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Piper says all 39 of its M600 single-engined turboprops that were grounded in July while the company investigated the extent of a supplier production error have now returned to service having successfully passed inspections. M600 The US airframer issued a mandatory service bulletin to the owners and dealerships in possession of M600s after it discovered cracking of the aft wing spar during final assembly. An airworthiness directive was issued on 9 August by the Federal Aviation Administration, requiring inspection of the structure and repairs as necessary before the next flight. The airworthiness directive says: "A quality escape during manufacturing resulted in an understrength part, and these nonconforming parts may have been installed on some of the affected airplanes. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the aft wing spar and lead to wing separation with consequent loss of control." Piper says it "voluntarily grounded the fleet" to ensure that "all fielded aircraft met requirements, which they have".   To allay any concerns, Piper says it has extended the manufacturer's warranty for all wing-structure components from five to seven years. The M600 entered service in June 2016 following a 15-month certification campaign. The $3 million aircraft is a development of Piper’s M500 entry-level turboprop, featuring a redesigned wing, a Garmin G3000 flightdeck, digital fuel-management technology and a restyled interior.   Source: FLIGHTGLOBAL

Nextant Aerospace's remanufactured Challenger 604XT will feature the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion touchscreen cockpit, and the Safe Flight AutoPower autothrottle as a fully-integrated option. Aircraft remanufacturing specialist Nextant Aerospace has announced that the Safe Flight AutoPower automatic throttle system will be available as an option on its Challenger 604XT, which features the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion touchscreen cockpit. The system provides “takeoff-to-touchdown power-management capability for the aircraft, which not only improves overall efficiency, [but also] reduces pilot workload in critical segments of flight. This helps to further improve the overall safety of the new cockpit solution,” stated Ken Bannon, Safe Flight’s director of commercial and corporate sales. “In addition to precise speed control, the AutoPower system provides flight envelope and speed protection.” Nextant, through its Constant Aviation subsidiary, is offering the upgrade to 604 customers at a price of $199,950 for a limited time when installed with the Pro Line Fusion suite. “Nextant’s goal has always been to provide the best overall value proposition in the industry, and the announcement by our companies to offer this great feature at a price under $200K shows our commitment to that goal,” said Nextant executive vice president Jay Heublein.   For Challenger 604 owners who already have the Safe Flight autothrottle system modification—approximately 40 percent of the fleet, according to Heublein—Nextant will offer an exclusive integration pathway with the upgrade to the Fusion cockpit.   Source: AINONLINE

Pilatus will cease production of its PC-6 multirole trainer in 2019 after a 60-year run. The decision follows poor sales of the single-engined turboprop, also known as the Porter, and limited development opportunities for the platform. Pilatus PC-6 "The PC-6 no longer fits our product portfolio," says Pilatus chairman Oscar Schwenk. "Due to its age and other certification parameters, it is no longer possible to provide ongoing development in the scope we would wish." The company has produced some 500 PC-6s at its Stans headquarters in Switzerland since 1959. In addition about 100 PC-6s were built in the USA under licence. In recent years the short take-off and landing type has been manufactured in “small numbers,” Pilatus says. Flight Fleets Analyzer records deliveries of nine PC-6s in 2016 and none in the first six months of 2017. Schwenk says while the PC-6 gave Pilatus “fame and recognition worldwide”, every product has a finite lifespan. “That moment has arrived for the PC-6,” he says.   The PC-6 is well known for its short takeoff and landing capabilities and general versatility. Among its achievements, the Pilatus Porter holds a world record for flying several cargo and passenger trips at maximum useful load to 18,700 feet (5,700 meters). Pilatus is now switching its focus to the in-development PC-24 superlight business jet which is on track for certification and service entry in the fourth quarter: "The PC-24 requires our full attention," Schwenk says. The company will accept orders for the PC-6 until mid-2018 and will continue to provide product support for at least another 20 years. Source: FLIGHTGLOBAL

