It seems to me a kind of stubborn unease has infected many in the business aviation community. They see post-recession conditions of tepid growth in flight hours, slack sales in general, low fleet valuations and business consolidations as the new normal, and harbingers of a difficult future. Pardon my optimism, but considering events in just the past month, I come away with a different view, heartened by developments that should help strengthen the industry.
What finally galvanized the FAA and its Cabinet-level overseer, the Department of Transportation (DOT), into implementing meaningful regulation of civil drone operations were predictions by the UAS industry that between 700,000 and 1 million small drones would be purchased as 2015 holiday gifts in the U.S.
By William Garvey, Molly McMillin, Jessica A. Salerno
There was a roar of approval, streamers popping and some 2,000 workers, dignitaries and suppliers applauded when Michimasa Fujino announced to those gathered on Dec. 9 in the gleaming white hangar that the HA-420 HondaJet had been granted an FAA Type Certificate. Long in coming, Honda’s first-ever aircraft had up until that moment been flying under an Experimental certificate.
Aviation used to be a top career choice for young people, but airline consolidations and failures, the slowdown in business aviation, downsizing, outsourcing and budget pressures, among other things, have left many new job seekers with a negative impression of the aviation industry. While the call of the sky is powerful, the hard math of student loans and low starting pay in an uncertain job market has led many to apply their talents and pin their aspirations to other industries.
“A flight department must screen temps as thoroughly as new hires,” says Drumgold. This starts with a close examination of a contract pilot’s records, licenses, certificates and logs. Then, it takes a one-on-one interview, investigation of references and plenty of immersion into the flight department’s culture. The vetting process needs to be thorough to assure that the contract pilot buys into your SOPs, SMS and risk mitigation protocols.
By William Garvey, Molly McMillin, Jessica A. Salerno
Bombardier recently delivered the first of two specialized Challenger 605’s to the Hong Kong Government Flying Service. This multi-role aircraft can be used for search and rescue, VIP transportation, medical evacuation, as well as other special missions. The Challengers are replacements. Challengers are deployed in multi-role service in Canada, Denmark, Switzerland and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The model is also used as a head of state aircraft in several countries.
Chronic pilot shortages now are a reality for many small and medium-size flight departments. Managers have pared back on staffing levels to comply with cost-cutting mandates. Moreover, full-time pilots aren’t available for duty full time. They have vacation days, periodic simulator training sessions, occasional sick days, parental leave time and perhaps even a few personal days off.
When television viewers saw news coverage of American medical professionals infected with Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever arriving in the U.S. for treatment, it’s doubtful many of them knew that the aircraft bringing them back from Africa were specially modified, commercially operated Gulfstream business jets.
Superior range, speed and cabin comfort are the main reasons why business aircraft operators were motivated to upgrade to the Bombardier Global 5000 from smaller, slower and shorter-range business aircraft. It simply delivers on those requirements.
By William Garvey, Molly McMillin, Jessica A. Salerno
StandardAero recently completed its first certified ADS-B solution for an Embraer Legacy 650 aircraft at the company’s Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) MRO facility.
By William Garvey, Molly McMillin, Jessica A. Salerno
Global Jet Capital announced that it has completed approximately 90% of its acquisition of GE’s fixed-wing Corporate Aircraft financing portfolio in the Americas.
By William Garvey, Molly McMillin, Jessica A. Salerno
Business aviation departures in Europe declined 2.5% in November, to 56,200 departures, when compared to a year ago, according to WINGX’s Business Aviation Monitor.
By William Garvey, Molly McMillin, Jessica A. Salerno
The Aerodrome and its partner, the City of Boulder City, Nevada, announced in early December the world’s first commercial droneport and teaching facility in Boulder City.
Bombardier threw down the gauntlet in front of Gulfstream when it announced the Global Express in December 1993, officially launching the battle between Montreal and Savannah for King of the Heavy-Iron class.
By William Garvey, Molly McMillin, Jessica A. Salerno
Aviation Partners, Inc. is partnering with FlexSys to certify, commercialize wing-morphing adaptive control surfaces to potentially boost airfoil performance.
By William Garvey, Molly McMillin, Jessica A. Salerno
Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. said it has received approval from the FAA to install the Gogo Business Aviation UCS 5000 smart cabin system on Gulfstream GV and GIV aircraft.
“I wasn’t going to fly a toy and lose my ticket. I’ve been flying 35 years and have never gotten a violation and always followed the regs. Why would I jeopardize my livelihood?” Why, indeed? So reasoned Bob Howie, Gulfstream V captain at a Houston charter/management company, when he purchased a couple of DJI Phantom Pro 3 drones and contemplated starting a commercial operation. What attracted him to the small UASs that seem to have burgeoned overnight was a lifelong love affair with model aircraft.
Registration may identify some small drone operators, but it won’t keep those intent on mischief, terrorism or just plain stupidity from flying their UASs irresponsibly, illegally, or even malevolently.
