Category: BizJet

Avant Aerospace Announces Relocation

Avant Aerospace recently relocated from Dallas, Texas to hangar #12 at the St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) in close proximity to West Star’s Full-Service MRO location at East Alton, IL.

AVANT relocated its offices and complete inventory to the new location to improve overall efficiency and consolidate inventory in the 20,000 square feet of hangar space.

“Relocating and being closer to the East Alton MRO will centralize our inventory, thus reducing delivery time and shipping expense,” stated John Hardy, Director, Avant Aerospace.

Avant Aerospace is a supplier of aircraft parts, spares, equipment, and tooling. Avant also offers services in procurement, inventory consignment/purchasing and 24/7 AOG.

Avant Aerospace is a wholly owned subsidiary of West Star Aviation Holdings, LLC. The company continues to operate under their unique brand while offering West Star Aviation customers their part products and full capabilities. For more information, visit avantaero.org or call 800-922-2421.

Avant has expanded its inventory/support beyond Dassault Falcon to include Bombardier, Textron, Piaggio, and Gulfstream. All part and equipment repairs are completed by OEMs or Authorized Repair Agents, ensuring maximum quality and reliability.

KCAC Aviation Delivers Its First Pilatus PC-12 NGX

KCAC Aviation has delivered its first PC-12 NGX, the new single-engine turboprop from Swiss manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. The PC-12 NGX was delivered to a customer in Oklahoma, marking another milestone in KCAC’s 54-year history in the aviation business.

The NGX has been highly sought after since
being introduced last fall at the 2019
National Business Aviation Association-Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas. “We’re excited to be part of the next chapter of the PC-12 story,” said Mark Riley, KCAC Aviation’s General Manager. “You don’t get to introduce a brand-new aircraft very often, so we’re especially proud to be one of the first U.S. deliveries among the Pilatus Authorized Sales Center Network. Pilatus has definitely taken the NGX’s predecessor, the PC-12 NG, to a whole new level with the NGX.”

Already considered one of the best single-engine turboprops in its class, the NGX commands attention thanks to upgrades throughout, including a more powerful PT6E-67XP engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada, smarter avionics and a complete redesign of the cabin interior. The NGX also boasts a breakthrough for turboprops with the first full authority digital engine control, which eases pilot workload and provides greater control and responsiveness.

The eye-catching interior is brought to life by the expert artisans at BMW Designworks. Inspired by the modern design of the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet, the new executive seats on the PC-12 NGX feature full recline capabilities, taller seat backs and adjustable lumbar support. Passengers will especially appreciate the expanded headroom, leg space and upgraded cooling system. The cabin also has 10 percent larger windows allowing more light to stream inside and greater visibility.

“The NGX has something to offer for everyone, including several industry firsts that keep it a step ahead of the competition,” said Michael Kolman, KCAC’s Regional director of Pilatus Sales for Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma “The new electronic engine controls are a pilot’s dream, and passengers will enjoy the more modern and spacious cabin. For versatility, safety and comfort, nothing in its class can match the NGX.”

Mecmesin Launch Online Store for North American Market

Mecmesin, a designer and manufacturer of force, materials and torque testing equipment for quality control, have announced the launch of their new web store.

Customers in the USA and Canada can choose from Mecmesins’ range of digital force gauges, digital torque testers, manual test stands plus their cutting edge VectorPro Lite data acquisition software and a selection of grips and fixtures.

The new online store may be accessed directly from https://store.mecmesin.com/  or by going to the Mecmesin corporate website https://www.mecmesin.com/us, which also features the company’s more sophisticated universal testing machines.

The web store is a resource for quality control, production and R&D personnel across a wide range of industries, who want to take advantage of:

•          Fast delivery

•          Competitive prices

•          Secure online payment processing

•          Mecmesins’ 40+ years’ experience in force and torque testing

•          NIST traceable calibration on all instruments

“We are proud to announce the launch of our new web store as it is a testament of the commitment we have made to listening to our customers and continually improving the experience of partnering with Mecmesin,” says Rod Ansari, Mecmesins’ president of North American Operations.

ATP Acquires Flightdocs

ATP announced that they are acquiring Flightdocs creating of one of the largest providers of software solutions and information services in the aviation industry. With the Flightdocs acquisition, ATP says they will deliver powerful, cloud-based software solutions for aircraft maintenance tracking, troubleshooting, recurring defect analysis, inventory management, and flight scheduling – combined with a robust library of technical publications and regulatory content.

