The small emitters tool (also referred to as the ETS Support Facility) calculates CO2 emissions for each trip by calculating fuel burn for a given distance flown based on generic performance data covering most common aircraft types. What is still not clear from the Eurocontrol Web site is the official definition of a small emitter. The original proposal for the tool envisioned its use being restricted to operators generating fewer than 10,000 metric tons of CO2 per year, but the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has been lobbying to have this threshold raised to at least 50,000 metric tons. Currently operators emitting fewer than 10,000 metric tons of CO2 per year will be permitted to use the ETS Support Facility. EBAA is pushing for this threshold to be raised to 50,000 tons, or even 500,000 tons, on the grounds that the margin of error with the Eurocontrol data is sufficiently accurate to ensure a precise accounting of emissions on this scale. The association is arguing that unless the threshold is raised, operators will resort to registering aircraft on multiple air operator’s certificates to avoid exceeding the 10,000-ton limit. Also still to be resolved with the European Commission is whether the data generated by the small emitter tool will need to be verified by an approved third party for ETS compliance.

Opinion is divided among ETS experts as to whether the small emitters tool is sufficiently accurate. Some consultants have maintained that smaller operators, mainly in the business aviation sector, risk losing out on the correct free allocation of carbon credits that will be assigned on the basis of 2010 emissions and could also end up having to buy credits for more CO2 than their aircraft actually emit. However, other observers have maintained that even if the final tally of emissions paid for by operators is not particularly accurate, it will still be less expensive overall to use the free small emitters tool than to pay to have emissions calculated to a higher degree of accuracy.

via Europe OKs tool for ETS compliance : AINonline.

This US$3.4m (£2.2m) project comes hard on the heels of the announcement of a new 4,440m2 (47,800 sq.ft.) hangar which has just commenced construction on the south side of the main airport site.

“The apron development represents a considerable enhancement of capacity and infrastructure development which will effectively double the parking capacity at the airport for aircraft weighing up to 50 tonnes. On a busy day we can sometimes be stretched for space, but now Oxford Airport will be able to accommodate far more aircraft, for visiting operators and based residents, at rates that represent better value than most of our London-centric airport peers,” remarked Business Development Director, James Dillon-Godfray.

“Adding the equivalent of over four football pitches-worth of additional space will give us a great deal more flexibility and allow with greater ease, the handling of modern regional airliners including the Bombardier Q400 and the Embraer family of regional aircraft, including the EMB-190 and the Lineage 1000 business jet.”

Well prepared for major event demand – including the 2012 Olympics

“On occasions when we need to clear the main apron for major events in the future like the Silverstone Grand Prix, and the forthcoming Olympics, Oxford will be able to accommodate typically 40 or so mid to larger-size executive jets opposite the new award-winning Oxfordjet FBO terminal facility,” he added.

In June the airport started work on a brand new 4,440m2 (47,787 sq.ft) three-bay hangar in an investment worth £3 million. The new three-bay facility will offer independent landside access, office space and car parking tailored to clients’ requirements. It will be the largest single facility built at the airport to date and when complete in December, it will have increased the total hangarage at the airport by 78% since 2005 to 240,500 sq ft (78,000m2 )

via BlueSky – your weekly business and executive aviation news.

The order is comprised of four Global Express XRS aircraft and two large-cabin Challenger 605 aircraft for delivery across 2011 and 2012.

The order, which places a greater emphasis on large, longer-range aircraft, will significantly increase VistaJet’s long-haul capability at a time when the company is successfully winning new customers, both PROGRAM and On-Demand, in markets such as the Middle East, West Africa and Russia / CIS who typically fly sectors of over six to- eight hours.

Additionally, the order will also facilitate VistaJet’s strict policy of maintaining a young fleet age profile, with an average age of less than two years and with no one individual aircraft being more than three years old.

Once all aircraft are delivered, the new order will see an increase in the fleet size to in excess of thirty aircraft.

Thomas Flohr, founder and chairman of VistaJet, said: “Having demonstrated its resilience during the recent global economic downturn by increasing revenues, VistaJet is now enjoying increasing demand across all its service areas and these larger, long-range new aircraft will play a key role in our ongoing success. For our customers, the Bombardier fleet provides the ‘aircraft of choice’ whether flying medium or long haul and in a level of comfort that they demand from us.”

