EBACE Convention News 05-26-16

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Thursday 5.26.16 GENEVA

EBACE

Convention News

®

DAVID McINTOSH

www.ainonline.com

Despite the slowdown in the business aviation market, the EBACE exhibit halls and static display were crowded.

Converging factors are driving bizav market slowdown

by Kerry Lynch The consensus among industry and economic experts here at the EBACE show this week is that the business aviation market has stumbled. That leaves many aircraft owners, potential buyers and sellers facing difficult decisions due to weakened residual values, as they also weigh possible upgrade options. Additional uncertainty comes from the weakening of the long-robust large-cabin market over the past year, with available used inventory rising and manufacturers now struggling to maintain healthy

sales of new aircraft as backlogs dwindle.

Speaking during a State of the Industry panel on the opening day of EBACE, Jean-Christophe Gallagher, v-p of strategy and marketing for Bombardier Business Aircraft, noted that annual deliveries of business jets, once at more than 800 had “clawed back” to about 500 units by last year. But the OEM expects that to decline by about 10 percent, as largeaircraft deliveries are curbed by the current political and economic troubles of world economies.

European bizav movements also are on the decline, continuing a trend that has been ongoing over the past four years, added Claire Leleu, senior forecaster at Eurocontrol. That decline has been reinforced by the economic crisis that started in Russia in 2014, and continued in the Ukraine and to some extent Turkey, Leleu said. She added that markets such as France and Switzerland have not grown as expected.

Teal Groups’s Richard Aboulafia is tracking similar trends. He noted that

after the 2009 downturn the market “ripped in half.”

Large jets did well thanks, at the time, to emerging markets, but the smallest end of the business jet market “simply died,” he said. That changed last year, he continued, when “we began to get convergence in an unwelcome way.”

Behind the Drag Curve

The light segment did begin to revive, Aboulafia said, but it would be better if Continued on page 29 u

Airports

Operator Certificates

In-flight Entertainment

VIP Rotorcraft

New Aircraft

TAG’s Heavy Traffic

Guernsey Taps AOC Market

Idair Has VIP B787 IFE Suite

Airbus Shows H160 Interior

Piper M600 Up and Coming

TAG Farnborough Airport, one of the Europe’s busiest bizav destinations, has recorded a large influx of largeaircraft traffic. The FBO has modified its footprint to compensate. Page 10

Though geographically located within the EU, Guernsey issues its own independent air operator certificates. It was able to fasttrack an AOC, delivered at EBACE to Volare Aviation. Page 14

A joint venture between Lufthansa Technik and Panasonic Avionics, Idair has delivered the first-ever in-flight entertainment system on a head-of-state VIP Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Page 18

You can “see” the executive interior of the Airbus Helicopters H160 medium twin here at EBACE, albeit via virtual-reality goggles, at the company’s booth (N060) on the display floor. Page 19

With certification expected in the third quarter, Piper Aircraft’s flagship turboprop single will enter what is becoming an increasingly crowded field of competitors. Page 22

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STEP IN, STE P U P A ND J O I N

THE FAMILY

Avinode cofounder Per Marthinson (l) and marketplace managing director Oliver King hope to roll out end-to-end capability for their company’s B2B charter booking system by year-end.

by Kerry Lynch Avinode is taking steps to fulfill its vision of becoming the “Sabre” of the business aviation market. It hopes to roll out end-to-end capability by the end of the year that not only connects charter brokers and operators on trip requests but also enables them to seamlessly coordinate the entire trip through the Avinode system.

The Swedish company (Booth I071) has developed an online marketplace for buying and selling charter, but once that is accomplished, the broker and operator coordinate each trip on their own. Per Marthinsson, co-founder of Avinode (and managing director–marketplace Americas) estimated that every trip takes an

average of 44 communications, whether emails or calls, to coordinate on everything from catering and FBO locations to passenger names and changes in itinerary. “Imagine if you could reduce that to 10 [communications],” Marthinsson said, adding that could increase the efficiencies of both parties.

Avinode is developing the “back-end” systems that would enable the parties to

Leonardo showcases VIP AW169

FBO SKY VALET BUYS SERVICE PROVIDER JETBASE

by Thierry Dubois Leonardo Helicopters (Booth Z045) is here exhibiting an AW169 medium twin with a seven-passenger corporate interior, striving to maintain its claimed leading position in a fierce business. “We have 50 percent of the multi-engine corporate/ VIP helicopter market,” said Manuela Barbarossa, head of the VIP/corporate segment for the company (formerly known as AgustaWestland). Leonardo’s fleet of VIP/corporate rotorcraft is estimated at 800 worldwide.

In the AW169, a clean-sheet design certified 10 months ago, corporate/VIP passengers do not have to use headsets to have a conversation, Barbarossa pointed out. “As for equipment, our customers are interested in everything they use at home or in their car. They see their helicopter as an extension of these,” she went on. Therefore, Leonardo is offering an iPad-controlled cabin management system including lighting, air conditioning and a map.

The GrandNew light twin is said to be the most popular model in Leonardo’s product range for VIP/corporate customers. Overall,

iron out a range of trip details through the Avinode system beginning from when the request comes in to the point of aircraft departure. “We have a very clear vision of [providing] the end-to-end workflow,” said Oliver King, Avinode marketplace managing director.

The company now works with 2,300 aircraft and 5,000 users and is averaging 300,000 trip requests each month. o

“corporate/VIP helicopters represent about 20 percent of our sales,” Barbarossa said.

She mentioned Europe and North America as the first two markets. “Emerging markets like Russia and China will benefit from evolving [airspace and ownership] rules,” she added. In the Middle East, regulations prevent individuals from owning a private helicopter, but some can be found under governmental registrations, she explained.

The economy has not helped recently, Barbarossa went on. She singled out Brazil and particularly the city of São Paulo, famous for executive helicopter commuting.

But now, due to the recession, “people in São Paulo can’t invest as much as they need to do.” She emphasized that, despite the soft market, Leonardo is maintaining a close relationship with its traditional customers.

The Anglo-Italian manufacturer is facing increased competition, since two new twins will be certified over the next couple of years. The Bell 525 Relentless will be a new contender in the heavy category, while Airbus has just unveiled the corporate/VIP version of the H160 medium twin. o

Sky Valet, the FBO and ground-handling network owned by Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur (Booth E035), has expanded its business with yesterday’s announcement that it has acquired Portuguese service provider Jetbase. The move gives Sky Valet FBOs at all the main Portuguese airports such as Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Cascais, and Beja, along with ground handling operations on various islands (Madeira, The Azores and Cape Verde). It also includes handling businesses in Mozambique and Angola.

Combined, Jetbase sees approximately 4,000 movements a year. That together with the 58,000 operations typically logged by Sky Valet at its 18 locations including Paris Le Bourget, Cannes, Madrid and Barcelona, makes the company one of the largest service providers in Europe.

At all the new locations, Sky Valet will keep the staff intact, according to Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur director Michel Tohane. “Our strategy is simple, to create and build up a network,” he told AIN, adding the company only considers prime locations for general aviation.

“As long as we can bring added value to the network, we will continue to grow.

The sky’s the limit."

–C.E.

DAVID McINTOSH

Erratum–‘Meet Textron’s New Turboprop Single’

Leonardo Helicopters (née AgustaWestland) is displaying a VIP-outfitted AW169 medium twin here at EBACE.

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

The proposed range of Textron’s new turboprop single was misstated in yesterday’s EBACE Convention News (page 16).The correct range is 1,600 nautical miles (at high speed cruise with four passengers). AIN apologizes for this error. n

EBACE

Convention News

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FOUNDED IN 1972 JAMES HOLAHAN (1921-2015), FOUNDING EDITOR WILSON S. LEACH, MANAGING DIRECTOR

DAVID McINTOSH

Avinode looks to broaden its service menu

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EBACE just the place for brokers to thrive

by Mark Phelps EBACE represents a valuable opportunity for aircraft brokers to meet with clients in a venue where they can literally reach out and touch the merchandise. But it’s also a chance to get together face-to-face with industry executives whose areas of expertise represent tipping points for decision-makers. Are upcoming avionics requirements a concern for a client? How have lower fuel prices changed the landscape?

Does a given program delay represent opportunity for a client who has a competing aircraft for sale?

A broker can visit with avionics manufacturers, government rulemakers, installation shops, fuel suppliers and top-level executives from OEMs to grasp, first-hand, how they view the future course.

Jay Mesinger, founder, CEO and president of Boulder, Coloradobased Mesinger Aircraft Sales, is a firm believer in getting out to shows such as EBACE to meet with clients and business associates face to face. “Brokers have to be there. Email, texting, and even Skype and video conferencing are useful for working through details after the process is well along. But this is a relationship business, and the only way to launch relationships is to be there.”

Specific to the European market, Mesinger talked about external influences on buyers. He described the difference between events he called “distractions” as opposed to true “game changers.”

“The last U.S. election was a distraction,” he said. “A game changer is something like the uncertainty over the European economy; whether the UK decides to withdraw from the European Union, or a major geopolitical event, such as the tragedies in Paris and Brussels.”

He said distractions keep only fence sitters from making moves.

While brokers visiting EBACE are certainly focused on the European market, it’s impossible to address regional sales without taking the global economic picture into account. Mesinger said,

“Things that are causing the aviation industry to suffer have no borders. For example, paralysis in emerging markets. Russia has been a big player, and the combination of the hit of low prices in oil-andgas with political sanctions has had a profound impact.”

Mesinger has clearly seen the shift in buying move to the U.S. market. The slowdown in emerging markets such as Russia and around the Asia Pacific region has been mitigated by an upswing in North America’s fiscal health, with the added effect that the dollar is stronger and most aircraft are priced in dollars suppressing the appetite of many international buyers as they’re own economies and currencies weaken.

“The U.S. economy is stronger. Confidence is up to a level it hasn’t been for years. Low auto fuel prices have had a subtle, ripple effect on the overall economy. Even Walmart shoppers are feeling they have more cash available for discretionary spending, which helps build confidence, little by little, throughout the entire economy.”

Having said that, Mesinger recalled a time when U.S. business was praying for lower fuel prices and a strong dollar. “It’s a perfect example of ‘be careful what you wish for,’” he said.

Wide swings in prices and currency lead to instability, and the slowdown in emerging markets, many of which are dependent on oil and gas revenue, has had an effect on preowned inventories, which may be good for U.S. buyers but can be a complication for sellers.

New York-born Steve Varsano, founder of the revolutionary London-based storefront broker The Jet Business, had some thoughts on why economic swings have been so precipitous in the recent past. “The world is more connected through social media and the 24-hour news cycle. And people are like penguins. When one jumps in they all jump in.”

With social media providing more opportunity for the first “jumpers” to show their colors, it’s that

Aircraft brokers are among the best attuned to what’s affecting business aviation. It’s a relationship-centric business, and they need to be the experts.

much more likely the rest of the crowd will follow, he said.

One example he cited was the recent excitement over the market for pre-owned Gulfstream G650s. Like all the other brokers consulted for this article, Varsano said the increase in pre-owned inventory–and subsequent downgrading of Gulfstream parent General Dynamics by Deutsche Bank– is much ado about nothing.

