Aviation News in Brief 2 December 2020

Embraer delivers first of Praetor 600 fleet to Flexjet: Embraer has delivered the first jet in a fleet of Praetor 600s to Flexjet. The aircraft will be used for the company’s operations in Europe. Flexjet is the Praetor fleet launch customer, having received the first-ever Praetor 500 less than a year ago, in December 2019. The deal, valued at up to US$1.4 billion, was announced at NBAA-BACE 2019 and comprises a fleet of Praetor 600s, Praetor 500s, and Phenom 300s. “We are honoured to further execute on our commitment to Flexjet, our esteemed partner of over 17 years, with the delivery of this first Praetor 600 to our long-standing fleet customer,” said Michael Amalfitano, president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets. “It’s a privilege to collaborate on the introduction of not only the most disruptive and technologically advanced super-midsize jet in the world but also on delivering the ultimate experience in business aviation to Flexjet Owners in Europe.” Embraer and Flexjet enjoy a long-standing, successful partnership. In 2003, Flight Options — which merged with Flexjet in 2015 — became the first fractional ownership programme to introduce the Legacy Executive Jet. In 2010, they introduced the Phenom 300, and in 2012 the company took delivery of Embraer’s milestone 100th Phenom 300. Then in 2015, Flexjet became the first fractional provider to offer the Legacy 500, later taking delivery of Embraer’s milestone 1000th business jet — a Legacy 500 — in 2016. The Legacy 450 then joined the Flexjet fleet in 2016. UAS engine maker Sky Power expands generator controls portfolio: After introducing the new generator control system SGC 352, the German engine manufacturer Sky Power is adding another system, the SGC 081. This starter generator control unit can be used for engines with fuel injection as well as for engines with carburettors. “The additional Starter Generator Control SGC 081 is lighter than the generator control system we introduced previously. The communication with the engine is also via hall effect sensors,” explains Karsten Schudt, managing director of Sky Power. The SGC 081 can not only be used to start the combustion engine, but also during generator mode for battery charging. Depending on the cooling, the new system can deliver 30A/60V, with an output of maximum 0,5kW. The SGC 081 weights 250g (0,55lbs). The new control system has already been successfully used in the field in several projects. Sky Power manufactures 2-stroke combustion and Wankel engines for Unmanned Aerial Systems and hybrid applications. Leonardo supplies AW119Kx choppers to police in Brazil: Leonardo announced that the Polícia Rodoviária Federal (PRF) of Brazil will introduce into service six AW119Kx single engine helicopters. The first aircraft is expected to be introduced in Brazil beginning next year, with the delivery of the remainder helicopters to the operator planned to be completed by mid-2021. The AW119Kxs will be operated by the Air Operations Division (DOA) from its bases in the five regions of Brazil to perform a range of missions including transport, rescue, emergency medical service, firefighting, surveillance and law enforcement. The selection of the AW119Kx by the PRF was made following a rigorous assessment of technical capabilities to best meet the law enforcement agency’s needs. The handover of these helicopters will further expand the fleet of Leonardo helicopters used by law enforcement, rescue and public service operators across Brazil which already includes the AW119 single engine type in addition to the AW109 light twin and AW139 intermediate twin models. The helicopters will feature an advanced customised configuration including, among others, a Garmin G1000NXi glass cockpit, an infrared capable electro-optics system, rescue hoist, cargo hook, bambi bucket to counter fires, rappelling kit on both sides for special forces operations, advanced communication systems. To date there are over 190 Leonardo helicopters of various types operating in Brazil performing many roles including: corporate/private transport, law enforcement, public services, offshore transport, and naval applications. Rex subsidiary Pel-Air receives King Air for air ambulance service: Australian regional carrier Rex announced that its subsidiary Pel-Air has taken delivery of the first of five Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft for the NSW Ambulance fixed-wing patient transport service commencing Air Ambulance operations in January 2022. Pel-Air was awarded this contract in February 2020. The aircraft will undergo modifications locally, to meet the very stringent requirements of NSW Ambulance. This will allow the aircraft to carry out a range of operations like standard patient transfers, Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service operations, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation operations, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump operations, Bariatric patient operations, over-water aeromedical transfers and major incident responses. The King Air 350 aircraft, with serial number FM-88, will be registered as VH-AMD. This aircraft registration was historically a NSW Ambulance registration but was released over the years. Pel-Air managed to secure this aircraft registration again for NSW Ambulance and wishes to thank the former owner for agreeing to the transfer of registration for future