Beechcraft Delivers 4,000th Model 36 Bonanza

Saturday, June 8th, 2013

Bonanza is the only aircraft in history to remain in continuous production for 66 years

Beechcraft Corporation today held a special ceremony to deliver the 4,000th Model 36 Beechcraft Bonanza: a G36 owned by Segall Group of Baltimore, Md. The Bonanza is the longest continuously produced aircraft in history and more than 18,000 Model 35, 33 and 36 units have been delivered since 1947.

During the ceremony at the company’s Customer Delivery Center in Wichita, Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture presented the Bonanza G36 featuring a commemorative N4000L tail number to Segall Group, a retail brokerage firm based in Baltimore, Md.

“We welcome Segall Group to the Beechcraft family and proudly present the keys to the 4,000th unit of our Model 36 Bonanza,” Boisture said. “As first-time business aircraft owners, Segall Group looked for the latest technology and cabin refinements in an airframe with proven performance and reliability – their research led them to our current production G36.”

Segall Group will use the aircraft to conduct site visits and client meetings while developing shopping centers and brokering real estate deals in the mid-Atlantic region for national retail and restaurant companies. The company’s chief pilot is José R. Santana, who also serves as associate vice president of Retail Sales & Leasing. Two other executives are also pilots: CEO Andrew G. Segall and Chairman Mark S. Segall.

“For several years we’ve leased aircraft for specific trips throughout the mid-Atlantic that would be impossible to make efficiently if driving or flying commercially,” Santana said. “A business aircraft is a tool that adds flexibility and gives us the capability to expand our geographic footprint and our services. As our transportation needs grew and we began taking clients with us on site visits, we realized ownership was the next step. We looked for an airplane that matched the feel of our brand and our image, and the Beechcraft Bonanza is the top-of-the-line aircraft in its category with an outstanding reputation. The G36 has the handling characteristics and robust avionics to give us confidence in flying our employees and our clients, and the spaciousness and quality of the cabin really won us over.”

The Bonanza G36 is a six-seat piston aircraft with a cabin almost a third larger than its nearest competitor. Powered by a 300-horsepower Continental IO-550-B engine with a Hartzell three-blade aluminum alloy propeller, the Bonanza G36 has a maximum cruise speed of 202 miles per hour (176 knots), maximum range of more than 860 nautical miles, 860-pound maximum payload and 18,500-foot service ceiling. The glass cockpit features Garmin G1000® avionics and a Garmin GFC 700 3-Axis Autopilot/Flight Control System.

Beechcraft Delivers 4,000th Model 36 Bonanza

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Business Jet Flying Up in May, but Turboprop Activity Down

Friday, June 7th, 2013

The rise in business jet activity in the U.S. last month wasn’t enough to overcome losses in the turboprop sector, causing overall business aircraft flying to decline for the fourth consecutive month–this time by 2 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to TraqPak data released yesterday by aviation services company Argus. Continuing a trend seen since January, Part 135 was the only operational category to experience a gain in flying activity, with a10.7-percent increase in May versus a year ago. “JetOptions saw an increase of 6% over last years business jet activity in the same period” explained Gus Lira, JetOptions Vice President of Sales, “and although early in the month we see the trend continuing for June.”  This also marks the operational category’s eighth consecutive monthly increase. Part 91 activity fell the hardest, dropping by 7.2 percent year-over-year, while fractional flying slid by 6.7 percent, Argus said. By aircraft category, large-cabin jet flying led with a 6.2-percent gain last month versus a year ago. Light- and midsize jets saw modest increases in activity–1.4 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively. The turboprop segment experienced the only decline last month, decreasing by 9.5 percent. There were several double-digit gains in individual market segments, including 14.9-percent and 17.7-percent increases in Part 135 midsize and large-cabin jet activity, respectively. Though the operational category was down overall, large-cabin fractional flying soared by 14.5 percent. On the other end of the spectrum, fractional turboprop flying dived by 23.1 percent year-over-year. Argus TraqPak data provides “serial-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S.”

JetOptions saw an increase in charter activity last month

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Landmark and Signature Prepare for NetJets Dispute

Saturday, June 1st, 2013

by Curt Epstein - Aviation International News

A legal battle is under way between the nation’s largest private aviation provider and two of the major FBO chains over whether NetJets’ aircraft charter and management arm, Executive Jet Management, can require the chains to provide fuel discounts to aircraft owners and operators whose aircraft are not part of the company’s fully managed fleet. In April, NetJets filed lawsuits against Landmark Aviation and Signature Flight Support in an attempt to force the two service providers to continue to offer contracted high-volume fuel discounts to corporate flight departments and other clients enrolled only in EJM’s Support Services program. The service providers say that because members of that program are not part of NetJets’ fully managed fleet, they are not eligible for such preferred pricing.

