MEBAA CONVENTION NEWS
DECEMBER 12, 2024
UAE REGULATORS STREAMLINE BIZAV
By Matt Thurber
In an effort to attract more business aviation operators and reduce the bureaucracy involved with obtaining operational and other approvals, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is simplifying its processes and making it easier to communicate with GCAA officials, it said yesterday at MEBAA 2024. Under the move, GCAA is encouraging business aviation companies and those wishing to open shop in Dubai to engage with its officials. The agency has also established a new Business Aviation Advisory Council to further foster open communications.
“Looking around at the stunning fleet of private aircraft, it is clear how far the UAE has come,” said Aqeel Ahmed Al Zarouni, GCAA assistant director general for aviation safety
affairs. “These efforts align seamlessly with the UAE ambitions—‘We the UAE 2031’—which underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability growth in the aviation sector. We aim to enhance our operational flexibility and appeal to private aviation operators.”
The government has seen business aviation demand rising in the local market and wants to encourage this trend. “We [are here] to explore how the UAE continues to redefine business aviation through transformative initiatives designed to meet the evolving needs of our dynamic industry,” Al Zarouni added.
“This growth is driven by various factors, rising wealth, evolving business travel needs, and an increasing demand for premium travel experiences. With its strategic location and world-class infrastructure, the UAE stands as one of the continues on page 20
OPERATIONS
Bizav in Dubai
Low-cost carrier shift to DWC helps free up more room for bizav at Dubai Int’l Airport | 04
POWERPLANTS
Tiny turboprop
Green Power aims to get EASA approval next year for a 260-shp turboprop engine | 08
CHARTER
Gama growing UK-based Gama Aviation adds mobile maintenance and gains Maltese AOC | 12
WORKFORCE
Help wanted in Gulf
High demand for bizav in region means many open jobs, says recruiter Zenon | 18 alerts
The MEBAA static display area has seen steady foot traffic since the show opened on Tuesday.
Airbus lands $1B bizliner deal with RoyalJet
By Matt Thurber
Abu Dhabi-based RoyalJet is diversifying its charter fleet with a firm order for three Airbus ACJ320neo VVIP jets plus options for six additional aircraft. The deal is worth anywhere from $330 million to nearly $1 billion, depending on how many options RoyalJet exercises.
The company has long operated Boeing aircraft but the ACJ order is the culmination of 10 years of negotiation with Airbus Corporate Jets, according to RoyalJet CEO Shafiul Syed.
Delivery of the three ACJs is planned in 2026, and outfitting should take 10 to 14 months, Chadi Saade, president of Airbus Corporate Jets said yesterday at MEBAA 2024.
RoyalJet is seeking bids for both the design and completion of the three jets. “We will go to a tender process,” Syed added.
The choice of the ACJ320neo was due to the aircraft’s capability, Airbus’ reputation, and “many, many other factors,” he said, including having a more diverse fleet. “It’s good to play in both fields. We’ve built a strong foundation in the Middle East. We have a global recognition, but we want to extend our footprint geographically so you can expect to hear a lot more over the next months and years ahead.”
“With this first significant agreement for the ACJ320neo,” Saade said, “RoyalJet will
Leon and UAS seek to simplify trip planning
UAS International Trip Support is integrating its trip management platform with Leon Software’s flight management solution. The companies announced the partnership on Wednesday at MEBAA 2024, saying the combination will streamline the flight-planning process for business aircraft operators.
According to Poland-based Leon, its flight management software serves as a central data hub for flight bookings and operations. Users can keep all their flight data in one location, with easy processes for tracking any schedule or crew changes.
UAS said the collaboration will mean its customers no longer need to contact its operations team to book and manage services, or to provide data such as the
aircraft, flight schedule, and passenger details as these details will all be found in the Leon database. The Dubai-based business aviation services group believes the new 24/7 offering will help operators be more efficient, with the ability to manage everything from trip creation to flight planning in a unified system.
“This integration with Leon Software aligns perfectly with UAS’s mission to provide seamless and flexible trip-planning tools for operators worldwide,” said Leon chief technology o cer Paweł Szmagaj. “Together we’re enhancing the ability to access realtime trip details and improve operational efficiency, bringing even more value to UAS’s global client base.” C.A.
RoyalJet CEO Shafiul Syed (r) celebrates an order for three Airbus ACJ320neos, and options for six more, with Airbus Corporate Jets CEO Chadi Saade.
become the latest Airbus Corporate Jets family customer. The ACJ320neo, with its unmatched cabin space, superior comfort, and cutting-edge technology, will enable RoyalJet to provide exceptional travel experiences for its customers, at the lowest fuel burn of any aircraft in its class.
“It is the perfect choice for connecting business leaders where it matters, when it matters— fostering trade, collaboration, and innovation across global business communities. We will support RoyalJet’s introduction of this new aircraft type into its fleet and look forward to supporting its continued success.” z
Viva la Vista
Global air charter operator VistaJet is o ering tours of its Global 7500 here at the MEBAA Show.
www.amacaerospace.com
LCC shift to DWC to ease bizav ops at Dubai Int’l
By Peter Shaw-Smith
The UAE’s Aircraft Services Management (ASM) expects a migration of low-cost airlines from Dubai International Airport (OMDB) to Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW) to allow business aircraft operators wishing to use OMDB, the airport closer to the city center, to continue to do so.
