay 611-8/8C and BR725 turbofans. This covers hub facilities in Basel, Dubai, St. Louis (Missouri) and Singapore, and spoke operations in Geneva and Moscow. The BR710 powers the Bombardier Global 5000 and 6000 models, as well as the Gulfstream G550. The Tay powers the G350/450 and the BR725 the G650. Meanwhile, Embraer Executive Jets has added a new U.S. hub for supporting the AE 3007A in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with spokes in Mesa,Arizona, Windsor Locks, Connecticut and Melbourne, Florida. Rolls-Royce (Booth A073) pioneered the power-by-the-hour concept in the airline sector. CorporateCare, allows aircraft owners all-in-one, worry-free care for their engines at a fixed price. “We’ve got a milestone coming up; we’re about to reach 2,000 aircraft covered,” Stephen Friedrich, v-p sales and marketing for civil small and regional engines, told AIN. He said that this has grown from 1,000 in 2010, and 1,500 in 2013.

Friedrich said that Rolls-Royce now has a 70 percent market share in the business jet sector with its BR700 line, the older Tays, and the AE3007 family. “We’ve been the market leader since 1999,” he claimed. Not only do customers appreciate the engine manufacturer taking the risk, Friedrich maintained, but brokers say that CorporateCare “really helps sell the aircraft,” especially if it has been on the program since it was placed in service. And being on the larger-cabin aircraft side has helped the company to “weather the economic volatility” as this sector proved far more resilient during

BLR TO ENHANCE KING AIR WINGLET STC BLR hopes to soon win U.S. FAA approval for performance expansion of its King Air winglets.

52 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

BLR Aerospace (Booth C041) announced it is working with the FAA to amend its Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to expand the performance envelope for King Air 90s equipped with BLR Winglet Systems; approval is anticipated by the end of June. Under the amendment, BLR’s Ultimate Performance Package (UPP) STC would provide up to a 30 percent reduction in runway length requirements; an increase in max takeoff weight of 400 pounds/181 kilograms or 850 pounds/386 kilograms (depending on aircraft serial number); and a max landing weight increase of 210 lbs/95 kg or 692 lbs/314 kg. The BLR Winglet System adds lightweight composite winglets and a small wing space extension, reducing drag and improving low-speed handling, while increasing both climb and cruise speeds. These performance enhancements “will provide access to more runways” and “increase the margin of safety, and improve virtually every aspect of King Air 90 flight,” said Mike Carpenter, — J.W. president of the U.S.-based company.

the downturn after 2007. Friedrich added that business aircraft engines will benefit from core Rolls-Royce research and technology programs that are also directed at its Trent engine line and future programs, in particular “Advance” and “UltraFan,” which could deliver a 25 percent drop in fuel burn over current engines. “Already our [business jet] engines are the most environmentally friendly,” he claimed. In an attempt to further improve service levels, Friedrich said the company has been “measuring missed trips” to refine how parts stocks and AOG (aircraft on ground) capabilities are dispersed worldwide. One of its performance measurements is AOG response and resolution time, “and it’s now under 24 hours,” he told AIN. “We have continued to geographically disperse our parts distribution centers and measure the time to ship, etc.” At the moment, the main ones are Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai as well as those in Europe (such as at London Heathrow Airport) and “an extensive network in North America. “We’ve also been asking customers where they’re flying,” he said, and looking ahead to plan for one-off events. “We’re expecting high traffic in Brazil and Rio this summer for the Olympics, so we’re making provisions in staff and parts.” Rolls-Royce is making further investments in initiatives such as 3D technical publications and improving its online support portal. It also is enhancing its engine health monitoring effort, with features such as automatic downloads of data. o

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©2016 CAE. All rights reserved. GULFSTREAM® and G650® are trademarks of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. CAE’s G650 training program and materials are not associated with, sponsored or endorsed by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.

SERVICE HISTORIQUE DE LA DÉFENSE, VINCENNES

DASSAULT_P. STROPPA

It’s been a long road to today’s Catia-driven computer designed business jets, left. A century ago, French WWI ace Georges Guynemer, above, flew a Spad equipped with an Eclair (Lightning) propeller, the first of several engineering feats for Marcel Dassault, below left. His son Serge, below right, remains the company’s patriarch.

Dassault is celebrating 100 years of innovation by Thierry Dubois The 1916 engineer not only wanted a better design, he also wanted it to be suitable for production. “He took into account that pieces of lumber sufficiently thick to carve a propeller from were expensive; and labor was not,” Montel went on. Therefore, he set to thinking about how to make propellers from planks of normal width. To make an Éclair, fanned-out layers of wood were glued together, roughly forming the curve of the blade, which was then sanded to its final shape. In the early 1960s, the Falcon 20 was the first fixed-wing civil aircraft with servocontrols on the pitch, roll and yaw axes, claimed Montel. It involved designing compact servocontrols and associated hydraulic systems for them to be fitted into the wing of a relatively small aircraft. The result was better maneuverability for the business jet. Until then, civil aircraft had at least part of their flight control actuation system consisting of cables, rods and pulleys, Montel continued. The Falcon 50, which first flew in 1976, was the first

The Falcon 50 (left) had the first supercritical wing on a civil aircraft, while the Falcon 20 (background) featured servocontrols on all axes. Also shown is the smaller Falcon 10 (foreground).

