Banning business jets will halt the sustainable future of aviation
The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has taken note of the current political mainstream that is calling for the regulation of private jet flights more thoroughly at the EU level. The EBAA has stated on the subject: “Business aviation has always been an early adopter of innovative technologies that improve the efficiency of aviation. Since 2009, the Business aviation community has been committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products and operations through its climate commitment. In many ways, it has been ahead of the curve in mitigating its impact on climate change. For instance: over the last 15 years, emissions per hour, per flight, per business aircraft have decreased by 36%. It is also important to point out that the European Business aviation industry employs almost 400,000 people and contributes close to 90 billion Euro to the European GDP annually. Europe has a large aviation and technology heritage with state-of-the-art Business aviation manufacturers, making it evermore crucial for aviation and governments to work together. Business aviation companies are developing the sustainable aviation of tomorrow through all types of technological improvements such as SAF, electric aircraft, hydrogen propelled engines, power-to-liquid and more. This type of innovation should remain at the center of the European economy, and EBAA urges European governments to support these endeavors. In short, don’t stifle an industry of its ability to innovate by implementing policies which could effectively kill the industry altogether.” www.ebaa.org
Rolls-Royce pulls out of Boom supersonic engine development
Boom Supersonic has lost its engine supplier raising questions about what or who will power the aircraft. Rolls-Royce has withdrawn from the project after delivering the engineering studies. “After careful consideration, Rolls-Royce has determined that the commercial aviation supersonic market is not currently a priority for us and, therefore, will not pursue further work on the program at this time”, the company said in a statement provided to the Denver Business Journal. Boom Supersonic is an eight-year-old start-up and has attracted order contracts from American Airlines, United Airlines and Japan Airlines as well as interest from others. The company’s Overture airliners are being designed to fly twice as fast as typical passenger jets today, carrying between 65 and 80 passengers and cutting international travel times in half.
Boom Supersonic plans to have the first Overture aircraft ready for test flights in 2026 and its first commercial airline routes flying in 2029. After Rolls-Royce's comments, GE Aviation, Honeywell, and Safran Aircraft Engines have all told FlightGlobal that they are not currently interested in making a supersonic engine for Boom. www.boomsupersonic.com
MD Helicopters announces new ownership and leadership
An investment consortium led by MBIA Insurance Corp., Bardin Hill, and MB Global Partners has acquired MD Helicopters and established new leadership. Brad Pedersen will lead the team as MD Helicopters’ President and CEO. Brad brings over 35 years of aerospace experience in leadership positions at Boeing Rotorcraft, Sikorsky Aircraft, Breeze-Eastern, and other aerospace and defense companies. Pedersen started his career at Hughes Helicopters and has almost 20 years of Engineering and Leadership experience with the MD Helicopter product lines.
MD Helicopters’ new owners insist they can breathe new life into the company after completing the acquisition of the US rotorcraft manufacturer’s assets. In March, MD Helicopters filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The acquisition by the consortium led by MBIA ends a tumultuous recent period triggered by the 2018 bankruptcy of companies associated with former chief executive Lynn Tilton and her private equity firm Patriarch Partners, which previously owned MD Helicopters. www.mdhelicopters.com
People: Bizav community mourns loss of industry veteran Gil Wolin
The business aviation community paid tribute to the passing of veteran business aviation marketing, communications, and publishing executive Gilbert Wolin. He passed away Sept. 5 at the age of 71 following a brief illness. “Gil’s passing comes as a great loss for the business aviation community,” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said. “He set an example as a friend, a mentor and an industry champion. Through his words and actions he made us better.”
As the product of three generations of aviation professionals, Wolin grew up in and around aircraft. He led sales and marketing at Executive Jet Aviation (today known as NetJets) before joining the nationwide FBO chain Combs Gates/AMR Combs as vice president, marketing. After a successful term as president of Denver-based charter/management company Mayo Aviation, Wolin served as publisher of McGraw-Hill’s Business & Commercial Aviation, A/C Flyer and Show News magazines. He subsequently joined TAG Aviation USA as vice president, corporate communications.
He founded Wolin Aviation Consulting in 2009 to assist business aviation service providers in designing and implementing effective marketing, communications and strategic planning programs. In 2013 he helped found Business Aviation Advisor, a print and online information resource for consumers utilizing aircraft ownership, charter and fractional arrangements. National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President and CEO Curt Castagna said: "Gil Wolin, through the Business Aviation Advisor, was a catalyst for change within our industry.” Wolin also served on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University President’s Advisory Board, and served on the board of directors for the National Air Transportation Association and Corporate Angel Network. www.nbaa.org