Migration of business aviation from the city’s main airport to facilities at Al Maktoum International Airport began in 2013. After the proportion of this segment of traffic at the new airport hovered around the 70% mark for a decade, recent anecdotal evidence points to around 90% of Dubai corporate and private operators using the more remote airport.
“Over the next few years, I expect arrangements will be made to relocate some low-cost carriers to Al Maktoum International Airport, which could help ease congestion [at Dubai International],” Vito Gomes, CEO of Dubaibased Aviation Services Management, told AIN. “Recently, Flydubai has been allocated space at OMDW to build its own terminal, signaling a shift in that direction.”
According to ASM, holding times at Dubai
International can sometimes range from 15 to 20 minutes. However, the growing interest from scheduled airlines around the world to come into Dubai means that taxi wait times are often significant for all airport users and could increase.
Gomes said general aviation in the UAE is growing fast, especially in Dubai with several new operators entering the market. ASM’s managed fleet includes two Bombardier Learjet 60XRs and a recently acquired Challenger 605.
“Several non-A6 [non-UAE-based] operators are active in the market today, contributing to the increasing commercial charter business capacity in the region. We as a company are growing in terms of general aviation. Today our aircraft sometimes fly 60 hours to 70 hours a month or more, and this is a good development. There is an advantage in terms of charter.”
ASM is also looking to develop its Saudi Arabian business and recent meetings with officials at the country’s General Authority of Civil Aviation have paved the way forward. “Saudi Arabia does not permit foreign aircraft to operate domestic flights directly,” Gomes said.
“To overcome this, we have established arrangements with local operators through lease and charter agreements, utilizing their AOCs
[air operator certificates] to operate domestic flights. Our goal is to expand these services as the general aviation sector in Saudi Arabia gradually opens up. However, progress will take time, as GACA is in the process of updating certain rules and regulations, which we believe will ultimately support our operations.”
There is growing demand for midsize business jets within the country, as most domestic flights are of about 1.5 to two hours. ASM believes its fleet is well suited to meet this need, especially since most existing operators use larger aircraft that are less cost-effective for smaller groups such as families of six or seven people.
Not all birds have wings
Falcon Aviation is displaying a Leonardo AW169 helicopter here at MEBAA 2024. In a precursor to envisioned eVTOL air taxi services, Falcon’s rotorcraft is available for shortrange charter.
As with everyone else, an improvement in hangarage is also an important priority for ASM. “I’ve had discussions about hangarage in Riyadh since, at present, there are no facilities available,” Gomes said. “If we begin operating there and need to keep an aircraft on the ground for more than a day, leaving it exposed to the elements isn’t an option. Riyadh’s hot, dry weather can be tough on aircraft, and Jeddah’s humidity brings its own set of challenges.”
Saudi capital Riyadh is the epicenter of Saudi’s commercial activity, with the highest volume of traffic flowing in and out, Gomes explained. Jeddah comes next, while the new city of Neom and Al-Ula International Airport are also seeing increased movements. However, not all airports have proper VIP facilities for general and business aviation yet, which is something that will need to change as the market continues to grow. z
Aircraft Services Management CEO Vito Gomes sees business aviation growth opportunities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
DC Aviation added a pair of Bombardier Global 7500s to boost its longhaul charter trip capability in the Middle East.
DC Aviation diversifies, expands charter fleet
By Matt Thurber
DC Aviation Al-Futtaim VIP Terminal (DCAF) at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport has seen significant growth in charter demand, prompting a charter fleet expansion at the company. Its smallest model on property is the Pilatus PC-12 turboprop single and the largest a Bombardier Global 7500, one of two that are available for Middle East charter missions. The other additions include a Bombardier Global XRS and Challenger 604 and two Hawker 4000s.
“We are excited to offer these aircraft to our clients, as it marks a key milestone in our journey of expanding services and meeting the rising demand in the private aviation sector,” said Holger Ostheimer, managing director of DCAF. “The growth of the charter market in the region reflects a significant shift towards greater convenience, privacy, and flexibility, which our services are designed to deliver. This fleet expansion reinforces our commitment to excellence, offering clients an unparalleled travel experience with the highest standards of safety and luxury.”
Driving the growth of the charter market is a higher number of high-net-worth individuals
in the Middle East, which by some estimates has climbed 55% over the past decade to 68,000 in 2023. By the end of 2024, another 6,400 millionaires will be added, and the charter market is expected to grow by 5% through 2030, according to DCAF.
The company will serve this growing market with the additional aircraft, with the Global 7500 capable of trips from Dubai to New York, Brazil, and South Africa. Midto long-range routes can be flown by the Hawker 4000s and Challenger 604, while the PC-12 will be available for short regional flights. All of the new aircraft are Wi-Fiequipped and carry cabin attendants trained in VIP services.
“Charter flights offer an unparalleled combination of flexibility and convenience that aligns perfectly with the evolving needs of our VVIP clientele,” said Paul James, DCAF director of sales and aircraft management. “Whether it’s for a business trip to Europe, a leisure vacation in Africa, or a long-haul flight to the Americas, our new fleet enables us to cater to all travel preferences, from short regional hops to ultralong-range global flights.” z
Luxaviation joins IBAC partner group
The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) this week welcomed Luxaviation as the latest addition to its Industry Partner Program. The Luxembourg-based business aviation services group is the 19th company, and the fourth from Europe, to join a group that supports work on business aviation safety, sustainability, and industry growth.