50 airfoil shape was re-used– with the same profile, planform and dimensions–on the much larger Falcon 2000. Early in this century, the Falcon 7X became the first purpose-built business jet with a DFCS. Compared to previous fly-by-wire controls on Airbus aircraft, Montel said Dassault “added permanent autotrim.” Autotrim, as the name suggests, automatically trims the aircraft according to pilot input. As a result, workload is reduced. Airbus aircraft have autotrim only when the autopilot is engaged. Dassault’s design engineers had the benefit of the company’s military expertise to place such a system in a smaller airframe, while

Dassault’s Falcon business jet line draws significantly from technologies developed for its top-line military aircraft, such as the Rafale jet fighter, above. The Falcon connection in North America, right, dates back to when Charles Lindbergh, himself, advised Pan Am that Falcon jets were the choice for a new executive travel division.

54 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

MARK WAGNER

FRENCH AIR FORCE

Dassault (Booth Z091) is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, as founder Marcel Dassault designed the Éclair (Lightning) propeller in 1916. It was just the first in a series of innovations. Arguably the five most impressive were as follows: the Éclair propeller; the Falcon 20’s servocontrols; the Falcon 50’s wing; the Falcon 7X’s digital flight control system (DFCS); and last but not least, the digital company concept. And although the company has not operated continuously since 1916, few would deny its right to celebrate. During World War I, Marcel Dassault (whose name was still Marcel Bloch at the time) realized the efficiency of in-service propellers could be significantly improved. He therefore studied how, and came up with a profile that featured a more suitable variation from hub to tip. The idea was to have a constant thrust along the blade’s length. “On two-blade propellers, Marcel Dassault’s design principles are still in force,” Jean-Louis Montel, Dassault Aviation’s senior v-p engineering, told AIN.

civil aircraft with a supercritical wing. On such an airfoil, the point on the chord where the boundary layer separation occurs is farther downstream. “This works very well at high Mach numbers,” Montel noted. As a result, cruise speed can be increased and fuel burn thereby reduced. The successful Falcon

also allowing for civil certification requirements. “We had to be quite creative,” Montel recalled. Dassault claims to be the only manufacturer in the world to be wholly responsible for manufacturing its own integrated DFCS, as other airframers subcontract servocontrols, computer systems and production to companies such as Thales and Parker Aerospace. “This is a strategic know-how for us,” Montel stressed. For example, he pointed out that making compact and powerful servocontrols involves sophisticated technologies in micro-mechanics. Dassault’s flight control factory is located in Argonay, in the French Alps, an area well known for its expertise in watchmaking. Dassault Aviation has also been at the forefront of digitization. It has made the most of sister company Dassault Systèmes’ pioneering Catia CAD/CAM software. Catia is also used by other airframers–but Dassault Aviation has always tried to stay one Catia version ahead of the competition. The software

has also grown to encompass a broader product-lifecyclemanagement solution. As early as 2002, during a press visit, a virtual reality center could be seen at the firm’s SaintCloud headquarters in Paris. It was already fitted with 3D-vision goggles, and engineers could virtually walk through the Falcon 7X structure, examining wiring and other features. Meanwhile, customers could choose their cabin interior layout in the virtual reality center, an experience that has become increasingly realistic. Another benefit of digitization was that it took only seven months to build the first Falcon 7X. The same process on the first Falcon 900 had taken 14 months. The difference was that the machinery that makes the 7X’s parts used the same data that designers saw on their Catia screens, leading to an unprecedented level of accuracy in manufacturing the structural assemblies. It was not necessary to build either a mock-up of the 7X or a prototype aircraft. Checking the digital version against the actual 7X, engineers found almost none of the discrepancies usually encountered at this stage. Such flaws often include chafing of parts or a need to reposition some wires and tubing. Dassault stands proud as a pioneer among manufacturers, with its latest aircraft, the 5X, pushing frontiers even further in flight control systems that borrow again from the company’s expertise in developing the Rafale fighter. o