Steve Ridolfi, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft, said: “This significant order is great news for both our companies. In particular, it is further evidence of VistaJet’s confidence in Bombardier aircraft, offering the advantages of fleet commonality and Bombardier Aerospace’s strong commitment to customer support.

“We are confident the new aircraft will provide VistaJet with the ability to continue to offer the exceptional quality and customer service it is known for as it continues its expansion.”

via Arabian Aerospace – VistaJet confirm $277 million order for six Bombardier aircraft.

The heliport development has been ongoing for two years and now provides additional helicopter parking capacity, a totally rebuilt and upgraded control tower and modern facilities for the Heliport’s fire and rescue team. The new terminal accepted its first passengers in May 2010. Final work involves redevelopment of the control tower and this will be completed by October 2010. Two passenger lounges are available and there is a separate lounge for pilots and crewmembers.

Hotel Verta is the first integrated hotel heliport solution in Europe and the complex is launched as London’s Vertical Gateway. The hotel’s design has been inspired by the glory days of aviation and all 70 bedrooms, including 14 suites, are furnished in a classically modern style, each with original artwork and bespoke fitting. Windows feature quadruple glazing so that the sound of helicopter operations is totally subdued.

The London Heliport remains the Capital’s only licensed commercial heliport. Since opening in 1959 it has handled more than 450,000 movements and continues to provide a vital communications link into the heart of London. David McRobert, PremiAir’s Group Managing Director commented, “from a business aviation perspective it is now a superb facility and in conjunction with Hotel Verta it really will provide Heliport users with immediate access to an exceptional range of on-site services that are unique in the business aviation world”

Currently the Heliport has an annual movement limit of 12,000, plus some additional exempt or State movements. Demand for the Heliport is forecast to grow significantly and it will have a key role for the 2012 Olympics.

via Welcome to Eva International – www.evaint.com – Eva International – www.evaint.com.

The Jet Centre will encompass a business aviation centre and hangar ‘parking’ facilities for private jets.

Caly Roberts, Director of the Private Jet Company, which is behind the project, said it will take the Island to a new level in terms of its international reputation. She said:’The new Jet Centre will be a gateway to the Island for a lot of people who count in the world of business. ‘The Centre will project just the right image and will be a factor in encouraging high net worth individuals and executives of industry to move to the Island.’

Captain Tony Corlett, the Private Jet Company’s managing director, said: ‘We will be able to offer a deluxe facility dedicated to executives and their aircraft. ‘For the business community The Jet Centre will become a focal point to meet and greet clients in privacy and comfort. First impressions count.’

Company director Richard Corlett said the project will be undertaken at a site within the airport perimeter on land near the Manx aviation museum. This will include the executive jet hangarage and the scheme will cost between £1.5million and £2million.

Work is expected to start on the project before the end of the year.

Ronaldsway Airport Director Ann Reynolds has welcomed the project and recently told the Private Jet Company that once the new centre was built ‘the airport will be able to offer world class executive services within a relatively short period of time.’

Caly Roberts said the new Jet Centre was something the Island had been ‘crying out for.’ to bring it into line with other jurisdictions. The centre will include office space and a new, modern and well-equipped base for the Private Jet Company with improved facilities for clients and 2,000 square metres of hangarage space.

The centre will be separate from the main airport complex and will deal with most flights that are not part of the scheduled services run from the airport. Caly said the new centre will be a ‘massive leap forward’ and will undoubtedly have a positive economic spin-off for the Island

via Sky’s the limit for executive gateway – Isle of Man Today.

The world’s first solar powered aircraft completed a major milestone today when it completed an overnight flight for the first time.

The Solar Impulse HB-SIA, with André Borschberg at its controls, successfully landed this morning at 09:00, to the cheers of a crowd of supporters who came to celebrate this great milestone.

For more than 26 hours, André Borschberg expertly piloted the aircraft with its 64 meter wingspan. The plane was up in the air yesterday for the whole day, then through the entire night, flying solely on solar energy. This flight is the longest and highest in the history of solar aviation!

“I’ve been a pilot for 40 years now, but this flight has been the most incredible one of my flying career. Just sitting there and watching the battery charge level rise and rise thanks to the sun… And then that suspense, not knowing whether we were going to manage to stay up in the air the whole night. And finally the joy of seeing the sun rise and feeling the energy beginning to circulate in the solar panels again!” These were the emotional words of André Borschberg, CEO and co-founder of the Solar Impulse project, spoken on leaving the cockpit. “I have just flown more than 26 hours without using a drop of fuel and without causing any pollution!”