Luxaviation’s appointment to the program was confirmed during the MEBAA show in Dubai on Tuesday. The group employees more than 1,300 people and operates one of the industry’s largest fleets of private jets. It also includes the ExecuJet chain of FBOs and is certified as compliant with IBAC’s IS-BAH and IS-BAO standards covering groud handling and operations, respectively.
“We are pleased to join the program at this specific moment during MEBAA 2024, where key leaders and innovators are setting the pace for reshaping the future of business aviation, driven by sustainability goals, alternative fuels, and changing customer demands,” said Luxaviation CEO Patrick Hansen. “Our collaboration with IBAC reflects Luxaviation’s commitment to setting the highest standards for excellence and integrity in business aviation worldwide.”
Montreal-based IBAC encompasses 15 industry groups from around the world, including NBAA, EBAA, MEBAA, ABAG, and AsBAA. Other industry partners in the program include companies such as 4Air, Bombardier, CAE, Daher, Jet Aviation, JSSI, MedAire, UAS International Trip Support, and Universal Weather & Aviation. A liate participants include Joby Aviation, Metrojet, and Starlink.
“All of us at IBAC are excited to have Luxaviation join our growing global business aviation community,” said IBAC director general Kurt Edwards. C.A.
Serbian firm works on small turboprop engine
By Matt Thurber
Green Power Turbine Systems has unveiled its TPE200 turboprop engine, which the Serbian company expects to be certified by EASA in about a year. The compact engine delivers 260 shp and features a fully digital electronic control designed by Green Power, which was a first-time exhibitor at the MEBAA show in Dubai this week.
There is a market for this kind of engine, according to Goran Memon, project manager for the program and Green Power sister company EDePro (Engine Development and Production). Gasoline-powered piston engines are facing fuel-sourcing problems in many parts of the world, and the aviation industry “is looking to replace piston engines with turboprops,” he said. The easy availability of jet fuel is one factor but so is the improved performance and reliability of turbine engines, he added, “even in small aircraft.”
The other benefit of small turbine engines is that they could serve a much larger market than just manned aircraft. UAVs need reliable powerplants, and these vehicles are expensive and intended to fly many missions, so engine longevity is important, Memon explained. With a larger market, more engines could be produced, thus lowering costs across a higher volume of engines.
The TPE200 design is modular, so each major component is more easily accessible for maintenance, and it has a TBO target of 7,000 hours. Airflow is routed from the rear of the engine through a centrifugal compressor with a 6:1 compression ratio, then through an annular combustion chamber with 12 fuel nozzles. The expanding gases drive a single-stage centrifugal turbine and a single-stage axial turbine, which spin a gearbox and the output shaft and propeller.
Turbine blades are made of relatively ordinary Inconel with no special cooling features, according to Memon. An interesting design feature is the starter-generator, which is mounted to the center shaft at the air inlet.
Memon is targeting a price of roughly $150,000 to $175,000 for the engine, which would make it an attractive option for light aircraft designers. Green Power is developing a single-engine training airplane as the first to be powered by the TPE200 and this will be followed by a twin-engine airplane.
Green Power is also designing small turbojet engines and has a few engine sizes running in its development program. The company has been working on these small turbine engines for more than 10 years, according to Nikola Peji ć , Green Power business consultant. “Finally everything is coming together,” he said. “It is the heart of the vehicle.” z
A low-cost turboprop engine being developed by Green Power could be a suitable replacement for piston powerplants in light aircraft.
Jetex installing Joby
e-chargers
Business aviation services group Jetex is partnering with Joby Aviation to offer charging infrastructure for electric aircraft at its FBOs. At MEBAA 2024 on Tuesday, the companies announced initial plans to install Joby’s Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS) next to Jetex’s private terminals at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport and Abu Dhabi Al Bateen Executive Airport.
California-based Joby is laying the ground work for plans to start eVTOL air-taxi services in the UAE, perhaps by the end of 2025—first in Dubai and then in Abu Dhabi. Its GEACS chargers are intended to be universal and so available for use by other electric aircraft.
The partnership agreement was concluded by Jetex founder and CEO Adel Mardini and his counterpart from Joby, JoeBen Bevirt. The eVTOL manufacturer is already working with infrastructure developer Skyports to build a network of vertiports in Dubai.
“At Jetex, sustainability is a key focus of our strategy, and our partnership with Joby represents an important step forward in achieving our vision of green skies,” said Mardini. “We are committed to driving innovation that reduces our industry’s environmental impact, and integrating Joby’s electric air taxis into our network allows us to deliver cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable travel experiences, starting in the UAE.”
Joby recently announced it has started the process to earn a UAE air operator certificate and is working with the country’s General Civil Aviation Authority. Its four-passenger aircraft is currently going through the FAA type certification process.
In the U.S. market, Joby and two of its competitors Archer Aviation and Beta Technologies have already rolled out plans to install electric charging stations at FBOs, including chains run by Atlantic Aviation and Clay Lacy Aviation. C.A.