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and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson. It’s a blend of content you can’t quite find in any other magazine anywhere in the world. Upcoming issues will feature several particularly noteworthy subjects. In June, BJT will offer the 5th annual edition of its popular Book of Lists, a 13-page compendium of indispensable information and advice for business jet travelers. In July, the magazine will publish the 9th annual edition of its aforementioned Buyers’ Guide. This award-winning guide— which has been completely revamped for 2016—will feature the BJT Yellow Pages, a handy updated worldwide directory of air charter, jet card, and fractional-share providers; aircraft brokers; aircraft financial institutions; aircraft manufacturers; business aviation caterers; cabin-electronics manufacturers; completion and refurbishment centers; hull and liability-insurance brokers; and more. In October, BJT will deliver the results of its latest exhaustive Readers’ Choice poll, which will include subscribers’ ratings of aircraft, airframers, and service providers. BJT’s high editorial standards have earned it 38 journalism awards since 2005. In the annual competition sponsored by the American Society of Business Publication Editors, the publication has won 18 times and has twice been named to a list of the best business magazines in the U.S. BJT has also received nine esteemed Folio: Eddie awards, including five in the Best Travel/Transportation Magazine category. The publication and its staff have been honored with additional awards from the National Business Aviation Association; the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Helicopter Association International, and the National Air Transportation Association. o

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56 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

June/July 2016 | Vol. 14 No. 3

Business jet travelers can sign up for free subscriptions to the magazine and its weekly e-newsletter, BJT Waypoints, at bjtonline. com. Just click on “Subscribe” above the magazine’s logo.

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A core team of 24 Gama Aviation employees reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in a combined a teambuilding/fund-raising expedition.

Gama team achieves two lofty goals by Kerry Lynch The idea started as a team building exercise to unite the rapidly growing global workforce at Gama Aviation (Booth V045). The result was a team of nearly a dozen employees and associates reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and the delivery of nearly $200,000 to install new water infrastructure at Kiomboi hospital in Tanzania. At sunrise on February 22, the Gama Aviation team reached that summit following months of preparation and an arduous seven-day trek. As they reached that point, said climber Adam Neaves, who is a charter sales manager for Gama, the hospital had already begun work on the new infrastructure to provide clean water for newborns. Duncan Daines, Gama Aviation group chief marketing officer, said the idea of the climb came out of the January 2015 merger between Hangar8 and Gama Aviation. “We wanted to find a platform by which we can bring the two company cultures together and invite the rest of our network, because the network has gotten a lot bigger over the past of three or four years,” Daines said. “We were losing a sense of our Gama family.” The company looked for a smaller charity that was directly linked to the activity and discovered a critical need for water at the hospital. Gama executives found that the hospital had only enough water for one hour a day. “Because of the lack of water, heavily pregnant women have to collect dirty water from the unclean river to bring to

the hospital to use for the birth of their own child. After they have given birth, they then have to walk back to the river to wash,” the company said in its fundraising efforts. “The mortality rate and severe infection rate is high.” Gama has been working with WaterAid to provide toilets, showers, baths, hand washing sinks and hygiene education. Daines noted that the company fielded levels of interest from its 1,000 workers and affiliates worldwide. The key, he said, was to draw from nearly every department and have a wide geographic representation. The final team of 24 included a core from the UK, along with others from Europe, the Middle East and America. Gama helped offset the costs for some of the staff involved, but most climbers paid out of their own pockets. It also gathered corporate sponsors, launched fundraising efforts and drew donations from around the industry. All of that money was donated for the hospital infrastructure. The UK government pledged a matching donation. The climb brought together an array of employees who networked to develop packing lists, conditioning regimens and other necessary plans. The packing lists were extensive, as many as 30 to 40 items, since they had to prepare from temperatures ranging from -25 degrees Celsius at night at the summit to +30 degrees Celsius during the day, particularly in the rain forest on the lower levels. Most preparation was done on their own, but they did meet up

to climb on Snowdon Mountain in Wales, which Neaves likened to a “hill” compared to the massive feat ahead of them. That, said fellow climber Jess Guiver, a finance analyst for Gama, built excitement for what was ahead. But as the climb approached, Neaves conceded, a feeling of trepidation washed over them. “You get over the excitement of getting to a place [on the trip] then all of a sudden it’s the reality of the idea. When you think of climbing a mountain, you think of experienced mountaineers, and all of a sudden there’s a rowdy

rabble of Gama employees from all over the shop to get together and go up.” The climbers met up in Amsterdam and headed together to Africa. That was an amazing trip for many, most of whom, despite being well traveled, had never been to the African continent. On February 16, the team started from the Lemosho entry point, beginning at about 2,500 feet and approaching the mountain from the west. “We did the longest and most scenic route to increase our chances of making it to the top,” Guiver said. The route enabled gradual acclimatization, to help build up the red blood cells necessary for the higher altitudes, the climbers explained. And it worked. At no point did any of the climbers require supplemental oxygen. Flanked by local guides who helped carry their gear, the team made substantial progress the first day, reaching about 8,000 feet altitude, Neaves said. It was a gradual climb of only about fourand-a-half hours. But from there, the climb became more difficult. The second day was a net 2,400-foot gain in altitude, but represented 3,000 feet climbed due to having both ascending and descending terrain. And it took more than seven hours. Neaves described the climb as “remote and spectacular, with dramatic views of west Kilimanjaro.” Hydration was essential. Neaves said three liters daily was a requirement, but many were

The Gama Aviation climb team raised close to $200,000 for a fresh-water system to support a local hospital, where water had been available for only one hour per day.