When NetJets launched Support Services at the NBAA Convention last October, it described the program as providing flight departments and aircraft owners with a suite of services that offer cost savings via discounts leveraged by the buying power of NetJets and its subsidiaries.

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European Business Aviation is carrying fewer passengers in 2013

Tuesday, May 28th, 2013

European business aviation departures for the duration of January to April have actually declined 6.4 % from 2011 to 2013, according to Avinode, the world’s biggest marketplace for air charter. While Europe has faced two consecutive years of decline, the U.S. market has actually delighted in two years of growth. In Europe the variety of aircraft departures fell 3.8 % in the first 4 months of 2013 from the exact same duration in 2012, while the U.S. expanded by 1.6 % for the period. This is the 2nd year that U.S and European fortunes have actually diverged.

Exactly what has driven Europe’s decreasing fortunes?

Analysis of Eurocontrol data shows a 4.3 % decline in intra-European business jet movements, which make up 74 % of all business jet motions on the European continent. Air travels from European destinations, to the rest of the world nonetheless, are on the increase, with a year-over-year boost of 3.8 % in the first third of 2013. It is clear from analysis of Eurocontrol information that this decrease is driven by decreases in both business jet charter and general aeronautics flights. General aeronautics air travels, which account for 63 % of European business jet motions, have been hardest struck revealing a two-year decline of 7.0 % for the first four months of 2013. Business jet charter air travels, at the same time, revealed a decrease of 6.0 % for the exact same period. Fortunes throughout Europe have varied. Amongst those nations reporting even more than 3,000 business jet motions each year, Turkey, Ireland and Sweden have shown the most year-over-year growth in the first four months of 2013. On the other end of the scale the Czech Republic, Greece and Poland have reported the largest decreases. Effectiveness, on the other hand, seems growing in Europe. In the first four months of 2013 the portion of kilometers flown with passengers increased by 4 portion indicate 71 % in the last two years. The share of flights across airplane categories has actually changed bit in between 2012 and 2013. The entry level, light, super light, and midsize jet classifications have actually revealed small decreases in the first four months of 2013, while the very midsize and heavy jet categories have shown some development. The one persistent standout is the ultra long variety jet category, which has revealed a 10 % boost in actual flight motions during the duration. An approximated 1.6 million business aeronautics passengers have flown with Europe in the past 12 months. The overall variety of European business jet passengers has signed up a year-over-year decrease of 5.4 % for the January to April duration over the last two years. This carefully follows the 6.4 % decrease in actual flight movements suggesting that the rise in bigger plane we’ve seen throughout this period has not offset the decline in total plane movements. On the light end, the entry level jets carry on ordinary 2 passengers per air travel, while the light, very light, incredibly and midsize midsize jets carry approximately 3 passengers per air travel. Ultra long array jets, on the other hand, hold only 3 to 4 passengers on ordinary per air travel. In terms of various plane models the Falcon 900 holds the most passengers with about 5.5 travelers per air travel. The Citation Mustang, on the other hand, carries the least with an average of only 2.1 passengers per trip. The Citation Excel is Europe’s most popular business jet in terms of flown passengers with an approximated 171 000 over the last 12 months. Unsurprisingly, the Citation Excel is also the most popular airplane in terms of air travels. While individual models have enjoyed some success over the past few years the regional fortunes within Europe have not fared. Lots of nations have actually stagnated or revealed outright declines, and it has become clear that the lighter end of the business jet sector has not yet developed enough to meet on its guarantee of converting premium industrial passengers into business air travel consumers. The hope then is that the growth the U.S. has experienced over the last 2 years will show transmittable for Europe.

European Business Aviation carries fewer passengers in 2013

General aviation air travels, which account for 63 % of European business jet movements, have been hardest struck revealing a two-year decrease of 7.0 % for the first four months of 2013. Business jet charter flights, at the same time, showed a decline of 6.0 % for the exact same duration. The entry level, light, very light, and midsize jet classifications have actually shown minor declines in the first four months of 2013, while the very midsize and heavy jet categories have actually shown some growth. The overall number of European business jet passengers has registered a year-over-year decline of 5.4 % for the January to April period over the last 2 years. On the light end, the entry level jets hold on typical 2 passengers per air travel, while the light, extremely light, midsize and super midsize jets carry around 3 passengers per air travel.

