Atlantic Aviation hangar lease for DEA aircraft

The U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, intends to award a sole source purchase order to Atlantic Aviation for housing aircraft, according to contract documents released on Thursday.

“The proposed purchase order is for a service for which the government intends to solicit and negotiate only with Atlantic Aviation,” DEA officials said in a Special Notice contract document.

The Special Notice does not identify where the hangar lease purchase will take place. Atlantic Aviation has hangar space available at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Northeast Philadelphia Airport and Corpus Christi International Airport, according to the company's website. The contracting office handling the lease is located at 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, Va. 22152, according to contract documents.

The DEA Aviation Division’s mission is to provide aviation support to operational and intelligence elements within DEA and the law enforcement community to detect, locate, identify, and assess illicit narcotics-related trafficking activities.

The Aviation Division's command and control functions are conducted from the Aviation Operations Center located at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas. The division has Special Agents/Pilots and aircraft strategically located throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

Polish airline Enter Air orders Boeing 737-8 aircraft

Boeing and Enter Air announced Wednesday the Polish airline is expanding its commitment to the 737 family with a new order for two 737-8 airplanes plus options for two more jets.

An all-Boeing operator and Poland’s biggest charter carrier, Enter Air began operations in 2010 with a single 737 airplane. Today, the airline’s fleet includes 22 Next-Generation 737s and two 737 MAX airplanes. When the new purchase agreement is fully exercised, Enter Air’s 737 MAX fleet will rise to 10 aircraft.

Enter Air and Boeing have also finalized a settlement to address the commercial impacts stemming from the grounding of the 737 MAX fleet. While the details of the agreement are confidential, the compensation will be provided in a number of forms and staggered over a period of time.

“In the settlement with Boeing, we agreed to revise the delivery schedule for the previously-ordered airplanes in response to current market conditions,” said Grzegorz Polaniecki, general director and board member, Enter Air.

US military aircraft delivers COVID-19 supplies to South Africa

The U.S. government has delivered approximately $340,000 worth of personal protective equipment to the South African National Department of Health. The equipment, delivered via a military C-130 aircraft, consist of masks, gloves, medical gowns, and sanitizing supplies. The equipment is bound for Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu Natal, where it will benefit front-line health workers.

The United States Africa Command also announced that it is supporting the set-up of handwashing stations in Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu Natal, contributing $225,000 to this initiative. This brings the total value of U.S. support toward South Africa’s COVID-19 response to over $46 million.

On the occasion of the C-130’s arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Lana Marks told assembled media, “We are so proud of our growing partnership with South Africa’s National Defense Forces and our cooperation to ensure peace in the region.”

Boom Supersonic and Rolls-Royce agree to work on propulsion system for supersonic jet

Boom Supersonic and Rolls-Royce announced Thursday an engagement agreement to explore the pairing of a Rolls-Royce propulsion system with Boom's flagship supersonic passenger aircraft, Overture.

The goal of the new agreement is to work together to identify the propulsion system that would complement Boom's Overture airframe. The teams will investigate whether an existing engine architecture can be adapted for supersonic flight, while Boom's internal team continues to develop the airframe configuration.

"We've had a series of valuable collaborations and co-locations with Rolls-Royce over the past years to lay the groundwork for this next phase of development," said Blake Scholl, Boom founder and CEO.

Both companies recognize that supersonic passenger travel has to be compatible with a net-zero carbon future. Overcoming the technological challenges of supersonic flight provides a unique opportunity to accelerate innovation sustainably.

"We share a strong interest in supersonic flight and in sustainability strategies for aviation with Boom," said Simon Carlisle, Director of Strategy, Rolls-Royce.

Boom announced July 8 that its supersonic demonstrator XB-1 will roll out on Oct. 7.

Ministry of Health of Greece orders two Beechcraft King Air 350C aircraft

Textron Aviation Inc. 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.

The ministry’s King Air 350C aircraft is equipped with a cargo door and a Spectrum Aeromed dual stretcher system, which includes redesigned stretchers to accommodate bariatric patients and incubators raised by electrically powered loading devices. Additionally, medical cabinets, on-board oxygen with overhead lighting and equipment mounts, stowaway tables and adjustable seats provide an easy-to-sanitize, comfortable work environment for the medical staff and passengers.

The King Air 350C aircraft is a version of the King Air 350i twin-engine turboprop aircraft configured  with an optional cargo door, resulting in enhanced mission flexibility. Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A turboprop engines with Hartzell four-blade propellers power the King Air 350C, and a fully integrated Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion digital avionics suite provides pilot(s) with state-of-the-art touchscreen controls.