58 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

using four or five. The climb got harder and harder. The last day involved a roughly 3,000-foot ascent. They left at 10:30 p.m. local time, launching on a grueling eight-hour hike by moonlight and headlamp. The terrain at those levels needed to be frozen to traverse, Neaves said, explaining the nighttime climb. “The night was so lucidly clear you could see by the moon and stars,” he said. The climb was slow, with team members stopping “literally every five minutes,” Neaves said, adding they concentrated on putting one foot in front of the last. “One of our guys was literally sleeping and walking. It was kind of a strange thing watching someone walk with their eyes closed.” Sickness set in for the first time with some of the members. Guiver said she was among them. But they arrived at dawn, roughly 6:30 a.m. “It was amazing, the euphoria,” Guiver said. “Everyone was crying with joy.” Banners were unfurled to mark their presence at the top and to recognize their sponsors from around the industry. In all, 23 of the 24 made it, with one having to leave to attend to a medical condition. Neaves noted that this “smashed” the odds, since large groups tend to have only 50 to 60 percent of their members reach the top. They were among hundreds who had summited from the various trails that day. Neaves had envisioned a person alone at the peak. Instead, “it was like being at a rock concert,” with cameras snapping and banners waving. As the sun rose, time became of the essence, and they left shortly after for the descent. The temperature swung quickly from subzero to nearly 30C again. But the climb down took just a day. At the bottom, they took some time to recuperate and celebrate, knowing that the money raised was already being put to use. With government matching aid, about $200,000 was raised to begin work on water infrastructure. “To hear that it began on the night we summited was quite special,” Neaves said. Gama Aviation is planning to send a small delegation to the hospital in the future to see the progress. As for whether they would undertake such an effort again, Daines said that the desire is there to continue such teambuilding exercises and culturebuilding activities. Another activity could take place in 2017. “[But] I think we want to do something different. I don’t think we want to replicate that unique experience. There are plenty of other opportunities.” o

Join European business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, corporate aviation department personnel and all those involved in business aviation for the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2017). Save the date and visit the EBACE website to learn more.

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news MEBAA’s EBACE presence helps tout its regional events by Ian Sheppard This week at the EBACE Speaking to AIN two weeks show the Middle East and before EBACE, Alnaqbi had North Africa Business just returned from Morocco Av i at i o n A s s o c i at i o n and was in a bullish mood (MEBAA) is busily promoting about the growth of MEBAA its upcoming events, including as an organization. Now with the biennial MEBAA Show in a secretariat of 10 staff, and Dubai (December 6-8), the new several committees, it is orgaMEBAA Conference Qatar nizing more conferences and (September 21, 2016) and events to broaden a memberthe MEBAA Show Morocco Founding chairman of the ship that now numbers around East and North (September 12-13, 2017). Middle 247 over some 23 countries in Africa Business Aviation The latter was first held last Association, Ali Alnaqbi. the Middle East and North year in Casablanca but feedAfrica region. “I think we back from members has seen the venue have a very good staff and we have big changed to Marrakesh, the Moroccan plans. We have operations and engineercapital, according to MEBAA founding committees and we are very active ing chairman Ali Alnaqbi. Both events with IBAC [the International Business are run in partnership with MEBAA by Aviation Council] too. Now MEBAA is Dubai-based F&E Aerospace. the fourth largest association as far as

IBAC is concerned,” he explained. An example of new events was the conference MEBAA (Booth I040) held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, May 1-2. “It went very well,” Alnaqbi told AIN. “We had a good number of attendees–more than 140 people. On the first day we had a networking event; our members requested this as they wanted more opportunity to talk. We started at 5 p.m. and more than 100 people came.” Alnaqbi expressed satisfaction that business aviation is being recognized as a real priority in Saudi Arabia, where the government is now seeking to reduce the economy’s dependence on oil revenues. “I think it’s getting easier to get visas [for overseas visitors] and the government wants us to do some sort of a show eventually, so we are studying that. We already plan to do a conference there every year, either in Jeddah or Riyadh,” he said. “Saudi Arabia is the biggest market in the Middle East and they’re building a lot of infrastructure. We’ve been calling for that for a very long time.” With the main MEBAA Show in December Alnaqbi said, “We are very excited about the show and the site is almost

booked up.” He expects most of the remaining exhibition stands to be booked during EBACE, expecting “around 10-15 percent growth and around 12 percent more aircraft. There will be a lot of new aircraft and we will try to have more helicopters on site too as that is an important market.” Tackling Gray Charter

