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Parts Manufacturing for eRouter Gets FAA Approval

October 17, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Parts Manufacturing Aprroval Granted by FAASupplemental Type Certificate (STC) has been received from the FAA for ICG and Chicago Jet Group to develop and install ICG’s latest eRouter aircraft data management system on the Dassault Falcon 900 business jet. Hailed as the ‘best in class’, the eRouter promises to deliver enhanced cabin connectivity and high-speed data transfer.

ICG has also been granted Parts Manufacturing Authority (PMA) for the ERT-120.

The router is the lightest and smallest certified product in its class and is capable of multiple connections to networks such as Inmarsat SwiftBroadband and Iridium.

“We designed the eRouter with a modular architecture that makes it easy to expand its capabilities and adapt to varied systems and advancing technologies,” said ICG’s Executive Vice President, Brad Smith.

With provision of airborne connectivity to Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) the eRouter can deliver efficiencies on the flight deck with the addition of cabin connectivity for passengers and cabin crew for use of tablet PCs and Smartphone technology at speeds comparable with those on the ground.

“The eRouter’s modular architecture also reduces costs by offering operators only those services they might currently require, yet providing a forward upgrade path for future and emerging requirements,” Smith continued. “It has a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that allows operators to install updates in the field and permits many configuration options and flexibility to tailor the functionality to an operator’s specific needs.”

Nextant Remanufactured Business Jets in UK for the First Time

October 14, 2014
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First UK Remanufactured Business Aircraft DeliveredThe world’s only remanufactured business jet, the Nextant 400XTi is being delivered to the UK, the maker, Nextant Aerospace has announced this week. The aircraft will be operated by SaxonAir, Norwich-based business jet operators and exclusive UK sales representatives for Nextant.

Although six other 400XTi’s have been delivered to Europe, this is the first to come to the UK and it is hoped that the UK charter market will benefit from the addition as the aircraft can fly non-stop from London to any European city faster than any other in its class. The greater part of the European fleet operated in excess of 80-90 monthly hour and is a strong revenue generator.

Chris Mace, Group Commercial Director for SaxonAir Group said, “The 400XTi’s range allows our customers direct travel anywhere in Europe for considerably less than any other light jet and without sacrificing performance or comfort. The aircraft allows us to offer the productivity benefits of business aviation to whole new customer segments.”

Remanufacturing is growing stronger in Europe as operators focus on financial aspects. Other benefits include reduced environmental impact of remanufacture, compared to the manufacture of new products. In the U.S. the remanufacturing industry is worth around $50 billion, with yearly growth expectations of around 15%.

“There has been a lot of talk in Parliament and in the press about the benefits of remanufacturing,” continued Mr. Mace. “The 400XTi is proof of concept. The 400XTi performs like a new-build aircraft by every meaningful metric but costs a fraction as much to own and operate. That delivers value both to our business and our customer’s bottom line.”

At half the purchase price of a new production aircraft, Nextant is pioneering the concept of remanufacture for business aviation.

4G Internet for Business Jets

October 11, 2014
Business Aviation News
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Other Providers of Business Aircraft Passenger ConnectivitySmartSky are ready to announce the launch of their new 4G Internet service for business jets, after developing in secret for three years.

Ryan Stone, president of SmartSky Networks is pleased to finally share the news with the aviation world and will conduct an official ‘airing’ of his new product at this month’s NBAA exhibition.

High-speed internet access on business jets is not a brand new concept, with many other communications solutions on the market, such as the end-to-end solutions delivered by industry-leader, ARINC Direct, but SmartSky 4G is being launched as ‘the nation’s first airborne 4G LTE-based technology’ and promises speeds up to 10 times faster than current systems.

Utilising air-to-ground datalink, the network will access 60MHz of spectrum, which compares with 4MHz in most in-flight internet provision.

“This is going to be really, really important,” said Stone. “We’ve been developing this in stealth mode for three years. It feels good to finally be able to share.”

SmartSky is currently selecting test clients to begin its beta testing program next year, with a view to general release to the business aviation sector in 2016 on a subscription basis. Ultimately, Mr Stone wants to see his system in commercial airliners in the future.

