Gulfstream Aerospace announced that the second and third Gulfstream G500 aircraft, called T2 and T3, have joined its flight-test program with successful completion of their initial flights. T2 focuses on flight loads validation, and T3 is the main test bed for the G500 avionics systems. The G500 is part of Gulfstream’s new family of clean-sheet aircraft, the G500 and G600 and the first of the two to begin flight tests. T2 is concentrated on aircraft performance and systems testing.
Panasonic Weather Solutions, a division of Panasonic Avionics Corp., has introduced 4DAero, an electronic flight bag application, which provides pilots an interactive display of a planned flight route synchronized in time and space with forecast weather and other potential aviation hazards from its Panasonic 4D Weather platform. It offers situational awareness for flight-planning and real-time, inflight tactical-navigation decision-making.
Joe Clark, co-founder and chairman of Aviation Partners , has received the Meritorious Service to Aviation Award from the National Business Aviation Association. The award was presented this month at the NBAA convention in Las Vegas. Clark received the award for his work in developing advanced technology winglet systems.
Charter operator Acropolis Aviation, based at London’s Farnborough Airport, has joined Airbus Corporate Jets and CAMP, computerized maintenance-planning services, for ACJ. Acropolis announced that it will be the launch customer for the services. The offering combines Airbus’s expertise in maintenance program customization and technical documentation and CAMP’s computerized aircraft maintenance management.Acropolis will begin using CAMP on its Airbus ACJ319 G-NOAH in early 2016.
Duncan Aviation is hosting a free Next Generation seminar, the last one of the year on Dec. 9. It will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant in Van Nuys, California. It will feature partners L-3 Aviation Products, Garmin Avionics, Satcom Direct, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins and Universal Avionics. They will present information about the Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) and Future Air Navigation Systems 1A mandates.
Magnetic MRO, based in Tallinn, Estonia, has received repair station certification from the FAA, which covers its maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, the company said. It is the first FAA-certified repair station in the Baltic States, a milestone in the development of the MRO industry in the region, it said. The certificate allows Magnetic MRO to issue deal release, EASA and FAA, certificates on its line, base, components and engines Part 145 activities.
Priester Aviation will operate a U.S.-based fleet of Challenger 350 business jets for VistaJet’s Flight Solutions Program. Three new VistaJet-owned Challenger 350 aircraft, with a list price value of $80 million, are under operation with Priester Aviation, the company said. Seven VistaJet aircraft are in service in the U.S., with 55 aircraft worldwide. VistaJet acts as an agent for U.S. Flight Solutions Program customers to arrange flights to be operated by Priester within the U.S.
ASG had previously forecast single-digit growth at the upper end in early 2015, but it now appears that annual growth may be just under 5%, half of what the Hong Kong-based consultancy and brokerage had earlier predicted.
Aircraft-engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce will carry out a further restructuring of its business with the aim of taking £150-200 million ($225-300 million) of costs out of its corporate and management structure.
Gogo Business Aviation rolled into National Business Aviation Assocation’s (NBAA) 2015 expo, beginning delivery of 650 Gogo inflight entertainment and connectivity systems to fractional-ownership giant NetJets.
Bombardier has unveiled a five-year transformation plan intended to boost earnings and cash flow that have suffered as the company invests heavily in new product development.
Kenny Dichter, co-founder and CEO of membership-based private aviation club Wheels Up, predicts a 50% boost in revenue next year and an 80% increase in revenue flight hours.
True capitalists are always looking for new ways to expand business, and with the tropical chill there now warming, U.S. business leaders—and the aircraft that carry them—are pointing south to Cuba.