Air Canada suspends service, closes stations and reduces workforce due to COVID-19

Air Canada announced Tuesday that it is indefinitely suspending service on 30 domestic regional routes and closing eight stations at regional airports in Canada.

These structural changes to Air Canada's domestic regional network are being made as a result of continuing weak demand for both business and leisure travel due to COVID-19 and provincial and federal government-imposed travel restrictions and border closures, which are diminishing prospects for a near-to-mid-term recovery.

As the company has previously reported, Air Canada expects the industry's recovery will take a minimum of three years. As a consequence, other changes to its network and schedule, as well as further service suspensions, will be considered over the coming weeks as the airline takes steps to decisively reduce its overall cost structure and cash burn rate.

As a result of COVID-19, Air Canada reported a net loss of $1.05 billion in the first quarter of 2020. The carrier has undertaken a range of structural changes:

• A workforce reduction of approximately 20,000 employees, representing more than 50 percent of its staff, achieved through layoffs, severances, early retirements and special leaves;
• The permanent removal of 79 aircraft from its mainline and rouge fleets.

Affected customers will be contacted by Air Canada and offered options, including alternative routing where available.

First Dash 8-400 aircraft for TAAG Angola Airlines

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited delivered the first of six Dash 8-400 aircraft to TAAG Angola Airlines on Friday. The order was disclosed on June 18, 2019 during a ceremonial signing event at the Paris Air Show.

"We selected the Dash 8-400 aircraft to support our development of a stronger domestic network and also to support our regional and international networks," said Rui Carreira, chairman and chief executive officer, TAAG Angola Airlines. "With our acceptance of our first Dash 8-400 aircraft, we are continuing to implement our restructuring strategy and enhancing our service to smaller communities.  The Dash 8-400 aircraft is well known for its comfortable passenger amenities, operational versatility and outstanding economics, which will be critical for TAAG's operations where large aircraft are not economical.  We look forward to its introduction to our fleet and to the diligent, ongoing support of De Havilland Canada's teams as we build our network.”

Most popular posts for May 2020

1.) FBI plans to lease 'ultra-long-range aircraft' to support counterterrorism operations - The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) requires an ultra-long-range aircraft to provide a rapid response to transport Department of Justice personnel world-wide in support of counterterrorism and other sensitive investigations. [Full story]

2.) De Havilland Aircraft starts phased return to work of employees - De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited announced last month the company has started a phased return to work of employees and a measured resumption of activities. [Full story]

3.) Urgent need for aircraft at US Marshals Service - The United States Marshals Service, Investigative Operations Division, is seeking information from responsible sources and commercial agencies concerning the purchase of a used King Air 350i or Pilatus PC-12 aircraft to fulfill its unique mission objectives. [Full story]

4.) FAA post flight restrictions around Cape Canaveral for historic manned space launch - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued multiple Notice to Airmen Temporary Flight Restrictions around Cape Canaveral, Fla., through Wednesday. [Full story]

5.) Video: The first unmanned Loyal Wingman aircraft - A Boeing-led Australian industry team has presented the first unmanned Loyal Wingman aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force. [Full story]

Urgent need for aircraft at US Marshals Service

The United States Marshals Service, Investigative Operations Division, is seeking information from responsible sources and commercial agencies concerning the purchase of a used King Air 350i or Pilatus PC-12 aircraft to fulfill its unique mission objectives, according to contract documents released Tuesday. “The government is interested in communicating with industry early in the planning stages in complete transparency in an effort to satisfy this urgent government need,” the Marshals Service said in a Request For Information (RFI) document. “This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal/Request for Quote or a promise to issue any kind of solicitation in the future.”

Interested parties are requested to respond to the Department of Justice no later than May 29.

New aerial interdiction law approved by Honduran Congress

The Honduran Congress has approved a new aerial interdiction law designed to further enhance the country´s ability to combat narco-trafficking in the country and throughout the Western Hemisphere. The new law was championed by President Juan Orlando Hernandez and passed during virtual session of the National Congress on Thursday.

“The purpose of the new law is to establish the rules and procedures for the location, identification, tracking, and interception of illegal aircraft,” Honduran officials said in a press statement. “It allows Honduran officials to employ aircraft tracer cartridges on planes that are reasonably suspected of being primarily engaged in illicit drug trafficking, It will facilitate cooperation with other countries in the region and gives authorities the ability to identify, track and intercept aircraft that enter Honduran airspace illegally."

