Conklin & de Decker, a leader in aviation research, consulting and education, has announced Life Cycle Cost (LCC) Release 18.2 is now available with even more aircraft and the latest operating cost data. The most innovative and comprehensive aircraft budget and financial analysis tool in the industry, LCC provides aircraft owners, operators, flight department managers, and aircraft consultants with independently researched ownership and operating cost data for more than 460 jet, turboprop, helicopter and piston aircraft.
Newly added aircraft in this latest LCC 18.2 release include the Embraer Lineage 1000, 1000E, 650E and Phenom 300E jets, and the Bell 407GXi helicopter. The release also includes updated aircraft acquisition costs, Aircraft Bluebook costs, and additional maintenance inspection costs to ensure that every financial analysis and budget report has the most up-to-date and accurate information.
“Aircraft operators today need a powerful aircraft budgeting and financial analysis tool with accurate data they can count on,” stated David Wyndham, vice president of Conklin & de Decker. “As we continue to provide our customers with the latest cost data, we are also investing in the future and ask everyone to stay tuned for exciting announcements that are coming soon.”
LCC assists operations departments with producing a 12-month budget analysis, a 5-year condensed report, or up to a 20-year cost projection for variable and fixed costs. The program also calculates the net present value (NPV) and after-tax cash flow for a corporate or commercial operation. The finance department can quickly compare the NPV of different acquisition or disposition methods for multiple aircraft, while learning more about the factors that affect an aircraft’s value.
LCC subscribers always receive access to AircraftPediaTM, a unique online aircraft reference tool containing interior and exterior aircraft drawings, high-resolution aircraft images, histories, and general cost, performance, and engine information. In addition, LCC subscribers have access to Conklin & de Decker’s Aviation Resource Library. This library provides online access to tools and information such as fuel and maintenance costs, a fleet plan checklist, seating charts, max range at long range cruise charts, aircraft alias and engine installation summaries, aircraft variable costs, and the Aircraft CO2 Calculator.
The LCC financial planning and budgeting software is part of a family of aircraft operating and acquisition products that Conklin & de Decker has provided for more than 30 years. This industry-leading program places all cost aspects of owning and operating an aircraft into one easy-to-use program. Aircraft acquisition costs, operating costs, taxes, final residual values and revenues (if the aircraft is used in commercial operations) are all pre-loaded into this valuable business aviation budgeting tool.
For more information, visit https://www.conklindd.com/p-34-life-cycle-cost.aspx, call +1-817-277-6403, or email sales@conklindd.com.

ExecuJet, part of the Luxaviation Group, is announcing that it will be the first business aviation company to operate and manage a Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet in Africa.

The aircraft will be based in South Africa at Cape Town International Airport and ExecuJet will be responsible for its day-to-day management and operations on behalf of the aircraft owner. The PC-24, developed by Swiss OEM Pilatus, has been dubbed the Super Versatile Jet due to its flexibility and ability to operate in and out of very short and unpaved runways. The aircraft received EASA and FAA type certification on 7 December 2017.

The PC-24 will also be available for charter and offers clients the latest in in-flight entertainment and connectivity. With six passengers, departing Cape Town, the aircraft can reach Angola, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. Flying from ExecuJet’s FBO at Lanseria International Airport in Johannesburg, passengers can reach DRC, Tanzania, Kenya and Mauritius, according to Pilatus.

Gavin Kiggen, Vice President Africa, ExecuJet, says: “Africa is the perfect environment for the PC-24, with its testing terrain and challenging runways, and we are honored to be the first business aviation operator to manage the aircraft in the region. ExecuJet’s worldwide commitment to service excellence makes us industry-leading in our field, which is testament to all the hard work and dedication exhibited by our staff and partners. We are looking forward to welcoming the aircraft when it arrives at our Cape Town facility in October.”