INTRODUCING CALS EUROPE
SEPTEMBER 2025
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– 2024 CALS SPONSOR
JSSI Parts service boosts supply, eases operator headaches
By Charles Alcock
Hourly cost maintenance provider JSSI is marking the 10th anniversary of its Parts & Leasing division. What started as an in-house procurement unit now has more than 100,000 business aircraft parts in stock, including more than 70 engines and APUs that it leases to operators.
Sean McGeough
JSSI’s executive v-p of business development in North America.
This inventory is housed in warehouses around the world to expedite access for the U.S. company’s customers. JSSI now has sourcing relationships with more than 600 vendors.
Last year, JSSI launched its new PartsHub e-commerce platform that draws on maintenance intelligence data the company compiles from several thousand aircraft. This data includes the reliability records for individual parts to help predict inventory needs across the fleet the company supports.
Since it opened, PartsHub has been used for upwards of 14,000 searches resulting in quote requests worth more than $21 million. As well as being used by JSSI’s internal team, the freeto-use system is accessed by individual operators and providers of maintenance, repair, and overhaul services.
In response to input from customers, JSSI has further refined its procurement processes with the introduction of a rotable program that provides analysis of a client’s needs to help them to optimize inventory planning. The company has also upgraded its supply chain solutions service that allows clients to hire JSSI staff to handle all aspects of parts buying, including core returns and warranty claims.
“The JSSI supply-chain team enables my maintenance control team to focus on the aircraft issues as opposed to parts logistics,” said Eric Bewersdorf, v-p of fleet maintenance at George J. Priester Aviation. “Their ability to find odd parts and parts near obsolescence is a
key factor in our customer experience. The partnership we have with JSSI is only improving our operational ability.”
Seamless Customer Experience
In October, JSSI boosted its leadership team with the appointment of industry veteran Sean McGeough as its new executive v-p for business development in North America. McGeough joins the group from Airbus Corporate Jets, where he was commercial v-p, and he has previously held senior management positions with Wheels Up, Aerion, Nextant Aerospace, and Hawker Beechcraft.
McGeough told AIN that in his previous jobs he has seen JSSI’s involvement in aircraft transactions growing, whether through the hourly cost program or the provision of finance and spare parts. “They make everything more seamless, and especially for firsttime aircraft buyers, offering an extension to
[a customer’s] flight department or maintenance team,” he explained.
In his view, this support is vital, and especially at a time when the value proposition of business aircraft is increasingly scrutinized. “Some of the new clients who came into the market during Covid got the shock of their lives when the first aircraft maintenance bills came in,” McGeough recollected. “There are no surprises with JSSI.”
In previous incarnations, McGeough has worked well beyond North America and has seen for himself what it means to have the right backup. “When I was in Africa, I couldn’t get a King Air or a Hawker sold unless there was an [hourly cost] engine program available,” he recounted. “What JSSI does is all about relationships, as I’ve seen for myself.”
JSSI has also appointed David Caporali to the new role of senior v-p for Conklin & de Decker and strategy. The company’s Conklin & de Decker unit provides independentlygathered data related to business aircraft operating costs and performance. z
Maintainers are choosing JSSI experts to do the complicated work of sourcing parts.
Gama Aviation’s latest Mobile Service Team operates from Sharjah International Airport to support business aircraft operators in the Gulf region.
Gama Aviation adds Maltese AOC, mobile mx
By Charles Alcock
Gama Aviation’s aircraft management and charter business unit now holds a Maltese air operator certificate (AOC). The Farnborough-based group announced the addition to its collection of operating certificates on Tuesday at MEBAA 2024, confirming that this is its first EASA AOC since the UK’s Brexit departure from the European Union (EU).
Three of Gama’s managed aircraft will now be moved to the Maltese AOC, giving them full access to the EU charter market. These include a Gulfstream G650 and Bombardier Global.
“We see Malta as an important part of our new aircraft management and charter strategy providing full access to commercial operations within Europe,” said Graham Williamson, managing director of the Gama division. “Our clients are afforded the choice between the UK, UAE, Bermuda, Cayman, Isle of Man and now Malta to register their aircraft, with each AOC having a subtly different mix of benefits.
“As we build the fleet, having this nonprescriptive approach to which AOC the aircraft is deployed on, allows our clients to make best use of their aircraft for either personal or commercial use.”
Gama has four other divisions: FBO; maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO); special missions; and technology and outsourcing.
On the opening day at MEBAA, Gama also announced the launch of its mobile service team (MST) and a line maintenance station at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport. The MST will operate from both that airport and Sharjah International Airport, where Gama plans to open its new business aviation center by June. The Sharjah facility provides a new FBO option located around a 20-minute drive from both downtown Dubai and the financial district.
The MST is approved to support Bombardier Global Express and Challenger aircraft, as well as the Embraer 135/145/ERJ models and Textron’s King Air families, that are registered in the UAE, Bermuda, Cayman, UK, or San Marino.
“This is a natural extension of the MRO services we will be delivering from our business aviation center in Sharjah replicating the same ‘hub and spoke’ MST service model that we successfully developed in the U.S.,” said Paul Kinch, managing director of the MRO business unit. “While our initial focus will be the business aviation hubs situated along the corridor between Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, we aim to extend the network to other emirates and beyond over the next couple of years.”