He said the market for G650s is still strong, and the bankers were “following the herd.” The increase in G650 inventory is more of a correction to what was very high demand.

“The G650 represents the latest in technology, raising the bar. So as deliveries began, the demand was artificially high.

Then there was the heartburn over the [U.S.] stock market during the last six months and cheap oil, with oil producing countries on the sidelines. Is the premium pricing gone? Sure. But I can tell you there are deals in the works, and the inventory will not stay at these levels for long.”

Asked what he sees as some of the issues for European buyers, Varsano said, “The biggest issue is just resolving to get used to issues. [Compared to business jet operations in the U.S.] there are more national borders, each with its own customs and immigration policies. Some will go out to the aircraft, but in other cases the passengers have to clear customs at a specified location, or even go to the airline terminal.

“Salaries and fees are much more expensive in Europe, as is the paperwork – more expensive and harassing.” At the same time, Varsano doesn’t view upcoming ADS-B and other equipment requirements as major deterrents for European operators. “It’s an inconvenience, but won’t affect the market. The owner might get mad for five minutes, and then tell his flight department manager, ‘OK.’” Currency fluctuation is a disrupting influence, according to Varsano. “Look at Brazil,” he said. “Their currency dropped by 35 percent. It disrupts the market when they sell.” Currency fluctuation of 15 percent or more is

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

“drastic” said Varsano, though he pointed out that, for example, the drop in the Russian ruble has not had as strong an effect on the market as might have been expected.

“Russians deal in dollars and euros, not rubles,” he said.

Asked what he thought were some thorny issues looking forward, Varsano pointed to the European economy, uncertainty over the UK remaining in the EU, issues related to refugees and fear over terrorism. But, he said, “Even in Europe, economies are inching forward. They’re not moving fast, but they are not going backward.”

Chad Anderson, president of Jetcraft, has positive words for the well established market for business jets on this side of the Atlantic. Jetcraft, which does a lot of business in the European market, sold 36 aircraft in all of 2009, but had already brokered 23 deals in the first quarter of this year, alone. “Based on the pipeline,” said Anderson, “I’m hoping Q2 will turn out even better.

“Europe needs a pat on the back,” he said, “for seeing the glass as half full. People are still buying [despite challenging economic conditions]. After all, it is the world’s second largest market for business jets, with good support infrastructure in place. But, for those looking to sell, I’m saying don’t hesitate to look west.

And U.S. buyers shouldn’t hesitate to look east.”

For all the encouraging words, Anderson acknowledged, “The ebb and flow of supply and demand sends a mixed message.

Prices have been fickle, both in and outside Europe. There are still plenty of deals in the works, mostly for large-cabin aircraft, in Austria and Germany, for example. And there are lots of sellers. The strong U.S. dollar is a good factor for them.”

Citing a case of self-fulfilling prophecy, Anderson said that,

during February, Europe was a depressed market because people were assuming that deals were not happening but, he said, “We were producing results.”

Anderson’s take on the G650 flap takes a reasoned view, similar to Varsano’s. He said, “The market is softer, but not abnormally more than it should be. Values were inflated as of 12 months ago. The increase in supply has softened prices, but G650s are still worth 95- to 100 percent of when they were ordered new.

With about 160 units in service now, the market has normalized; it’s hardly freefalling.”

Asked what is driving the market for business aviation, Anderson downplayed the role of emerging economies, not because they have no effect, but because their impact has been overstated.

He acknowledged that austerity and anti-corruption movement in China has stemmed enthusiasm for business aviation, but pointed out that, even with its great potential, the Chinese market is still only a fraction the size of Europe’s.

“The airlines are our best salespeople,” he said. “[The airline travel experience] is not getting better. Add to that today’s active charter, jet card and fractional providers. There are so many good ones, and they get people started.”

Anderson pressed the point that brokers have a defined role to play, and they cannot overestimate their own importance. “We are participants in the market, not controllers of the market.” And as with most brokers, he sees a lot of that market now as shifting to the U.S. as its economy continues to lead the global recovery. “It’s more work to buy an airplane outside [the seller’s] country, but for U.S. buyers, the quality of European aircraft can be worth the trip.

There are some opportunistic buyers looking to China, but there are liabilities in those deals. Still, the prices provide leverage.

“We need to educate sellers to what’s necessary to sell outside their country. We can’t do that over the phone.” Which is one more reason why the most active, energetic and successful brokers are here at EBACE. o

THE WORLD’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.

by Samantha Cartaino This year’s Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE) will take place from August 30 to September 1 at São Paulo’s Congonhas Airport. Organized

by Brazilian business aviation association ABAG, the event is currently expected to draw around 150 exhibitors (compared with 200 in 2015) including major manufacturers such as Dassault,

DAVID McINTOSH

LABACE 2016 preview

Textron (Cessna, Beechcraft and Bell), Embraer, Gulfstream, Rockwell Collins and Pratt & Whitney and many more. Some 10,000 visitors, including pilots and senior executives, are expected to come through the gates for the three-day event, which follows the typical Brazilian pattern of late starts around noon, leading into late night socializing.

Latin American business aviation gets the spotlight at the LABACE show, with 150 exhibitors expected this year.

While Latin America has long been viewed as a key emerging market for business aviation, the recent political and economic turmoil in Brazil (exacerbated by a collapse in the oil and gas sector) has dampened expectations. Some observers have suggested that the LABACE show would benefit from an emphasis on other parts of the region where countries, such as Mexico, are showing stronger growth.

No details of the conference agenda were available as of press time and it remains to be seen whether the subject matters addressed will be less parochial this year.

Swiss Excellence in Business Aviation

Rio Olympics

The largest privately-owned facility in the world offering VIP, private and corporate aviation services.

— Maintenance — Completion and Refurbishment — Charter / Aircraft Brokering AMAC Aerospace Switzerland AG Telephone + 4 1 58 310 31 31 info@amacaerospace.com Henric Petri -Strasse 35 www.amacaerospace.com 4051 Basel, Switzerland

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

One of the biggest challenges, and opportunities, faced

by Brazil’s business aviation community this year is the Rio Olympic Games (August 5-21), which forced the LABACE show to be staged somewhat later than usual. ABAG has expressed concern that, as with the World Cup soccer tournament hosted by Brazil in 2014, operational restrictions on business aviation traffic may prove to be a serious impediment.

“Security restrictions during the Olympics mean few slots will be available for general aviation in mid-August,” ABAG general director Ricardo Nogueira told AIN. “And moving the date also allows participation by our members who will be working during the Games.”

Travelers to South America also are having to contend with the threat of the Zika virus. The U.S. National Business Aviation Association advised that some countries should require insecticide treatment for business aircraft and there is already a pre-flight pesticide treatment.

AIN brings you all the news from the LABACE show in our award-winning show daily editions and at AINonline.com.

Exhibitors with news to share can contact AIN international shows editor Ian Sheppard at isheppard@ainonline.com. o

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Helicopters | Aeronautics | Electronics, Defence & Security Systems | Space

Acropolis taps Alberto Pinto for ACJ320neo interior design

by James Wynbrandt Farnborough, UK-based air charter operator Acropolis Aviation announced here at EBACE that the interior of its new Airbus ACJ320neo will be designed

by Alberto Pinto Design (APD), and the project’s first renderings are on view at Acropolis’ display (Booth I089). The new aircraft will have 19 seats, a private master bedroom with luxury en-suite bathroom, and a large galley outfitted like a terrestrial kitchen.

France-based APD also designed the interior of Acropolis’ flagship G-NOAH, an ACJ319, which entered service in 2010.

G-NOAH’s “versatile” 19-passenger cabin features an open plan forward lounge and intimate rear lounge, separated by a midcabin conference and dining room. The private master bedroom features a king size bed, en-suite bathroom, and a large, rectangular shower, the first installed in an ACJ. Acropolis CEO Jonathan Bousfield called the selection of APD for the new project “a natural choice for us.” Acropolis’ clients include heads of state, high-networth individuals, and corporate and leisure clients. Blousfield said, “Choosing a design that reflects an evolution of our highly popular cabin will help us remain a market leader.” Bousfield said.

“We are delighted to have been

chosen by Acropolis to work on their new ACJ320neo, and have the opportunity to create something really exceptional,” said Linda Pinto, the sister and longtime collaborator of the late Alberto Pinto. Yves Pickardt, who also styled G-NOAH, will head the design project.

Acropolis and APD will now meet with completion facilities and evaluate which will execute the project. o

UK charter operator Acropolis Aviation’s ACJ320neo will have a 19-seat configuration with an open plan forward lounge and intimate rear lounge, separated by a mid-cabin conference and dining room. It will also have a private master bedroom with luxury en-suite bathroom, as well as a large galley with full kitchen. Alberto Pinto Design was tapped for the design.

TAG Farnborough Airport sees growth in bizliner traffic

by Curt Epstein The UK’s TAG has maintained its 6 perFarnborough Airport is cent increase. “That part one of Europe’s most popof the market still seems to ular business aircraft desbe holding up and develtinations, and its FBO has oping,” said O’Reilly, who garnered an impressive believes the introduction streak as the highest rated late last year of a bespoke, location in the Eastern large-capacity VIP lounge Hemisphere, according to on the FBO’s first floor AIN’s readers, something could also be a contributCEO Brandon O’Reilly ing factor. does not take for granted.

The company engaged For 2015, he noted heavily in promotion and that the dedicated busi- TAG Farnborough Airport CEO marketing of the lounge, ness aviation airport Brandon O’Reilly said bizliner which can accommodate (Booth Y044) saw a 2 movements have jumped. approximately 70 passenpercent increase in opergers, and it appears that ations year-over-year, with a disparate 6 investment has paid dividends. Likewise, percent rise in airliner-derived business the new discrete facility has garnered aircraft such as the Boeing BBJ, Airbus approval from the music groups, sports ACJ and Embraer Lineage. That trend teams and government and diplomatic has continued through the first four envoys that have used it. months of the year. O’Reilly reported Other recent improvements at the that in Q1 2016 Farnborough has experi- FBO include a gymnasium, an addienced a 1 percent increase in flights over tional snooze room and another pilot the same period in 2015, yet the num- work room, the result of customer feedber of operations by 50-ton-or-greater back recorded on two iPads mounted in aircraft, predominantly ACJs and BBJs, the FBO, expressly for that purpose. o

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

The TAG Farnborough Airport FBO was updated last year to include a bespoke, large capacity VIP lounge on the first floor. Other improvements included a gym, additional pilot snooze room and pilot work room.

TAG AVIATION EXPANDS MRT CAPABILITIES IN EUROPE TAG Aviation has added mobile repair team (MRT) capability to all seven of its European maintenance centers. With the added capabilities, TAG Aviation (Booth Y044) can dispatch aircraft-on-ground (AOG) support services from any of the European centers.

TAG has a centralized MRT coordinator that can make the necessary arrangements and dispatch the nearest team to provide the services where they are needed. “Our mobile repair team is able to provide a rapid response with qualified experts on hand that have the same technical capabilities, authorization and quality systems as we employ in our repair centers,” said Philippe Rabier, TAG Aviation Europe maintenance sales director.