SR Technics, a world leading MRO service provider, is pleased to announce that it has signed a major engine maintenance, repair & overhaul agreement with Eurowings, the Lufthansa Group’s low-cost airline. The two-year agreement was signed at the end of June 2018 and covers part of the airline’s CFM56-5B fleet.
Cooperation with Eurowings began in January of this year and in order to meet the demands of the carrier’s large engine shop visit demands, SR Technics provided single engine shop visit offers to customize its services. This, combined with slots that met the carrier’s planning needs and SR Technics’ continuous support, was key to clinching the two-year contract.
All work under the new agreement will be completed at SR Technics Zurich Airport facility and covers engine maintenance, repair and overhaul solutions, including airfoils repairs in SR Technics’ Cork, Ireland facility, and the full parts and material management for more than 30 engines. As Eurowings is a major player among Europe’s low-cost carriers, there is plenty of room for synergies with other areas of SR Technics moving forward.
“We are delighted to have won Eurowings as a customer,” says Michael Sattler, Chief Commercial Officer at SR Technics. “This clearly reflects on our excellent relationship with Eurowings, and our ability to adapt to challenging scheduling requirements and offer flexible solutions.”
Michael Knitter, Chief Operations Officer of Eurowings states: “Optimal technical support for our aircraft is an essential prerequisite for the success of Eurowings. As currently the fastest growing airline in Europe, we rely only on the best service providers. We are proud to be able to rely also on SR Technics for this.”

AMAC Aerospace has been awarded with a new maintenance check on a privately-owned Bombardier Global Express XRS*. A Ka- band system offering seamless connectivity will be installed as a Bombardier Service Bulletin (SB).
A Bombardier Global Express XRS* entered AMAC’s hangar doors for an extensive base maintenance check. The privately-owned aircraft undergoes a 120-month inspection including a landing gear and full cabin removal at AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland.
In addition, a Ka-band system offering seamless connectivity will be installed as a Bombardier Service Bulletin (SB). AMAC Aerospace’s experienced Bombardier team will further install a router on the Global Express XRS* aircraft.
“We have recognized a strong demand for fast and reliable inflight connectivity, which we are delighted to make possible on this Global Express XRS* in cooperation with Bombardier as being their Authorized Service Facility,” said Mr. Alexis Ott, Director Maintenance Sales & Key Account Management, AMAC Aerospace.

CAE and Abu Dhabi Aviation Training Centre (ADATC) announced today having received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Part 142 training on a new Embraer ERJ 145 full-flight simulator (FFS). The certification enables the centre to conduct FAA-approved training, testing and certification for type-ratings on that platform. In November 2017, CAE and ADATC announced the introduction of the new ERJ145 pilot training program in the Middle-East, with Falcon Aviation as the launch customer.
“We are glad to receive approval from the FAA for Part 142 training and begin training FAA operators on the new CAE-built Embraer ERJ 145 FFS,” said H.E. Nadir Al Hammadi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Aviation. “We are committed to delivering best-in-class training to our customers.”
“Receiving certification for training is always an important milestone. We’re delighted that our latest Embraer ERJ 145 full-flight simulator is now ready-for-training to support FAA operators,” said Nick Leontidis, CAE’s Group President, Civil Aviation Training Solutions. “We look forward to offering outstanding customer training experiences to operators in collaboration with ADA long into the future.”
CAE and ADA share a relationship that spans over a decade. Together they deliver world-class training, supporting ADA and other regional operators’ training needs through CAE instructor-led training, comprehensive courseware, and innovative training equipment. ADA currently operates four CAE-built FFSs, including the Embraer ERJ145.

MTU Maintenance Canada, a North American affiliate of German engine manufacturer MTU Aero Engines, celebrated its 20th anniversary this weekend with customers, partners, and employees. The event included a ceremony at the facility as well as a trip to local Abbotsford Airshow.

In total, MTU Maintenance Canada has seen over 1,100 engine shop visits over its 20 year history. In 2011, the company introduced its Accessory Repair Center of excellence which completes over 11,000 accessory repairs per year. “We are incredibly proud of our long history of serving commercial and military customers in North and South America,” says Helmut Neuper, President and CEO of MTU Maintenance Canada. “My heartfelt thanks goes out to our customers, partners and employees, who made it possible to achieve the twenty year milestone. I look forward to building on this success, with the V2500 line recently introduced in December 2017.”