This year, Gama has won new helicopter support contracts in Kuwait and Bahrain. Its Embraer-authorized service center has been approved for additional MRO capabilities for the Phenom 300 and Legacy 600/650. z
Global Jet boosts Dubai charter flight team to better serve region
Global Jet has expanded its charter sales team in Dubai to serve the growing regional market. The Dubai o ce, led by Thomas David, o ers charter services, aircraft management, and aircraft sales and acquisitions.
According to Global Jet, its aircraft management department is experiencing “unprecedented growth,” having signed up 15 new contracts with owners since early 2024. It recently added two Gulfstream G200s and several Gulfstream 500/600s and G650ERs; a Dassault Falcon 900LX and Falcon 7X; and a Bombardier Global Express XRS to the fleet.
Of these aircraft, two G200s and a G650ER, Falcon 900LX, Falcon 7X, and Global Express are available for charter. Between now and April, it plans to induct a Falcon 2000LXS; Global 6000 and Global 7500; G650ER and three G700s; and a super-midsize Embraer Praetor 500.
The company said its move to open an office in Dubai last year led to the successful launch of charter services on its Airbus ACJ320. The VIP narrowbody is one of a few of its type available for charter and can accommodate up to 31 passengers. Global Jet has also introduced a rare VVIP-configured Boeing 747-800 to its Middle Eastern fleet.
Established in 1999, Global Jet manages 69 aircraft for private and commercial operations for high-net-worth individuals and private corporations worldwide. The operator, which claims to be one of the largest in the private aviation sector, has a diverse fleet with over 35 di erent aircraft types, including 35 available for charter. P.S.-S.
MySky, EJS tap AI for operator spend control
By Charles Alcock
Aircraft portfolio management specialist
Essential Jet Solutions (EJS) is working with AI-powered spend management platform MySky to improve the procurement process. The companies announced their alliance on Tuesday at MEBAA 2024.
According to the partners, by combining their technology and processes they aim to improve visibility, operational efficiency, compliance and financial control for aircraft owners and operators. They also expect to deliver significant cost efficiencies in managing expenses for fuel, ground handling, and airport charges.
EJS’s expertise in vendor network optimization, compliance and reporting are expected to enhance MySky Procure’s intelligent comparison, contract negotiation, and auditing capabilities. Other MySky applications include Budget, Quote, Spend, and Tax. Between them, the partners already support around 1,500 aircraft worldwide.
“EJS has produced a cutting-edge, additional lens of value for MySky’s customers,” said MySky co-founder Chris Marich. “No one
in the procurement and portfolio management sector has invested more in their tech than EJS, and we share a vision of how that tech should be leveraged in the future of business aviation.”
Artificial intelligenceenhanced software can help aircraft operators contain costs, says MySky co-founder Chris Marich.
MySky and EJS said the improvements to the Procure system will help users with tasks such as running tenders and reconciling purchase orders. “Now users will be able to connect everything under one ecosystem and be fully integrated with MySky’s suite of products, helping aircraft owners to control their costs. We like to think of this solution as an extension and enhancement of customers’ operations teams.” z
U.S.-based Greenpoint Tech specializes in customized cabins for large VVIP aircraft.
Greenpoint shows Oasis and AeroSuite bizliner interiors
Business Jet Bazaar
Business aircraft on display at MEBAA 2024 range from the Embraer Phenom 300 light and Praetor 500 midsize jets to Boeing BBJ bizliners. There’s something for every buyer at the show.
Greenpoint Technologies is highlighting VVIP interior concepts suitable for large aircraft such as the Boeing BBJ 777-9 and 787-9 this week at its MEBAA Show exhibit. The Oasis interior is the company’s latest design for the BBJ 777-9 while the AeroSuite is set for certification next year on a customer’s BBJ 787-9. According to Greenpoint, AeroSuite o ers a private sanctuary for passengers to rest, work, or dine, with privacy walls, a lie-flat bed dedicated for sleeping, a reclining seat with storage ottoman, tracking tray table, 32-inch monitor, and a 6.25-foot tall storage closet. Greenpoint can add options such as customizable finishes, adjustable accent lighting, and inflight entertainment and airborne connectivity systems suitable for bizliners.
“MEBAA presents a key opportunity to engage with valued clients and industry leaders to discuss ongoing projects, o er realistic solutions to challenges, and foster meaningful partnerships that propel business, drive mutual success, and pave the way for future ventures,” said Greenpoint v-p of sales and design Bret Neely. M.T.
CAE’s virtual-reality training and digital twins helps give technicians a better understanding of aircraft systems, components, and procedures.
Virtual-reality training programs excel at CAE
By Kerry Lynch
CAE is eyeing the expansion of its virtual reality (VR) maintenance training programs as it dives into new technologies that it believes will foster greater competency, adaptability, and safety. The training specialist has already rolled out its latest VR technology and simulation via the cloud for its Gulfstream G500/600 and G650 as well as its Dassault Falcon 6X maintenance training programs.
Shaun Kuldip, global leader of CAE’s Maintenance Training Centre of Excellence, noted that the company has used VR for about a year now, and based on feedback from Gulfstream and Falcon customers, intends to deploy the technology across other aircraft curriculums.
Under the VR program, technicians can experience the entire aircraft in a virtual environment, Kuldip said. The technology enables CAE to create detailed digital twins, providing insight into the aircraft systems, components, and procedures in an immersive simulation.
