Textron will deliver the aircraft in 2025. The deal was signed between the two companies on the sidelines of the Farnborough International Airshow.

“By providing a wide range of essential healthcare services to regional, rural and remote communities, the mission scope of the Scottish Air Ambulance requires 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week operational availability,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Mission Sales at Textron Aviation.

“Continuing to be the supplier of choice for emergency services in Scotland is a testament to the King Air’s performance when each second matters.”

The SAS operates the only fully publicly funded air ambulance service in the UK, catering to people across Scotland’s mainland and islands.

Gama Aviation has been a key partner to the SAS for over 30 years, supplying and managing the fixed-wing aircraft fleet, including the mainstay King Air model. Gama Aviation handles aircraft operations, maintenance, and pilot services.

“Our team worked closely with the experts at Textron Aviation to spec the Beechcraft King Air 360Cs for our recently awarded contract in Scotland,” said Marwan Khalek, Group CEO, Gama Aviation.

“Strategically the KA360C hits the mark, providing good, direct operating costs and flight performance with a highly scalable mission platform we will modify at Gama Aviation. The completed aircraft, on entry into service, will represent a substantial step-up in the provision of pre- and intra-hospital care for the people of Scotland.”

GAMA renews SAS air ambulance contract

SAS announced that the Gama Aviation’s contract for air ambulance services has been renewed.

The new contract is due to commence in 2026 and will see the introduction of brand new, more capable aircraft that will replace the existing fixed wing and rotary aircraft fleet based in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Inverness.

 “This has always been a strategically important contract for us, and we are immensely proud and delighted to have been chosen again for this critical task,” commented Gama CEO Khalek on renewing the contract.

“Over the last four years we have focused on developing our Air Ambulance capability and this award is another landmark in the maturity we have developed in this area, particularly in the development of our design capabilities. I would also like to thank Textron Aviation and Airbus for their support and patience during the later part of the procurement process.”

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“Investing in a larger and modern Textron Aviation Service Center facility in Perth allows us to grow our capacity and better assist customers with scheduled maintenance, modifications and aircraft-on-ground support,” said Brian Rohloff, senior vice president, Customer Support at Textron.

The company also announced that it will rename the recently-acquired Australian service center Premiair Aviation Maintenance to Textron Aviation Australia to fully integrate the Perth, Gold Coast and Melbourne facilities into its service network.

Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker customers receive factory-direct support, maintenance and modifications by Textron Aviation through its global network of service and parts centers, mobile service units and 24/7 1CALL AOG (aircraft-on-ground) support.

Aftermarket parts and services accounted for nearly 39% of the Textron’s revenue during the first quarter of 2024.

The company said that it is moving to larger and modernised facilities at both Jandakot airport in Perth and Essendon Fields airport in Melbourne to grow service capacity and support parts availability in the region.

The company expects larger facility at Jandakot to increase shop capacity and aid in faster scheduling with minimal down time to keep customers flying. The new facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of July 2024.

Moreover, in Melbourne, Textron said it is adding 5,000 square feet of new parts storage to a facility near Essendon Fields airport, located within five minutes of all major carriers and the Textron Aviation Service Center. Textron Aviation anticipates being fully functional in the expanded Melbourne facility by the end of June 2024.

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“Owners have increasingly become interested in solutions that mitigate the carbon footprint of operating their aircraft,” said Brad White, senior vice president, Textron Aviation.

The program, in collaboration with 4AIR, is set to launch in January 2024 and will be available to eligible customers who own and operate Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker turbine aircraft worldwide.

4AIR will provide aircraft owners a personalized, annual report that will document offset purchases in addition to helping them meet their monitoring and compliance reporting requirements.

“SustainableAdvantage provides them the opportunity to have a seamless option to offset their carbon emissions through a Textron Aviation approved program and supplier,” added White.

Textron Aviation will administer SustainableAdvantage programs and connect aircraft owners with 4AIR.

SustainableAdvantage will offer owners the option to offset their aircraft emissions footprint with 4AIR’s Bronze Level. Carbon offsets reduce emissions elsewhere which can be claimed against the carbon footprint from operating aircraft.

“We are excited to provide Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker owners with sustainable solutions that address and meet their environmental commitments and goals,” said Nancy Bsales, chief operating officer, 4AIR.

The SustainableAdvantage portfolio, managed by 4AIR, supports four projects around the globe including Rainier Gateway Forestry Project, Cookstove Project, Bundled Solar and Solar Energy – Renewable Power by Adani.

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“The Denali’s clean-sheet and high-performance design is revolutionising the single engine turboprop market,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Flight Operations. “Beechcraft turboprops are renowned for their versatility and reliability, and I’m thrilled to unveil the newest member of the legendary product family to the world.”