NBAA Provides Debut Opportunity for Vertis Aviation

October 9, 2014
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Vertis Aviation, basedBusiness Jet Exhibition in Switzerland and part of the 28 East Group, an independently-owned aviation company, will make their exhibition debut appearance at the National Business Aviation Association show (NBAA) in Orlando later this month.

Vertis Aviation are now in their fifth year and market seven long-range, large cabin aircraft for luxury charter:

  • Airbus ACJ319
  • Bombardier Global XRS
  • Bombardier Global Express
  • Bombardier Global 6000
  • Gulfstream G650
  • Airbus Corporate Jet
  • Dassault Falcon 7X

Vertis COO, Neil Turnbull notes that the highest demand are for the Bombardier Global XRS and the Airbus ACJ319 with its award-winning interior by Tim Callies, both based in Moscow at the Vnukovo Airport and both making regular trans-Atlantic routes.

Also being heavily promoted at the NBAA will be the Gulfstream G650, which is a relatively new addition to their portfolio. Vertis were the first European company to market the desirable aircraft and have watched its popularity rise, particularly during the recent World Cup tournament.

Sabreliner Aviation Plans BizAv MRO Expansion

October 4, 2014
Business Aviation News
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BizAv Expansion Plans for SabrelinerSabreliner Services president, Greg Fedele, speaking from the company’s headquarters in Perryville, Mo., this week, has outlined plans for a reinvention of the company following its purchase by Innovative Capital Holdings in January.

Plans include the expansion of business aviation MRO services, bringing military experience into civilian, business jet work. Fedele said, “The extent and breadth of the capabilities appealed to the new owners. There isn’t anything we can’t do to an airplane; we have an interior, paint, avionics and engine shop, and we do metalwork, composites, structural, engineering, all right here.”

Starting with shopping MRO work on King Air, Learjet 35 and PC-12, with plan for expansion of their experience with 500-series Cessna Citations, the company will be seeking FAA approval to work on business jets for the civilian market.

There are also plans to ‘acquire, upgrade and ‘flip’ older Sabreliners, with particular interest in the Sabreliner 65 for sale to private clients.

While Fedele recognizes that it is not simply a case of competing in the civilian world, he feels confident that the team can achieve its goals. He said, “The new owners and I are bullish on the future of this business. We really want to grow and put Sabreliner back on the map.”

In 200,000sq ft. premises at Perryville Municipal Airport, Fedele realises there is room for expansion.

Saudi Jet Aviation Approved by FAA for Gulfstream Repair Station

September 17, 2014
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FAA Approve Saudi Repair Station for Gulfstream Jets

It has been announced that the FAA has granted approval for Jet Aviation Saudi Arabia to operate as an official Repair Station for Gulfstream aircraft.

This is good news for the company, who can now support its customers in Riyadh and Jeddah, improving their ability to meet the maintenance requirements of Gulfstream GII, GIII, GIV and GV aircraft. They will perform light scheduled maintenance (A Checks).

Alain Champonnois, vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Saudi Arabia said, “Large aircraft are preferred by many of our clients flying in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This service expansion directly improves our ability to meet the maintenance requirements, while providing assurance of the highest business aviation standards.”

Bombardier Deliver High-Speed Connectivity Hardware

September 17, 2014
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Providers of In-Flight Connectivity & Business Aviation ServicesBombardier’s business jet aircraft will be the first to deliver Honeywell’s JetWave Ka-Band satellite connectivity system, exclusively supporting Inmarsat’s JetConneX service which is set to go live in 2015. The system will bring business passengers global in-flight connectivity at high speeds and will allow for video-conferencing, large file exchange and content streaming capabilities.

Inmarsat and Honeywell signed an agreement two years ago which gave Honeywell the exclusive provision of hardware for the Ka-band GX Aviation service, branded as JetConneX for business aviation customers. The service promises connectivity in the air as seamlessly reliable and fast as that of ground-based offices and thus appealing to the business aviation market for executive aircraft.

“With JetWave securing the backing of a leading business jet manufacturer in Bombardier, we celebrate a major milestone in the evolution of business aircraft connectivity,” said Brian Sill, president, Business and General Aviation, Honeywell Aerospace. “The industry is showing a clear desire for high speed, global, consistent in-flight connectivity and is turning to Honeywell and Inmarsat to deliver it.”

