The Weekly of Business Aviation

TerrAvion, an aerial imagery provider, has partnered with PastureMap to offer high-resolution imagery in a grazing management platform to graziers and rangeland managers. Combined with TerrAvion imagery, ranchers can measure the effects of their management decisions, track the spread of weeks, monitor irrigation efficiency and other activities. TerrAvion and PastureMap work on iPhone, iPad, Android and the web.

Constant Aviation will be one of the first Gogo dealers to develop Supplemental Type Certificates for Gogo’s scheduled launch of its 4G service in the first half of 2017, the company said. Constant will develop STCs for Embraer 145 Series Shuttle, Legacy 600/650, Gulfstream V and Phenom 300 aircraft. It also will partner for hardware sales and installations on other business jets.

Pemco World Air Services has received operation certification from the Unidad Aministrava Especial de Aviacion Civil of Colombia, which allows the MRO to work on Colombian-registered aircraft. A number of operators have shown interest in Pemco achieving Columbian certification, the company said. It allows the company to expand its capabilities to South America.

Air BP, an aviation fuel supplier, has launched a new way of buying fuel with the RocketRoute Fuel App, the company said. The development streamlines the fuel purchasing process for the international general aviation sector by giving operators online access to a global network of aviation fuel locations, convenient payment methods and the opportunity to offset carbon emissions through the system interface. It is the first time a fuel app will provide that capability, it said.

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim in Dubai has begun construction of a major expansion of its facility at Dubai South, the company said. The new hangar will add 6,800 sqm. of covered space to its business aviation terminal, bringing the total area to 24,000 sqm. and the apron area to 13,000 sqm. The expansion more than doubles the hangar capacity and enables DC Aviation to add two single-aisle maintenance bays, an additional workshop and equipment storage. It also increases the number and size of aircraft to be accommodated.

Honeywell International Inc. Turboprop and Turboshaft Engines [Docket No. FAA-2015-4866; Directorate Identifier 2015-NE-33-AD; Amendment 39-18648; AD 2016-18-17] The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell) TPE331 model turboprop engines and TSE331-3U model turboshaft engines. This AD was prompted by the discovery of cracks in a 2nd stage compressor impeller during a routine shop visit. This AD requires removal of the 2nd stage compressor impeller.

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2016-9144; Directorate Identifier 2016-SW-014-AD; Amendment 39-18667; AD 2016-20-01] The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Model 427 and Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires replacing certain engine and transmission oil check valves. This AD also prohibits installing the affected check valves on any helicopter. This AD is prompted by a report of several cracked or leaking check valves.

Lindsay Allmon has joined Blackhawk Modifications in Waco, Texas, as marketing coordinator. Allmon previously worked in the sales, marketing and public relations fields.

Oliver Dumont has joined Aloft AeroArchitects in Paris as head of sales in Europe and the Middle East.

Josh Abelson has joined Red Aviation as CEO, replacing Ben Murray, who has served on Red Aviation’s board of directors since April 2015 and as interim CEO since March. Most recently, Abelson served as chief marketing officer at AeroTurbine.

Graeme Shanks has been appointed sales director for Northern Europe and sub-Saharan Africa at Global Jet Capital, where he will coordinate and oversee business jet financing and leasing. Most recently, Shanks was vice president of sales and business aircraft finance at CIT.

Jason Eddy has been appointed chief operating officer at Quest Aircraft Co., where he will oversee quality assurance, manufacturing, finance and sales and marketing. Eddy joined Quest in 2009. In his latest role, he served as senior vice president of operations.

Shannon Adams has joined Jet Aviation St. Louis as regional sales representative for the Western Region of the U.S. and Canada. Mike Meglio has been appointed regional sales representative for the Mid-Atlantic Region of the U.S. Adams joined Jet Aviation after serving as director of maintenance for Shotgun Ranch Aviation. Meglio joined Jet Aviation in 2008. He most recently worked in technical sales.

Ettore Poggi has been appointed to group fixed base operation director of ExecuJet. Vince Goncalves, the current general manager of maintenance for ExecuJet South Africa, has been promoted to maintenance director of ExecuJet Africa. Poggi begins his new role Nov. 1 and will relocate to Dubai. Poggi, who joined ExecuJet in 2003, is currently vice president and maintenance director of ExecuJet Africa.

Jeffry Frisby, Warren Johnson and Neil Kim have been appointed as independent directors of Astronics Corp.’s board of directors. The appointments expand the board to nine directors, eight of whom are independent. Frisby is the former president and CEO of Triumph Group. Johnson most recently served as president of Moog Aircraft Group. Kim formerly served as executive vice president of operations and central engineering of Broadcom Corp.

Mike Harkins has joined Jet East Aviation as vice president of sales development. Harkins joins the company after five years with an OEM-authorized turbine engine repair and overhaul company and 15 years with a charter operator.

The aviation actuator systems market is projected to grow to $1.09 billion by 2021 from $822.3 million in 2016, for a compound annual growth rate of 5.82%, according to ASDReports. The electrohydrostatic actuators segment will grow at the highest rate “due to its advantages such as energy savings, low investment costs, high power density and power capacity, fail-safe functionality, and easy integration into existing infrastructure,” the researchers said.

By Graham Warwick
Aurora Flight Sciences is flying a Cessna Caravan fitted with a robotic copilot as part of a Darpa program to demonstrate automation that could reduce the crew required to fly existing aircraft.
Business Aviation

CityJet is scheduled to take delivery of its third Sukhoi Superjet 100 in a couple of weeks, and a fourth aircraft in December.
Business Aviation

By Michael Bruno, Molly McMillin
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and General Aviation Manufacturers Association are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a case in the ongoing dispute between small aircraft makers and people injured using them.
Business Aviation

By Graham Warwick
U.S. startup Zipline International has begun using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to deliver blood for transfusions in Rwanda.
Business Aviation

By Molly McMillin
Following an offer of voluntary retirements to employees, Textron Aviation is laying off a small number of workers, the company confirmed Oct. 13.
Business Aviation

By Molly McMillin
Embraer delivered 25 business jets during this year’s third quarter, down 17% when compared to a year ago.
Business Aviation

By Molly McMillin
The FAA for the first time has granted approval for lithium ion battery use as a primary electrical power source, including engine start, True Blue Power said.
Business Aviation

B. Coleman Aviation, located at Gary/Chicago International Airport, is undertaking a multi-phase expansion, which includes a 40,000-sq.-ft. hangar and a ground lease for 11 acres of aviation development opportunities.
Business Aviation