Jazz Aviation first to operate Dash 8-400 Simplified Package Freighter

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited and Jazz Aviation LP announced Thursday that Jazz will be the first operator for the recently approved Dash 8-400 Simplified Package Freighter. Under the agreement, Jazz has ordered the Service Bulletin and conversion kits for up to 13 Dash 8-400 aircraft.

“The reconfiguration of Dash 8-400 aircraft into Simplified Package Freighters can be quickly achieved by the removal of seats and seat track covers in the passenger cabin. The reconfiguration, which includes the use of up to 17 nets will provide a potential total payload of up to 17,960 pounds and a total cargo volume of up to 1,150 cubic feet per aircraft," said Todd Young, Chief Operating Officer, De Havilland Canada. "We will work with Jazz to quickly put their Dash 8-400 Simplified Package Freighters into service and look forward to supplying this solution to other Dash 8-400 aircraft operators around the world to assist in the re-deployment of their fleets to meet the growing demand for airlift of essential supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic."

FBI Gulfstream jet up for sale

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) intends to sell a military C-37A, acquired and converted by the FBI in 2001 to an N registered aircraft, according to contract documents released Friday.

The sale is being managed by the FBI Special Flight Operations Unit (SFOU). “SFOU is seeking information as to typical fees schedule for similar sales, market trends and conditions, respondees’ experience with similar sales activities and marketing plan to ensure highest return on the sale of this asset,” the agency said in a Request For Information (RFI) document.

The FBI is conduct market research for information and planning purposes to determine the existing market capability of businesses to provide broker services for the sale.

Firms that wish to respond to the RFI should contact the FBI by Feb. 18.

Joby Aviation raises $590 million to launch air taxi service

Joby Aviation, a pioneer in the development of an electric air taxi, has raised $590 million in Series C funding led by Toyota Motor Corp. Prior investors, including SPARX Group, Intel Capital, Capricorn Investment Group, JetBlue Technology Ventures, Toyota AI Ventures, and AME Cloud Ventures, also contributed to the round, and were joined by new investors Baillie Gifford and Global Oryx. Shigeki Tomoyama, the Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Corp., will join Joby Aviation's board of directors. This new investment brings the company's total funding, including previous rounds, to $720 million.

Over the past 10 years, the company's team of engineers and physicists has developed a quiet, all-electric VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft, which will be instrumental in the commercial launch of the emerging on-demand urban air taxi market. Toyota will share its expertise in manufacturing, quality, and cost controls to support the development and production of Joby Aviation's aircraft.

Joby Aviation's aircraft is a piloted, five-seat vehicle capable of both vertical takeoff and landing and highly efficient, wingborne forward flight. It is capable of speeds of 200 miles per hour and can fly over 150 miles on a single charge. The aircraft is 100 times quieter than conventional aircraft during takeoff and landing, and near-silent when flying overhead.

Oil leak likely cause of 2017 plane accident in Manitoba, Canada

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its investigation report Thursday into the November 2017 loss of control on landing involving an aircraft at Thompson Airport in Manitoba, Canada.

On Nov. 2, 2017, a Perimeter Aviation Fairchild Metro III (serial number AC-756B, registration C-FLRY) was operating on a ferry flight from Gods River Airport, Manitoba, to Thompson Airport, Manitoba, to reposition the aircraft for inspection and repair. As the aircraft neared the airport, the crew advised air traffic control that they had received a low oil pressure indication on the left engine. After consultation with maintenance, the crew considered the risks associated with landing single engine and without hydraulic pressure for the nose-wheel steering, and decided to continue the flight with both engines running. After touchdown, the aircraft suddenly veered to the right and exited the runway. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The two crew members received minor injuries.

The investigation found that the low oil pressure indication was likely the result of a steady oil leak past an air-oil seal in the left engine. The loss of oil pressure thus resulted in a loss of propeller control authority on landing and a runway excursion. The investigation also found that the decision to continue the flight with both engines running was not consistent with the quick reference handbook procedures for low oil pressure indications.

The aircraft was equipped with a cockpit voice recorder but was not equipped with a flight data recorder, nor was one required by regulation. The aircraft's integrated flight management system was capable of capturing engine parameters, but it was not configured to do so. If flight data, voice, and video recordings are not available to an investigation, the identification and communication of safety deficiencies to advance transportation safety may be precluded.

