Monarch Aviation Group takes a closer look at the current situation

Business aviation is a complex environment with many moving parts; understanding all angles is essential to gaining an informed opinion. Monarch Aviation Group Focus on some of the newsworthy events and issues facing the market right now, and how key players are safely navigating the changing winds.

Also read: The practicalities of private aviation business

Aircraft Certification Process

After much anticipation and two years of delays, Gulfstream Aerospace announced in March that its new ultra-long-range, high-tech Gulfstream G700 aircraft had received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. The Savannah-based company had hoped to receive FAA certification by the end of 2023 and had already delivered 15 aircraft last year.

Gulfstream President Mark Burns, who announced the long-awaited certification at the unveiling of two G700s for Qatar, said the delay was due to a U.S. congressional directive requiring more oversight in the approval process. In fact, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration required more documentation, testing and flight tests.

Helicopter manufacturer Bell has not been immune to certification delays. They have been developing their most important and advanced commercial helicopter, the Bell 525. Similar to the G700, the aircraft features the latest technology. The Bell 525 was the first civilian rotorcraft to feature a full fly-by-wire system and was announced in 2012. There was a setback in 2016 when a prototype crashed, but they have a tentative target date of 2017.

Bell CEO Mitch Snyder said there is no set timeline for the Bell 525, which is a joint process with the FAA. Last year, they hoped to get approval by the end of the year, but stressed that it was up to the FAA to decide. Dassault Falcon 6X The project, which was announced in 2018 and finally received FAA certification in August 2023, has also suffered delays.

So why are manufacturers facing such long delays in the certification process? Certification is a moving target in unprecedented times. During the pandemic, remote work has impacted aircraft manufacturing, with some skilled workers choosing to retire early. Dassault has delayed production of the Falcon 10X until 2027, citing a variety of issues, including supply chain problems, missing parts, and certification delays.

Regulators are operating at full capacity

The FAA has also been affected by the pandemic. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) last year expressed concerns about FAA certification delays and turnover. They noted that 40% of certification engineers have less than two years of experience and that training has been hampered during the pandemic. The FAA has also come under intense scrutiny around the world, with Boeing’s problems including: MAX accidents, investigations into various incidents, counterfeit parts and whistleblower claims.

In response to Boeing’s problems, Congress introduced the Aircraft Certification Safety and Accountability Act of 2020. Aircraft certification has become more complex as agencies working with aircraft manufacturers must be more meticulous than ever to ensure passenger safety. With so many new directives and recommendations, how can the FAA manage today’s rapidly evolving technology in a predictable timeframe while maintaining the highest safety standards?

It is certainly a balancing act in unprecedented times. Changes in aircraft design processes are optional, but regulators need to scrutinize it more closely. Documentation needs to be strengthened and compliance proven. Manufacturers must understand regulators’ expectations and regulators should also be transparent about their requirements. More experienced staff should be used to create the right balance in the aviation industry. Supply chain issues need to be addressed and acted upon.

Regular charter flights and job creation

Another issue for the business aviation industry is dealing with some charter operations that offer scheduled flights. In June, the Federal Aviation Administration announced action to expand charter operators that are subject to less stringent safety regulations for scheduled flights than commercial operators. The ruling applies to charter operators regulated by the FAA’s Part 135 safety rule and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Part 380 economic requirements.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) said the new ruling was made without a data-based safety rationale. The FAA’s ruling could affect residents of small, remote communities who rely on such services as an integral part of their lifeline. NBAA requested a review of the ruling and data to explain the need for the change.

Additionally, business aviation employs millions of people worldwide and has an ecosystem that contributes to the global economy. In the United States alone, business aviation contributes $150 billion to national economic output, according to NBAA estimates. More than 1.2 million employees.

same, EBAA reported a few years ago Around 400,000 jobs depend directly or indirectly on the local business aviation industry, with France, Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom being the main players in this ecosystem, generating nearly €90 billion.

Overall, the highlights from Monarch Aviation Group reveal many of the dynamics facing the business aviation community today, some more important and pressing than others. Private aircraft have always been in high demand, especially the newest, most efficient, and most technologically advanced models. Despite delays in certification, safety remains the top priority.