Rolling Business Aviation Daily Briefs (June 2024)

June 21, 2024

Luxaviation Acquires La Fugue Travel Agency

Luxaviation, a business aircraft, helicopter and FBO network operator based in Strassen, Luxembourg, has acquired Paris-based La Fugue travel agency specializing in experiences focused on art, culture, music and opera, it says. Chloe Lefevre, who joined LA Fugue 10 years ago, has been named CEO. He most recently served as executive director.

June 20, 2024

West Star Opens Larger Hangar In Denver

West Star’s Denver satellite facility located at Centennial Airport has moved into a larger 3,000 ft.2 hangar a few hangars away from the current site with 18,750 ft.2 of hangar space and 1,760 ft.2 of office space. The larger hangar will accommodate larger aircraft, such as Global and Gulfstream aircraft and allows the location to continue to grow and expand services, it says.

June 18, 2024

Signature Takes Delivery Of First Zero Emissions Refueling Truck At Vail

Signature Aviation has taken delivery of what it calls the industry’s first zero emissions fully electric 5,000 gal. jet refueler truck from Rampmaster. The truck is for service at Signature’s Vail location at Eagle County Regional Airport in Colorado. Its introduction is a step toward the company’s net zero goals using its test bed at Signature Vail, it says. The electric refueler supports the industry’s sustainability commitments for net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by replacing the diesel engine with an electric motor and hydraulic pump powered by Lithium batteries, it says. The design includes a roof-mounted battery chiller and blanket heater to sustain extreme hot and cold conditions. The refueler receives a full batter DC fast charge in less than two hr., that will power about eight hr. of total pump refueling run time, it says. Signature’s Vail location has become a test bed for sustainability. The terminal is the first to achieve carbon neutrality in the fall of 2022.

June 17, 2024

Aeroviation Launches New Education Facility In Singapore

Aeroviation announced the launch of a new aviation education facility in Singapore to meet the demand of a growing student population. The facility opened to the public on May 1, 2024, and features four classrooms, a lounge space, an activity room, a refreshment area and individual simulator rooms. According to Aeroviation, the facility will enable future additions to its educational programs including 3D printing, drones, RC planes and cabin crew training.

June 14, 2024

CAE Adds Two Aircraft Types To Vienna Training Center

CAE, a global aviation training company, announced the addition of two new aircraft types to nine full-flight simulators at its training center in Vienna. The new additions, simulating an Embraer Phenom and a Bombardier Challenger 3500, will premiere at the new facility when it opens in the second quarter of 2025. According to CAE, the decision was made to address growing demand for highly skilled aviation professionals in Europe. “We are seeing great interest for Bombardier Global 6000 Vision and 7500 training, and the Global 7500 full-flight simulator will be the first one in Europe providing access to training for this state-of-the-art aircraft,” says Alexandre Prevost, CAE’s business aviation division president.

June 13, 2024

Tecnam P2012 STOL Earns Steep Approach Certification

Tecnam’s P2012 STOL aircraft has received EASA certification for steep approaches up to 10 deg. According to Tecnam, the P2012 is the only twin-piston aircraft with STOL capabilities that comply with the latest certification amendments, offering a maximum gross weight of 8,113 lb. and a useful load of 2,626 lb. Tecnam boasts the P2012 STOL as tailored for “extreme operational constraints.” The P2012 STOL comes equipped with Garmin’s G1000 NXi avionics system, GFC700 autopilot and ADS-B IN/OUT.
 

June 12, 2024

Phenix Jet Cayman Sets New World Speed Record

Phenix Jet Cayman (Hong Kong) announced the breaking of a new world speed record between Toyko and Los Angeles in 8 hr. and 15 min. onboard a Bombardier Global 7500. According to Phenix Jet Cayman, the charter has set seven world speed records in 2024 alone. “With the Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft, customers don’t ever have to compromise between opting for outstanding speed or top field performance. This incredible aircraft simply offers both,” says Emmanuel Bornand, vice president of international sales at Bombardier.

June 11, 2024

VOO, GlobeAir Partner To Offer Instant Flight Booking

VOO and GlobeAir are collaborating to offer instant charter flight booking through VOO’s online platform. The collaboration combines VOO’s platform with GlobeAir’s API with static pricing to provide a streamlined flight booking process. According to VOO, the combined functionality will become available shortly after the conclusion of EBACE 2024, which ended May 30. In addition to a streamlined process, bookings made through the platform are then synchronized with GlobeAir’s Flight Management System, creating a consistently accurate flight organization, according to the company.

June 10, 2024

Jet Aviation Unveils First Innovation Space in Basel

Jet Aviation launched its first in-house experimental showroom at its facility in Basel, Switzerland. The space mimics the interior of a narrowbody aircraft, where customers can experience simulated cabin noise environments and test personalized cabin configurations. “Creating this experimental space in-house allows us to continue to explore new technologies and enhance our offerings as we strive to create beautifully bespoke interior cabin experiences for our customers,” says Christoph Fondalinski, Jet Aviation’s vice president of completions.

June. 7, 2024

Gama Aviation Completes Parking Apron In Sharjah

Gama Aviation announced the completion of a 36,000 ^m2 parking apron at its upcoming business aviation center at Sharjah International Airport. According to Gama, the facility will support a range of business jet types, helicopters and eVTOL air systems. The facility is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2025, featuring a 14,000 ^m2 air-conditioned hangar, a VVIP terminal and enhanced in-house MRO capabilities. Gama states the facility will allow for taxi times as low as six minutes with zero slot restrictions.

June 6, 2024

Nomad Aviation Adds G650ER To Charter Fleet

Nomad Aviation announced the addition of a Gulfstream G650ER to its charter fleet. The 14-passenger jet boasts a range of 7,500 nm and includes high-speed Ku-band internet, according to the company. The G650ER is based in Switzerland and will join the charter’s fleet, which includes jets such as the Gulfstream G450, the Bombardier Global 5000 and an Airbus ACJ319. According to Christoph Thurnherr, Nomad’s vice president of aircraft management and charter sales, this marks the charter’s second G650 and will support demand during a busy spring and summer season.

June 5, 2024

Neptune Aviation Awarded U.S. Forest Service Contract

Neptune Aviation Services announced is reception of a Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for three of its BAe 146 aircraft during the 2024 wildfire season. According to Neptune, the contract includes a base year with four one-year options with a 160-day guaranteed Mandatory Availability Periods (MAPs). With the addition of this contract, Neptune’s entire fleet of nine air tankers are now under exclusive-use contracts.

June 4, 2024

Satcom Direct Ka-Band Terminal Receives First STC

Satcom Direct’s (SD) Plane Simple Ka-band terminal received its first FAA Supplemental Type Certification for a Gulfstream G650. According to SD, the terminal provides high-speed broadband internet for passenger and crew devices and connects with existing Viasat GX satellites. The STC was attained in collaboration with Gulfstream Aerospace and is available at Gulfstream and Jet Aviation Service Centers.

June 3, 2024

Bombardier Inaugurates New Lounge In Principality Of Monaco

Bombardier opened a new Aviator Lounge at the Monaco Yacht Club on May 13, 2024. The lounge, officially inaugurated by H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco, was conceived by Paris-based architect Andrea Mosca using Bombardier’s new branding. Bombardier’s regional sales team will host guests at the lounge, expanding the team’s presence across Europe. Bombardier operates service centers in London-Biggin Hill and Berlin, as well as five Line Maintenance Stations.