News & Events

2012 Democratic Convention in Charlotte - Fly into Skytech UZA

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0800

The 2012 Democratic National Convention is set for the week of September 3, 2012. The Rock Hil l- York County Airport is ideally positioned as the gateway to Charlotte. Click on the image below to see a video on the Rock Hill - York County Airport and why it is the best choice for visiting Charlotte. Contact Skytech UZA at 803-366-5108 for additional information.

First Installation of Garmin GTN Series in Pilatus PC12 Fleet

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Skytech has now accomplished two installations of the new Garmin GTN-750 and GTN-650 touch-screen fully integrated GPS/NAV/COMM systems in a Pilatus PC-12 cockpit. The 6-in. tall system's intuitive touch-screen controls and large display give you unprecedented access to high-resolution terrain mapping, graphical flight planning, geo-referenced charting, traffic display, satellite weather and much more. These capabilities are a perfect fit for the -45 and -47 series of the Pilatus PC-12 and Skytech is proud to have completed the first installation to the fleet.

For more informationon this installation, contact Preston Estes, Director of Maintenance UZA at 888-386-3596 ext. 1350 or pestes@skytechinc.com

Skytech is the Mid-Atlantic Authorized Pilatus Dealer and Factory Service Center. Skytech has two FBO facilities on the east coast in Rock Hill, South Carolina (UZA) and Westminster, Maryland (DMW) and specializes in the sale and service of new and pre-owned high-end owner flown and business-level aircraft.

Skytech Aircraft on Display

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Skytech Aircraft On Display

Here is your opportunity to see the latest aircraft from Pilatus and Piper and Cessna. The aircraft will be open for display and Skytech representatives will be avialable to answer your questions. Check our Upcoming Events page under Aircraft Sales for complete information. Upcoming events include:

7/14/11 Richmond, Virginia (RIC): Piper Mirage, Meridian and Pilatus PC-12 NG on display. Contact us for details.

For more details on all upcoming events click here.

Caution Scam Posing as Skytech

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Please be advised that individuals posing as Skytech employees are attempting to contact and solicit unsuspecting persons using false Skytech URL's. Multiple schemes have been determined including false employment offers and other forms of internet commerce. These are illegitimate communications from someone NOT connected with Skytech. Skytech is NOT recruiting employees over the internet or via email. This is not our policy and is a scam. If you are contacted please visit http://www.ic3.gov/media/default.aspx and file a complaint with the authorities. For more information on this activity please visit: http://www.ic3.gov/media/2010/WorkAtHome.pdf

Bonus Depreciation: Available for 2011 Deliveries

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700

President Obama has signed the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. This legislation brings back 50% bonus depreciation for qualified business aircraft purchases. Property placed in service in taxable years beginning after January 1, 2010 and before December 31, 2010 will qualify for 50% bonus depreciation.

The general rule to qualify for bonus depreciation includes:

Purchase and place in service a new business aircraft in 2010
Aircraft held as demonstrator by factory or dealer will qualify as new aircraft
Acquiring an existing position in the market place for an aircraft that will deliver in 2010 can qualify for bonus depreciation.

If the following requirements are met, a 2011 delivery can also qualify for bonus depreciation:

Signing a binding contract to buy a new aircraft by December 31, 2010
Making a non-refundable deposit of the lessor of:

10 percent of the cost, or
$100,000
Taking delivery and placing the aircraft in service for Part 91 operation by December 31, 2011

Contact an Aviation Tax professional for information specific to your situation. Don't let this opportunity pass you by.

PiperJet Gets Larger Cabin, Design Improvements, New Name

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Piper Aircraft's high-performance single-engine light business jet is getting a much larger round fuselage design that gives customers an even more spacious cabin to complement already efficient acquisition and operating costs.

The single-pilot PiperJet Altaire, as it is now named, was unveiled at the 63rd Annual Meeting and Convention of the National Business Aviation Association on Tuesday October 19th in Atlanta.

“While the earlier PiperJet design, with it's Piper M-class cabin cross section, provided a comfortable environment, we wanted to give our jet customers an even roomier light jet that incorporates a scalable design paving the way for a future family of competitive business jets,” said Piper CEO Geoffrey Berger.