 

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European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) 2013 in Geneva a Success

Saturday, May 25th, 2013

European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) 2013 in Geneva a Success

As the 2013 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2013) closed Thursday, organizers reported that the show’s success demonstrated its continuing importance.
As EBACE2013 concluded, organizers reported that 12,353 delegates attended the event, a figure on par with attendance figures for recent years. EBACE Attendees had an opportunity to visit 460 Exhibitors – a count comparable to that for 2012, and the third-highest number in the event’s 13-year history. The EBACE2013 Static Display of Aircraft, which showcased 52 aircraft, had more square footage than ever, and was sold out with a waiting list. As always, the show was also viewed by Exhibitors as a premier news-making venue: About 30 press conferences were held during the show’s three days, and more than 400 reporters, from news organizations around the world, were registered to attend and cover the news Exhibitors made at EBACE2013.  These figures led the show hosts – the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) – to characterize EBACE2013 as a real success.
EBAA CEO Fabio Gamba said, “What I saw at EBACE2013 was an industry that is not only addressing the economic situation in this region, but one that is taking the necessary steps to ensure that business aviation remains essential in Europe.”

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen agreed, stating, “Just like last year, EBACE has proven to be of great value to the business aviation community – it has been a place where the industry has rallied together, made new announcements and set a positive tone, all of which has the business aviation community looking forward to the future.” JetOptions is a member of NBAA and Vice President Gus Lira attended the event in Geneva.

EBAA President Brian Humphries said, “As we conclude EBACE, one thing remains clear: EBACE continues to be the single-most important European event on the industry’s calendar, and the best opportunity for buyers and sellers to connect in Europe.”

The 2013 show kicked off with the traditional Opening General Session that featured top aviation authorities discussing the state of the industry in Europe.

As in past years, education and safety were also important themes for EBACE2013. On May 20, before the show’s official start, a well-attended, one-day EBACE Safety Workshop provided critical safety information to operators, with a particular focus on human performance factors, while an EBACE Cabin Crew Symposium addressed safety, security, service and training issues relevant to business aviation cabin crew operations. An EBACE International Aircraft Transactions Seminar offered insights from leading experts about the financial, cultural, legal and transactional issues that impact buyers and sellers of business aircraf

Throughout the show, a host of Educational Sessions – always a part of EBACE – offered guidance on everything from government policies affecting the industry, through new technologies for business aircraft use, to specific business aviation trends unfolding within the European region.

On the show’s final day, a delegation of more than 30 CEOs from area companies joined EBAA and NBAA at EBACE for a briefing on how business aviation can help their companies compete and succeed, followed by a tour of the Exhibit floor and the Static Display of Aircraft. The show organizers coordinated the CEOs’ visit to EBACE with the French/Swiss Chamber of Commerce.

The business aviation industry’s future needs were also addressed at the EBACE2013 Student Day, a dedicated seminar providing students with current and reliable information about the business aviation industry, granting them a valuable perspective on the opportunities that the industry may offer them. A delegation of 40 university students from Spain, Belgium and Switzerland spent the day at EBACE2013, received a site tour and viewed the Exhibit floor and Static Display of Aircraft at their leisure.

EBACE2013 was held May 21 to 23, and the event’s 14th annual gathering will return to Geneva next year from May 20 to 22, 2014. For more information, photos from the show, Twitter feeds and a downloadable EBACE app, visit www.ebace.aero.

European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) 2013 in Geneva a Success

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National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Applications for Scholarships Benefiting Students Now Online

Monday, May 13th, 2013

NBAA offers a wide range of scholarships for current and aspiring business aviation professionals, and in the coming year will provide nearly $100,000 for cash awards for tomorrow’s industry leaders.

Applications for five of these scholarships are now available online, with awards available for college sophomores, juniors and seniors who are preparing for a career in business aviation. The scholarships with upcoming application deadlines are:

NBAA scholarship recipients often move on to more successful careers in business aviation. Since the scholarship program was launched during NBAA’s 1992 Convention, the Association has awarded several million dollars in monetary and training scholarships, said Jay Evans, NBAA director of professional development.

“It’s all part of a commitment by NBAA and its membership to attract more young people to work in business aviation and to help professionals already working in the industry grow and advance in their careers,” said Evans. “It’s a very big program right now, and a lot of people have benefited.”

