Jessica is Executive Editor of Business & Commercial Aviation magazine. She started as Editor of ShowNews Online, Aviation Week's on-site trade show daily published at the Paris Air Show, NBAA Annual Convention, Singapore Air Show and at other significant aerospace gatherings.
Jessica has worked in television production and management consulting. While not yet a licensed pilot, Ms. Salerno has received flight instruction and has soloed.
Viking Air is marketing a $6 million (USD) float-equipped version of its upgraded Twin Otter 400. The British Columbia manufacturer says the new 400S is designed for short to medium flights and has a breakeven load factor of around eight passengers under typical operating conditions. The aircraft features a Honeywell “Super-Lite” integrated digital avionics suite adapted for VFR operations, and comes equipped with 17-passenger seats. The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 engines turn platinum-coated CT blades.
Already the world’s largest FBO network, Signature Flight Support added another 62 bases to its fold on Feb. 5 when BBA Aviation, its British parent company, closed on the acquisition of Landmark Aviation from the Carlyle Group for $2.065 billion. The combined network now includes 195 locations in North America, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, all under the Signature name, and added 3,000 Landmark employees to Signature’s payroll.
Bristow has invested in a drone inspection company as it diversifes away from an oil and gas industry that finds itself in a slump over low prices. The Houston-based firm is investing $4.2 million in U.K.-based Sky Futures, which provides unmanned air vehicles to support inspections of oil and gas facilities onshore and offshore. The investment comes as Bristow sees its revenues from oil and gas support continue to drop as energy companies reduce levels of exploration and the number of personnel working offshore.