The newly named PiperJet Altaire features a new configuration. Its larger redesigned round fuselage is mounted on top of an expanded-chord wing, with a shorter vertical empennage located slightly aft atop an elongated engine nacelle.

$2.6 Million Typically Equipped

“The PiperJet Altaire is a powerful and stylish blend of efficiency, cabin volume, range, payload and speed,” Berger says. Price point for the PiperJet Altaire is $2.5 million, with a typically equipped aircraft priced at $2.6 million. The PiperJet Altaire costs an average of 25 percent less to operate per hour than comparable production very light jets.

The round fuselage and new wing provide all the performance and cabin improvements of a clean sheet aircraft coupled with the proven reliability of Piper’s manufacturing techniques honed over the decades with the company’s lineup of reliable airplanes, including M-class aircraft – the Meridian, Malibu and Matrix.

“The innovative PiperJet Altaire combines revolutionary single-engine performance with ground-breaking efficiency, making it the fiscally responsible choice for aircraft operators,” Berger says. “The bonus for owners is that it also features the room and comfort of a twin-engine business jet.”

Nine Inches Taller, Four Inches Wider
In addition to cleaner and sleeker styling, the optimized configuration gives customers a cabin that is nine inches taller and four inches wider than the previous design. The new cross section also offers a wider than standard sunken aisle for ease of movement inside the cabin. Additionally, the PiperJet Altaire will have a three-foot wide cabin door for ease of passenger entry and exit while providing great cargo flexibility.

“Clearly, the PiperJet Altaire looks spectacular and has operating efficiency and reliability to back up its exceptional styling,” said Piper Executive Vice President Randy Groom. PiperJet Altaire improvements, Groom says, are based upon the baseline proof of concept PiperJet, which has flown more than 375 flight test hours and executed more than350 takeoffs and landings.

The PiperJet Altaire will have dynamic crew and passenger seats for increased safety and comfort, The airplane also has comfortable club seating in the spacious cabin with an optional seventh seat located across the aisle from the entry door. A lavatory, storage compartment, or entertainment center is easily interchangeable for that seat. With a wide drop-down aisle, no wing spar intrusion, LED lighting, and dual controlled environmental system, The PiperJet Altaire’s interior has been styled for superior passenger comfort.

Excellent Performance

PiperJet Altaire maximum range is targeted at 1,300 nautical miles. A maximum cruise speed planned at 360 knots. The airplane is planned to fly 1,200 nautical miles with a a payload of 800 pounds.

2014 Certification, Deliveries
Now undergoing CAD modeling and analysis in the program’s detail design phase, the first of four conforming PiperJet Altaire flight test aircraft will begin flying in 2012. Certification and first customer deliveries are planned for 2014, slightly after the previously scheduled date.

“I believe our customers will accept their new delivery dates because they get a much improved and efficient aircraft with enviable performance,” Groom says.

State-of-Art Flight Deck

The airplane is equipped with an integrated flight deck. It features Garmin G3000 avionics complete with the first touch screen-controlled glass panel designed for light turbine aircraft, three displays, two touch screens and a GFC 700 automatic flight control system.

Flight controls in the new, larger PiperJet Altaire cockpit will be yokes, replacing the side stick controls flown on the PiperJet proof of concept test article. The improved aircraft will also have crew seats that are easier to access and an ergodynamic interface between pilot and avionics.

About Piper Aircraft

Piper Aircraft Inc. is headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla. A global force in aviation, Piper offers nine efficient models of single-engine and twin-engine trainer, personal and business aircraft. Piper Aircraft designs, manufactures, sells and supports the strongest and broadest single-engine product line in the industry, from high-performance pistons to turboprops to the world’s most fuel-efficient seven-person business jet, the PiperJet Altaire. With economical acquisition and operating costs, Piper airplanes deliver the best values available today and into the future. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

Summer 2010 Advantage Magazine Now Available

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Visit the Advantage Magazine section of Skytech's website to view the latest issue of Owner Pilot Advantage as well as all past issues. This issue has many interesting topics including:

A behind the scenes look at the engine overhaul process from the owner's point of view.
A breakdown of the effect temperature and torque have on turbine engines.
A Pilatus PC12 owner profile.
A look into the differences between Composite and Reflective RADAR images.
and more...!

