The Weekly of Business Aviation

The used aircraft market is stabilizing with asset quality and pricing at their best points in the past six months and many asking prices increasing, according to Asset Insight’s first-quarter 2018 market report.

Piper Aircraft delivered 34 aircraft during the first quarter of 2018, up 36% from 25 aircraft a year ago, the company reports.

JetBlue Airways’ commercial tie-up with boutique scheduled charter operator JetSuiteX is both a long-term play for the mainline carrier and an indicator of how underserved communities could regain air-service network connectivity without relying directly on traditional airlines.

Private investment firm Ardian plans to divest its 49% stake in London Luton Airport, from its $67 billion portfolio, after reaching an agreement to sell the shares to global investment manager AMP Capital.

Gulfstream Aerospace delivered fewer business jets in the first quarter of 2018 compared to a year ago, although sales are strong, the company said April 25.

ARSA says it expects its industry to expand during the coming year, but also predicts a technician shortage may temper that growth.

The Teamsters union local representing Flexjet and Flight Options pilots has filed a request for mediation between the parties with the National Mediation Board.

“E.I.S Aircraft Operations is a high-growth business which provides airborne training at a disruptively low price,” Qinetiq CEO Steve Wadey said.

The EC rules that NetJets Transportes Aereos in Portugal may extend duty time of its pilots in any seven consecutive days to 70 hr. with certain limitations.

Mastering basic flying skills, maintaining situational awareness and equipment, including angle-of-attack (AOA) indicators would help prevent loss of control in flight, the leading cause of fatal general aviation (GA) accidents, panelists said April 24 during a roundtable discussion hosted by the NTSB.

Gogo, an inflight connectivity and entertainment provider, continued its leadership overhaul with several reassignments for top executives.

Boeing HorizonX’s latest venture capital investment is in a California-based startup Morf3D, specializing in the engineering and manufacturing of 3D-printed metal parts.

Savannah Service Center East will include hangar space, offices and back shops and is expected to open in the second quarter of 2019.

The EASA management board reelected Patrick Ky as EASA’s executive director for a second term of five years.

Startups in the automated drone and air taxi markets have attracted senior executives from the automotive and technology sectors as they seek to grow their operations.

Satcom Direct, a business aviation connectivity, software and hardware provider, celebrated the opening of its new Asia-Pacific office on April 10.

Honda Aircraft will expand its China operations at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

Bombardier’s Singapore Service Center at Seletar Airport in Singapore has completed its first Ka-band high-speed internet installation on a Global 6000 aircraft.

Bombardier has delivered the first of three Challenger 650 aircraft converted into an air ambulance to Swiss Air Rescue Rega.

Airbus Helicopters has delivered a new Airbus H145 to San Diego Gas & Electric in Southern California.

Clay Lacy Aviation has opened a 65,000-sq.-ft. aircraft maintenance facility at Waterbury Oxford Airport in Oxford, Connecticut.

Daher introduced a “Me & My TBM” smartphone app for TBM owners and operators on April 18.

Deer Jet has been awarded Overseas Repair Station recognition by the FAA, allowing it to perform maintenance on N-registered aircraft at its facilities in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The Jetex Global FBO Network is charged up over electric aircraft.

Ameco, China’s largest aircraft maintenance company, will look after the 30-strong fleet of Sino Jet under an MoU signed at Abace April 18.