Textron Aviation Ships 41 Bizjets in 3Q Despite Strike

The 41 Cessna Citation deliveries in the third quarter outpaced the 39 business jets shipped by Textron Aviation in the same period a year ago, despite the four-week strike of its aircraft production workers that ended earlier this week. Textron Aviation also delivered 25 turboprops (10 Caravans, three SkyCouriers, and 12 King Airs) in the quarter, down from 38 (14 Caravans, five SkyCouriers, and 19 King Airs) a year ago.

However, this manufacturing disruption will translate into fewer deliveries in the fourth quarter, Scott Donnelly—chairman, president, and CEO of parent Textron Inc.—said this morning during the company’s third-quarter investor call. Donnelly wouldn’t discuss how many fewer aircraft would be handed over to customers in the current quarter but said the strike will result in about a $500 million reduction in forecast revenues this year at Textron Aviation.

He acknowledged that “strikes are not good” but said there was a silver lining: the company used this time to build up supply-chain inventory to bring aircraft manufacturing back to a more normal process as production workers return. Covid-related supply-chain issues have led to out-of-sequence and out-of-station work that erodes productivity, and Donnelly hopes the strike-facilitated inventory build-up will help put these inefficiencies in the rearview mirror. He aims to have the production line fully back up to speed by January 1.

Global Starts Flight Tests for German Army Surveillance Role

Bombardier is flight testing the first of three Global 6000s being configured for signals intelligence roles with the German army. At an event in Wichita on Wednesday with program partners Hensoldt and Lufthansa Technik, the manufacturer confirmed the first aircraft has been flying since mid-September as it is prepared for delivery next year to Hamburg, where it will be fitted with Hensoldt’s Kalaetron Integral Sigint system.

The business jet is the chosen platform for the Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System (Pegasus) program. Systems integrator Lufthansa Technik Defense is expected to conduct flight trials with all the installed equipment in Germany in 2025 or 2026.

According to Bombardier Defense v-p Steve Patrick, the first Global 6000 will continue to be evaluated at the Canadian airframer’s Wichita Flight Test Center. Two more aircraft are being built and will begin missions testing once they are delivered to the German army.

“This successful first flight is the result of strong collaboration and shared knowledge between Hensoldt, Lufthansa Technik Defense, Bombardier Defense, and our suppliers to get the modified, high-performing Global 6000 for the Pegasus program in the air,” Patrick said. “With flight testing regularly underway from Bombardier’s Wichita base, the aircraft continues to gather essential certification data to improve and perfect the platform before it moves to the next stage.”

Aircraft Brokers Enjoying Healthy, Stable Market

The business aircraft market is consistent and stable, according to aircraft brokers speaking at a panel discussion on current market conditions on Tuesday at NBAA-BACE. “We feel like demand is very strong right now,” said Don Dwyer, co-managing partner at Guardian Jet. “We’re having our biggest year ever.”

While the used jet inventory is rising following the record lows of the pandemic, there is no sign of panic selling, according to Brad Harris, president and CEO of Dallas Jet International. "We’re seeing a lot of supply increase, but when you were at 2% [of the fleet on market] and now we’re back up to 6% or 7%, it’s still a seller’s market.”

“There’s definitely more supply than there was at the peak, which was the end of 2022, and since January 2023 the market has been definitely getting more inventory, but it's still less inventory than it was before Covid started,” explained Steve Varsano, founder of The Jet Business.

In the post-Covid boom, there was much discussion over whether new private aviation users would remain after the threat of the pandemic subsided and commercial air travel resumed. “There was this great concern that a lot of those people were going to leave...and I think we would all say total opposite,” said JetAviva CEO Emily Deaton. “They’ve not only stayed, they’ve continued to repeat purchases.”

VIP Completions and ARRCC Give Falcon 7X a Full Makeover

VIP Completions and its interior design partner ARRCC recently unveiled a fully refurbished Dassault Falcon 7X they did as a joint project. The Florida-based group’s sister company, SmartJets, arranged the acquisition of the long-range trijet on behalf of an undisclosed customer.

The work inside the 7X included integrating LED accent lights into the headliner. Cabin bulkheads were covered in a sand-blasted bronze mirror finish and paneling was trimmed with solid white oak fluting. The entire project, including exterior paint work, took 10 weeks to complete.

“Our client, a passionate and driven fintech entrepreneur, wanted to push the envelope in terms of what an aircraft refurbishment could accomplish,” said Ben Shirazi, president of VIP Completions and SmartJets. “For us, this was a true end-to-end project. Our SmartJets team identified and acquired the optimal aircraft. Then, the talented team at ARRCC—having also completed multiple projects for this client—delivered the final design.”

The cabin interior features three main areas, including a forward main lounge, a mid-cabin conference and dining area, and an aft stateroom with two dual divans. There is also a forward galley, and separate lavatories forward and aft for crew and passengers, respectively.