“Our customers want to be online everywhere they go. They will now experience the same level of connectivity in the air that they have come to expect on the ground without a drop in connectivity performance once they leave their homes or offices,” said Eric Martel, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The introduction of this technology allows us to further strengthen the industry-leading cabin experience that we are offering to our customers.”

Honeywell is also the prime distributor of airtime for the business aviation sector, working with ARINC Direct, Satcom Direct, Satcom1, Aircell and OnAir.

FANS 1/A+ Upgrade for Challenger 604 Aircraft

September 12, 2014
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Other Providers of Flight Deck Communications Solutions for Business JetsBombardier and Marshall Aerospace Group have signed a conditional letter of agreement to develop a Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A+ avionics upgrade for the Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet. The upgrade will be aimed at the enhancement of pilot to air traffic communications to enable access to the North Atlantic Tracks, which offer shorter, faster routes.

The ICAO developed FANS 1/A+ as a part of the NextGen Air Traffic Management program, with a view to providing better management of high-volume airspace. FANS-equipped aircraft stand a greater chance of maximising operational productivity and profitability.

Vice-president of Bombardier Business Aircraft said. “We are pleased to be working with Marshall on this project.”

Opening of New Embraer Engineering and Tech Centre

September 11, 2014
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Embraer Open New Tech CentreThe opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art Engineering and Technology Centre has been celebrated by Brazilian jet manufacturer Embraer this week at the Melbourne International Airport, Florida. The 75,000 sq ft facility is the first located outside its home country and is a big step forward in their plan to expand their global footprint.

The celebrations included a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by over 250 guests from the world of aviation, media and state officials.

“As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of our North American presence this month, we are once again expanding our longstanding relationship with the State of Florida and the Brevard community with the opening of a cutting-edge Engineering & Technology Centre,” said Embraer president and CEO, Frederico Fleury Curado. “With the highly qualified team of engineers that will work in these offices and laboratories, we will bring the most advanced solutions to our customers.”

Plans for the new centre include engineering, product and technology development across Embraer’s business, with the first project outlined as executive jet interiors. The facility includes a laboratory for development and testing of materials and components and features a 3D CAD and virtual reality centre, Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Modelling.

Florida Governor Rick Scott said, “Embraer’s commitment to Florida and their creation of 200 jobs will help more Florida families get back to work and live the American Dream. This project is great news for the Space Coast and I’m excited to see this company grow as they open today. Since December 2010, we have created more than 620,000 private-sector jobs and we will continue working hard to create an opportunity where every Floridian who wants a job can get one.”

In-flight Connectivity Reseller Deal for Inmarsat and Rockwell Collins

September 11, 2014
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The Face of In-Flight Connectivity to Change with Rockwell Collins & InmarsatIt has been announced that Inmarsat, British global satellite communications providers and aviation giant Rockwell Collins have signed a deal that could change the face of in-flight connectivity, as Rockwell Collins will be a value added reseller for the commercial air transport market sector.

GX Aviation is the latest generation of Inmarsat services and will provide connection speeds of up to 50Mbps on a global scale. Scheduled for release to the commercial air transport sector in the first half of 2015, GX Aviation will offer airlines the opportunity to deliver value added services to passengers that promises connectivity such as that found on the ground.

“By combining GX with our current L-Band services, we’ll also be able to provide our airline customers with a complete portfolio of connectivity options for a full range of applications from the cockpit to the cabin,” Jeff Standerski, Rockwell Collins’ senior vice president of information management services said, adding that new possibilities could be brought for their ARINC Cabin Connect suite.

GX Aviation will enable faster speeds and expandable bandwidth for in-flight entertainment, including real-time TV and video, web browsing and to accommodate future devices and applications.

The deal is a key building block for Inmarsat in their mission to deliver high-speed connectivity for passengers and for the flight deck.

Inmarsat president of aviation, Leo Mondale said, “Rockwell Collins is a key partner for the full portfolio of existing Inmarsat Aviation services, and will be one of the first to bring the new, exciting GX Aviation service to its large airline customer base. We have built the very best team of aviation companies to ensure airlines have excellent access to GX Aviation. Our Ka-band solution enables us to meet the rapidly growing demand for passenger connectivity”