Will Incorporate Aerial Photography Systems To The Helicopter Before It Is Officially Put Into Service

Bell Textron recently delivered an Electronic News Gathering (ENG) Bell 429 to the Chinese national television broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV). This Bell 429 is the first dedicated ENG configured helicopter in China as well as the first ENG configured Bell 429 to operate in North Asia.  "It's a great milestone for Bell to collaborate with the Chinese TV station like CCTV," said Jacinto Monge, Managing Director of North Asia- Bell. "We appreciate the support we have received from the media community all over the world."

Now Available For Delivery In Both New Praetor Jets

Embraer has announced a series of cabin enhancements for its Praetor 500 midsize and Praetor 600 super-midsize business jets, consolidating the Praetor position as the best cabin environment among all medium jets. In addition to the lowest cabin altitude in the class (5,800 feet) and 100% fresh air capability, Embraer is now making the HEPA filter standard on all Praetor aircraft, announcing the certification of a new electric lavatory pocket door, and approving the use of MicroShield360.

Will Support Air Ambulance And Medevac Missions Throughout Greece

Textron was awarded a contract by Sundt Air for two Beechcraft King Air 350C turboprop aircraft to support air ambulance and medevac missions throughout Greece. The Athens-based aircraft will be owned by the country’s Ministry of Health, with the Hellenic Air Force overseeing maintenance and operation in support of disaster relief, medical rescue, inter-hospital transfer and repatriation to mainland health care services. Medical staff from the National Centers for Emergency Care will administer medical care to patients aboard the aircraft.

Over 34 Years Of Experience In The Industry

Hal Chrisman has taken over as president of Raisbeck Engineering, Inc. headquartered in Seattle, Washington. A seasoned aviation, aerospace and defense professional with over 34 years of experience in the industry, Chrisman has split his time between consulting and executive level industry positions which span all major market segments including business aviation, commercial air transport, defense, and rotary wing. Most recently, Chrisman was Chief Strategy Officer with Acorn Growth Companies.

AD 2020-14-01 Removing Affected Bolts From Service

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 214ST helicopters. This AD was prompted by the discovery of bolts with nonconforming external thread root radii. This AD requires removing the affected bolts from service and prohibits installing an affected bolt on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 11, 2020.

Delivers Up To 15-20 Minutes Additional Connectivity On Many Flights

Gogo will lower the altitude at which passengers can begin using its connectivity services from 10,000 feet above ground level (AGL) to 3,000 feet AGL for a significant portion of its air-to-ground (ATG) fleet beginning July 20, 2020. By enabling connectivity to begin at 3,000 feet, passengers will receive up to an additional 15-20 minutes of connectivity on many flights. The service will be available on business aviation aircraft equipped with AVANCE L5 or L3 systems, and on commercial aviation regional jets equipped with Gogo ATG-4 and ACPU2 technology. The lower service altitude will enable aircraft that fly shorter flights and spend little to no time above 10,000 feet the opportunity to take advantage of in-flight connectivity for the majority of their flights. Approximately 25% of flights by Gogo equipped regional jets have durations under 60 minutes.

FAA UAS Symposium 2020 Starts Today, Continues Thursday, For Session 1

It starts today... The annual FAA UAS Symposium, which is co-hosted by the FAA and AUVSI, brings together industry and safety professionals, technology experts and regulators to share safety information and updates among the UAS community. Originally set for June 16 to 18 at the Baltimore Convention Center, the symposium will now be conducted as a two-part virtual event. Episode I of the event is scheduled for July 8 to 9 with a focus on UAS traffic management (UTM) and international UAS integration. Each day’s programming starts with opening keynotes at 1000ET, offers upwards of a dozen topics and events, and ends with wrap-ups from 1900-2000ET.

Grocery Company Partners With Gulf Coast-Based Deuce Drone

Rouses Markets will be testing an unmanned grocery delivery pilot program this Fall. The grocer has partnered with Deuce Drone to conduct the demonstration with an Aerial Drone Delivery Interface System (ADDIS) at the Rouses Market on Airport Boulevard in Mobile, Alabama. Rouses Markets already offers personal shopping and delivery services that allow customers to shop online and get deliveries in as little as an hour, but Donny Rouse, CEO, is committed to exploring more convenient and innovative ways. "Drone delivery offers the fastest, safest delivery store to door. We should be able to get groceries to customers in 30 minutes or even less. Plus it's more cost efficient, meaning we can save customers time and money."

NBAA Members Have Listed Job Security As Among Their Highest Concerns

Helping the business aviation industry get back to work is the focus of a new effort launched by the NBAA. BizAv Back to Work is the association's expanded, targeted effort to help members and the overall business aviation industry reopen and get back in the air after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Business aviation is a forward-looking industry, characterized by an innovative spirit and boundless opportunities," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

Business Jet Flight Activity Is Recovering Smartly

Brian Foley of Brian Foley Associates filed an interesting report with us, Monday... Business jet flight activity is recovering smartly while scheduled airline flights remain comatose as well-heeled travelers look for alternatives to the isolation ward of public air travel. FlightAware reports that for the week of June 14-21 the number of private flights were off just 17% compared to the same period last year, whereas airlines were still down a pummeling 69%. In fact, on June 20th bizjet travel was 2.5% above the same day last year. Private charter flight inquiries are ringing off the hook, and jet card sales, essentially debit cards of charter hours, are selling like crazy. Giddy private aircraft charter outfits report a brisk business, with upwards of 50% of sales going to first-time users.