Geneva-based TAG Aviation provides maintenance and engineering services in Geneva, Sion, Farnborough, Paris, Clermont-Ferrand, Madrid and Lisbon, along with Hong Kong –K.L. and Lomé.

APG ADDS TEMPORARY OBSTACLE TOOL

First-time charter clients drive Victor’s growth

by Ian Sheppard Private jet online booking company relatively small, niche market.” Linking Victor says its rapid growth is coming into the “on-demand economy” is what from clients who have never booked sites such as Victor.com, and its associa flight before. The latest sales figures ated app, can enable, suggested Jackson. show a three-year average sales growth “Businessmen and -women are looking of 142 percent per annum, claimed the for options.”

UK-based company.

“The fact that so many first-time fliVictor founder and CEO Clive Jackson ers are choosing Victor shows just how told AIN here at EBACE that 34 percent of much the private charter market is openthe bookings during the first four months ing up and changing, for the better,” said of 2016 were made by first-time charter- Jackson. “We are growing the market ers, adding that long-range bookings have by making it more accessible–easier to tripled this year (up 279 percent). In addi- understand, clearer to navigate and more tion, there are far more aircraft types now fun and productive to use.” tapped for Victor bookings– Jackson also commented the number now stands at 68. on the various businesses Jackson is at EBACE with claiming to disrupt the indusone key message, aimed at try and attracting significant operators: “The big challenge venture capital investment, in is to ensure operators are some cases. “Those looking able to improve the way their to invest in the sector have assets are being accessed. to ask tougher questions of Information about their airthe business models.” And he craft needs to be more easily added that the good business models would get “proper available, more transparent.” investors, not just angel-style He noted that “in a stallinvestors captivated by the ing market,” becoming more Victor founder Clive Jackson proactive and visible is essen- says the online booking site allure of jet-A.” tial for operators who want to is attracting large numbers of The company claimed in a statement that “the increase in secure bookings in what is “a new charter customers.

first-time charter users can be attributed to Victor’s tech-driven demystification of the traditional, often opaque charter booking process through brokers.” FlyVictor.com offers comparisons of specific aircraft and costs, and does not charge up-front fees.

Victor’s iOS app “makes the charter experience vastly more accessible to commercial air travelers,” said the company. The app currently accounts for 60 percent of total bookings.

In terms of U.S. bookings, the Beechjet 400A and Hawker 800XP have proved the most popular choices this year. For the UK and rest of world, however, it is the light jets, specifically Cessna’s Citation Mustang, which has been taking more than double the bookings of its next closest rival, the Embraer Phenom 100.

For long-range aircraft, the GIV-SP, IV and G450, as well as the Bombardier Challenger 601 and Global Express XRS, have proved the most popular for bookings in 2016.

Looking ahead, Victor is planning to further develop its tech platform and customer offering; its integration with operators and key industry partners; and charter operations across Europe and the U.S. o

Aircraft Performance Group (APG, Booth W123) has released its Temporary Obstacle Tool, a feature for its iPreFlight iOS app and web-based solutions. The new tool allows iPreFlight users to enter temporary obstacles, such as those specified in notams, at known locations so they can be included in runway analysis performance calculations.

According to APG, it can be difficult for pilots and other flight personnel to determine if obstacles cited in active notams lie within the departure corridor for obstacle-clearance calculations.

In the company’s app, these temporary obstacles can be entered in several different formats in relation to the runway: “distance out and offset;” “bearing and distance;” and “latitude/longitude.”

Once obstacles have been entered in iPreFlight, the user can view an airport map with satellite imagery and pin locators showing where the obstacles are. The tool also determines whether the obstacle is within the horizontal obstacle-clearance area for a given runway. If it is, the obstacle is added to the runtime airport database for limitweight calculations.

“This is a very useful feature in iPreFlight and our selected web products for determining the relevancy of obstacles,” said APG CEO Mike Caflisch. “iPreFlight is used by thousands of pilots and dispatchers around the world.”

–C.T.

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z StandardAero, Jet Aviation Team on AE 3007 StandardAero (Booth N073) announced here at EBACE the appointment of Jet Aviation Basel as a Rolls-Royce AE 3007A Service Center, bolstering support for Embraer Legacy 600/650 operators in Europe.

The agreement, signed last month, also provides “operators who fly their Embraer Legacy 600/650 aircraft to Europe from North America the comfort of having a partner who can help support their service requirements,” said Kerry O’Sullivan, v-p of operations and general manager of StandardAero’s Maryville, Tennessee MRO facility, the only U.S.-based authorized maintenance center for the Rolls-Royce engine.

The facility recently celebrated its 5,000th AE 3007 engine overhaul. Jet Aviation is now the MRO’s first European service center for the turbine powerplant.

z Vigiplane Now Available as Option for ACJs Sabena Technics (Booth S066) has announced that its Vigiplane aircraft-on-ground security device has qualified for inclusion on Airbus’s official Tool & Equipment list and is thus available as an option on Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJs).

Vigiplane can detect any attempt to get into the aircraft or interfere with it. It operates autonomously and does not require certification.

z TrainingPort Offers Part-NCC Training TrainingPort.net has formed a partnership with AeroEx (Booth S132) to offer customized online training for European business aircraft operators flying non-commercial operations under Part-NCC. EASA, under the new Part-NCC regulation, requires European operators of complex fixed- and rotarywing aircraft to follow essentially the same requirements as commercial air transport operators. Operators of aircraft based in an EASA member state must implement the new rules by August 25 of this year.

All training topics required for Part-NCC operators are now available through TPN’s online training portal. The Vancouver, Canada-based company’s subject matter experts and course developers have worked with AeroEx’s European aviation specialists to ensure that the courses are in compliance with EASA Air Operations regulations. Here at the show, TPN is offering a 10 percent discount for new clients who sign up for the Part-NCC training packages. Volume and length-of-service discounts are also available.

z Bestfly, JetMagic Seek Aruba AOC Approval Angolan-based operator Bestfly (Booth Y140, with AfBAA) and JetMagic of Malta have applied for Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) from the DCA of Aruba.

JetMagic established an Aruban-based subsidiary, JetMagic Aruba, which will become its principal place of business for the operation of its VIP Boeing aircraft. JetMagic manages a fleet of four Boeings, including two BBJs, a 757-200 and a 777. Aruba-registered P4-BBJ will be the first aircraft placed on JetMagic’s Aruba AOC. The DCA of Aruba has approved the project and plans to present the AOC certification after the finalization of the last required steps. “We have ample example with JetMagic as an operator in the non-commercial category; they are considered a very professional and compliant operator,” said Edwin Kelly, director of the DCA of Aruba. “We look forward to completing their air operator certification in a short period.”

BestFly currently is undergoing review for the Aruban approval. The Aruban AOC will enable an expansion of services already offered through BestFly’s Angolan AOC. The company, established in 2009, is the largest private aircraft operator in Angola with a fleet of 13 aircraft. Noting Bestfly has been a private operator at the Registry of Aruba (Booth Z114), Jorge Colindres, chairman and CEO of the registry, said, “we are pleased to see how their organization has expanded and grown.”

Bell expands its facility in Prague

by François Blanc Bell Helicopter officially opened a delivery center and two-bay paint facility at its location in Prague, Czech Republic on May 12. This adds to the facility’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, making it the company’s regional customization, delivery and aftermarket service center in Europe.

The paint booth has been designed to accommodate all Bell civil helicopters, ranging from legacy products to those currently in development, among them the 525 Relentless supermedium twin. “By integrating the latest requirements for safety of operations, ease of maintenance, energy sustainability, environmental and ergonomics, we have been able to vastly improve the paint process,” the company said.

FRANÇOIS BLANC

NEWS CLIPS

A two-bay paint facility was added as part of Bell Helicopter’s recent expansion of its delivery and service center in Prague, Czech Republic.

“Europe is a key market for us to continue to grow and develop our balanced business,” noted Bell Helicopter president and CEO Mitch Snyder. The company’s Prague facility is part of an expanding network of support

GlobeAir partners with JetSuite for VLJ charter

by Thierry Dubois Austria-based executive air charter operator GlobeAir (Booth B051) is here announcing a partnership with U.S.-based JetSuite to offer each other’s “last mile” service to those customers who travel back and forth across the Atlantic. GlobeAir and JetSuite specialize in very light jet flights, with Cessna Citation Mustangs and Embraer Phenom 100s, respectively. GlobeAir has been bucking a downward trend in the air charter market, according

to CEO Bernhard Fragner.

A new cabin interior, created by an automotive designer and featuring leather seats hand-crafted in Florence, Italy, has been created. It has already been fitted to 12 of GlobeAir’s 14 Mustangs.

Downtime for installation is said to be only two days. The work was supervised in house, a lowercost option when compared to the quotes obtained from refurbishment specialists, Fragner said.

EASA has just approved

and service facilities throughout Europe. Bell also has a supply center in Amsterdam, owns blade repair shop Rotor Blades in Warminster, UK, and counts 16 customer service facilities in Europe and Russia. o GlobeAir as a pilot-training provider for the Mustang. Another recent investment has been the addition of a second mobile repair team.

In the first quarter, GlobeAir saw a 17 percent increase in movements, which translated into a reported 10 percent sales growth.

Fragner therefore hopes revenues to swell to €23 million in 2016.

Last year, revenues stood at €18.6 million. “We have hit the bottom level of pricing,” Fragner added.

In future, Fragner sees a need for a second maintenance base.

He also would like to grow the fleet to 20 aircraft, a threshold estimated to minimize deadhead legs. “From our 10th Mustang, we saw economies of scale kicking in,” he pointed out. o

SPARFELL ACQUIRES LEGACY 600 FOR NEW LEASING MODEL Sparfell International Lease Corporation (SILC) has taken delivery of a Legacy 600 business jet, as the company is hoping to expand the “aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance” (ACMI) leasing model into business aviation. The pre-owned Legacy, on static display at EBACE, is the first business jet to join the Sparfell fleet.

“For years, ACMI has been established as the leasing model used in commercial aviation,” said Sparfell & Partners Limited chairman Philip Queffelec. “For the first time, this practice has been developed and adapted to business aviation.”

Sparfell said the ACMI leasing model typically will cost one-third the price of ownership, preserving cash flow and reducing residual value risks. Under

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

the Sparfell model, a customer will have a dedicated aircraft and crew and determine the aircraft’s base airport. Luxaviation will operate the aircraft.

“The SILC solution aims to meet a new market demand by offering more flexibility discretion and cost-efficiency as an alternative to regular fractional ownership, charter services or direct aircraft ownership,” Queffelec said.

Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Marco Tulio Pellegrini, added, “The market is searching for new models of business jet utilization and Sparfell & Partners is bringing an alternative solution for the segment. We are looking forward to future collaborations between SILC and Embraer.”

–K.L.

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Guernsey’s debut AOC arrived on a fast track

by James Wynbrandt Guernsey issued its first Air Operators Certificate (AOC) here at EBACE to Volare Aviation. It took a year of work by its Civil Aviation office to change the laws of the Crown Dependency to allow granting of such permits.