Following the occurrence, the TSB issued an Aviation Safety Advisory letter suggesting that Transport Canada review the Fairchild Metro III aircraft flight manual's emergency procedures for low engine oil pressure indications. In addition, Perimeter Aviation installed memory cards that store engine parameter data on its aircraft that are equipped with an integrated flight management system. It has also implemented crew resource management training for all of its air-taxi and commuter flight crews.

The potential for Electrified Aircraft Propulsion

NASA will lead a meeting next month that will perform a market assessment of U.S. industry leaders regarding the potential for electrified aircraft to include electric drive train, power distribution, and energy storage concepts to be used, in whole or in part, as primary propulsion for fixed-wing passenger-carrying transport aircraft.

The Industry Day meeting, scheduled for Dec. 6, will be held at the Logistics Management Institute in Tysons, Va. The event is being organized by the Associate Director for Flight Strategy, Integrated Aviation System Program at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. There will be up to eight one-hour briefing slots allocated to the industrial base during the meeting.

New HondaJet Elite aircraft displayed for the first time to the public

Honda Aircraft Company revealed their new, upgraded aircraft, the "HondaJet Elite," on Sunday at a special hangar event ahead of the 2018 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The HondaJet Elite has achieved an extended range of an additional 17 percent and is equipped with a newly developed noise attenuating inlet structure that lines each engine and greatly reduces high frequency noise to enhance cabin quietness. Additionally, the new aircraft's advanced avionics system incorporates additional performance management functions for optimum flight planning and automatic stability and protection functions to enhance safety of flight.

The HondaJet Elite also protects the environment by offering the best fuel efficiency in its class while also featuring best-in-class speed, altitude and range. The aircraft will be displayed for the first time to the public at EBACE from May 28 through May 31.

Customs and Border Protection P-3 Aircraft Specifics

Click each image to enlarge.

FAA sets requirement for quieter aircraft

Beginning Jan. 1, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will require newly designed aircraft to be quieter which will help toward lowering noise around airports and surrounding communities. Called “Stage 5 Airplane Noise Standards,” this FAA rule ensures that the latest available noise reduction technology is incorporated into new aircraft designs. As a result, new airplane type designs in the subsonic jet airplanes and subsonic transport category large airplanes will operate at least seven decibels quieter than airplanes in the current fleet.

In 1975, there were about 200 million people flying in the United States, with about seven million people exposed to what is considered significant aircraft noise. Since then, an FAA study conducted in 2015 showed that the number of people flying in the United States had almost quadrupled yet the number of people exposed to aircraft noise had dropped to around 340,000, or a 94 percent reduction in aircraft noise exposure.

The FAA continues to meet its reduction in aircraft noise and other environmental aviation goals through the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) program.  CLEEN is the FAA’s principal Next Generation environmental effort to accelerate the development of new aircraft, engine technologies, and advance sustainable alternative jet fuels.

FAA certifies Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet for commercial service

Boeing announced Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the 737 MAX 8 airplane for commercial service. Boeing is now in the final stages of preparing for the first 737 MAX 8 delivery to customers in the coming months.

To earn certification for the 737 MAX 8, Boeing undertook a comprehensive test program that began just over one year ago with four airplanes, plus ground and laboratory testing. Following a rigorous certification process, the FAA granted Boeing an Amended Type Certificate for the 737 MAX 8, verifying the design complies with required aviation regulations and is safe and reliable.

The 737 MAX 8 reduces fuel use and CO2 emissions by an additional 14 percent over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes.

The MAX 8 and 9 will be followed in 2019 by the smaller MAX 7 and higher capacity MAX 200, while studies and discussion continue with customers on growing the family.

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements. It is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating more than 3,600 orders to date from 83 customers worldwide.

Contractor intelligence aircraft needed for Marine Corps training exercises

The Regional Contracting Office-MCI WEST, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., has a requirement to provide a manned, fixed-wing propeller driven aircraft with intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to support semi-annual three-day training exercises for Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 (MAWTS-1), Marine Corp Air Station, Yuma, Ariz.

The service requested is to provide real-time electro-optical and infrared sensor full-motion video while integrating with close air support aircraft to locate and simulate attacking opposing forces, simulated by live role-players. The aircraft must have capability of five hours on station time at an altitude of 24,000 feet.

“The intent of this effort is to provide familiarization of flight characteristics, capabilities and limitations of ISR aircraft for MAWTS-1 instructors and prospective instructors,” Marine Corps officials said in contract documents released Wednesday. “This is a pre-solicitation notice that a solicitation is scheduled to be released on or around March 24.”