Cabin management and inflight entertainment systems include a Gogo L5 connectivity system, Kaleidescape media server, forward and aft HD monitors, and an Alto audio system.

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Million Air Dallas To Open New Addison Customs Ramp

Million Air Dallas will unveil a dedicated customs ramp at its Addison Airport (KADS) facility next month. Dubbed Million Air Dallas International Services, the ramp connects to the airport’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility in the KADS administration building.

Construction began in August and added 61,973 sq ft, increasing the location’s total ramp area to more than 360,000 sq ft. The new space will be dedicated to the FBO’s international guests and will allow it to provide exclusive plane-side vehicle access directly adjacent to the CBP office.

After clearing customs, guests will be greeted by Million Air's international handling team, which will offload their baggage into waiting vehicles. The aircraft will then be towed to the service provider’s main ramp or a hangar for parking, eliminating the need for another engine start cycle.

“We value our relationship with Addison Airport management, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and appreciate their collaboration on this renovation,” said Million Air Dallas president and CEO Don Rickenhauser. “The ramp’s completion will enhance service quality and operational efficiency for international travelers, providing a world-class experience for those visiting Addison.”

Blackhawk's Upgrade To Increase Power of King Air 360

Blackhawk Aerospace is expecting approval shortly for its XP67A Engine+ upgrade package integrated with Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics for the Beechcraft King Air 360. The aviation services provider said the approval will be a “key advancement” toward enhancing the turboprop twin's performance and reliability.

“This certification brings significant value to King Air 360 owners and operators, offering a powerful and efficient engine upgrade option,” said Edwin Black, president of Blackhawk Aerospace. “Integrated with the Pro Line Fusion avionics system, the XP67A Engine+ upgrade enhances the capabilities and market value of these aircraft.”

Black said the package is ideal for owners facing questions of upgrading their engines versus getting a new aircraft. “We like to give our customers optionality,” he said. “The timing is perfect for us to enter that market now, to give these customers more optionality when that moment does occur.”

The Blackhawk upgrade features Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engines and comes paired with a five-blade composite propeller, which the company said will transform the King Air 360 into a “high-performance, fuel-efficient aircraft, reducing operational costs and increasing longevity.” According to Blackhawk, the more powerful engine helps the King Air 360 outperform its original configuration, delivering 1,050 shp to altitude where the baseline engines start losing power.

Atlantic Aviation Turbocharges Customer Loyalty Program

Atlantic Aviation announced changes to its customer loyalty program this week at NBAA-BACE. Starting in January, the FBO mega-chain will add two new features to its popular Double Awards feature, increasing the ability of its customers to earn rewards. Bonus Awards and Trip Awards will accelerate the pace at which awards and their financial equivalents accumulate.

Customers who uplift the minimum gallon amount for their aircraft type will earn five additional Atlantic Awards under the Bonus Awards plan. The Trip Awards will provide additional incentives based on milestones achieved through the number of visits they make to Atlantic’s more than 100 locations.

Every customer who earns the minimum 50 Atlantic Awards in a calendar year is eligible to have their awards account activated with its associated financial value accrued credited to a personalized, reloadable rewards card that can be used at virtually any retailer or restaurant in the world.

Honeywell, Merlin To Merge Autonomous Tech with Anthem

Merlin plans to integrate its autonomous flight technology with Honeywell’s Anthem avionics suite based on a memorandum of understanding signed by the companies on October 17. The agreement calls for the artificial intelligence-driven Merlin Pilot system to be made available to a variety of military and civil aircraft in conjunction with the Anthem flight deck.

The joint announcement did not provide a timeline for when the first integrated package will be available. The companies said developing a solution for fixed-wing military aircraft is their first priority, with Merlin already engaged in plans to deploy its always-on autopilot system for platforms including the C-130J and KC-135.

“This collaboration will benefit the military significantly, as this autonomy solution helps alleviate the pilot shortage by reducing the number of pilots required for certain aircraft operations,” said Bob Buddecke, president of the electronic solutions unit at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “By enabling single-pilot operations and automating key tasks, this partnership provides a scalable and safe solution to ease pilot workload and optimize fleet operations for both the military and commercial aviation industry.”

According to Merlin, the Anthem system provides an intuitive user interface and advanced flight management capability that will complement its automation technology. The Boston-based start-up said deployment will begin with retrofitting existing aircraft for single-pilot operations rather than immediately seeking to switch to the no-pilot-onboard approach.

SUSTAINABILITY QUESTION OF THE WEEK

The Pipistrel Velis Electro is the first-ever type-certified fully electric aircraft and will primarily be used for pilot training in VFR operations. What is the maximum endurance of this aircraft?

A. 50 minutes.
B. 1 hour 30 minutes.
C. 2 hours.
D. 4 hours.

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