“We started the journey after EBACE last year,” said Gus Paterson, Guernsey’s Director of Civil Aviation. “People said, ‘It would be great if you could give us an AOC.’ So we went back and arranged a primary legislation change, and implemented it.” Though geographically within the EU, Guernsey is independent and not a party to EASA regulations, one of the factors making it an attractive registry for operators, Paterson said.

To facilitate the certification process, Guernsey has established a public-private partnership with 2-Reg (Booth S044), an offshore provider of aviation registration and safety certification services, now charged with handling all facets of AOC issuance short of approval. In addition to Guernsey, 2-Reg has offices in Amsterdam and Singapore, and has registered more than 115 aircraft since commencing operations in 2013.

Another advantage for aircraft operators is the speed at which AOCs can be arranged.

“We’re the only registry completely outsourced,” Paterson

said. “Our main focus is on getting aircraft flying, whereas a lot of other places, the focus is to stop aircraft from flying. If we can get the law changed in less than a year, obviously there are a lot of other things we can do.”

Both Paterson and Joost Groenenboom, director of 2-Reg, emphasized Guernsey maintains the same safety standards as other internationally recognized registries, but is more responsive to the needs of registrants. “Our office doesn’t publish hours; we work 24/7,” Paterson said. “If you need to change [registry] in the middle of the night, we will get it done in the middle of the night.” He noted that Guernsey is also a financial center, and getting aircraft financing and registration on the island can often be handled as a turnkey transaction.

Private, corporate and commercial aircraft are all eligible for registry in Guernsey, regardless of where they are based.

The first AOC was issued to UK-based Volare Aviation, which operates Bombardier Challengers. “I’ve been involved with a few AOC setups,” said Paul Wood, Volare’s chief pilot, citing experience with EASA and JAR certifications. “This [registration process] was as complex, thorough and robust as any I’ve worked on in the world.” o

Inairvation’s pre-engineered cabin interior for Bombardier Globals has a launch customer, and Flying Colours will perform the work.

Flying Colours set to install the first Inairvation retrofit Global interior

by Curt Epstein Completions specialist Flying Colours (Booth W063) has signed a deal with the launch customer for Inairvation’s preengineered, retrofit cabin for Bombardier Global aircraft.

The Canadian company was named as a North American partner last fall by Inairvation (Booth L089), a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik and F/List, and it is already working with the European partners on the design engineering for the cabin. The order was confirmed late last month.

Final designs are expected to be ready by the end of next month and the aircraft is due to enter the company’s workshop

in the fourth quarter of this year with a targeted completion in the first quarter of 2017. Flying Colours also provides a variety of maintenance, repair and overhaul services.

The undisclosed customer chose the Inairvation baseline package to blend with the interior that will feature new, exotic leather-clad Global 6000 seats, an ergonomic side-rail, a rainbow spectrum cabin lighting system, stone granite floors in the lavatories and galley areas and carbon fiber veneer overlays on the cabinetry.

The retrofit, which will be certified via an STC obtained by Flying Colours, will incorporate

Lufthansa Technik’s Nice HD cabin management and inflight entertainment system, with functionality integrated into new pre-engineered ergonomic side ledges manufactured by F/ List. The exterior of the aircraft will also receive attention, in the form of a custom all-metallic paint scheme. o

DAVID McINTOSH

TSO APPROVAL IS UPCOMING FOR UNIVERSAL’S UNILINK UPGRADE

HONDAJET HITS THE GROUND RUNNING With it’s unusual Over The Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, the HondaJet takes aim at the European light-jet market.

Universal Avionics said here in Geneva its UniLink UL-800/801 Communications Management Unit (CMU) Software Control Number (SCN) 31.X is expected to receive Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval by midyear. The software upgrade will give operators the Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) message sets needed to meet the European Link 2000+ program mandate requirements.

Once the technology is certified, customers will be able “to start realizing the efficiencies and time savings associated with communicating via CPDLC,” said Dan Reida, v-p sales and marketing of the U.S.-based avionics manufacturer. “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.”

SCN 31.X supports Aeronautical Telecommunications Network Baseline 1 CPDLC and Context Management functions which are the core of Link 2000+

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

compliance. The software upgrade answers industry requirements for operational consistency and human factors for all FANS CPDLC messages for operators flying in both continental European and Oceanic airspace.

Addressing Airbus Helicopter AS332 operators, Universal (Booth T063) also said integration of its EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays for the AS332L1 is on track for certification in mid-2016. The AS332 installation package includes dual Primary Flight Displays (PFDs), dual UNS-1Fw Multi-Missions Management System (MMMS) with five-inch Flat Panel Control Display Units (FPCDUs), and a single Radio Control Unit (RCU).

Optional night vision goggle-compatible displays, controllers, MMMS, FPCDUs and RCU versions are available. One transport-configured, and a second SAR-configured AS332 are undergoing EFI-890H installations at rotorcraft MRO Heli-One, said Grady Dees, Universal’s director of technical sales. –J.W.

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Nomad relocates, rebrands & remans

by Jennifer Leach English Charter and aircraft management services company Nomad Aviation (Booth T115) has Ad PC-12 - (199 corporate x 264) unveiled an all-around refresh with a new brand identity, new company headquarters

AIN

in Zurich and the appointment of a new CFO, Pascal Mauerhofer.

The reinvigorated, contemporary brand aims to convey the detail and “precision” reflected in Nomad Aviation’s Swiss roots.

It focuses heavily on design savvy and a commitment to putting clients first. According to CEO Claude Neumeyer, the revitalized brand stands for “respecting our clientele’s

character and responding to our widening client base.”

Neumeyer believes that “the new and fresh look is a big step forward in the development of the company.” He said that the company wants to “grow and expand its aircraft management division and add new aircraft, mainly from the Middle East, Far East and European clientele,”

but he noted that Europe seemed to be saturated now. So far, he added, Nomad’s clients have mainly come from Russia or former Russian republics.

Nomad Aviation relocated its main offices from Berne to Zurich at the end of March, in order to “be closer to customers and important businesses in the greater Zurich area.” The state-of-the-art offices house Nomad’s sales, marketing and administrative teams as well as around-the-clock flight dispatch facilities and some maintenance and flight operations tasks.

New CFO Mauerhofer brings more than 20 years of accounting, reporting and controlling experience to the company. He previously worked for Berne-based Fiduria Ltd, where he served as partner and member of the management board since 2005.

“As Pascal already worked for Nomad in his capacity as fiduciary, he will be a valuable and highly appreciated new asset,” said Heinz Koehli, Nomad executive chairman.

Nomad Aviation’s fleet currently includes aircraft ranging from light jets to ultra-long-range aircraft, including an Embraer Legacy 600, a Bombardier Global 5000 and a Challenger 604. In addition to the Zurich headquarters, the company also has offices in Sliema, Malta. It operates under both Swiss and Maltese AOCs. o

AEROEX TOUTS ITS PART-NCC SUPPORT AeroEx is promoting its support services for EASA Part-NCC (non-commercial operations with complex aircraft) compliance. The deadline is August 25. AeroEx can help in the initial phase with familiarization, gap analysis, manual preparation and assistance in obtaining specific approvals (RVSM, for example). The Buchs, Switzerland-based company (Booth S132) can also provide continuing compliance support.

As opposed to a certification basis, Part-NCC is a declarative system. The operator need only declare its competence to operate under NCC and will be able to start operating the next day. EASA officials believe the effort is significantly less onerous than obtaining an air operator certificate (AOC).

Among exempt aircraft are light twin turboprops with an mtow less than 5.7 metric tons (12,500 pounds) and all turboprop singles.

–T.D.

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Dahlgren Duck doubles down on high-end bizjet amenities

by James Wynbrandt Dahlgren Duck & Associates (DDA), a U.S.-based supplier of custom-made dining ware, art works and luxury amenities for private jets, is here at EBACE (Booth Y103) highlighting its growing range of services for operators, OEMs, completion centers and private owners. That expansion is bolstered by a strengthened management team the company is introducing here. Joining CEO Scott Ritter is Philip Brunger, the new v-p, sales and business development, responsible for strategic growth worldwide. Mark Murray, the new CFO, is tasked with developing new systems to improve the customer experience. DDA “has always positioned the customer service experience at the heart of its business, as what we do is very much about personal service,” noted Ritter.

DDA is also embracing technology to

power platforms that can be customized to enhance the specifications, selection and ordering process for all its customers, which will enable its new website, now in development, to provide “a more convenient means of interacting with the DDA team,” the company said. Clients will be able to follow their projects, request modifications, and reorder items in real time from anywhere in the world.

“We are staying true to our origins, but we recognize that to take our business forward, we need to respond to changing market demands and expectations, to ‘modernize’ luxury,” Ritter said. The technology and web upgrades “enable us to showcase our incredible product portfolio, capabilities and expertise unlike any other platform.”

Here at its EBACE display, customers can see a sample of products and meet the DDA team. o

Sometimes it take more than just having the right products in stock. So Dahlgren Duck, a supplier of high-end luxury accessories for business jets, is also using high-tech to streamline the selection and ordering process.

UK-based Djetops offering ‘smart online flight permits’

by Curt Epstein

COMLUX SUPPLIES VIP AIRCRAFT TO SLOVAKIA Comlux Transactions, the aircraft sales and acquisition division of Switzerlandbased aviation services provider Comlux the Aviation Group (Booth N103), has brokered the sale of this pre-owned Airbus ACJ319 to the Government of Slovakia. The turnkey transaction includes a total onboard support package, aircraft maintenance, cabin upgrade, installation of onboard security systems and entry-into-service support.

This is the fourth time Comlux has supported a governmental aircraft purchase, following similar transactions with Jordan, Kazakhstan and Malaysia. “It is a great honor for us to work with the government of Slovakia and to support them in their fleet renewal,” said Comlux chairman and CEO Richard Gaona. “The Comlux Transactions team has strong experience in liaising with governments and understanding their specific needs.”

–C.E.

Idair has VIP 787 IFE suite Idair, the joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and Panasonic Avionics, specializes in inflight entertainment and cabin management systems and has delivered its first such system for a Boeing 787-8. The Hamburg, Germanybased company provided a high-end IFE, CMS and connectivity package to the head-of-state aircraft which was completed at the Associated Air Center in Dallas, Texas.

The system included features such as

audio/video on demand, an interactive moving map application, cockpit cameras, wireless device command for cabin controls, dynamic cabin lighting, window shades, and a wireless printer.

It will allow cabin crews to view the status of services such as water levels for shower use, Wi-Fi status for crew tablet and printers, and passenger telephone systems.

“We strive to include the latest aviation technologies in the completions

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

UK-based international trip planner Djetops is here at EBACE to demonstrate what it describes as the industry’s first “smart online flight permit” app.

Currently in beta testing, PermitsGlobal is being evaluated by a number of European operators, according to the company, which expects the final product to be available in the second half of the year.

Visitors to the company’s booth (U055) can try out the application, which automates the often-complicated process of obtaining landing and over-flight permits, allowing pilots and dispatchers around-the-clock control over their permit applications.