Skytech Receives 2009 FAA Award of Excellence

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Skytech Receives 2009 FAA Award of Excellence

The Diamond Award is the highest level award in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Awards

Rock Hill, South Carolina, April 28, 2010 -- Skytech, Inc., one of the world’s premier authorized dealers for new and pre-owned, high-end, owner-flown and business-level aircraft, has received the 2009 Award of Excellence “Diamond Award” -- the highest level award in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Awards program. The awards are issued yearly based on the training received in a calendar year. Skytech’s Rock Hill service facility has received the award continuously since 2006 and was the only maintenance provider in South Carolina to receive the award in 2009.

“We are honored that the dedication and hard work of our technicians is recognized by the FAA each year,” said John K. Foster, President of Skytech Inc. “At Skytech, we rely on building strong and lasting customer relationships, a strong commitment to customer service and a firm belief that providing the very best in sales support and service means continued business success.”

Through its Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Awards program, the FAA recognizes employers and technicians who “participate aggressively in available initial and recurrent maintenance training courses…and receive or promote and foster initial and recurrent training”. To qualify for the “Diamond Award” an employer must be involved full-time in the business of maintaining or repairing aircraft and/or component parts or appliances and have at least three full-time AMTs. A “Diamond Award” recipient must have 100% of its eligible employees receive an individual AMT Certificate of Training. This level of participation demonstrates Skytech’s mission to provide owners with a first-class maintenance experience through employees and practices that are second to none.

Serving the aviation community for more than 34 years, Skytech is an authorized dealer and service center for new and pre-owned, high-end, owner flown and business level aircraft. Skytech has administrative offices at the Martin State Airport in Baltimore, Maryland, along with full-service FBOs at both the Rock Hill York County Airport in Rock Hill, South Carolina (Charlotte Metro Area) and the Carroll County Regional Airport in Westminster, Maryland (Baltimore/Washington Metro Area). Skytech is a member of the Pinnacle Air Network, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and various other industry associations.

For Further Information and Photo Requests

Contact:
Justin Lazzeri
Director of Marketing, Skytech Inc.
410-574-4144 ext 1210
jlazzeri@skytechinc.com
www.skytechinc.com

Pilatus Garners 1st Spot in Pro Pilot Survey

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Pilatus Garners 1^st Spot in Pro Pilot Survey for the 8^th Consecutive Year

Skytech Highest Ranking Service Center in Network

Once again, for the 8^th year in a row, Pilatus Product Support was voted #1 in the turboprop category of the annual survey by Professional Pilot Magazine. This survey, which is distributed to owners and operators of aircraft throughout the entire world, takes into account several parameters including:

The response time of service centers
The availability of spare parts
The cost of parts
Aircraft on Ground (AOG) service support
Aircraft technical manuals
Aircraft technical representatives
Overall service satisfaction

In the combined overall ranking of both jets and turboprops, Pilatus came in 2^nd overall, trailing only slightly behind Gulfstream for the top spot. This continued success is proof of not only an incredibly well designed aircraft but also the top notch service network that supports the fleet.

Focusing on Pilatus owner specific results, Skytech, Inc. captured the highest marks for PC12 service centers within the world-wide network. This “best of the best” honor validates Skytech’s commitment to provide world-class service to their growing list of customers and provides a solid foundation for a continued march towards that goal.

News & Events

2012 Democratic Convention in Charlotte - Fly into Skytech UZA

First Installation of Garmin GTN Series in Pilatus PC12 Fleet

Skytech Aircraft on Display

Skytech Aircraft On Display

***Caution*** Scam Posing as Skytech

Bonus Depreciation: Available for 2011 Deliveries

PiperJet Gets Larger Cabin, Design Improvements, New Name

Summer 2010 Advantage Magazine Now Available

Skytech Receives 2009 FAA Award of Excellence

Skytech Receives 2009 FAA Award of Excellence

The Diamond Award is the highest level award in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Awards

Pilatus Garners 1st Spot in Pro Pilot Survey

Pilatus Garners 1st Spot in Pro Pilot Survey for the 8th Consecutive Year

Skytech Highest Ranking Service Center in Network

Caution Scam Posing as Skytech

Pilatus Garners 1^st Spot in Pro Pilot Survey for the 8^th Consecutive Year