Alnaqbi said that another major issue in the Middle East is tackling gray charter operations. “Sharjah [for example] has stated the doors are open for fighting the gray market.” He added that a representative from the Sharjah government delivered an “outstanding speech” at MEBAA’s Jeddah event calling for governments and the industry to tackle the problem head-on. “They have changed their rules and don’t allow Part 91 at all now,” said Alnaqbi. Still to be finally resolved is how the growing African business aviation community is represented at IBAC. MEBAA has been active in the Arabic-speaking countries of North Africa, while the separate African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA), founded in 2012, has sought to represent the wider continent. o

DWC’s VIP Terminal details close to reaching a resolution by Peter Shaw-Smith The future of business aviation infrastructure in the key Middle Eastern gateway Dubai is close to being resolved with authorities there finally settling how the new VIP Terminal at Dubai World Central Airport (DWC) will be run and occupied. The long-running issue is a matter of concern to several business aviation service groups exhibiting here at the EBACE show, as well as to the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA). Jetex Flight Support (Booth N090) and Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Aviation are understood to be two of the players who will ultimately run FBO operations from the VIP Terminal at DWC, while ExecuJet Aviation Group (Booth S073) hopes to set up a standalone facility, and the position of Jet Aviation is unclear, although it is said to have signed a lease, AIN has learned. Although bizav MRO operations continue on a day-to-day basis at the Jet Aviation and ExecuJet facilities at Dubai International Airport (DXB), the Aviation District at Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA-DWC) is handling the vast majority of bizjet flights emanating from the emirate, AIN has learned from several senior officials associated with efforts to develop Dubai’s second airport. “The focus is now at Dubai South [DWC] when it comes to business aviation,” Ali Alnaqbi, founding chairman, the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), told AIN. He added that he expects the official opening of the new VIP Terminal at DWC to take place during MEBAA’s biannual event December 6-8.

Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive director, Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC), confirmed to AIN that Falcon Aviation and Jetex had taken up leases at the VIP Terminal. “Jetex Flight Support has two lounges. Falcon Aviation [has] one,” Ahmed Al Ansari, Deputy COO, DACC, told AIN. “Jet Aviation is finalizing the fourth lounge now.” ExecuJet Aviation Group told AIN it intends to develop a standalone facility by the end of 2017, relying on a new interim FBO in the meantime. Jet Aviation’s website is still advertising FBO services from the temporary facility adjoining the existing passenger terminal at DWC. “The temporary Passenger Terminal FBOs” belonging to Jet Aviation and ExecuJet were to close at around the end of April,” said Al Ansari. “The expansion of the Passenger Terminal Building has to start [in May],” he added. “We anticipate a balanced spread of business for all operators operating out of Al Maktoum International Airport. This is not about competition within Dubai; it is about being a regional hub for the GCC,” Justin Wilshaw, senior v-p commercial, DACC, told AIN. “Dubai’s emphasis is on providing the full economic system and MRO, hangarage and servicing. The location is strategically positioned between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We believe that this is a compelling offer that will stand the test of time.” Wilshaw said an announcement would be issued shortly regarding the award of a contract to ALEC Construction

60 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

Map of the Aviation District at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

Group to build the Passenger Terminal Expansion, expected to bring capacity at the existing passenger terminal to around 27 million. DC Aviation and Al Futtaim preempted the entire market by launching their joint venture in January 2012, opening an FBO and MRO facility in time for the 2013 Dubai Airshow. “They were the first mover to come to [DWC] many years ago. They were rewarded by first-user advantage,” said Wilshaw. “The [timing of the official] opening [of the VIP Terminal] has not yet been decided. It depends on several factors,” Al Zaffin told AIN. “The soft opening already took place, and one company is operating from there now,” Alnaqbi said. This is understood to be a reference to the FBO of Jetex Flight Support, which saw an Embraer Legacy headed for The Maldives depart from

DWC April 12, according to press reports appearing in local dailies Gulf News and Al Bayan. “We always said that it would be essential for us to have a standalone facility [at DWC],” Mike Berry, ExecuJet’s v-p Middle East, told AIN. “Our legacy presence at DXB remains until we are told to move. Nothing changes, in terms of FBO and MRO. We are still holding on to the hope we can retain both facilities at both locations,” he said. ExecuJet said it is planning a new, longterm presence at the new site, involving a permanent standalone facility at what is now referred to also as Dubai South. Contracts are in place, so that it can move in, possibly at the end of 2017. In the meantime, ExecuJet plans an interim standalone base at DWC’s Aviation District. o

Max cruise speed:

425 ktas (787 km/h)

Range (4 passengers):

1,950 nm (3,610 kilometers)

Max certified altitude:

45,000 feet (13,716 meters)

Takeoff balanced field length: [MTOW, ISA, sea level, dry paved runway]

2,690 feet (820 meters)

Landing distance over 50-foot obstacle:

2,525 feet (770 meters)

Max takeoff weight:

17,650 pounds (8,005 kg)