“PermitsGlobal is the first of the industry’s online tools to significantly change the trip planning process and revolutionize

how pilots and flight operations connect, communicate and manage their flight permits,” said Samantha Hazelgrove, the company’s sales manager. “EBACE is the ideal event to demonstrate PermitsGlobal to its users, and we are looking forward to gaining their expert feedback in preparation of its formal launch.”

The application is available in two versions, PG App for remote access via personal devices, and PG Web, where a single member license will give access to multiple users. Both provide the user with live updates on the permit application process, and a history feature will store aircraft, passenger and trip data including related payments. Customer support will be available through a dedicated team as well as a live chat function. o

that we perform for our customers,” said AAC president James Colleary.

“Idair’s solutions helped us achieve this vision,” he added.

with Lufthansa German Airlines, while Cumming served as Idair’s director of engineering and operations. In addition, Ann-Marie Alvarez, previously director of the VIP region and program management office with Panasonic Avionics, has joined the company’s management team, replacing Cumming in a new expanded role as COO. –C.E.

Board Changes

Idair (Booth K097) has made several changes to its executive board with the migration of CEO Andrew Muirhead and CFO Craig Depner to the company’s advisory board after a five-year term. They will be succeeded

by Wassef Ayadi, and Alan Cumming, respectively. Ayadi most recently was head of IT development operational flight planning and onboard support

Airbus Helicopters unveils H160 VIP suite

by Thierry Dubois After one year of absence, Airbus Helicopters (Booth N060) is back at EBACE to promote the in-development H160 medium twin. The airframer is now accepting letters of intent.

In the VIP and corporate segment, Airbus claims a 33 percent market share.

A design contest was launched for the H160’s corporate/VIP cabin interior (four-toeight seats). The winner will be announced here. Four designers, including Airbus Helicopters’ own style bureau, participated.

“The H160 has very modern exterior lines, and the designers were asked to keep this modernity, while retaining the codes of luxury and comfort,” Frédéric

Lemos, senior v-p, private and business aviation market development, explained to AIN. Show attendees will be able to “see” the winning interior by using virtual reality goggles.

“The VIP/corporate market segment is the third one for us in value; it accounted for 349 sales over the 2011-2015 period,” Lemos said. In 2015, 69 percent of the 61 deliveries came from the U.S. and Europe. After the current slow period picks up steam, Lemos anticipates sales in Brazil and China will accelerate in 2017-2018.

Airbus claims the top spot for the category above 1.5 metric tons (3,300 pounds). Overall, Lemos admits to being second to

The new H160 will become part of Airbus Helicopters’ VIP fleet. EBACE visitors can “see” the interior via virtual reality goggles.

Robinson Helicopter. Only two Airbus H120 light singles were delivered in 2015, compared with 117 Robinson R66s.

The first pair of super-medium H175s are to be handed over, the first in June and the second by the end of the year. The cabin interiors for the H175’s executive and VIP versions were created by Pegasus Design and introduced at EBACE 2013. A total of four are on order.

JetWave installations are rolling on as GlobalExpress gains more STCs

by Kerry Lynch Honeywell is rapidly expanding the market for its JetWave hardware that will use Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-band network. Installations are ongoing in 26 different aircraft models and types. Honeywell, the exclusive hardware provider for both business aviation and air transport hardware for Global Xpress, received its first U.S. FAA certification of the equipment earlier this year on a Boeing 757.

Carl Esposito, v-p, strategy, marking and product management for Honeywell Aerospace, noted that since then, it has received multiple STCs on a range of aircraft and work is ongoing with the airlines, original equipment manufacturers and centers on aircraft ranging from business aircraft to large passenger jets.

Installations on business aircraft have included Honeywell’s own Dassault Falcon 900 test aircraft, he said, adding Bombardier also has received Transport Canada approval for the equipment on Global 5000s and 6000s.

The installations currently are limited to larger business aircraft, but Esposito said, “If the aircraft is big enough for a tail-mount antenna, we’re probably doing it.”

He also remains bullish on the business aviation market for the Global Xpress service. “Business aviation operators are often early adopters, so we see a huge interest in this because they want to stay connected,” Esposito said, adding, “They were early adopters in satcom, and we’ve seen business aviation customers upgrade their systems two and three times.”

Honeywell is continuing its work with Kymeta, which has expertise in flat-panel antennas, for possibilities that will address smaller business aircraft. He noted that when traditional L-band equipment was first released, it was available only for large aircraft but is now accessible by even small general aviation aircraft.

Technicians install the dome above Honeywell’s JetWave system under an FAA supplemental type certificate.

Special attention was given to soundproofing, and one key objective was to make a conversation comfortable without headsets. The first two H175s are therefore being delivered without passenger headsets, Lemos emphasized. Airbus is following the same philosophy on the H160.

Another trend in cabin equipment is that hard-mounted video displays are increasingly being replaced by the passenger’s

device–smartphone, tablet, etc.

It can connect to the cabin management system for controlling mood lighting and receiving information such as flight duration, positioning etc.

Deliveries of the new H145 Mercedes Benz Style light twin began last year. The H145 is well suited to large yachts, Lemos said. It is compact and can be easily reconfigured; seats can be removed to make room for cargo. o

Honeywell believes that strong interest will be driven by the promise of satellite Ka-band service that will be 100 times as fast as the legacy L-band system and one 20th the cost.

The system is also expected to be more reliable than the existing Ku-band satellite connectivity services, since that service is based on signals from satellites originally designed for fixed receivers, which can cause interruptions when the moving aircraft transfers from one satellite to another.

Inmarsat has launched three operational geostationary satellites for the Global Xpress network that are designed for mobility, enabling seamless service globally. A fourth satellite that will enable additional capacity is anticipated for later this year. The additional capacity will be allocated to areas most in need, said Frederick Van Essen, v-p aviation strategy for Inmarsat.

Commercial service is anticipated “imminently,” Van Essen said, but added Inmarsat is already planning for the future of the system with the next generation of satellites on order and anticipated to be ready by the end of the decade.

Honeywell, which also has a master distribution agreement with Inmarsat for the business aviation services (known as Jet ConneX), believes that existing services, such as L-band and other ground-to-air options, will continue to serve a purpose.

But the improved speed, coupled with the reliability, will continue to open the door to an array of services that extend beyond the passenger.

“We have a broad strategy around connected aircraft,” Esposito said. “We talked about the passenger side of things, but we’re thinking much broader about the entire aircraft itself…

How does WiFi enable the rest of the aircraft to communicate more effectively and efficiently in ways that have never been done before.”

He noted more reliable connectivity will enable them to tap data locked in computers and cited as an example the ability to download weather data gathered from its RDR-4000 weather radar and “crowdsourcing” that information to provide a more complete weather picture. He also pointed at efforts to gather maintenance date from the aircraft.

Honeywell formerly had a product, Zing, which relied on cellular technology to transmit engine date, Esposito said. But that service was limited to a single location on the aircraft. With the advances in connectivity, Honeywell is now able to look at the entire airplane, he said.

But, he also stressed the importance of reliable and fast connectivity for the passenger, citing a recent survey finding that 28 percent of respondents indicated that they would give up a first-class seat for access to WiFi. o

www.ainonline.com • May 26, 2016 • EBACE Convention News 19

Broader risk-assessment tools top MedAire’s current wish list

by Kerry Lynch

What finer atmosphere than the heady dining room of a Boeing Business Jet? You can’t beat the view.

Duo of Michelin star chefs toast 1000 hrs of haute cuisine

by Jennifer Leach English Charter company Vertis Aviation have also determined what dishes can be (Booth 1089) is highlighting a pair of prepared most effectively in a restrictedcelebrated chefs–Aurélien Misse and size galley.

Benjamin Laffineur–who recently topped According to Neil Turnbull, COO of 1,000 logged flight hours preparing gour- Vertis Aviation, “Clients want to be able met meals onboard a Boeing Business to choose exactly what they fancy, and Jet. The talented duo, who trained under by having a chef on board, we know it famed two-star Michelin Belgian chef will be served in the most delicious way.”

Yves Mattagne, spend their days creatFrom their sky kitchen, Misse and ing customized menus feaLaffineur have prepared turing gourmet dishes (with everything from grilled lobwine pairings, of course) for ster to spaghetti bolognese. passengers dining onboard Their signature dish, the the Privajet BBJ marketed “Caviar Box,” is filled with exclusively by Vertis. caviar, scallops, sour cream, Part of Misse and herbs and other top-secret Laffineur’s expertise ingredients. The best cominvolves conquering many pliment the chefs have ever of the culinary challenges received? A client who had that face in-flight food prepspent two weeks on a luxury aration. For example, to trip in the Caribbean once counteract dehydration and told the culinary duo that Celebrity chef Benjamin Laffineur the resulting lack of taste, specializes in preparing fine the best food he’d tasted on they use only the best and dining, with all the unique his entire vacation was “onfreshest local produce. They challenges of high-altitude flying. board the BBJ.” o

Aviation safety and security expert MedAire is pushing for a holistic risk assessment that covers all airspace, not just conflict zones. MedAire (Booth V063) released a position paper on the importance of airspace-threat informationsharing in response to the European High Level Task Force on Conflict Zones. That report recommended the development of a common European risk assessment of conflict zones and a quick-alert mechanism to notify the aviation community.

“Air navigation route security is a key and growing area of concern for civil aviation entities around the globe,” said Andrew Nicholson, global director of security at MedAire. “There is a real need for an international methodology to assess airspace risk so operators can understand their global risk exposure.”

In its position paper, MedAire expressed its belief that, to be of value to the aviation industry, the holistic approach to risk assessment must be proactive, expedient, apolitical, specific, inclusive, comprehensive and consistent.

“Operators need fast, accurate, reliable information and responsive expert counsel,” Nicholson said.

MedAire provides a range of threat

assessment and other security services, advising clients on the security situation, potential threats and risk-mitigating measures, so they can make informed decisions about business operations, he said.

In addition to detailing its airspace risk assessment position paper during EBACE, MedAire also is discussing travel risks related to the Zika virus. The company hosted an educational session on Zika here at EBACE yesterday. The session saw a discussion on the spread of the virus and the impact on security protocols, regulations and disinsection (the use of insecticides to control the spread of the virus in aircraft). It was led by Michael Braida, MedAir’s medical director for Central Europe.

The company earlier this year expanded its product portfolio and reach into Central Europe, folding Medifan, a training company for medical professionals, into its operations. Founded in 1987 in Freiburg, Germany, Medifan trains more than 25,000 flight crew members annually with tailored medical programs.

Founder Edgar Buehrle remained managing director of Medifan and took on the additional title of director of aviation training for MedAire Europe. o

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

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by James Wynbrandt Piper Aircraft’s flagship M600 single turboprop has completed FAA compliance flight testing, clearing the path for function and reliability testing, which began this week ahead of schedule. FAA type certification is expected in the third quarter of this year.

As a result of “exceeding expectations” during flight tests, Piper has increased the single engine aircraft’s range from 1,200 to 1,441 nm, and its top speed from 260 to 274 kts, the U.S. company’s president and CEO Simon Caldecott told the press at the EBACE show on Tuesday.