CAE believes this helps build technician skills and confidence in a safe setting before touching an aircraft. They do not have to fear damaging expensive parts or putting wear and tear on sensitive components. “Maintenance tasks that are safety-sensitive or costprohibitive are now available for technicians to
practice as much as they require,” Kuldip said.
CAE’s program introduces VR through various teaching modes, he said, including an evaluation mode for students to independently measure their skills and an instructor-led mode to guide students through various tasks.
Calling the training “a high-value solution,” CAE said VR offers numerous benefits such as reducing the need for equipment, minimizing aircraft downtime, and providing a means for cost-effective practice. In addition, VR can be adapted to new aircraft and maintenance programs.
“VR can transport maintenance technicians to places on an aircraft that were not possible before,” Kuldip said. “During a theoretical portion of a course, we can now bring an entire aircraft ‘into’ the classroom and show details that prior to VR were difficult to achieve.”
This helps provide a better understanding of spatial navigation on aircraft and how aircraft components and systems interact. Combining this with other simulation products, CAE can not only show how the aircraft works under “normal conditions” but also specific situations or malfunctions.
Response from customers has been positive thus far. “Customers love being able to bring an aircraft inside of the classroom environment,” he said.
Regulators also are seeing the benefits of VR, and many authorities are permitting its use in limited capacity, he added. “As we gather more data that show an effective way to transfer information to students other than being in an actual aircraft environment, we will work with the regulators to make changes to the guidance materials they use for us to follow,” he said.
Kuldip sees the potential for VR to universally expand. “As aviation organizations increasingly recognize the potential of VR in accelerating learning, the technology is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of learning and training methodologies,” he said. “The future convergence of AI and VR represents a transformative synergy that will revolutionize how we build immersive training and skills-development solutions within the aviation industry.”
He added aviation is one of the industries where the adoption of emerging technologies such as VR and AI is accelerating. He cited as an example CAE’s Rise technology, which uses metrics-based insights and telemetry data to provide instructors with objective data during training. CAE Rise is used for pilot training but could potentially support maintenance and other training programs in the future, he said.
These technologies are particularly important as the industry seeks to attract new talent. CAE’s 2023 Aviation Talent Forecast predicted a need for 402,000 new maintenance technicians throughout aviation by 2032, including 74,000 in business aviation.
“I think the industry is unfortunately seen as less attractive for new job seekers,” Kuldip said. “Since Covid, the graduation rates at aviation maintenance technical schools are not keeping pace with the numbers retiring.” With incoming technicians lagging the wave of retirements, a “perfect storm” is brewing, he said.
However, new technologies can make training more accessible around the globe and are part of CAE’s efforts to accelerate students’ ramp-up time.
“How do we cram four years of training experience into two years? The answer includes our modular training, which we will be announcing very soon, and leveraging new technologies like VR that resonate with the youth of today to better retain knowledge.” z
AIN Media Group is excited to announce our inaugural
AIN FBO DINNER & AWARDS GALA
March 27, 2025 | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, LA
Join us for AIN’s FBO Dinner & Awards Gala, a prestigious event dedicated to celebrating excellence in the business aviation industry, as we announce the top performers from our survey.
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Jet Aviation quiets bizjet cabin noise
By Sarah Rose
Basel, Switzerland-based FBO, MRO, and completions firm Jet Aviation is aiming to set the standard with its innovative approach to cabin design and pioneering advancements in acoustic technology, according to Christoph Fondalinski, the company’s v-p of completions.
A point of focus on the latter is Jet Aviation’s “Innovation Space”—a simulated showroom that allows customers to experience how the company’s acoustic treatments and other features respond to cabin noise environments in flight.
“One of our real differentiators in the market is the acoustics, how to make the cabin as quiet as possible, and at the same time making sure that the weight of the interior is in line with the customer needs to operate the aircraft,” Fondalinski told AIN. “So when we decided to create the Innovation Space, it was the idea of, ‘How can we present to the customer certain acoustic values of the interior to make sure that the customer can select the right materials, the right treatment needed and to achieve this target of noise in the cabin?’’
We really want to be pioneers in the industry, and we’ve done more than 400 completions...
—Christoph Fondalinski Jet Aviation v-p of completions
He added that effort comes from customers hoping to make acoustics a factor in their design concepts. “They want to make sure that the aircraft is quiet so that when they walk through the aircraft, when they sit down, they can communicate, they can watch movies, whatever is required,” he said.
Jet
Aviation Basel’s Innovation Space acoustics lab lets customers experience acoustic treatments.
The materials that come with design also play a role. “So we listen to the customer needs of how they would like to lay out the interior. What kind of materials, the color scheme, the materials they would like to use based on their taste,” he said.
“But a very strong focus is on the performance, of course, and then also on technology and internet and staying connected all the time.”
Fondalinski said the company has decades of experience outfitting green aircraft with bespoke VIP cabins.“We launched the first VIP completions project in 1977 at the Paris Air Show,” he noted.
“We want to be pioneers in the industry and we’ve done more than 400 completions. We’re focusing on what we call narrowbody and widebody green aircraft completions here in Basel. But with our capabilities in-house, we also do refurbishment and upgrades on inservice aircraft here in our facility.”