Founded in 2003, Flightdocs has grown to be the second largest provider of aircraft maintenance tracking and inventory management solutions in business aviation. ATP says Flightdocs’ long-standing reputation for revolutionary software and best-in-class support has made the solutions provider the number one choice for flight departments around the world. ATP, in business for 50 years, provides aircraft technical publications and regulatory information, connecting more than 45,000 maintenance professionals to the latest OEM content and airworthiness directives. The company’s software division is the leading provider of repetitive defect and troubleshooting applications, focused on reducing operating costs, improving reliability, and supporting technical knowledge sharing.

“We are very excited to join forces with the team at ATP,” noted Rick Heine, chairman and CEO of Flightdocs. “What began as a partnership quickly evolved into a much larger opportunity. By joining ATP, we will be able to create unique products and services that will have a significant impact for our customers, driving efficiencies, reliability, compliance, and safety across the industry.”

Customers of both ATP and Flightdocs will have access to a comprehensive suite of solutions to support the safe and reliable operation of their aircraft. Already considered by many in the industry to be an innovative and user-friendly maintenance tracking and inventory management software, the Flightdocs platform will now leverage the technical publication libraries, regulatory content, and chronic defect analysis and troubleshooting software offered by ATP. Combined, the two companies believe they will bring even more innovation and technical capabilities to the business aircraft maintenance tracking, inventory management, and flight operations software markets.

“Flightdocs’ commitment to innovation and service makes them an ideal addition to the ATP family,” says Rick Noble, CEO at ATP. “Working together, our goal will be to deliver the most advanced maintenance tracking, inventory management, and flight operations software on the market. One known for excellent support, a superior user experience, and powerful tools that can create massive benefits for our customers.”

With the addition of Flightdocs, ATP will now support 75,000 maintenance professionals across more than 7,500 customers in 137 countries. Further, the team plans to continue investment in the development of new products to serve the business aviation, general aviation, commercial aviation, military/defense, and OEM markets.

Air Plains Services Salutes the Cessna 172 – 65 years and Still Going  

Air Plains Services, a world leader in general aviation engine and avionics upgrades, salutes the iconic Cessna 172 Skyhawk, celebrating 65 years since its first flight, and still going strong.

“We are very happy to pay tribute to the storied history of the incredible Cessna 172, marking 65 years since its first flight in June 1955,” says Mike Kelley, founder and owner of Air Plains Services. “I am proud to say we’ve been supporting this airplane for more than 40 of those years from our shop in Wellington, so we speak with some authority about its longevity, its performance and durability, and its role as the most popular airplane model out there.”

According to Textron Aviation, Cessna has produced more than 45,000 aircraft under the 172 umbrella – the most produced aircraft model in aviation history. Air Plains has provided 180hp engine upgrades to more than 2,500 of those aircraft, with more engine upgrades being installed or shipped worldwide regularly.

Air Plains also manufactures a variety of PMA parts for the Skyhawk including baffle kits, airboxes and airbox brackets and gaskets, and propeller bulkheads.

The Cessna 172 is also the world’s most famous primary trainer aircraft, used by flight schools around the world. The upgraded 180hp engines sold by Air Plains improve the aircraft’s suitability in flight school or training environments. Installation cost of a new 180hp is comparable to the cost of a scheduled overhaul, and the upgrade offers more reliable performance, more efficient operation, and increased payload to make it a true four-place aircraft, all making the total cost of ownership preferable to other options.

For more information about any of Air Plains products or services, call 1-800-752-8481 or +1-620-326-8904, or visit http://www.airplains.com. For online shopping, visit the Air Plains web store at https://shopairplains.com.

Tamarack Announces Seven New Active Winglet Installations

In response to the COVID-19 economic impact, Tamarack Aerospace has launched a temporary program to waive all installation fees for their Active Winglet installs on Cessna CitationJets. Tamarack says seven customers have now taken advantage of the $42,000 discount, which will be offered through June 30, 2020. The newest customers sales include two CJ’s, two CJ1’s, two CJ2’s, and one CJ3. Tamarack says one is a return customer and one is aPart 135 charter operator. Additionally there is one partner installation completed by Rose Aircraft Services (Mena, Ark.).

