Gogo to acquire Satcom Direct
Gogo Inc. and Satcom Direct this week announced entry into a definitive agreement under which Gogo will acquire Satcom Direct. The move will see Gogo leveraging SD’s satellite communication technologies to enhance its existing inflight connectivity services. A global provider of seamless connectivity solutions and data services, SD generates approximately 80% of its revenue from business aviation, while much of the remaining 20% is from the military / government mobility market. Under the terms of the agreement, Satcom Direct will receive $375 million in cash and five million shares of Gogo stock at closing, and up to an additional $225 million in payments tied to realizing certain performance thresholds over the next four years. Satcom Direct has an extensive international sales and service footprint and is the leading global BA geostationary (GEO) satellite in-flight connectivity service provider. As of June 30, 2024, Gogo reported 7,031 business aircraft flying with its broadband ATG systems onboard
Brazilian airline seeks to buy planes from China's COMAC
Brazil's Total Linhas Aereas, a small cargo and charter airline, aims to become the first firm outside Asia to buy aircraft from China's state-owned planemaker, which is trying to break into a global passenger jet market. Total and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) have been in talks for months, told the airline's controlling partner Paulo Almada to Reuters. He will visit COMAC in October to discuss a potential order of up to four C919 planes. A deal could foster closer Brazil-China ties in the aviation sector ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit in November. Total's Almada said the airline was forced to look beyond traditional Western manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing because they were unable to meet demand for new planes as they grapple with supply chain constraints. Brazil's Embraer has production slots available from 2026 but only offers passenger jets with under 150 seats. "The industry is dealing with supply shortages, but COMAC told us they could deliver the aircraft by next March," said Almada, who declined to share documents from the negotiation, citing a non-disclosure agreement. A deal could be a "milestone" for Brazil, said Senator Rogerio Carvalho of the ruling Workers Party, who took part in meetings with Total. Brazil would expect reciprocity, he added, with an increase in Chinese demand for Embraer jets.
Textron becomes third major OEM to skip NBAA-BACE
Textron Aviation has decided not exhibit at the NBAA business aviation trade show in Las Vegas next month, a move coming as the company’s operations remain affected by an ongoing machinists’ strike. In a statement on Textron's website, the airplane maker said: “Textron Aviation and TRU Simulation, a Textron Aviation affiliated company, will not participate as exhibitors at the 2024 National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). We appreciate our longstanding involvement with industry events that bring together customers and the general aviation community and look forward to future opportunities to showcase our industry-leading products.” The sudden withdrawal, with less than a month to go before the annual show, this year being held in Las Vegas, comes after Gulfstream and Dassault also decided against participation.
People: AOPA names Darren Pleasance as President and CEO
AOPA has named Darren Pleasance to serve as the association’s sixth president and chief executive. Pleasance, who will assume his new role at AOPA on January 1, brings a wealth of aviation and business experience. He has gone on to fly over 8,000 hours in more than 50 different types of aircraft — ranging from simple trainers to business jets to vintage warbirds, including a North American P–51 Mustang. Early in his career he flew as a corporate pilot, working for celebrities such as John Travolta before going on to fly charters in the Alaskan bush. He left professional aviation to pursue a career in business, but he never stopped flying. Today he owns and operates a Piper Meridian, a Van’s Aircraft RV–6, and a Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey amphibious airplane while maintaining currency as a certificated flight instructor. Most recently, Pleasance led Cisco Systems Inc.'s Acceleration Center, an organization formed to accelerate the success of mission-critical aspects of Cisco's business transformation. Prior to joining Cisco, he led global customer acquisitions for Google and served as a partner in consulting firm McKinsey & Company's high tech sector and marketing and sales practice. Throughout his business career, Pleasance has remained active in aviation, serving for many years on the board of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Pleasance often cites aviation as a source of inspiration and joy. Recognizing that many of the successful and wealthy people he has known and worked with were unhappy, Pleasance authored a well-regarded book, True North: A Handbook for Inspired Living. Pleasance holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Pleasance and his wife, Lisa, have two children, a son, Chris, who is an avid outdoorsman, and a daughter, Lauren, who is studying veterinary medicine.
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