Fondalinski said that the company handles all of its green interior work in-house. “We have our own engineering department which is then effectively doing all the detailed engineering activities from the cabinetry, but also all the system-related avionics and mechanical
system installations,” he said.
“And then we have our production facility that we just opened three years ago here in Basel, which is capable to produce all the interiors for the bespoke cabins that we can produce.”
That work also extends to its sister company, Gulfstream Aerospace, with which Fondalinski said Jet Aviation has been in a collaborative relationship that has extended for more than 10 years. Both companies are owned by parent company General Dynamics.
“On Gulfstream aircraft, we collaborate a lot on the technical approach and how to make the cabin lighter, but we are also a service center for Gulfstream,” he said. “We do line maintenance, refurbishments, and upgrades. We can not only do that here in Basel but in our other facilities around the globe.”
Jet Aviation’s Basel facility has six hangars and can accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing 747 for completions, refurbishment, and maintenance. In 2021, the Basel facility opened an 8,000-sq-ft completions center, bringing the cabinet, interiors and finishing, and sheet metal shops together in one convenient location. z
VOO Flights teams with Insignia on booking API
By Charles Alcock
Payment service group Insignia and charter flight marketplace VOO Flights have jointly developed an application programming interface (API) connection to support a global distribution system for business aviation. The partnership announced on Sunday is intended to help charter brokers and operators/providers offer their clients an improved booking experience.
Austria-based VOO Flights is demonstrating the software this week at MEBAA 2024. According to the company, the API interface improves the workflow for “tech brokers” to provide their clients with seamless integration and access to
a wide range of charter aircraft options.
Customer requests are automatically transferred to the broker’s VOO Flights customer relationship management system (CRM), with all the details in a user-friendly format. With just a few clicks, the broker can coordinate all the flight details with the selected aircraft operator.
One of the main benefits of the new approach, according to VOO Flights, is that it eliminates the need for manual data entry, which can introduce errors. Customer requests from mobile or web-based applications are directly integrated into the CRM, helping brokers to communicate more efficiently and finalize bookings.
Insignia offers payment cards for high-networth clients to buy luxury goods and services.
Andrew Middleton, CEO of aviation recruiter Zenon, is working to fill staff vacancies
in Gulf states.
Strong Gulf bizav growth drives skilled staff recruitment
The Gulf region’s sustained uptick in business aviation activity is driving strong demand for qualified aviation personnel, according to recruitment specialist Zenon. The UK-based company’s CEO, Andrew Middleton, said an influx of start-up companies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia is
VOO Flights develops and runs software platforms for the private charter flight industry.
“Our commitment to exceptional customer service extends beyond our cards, as our dedicated private jet division, Insignia Jets, delivers unparalleled bespoke solutions,” said Insignia Group managing director Engin Basyurt.
VOO Flights is now seeking to expand applications for its platform beyond businessto-business use into the end-user experience. “The next logical step as a digital solution is to make our system accessible for the first time to all ‘tech brokers,’ B2C platforms, and digital end-customer solutions and offer data in an automated form,” explained the company’s CEO, Robert Plhak.
“This transition takes us from a simple B2B booking platform to the first global distribution system for business aviation, which changes everything.” z
driving an urgent need for experienced personnel, especially aviation maintenance technicians, for short- and long-term contract work.
Zenon, which helps to fill both permanent and contract positions across the aviation industry, said it has seen the number of jobs available in the Gulf increase by 24% since January. Some of the strongest demand is coming from helicopter operators, the advanced air mobility sector, training providers, and maintenance companies.
“We have been actively recruiting in the Middle East since 2006, initially in business aviation, then widening out to support commercial airlines and aerospace,” Middleton said. “It has become a very employee-driven market, with demand for personnel outweighing supply. We look forward to helping address that balance.”
Zenon has stepped up its digital marketing e orts to find suitable prospects to fill positions in the Middle East and it is participating in the MEBAA show this week to boost its recruitment e orts.
“We see flight crew transitioning to on-demand aviation, where salaries and perks are typically competitive,” Middleton said. “Likewise, Middle East airlines are paying even more and improving benefits to keep good pilots and engineers, stopping them from moving to Asia, especially India, which is gearing up for significant pilot demand.” C.A.
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UAE regulators streamline bizav
most ideal destinations to support and grow this very important sector.”
Development of the streamlining initiative was a result of “extensive consultation with stakeholders,” he said, “including private jet owners. They were integral to shaping the framework.”
An example of the improving conditions is a much-reduced time to obtain an air operators certificate (AOC). This typically would take 1.5 years, he said, but recently the GCAA issued an AOC in just six months. Of course, this requires the applicant to carefully prepare its AOC application and be ready to engage with the GCAA, he explained.
The UAE has 87 private aircraft on its registry and plans call to double or triple that number. “There are many yet to come,” Al Zarouni said.
Another example of how the new efforts are bearing fruit was the GCAA’s awarding of a maintenance repair station approval to Falcon Technic yesterday at MEBAA.
In practical terms, what the GCAA’s efforts will do is create a new support framework for private and business aviation. This includes issuance and oversight for AOCs, air operator authorizations, aircraft registration, continuous airworthiness management organizations, and maintenance facility and flight crew licensing processes.