NSW State Ambulance services. Fly Gangwon selects Sabre for GDS partner: Sabre announced that new low-cost South Korean carrier Fly Gangwon has selected Sabre to be its first global GDS partner to deliver flight content to hundreds of thousands of travel agents worldwide, while powering recovery, reaching new customer segments and driving higher sales. Launched in 2016 and making its inaugural flight during 2019, Yangyang-based Fly Gangwon flies domestically as well as regionally to the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam and has ambitious future expansion plans to scale operations to Vietnam and China. Being part of Sabre’s extensive, global GDS network will make Fly Gangwon’s content available to travel agents for the first time, enabling the carrier to target a broader geographic market, to reach new customer segments and secure higher yield business. GEODIS names APAC regional MD: Twenty-five year logistics veteran, Eric Herman, joins GEODIS to strengthen the supply chain operator’s growth in contract logistics throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Herman’s extensive logistics experience in supply chain strategy, operations and capacity assessments, as well as network and facility design will support GEODIS’ increased focus on Contract Logistics in APAC. He joins GEODIS from CBRE GROUP’s Supply Chain Advisory Asia where he was a senior consultant. His previous career includes running Puma Energy in Indonesia; leading Contract Logistics & Business Development for CWT Ltd, and various management roles in ocean carrier Maersk. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience from working across many industry verticals. Emirates wins awards: Emirates has been named as the World’s Leading Airline in three major categories at the World Travel Awards 2020: World’s Leading Economy Class, Airline Rewards Programme and Airline Lounge – Business Class. Earlier, Emirates also took home four regional World Travel Awards for the Middle East’s Leading Airline Brand; Middle East’s Leading Airline Lounge – Business Class; Middle East’s Leading Airline Rewards Programme and Middle East’s Leading Airline Website. The airline took top rankings across both the global and regional categories based on a record voter turnout from tourism consumers, a testament to its ongoing efforts and focused approach to continually enhance the customer experience in spite of challenges posed by the global pandemic. Etihad starts direct flights to Beijing: Etihad Airways will commence another service from China with flights from Beijing to Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, from 7 December. The service will operate with a weekly flight using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, featuring Etihad’s award-winning Business and Economy cabins. Etihad resumed services between Abu Dhabi and Shanghai in late July this year, which has helped meet the large demand from travellers in the UAE, China, and other countries in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. With the second weekly flight added to Etihad’s global network, the airline becomes the only carrier in the MENA region operating non-stop passenger flights departing from both Shanghai and Beijing. BOC Aviation delivers A321neos to Middle East Airlines: BOC Aviation announced that it has delivered the first two of five new Airbus A321NEO aircraft for lease to Middle East Airlines. The aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G-JM engines. Robert Martin, managing director and CEO of BOC Aviation, said: “We are very pleased to deliver our first pair of new Airbus A321NEO aircraft on lease to Middle East Airlines, with whom we share a long-term relationship that spans more than 20 years. This delivery is testament to the strong cooperation we share with industry-leading airlines such as Middle East Airlines, especially in this challenging environment. We look forward to working with our customers to provide more fuel-efficient and technologically advanced aircraft solutions in the future. TAG Aviation welcomes two aircraft to its Asia fleet: TAG Aviation welcomed a new Gulfstream G600 and a new Bombardier Global 7500 to its Asia fleet in the fourth quarter of 2020. TAG Aviation is one of the few operators in the region managing the two newest aircraft models from Gulfstream and Bombardier. The arrival of these state-of-the-art jets confirms the confidence owners have in TAG Aviation’s world renowned expertise in private and business aviation. The new Gulfstream G600 has just entered into service and is one of the first delivered to Asia. It joins a comprehensive fleet of more than 20 Gulfstream aircraft under TAG Aviation management in Asia, which includes a G280, G450, G550, and G650/G650ER aircraft, all maintained and operated to the highest regulatory, safety and security standards. The new Bombardier Global 7500 is the second in TAG Aviation’s Asia fleet and joins more than 20 other Bombardier aircraft including Challenger 604, 605 and 850 aircraft as well as Global 5000, XRS, 6000 and 7500 models. With TAG Aviation’s Hong Kong maintenance organization appointment as a Bombardier Authorized Service Facility earlier this year, TAG Aviation is well placed to support Bombardier aircraft owners. The appointment include services for the Bombardier Global 5000 GVFD, Global 6000 GVFD, Global 7500, and the Challenger 605. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]