MTU Maintenance Canada employs a workforce of nearly 400 experienced and highly-skilled professionals and is a valued employer in the region’s aerospace sector. Jim Quick, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) states: “MTU’s achievement over its 20 years is evidence of the talent and expertise of British Columbia’s aerospace sector. We’re proud of MTU’s success and support their continued investment into the facility, as it benefits British Columbia’s diverse, strong and growing economy and local community.” Neuper too highlights the commitment of the workforce: “We have an outstanding record of service for the military version of the CF6-50 and were commended for our high EGT margin and 100% on-time delivery. It is a real pleasure to be able to work with such a dedicated team.”

The MTU Maintenance Canada facility has been part of MTU Maintenance network of companies, the global leader in customized solutions for aero engines worldwide, since 1998. Prior to this, the shop was owned and run by Canadian Airlines. Based in Richmond, British Columbia, the company repairs and overhauls engines and accessories across nearly 12,000 square meters combined. The site in the immediate vicinity of Vancouver Airport specializes in tailor-made solutions for CF6, CFM56 and V2500 engines as well as comprehensive accessory and LRU services for engines ranging from the CF34 to the GE90 engine families.

Textron Aviation Inc. is showcasing its latest product investments at the Latin American Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (LABACE) this week in São Paulo, Brazil with the regional debut of the company’s newest super-midsize business jet under development – the Cessna Citation Longitude.

“The Citation Longitude is a revolutionary step forward for the super-midsize business jet segment, and LABACE attendees are sure to be impressed with the aircraft’s spacious cabin boasting best-in-class legroom and commanding performance capabilities with a 3,500-nautical mile range,” said Lannie O’Bannion, vice president, Sales for Latin America, Middle East and Africa. “The Longitude delivers an ideal mission profile for flying regionally or for longer international trips allowing operators to move their businesses forward.”

The company is also highlighting the breadth of its product portfolio through its Cessna Citation Latitude, Cessna Citation CJ3+, Cessna Citation M2, Beechcraft King Air 350i, Beechcraft King Air C90GTx, Cessna Grand Caravan EX and Beechcraft Baron G58 aircraft on display.

“Textron Aviation continuously invests in both its aircraft platforms and support network. That spirit of innovation can easily be experienced through the products on display – all of which have seen investment throughout the last three years,” O’Bannion said.

Duncan Aviation is pleased to announce the company was recently named a Héroux-Devtek Distributor, one of only five worldwide. This designation gives Duncan Aviation Component Services access to expanded repair and overhaul services.

“We are excited to partner with Héroux-Devtek to the benefit of our mutual customers,” says Chris Gress, Duncan Aviation Parts & Rotable Sales Business Development Manager. “With this agreement we are able to offer another avenue to competitively priced repair, overhaul, and exchanges on Héroux-Devtek/APPH (acquired by Héroux-Devtek in 2014) landing gear actuation systems and components, like sequence valves, steering and airbrake jacks, and reversing valves found on Hawker 125 Series aircraft.”

Marc-Olivier Gagnon, VP Product Support at Héroux-Devtek, says, “We are convinced that adding Duncan Aviation to our list of privileged distributors will be instrumental to better reach and serve the aircraft owner and operators.”

According to Tony Curtis, Duncan Aviation Assistant Manager Component Repair Services, Héroux-Devtek is leading the aviation industry in maintenance response times. “I have always been very impressed with their ability to overhaul and return landing gear within 30 days. That’s remarkable. And they don’t compromise quality. All components are like new after overhaul,”

Customers are able to search Duncan Aviation’s available landing gear parts and repair and overhaul capabilities through an online parts search portal located here:

https://myduncan.aero/online/parts/index.jsf. Free troubleshooting and technical support are also available in addition to aircraft parts loaners and exchanges.

For the last several years, Duncan Aviation has been on a mission to get the word out about the FAA’s ’s Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) mandate deadline. If aircraft have not been upgraded to ADS-B by the deadline, midnight on December 31, 2019, they will either have to fly below 10,000 feet or not fly at all.

Among Duncan Aviation’s clients who have complied with the FAA’s mandate are several dozen Gulfstream G150s and G200s. Duncan Aviation’s skilled avionics technicians have used a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) developed for aircraft with Rockwell Collins Transponders.