While eligibility qualifications vary depending on the scholarship, all require that applicants supply at least one letter of recommendation and a written essay or statement explaining why he or she is seeking a scholarship.

Given the ever-changing needs of the industry, NBAA welcomes new scholarship sponsors. All the money donated in support of scholarships is tax-deductible. NBAA also is interested in setting up an educational endowment.

Over the years, NBAA and several of its Members have established scholarships to honor notable individuals in business aviation.

For example, NBAA and Conklin & de Decker established the Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship to benefit undergraduates pursuing careers in business aviation management at NBAA- and UAA-affiliated institutions. The scholarship was created to honor the memory of Al Conklin, U.S. Air Force veteran, co-founder of Conklin & de Decker and a business aviation leader for more than 60 years.

The Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship was created in 2001 by NBAA and the family and friends of the late Lawrence Ginocchio to honor his outstanding personal contribution to the business aviation community. The scholarship benefits undergraduate students officially enrolled at NBAA/UAA-member institutions. Notably, applicants should not only possess a passion for aviation, as Larry Ginocchio did, but also have utilized their interest or involvement in business aviation to enhance the lives of others.

In addition to monetary scholarships, NBAA also offers nearly $300,000 a year in training awards for industry working professionals, including pilots, maintenance personnel, schedulers, dispatchers, flight attendants and flight technicians. Training scholarships generally come in the form of a donated training event sponsored by various companies, and they typically are administered by an NBAA standing committee. “JetOptions is a member of NBAA and we support the scholarship programs that NBAA offers” said Gus Lira, JetOptions Private Jets Vice President.

Scholarships for working professionals include:

  • Schedulers & Dispatchers Scholarship
  • Donald A. Baldwin Sr. Business Aviation Management Scholarship
  • Leadership Conference Scholarship
  • International Operators Scholarship
  • Maintenance TRACS
  • Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Scholarship

Scholarship application deadlines vary, and new applications are posted on a rolling basis throughout the year. For the latest application deadlines and an overview of each scholarship, visit www.nbaa.org/scholarships.

JetOptions Private Jets is a member of NBAA

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JETNET Releases March 2013 and 1st Quarter 2013 Pre-Owned Business Jet, Business Turboprop, Helicopter and Commercial Airliner Market Information

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

JETNET

UTICA, NY – JETNET LLC, the leading provider of corporate aviation information, has released March 2013 and 1st Quarter 2013 results for the pre-owned business jet, business turboprop, helicopter and commercial airliner markets.

Market Summary Highlighted in Table A are key worldwide trends across all aircraft market segments comparing March 2013 to March 2012. Fleet For Sale percentages for business jet and business turboprop market sectors were down in the March comparisons, but increased slightly in the helicopter markets.

Business jets are showing a slow start in the 1st quarter of 2013, with a 4.2% decrease in pre-owned sale transactions, and are taking more time to sell (71 days longer) than last year, with a 3.3% decrease in average asking price. Business turboprops decreased 8.8% in pre-owned sale transactions, with a double-digit increase in average asking price of 18.7%.

Both turbine and piston helicopters saw double-digit declines in sale transactions YTD, at 34.8% and 21.5% respectively. Turbine helicopters recorded a double-digit decrease in average asking price at 38.4% in the YTD comparisons through March 2013. Commercial airliners are reported here for the first time by JETNET in Table A – Worldwide Trends, and include For Sale numbers for both commercial jets (includes airliners converted to VIP) and commercial turboprop aircraft. The number of pre-owned commercial airliner sale transactions, 469 for the 1st quarter of 2013, showed a doubledigit increase of 21.2% compared to the 1st quarter of 2012. However, commercial turboprop sale transactions declined by 25% in the same 1st quarter comparisons. Also, the average days on the market increased by more than 114 days for commercial airliners, and 7 days for commercial turboprop aircraft in the same quarterly comparisons. Both were on the market for more than a year before selling.