Pilatus PC-24 does touch-and-go uContinued from page 1

The Williams FJ44-4A-powered PC-24’s ability to operate on both paved and unimproved surfaces means that it can fly from as many as 21,000 airports worldwide, while also being suitable for operations in remote locations. EBACE visitors are also getting a chance to see a full-scale mockup of a production standard interior. These have been

developed in partnership with BMW’s Designworks, which has come up with six different color concepts, each named after a well-known ski resort. The design on show in Geneva is “the Vail.” Pilatus launched the PC-24 at EBACE 2014. It hit its initial target of 84 orders–equivalent to three years of production–in just 72 hours. It promptly closed the order book and will not be reopening the order process until the October 2017 NBAA show, with type certification expected within a few weeks of that event. o

Nextant to bring Flexjet’s 400XT jets up to speed by Chad Trautvetter Flexjet International managing director Raymond Jones and Nextant Aerospace executive vice president Jay Heublein sealed an agreement on Tuesday here at EBACE for the latter company to upgrade eight of Flexjet’s 21 Nextant 400XT remanufactured light jets to the XTi standard. The aircraft are also being updated to meet European mandates. Additionally, Nextant will refresh the cabins and repaint the exteriors, before the aircraft are moved from the U.S. to Europe

to support Flexjet’s expansion into the Old Continent. Flexjet and Nextant are sister companies. On Sunday, U.S.-based Flexjet announced it would start ondemand and membership charter services in Europe with eight 400 XTis later this year, after it finalizes a deal to acquire an existing operator with an air operator certificate (AOC) in the region. Because these light jets will be based in Europe, Nextant will upgrade their avionics to include TCAS 7.1, enhanced flight ID

MARK WAGNER

PC-24 by the Numbers

Pilatus Aircraft chairman Oscar Schwenk said that the PC-24 light jet is exceeding expectations. Flight testing is well under way, with certification and first deliveries on track for late next year.

and ADS-B out, which are all required under EASA regulations. At the same time, Nextant will reconfigure the cabins with a three-place divan and clubfour seating. On the outside, the airplanes will be painted with a new livery designed for Flexjet International, the new name for the company’s non-North American operations. Nextant will start cycling Flexjet’s Europe-bound 400XTis through its Cleveland (Ohio) Cuyahoga County Airport base next month, with the first two aircraft set to arrive at their London base in the fourth quarter. After that, the next two modified aircraft will be flown to a base in Paris, with the remainder to be based at to-be-determined cities in central or eastern Europe. o

LEONARDO RENEWS DISTRIBUTOR AGREEMENTS Leonardo Helicopters (formerly known as AgustaWestland, Booth Z045) signed a three-year renewal on Tuesday of its GrandNew light twin distributorship agreement with Sloane Helicopters in the UK and Ireland. The accord extends to the new AW169 light intermediate helicopter for the UK and Irish executive/private market. More than 75 light helicopters–from the AW119, AB206 and the AW109 series–have been sold in the two countries under the partnership to date. Also on Tuesday, Leonardo updated the distributorship agreement with Turkey’s Kaan Air, so far covering the AW119 single, the GrandNew light twin and the AW139 medium twin. The agreement is now extended to the AW169 and the AW189 super medium twin. On the Turkish commercial helicopter market, the two companies have already sold more –T.D. than 30 aircraft.

DAVID McINTOSH

NEXTANT TAPS MARSHALL FOR UK MAINTENANCE

Flexjet International managing director Raymond Jones (l) and Nextant executive vice president Jay Heublein inked a deal yesterday at EBACE for the latter company to update eight of Flexjet’s 400XTs to the XTi standard, as well as to meet European avionics mandates.

Cleveland, Ohio-based Nextant Aerospace, makers of the remanufactured 400XTi light twinjet, has named Marshall Aerospace and Defense Group (Booth P114) as its exclusive authorized service center for the UK. “While Nextant is the pioneer of the remanufacturing process in business aviation, it is an extremely common and successful practice in the defense world. Marshall has an exceptional reputation and history,” said Jay Heublein, Nextant’s executive v-p. Marshall has maintained C-130 Hercules transports for the UK’s Royal Air Force and select European air forces for nearly half a century. “Given their unique understanding of the remanufacturing process, combined with their long term success as an MRO in the business aviation market, they are qualified to help grow our brand for years to come,” said Heublein. –C.E.

www.ainonline.com • May 25, 2015 • EBACE Convention News 61

NEWS CLIPS z ACSS Offers ADS-B for Legacy Bizjets Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems (ACSS, Booth Z104) announced here it has developed an ADS-B transponder, the NXT-700, for legacy business aircraft including Beechcraft Hawkers, CitationJets, Learjets, Dassault Falcons, Gulfstreams and Bombardier Challengers. The transponder satisfies the DO-260B mandate, while its “one-quarter ATR [Air Transport Rack form-factor] short” form-fit installation will reduce owner/operator costs and installation downtime, according to the company. “We anticipate the completion of an FAA Approved Model List (AML) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) by the end of 2016 and will seek Transport Canada Civil Aviation and European Aviation Safety Agency approval shortly thereafter,” said Terry Flaishans, president and general manager of the U.S.-based company. The NXT-700’s configuration is compatible with current retrofit Traffic Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS II) 7.1 systems and may be able to leverage the aircraft’s existing mounting rack and connectors for quick installation. The cockpit configuration will remain unchanged, as the system needs no additional control heads.