Featuring a clean-sheet wing and powered by a 600-shp Pratt

from 10 to 20 percent of sales, and the company expects that percentage to grow once the M600 enters service; a number of charter operators have talked about adding the model to their fleets, Caldecott reported.

Annual M-Class turboprop sales have historically “been in the mid-30s,” but the company doesn’t expect a big increase in that number despite having two turboprops to offer, he said.

Meanwhile, Vero Beach, Florida-based Piper (Booth T051) earlier this year adjusted prices, standard equipment and options for its M-class airframes “to create price spacing between the products that would support

Piper was pleasantly surprised by the performance of its M600 turboprop during flight test.

As a result, speed and range figures were adjusted upward.

AIN editor flies the HondaJet

by Matt Thurber The long wait for the HondaJet to enter service ended late last year after Honda Aircraft received FAA certification for the HA-420 light jet on December 8. While production continues to ramp up at Honda Aircraft’s Greensboro, North Carolina factory, and at the GE Honda Aero Engines 50-50 joint venture in Burlington, North Carolina (where the new jet’s HF120 engines are manufactured), AIN’s Matt Thurber accepted an invitation to fly the aircraft on May 12 in Greensboro, with Honda Aircraft demo pilot and manager of corporate flight operations Tim Frazier.

Before climbing into the real jet, Frazier introduced me to the HondaJet via the HA-420 simulator, housed at the FlightSafety International learning center on the Honda Aircraft campus.

This proved to be an excellent way to prepare for the flight and get familiar with the flight deck.

FlightSafety did an excellent job with the simulator, and it

DAVID McINTOSH

Piper’s top-line M600 on track for Q3 ticket

Though a light jet “by the numbers,” the HondaJet flies like it is much larger.

handles and feels almost exactly like the real airplane.

Overall, the HondaJet delivers better performance than the numbers that Honda Aircraft had published during its long gestation. For example, we bested the 420-knot published max cruise speed during my flight, topping out at 423 ktas while burning about 480 pph per side at FL340. We climbed to FL430, flew a rapid descent, did some maneuvering at lower altitudes including steep turns and approaches to stall stickshaker, then flew a coupled ILS approach and a touch-and-go and then a full-stop landing.

The HondaJet is a light jet, with a mtow of 10,600 pounds, but handling-wise it feels like a larger jet. Its wing loading is relatively high and it punches easily right through any bumpy air.

The controls are not light and

snappy, but felt firm and positive and well-harmonized; when trimmed, the HondaJet stays right where you put it, with no tendency to wander while looking elsewhere in the cockpit.

The HondaJet’s systems are also fairly sophisticated for a jet in this Part 23 class.

Where the HondaJet really shines is the cockpit design and the integration with the Garmin G3000 flight deck. The placement of all controls is natural and instantly comfortable. Checklists are surprisingly short and simple, and they match a superbly crafted cockpit flow that will help new pilots feel safe and proficient in a short period of time.

Obviously there is much more to the HondaJet, and this short article is just to give some initial impressions; a fully detailed pilot report will follow in AIN’s July issue. o

Quest has exec-level Kodiak

the optimal step-up structure as well as a seamless transition,” Caldecott said.

Among the changes: The M500 price has been lowered from $2.264 million to $1.99 million and its newly upgraded executive interior option is now a standard feature; the M350 has added a redesigned executive interior as an option; and the price of the entry level Matrix has been lowered from $939,950 to $899,000. The base price of the twin-engine Seneca V has likewise been dropped by more than $50,000 to $979,000. o

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

DAVID McINTOSH

& Whitney Canada PT6A-42A turbine engine, base price of the new turboprop is $2.85 million.

All M600s that will be produced this year (17) have been sold to dealers or retail customers, Caldecott said, and the company plans to build 21 next year, though that figure will depend on demand.

Piper’s M-Class aircraft (which also includes the Matrix and M350 pistons, and M500 turboprop) have long been predominantly owner flown, but as the line has matured the share of non-pilot buyers has climbed

Quest Aircraft (Booth S098) is exhibiting its Kodiak turboprop single fitted with the Summit executive interior. It is here at EBACE in partnership with Rheinland Air Service, Quest’s authorized Kodiak dealer for Europe and an authorized Kodiak service center. The Summit interior uses club seating with a recline function and includes folding tables, forward cabinets and enhanced soundproofing. The aircraft on display also has the factoryoptional external cargo pod and oversize tires.

Although the Kodiak has yet to obtain EASA certification, there are currently six examples in service in Europe. “With the impending changes regarding single-engine turboprops

by EASA, we expect increased interest in the Kodiak from a variety of customer segments,”

DAVID McINTOSH

by Thierry Dubois

The external cargo pod and oversize utility tires do little to suggest the Kodiak’s Summit executive interior with reclining seats and folding tables.

said Steve Zinda, v-p of sales for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and China. The Kodiak has received 22 certifications so far, covering 32 countries.

Quest last year delivered 32 Kodiak aircraft, which made 2015 the Sandpoint, Idahoheadquartered company’s best year to date. o

Thanks to revitalized traffic flow, London City Airport has lowered fees, further stimulating fuel sales.

GARMIN CLOSES IN ON G5000 APPROVAL FOR BEECHJET 400A/XP

London City growth is a top driver for Avfuel’s European expansion

by Curt Epstein London City Jet Centre, the Avfuel-preferred contract fuel provider owned by London City Airport, announced that due to increasing traffic to the airport, it has reduced its fee schedule for Tariff Band B business aircraft. The airport is located just four miles from the UK capital’s Canary Wharf business district.

The savings range from 32 percent on a Cessna Citation Sovereign to 61 percent for the Citation CJ series, Citation 500, 550 and Mustang, Hawker 400XP, King Air 200/300/350 and Piaggio Avantis. For those aircraft, the inclusive landing and handling tariff is reduced from £2,055 ($2,980) to £800 ($1,160) for landing fees, handling fees, passengers load supplement, security levy, apron charges and 40 minutes’ parking.

“The London market is enjoying a revival, and this is the time to review pricing for landing in London,” said Nick Rose, London

City’s director of business aviation.

“Customers are more conscious of price and value for money. This has led to an increase in traffic for light and midsize aircraft, and as a result, London City Airport is able to review its pricing and pass these savings on to the customer.”

According to London City, the airport is effectively passing on around $1.45 million in savings to business aviation operators. A UK Border Force charge of £155 ($225) per movement will be added for all aircraft arriving from outside the UK with passengers. The airport offers a “90-second promise” to whisk passengers from aircraft-to-car on arrival and from car-to-aircraft on departure.

Global fuel provider Avfuel is at EBACE (Booth G089) to highlight its expanding European FBO network. Of the 13 Avfuelbranded FBOs in Europe, four were added over the past year, including Waterford Regional Airport in Ireland, The Private

Jet Company in the Isle of Man, Marshall Aviation Services in Birmingham UK, and Woodgate Aviation at Belfast International Airport in Northern Ireland.

The U.S.-based company provides contract fuel at more than 3,000 locations worldwide and is VAT registered in the majority of European Union countries with approval in the remainder pending.

“There’s great value to exhibiting at EBACE,” said C.R. Sincock, Avfuel managing director of international business development. “The European market is one of the world’s larger aviation markets, and it’s an area where we believe we can provide a superior service to the industry.”

Despite persistent reports of slumping business aviation activity in the area, the company remains optimistic of a turnaround. “We’re confident that business will stabilize over time and begin to grow, particularly as low fuel prices remain persistent,” noted Sincock.

Garmin announced Monday, on the eve of EBACE, that the FAA has initiated the formal flight evaluation of its G5000 flight deck for the Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP business jets. The avionics manufacturer said the modernization program is in the final stages of certification.

The G5000 Integrated Flight Deck modernization program for the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP features three high-resolution 12-inch flight displays situated alongside dual touchscreen display controllers.

Pilots can simultaneously display maps, charts, checklists, TAWS and TCAS information, flight plans, weather and more. A fully digital, dualchannel autopilot is integrated within the G5000.

Two options, synthetic vision and turbulence detection for the GWX 70 weather radar, are also being promoted at a special price.

Purchased separately, they are valued at $46,990, but Garmin offers a Premier Tech Package that combines both options for $29,990.

Customers who place a deposit prior to the granting of a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the G5000 upgrade can have these options for a total $9,990 as part of upgrading their aircraft.

“This upgrade solves a broad range of global next-generation airspace initiatives,” Phil Straub, Garmin’s managing director of aviation, said. The company claims the modernization program also saves 150 pounds in weight.

–T.D.

Here at the show, the company is displaying several of the 600-plus members of its branded FBO network, including Air Service Basel at Euroairport Basel-Mulhouse on the border of Switzerland, France and Germany, SouthAir Iceland at Keflavik International Airport, Banyan Air Service at Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Duncan Aviation, which operates three FBOs in America’s heartland, Fargo Jet Center at Hector International Airport in North Dakota and Premier Jet Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Also in attendance at the Avfuel booth are affiliated company AvFlight, which operates an FBO at Belfast City Airport as well as at 14 U.S. locations and partner Sheltair, which has 17 locations throughout

Florida, New York and Georgia.

While Avfuel offers FAAapproved Part 139 training along with an online rampside training course to its branded locations, the fuel provider also offers several tips to help avoid costly mistakes, whichever FBO a customer uses. For example: Before allowing fueling of their aircraft, crews should understand what certifications the location has received and what type of training its employees participate in. Also, they should always ask to see any inspection forms and the most recent fuel quality-control test records, and be present during fueling operations to make sure fuel trucks are properly marked with the appropriate fuel (jet-A or 100 LL avgas), and parked the appropriate distance from the aircraft. o

Private Jet Centre adds first class pax lounge London City Airport recently opened its First Class Lounge within its Private Jet Centre.

The new service allows passengers traveling into London City to connect to a scheduled flight without leaving the Jet Centre.

Meanwhile, the Jet Centre also partnered with Air Culinaire Worldwide as a preferred catering choice for the First Class Lounge and its flights.

London City Airport’s new lounge is open to any passenger traveling on a participating airline flight. Since it is located in the Private Jet Centre, passengers and their luggage are transported from the airline terminal to the lounge. From there, they are escorted in a private vehicle

straight to the aircraft’s steps when the flight is ready for takeoff. The First Class Lounge has a security team as well as customs and immigration officers available on site. Besides this, passengers who use the First Class Lounge also receive new catering options from Air Culinaire.

Through the Jet Centre’s partnership with Air Culinaire, the menu offered at the First Class Lounge has been upgraded.

