Business Aviation
News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.
Maintenance and Modifications
Blackhawk Expects STC for King Air 350 Engine Upgrade in May
With the upgrade, typical cruise speeds are increased by up to 37 ktas, up to 340 ktas at maximum engine power limits.
Charter & Fractional
Zetta Jet Boosts Charter Fleet with Challenger 650 Order
Zetta Jet Boosts Charter Fleet with Challenger 650 Order Financial Leasing to be leased to Singapore-based operator Zetta Jet.
Aircraft
Deer Jet UAS Stake Signals Global Ambitions
China’s largest business jet operator acquires stake in global flight-planning company.
Aircraft
Nextant Shows Off Single Power Levers for King Air G90XT
Deliveries will begin once the new single-lever power lever system is approved by the FAA in early 2017.
Airports
Flight Will Start Trial Ops at China’s Zhuhai Airport
During the three-month trial stakeholders must demonstrate there is sufficient traffic at the airport.
Engines
Textron Selects Silvercrest to Power Cessna Citation Hemisphere
Safran says it has now fixed all performance sustainment problems for the Silvercrest engine powering Dassault's new Falcon 5X.
Thales Introduces FlytLINK Global Connectivity Platform
System will operate with current Iridium network, then transfer to Next satellite network in 2018.
FBOs
Harrods Aviation Offers FlyBuys Points at NBAA 2016
Harrods Aviation, which recently renewed its authorized service facility agreement with Bombardier, will offer FlyBuys points at its booth.
Maintenance and Modifications
Scheme Designers Now Offers 3-D Aircraft Renderings
Photo-realistic renderings allow customers to view all the angles before committing to a paint scheme.
Maintenance and Modifications
Ez Creeper Reduces Scare of Aviation Maintenance Tech Injuries
Company’s $950 creeper increases productivity of aircraft technicians and reduces repetitive stress injuries.
Aircraft
TrueNorth Router OK’d for SmartSky 4G
The Optelity router has received approval for SmartSky 4G network.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Mid Continent debuts Aurora IFE
Fourth-generation wireless IFE solution offers increased Wi-Fi throughput; plans to add integrated CMS announced.
Avionics
Habco Becomes Approved Supplier of Tooling for PW&C Engines
Agreement covers the spectrum of P&WC engines.
Aircraft
Leonardo Sells Five More AW169s in Brazil
Deal boosts its total order book, including firms orders, framework agreements and options for the model, to more than 150.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Lufthansa Technik Unveils Mercedes Bizliner Cabin Designs
German MRO and completions specialist believes prestige branding will appeal especially to those new to business aviation.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
Inairvation Displays New ‘Chair’ Seat for Business Jets
Lufthansa Technik-F/List joint venture showing a new version of its “chair” seat this week at NBAA 2016.
Engines
P&WC Reports Strong Response to Eagle Service Plans
Pratt & Whitney Canada is offering 400 flight hours of free coverage for new PT6A operators.
Training and Workforce
Shaesta Waiz Making Aviation Dreams Soar
NBAA is supporting an epic round-the-world solo flight by Afghanistan’s first female civilian pilot, Shaesta Waiz,
New Air Charter Booking Platforms Go Head-to-head
Stellar Labs is launching its charter booking portal at NBAA 2016, just a few weeks after Stratajet entered the U.S. market
Guardian Jet Signs for Down-Route App
Free expense management and booking app “ready to launch,” developer says; more than 70 operators have expressed interest.
Avionics
Certon Demos Avionics Development and Testing Platforms
Certrton is demonstrating its internally developed tools, CertSafe and CertBench, at NBAA 2016.
Charter & Fractional
Wheels Up Hits 3,000 Members, Vows To Triple Rolls
Membership company has introduced brokerage service and shuttle flights, and plans European expansion.
Maintenance and Modifications
API, FlexSys Venture Taps Possibilities of Morphing Wing
Aviation Partners is bringing 15-foot demonstrator to NBAA Convention to display multiple applications of FlexFoil wing morphing.
Embraer Says Industry Can Stimulate New Demand
Brazilian manufacturer believes it’s time to open up business aviation more to middle-ranking execs and officials, and broaden its appeal.
Fuel
Avfuel, Air BP Ink Mutual Acceptance Deal
Agreement will expand Avfuel’s international contract fuel network, while giving Air BP’s global customers more locations that welcome Sterling Card.
Aircraft
Pilot Shortage Seeping Into Bizav, JSfirm Survey Shows
The number of respondents saying a pilot shortage has affected their operations has grown by 12 percent over 2015.
Aircraft
Cessna Selects Hemisphere Suppliers, Boosts Longitude
The company is showing both aircraft at NBAA.
UAS Launches New FlightEvolution Trip Planning Software
UAS International Trip Support launches its new FlightEvolution software
Maintenance and Modifications
CAT Expands King Air Gross Weight STC
The STC amendment will accommodate Pro Line 21 avionics and Cleveland Wheels and Brakes.