“This STC is perfect for our Gulfstream G150 and G200 clients,” says Avionics Sales Rep Dennis Kruse. “It’s a robust, dependable solution that integrates into the G150 and G200 Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 and Proline 4 equipped aircraft.”

With the deadline for upgrading to ADS-B only 16 months away, Duncan Aviation’s MRO locations and Satellite Avionics Shops around the country are filling up for the last half of this year and the first half of 2019. Several Duncan Aviation facilities still have capacity for operators to comply before the deadline, but with 52% of the business aviation aircraft in need of an upgrade, the industry is still predicting shortages of qualified technicians, hangar space, and equipment.

Leading aircraft charter specialist, Air Charter Service, has revealed the company’s half year results for the six months ending 31st July 2018, which show revenue is up 23%, from £195.2m (US$253m) to £240.5m (US$312m). ACS’s CEO, Justin Bowman, commented: “We have had a stunning first six months of the financial year, with record numbers across the board. Especially when you take into consideration that last year’s figures were beyond our most optimistic projections and they were boosted by a number of one off events.

“Our Private Jets division is still the largest part of the business and saw a 32% increase in revenue in the first six months of the year. Our Commercial Jets division also showed solid growth, with a 25% jump in revenue.

“Our involvement in the FIFA World Cup has particularly helped with the Commercial Jet figures, but all divisions won contracts in relation to the tournament. In total we arranged more than 300 contracts for the World Cup. We flew everything from team kits, to tens of thousands of football fans, plus many of the teams themselves. Our Russian offices played a huge part in enabling us to win so much business over June and July.

“Our cargo contract numbers increased by a staggering 21% so far in 2018 – compare this to IATA’s half year figures, which show that the airfreight industry grew by just 4% in the first six months of the year. Demand was generally for slightly smaller aircraft, so revenue grew by just 15%.”

Bowman concluded: “As of the turn of the year accounts, we have been able to say that ACS is now the largest charter brokerage in the world and we are delighted that we are building solidly on that. We have opened offices in Manhattan and San Francisco, as well as a dedicated Onboard Courier operation in Frankfurt, in the first half of the year, and we will be announcing another new office in the coming weeks. “There is an exciting second half of the year in store here, with some brilliant new technologies that we are working on, as well as a focus on further improvements in customer service.”

World Fuel Services (World Fuel) is showcasing their Air Elite Network Diamond Service Locations at the 2018 Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE 2018) in booth #2006. 79 uniquely exceptional FBOs comprise the Air Elite Network, with ten locations in Latin America (LATAM) and the Caribbean.

The Air Elite Network provides elevated facility and operational standards which are audited to ensure consistency across the network. The global network uses unique, insightful training to deliver diamond service in the LATAM and Caribbean region by benchmarking The Ritz-Carlton philosophy on customer service.

The network recently hosted the annual Air Elite Retreat and The Ritz-Carlton training session in Washington D.C. this June to draw together their members from around the globe. Both events had record attendance and allow for all members to engage in continued training, best practice sharing, strategic planning, and overall offer development.

The Air Elite Network’s LATAM and Caribbean member FBOs have been recognized for their services over the years and are dedicated to consistently delivering the Air Elite Diamond Difference experience:

• Cabo San Lucas International Airport in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
• Caribbean Support & Flight Services (CSFS) in Barranquilla, Colombia is headquartered at the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport.
• Ecuacentair in Quito, Ecuador.
• FBO Aerocardal Limitada in Santiago, Chile.
• Jet Aviation located in Nassau, Bahamas has two recent accolades.
• Jet Aviation in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Jet Centre Curaçao in Willemstad, Curaçao prides itself on luxury, hospitality, and personal service.
• Provo Air Center in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos.
• St. Thomas Jet Center in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
• World-Way Aviation in Sorocaba, Brazil.

Established in 2011, the Air Elite Network has grown to 79 Diamond Service Locations worldwide. Each FBO member must meet a number of airport, facility, and service quality standards to qualify for membership. Aircraft operators utilizing the Air Elite Network benefit from a consistently high level of service and enhanced FlyBuys™ Rewards when using AVCARD® and World Fuel Services Contract Fuel.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced its award-winning Gulfstream G600, the second aircraft in the company’s dynamic family of all-new ultra-long-range, large-cabin jets, has begun U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification field performance testing.