Michelin star chef Herve Bourdon has created a new menu that includes passenger and crew meals. This new partnership not only improves London City’s catering options, but it also increases Air Culinaire’s network of kitchens in the London area. o

DAVID McINTOSH

by Samantha Cartaino

HUSH, LITTLE LEARJET The Bombardier Learjet 75 on display this week here at EBACE features a new pocket door that separates the cockpit from the cabin and galley, reducing cabin noise by up to eight decibels.

www.ainonline.com • May 26, 2016 • EBACE Convention News 23

AMAC SHOWS ITS LIGHTER SIDE The team from Amac Aerospace Switzerland (Booth H115) displays a composite low cabinet, highlighting its new Light Weight Cabinet Build process, which offers a 30 percent weight savings in comparison to standard cabinets. The composite build process was developed by Amac subsidiary JCB Aerospace (Booth P098), which Amac recently acquired. Proudly showing off the new offering are (L-R) Jean Claude Beaudet, JCB Aero CEO; Bernd Schramm, Amac Group CEO; Corinne Cellier-Beaudouin, public relations, JCB Aero; Mauro Grossi, Amac Group CFO; and Kadri Muhiddin, Amac Group executive chairman and CEO.

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Aeropole promoting Swiss airport ‘technopark’

by Thierry Dubois Aeropole of Payerne (Booth H068) is here promoting space available on its “technopark” at Payerne Airport, one hour and a half northeast of Geneva by train.

For overseas companies interested in forming a subsidiary in Europe but without the cash to buy land and build their own facility, Aeropole is suggesting a solution. Ralph Bacchus, Aeropole’s counsel in project management, explained they can help companies find an investor who can serve as the business owner and lease the building. The owner could build the facility to the tenant’s specifications and request a multiyear commitment in exchange.

Executive air charter operator Speedwings obtained a building permit last week. It will base its fleet at Payerne Airport and offer hangar space to third parties, and will also build an FBO. Swiss Space Systems (S3) has applied for a building permit. S3 aims to establish a spaceport, Guillaume Chassot, head of civil aerodrome, told AIN. It would use an Airbus A340 and a reusable shuttle to launch satellites at reduced cost.

S3 will begin by offering zero-g flights on the A340, a start hoped for this year, Chassot explained. o

TACTAIR SELECTED FOR MASTER BRAKE CYLINDERS ON PILATUS PC-24 JET Tactair Fluid Controls has been selected to supply its newest master brake cylinders on the Pilatus PC-24. The agreement builds on the existing relationship between the two companies, Tactair said, noting it has a long history of supplying main wheel brakes and nose wheel steering components on Pilatus aircraft.

The new cylinders incorporate enhancements that will improve reliability and make them more robust than previous master cylinder designs, Tactair said. This includes an improved piston and gland configuration that the company said will maintain performance and reliability when subjected to side loading.

Based in Liverpool, New York, Tactair designs and produces hydraulic and pneumatic controls for both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, along with naval service vehicles and land combat vehicles. Its products are used for brakes, landing gear, nose wheel steering, flight control, engine/nacelle control and util– K.L. ity control systems.

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

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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.

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A joint venture between DC Aviation and local business conglomerate Al Futtaim, DCAF is well into plans to add a second hangar, scheduled to join this one around mid-year 2017 at its DWC airport location in Dubai.

DCAF likes its position at Dubai’s DWC airport

on,” Ostheimer said. “We are providing a boutique-style service, with maximum levels of convenience to the client at the highest levels of privacy.”

by Peter Shaw-Smith

Aircraft Management Services

DC Aviation Al Futtaim (DCAF, Booth S052) has launched plans to build a second hangar at its stand-alone facility at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport. Also known as AMIA, the airport is commonly referred to by its IATA designation DWC; for Dubai World Central, the massive new business and residential complex where AMIA is located.

DCAF’s new hangar project is in the late planning stage and design studies are nearly complete. “We are looking forward to breaking ground in the next two to three months, with completion at the end of Q1, or early Q2, 2017,” Holger Ostheimer, general manager, DC Aviation Al Futtaim, told AIN. The new hangar will add 6,800 square meters (69,800 square feet) of covered space and bring its total land-side plot area to 24,000 sq m (246,500 sq ft) and the apron area to 13,000 sq m (133,500 sq ft).

DC Aviation set up the DCAF joint venture with UAE business conglomerate Al Futtaim in 2012, after managing one of its aircraft.

Its partnership with the local group, which has interests ranging from real estate to retail, led to

benefits some other players won’t enjoy, such as a stand-alone facility at the airport. Other FBOs are all centralized in their own segments of a common complex.

“We committed to DWC at a very early stage, in December 2010, when Omar Al Futtaim signed the land-lease deal with Sheikh Ahmed [bin Saeed Al Maktoum]. At that time, already we had formalized our plans to set up an operation at DWC,” Ostheimer said.

“Nobody in the industry [then] believed in the location, which was reflected in their hesitation in wanting to establish businesses out of a new airport.”

Other major players in the global FBO market have seen their plans at DWC constrained by lack of space.

DCAF continues to consolidate its position as first adopter for FBO and MRO business aviation services at DWC, and, with competing operations yet to enter full service, its head start is likely to continue to bring dividends for some time to come.

“We have been in operation for two-and-half years, have multiplied our levels of activity, and have [attracted] a wide range of clientele that we [hope to] expand

DCAF expects to add two new managed aircraft a year to the four it now has on its ledger: a Global Express, two Challengers and one Gulfstream G200.

DCAF provides MRO services for the Challenger and the Global Express. Managing owners’ aircraft and making them available for charter service by third parties is the most common charter business arrangement in North America, and DCAF follows the same pattern. “The company does not own [its own] aircraft and will never do so,” he said.

Addressing the preference some customers have for the older international airport closer to downtown Dubai, Ostheimer said slots at Dubai International (DXB) are vanishing and more difficult to secure than ever. “If you are operating at peak times, and want to fly in at 11 p.m., the slot proposal will be 3:30 a.m.

After renegotiation nearer the time, it might be closer to 12:30 a.m. or 1 a.m., still about two hours away from when the client originally wanted to arrive,” he said.

“At DWC, you decide you want to arrive at 11 p.m. and five minutes later, you have the confirmation.” The airport’s location, about an hours’ drive south

Hangars.

Parking.

FBO.

of downtown Dubai, was not a critical issue, he added, since several clients hail from The Palm Jumeirah or Emirates Hills in South Dubai, much closer to DWC than to DXB. As a general rule, he said, each business jet carries an average of 2.3 passengers, while the average flight departing from DWC is four hours. Popular destinations are Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, India, and Europe, including London, Paris and Moscow.

“We [recently] had the most aircraft ever in the hangar; 10 aircraft. The busiest day in recent months saw 25 in total on the DCAF apron and inside the hangar,” he said. “Most of the time, it is the large aircraft, like the [Bombardier] Global Express, or [Gulfstream] G550, or G650. The biggest aircraft we have handled on the ramp was an [Airbus] A340.”

Corporate History

DC Aviation originated in 2007 from DaimlerChrysler Aviation, a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler AG, which itself was the result of a merger between auto makers Daimler of Germany and Chrysler in the U.S. The original aviation unit was established in 1998 in Germany to provide an air-bridge between Stuttgart and Detroit, the respective bases of the two car manufacturing giants.

At its peak, DC Aviation owned all 11 of its aircraft between 2001 and 2006. Immediately after

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

the dissolution of the DaimlerChrysler merger in 2007, DC Aviation was put up for sale and private entity ATON GmbH took the entire stake.

In late 2007, DC Aviation started to provide aviation services to Al Futtaim. “From then on, Al Futtaim was exposed to DC Aviation’s service levels and very soon a common understanding arose to encourage both parties to consider a mutual cooperation in Dubai.”

Discussions continued, and with the improvement of market conditions at the end of 2010, both parties wanted to make the merger happen, spurring Al Futtaim to commit to a land-lease.

“At the end of 2010, the project finally started taking shape by way of drafting a joint venture agreement. At this stage, I came in to provide services as a consultant to bring the two joint venture partners together, to turn it essentially into a joint venture contract. That contract was closed in January 2012,” Ostheimer said. “There was never a thought of DC Aviation wanting to go it alone. This collaboration emerged from healthy and strong dynamics between two strong partners.”

Ostheimer believes the market at DWC has improved since DCAF opened in 2013. “Today, we look at a completely different environment. We have [our facility], the executive terminal has opened, the flight training academy is open, and its runway is under construction.”

He said it is a little early to say, but, “Expo 2020 is going to increase the level of exposure from which we stand to benefit,” he said. Looking to the future, he has a modest outlook, but believes the market will continue to provide aircraft management opportunities. o

Basel

z JETS Tapped for NetJets Phenom 300 Mx UK aircraft maintenance provider JETS (Booth A065) announced at EBACE that its Bournemouth location has been selected by NetJets to support the fractional operator’s European fleet of Embraer Phenom 300 light jets.

Embraer has endorsed JETS as a limited service center, enabling full base and line maintenance support for the NetJets Phenoms. Formed in 2004, JETS has also added a dedicated AOG (aircraft on ground)/line maintenance support unit available for all Phenom 300 operators.

Able to travel on short notice, the team has a fully equipped support vehicle available around the clock, and includes licensed and experienced technicians to return aircraft to service.

JETS’ London Biggin Hill location is also authorized as a service center for Dassault Falcon 900s and 2000s; Dornier 328s; Bombardier Challengers and Learjets; Cessna Citations; and Hawker business jets.

z Jetex Dubai FBO Gets IS-BAH Approval Jetex’s FBO at Dubai World Central Airport (DWC) has been granted International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) approval. Administered by the International Business Aviation Council, (IBAC), IS-BAH is known as the industry’s mark of best practices for business aviation ground handlers.

The IS-BAH accreditation comes as Jetex begins preparations for Expo 2020, to be held at the DWC business complex. Terry Yeomans, IBAC’s director of the IS-BAH program, said, “Implementing the IS-BAH voluntary standard through to registration shows an ongoing commitment by the Jetex FBO team to mitigate risk in day-to-day operations and implement a positive safety culture.”

z GlobalParts Named Parker Distributor GlobalParts.aero (Booth D089) has been named an authorized distributor by Parker Aerospace’s fluid systems division. This is for the latter company’s full line of fuel pumps, filters, pneumatic valves and controls. GlobalParts.aero has stores in Augusta, Kansas and Atlanta, Georgia.

z TAG Le Bourget Becomes Honeywell Dealer TAG Aviation’s maintenance service center at Paris Le Bourget airport has become an authorized dealer for Honeywell’s commercial avionics. Under the five-year agreement, TAG Aviation Le Bourget (Booth Y044) will promote the U.S. manufacturer’s systems, including satcom, cabin electronics and cockpit avionics. The deal covers sales and support.

Bizav market slowdown uContinued from page 1

that had been accompanied by continued strength in the largejet market. He pointed to macro indicators that were feeding the softness, including the fact that in 2015, corporate profits ebbed.

Charles Schlumberger, lead air transport specialist for the World Bank, said the industry is being weighed down by world economies that are approaching “stall speeds.” He pointed to the fact that the U.S. debt has “increased massively,” from about $6 trillion in 2008 to close to $16 trillion. Last year, corporate America was using the vast majority of its credit to buy back shares, with far fewer dollars committed to investment.

“The stock market is supported by a massive pouring of buying back shares. That is really, really approaching stall speed,” he said. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy is absorbing far fewer international goods, creating an economic crisis in the rest of the world even as the dollar remains painfully strong.

Gallagher, however, said that in the long term, the business aviation market will remain robust and could see a strengthening as early as 2017. He added that emerging markets are expected to improve beginning next year.

