EBACE Convention 2013
More Stories from EBACE 2013
Bombardier is offering an avionics block upgrade for its Challenger 300 in response to interest by operators in the Pro Line 21 Advanced system that comes standard in the new Challenger 350, the company announced here yesterday. Bombardier plans to introduce the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 retrofit as service bulletins during this year’s third quarter.
The IBA group has announced that Jet Intel, its market data intelligence division, is to release its first annual business jet asset report. The report provides market value trends and forecasts. A sample can be seen but the full report will be available June 7 for £1,500 ($2,300).
Fargo Jet Center (Booth 327) welcomed news yesterday that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reinstated 24-hour customs clearance at its base in Fargo, North Dakota, following service disruptions resulting from automatic budget cuts known as sequestration.
On time, on spec, on budget is the motto of Zurich-based SR Technics (Booth 943), according to Jean-Marc Lenz, senior v-p, aircraft services. The company, wholly-owned by Mubadala Aerospace in Abu Dhabi, may be gearing up for global expansion, but the core of SR Technics is Swiss and for the moment, that core is in Zurich, according to Lenz.
Martin Bauer, managing director of business aircraft maintenance specialist Aero-Dienst (Booth 2151), is worrying that cheap maintenance packages offered by U.S. MRO players are drying up the European market. The Nuremberg, Germany-based firm is struggling to fill slots in its workshops, especially for heavy checks.
Victor, an online aggregator of private jet charters, announced at EBACE that its new online platform, due to go live in June, will allow true real-time viewing of available charter legs. Victor members see open legs as they become available, with the software automatically pricing the legs and pushing the information to Victor members. Once a leg is purchased it will immediately disappear from the online departures board. The new system has been in testing for nearly a year, according to the company. There are now nearly 3,400 Victor members.
Air Charter Scotland officially joined the Wyvern Wingman ranks at the Avinode booth (1047) yesterday at EBACE. The company recently completed a successful Wyvern audit to become Wyvern Wingman qualified for the first time.
Operators that undergo an on-site safety audit and meet Wyvern’s standards receive a recommendation for use by all Wyvern clients.
Beechcraft has appointed Kingsley Okoli regional sales director for Sub-Saharan Africa, the company announced on Tuesday. Based in Nigeria, Okoli spent 13 years in the U.S. Air Force, including work that involved the West Africa region and the Nigerian air force.
Russia’s Avcom (Booth 2117) reports a 50 to 70 percent monthly increase in business for its Jet Travel Club (JTC), which was launched in April 2012. The club’s three Cessna CitationJets are now demonstrating monthly utilization rate of 55 flight hours each. A typical operation lasts one to three days and sees two to three business travelers flying domestic routes.
Sabena Technics (Booth 1015) announced it is creating a new cabinetry shop at its Bordeaux, France VIP completion and maintenance site. This is reinforcing the company’s activities in furniture, which already includes tables, side ledges, credenzas, closets and other interior components. In the future, Sabena Technics intends to increase the shop’s size and develop new expertise in upholstery.
Gama Aviation’s Middle East division has selected the Web Manuals Sweden electronic flight bag (EFB) app for the iPad. Web Manuals promises customers such as Gama (Booth 1155) to improve control of its documentation, legal compliance and “operational agility.” Flight crew at Gama Aviation will get instant cockpit access to all relevant manuals and other documents.
Auch, France-based JCB Aero (Booth 2243) has completed an extensive woodwork job as part of an Embraer Legacy 600 refurbishment, it announced here at EBACE. The describes itself as a fully skilled completion center for business aircraft.
Bombardier’s wholly owned Amsterdam Service Center at Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport will soon add engine services by Dallas Airmotive, interior refurbishment by OHS Aviation and aircraft cleaning and detailing by the Allen Group to its line and heavy maintenance services for Learjet, Challenger and Global business jets, the Canadian company announced here yesterday. Plans call for a series of agreements with the three suppliers to take effect in the second half of this year.
Eurocopter (Booth 7050) has received orders from China’s State Grid General Aviation Co. (SGGAC) for two AS350 B3e AStars and one EC225 . They will be used not only to support the country’s electric grid development but also for other airlift missions. “The SGGAC is growing its helicopter fleet and capabilities,” said general manager Zou Ben Guo.
Chad Trautvetter spoke with Trevor Esling of Gulfstream Aerospace, inside the Gulfstream G650, about the European Business Aviation Market at EBACE 2013
The AviaGroup Nord announced plans for a major redevelopment of the Pulkovo-2 terminal in St. Petersburg. The project will transform a 1950s-era airline terminal into a modern business aviation complex and should be complete by November.
Since the building has protected historical status, AviaGroup Nord is able to make only limited changes to its façade, but the interior is undergoing radical changes, while some striking Soviet-era aviation-themed artwork is being retained.
Signature Flight Support (Booth 364) has opened a satellite base at Berlin Tegel Airport. The new facility gives operators an alternative to the company’s existing FBO at Berlin Schoenefeld Airport and closer access to the center of the German capital.
As its membership continues to grow beyond 200, the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA, Booth 827) plans to hold frequent regional conferences to stay attuned to its members and keep on top of local business aviation issues. According to MEBAA founding chairman Ali Al Naqbi, these Middle East Business Aviation Conferences (MEBAC) will be held about four times a year in different countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa region.
Yesterday Nextant announced the sale of a second 400XT to Czech operator Time Air, which is based at Prague-Ruzyne. Time Air was the first European customer for the Nextant-remanufactured Hawker 400. According to Martin Prazsky, managing director of Time Air, “The Nextant 400XT has been an incredibly popular addition to our charter service offering due to its low operating cost and outstanding dispatch reliability. We’ve flown 600 hours in the first nine months, and demand for the aircraft increases month over month.”
Canada’s Mechtronix has been selected to build a full flight trainer (FFT) for the Piper Meridian at its Montreal facility. The FFT is being acquired by OK Business Aircraft, which acts as the Piper dealer for central-eastern Europe. The contract was signed on the wing of the Meridian in the static park at EBACE 2013.