“We continue to make steady progress toward certifying the all-new G600 later this year and beginning customer deliveries in 2019,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “With the exceptional performance we’re seeing from the five flight-test aircraft in this program, I am highly confident our clients will be impressed with the aircraft we deliver. Its high-speed range, superior comfort and unmatched efficiency have already exceeded our expectations. Even at this stage in its development, the G600 is garnering attention, with its award-winning interior and seats, increased range capability and performance at high speed. The recent type certification for the G500 is added motivation and inspiration for us to bring the G600 across the finish line and into the hands of our customers.”

The Gulfstream G500 earned FAA type certification and its production certificate on July 20. Customer deliveries of the aircraft will begin later this year.

The longer-range G600, meanwhile, recently completed FAA certification for ice shapes and stall speeds testing. Since first flight, the five aircraft in the G600 flight-test program have accumulated more than 2,290 flight hours over more than 600 flights.

Mente Group aviation advisory firm has formed a talent management business to address shortages of pilots, mechanics and support personnel for the company’s business aviation clientele.

“The business aviation industry is currently suffering from a convergence of negative regulatory factors and aggressive hiring practices from airlines,” said Mente Group President and CEO Brian Proctor. “To counter these negative influences, Mente Group has created Mente Talent Management to develop retention and hiring strategies to protect the fleet assets of business aircraft owners and operators.”

Heading the new business practice is Colleen Kelly, Mente’s Executive Vice President of Talent Management. She is based in the San Francisco Bay area, with reach across the world. Launch customers for Mente’s Talent Management include a major defense contractor and a huge producer of consumer products, both flying internationally.

Mente Talent Management will focus on providing Mente’s clients with the appropriate personnel resources to support their aircraft fleets. Talent Management tools include flight department startups, flight department interim management, personnel placements, compensation studies, and retention studies.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. recently promoted Pedro Ruiz to the position of regional vice president of new aircraft sales for Brazil and southern South America. In addition to Brazil, Ruiz will provide Gulfstream sales expertise to customers in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. He reports to Fabio Rebello, regional senior vice president, Sales, Florida and Latin America, Gulfstream.

Ruiz joined Gulfstream in 2007 as a manufacturing technical specialist on the Gulfstream G450 and Gulfstream G550 programs. He then held several increasingly more senior roles in continuous improvement throughout the company. More recently, he served as a sales development manager for Florida and Latin America before being promoted to regional sales manager for the same region.

Ruiz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, where he also completed a Master of Manufacturing Management degree. He is a graduate of Gulfstream’s Management Development Program.

A native of Bogota, Colombia, Ruiz is based in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Universal Aviation Mexico, a joint venture between Avemex, and Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. to provide ground support throughout Mexico, has officially opened its new $3.5 million, 50,000 square-foot hangar on the property of their FBO at Toluca International Airport (MMTO).

“Both based and transient, non-based operators at Toluca have struggled to find parking and hangarage due to shortages in recent years at this already congested airport. That challenge is only exacerbated during high-traffic periods like the annual Mexico City F1 race and American Football games in Mexico City, so we made this investment in this fifth Universal Aviation Mexico hangar at Toluca to meet that growing demand,” said Greg Evans, Chairman, Universal®. “Along with the multi-million-dollar renovation of our state-of-the-art FBO two years ago, our new hangar is recognition of our commitment to supporting our clients’ critical missions at this important destination for business aviation.”

The new hangar, which will predominantly be used use for locally-based operators outside of peak periods or for large-body aircraft arrivals, includes 32,000 square feet built-in office space and 17,200 square feet of storage space. Universal Aviation’s ramp also offers three direct taxiway access points, the most of any FBO at Toluca.

“We built this ‘low-movement hangar’ to meet the parking and hangarage shortages at Toluca without compromising safety by either positioning aircraft extremely close together or having to make excessive movements to get in and out,” said Agustin Lanzagorta, President of Grupo Avemex. “We’ve seen tremendous interest in the new hangar and have already secured many base tenants. We’re excited to now have more capacity to protect our customers’ aircraft and ensure our customers have a safe place to protect them from the extreme Toluca weather.”