Gogo business aviation DASH Internet connectivity specialist Gogo Business Aviation has got government approval for part of its new inflight Wi-Fi system. The Federal Aviation Administration has granted Supplemental Type Certification and Parts Manufacturer Approval for the dual-directional antennae that will be used with the Gogo AVANCE L5 system (formerly known as the Gogo Biz 4G LRU). This means that Gogo can start shipping the system and installing it on business aircraft. Gogo AVANCE L5 connects to the Gogo Biz 4G network, which uses Gogo’s ground network of more than 250 towers across the US to allow activities such as live streaming video and audio, on-demand films, personal smartphone use, real-time data for cockpit apps, and remote diagnostics and support during flight. It is part of a group of new products that combine Gogo’s hardware and software technology to create an inflight connectivity and entertainment platform. The Smart Cabin systems – SCS Elite and SCE Media – launched in July, followed by the AVANCE L5 hardware – a box incorporating dual-band Wi-Fi and a host of other features. “Using our proprietary Gogo Biz 4G network, Gogo AVANCE L5 will deliver an inflight Wi-Fi experience unrivalled by anything else in aviation, and demand from customers is strong,” said Gogo senior vice president and general manager Sergio Aguirre. “I’m so proud of our team. We told the marketplace that we would launch 4G service in mid-2017, and we met that commitment.” Gogo’s dealer and OEM partners are pursuing their own STCs, to certify the Gogo AVANCE L5 system for installation on more than 40 business aircraft models. Most other models will be able to have the system installed using existing certifications. A spokesman for Gogo

St. Maarten’s main airport, Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), sustained infrastructure damage caused by the powerful winds of Hurricane Irma. In the aftermath of a direct hit by Hurricane Irma on Wednesday, Signature Flight Support is reporting significant damage to the general aviation terminal at St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport, which it shares with another FBO. According to a company spokesman, communication with the location is limited to satellite phone, and as of Thursday evening it was still trying to account for all of its employees. With photos showing widespread destruction at the airport, Signature has no timeframe for its reopening there. For the BBA Aviation subsidiary’s FBO at Puerto Rico’s Isla Grande Airport, the story was much brighter as the monster storm’s path veered northward and spared the island from its most intense fury, causing little if any damage to the facility. Jet Aviation reports a similar situation with its location at San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Antigua’s V.C. Bird International Airport was open on Friday morning as well. While other islands suffered varying amounts of damage, Bohlke International Airways, the lone FBO at St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlson Airport, escaped virtually unscathed and is currently being used as a staging hub for relief efforts throughout the Caribbean. Other affected areas include St. Thomas and Tortola. Signature noted its affiliated facility at Turks and Caicos closed on Friday ahead of the storm’s arrivals. The airports at St. Kitts and Nevis are expected to reopen by Saturday. Signature, like most of the FBO chains has added a hurricane information page to its website, alerting customers to the latest operating conditions of its locations in Florida and up the East Coast.   Source: AINONLINE

Gulfstream G280 Gulfstream Aerospace has announced the creation of its Connectivity Service program, a comprehensive, bundled suite of in-flight internet, voice and entertainment offerings customized to meet the needs of each Gulfstream operator. “This new service will simplify and enhance the connectivity experience by seamlessly integrating all aspects of in-flight connectivity with the Gulfstream aircraft ownership experience,” said Derek Zimmerman, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “It will make connectivity more accessible and easier to understand. The integration provides customers everything they need to create and maintain the ultimate experience in nose-to-tail connectivity. Gulfstream will be their single source for equipment, service networks and technical support.” As part of the program, Satcom Direct will be the exclusive provider of cabin and cockpit connectivity service plans on both in-production and in-service aircraft. “Satcom Direct is proud to have been selected to support Gulfstream’s Connectivity Service program,” said Jim Jensen, founder and CEO of Satcom Direct. “Through this program, Gulfstream customers will be able to fly in confidence knowing they can maximize faster, richer data during all phases of flight around the globe.” Bundled cabin connectivity options will feature Inmarsat’s Jet ConneX, the fastest in-flight internet connection in business aviation, as well as other networks, such as Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband and ViaSat’s Ku-band service. Flight-deck options will include a datalink service that enables mandated safety systems, including Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A+.  Gulfstream Technical Operations, with on-site support from Satcom Direct, will be the single source for connectivity questions and troubleshooting. Gulfstream’s company-owned service centers worldwide will complete connectivity installations in Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia; Westfield, Massachusetts; Appleton, Wisconsin; Las Vegas, Nevada; Long Beach, California; Dallas, Texas; West Palm Beach, Florida; Luton, England; Sorocaba, Brazil; and Beijing,