A return to investment, particularly in infrastructure, could help revive the economies and improve confidence, Schlumberger added.

Buyers’ Market

Concern at the state of the industry going forward

prompted Farnborough-based Gama Aviation, which has been very bullish in expanding internationally, to analyze JetNet data. Gama said in a statement issued during EBACE that 12.7 percent of the business aircraft fleet in Europe is for sale (equating to 526 aircraft), and noted that “anything over 10 percent tends to make it a buyers’ market where those selling have a lot of competition.”

In Gama’s opinion it makes economic sense for those hoping to sell aircraft to “have them refurbished, increasing their chances of securing a buyer and achieving a higher sale price,” though it recognizes that residual values are at “low levels.”

Of the 526 private aircraft for sale in Europe, JetNet’s figures break down as 76 in the UK, 72 in Germany, 50 in Switzerland and 46 in France. o

Large jets no longer safe from slump

by Thierry Dubois The global aftermarket for business jets has recently become even more challenging for sellers, Thierry Boutsen, chairman of Boutsen Aviation (Booth S056), told AIN. “Large jets used to hold their value better but, for about 12 months, they have caught up with the depreciation trend of smaller aircraft,” he said.

He mentioned an average downward tendency of 15 percent a year. Even worse, a Gulfstream G550 that was valued at $30 million in June 2015 sold this month for $21.5 million, Boutsen said.

The situation has been difficult for

AMSTAT MARKET RESEARCH SHOWS MIXED FORTUNES Amstat’s latest Business Aircraft Resale Market Update Report shows business aircraft transactions stalled in the first quater of 2016. One bright spot was light jet resale transactions, which increased from 2.4 per cent in Q1 of 2015 to 2.7 percent in Q1 this year. But heavy jet transactions declined from 1.8 percent in Q1 2015 to 1.6 percent this year, and 2.2 percent of the medium jet fleet turned over in Q1 versus 2.5 percent in Q1 2015. Meanwhile, the market report showed that asking prices and inventory have increased, overall.

Heavy jet average asking prices had been improving since mid-2011 but decreased 3.1 percent in Q1 2016. Medium jet average asking prices are down 6.4 percent since the start of the year. Light jets again showed blue ink, with average asking prices increasing 4.5 percent in Q1 of 2016.

Meanwhile, turboprop asking prices have increased 4.3 percent since Q1 2015 and multi-engine helicopter average asking prices have increased 6.7 percent since the start of 2016. The single-engine helicopter average asking price has remained unchanged.

Business jet inventory increased from last year’s 10.9 percent to 11.3 percent. The heavy jet inventory has increased 10.6 percent by April from 10.4 percent at the start of the year and 10.5 percent a year ago. Medium jet inventory is up to 11. 6 percent, meaning it has almost increased 1 percent since 2015. Turboprop inventories have –S.C. increased from 8.2 percent to 8.5 percent since the beginning of 2015.

the entire segment, as he also mentioned the Falcon 7X, Bombardier Globals and Gulfstream G650.

Such an evolution is becoming familiar to the owners of smaller aircraft. “Since 2010, most of the jets have seen an average depreciation of 1 percent per month,” Boutsen explained.

Therefore, buyers tend to wait, whereas sellers want to close a deal as soon as possible. “Sellers are beginning to understand that the first offer they receive will certainly be the best one.”

Focusing on Europe, he said there are too many business

aircraft on the continent. In just a few years, the fleet has doubled, but the number of flight hours has remained the same, according to Boutsen. “A number of these jets are for sale,” he pointed out.

This gloomy environment has not prevented Boutsen Aviation from growing. Over the past 12 months, the Monaco-based broker created by the former Formula One racing driver has enjoyed record sales, at 22 aircraft. “This is a record in deliveries and combined value,” he said.

The number includes one new aircraft–a Gulfstream G650. o

THE JET BUSINESS FOUNDER: MARKET NOT ALL GLOOM AND DOOM

MARK WAGNER

NEWS CLIPS

Sitting in the 2015 Gulfstream 650 his aircraft brokerage has for sale here at EBACE, Steve Varsano, founder of London’s The Jet Business, disputes talk of market gloom. In 2008, 17 new models were available for purchase versus 28 today, he noted. “It’s hard to get the production line backlogged– there are so many aircraft to choose from.” Pre-owned aircraft like the G650 formerly drew a premium price due to demand, and now, simply, “the premium has disappeared,” he said, dismissing talk of cratering values.

www.ainonline.com • May 26, 2016 • EBACE Convention News 29

z London Executive Aviation Changing Name; To Soon Be Known as Luxaviation UK London Executive Aviation (LEA) is changing its name to Luxaviation UK in the next few weeks as the company completes its integration with Luxaviation Group. The change comes as LEA celebrates its 20th anniversary this month.

“Our consolidation with the Luxaviation Group has allowed us to have access to the group’s 250 aircraft, 23 FBO facilities and an employee base of 1,500 worldwide,” said LEA CEO Patrick Margetson-Rushmore. “The next state of LEA’s journey, as we change our name to Luxaviation UK, will help us benefit from the group’s global portfolio and help us strengthen the UK’s business aviation industry by bringing economies of scale to the market.”

z Acass Adds Globals to San Marino AOC Canadian business aviation support group Acass (Booth U131) is preparing to add a Bombardier Global 5000 and a Global XRS to its San Marino-registered commercial fleet. The move comes a year after the San Marino registry (Booth U097) granted the Montreal-based group its first-ever commercial air operator certificate (AOC).

The total number of aircraft registered in San Marino continues to grow and in response to this the country’s civil aviation authority is expanding its team of airworthiness, flight operations and safety inspectors. San Marino also gives aircraft owners the option of registering an aircraft there while continuing to operate under the AOC of another country, via ICAO Article 83bis.

z German Handler Receives Universal Approval German Aviation Service (GAS, Booth F065), the largest FBO and handling network in Germany with operations at 10 airports, has been recognized as a Universal Aviation certified ground handler. All locations in the GAS network will now officially adhere to the same ground handling safety, customer service and regulatory compliance standards as those facilities owned by Universal Aviation, Universal Weather and Aviation’s worldwide ground support business. “We are very happy about having been granted the status of a certified member of Universal Aviation,” said GAS CEO and founder Andreas Becker.

DAVID McINTOSH

Engine health specialist Jet-Care (Booth L105) is once again running its Gas Path Analysis (GPA) Clinic, which debuted at last year’s NBAA Convention in Las Vegas, allowing customers to experience the company’s engine trend services on a free trial basis. The clinic is open to any EBACE attendee who didn’t participate in the clinic at NBAA. Operators can send their engine data to Jet-Care, where it will be processed and evaluated to generate a report that includes trend plots, performance and other engine health indicators. They can then discuss the results with a GPA engineer.

The trial can help alleviate operator concerns about their engines’ health, help to ensure that powerplants are operating optimally, and allow comparison of existing engine trend services with GPA’s, according to the company.

Jet-Care’s GPA service covers major engine models from OEMs including GE, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Rolls-Royce and Williams International.

Alpark inks mx training deal here

by Curt Epstein Swiss aircraft hangar operator Alpark (Booth A051) signed an agreement yesterday here at EBACE with Aerocampus Aquitane, which claims to be France’s largest aviation maintenance training provider. The deal will see the establishment of a maintenance-technician training center to be named Swiss Aerocampus at Alpark’s facility at Sion International Airport. According to the Part 147 training provider, the first class of 15 candidates will begin in Sion in September in courses on turbine aircraft, helicopter and avionics maintenance.

Here at EBACE (l-r) Aerocampus director general Jérôme Verschave, Sion Airport director Aline Bovier Gantzer and Alpark managing director Michel Seppey sign the agreement for maintenance training at the airport.

Alpark, which opened two years ago, operates a 12,000-squaremeter (129,167-square-foot) hangar, the largest at the airport, capable of sheltering a trio of ACJ-class aircraft simultaneously, with room left over. It currently serves as a base for four helicopters managed by subsidiary Partn’Air Management.

The location offers eight hotel-standard sleep rooms, which are available at per-night

rates, as well as three plush lounges, a spa, fitness center and 20-seat a/v-equipped conference room for clients. It is equipped with a professional kitchen, and plans call for the facility to eventually provide in-house catering.

Beginning next month, through agreements with Ruag and Jet Aviation, Alpark will offer line maintenance for customers, becoming, in essence, a full-service FBO for its clients.. o

Aerion presses ahead on supersonic jet

by Chad Trautvetter Aerion (Booth S114) is still working to finalize the powerplant selection for its $120 million AS2 supersonic trijet, as it continues to make progress on preliminary design with technology partner Airbus Group, CEO Doug Nichols told AIN here at EBACE. Reno, Nevada-based Aerion is hoping to decide on an engine by year-end, enabling the company to announce a formal program launch of the Mach-1.4 business jet “shortly thereafter,” said Nichols.

Several existing core engines deemed suitable for adaptation

to the needs of superThis is a significant sonic flight have challenge with a lowalready been identibypass supersonic fied by the hopeful engine, but soluSSBJ manufacturer. tions are in sight with “We will proceed with today’s engine techan engine that allows nology. The engine is us to meet our perforthe key to the AS2.” mance goals with the For now, Aerion minimum changes continues progress required,” Nichols on the preliminary Aerion CEO Doug Nichols. noted. “Aerion is design. One of the focused on an engine now-solved engineersolution that meets Stage 4 noise ing hurdles during this phase was standards while preserving long- the main landing gear, which have range supersonic performance. to retract into the fuselage because of the AS2’s thin laminar-flow wing. Nichols said that Airbus’s engineers came up with an articulating gear system that turns sideways before it retracts.

Overall, he said, “We’ve made great progress over the past year with Airbus. They’ve also assisted us with the fuel system, as well as the AS2’s fly-bywire architecture.” Preliminary designs completed by Aerion and Airbus also include a 10-spar carbon-fiber wing and fuselage and empennage structures.

Meanwhile, Aerion is conSAUDIA PRIVATE AVIATION RECRUITS tinuing a search for a U.S. manWYVERN FOR SAFETY SUPPORT ufacturing location for the AS2.

Saudia Private Aviation has turned to risk management specialist Nichols said his company has Wyvern (Booth H069) to implement a comprehensive program for ensuridentified about a half dozen ing the operator achieves the highest standard of safety and quality.

U.S. locations.

Signing an agreement for comprehensive risk management services yesAerion is shooting for first flight terday at the EBACE show were (left to right): Saudia executive chief of the AS2 in 2021 and entry into for commercial affairs Faisal Alsaddik; Wyvern CEO Art Dawley; Saudia service in 2023, following FAA flight operations general manager Captain Hamza Mohammed Ghouth; certification. EASA certification and Saudia Eastern Province manager Fahad Abdullah Al Rashed. –C.A. would soon follow that, the company said. o

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

MARK WAGNER

z Jet-Care Hosts GPA Engine Health Clinic

DAVID McINTOSH

NEWS CLIPS

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. THOUSANDS OF PARTS. TWO INDUSTRY FIRSTS.