Textron Aviation recently announced it is bringing the Garmin Emergency Autoland system to the Denali. This new feature is being incorporated into the aircraft’s development and flight test programme and will be available as a standard feature at time of entry into service.

Show attendees can view the Beechcraft Denali between Monday, July 24th to Sunday, July 30th, at the Textron Aviation EAA AirVenture, Booth #78.

Meanwhile, engineered to achieve cruise speeds of 285 knots and full-fuel payload of 1,100lbs, the Beechcraft Denali is designed to have a range of 1,600 nautical miles at high-speed cruise with one pilot and four passengers. It will be able to fly from Los Angeles to Chicago, New York to Miami or London to Athens.

The Catalyst engine – a more efficient, FADEC-equipped, 1,300 shaft horsepower (SHP)-rated turboprop engine – eases pilot workload with its single-lever power and propeller control. The Denali can also use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

The airplane is equipped with McCauley’s new 105in diameter composite, five-blade, constant speed propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch and ice protection.

The cockpit features the Garmin G3000 intuitive avionics suite with high-resolution screens and touchscreen controllers. An integrated Garmin autothrottle interfaces with the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) and Flight Management System (FMS) to provide easy speed control throughout all regimes of flight from take-off to touchdown.

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The introduction of CoolView windows reflects Textron Aviation’s commitment to innovative solutions that enhance the flying experience for both passengers and pilots, it said . According to Lee Aerospace’s independent testing, the addition of a thin metallic inner layer, allows the windows to significantly reduce the amount of infrared light entering the cabin, ensuring a cooler and more comfortable environment during ramp operations.

“At Textron Aviation, we’re committed to incorporating the latest technology and customer feedback into our aircraft to deliver the best customer experience for owners, pilots and passengers,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Flight Operations. “The inclusion of CoolView windows in the Beechcraft King Air turboprops is a testament to our commitment to passenger comfort and our responsiveness to their ideas.”

The CoolView windows also feature a frost pane with an integrated window tint. This design enhances visibility while reducing unwanted sunlight and glare, creating a pleasant and visually appealing cabin atmosphere for passengers and crew. The frost pane also helps reduce or eliminate unwanted ice build-up during long flights.

Combined with Textron Aviation’s standard Electric Air Conditioning System with Ground Cooling in the King Air 360, the CoolView windows will help provide customers with a cool and comfortable cabin environment, even in challenging ramp conditions.

The CoolView windows are also available as an aftermarket upgrade for Beechcraft King Air turboprops at Textron Aviation Service Centers or for purchase exclusively from Textron Aviation’s parts website.

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The OEM, which makes Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft, said the increase was due to higher pricing of $58m and higher volume of $51m, which included higher defense and aftermarket volume. Profit also increased in the same period from $100m to $125m, largely due to favourable pricing, inflation and higher volume.

Jet deliveries in the quarter were down from Q1 2022, to 35 jets delivered from 39 last year, while turboprop deliveries increased from 31 to 34.

At the end of Q1 2023, Textron Aviation’s backlog reached $6.5bn. Earlier this week, the firm announced the delivery of its 400^th Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen2 aircraft.

Textron Aviation Q1 financial results – at a glance

• Revenue up to $1.1bn
• 35 jets delivered, down from 39
• Profit up to $125m
• Backlog of $6.5bn

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The Denali’s flight of two hours and one minute (reaching a maximum altitude of 15,500ft and a speed of 240ktas) brings the design’s total flight time to more than 250 flight hours.

Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering & Programs, Beechcraft, said: “This flight is another vitally important step for the Beechcraft Denali programme as the aircraft will be used primarily for testing aircraft systems like avionics, cabin environmental control and ice protection.”

The Denali flight test certification programme is expected to include a third flight test unit and three full airframe ground test units, as evaluation expands to testing aircraft systems, engine, avionics and overall performance.

Designed to achieve cruise speeds of 285 knots and full fuel payload of 1,100lbs, the turboprop will have a range of 1,600nm at high-speed cruise with one pilot and four passengers. This will enable the aircraft to link Los Angeles to Chicago, New York to Miami or London to Athens.

The Denali is the first aircraft powered with GE’s Catalyst engine. The FADEC-equipped, 1,300 shaft horsepower (SHP)-rated turboprop engine is said to ease pilot workload with its single-lever power and propeller control. The Denali prototype completed its first flight in November 2021.

The Beechcraft Denali, powered by GE’s Catalyst engine, completed its first flight in November 2021.

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Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron Aviation, said: “With its more environmentally friendly engine and largest cabin in its class, this is an aircraft that will change the landscape for high-performance single-engine turboprop aircraft. Today’s flight is just the beginning for what we anticipate will be a long list of important accomplishments as we prepare the aircraft for certification and customer deliveries.”

