The Weekly of Business Aviation

Simulation and training system manufacturer Frasca International has announced the passing of its founder, Rudy Frasca, who died of natural causes May 11 at age 89.

Embraer delivered nine executive jets during the 2020 first quarter (Q1) compared to 11 a year ago, and five commercial aircraft, versus 11 in Q1 2019, the company said May 12.

April business aviation activity in North America fell more than 71% from a year ago, with fractional activity and large jet activity down the most with an 80% drop in both categories, according to Argus International.

The unsecured creditors of the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based One Aviation and related debtors have asked the court to convert the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring case to a Chapter 7 liquidation, according to a May 8 court filing.

The top Democrat on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee is urging Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to reopen the federal loan application process for businesses that are critical to national security, and revise the eligibility criteria to include the aerospace supply chain to help support the defense industry during the global coronavirus pandemic.

Matternet says the U.S.-built M2 quadcopter is approved to begin durability and reliability testing.

There are many airlines and private-fleet operators that have grounded their fleets during the COVID-19 crisis, but only one company is doing so for the fourth time in as many years: Jet Linx.

Along with other measures, such as 30-50% cuts to cash wages, the reduction in force should still mean the company at a minimum remains at cash breakeven.

Air BP is donating three million gal. of jet fuel to FedEx and Alaska Airlines for the delivery of medical supplies and other essential goods.

Magellan Jets has partnered with TerraPass, which specializes in carbon offsetting solutions, to offer carbon offsetting for their private aviation portfolio.

Vyaire Medical and Spirit AeroSystems have formed a temporary partnership to increase production of critical care ventilators in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Piedmont Propulsion Systems (PPS) has added complete major inspection support for the Model 568F propeller installed on the Next-Gen ATR family of turboprop aircraft.

Engine Assurance Program (EAP) will defer its minimum flight hour requirement of 75 hours for the program until 2021

02 Aero Acquisitions has purchased Shaw Aerox, a manufacturer of portable oxygen systems and accessories for aviation and medical users.

KlasJet, has added cargo services to its operations through a collaboration with Bluebird Nordic, a cargo airline.

Alaska’s North Slope Borough Search and Rescue Department (SAR) has added a new PC-24 business jet to its fleet to provide medical care for 9,800 residents across a 95,000 sq. mi. territory, the northernmost region of the U.S.

Global business aviation activity has improved, from a low of 3,600 flights per day in mid-April to 5,200 flights a day in May, although activity

GE Aviation will lay off as much as 25% of its workforce this year, including the voluntary and involuntary cuts it’s already taken, because of a downturn in its commercial aviation business.

Brian Proctor is head of the Dallas-based Mente Group, a global aircraft brokerage and consulting firm active in midsize and larger business jets. He has served private aviation clients for more than 20 years and serves on a number of industry boards, including the National Aircraft Resale Association.

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Regulations recently issued by the FAA for business aircraft.

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Bombardier saw a $600-800 million impact on cashflow in the first quarter due to the COVID-19 crisis and projects a similar impact in the second quarter, during which it expects business activity to hit a low point before beginning to recover.