“This transformation package of facilitation measures represents a landmark initiative in
Aqeel Ahmed Al Zarouni (left), assistant director general, aviation safety affairs for the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Aviation Authority, introduced the agency’s initiatiave to help business aviation stakeholders with streamlined approval and licensing processes.
the history of civil aviation in the UAE. offering a range of cutting-edge solutions designed to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and convenience,” Al Zarouni said.
Companies that deal with the GCAA will be able to work with a dedicated ambassador and single point of contact assigned to work with operators. “We’re also developing a centralized platform that…unifies all processes related to air operator certificates and air operator authorizations,” he explained.
“This platform aims to simplify administrative tasks, boost efficiency and deliver a seamless, user-friendly experience for operators and aircraft owners.” Another benefit is that aircraft owners will be able to request customized A6-registration numbers, he said, “adding a bespoke touch to their fleet.”
An important improvement is that operators will more easily be able to employ freelance, part-time, or self-employed professionals to assist when operational demands temporarily require more personnel.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the business aviation sector,” Al Zarouni said, “I’m pleased to announce also the establishment of the Business Aviation Advisory Council. This strategic initiative is designed to address operational challenges, optimize processes, and drive the growth of the sector by fostering collaboration among key stakeholders.”
According to the GCAA leader, the initiative aims to achieve a harmonious balance between streamlining processes and upholding high standards of security, safety, and quality in civil aviation by introducing innovative measures and setting new benchmarks for innovation and efficiency. z
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GPS spoofing rife in MidEast conflict zones
By Matt Thurber
Interference with GPS signals through either jamming or spoofing continues to be an issue in various parts of the world, with hotspots in Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, and in various conflict zones, including the Middle East. In September, flight operations support provider OpsGroup released its GPS Spoofing Final Report, identifying key issues and work underway to mitigate spoofing problems.
Spoofing occurs when a GPS/GNSS (global navigation satellite system) receiver is tricked into calculating a false position by equipment transmitting from the ground. This can show the aircraft in a different location than its actual position and prompt the navigation system to send the aircraft off the desired course. Jamming systems attempt to overwhelm relatively weak GPS or GNSS signals and prevent their use by aircraft navigation systems.
According to the OpsGroup report, “The greatest safety concern is the degraded functionality of the ground proximity warning system. The system does not operate correctly after spoofing, even if GPS coverage is restored. The number of false alerts is astounding. There is an increasing normalization of risk. As a result, there was widespread apprehension in the workgroup that the decades-long work to reduce controlled flight into terrain accidents is at great risk of being undone.”
Further, once a GPS/GNSS receiver is spoofed, it could be contaminated with false data, OpsGroup warned. “This places doubt on the use of GPS at any point after spoofing, especially RNP [required navigation performance] approaches and RNP en route use.”
OpsGroup has noted a 500% increase in spoofing in 2024, affecting an average of 1,500 flights per day, up from 300 per day in the first half of the year. A major concern is that flight crew aren’t being provided technical information about “GPS involvement in aircraft systems” and they are receiving “conflicting
crew guidance and incomplete or insufficient procedures, all leading to misunderstandings and knowledge gaps.”
In a survey that saw nearly 2,000 responses, OpsGroup reported, “The results show that a full 1,400 crewmembers (about 70%) rated their concern relating to GPS spoofing impact on flight safety as very high or extreme [and] 91% of all crewmembers rated their concern as moderate or higher.”
While OpsGroup acknowledged that there are “no quick and easy solutions…The key focus in the short term is on mitigation, crew awareness, guidance, and training. In the longer term, the workgroup identified potential solutions to hardware, avionics, and system components…Consideration must be given to the potential for a deepening of the GPS vulnerability problem. In mid-2024, we are already seeing a major increase in both spoofing and impact to aircraft. Locations could widen further, and impacts could worsen.”
The group did note that “the over-reliance on GPS for primary navigation places great importance on preserving a sufficient network of conventional ground-based navaids.”
Anti-Spoofing Solutions Available
One solution to GPS jamming and spoofing has been developed by Aerodata, and EASA
has issued a supplemental type certificate (STC) for installation of its product in Textron Aviation’s Garmin G5000-equipped Cessna Citation Latitude business jet. Aerodata is planning to develop STCs for other aircraft.
According to Aerodata, “Based on the alert/ information provided by the G5000 suite, the pilot may select the backup GPS source via the new system. The antenna of the new system is mounted on top of the fuselage.”
Meanwhile, SandboxAQ is tapping quantum computing to mitigate GPS interference, using measurements of Earth’s magnetic field with a vector magnetometer to detect anomalies due to jamming and spoofing.
“The earth’s magnetic field is unique in different places,” explained Luca Ferrara, general manager of navigation for SandboxAQ. “The magnetic field has more information than just the compass heading,” he added, “with anomalies that add or detract from the field, like a fingerprint. This gives us a reference data stream based on magnetism. When we have the right sensing technology, we can see that signal and navigate off it.”
Sandbox AQ’s AQNav does comparison mapping against the magnetic gradient that it is able to detect. “If I’m able to take measurements that allow me to see this changing gradient, I have more information that I can use to determine my position,” Ferrara said.
In practical terms, AQNav “produces a position estimate, by comparing the best estimate of the magnetic field with an existing database paired with an inertial navigation dead reckoning system to constrain uncertainties.” z
Main GPS spoofing threat areas include Russia and Middle East conflict zones.
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