Piloted by senior test pilot Peter Gracey and chief test pilot Dustin Smisor, the Denali prototype, powered by GE’s Catalyst engine, took off from the firm’s west campus at Eisenhower International Airport. During the 2hr50m flight, the team tested the aircraft’s performance, stability and control, as well as its propulsion, environmental, flight controls and avionics systems.

The aircraft reached an altitude of 15,600 feet and attained speeds of 180 knots.

Gracey said: “From the beginning of the flight to the end, the Denali was simply flawless. It’s just a great aircraft to fly. The Catalyst engine was outstanding, and the aircraft performed to the levels we were anticipating. First flights really can’t go more smoothly than this. We are really off to an excellent start for the Denali flight test programme.”

The company is targeting certification for the Denali in 2023.

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Our front cover image features EHang’s 216 passenger grade autonomous aerial vehicle. Here we canvas the views of leading industry players including Luuk van Dijk, at Daedalean AI, Gary Gysin at Wisk and Anne-Claire Le Bihan at Wayfinder. Also helping us understand how the autonomous revolution is shaping our world are Kirsten Bartok Touw, Cyrus Sigari at UP.Partners and Marc Piette, at Xwing. EHang’s Andreas Perotti tells us that the twin drivers of this exciting new technology are cost and safety.

Garmin Autoland

We stay with autonomous flight, as we interview Garmin’s Connor McDougal about how the avionics firm won the coveted Robert J Collier Trophy for its Autoland system. Pressing the cockpit-mounted Garmin Autoland red button activates a system that automatically flies, navigates and lands the aircraft.

Garmin avionics also makes an appearance in our First Look feature on the Beechcraft Bonanza G36, which has been in continuous production for 75 years. We canvas the views of industry enthusiasts such as Lou Seno, Jr from JSSI Parts & Leasing and Guardian Jet’s Don Dwyer. We speak too to Brian Foley Folely of Brian Foley Associates (BRiFO), who believes “the Bonanza’s flame is beginning to flicker”.

Mapping global SAF supplies

The feature Mapping global SAF supplies charts the global production points of SAF and some of the airfields where it is available. Guiding us through this feature are Keith Sawyer, Avfuel, Jonathan Wood, Neste and Oskar Meijerink from SkyNRG. Other contributors include: Scott Cutshall, CAM, Clay Lacy Aviation, Michael Winter, Pratt & Whitney and Andreea Moyes, Air bp.

From the air, we sink to the deepest part of the world’s oceans as we climb into the cockpit of the unique submersible DSV Limiting Factor. Our mission is to accompany Action Aviation  chairman Hamish Harding and Victor Vescovo on their record-breaking 12-hour voyage to the Challenger Deep at the bottom of the Marianna Trench.

Two aviation companies profiled include Sheltair and Planet 9. Co-founders Matt Walter and James Seagrim explain how they have a build an on-demand charter and management company, which prizes top quality service from skilled staff.

We close with our Jet Data Buyer’s Guide to all the key numbers you need to know about leading business jet brands plus a Day in the Life feature on Janine Iannarelli, from Par Avion Ltd.

Register for your free copy of Corporate Jet Investor Quarterly and read the digital version here.

Register for your free copy of the journal.

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The ground runs, which took place at Textron’s west campus in Wichita, Kansas, showed the functionality of the fuel system and engine, as well as the interface with the avionics and electrical systems. This moves the clean-sheet design aircraft closer to its first flight, which is expected by the end of the year.

“These successful engine runs are a significant step toward the upcoming inaugural flight for the Beechcraft Denali, and they are a testament to the determination and collaboration from both the Textron Aviation and GE Aviation teams,” said Chris Hearne, senior vice president, Engineering.

“The Denali features a technologically advanced engine that burns less fuel. It has an intuitive avionics suite that eases pilot workload and boasts the most spacious cabin in its segment. We are excited to get this aircraft into the hands of our eager customers.”

GE’s Catalyst engine has completed over 2,450 hours of testing and is prepping for a first flight on its Beechcraft King Air flying test bed. The Catalyst engine burns less fuel than older turboprop technologies — the engine can also use sustainable aviation fuel. The 1,300 shaft horsepower (SHP)-rated turboprop engine lessens pilot workload with a single-lever power and propeller control. The Full Authority Digital Engine Controlled (FADEC) engine provides trend monitoring, which allows for on-condition maintenance with no mid-life Hot Section Inspection required.

Earlier this summer, the Catalyst engine was installed on the Denali prototype airframe and the aircraft was powered on for the first time. Two other Denali flight test articles are also in development. Three additional ground test articles will be used for the airframe static and fatigue tests, and for cabin interior development and testing. The company anticipates certification for the Denali in 2023. 

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