z Vector Signs Agreement with HeliSpeed Vector Aerospace has signed a three-year agreement with HeliSpeed through which the latter will provide pilots for Vector’s Fleetlands site in Gosport, UK. The contract covers pilots for the AS332 Super Puma, Leonardo-Finmeccanica AW139, Airbus Helicopters H125/AS350, H225, Sikorsky S-76 and S-92, and similar aircraft. The goal of this agreement is to help grow Vector’s UK facilities. Simon Jones, Vector’s v-p of business development, commented, “As we look to grow in the global civil helicopter market, working with the world’s leading leasing companies, it is essential that we offer good value for money. Having access to HeliSpeed’s pool of vastly experienced pilots means we can utilize the skilled resource they offer, as and when required, and any cost savings can then be shared with our customers. “Having this pool of type-specific pilots available will also complement our new and existing capabilities, which include supplemental type certificates [STCs], modifications and system integration activities, undertaken in conjunction with depth maintenance packages.” Vector Aerospace (Booth K105) provides services to commercial and military customers for gas-turbine engines, components and helicopter airframes. Meanwhile, HeliSpeed Ltd. provides helicopter support for military and commercial operators and also offers helicopter transportation packages.

z ACJ Adds Jet Aviation To Service Network Airbus has added Jet Aviation to its Airbus Corporate Jets (Booth N115) Service Centre network. Jet Aviation (Booth A050) will join an already robust network of Airbus and independent facilities worldwide that include aircraft service capabilities such as line and heavy maintenance, cabin refurbishing, and cabin and system upgrades. These centers will help to service the more than 180 Airbus Corporate Jets operating on every continent, including Antarctica. The ACJ Service Centre network currently includes the ACJ Centre (ACJC) in Toulouse, Comlux America in Indianapolis, HAECO Private Jet Solutions in Xiamen, Jet Aviation in Basel, Sepang Aircraft Engineering (SAE) in Kuala Lumpur, and ST Aerospace in Singapore. Airbus plans to add other service centers in the future. “Airbus Corporate Jet customers and operators already benefit from a worldwide support network,” said ACJ managing director Benoit Defforge. “The ACJ Service Centre network complements this by adding services tailored to corporate-jet operator needs,” he added.

JetNet: soft prices due to bizjet glut by Curt Epstein U.S. data provider JetNet has revised its 10-year business jet delivery forecast down for the sixth consecutive quarter. The Utica, N.Y.-based firm currently calls for 7,921 jets to be delivered by 2025 with a value of $226 billion (in 2015 dollars). For 2016, the company predicts deliveries of 681 bizjets, down from 712 last year’s total deliveries (JetNet excludes twin-aisle, airliner-based aircraft from its forecasts). “We are tremendously oversupplied in this industry,” said Rolland Vincent, managing director of JetNetIQ, in a presentation yesterday. “It’s probably the biggest factor driving prices down.” Based on his calculations, the U.S. fleet has unused available lift equivalent to 3,800 idle business jets. Many Airplanes, Few Buyers

In terms of overall business jet utilization in the U.S., the levels have not yet returned to the lofty peaks before the global financial crisis, in fact the number of cycles last year came close to the number in 2003, ahead of the most recent boom. From that time until 2015, the U.S. business jet fleet grew by 50 percent. In 2007, the average number of business jet cycles per jet in the U.S. was 480, last year that number was 336. Yet the U.S. business jet fleet continues to grow. “What’s going on is we have too many airplanes chasing too few buyers, and prices are soft,” noted Vincent. He dispelled the

62 EBACE Convention News • May 25, 2016 • www.ainonline.com

notion that aircraft are not selling. There are three times as many sales of preowned aircraft as there are new-aircraft sales. Vincent noted 2,300 private jets changed hands over the past year. “It’s the highest level of sales we’ve ever seen in the world,” he told the audience. “So when people say the market is soft, actually it’s pretty active. What’s soft is pricing because we have oversupply.” Trend Expected To Continue

