Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

Gordon Gilbert

Thursday’s ceremonial hand-off from Pilatus Aircraft to PlaneSense of the first production Pilatus PC-24 jet brings the fractional provider’s fleet to more than 40 aircraft. In addition to the new Swiss light jet, the Portsmouth New Hampshire-based company operates 36 PC-12 turboprop singles and four Nextant 400XTis.

 


PlaneSense, which has already sold out shares in the first PC-24, expects to receive at least two more of the new twinjets within the next 12 months and two more next year. Its Nextant 400XTis will eventually be phased out as the PlaneSense PC-24 fleet swells.

 


The first PC-24 arrived at the PlaneSense headquarters with its new FAA registration: N124AF, representing the first PC-24 and following the pattern set when the company received its first PC-12 in 1992: N112AF. The AF designation on all PlaneSense aircraft stands for Alpha Flying—the aircraft management firm owned by PlaneSense founder, president, and CEO George Antoniadis before it morphed into the current company.

 


In total, PlaneSense has received more than 60 PC-12s as it sold off older aircraft to keep its fleet fresh. As new aircraft receive an AF suffix, aircraft sold are not only re-registered to replace the PlaneSense N-number, but are also refurbished to eliminate all PlaneSense distinctions.

 


Each PlaneSense PC-12 logs some 1,000 hours annually, according to Antoniadis, who noted that, last year, the fleet covered 9 million miles, logged 36,000 hours, flew to 840 different airports in 47 U.S. states, and carried more than 3,000 passengers.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

PC-24 Brings PlaneSense Fleet to 41 Aircraft

Company expects to receive at least two more of the new twinjets within the next 12 months and two more next year.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse

Kepplair Starts Converting ATR 72 Into Water Bombers

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Kerry Lynch

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

More In Aircraft