“We are proud to help our valued customers during this time of economic strain,” says Jacob Klinginsmith, president of Tamarack Aerospace. “Temporarily eliminating the $42,000 installation fee has allowed seven customers and counting to experience the groundbreaking benefits of our Active Winglet technology.” Tamarack says the continued support of Cessna CitationJet owners has helped the momentum this past spring, keeping sales services and supply chains operating. Tamarack Partners have also taken advantage of the discount as they navigate sales during an industry slowdown.

Tamarack believes the aerospace industry is learning difficult lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to evolve as the situation matures. One reality has become clear, according to the company – aviation technology needs to be safe, efficient, and sustainable. Tamarack says their Active Winglet technology substantially increases the capability for non-stop or fewer-stops, thereby reducing the need for public passenger contact during flights while allowing for many different travel routes.

The modification is an immediate sustainability solution, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 33 percent, the company reports.  “As customers begin returning to the skies, people are looking to the aviation industry to adopt more sustainable practices,” explains Klinginsmith, “Active Winglets are one way to achieve those goals.”

ABS Jets Conducts 192-Month Inspection of Embraer Legacy 600

ABS Jets maintenance team has just completed the second 192-month/16-year inspection on an Embraer Legacy 600 managed by ABS Jets. The inspection began during the COVID lockdown and was finalized on time despite quarantine measures.

The respective aircraft was delivered directly from Brazil by ABS Jets pilots in 2004 and has been maintained exclusively at the ABS Jets facility since. The typically demanding maintenance inspection took six weeks to complete. Maintenance checks of this type generally reveal various technical findings. Corrosion is a typical problem and one of the most serious detected during heavy C-Checks.

“The key to an aircraft’s exceptional technical condition is proper parking and hangarage, predictive maintenance planning, and day-to-day care provided by Line Maintenance,” says Stanislav Kucera, continuing airworthiness manager at ABS Jets. “This quadruple C-Check proved to be extraordinary in that insignificant corrosion was found, but the circumstances associated with COVID-19 made the replacement parts delivery process very challenging. However, the team did obtain all the crucial parts on time.”

Maintenance on the aircraft was conducted with strict hygiene protocols. The technicians assigned to the project were required to continuously wear respirators and contact with each other and the public was strictly limited. The company arranged special transportation for its technicians so they could avoid public areas while they worked. The greatest challenge was the final test flight since the pilots were required to undergo mandatory quarantine after arriving from abroad.

OU Launches Aerospace and Defense Graduate Programs

The Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma is launching new graduate business programs in aerospace and defense. The College will offer an Executive MBA and a Graduate Certificate in Aerospace and Defense through its Gene Rainbolt Graduate School of Business, beginning fall 2020. Information on these programs can be found at http://www.ou.edu/price/mba/executive-mba-in-aerospace-and-defense.

The Executive MBA in Aerospace and Defense is a one-year, 32-credit-hour degree, and the Graduate Certificate in Aerospace and Defense is a six-month, 12-credit-hour program. Both programs are designed specifically for working individuals to develop managerial and leadership skills of the A&D workforce, including those without a business education. OU sa curriculum was developed with input from industry leaders in aerospace and defense.

“We are excited to launch the Executive MBA degree, as well as the Graduate Certificate in this much-needed field,” said Wayne Thomas, interim dean of the Price College of Business. “Participants will be taught in live online sessions by A&D industry leaders and renowned OU faculty.”

The Executive MBA includes 20 hours completed online, with an additional 12 hours of residency work. Online courses are offered in eight-week modules and there will be three residency weeks: two in Oklahoma City, and the third will be held internationally. The program uses a cohort model, allowing students to build strong relationships with others in the industry.

The 12-credit-hour Graduate Certificate program is entirely online with live instruction. Students will choose six business courses specific to the industry in areas such as financial management, legal environment, IT and cybersecurity, managing supply chain and logistics, project management, and global A&D strategy. All coursework for the certificate is transferrable to the Executive MBA program, with flexible, online delivery.

“Our programs are poised to lead the world in preparing the leaders necessary to ensure the enduring strength of our nation’s aerospace and defense operations,” said Eddie Edwards, executive director of graduate programs at the Gene Rainbolt Graduate School of Business.

Limited financial assistance for those serving in the Armed Forces is available. Registration information and additional questions about Executive Business Programs in Aerospace and Defense can be directed to Shad Satterthwaite at shad@ou.edu or Michelle Brown at michellebrown@ou.edu.