The first half of 2017 has been “nothing but positive” for US flight activity, according to the latest data from Argus. Gulfstream-G650 Last year was a great year for the US business aviation, says the aviation service and technology firm, with total flights rising by 90,000+ across the country. And 2017 is shaping up to be even better. Flight activity is up 3.9% year-on-year (YoY) from 2016 and flight hours rose 6.0% from last year, according to Argus’ 2017 midyear business aviation report. Specifically, activity for part 135 (charter) operations has been very positive, rising an impressive 10.1% YoY for the first half of 2017. This is a substantial gain from the already positive 5.8% growth for the full year of 2016. Charter activity has risen every month so far this year compared to 2016. April saw the biggest YoY increase, rising 14.9%. Three of the first six months saw double-digit increases in activity.   Part 91 (private) operations saw a slight drop in activity, declining 0.5% YoY. This slight decline is the result of three months of increased activity and three months of less. May was the month with the biggest increase in activity, seeing a 2.1% rise in private flights. Argus expects the second half of the year to be more positive for Part 91 activity. The rise in overall flight activity for the whole of 2016 looks to be replicated in the second half, it says in its report. Fractional flight activity (where multiple owners share the costs of purchase, leasing and operating) increased every month YoY as with part 135. April had the biggest rise, with an 8.5% increase. More hours Large-cabin jets saw the biggest increase in flight hours from

Piper Aircraft has recorded a 30% increase in deliveries of its business and general aviation aircraft family for the second quarter of 2017, thanks to strong performance from the single-engined Archer and M600, and its recent decision to adopt a build-to-order strategy for its nine-strong line-up. For the three months ended 30 June, the Vero Beach, Florida-based manufacturer delivered 32 single- and twin-engined aircraft, compared with 19 units for the same period last year. Revenues climbed to $52.1 million – up $10.7 million from the second quarter of 2016. Piper aircraft   Piper Aircraft Demand for its two-seat Archer DX/TX from the global training market resulted in a delivery increase for the all-metal piston-single pair of more than 200%, says Piper. Demonstration tours of Europe and Africa in May and June resulted in “better-than-expected sales” of the top-of-the-range M600 single-engined turboprop, it says. "Our commitment to a commonsense, made-to-order approach, has been a key differentiator and is contributing to Piper's success in this 'new normal' market we are all talking about,” says Piper president Simon Caldecott. "As we look forward to the second half of the year, we anticipate continued strong performance across our product line with a strategic focus on both Europe and Latin America."   Source: FlightGlobal.

G600 Cockpit Gulfstream Aerospace announced that its fourth Gulfstream G600 aircraft completed its debut flight just over six weeks after the third aircraft. The G600 departed Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport at 6:50 p.m. During the 1-hour and 18-minute flight, the aircraft climbed to a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet/15,545 meters and reached a maximum airspeed of Mach .925. The aircraft landed back in Savannah at 8:08 p.m. local time. “To have four first flights and fly more than 570 hours in less than six months is a remarkable achievement,” said Dan Nale, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. “The rapid maturity of this program is due to the work we did before the flying even started — the strategic planning, the research, the lab development — combined with the success we’ve had in the similar G500 program.” The fifth G600 test aircraft was recently delivered to the Savannah Completions center, where it will be transformed into a fully outfitted production aircraft. During flight test the aircraft will be used to validate interior elements and ensure the successful integration of aircraft systems with the passenger experience. To date, the G600 program’s four test aircraft have accumulated more than 130 flights.   Source: ULTIMATEJET

Embraer first entered the business aviation market with the executive version of its Embraer 135 commercial airliner called the Legacy 600. The Embraer 135 was a shortened version of the ERJ-145 that flew for the first time in 1999. The Legacy 600 flew first in 2001. Embraer’s decision to enter the business aviation market came at a time when revenues and backlogs at business aircraft makers were at an all time high. In the years following the delivery of the first Legacy 600 the market continued to expand, and Embraer took the decision to create two new business jets completely from scratch. The Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300 were both introduced at the same time in 2005. The smaller of the two, the Phenom 100 was pitched in the very light jet category that at the time was beginning to be talked about as the next big thing. The larger, the Phenom 300, is a light jet that seats six people comfortably. Embraer’s real advantage with both aircraft is that they were able to bring the lessons learnt from building commuter aircraft. Both the Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 are both built to withstand multiple daily take offs and landings, which makes them ideal for use in charter operations. The Phenom 300 in particular found favour with all of the major fractional operators. NetJets operate a large fleet of the aircraft both in the US and Europe, and Flight Options also has a sizeable fleet. Despite the first aircraft being delivered in 2009, the Phenom 300 is still selling in large numbers, thanks in no small part to the incremental upgrades that have been introduced. For the last few years in the row, the