Worldwide Trends
March

Business Aircraft

Helicopters

Commercial Airliners

Jet

 T/P

 Turbine

Piston

Jet

T/P

In-Operation Fleet

19,036

13,845

19,142

9,405

24,537

9,603
For Sale

2,494

1,079

1,213

582

605

403
% of Fleet For Sale 2013

13.1%

7.8%

6.3%

6.2%

2.5%

4.2%
% of Fleet For Sale 2012

13.8%

9.2%

6.2%

5.9%

n/a

n/a
Change -% For Sale

(-0.7) pt

(-1.4) pt

.1 pt

.3 pt
January to March 2013
Full Sale Transactions

526

300

229

194

469

120
Average Days on Market

403

296

434

296

452

366
Avg. Asking Prices -$USD mil

$4.005

$1.559

$0.891

$0.220
Y-T-D January to March 2013 vs 2012  
% Change -Sale Transactions

-4.2%

-8.8%

-34.8%

-21.5%

21.2%

-25.0%

Change -Avg. Days on Market

71

-20

25

-30

114

7
% Change -Avg. Asking Prices

-3.3%

18.7%

-38.4%

-1.3%

Source: JETNET

 

Download the full report (PDF)

 

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Signature Flight Support to handle helicopter traffic into London Gatwick

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

Signature Flight Support once again will handle all helicopter traffic into London Gatwick Airport for the first time since 2001.

The announcement coincides with the re-opening of the helicopter aiming point by the airport this month. The HAP enables commercial and business aviation operations to land helicopters at Gatwick without having to request runway slots or taxi on the runway. Read more about this story by  Editor- Orlando Business Journal

Signature Flight Support once again will handle all helicopter traffic into London Gatwick Airport

 

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The Alliance for Aviation Across America Releases Letter from 70 Mayors to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on the Potential Closure of Contract Air Traffic Control Towers

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

Alliance for Aviation Across America

The Alliance released a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta from 70 Mayors and community leaders around the country whose communities would be affected by the FAA’s potential, scheduled closure of contract air traffic control towers. The letter expresses concern over the impact of these potential closures on their communities, and highlights the vital role of local airports to businesses, organizations, emergency services, and the economy as a whole. The scheduled tower closures are the result of mandatory, across the board budget cuts, or “sequestration,” and would affect 149 airports nationwide. The closures are currently scheduled to take effect on June 15.

The text of the letter is below:

Dear Administrator Huerta,

We are writing to express our deep concerns about the FAA’s current plans to close air traffic control towers at our community airports in order to comply with “sequestration,” or mandatory budget cuts to agencies. The closing of these towers will have a significant impact on our economy and local communities.

First and foremost, the closure of these towers will negatively impact jobs and the economy within our communities. Our airports and the aircraft and businesses that rely upon them are a major economic driver, attracting businesses and generating millions in economic activity annually. Many of our locally based businesses use these airports to base their own aircraft and as a means to access new markets, deliver goods and serve customers. At a time when we as a nation should be focused on creating and supporting jobs, these closures will only serve to hamper business growth, while also potentially leaving even more hundreds upon thousands of workers unemployed.

Not only that, shutting down these towers would have a devastating impact on our communities, as these airports and the aircraft that use them serve as a critical lifeline for our communities for everything from fire-fighting, law enforcement, medical care, disaster relief, aerial surveying and crop protection, and flight training, among many others. Whether it’s transporting patients from rural areas to medical centers to receive treatments, reuniting veterans with their families, transporting organs or blood to communities in need, or supporting our nation’s agricultural industry and food supply, airports connect our communities in almost every way imaginable.

Aviation and our local airports are a critical economic lifeline for these communities, and we simply cannot afford this type of devastating blow at a time when our communities are already struggling to recover. We ask you to reconsider this decision in light of these concerns, and look forward to working with you on this and other matters related to our communities.

The link to the letter can be viewed here.

 

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Heavy jet key performance indicators, demand and price indices from Avinode

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

Heavy Jet Key Performance Indicator Table

The Business Jet Key Performance Indicator (KPI) table displays industry KPI’s that Avinode Business Intelligence has identified as those best suited to measuring the overall health of the market.

 

Avinode Demand Index for Heavy Jets

The new demand index displays the average daily order value for all requested trips departing during the 14 days prior to publication. The US & CA Index is based on flights requested from ICAO K and C departure airports on aircraft priced in USD. The European Index is based on flights requested from ICAO E, L & U departure airports on aircraft priced in EUR.

 

 

Heavy Jet Avinode Price Index        

The Avinode Price Index displays the average per hour rental price for a private jet in a specific category and market. In this case hourly rate is defined as the revenue rate + fuel surcharges. The US & CA Index is based on aircraft based in ICAO K & C and priced in USD. The European Index is based on aircraft based in ICAO E, L or U and priced in EUR.

The data Avinode uses is explained here.

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