“Bravo André! You have just proved that what I have been dreaming about for the last 11 years, is possible”, cried out Bertrand Piccard, initiator and President of the project, the moment the Solar Impulse HB-SIA touched down. He went on to say that “This is a crucial step forward, it gives full credibility to the speeches we hold since years about renewable energies and CleanTechs and allows us now to get closer to the perpetual flight without using a drop of fuel!” He then ran over to hug his partner, both men full of tears.

“Such success would not have been possible without all the hard work put in by an exceptional team”, said Claude Nicollier, head of the Solar Impulse test flight programme.

“The success also belongs to Solvay, Omega, the Deutsche Bank and all our partners without whom this demonstration of the potential of renewable energy and new technologies would not have been possible”, added the two Solar Impulse founders in chorus.

via Arabian Aerospace – Solar powered aircraft completes night flight.

The deal includes the acquisition of a fleet of Bombardier Learjet 45s that will be owned by PremiAir’s sister company Von Essen and managed by the operator from the Biggin Hill base.

The super-light business jets will be placed on PremiAir’s aircraft operator’s certificate in August.

PremiAir – which is the largest executive helicopter charter, management and maintenance company in the UK – expanded into the private jet charter and management business earlier this year and now boasts six UK operating bases.

via PremiAir buys Gold Group’s Biggin Hill facility.

The facilities will mirror the company’s three-year old members-only facility in Denver, Colorado, where 15 aircraft owners pay a one-off fee for dedicated hangarage, handling, lounge access, 24/7 global concierge service and fuel at cost price.

XJet founder and president Josh Stewart says the business model has been a huge success. “Through XJet World, we have revolutionised private aviation and turned the traditional FBO model on its head,” he says.

“Unlike traditional FBOs, which cater for pilots and which are heavily dependent of fuel sales for profit,” he adds, “we have built a facility that caters for aircraft owners.”

XJet draws its members from the local community and not the transient business aircraft traffic, on which FBOs are so reliant, he says.

“The club component is the cornerstone of the business. Because we make a profit through the membership fee we can offer very competitive rates on fuelling and handling for the transient traffic,” Stewart says.

The business model is capital intensive, he admits, with between $20 and $30 million needed to invest in the high-quality facilities. “This amount of capital is a barrier to entry for many FBO providers, and that is what makes our high end brand so unique in the business aviation services industry,” Stewart adds.

XJet has identified a green field site at Le Bourget and has submitted plans to Aeroport de Paris to develop the site. “We have two options here,” Stewart says. “To build our own facility from the ground up or buy an existing company on the site and upgrade it. We are very eager to get established in Paris, where there is a strong local base of business aircraft owners and movers and shakers who we can service,” he adds.

Al Bateen is equally important to XJet’s long-term strategy, and it plans to break ground early in 2011 on a new facility at the flourishing site. “This is a gem of an airport and there are tremendous opportunities for XJet here,” he adds.

via XJet’s seven-star fixed-base expansion gathers pace.

The new aircraft is configured to accommodate up to 18 passengers. When entering this aircraft you walk first into a majlis (VIP Lounge) area, which in turn leads through to two stylish lounges, a private office and stateroom, as well as two bathrooms complete with showers. It immediately entered service in order to meet the high summer demand. It will give Royal Jet important flexibility to meet the varied demands of passengers and valuable added capacity during this peak period.

In addition to the new aircraft, Royal Jet’s multi-million dollar refurbished BBJ will return later this month, while an Embraer Lineage 1000 will arrive later in the year.

via Welcome to Eva International – www.evaint.com – Eva International – www.evaint.com.

Offering independent landside access, office space and car parking, the new facility is scheduled for completion by December. According to the airport authority, each of the three bays in the new hangar will be capable of housing aircraft up to the size of a Global Express or regional airliner such as the ATR 72.

The new hangar features wide-span vertical-lifting doors. The airport is currently home to five EASA 145 maintenance organizations (EBAS, PremiAir, Eurocopter, AirMed and Oxford Aviation Academy) and eight charter operators.

It also plays host to several hundred pilots, engineers and other professionals in the general and business aviation industry.

via London Oxford Airport To Build MRO Facility: AINonline.