Falcon Aviation, the UAE’s leading aviation company specialising in business aviation services, charter and aircraft management, is expanding its MRO activity in the growing turboprop market with a Pilatus PC-12 service centre at its Al Bateen Executive Airport Hangar facility.

Under the warranty services of Pilatus Aircraft and with the backing of AMAC Aerospace, the OEM’s exclusive sales representative in the Middle East*, Falcon Aviation has ratified a new partnership agreement with PC-12 charter operator GI Aviation to provide line and base maintenance, plus regional AOG support.

In a letter today to the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) responded to several assertions made in support of ATC privatization at last week’s Subcommittee hearing to review the Department of Transportation’s FY2018 budget request.  “There are serious ramifications for general aviation in proposals to privatize our nation’s air traffic control system,” stated NATA Executive Vice President for Government Affairs William Deere, “and it is important the Committee have the complete set of facts.”

“With these new facilities and added capabilities at Boston/Bedford, Jet Aviation is truly taking a big step into the future of premium service for our customers and the community here,” said Jet Aviation President Rob Smith. “The new ‘state-of-the-art’ facilities are designed and built to improve safety and efficiency, and are also more protective of the environment. We are working with the United States Green Building Council to gain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.”

“Recognizing the quality of USI’s curriculum suites, and the powerful support of the ARGUS name, Northwestern Michigan College has recently made an unprecedented endorsement of this group,” said Alex Bloye, NMC’s Director of Aviation “Our partnership creates a direct pathway from high school programs using the USI curriculum to NMC’s nationally ranked Unmanned Systems Program, and ultimately to an amazing career in an industry hungry for highly trained talent.”

“The entire Rectrix team is so pleased to achieve this milestone and mark the moment here in Worcester. Our Aerodrome facility at ORH has been a source of tremendous growth for us since it opened in late 2015—and designating this airport as our maintenance base-of-operations this past year was indicative of that success,” said Rectrix CEO Richard Cawley. “We are committed to being a partner to Massport and Worcester and look forward to seeing continued success at ORH in the coming years as the airport’s new CAT III instrument landing system comes into operation.” 

London Oxford Airport is enticing recreational flyers of light general aviation aircraft to visit their airfield with a series of new incentives valid for six months from May to October 2017.

Category A single-engined piston aircraft under 2.73 tonnes in weight (the largest type in this category being equivalent to a Piper Malibu or Meridian) can land for just £10 (including VAT) or FREE if they uplift 45 litres or more of Avgas.

Furthermore, GA visitors to London Oxford Airport before November will also receive a special Grass Parking rate of £10 per day (including VAT) and, if booked in advance, ILS approaches will cost just £5 (VAT included). However, the airport specifies there will be no discount for touch and goes.

“At Baker Aviation, safety is at the foundation of all of our services,” said Baker Aviation President, Stan Baker. “Our steadfast dedication to passenger safety and security is supported by a comprehensive and ongoing program of internal review and audits.  Our membership heightens the validity of our commitment to safety, and we’re very pleased to have the support of the ACSF.” 

As the Dubai government’s business aviation hub at Al Maktoum International Airport within Dubai World Central (DWC) begins to take shape, Jet Aviation and its joint venture partner, the Al Mulla Business Group, are outfitting a brand new facility in the shared terminal at Dubai South. Jet Aviation plans to go operational at the world’s largest purpose-built VIP Terminal in Q3 2017, and intends to hold a Grand Opening at the Dubai Airshow in November 2017.

“The Malta operation is an ideal complement to our Swiss and German operations — and a very strategic addition to our aircraft management and charter business in EMEA,” says Jürg Reuthinger, senior vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation’s aircraft management and charter operations in EMEA and Asia. “Adding an additional AOC in the European Union, Jet Aviation customers benefit from further flexibility in their choice of registrations and operation."

FAI rent-a-jet Aktiengesellschaft (dba Flight Ambulance Intl.) was awarded the prestigious 2017 Gold Safety of Flight Award by the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) during the EBACE Convention’s 40^th annual event in Geneva, Switzerland. The Gold Award is awarded to member companies operating business aircraft for forty years or 80,000 hours without an accident.  