AIAC Releases Aerospace Recommendations and Calls on Federal Government to Help

The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) has released six key recommendations that build on their Vision 2025 plan; while repeating the call for the federal government to recognize aerospace as a strategic sector in urgent need of a long-term sectoral strategy.

“The impact of COVID-19 on Canada’s aerospace industry has been unprecedented. The consequences of aircraft being grounded cascade down to our industry – to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), maintenance, repair and overhaul workers (MRO) and ongoing work relating to Canada’s assets in space.  With longer lead times in supply chain slowdowns, the devastating economic effects of this crisis are going to reverberate across our industry for years to come,” says Mike Mueller, senior vice President, AIAC.

“Competitor countries are making aerospace a key part of their economic recovery plans. Canada needs to take similar steps – not only to retain our current position but also to be ready for the global market opportunities that will emerge when the industry recovers,” says Mueller.

AIAC recommends the following actions the Government of Canada can take immediately to help ensure best possible outcomes and long-term stability for Canada’s aerospace sector:

  1. Develop a pragmatic and proportional plan to allow people to begin flying again.
  2. Adapt Canada’s job retention program and liquidity measures to support employees in industries that will take longer to recover.
  3. Rapidly expand government support for green technologies to enable the decarbonization of key sectors, particularly transportation and aviation.
  4. Establish a new long-term investment bank to support and foster essential manufacturing supply chains through the market transformation ahead.
  5. Advance public procurement projects, particularly in defense and space projects, to help stimulate and sustain high-tech supply chains through the difficult months ahead.
  6. Establish a Canadian sector strategy for aerospace that includes civil, defense and space.

“There is a need now, more than ever, for the Federal Government to work with us on a long-term sectoral strategy for Canada’s aerospace industry. Ensuring a strong Canadian aerospace sector will be crucial to rebuilding Canada’s economy given aerospace’s substantial contributions to our nation’s economic health on an annual basis –  $31 billion in revenues, over $25 billion to GDP and nearly 215,000 jobs,” Mueller says.

 

COVID-19 Successfully Neutralized in Testing of Aviation Clean Air’s Interior Purification System

Testing results of the needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI) technology that powers Aviation Clean Air’s (ACA) airborne and ground-use purification systems demonstrated successful neutralization by ionization of the COVID-19 virus. The laboratory tests were conducted by Innovative Bioanalysis in a test setting designed to replicate the ionization conditions of corporate and commercial aircraft interiors. The results showed neutralization began immediately and that up to 99.4 percent of the virus was inactivated within 30 minutes.

The ACA airborne system is a patented Ionization Purification System certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for aircraft installation. The system, which operates through the aircraft’s existing environmental control system (ECS) and functions automatically whenever the ECS is running, improves interior air quality, eliminates odors and kills pathogens in the air and on surfaces wherever they live throughout the cabin and cockpit of the aircraft. The Ion Distribution Unit for Ground Use Only (shown here) was developed by ACA and International Aero Engineering (IAE) to decontaminate aircraft interiors while on the ground. The Ground Unit utilizes the same technology as the airborne system.

”This phase of the testing demonstrated the neutralization of the surface strain of the virus,” says Jonathan Saltman, International Aero Engineering president and CEO. “Aerosolized testing as well as additional testing with various times and concentration of ion levels is currently underway.”

“The proprietary NPBI technology utilized in our ground and airborne systems was developed and patented by Global Plasma Solutions,” says Howard Hackney, ACA managing member. NPBI works by leveraging an electronic charge to create a high concentration of positive and negative ions. These ions travel through the air continuously seeking out and attaching to particles, which sets in motion a continuous pattern of particle combination. As these particles become larger, they are eliminated from the air more rapidly. Additionally, positive and negative ions have microbicidal effects on pathogens, ultimately reducing the infectivity of the virus.

“NPBI is ozone-free and the only one in its category to pass the RCTA DO-160 standard for aircraft,” Hackney continues. “Traditional bipolar ionization systems produce harmful ozone as a byproduct. Our system is a proactive, natural purification process that produces no harmful ozone or chemicals and requires no maintenance.”

“The results of the testing are extremely encouraging,” adds IAE’s Saltman. “We see this is as an important step for both commercial and business jet travel in restoring the confidence of passengers and crew.”