He believes that trend in activity will continue to increase as aircraft become even more affordable. While the levels of available aircraft at present equal those of 2007–before the downturn sent owners rushing for the “for sale” signs–Vincent noted that inventory is increasing. According to regulatory findings, the “Big 5” bizjet manufacturers showed an 18 percent decrease in order book value between 2014 and 2015. Among them, only Embraer showed a year-over-year increase in the value of its backlog, while Dassault reported a decline of 14 percent, and Bombardier twice that at 28 percent. Since 2011, JetNet has conducted its quarterly IQ surveys of business aircraft operators, and based on its first-quarter 2016 results, of the more than 500 respondents, less than 50 percent believe we have passed the low point in the current business cycle. Optimism was highest in North America, where 52 percent said business was on the

upswing, followed by Europe at 48 percent. Latin America and the Caribbean showed the most pessimism with 46 percent of operators in the survey responding that the cycle has not yet reached the bottom of the trough. Broken down by the size of aircraft, small-jet operators were most enthusiastic; 53.5 percent said we were past the bottom of the cycle, while large-jet operators took the most negative view, with only 36 percent indicating they were seeing an upswing. That is in stark contrast with the segment’s mood three quarters ago, when 60 percent believed the business cycle was on the rise. Among European operators in the survey, nearly a quarter indicated that they had a betterthan-60 percent probability of buying a new jet in the next five years, a slightly higher percentage than the rest of the world. When asked whether concern over residual value has delayed their purchase of a new or pre-owned aircraft over the past two years, 65 percent of the European operators indicated “yes,” to varying degrees, the highest regional total. That concern has led to approximately an even split among operators in the survey as to whether to refurbish an existing aircraft or buy a new or preowned replacement. o

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PROGRAM SCHEDULE EBACE 2016

WEDNESDAY, 25 MAY 2016 10:00 – 11:00 Session Big is Beautiful: Will Consolidation in Bizav Accelerate and, if so, with what Consequences?  Location: Hall 3 Room Q, Palexpo Moderator: William Garvey, Aviation Week Speakers: Patrick Hansen, Luxaviation Group; Joe McDermott, Global FBO Consult; Amir Parasta, epitop medical GmbH; Laura Pierallini, Studio Pierallini; Greg Thomas, PrivatAir 10:00 – 11:45  Pop-up Session on the Zika Virus  Location: Hall 5 Inspiration Zone, Palexpo Keynote Speaker: Michael Braida, MedAire 11:00 – 12:00 Session Just Culture, Unjust Application: What is Currently Being Done to Deploy It?

Location: Hall 3 Room Q, Palexpo Moderator: Cees Jan Meeuwis, Griffith University Speakers: Giancarlo Buono, IATA; John Franklin, EASA; Marco Merens, ICAO; Kate Lang, FAA EMEA; Razvan Prunean, EBAA 11:00 – 11:30 Announcement Project Ideas Challenge  Location: Hall 5 Inspiration Zone, Palexpo 14:15 – 15:15 Session Shortage of Skills in Aviation in Europe: Myth or Reality? Location:  Hall 5 Inspiration Zone, Palexpo Moderator: Christian Weiss, Hay Group Speakers: Marc Bailey, BBGA; Sheryl Barden, President and CEO, Aviation Personnel International; Rosalind Azouzi, Royal Aeroanutical Society; Dimitrios Sanos, IATA; Jonathan Nicol, Stratajet

THURSDAY, 26 MAY 2016 10:00 – 11:00 Session Skills & Careers  Location: Hall 5 Inspiration Zone, Palexpo Moderator: Christian Weiss, Hay Group  Speakers: Margriet Bredewold,

Co-Guard GmbH; Nikki Heath, Resource Group; Peter Korns, National Business Aviation Association; Carole Leach, Aviation Quality Management Services Ltd; Hélène Niedhart, CAT Aviation

15:30 – 17:00 Session Women in Aviation Networking Event Location: Hall 5 Inspiration Zone, Palexpo Introduction & Welcome Speech Brian Humphries, EBAA; Karin Muller, WCA; Lisa Piccione IAWA Tables of Discussion: • Entrepreneurship in Business Aviation, Gabriella Somerville, MD of ConnectJets • Careers & Management, Catherine Lang, FAA • Public Affairs, Coordinated by: Regula Dettling-Ott, Lufthansa Group • Shortage of Skills & Future Workforce, Lisa Piccione • Conclusion & Wrap-Up Giulia Mauri, Verhaegen Walravens; Martine Wellens, EBAA

16:00 – 17:00 Session Industry Standards  Location: Hall 3 Room Q, Palexpo Moderator: Kurt Edwards, IBAC  Speakers: Helena Azevedo, NetJets; Bernhard Fragner, GlobeAir AG; Nicole Gut, ExecuJet Aviation Group; Thomas Vrancken, PrivatAir; Terry Yeomans, Sonnie Bates, IBAC 17:15 – 19:00 Session YoPro Session & Networking Location: Event Hall 5 Inspiration Zone, Palexpo Moderator: Kristopher Akana, EBAA  Speakers: Rohan Mark Jayawardene, Diamonté Jets, CEO; David G. Shannon, Partner/Chair, Business Aviation Practice; Lewis Brisbois; Diana Zuluaga, JET D’OR, Inc. Co-Founder

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