As the final day of the 2017 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2017) wrapped up, organizers said the show was one of the most successful in recent memory, reinforcing its reputation as the industry’s most important event in Europe.

EBACE is jointly hosted by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). This year’s show took place from May 22 to 24 at Geneva’s Palexpo conference center and Geneva International Airport.

“Anyone who spent the last week at EBACE can see the passion and professionalism that define this industry,” said EBAA CEO Brandon Mitchener. “This show was full of energy and excitement for the future, with amazing technology on display, in-depth policy discussions and more than a few deals closed.”

“With our Platinum Rating in place we’ve avoided short notice, less diligent audits occupying our staff and their valuable time. One of our most considerable charter programs from an entertainment company in Hollywood, CA was just approved without sending their own auditors because of our ARGUS Platinum Rating,” said Martin Lener, CEO of Tyrolean Jet Services. “Audits like ARGUS raise us above the heavy competition in a volatile market these days.”

At the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA-intl.org) awarded an inaugural TAG Global Training scholarship to Beth Walker. As the scholarship winner, Walker will receive a week's training at TAG Global Training in the UK and will earn her EASA Cabin Crew Attestation.

“We are very proud to have achieved this important recognition again as we continually work hard to meet international expectations. The timing is perfect and demonstrate that the services we provide are as good as any international business aviation company, despite the challenges of operating in Africa,” says Pereira. “It’s been a challenging couple of years for business aviation with the fluctuating oil prices affecting business. However we have seen this as a time to improve our standards across the board, as well as keep training our staff, and improving what we can do for our international clients,” said Nuno Pereira, Managing Director of Bestfly.

 “I am delighted to join the Acropolis Aviation team and look after charter sales on the flagship Airbus ACJ319 G-NOAH.  The aircraft is as beautiful and as popular for long haul VIP charters today as when it first arrived at Farnborough in 2010. This is testimony to the great care and attention the dedicated team place on the aircraft.  Acropolis was a very appealing opportunity to make the switch from charter brokerage because of their firm focus on customer service, and always going that extra mile for clients.”  

Airbus Corporate Jets has launched a private jet version of its new A330neo, which combines new-generation engines and aerodynamic and other improvements to deliver even more comfort, efficiency and true “nonstop to the world” range. Called the ACJ330neo, it will fly 25 passengers 9,400 nm/17,400 km or 20 hours, enough to fly nonstop from Europe to Australia.

DC Aviation, one of Germany’s largest business jet operators and one of the leading operators in Europe, was again recognized for its excellent safety performance. At this year’s EBACE, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) honored DC Aviation with the 2017 Diamond Safety of Flight Award for surpassing 100,000 hours of safe flying. DC Aviation is one in a small group of operators ever to receive this award.

With the level of political uncertainty in Europe at an all time high many brokers and operators are considering the implications of Brexit and what the future holds. Many indicators are currently showing the level of flight bookings is either flat or minimal growth.  With such an uncertain background BACA is determined to work in the best interests of its members at all times. The Association sees itself as a global organisation with a strong European presence, and will continue to act on all aspects of flights within European states.

AMAC Aerospace is pleased to announce that a completion contract for a VVIP completion of an Airbus ACJ320neo has been awarded by Acropolis Aviation, to AMAC’s headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.

This will be the first Airbus A320neo delivered by Airbus Corporate Jets for VVIP configuration. The launch customer for the ACJ320neo, Acropolis Aviation, is enhancing its bespoke aviation services with the addition of this VVIP aircraft. Building on the success of its existing Airbus ACJ319, the ACJ320neo will provide additional range via new high-efficiency engines and the addition of drag-reducing sharklets.

Satcom Direct (SD), the business aviation connectivity solutions provider, announces at EBACE that it has signed a new exclusive provider agreement with Air Alsie, the Denmark-headquartered aircraft charter, ambulance operator and management company. The agreement marks the first time that SD and Air Alsie have partnered, and will position SD as a single source supplying a range of connectivity services across the Air Alsie fleet.