Business & Commercial Aviation

Flying Colours Corp. has been issued a FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for ADS-B Out for Bombardier Challenger 600-2B16 (604 and 605) airframes. The first aircraft to be fitted with the system, a Bombardier Challenger 605, was completed in September. A second installation is underway on a Bombardier Challenger 300. The STC will be submitted for validation by Transport Canada and Europe’s European Aviation Safety Agency this year.

Air Charter Guide, the worldwide guide for on-demand charter services and part of the Aviation Week Network, has combined forces with FlyEasy, the technology-based platform for empty leg charter flights and jet charter data, to offer a streamlined feed for empty legs.

In October, BCA’s editors hosted a two-day gathering of sales engineers representing nearly a dozen makes of business aircraft in downtown Los Angeles to review procedures, definitions, and applicability when producing the specifications and performance figures for the listed, in-production aircraft presented in the magazine's annual Purchase Planning Handbook.

Teterboro Airport was the most searched business aviation airport around the world on acukwik.com in October 2015, according to an analysis of site traffic. Outside of North America, Paris Le Bourget Airport, Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, London Luton Airport and Jebel Ali Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai were popular.

Teterboro Airport was the most searched North American business aviation airport on acukwik.com in October 2015, according to an analysis of site traffic. And three Texas airports ranked among the top 10.

We flew the first flight test aircraft to evaluate the progress of the program, to gauge how well Dassault is meeting the trijet’s stated weight, performance and cabin comfort goals and to sample its handling qualities.

David Rimmer, President of JFI Jets, discusses the acquisition of ACP Jets in Florida.

The FAA will evaluate technology to detect unmanned aircraft near airports under a Pathfinder program with developer CACI International.

The Falcon 8X flight deck features a growth version of the Falcon 7X’s EASy II system, powered by Honeywell Primus Epic avionics with four, 14-in., portrait configuration flat-panel displays.

In the 12 months from Sept. 1, 2014, through Aug. 31, 2015, more business aviation flights departed from the Southeastern United States — the FAA's Southern region — than any other U.S. region, ARGUS International Inc. says. Comparing the regional, state and city data reveals a number of conclusions. For example, Teterboro Airport accounts for 71 percent of business aviation departures in the state of New Jersey.

The FAA’s new Compliance Philosophy does not contain the phrase “promote and foster aviation.” There are, of course, a few troubling aspects, particularly the accepted belief that “policy” has the force and effect of regulation. But if the FAA succeeds in implementing this philosophy, the sometimes-strained relationship between agency and operators will improve, and safety will continue to improve.

Tables show results of a price survey of U.S. fuel suppliers performed in October 2015 at over 200 fixed base operators located within the 48 contiguous United States.

Daher has appointed Exec Aero at Orlando Executive Airport as the TBM service center serving TBM aircraft customers based in Central Florida and visitors to the area.

FlightSafety International said it is adding two Cessna Caravan Level D qualified simulators at its Wichita East Learning Center.

Wheels Up, a membership-based private aviation company, has completed a round of funding that will allow it to establish a base for operations in Europe and enhance the company's technology platform, the company said. With the funding, Wheels Up's valuation is now greater than $500 million.

The recent rebound in used-aircraft sales and generally positive flight-activity figures from major markets bodes well for business-jet aftermarket providers, according to the recently released Aviation Week Intelligence Network Business Aviation Fleet & MRO Forecast.

Bell Helicopter has added Agrarflug Helilift, located in Ahren, Germany, to its network of authorized customer service facilities. Agrarflug Helilift has more than 40 helicopters in its fleet and provides charter services, aircraft maintenance, pilot training and maintenance training. The newly authorized company will provide field maintenance services for the Bell Helicopter 204, 205, 206A/B, 206L, and 212 model aircraft. It will also offer customization and refurbishment services.

OneJet will select an aircraft capable of carrying seven or eight passengers update 1,000 mi. in the fourth quarter and has selected SkyWorks Capital for help in structuring and closing the transaction.

Piper Aircraft is delivering its first Piper M500 single-engine turboprop to a customer in Poland.

Business-aviation activity remains stagnant in Europe, as a few key markets show modest improvement while Italy and Turkey join already struggling Russia on the list of countries where departures are down.

Astra, an African flight support company, has signed ground handling agreements with National Aviation Services at Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Universal Avionics in Tucson, Arizona, has completed its second ground-testing round for software changes to support the integration of EFI 890H Advanced Flight Displays in the AS332 Super Puma helicopter, the company said.

Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) have introduced legislation to clarify that aircraft management services are not subject to federal air transportation taxes.

Red Aviation, Georgetown, Texas, has acquired DFW Instrument in Addison, Texas. Founded in 2001, Red Aviation provides parts and services. DFW Instrument provides repairs of flight-critical instrument and equipment repairs to the business aircraft industry.

Pentastar Aviation is adding a new aircraft interior design studio at the company’s site at Oakland County International Airport.