2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

Five Rivers Aviation, the sole FBO at San Francisco-area Livermore Municipal Airport, has broken ground on a 43,000 sq ft hangar facility.

San Francisco-area FBO Adding More Hangar Space

Mark Huber

Turkish Aerospace Industries expects to fly the new, electric-powered, unmanned T629 attack helicopter later this year. 

Turkey Unveils Unmanned, Electric Attack Helicopter

Gregory Polek

The FAA and Boeing reach a settlement on penalties related to a 2015 case and two pending enforcement actions involving the company’s ODA unit.

Boeing To Pay $6.61 million in FAA Penalties

David Donald

Sikorsky’s latest heavylift helicopter has been chosen over the CH-47 to replace first-generation CH-53s in service with the Israeli Air Force.

Israel Selects Sikorsky’s King Stallion Helicopter

Jerry Siebenmark

Experts discussed business aviation security best practices on the final day of NBAA’s virtual Flight Operations Conference.

Experts Offer Tips on Bizav Crew Security, Safety

Cathy Buyck

The parent company of BA, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Vueling continues to evaluate routes for the 737 Max as it sinks to a €7.4 billion operating loss.

IAG Still Considering Boeing 737 Max for Fleet Renewal

Chad Trautvetter

Two more FBOs in California—Monterey Jet Center and Signature Flight Support Oakland—will soon offer permanent supplies of sustainable aviation fuel .

Two More Cali FBOs To Offer Permanent SAF Supplies

Deadline for submitting proposals to NASA for Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) technologies set for April 20. 

NASA Calls for Proposals for Electrified Powerplants

Aerion ADS-B system will monitor helicopter operations in the Bodo Oceanic flight region to altitudes of 10,000 feet.

Aireon To Provide ADS-B for Helos in North Sea

West Star Aviation has acquired an additional 12,500 sq ft of hangar space in Chattanooga, Tennessee for Embraer maintenance.

West Star Expands Chattanooga Site for Embraer Mx

Pfizer flight operations manager Chad Patnode and veteran BBJ and Challenger captain Steve Feldman talk risk assessment strategies when planning a trip.

Airport Assessment 101: Careful Planning Is Key

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen exuded much optimism for the business aviation industry in 2021.

Bizav Could Lead U.S. Recovery, Says NBAA Chief 

Kerry Lynch

Political, budgetary and pendemic-related issues are straining international collaboration, but GAMA is hopeful that regulators are committed to it.

GAMA Urges Increased International Cooperation

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

The crash that killed Kobe Bryant could have been avoided if the pilot just decided to land the helicopter instead of continuing the flight.

AINsight: Just Land

Charles Alcock

Polaris Aero's FlightRisk app is now available through the Satcom Direct SD PreFlight app, facilitating the risk assessment and mitigation process. 

Satcom Direct and Polaris Help Flight Crew Manage Risk  

As more producers join the fray, production capacity of SAF is poised to take a dramatic jump through 2025 to at least 1 billion gallons annual output.

SAF on Track for 1B Gallons Annual Production by 2025

Two former pilots and an executive with Turkish charter operator MNG were found guilty of smuggling indicted auto executive Carlos Ghosn out of Japan.

Pilots and Charter Exec Convicted over Ghosn Escape

The FAA must develop a “risk-based approach” to ODA oversight, according to a DOT IG report on the agency’s response to 737 Max recommendations. 

Transportation IG Sees Continuing Oversight Weakness at FAA 

Oriens Aviation has also received EASA Part 145 certification.

UK MRO Provider Oriens Builds on Pilatus Mx Credentials

Five entities from three continents have made it to the final bidding process to acquire Piaggio Aerospace, with offers to purchase due on March 5.

Piaggio Aerospace Sale Now Down to Five Final Bidders

Data acquisition and recording systems from Latitude Technologies are helping operators of older Cessna Citations extend engine overhaul intervals. 

Automated Data Systems Extend Engine TBOs for Citations

Aerion is expanding its sales effort with the return of Sean McGeough and padding its AS2 order book with the addition of Set Jet as a launch customer.

Set Jet Joins Launch Customer Base for Aerion AS2

Leading the Cessna Citation Excel Eagle refurb program are Cessna chairman emeritus Russ Meyer Jr., Russ Meyer III, and former Cessna CEO Gary Hay.

Russ Meyer Unveils Refurb Program for Citation Excel

Rolls-Royce's customer support facility is adjacent to the new Gulfstream Service Center East.

Rolls-Royce Opens Savannah Engine Support Facility 

Clean Planet Energy launched a new sustainable aviation fuel produced from non-recyclable plastics.

UK Firm Seeks To Turn Waste Plastic into Jet-A

The UK is now managing its own ETS program while the EU is eying new emissions targets and working to fold in CORSIA.

Brexit, CORSIA Bringing Aviation ETS Changes in Europe

The interim order by U.S. authorities to inspect all Pratt & Whitney PW4000-112s applies to some 125 Boeing 777s.

FAA Issues Emergency AD To Inspect PW4000-112 Fan Blades

Matt Thurber

Flight department managers and medical experts shared useful information for operating safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Covid-19 Best Practices Help Bizav Keep Flying

A new IATA analysis shows that airlines will burn through between $75 billion and $95 billion by the end of the year. 

IATA Downgrades Prognosis for Airline Industry Covid Recovery

West Star's Perryville facility is the last of four primary sites to receive FAA approval as a Class 4 repair station.

West Star's Perryville Site Adds Class 4 Repair Status

Business jets took the biggest hit in 2020, down 20.4 percent to 674, while overall GA fixed-wing deliveries were down 9 percent and billings 14.8 percent.

GAMA: General Aviation Aircraft Shipments Dip in Pandemic Year

An initial order for two Pegasus tankers begins the replacement process for Israel’s elderly Boeing 707-based refuelers.

Israel Signs for Boeing KC-46 Tankers

Duncan Aviation's internal communications app is aimed at quickly identifying the type of AOG and locating the appropriate Rapid Response Team to dispatch.

New Duncan App Aims To Speed AOG Response

Lessons to Be Learned From Engine Failure On a United Airlines Boeing 777 Flight

The company now has seven of the very light twinjets available for charter.

Cutter Aviation Expands HondaJet Charter Fleet

The Air Charter Association said challenges brought on by Covid-19 and Brexit are driving up the number of membership applications.

ACA Sees Membership Applications Soar 

Facing a need to develop a master plan to guide its development, Indiana’s Jasper County Airport Authority has hired a strategic consulting firm. 

Indiana Genav Airport Looks To Add Another Runway

According to the Aviation Business Strategies Group, nearly 70 percent of the North American FBOs it surveyed reported decreased fuel sales last year.

FBOs Felt the Covid Bite in 2020, Says ABSG Survey

Hit hard by Covid's impact on the air transport sector, Spanish aerostructures specialist Aciturri has begun a risk-sharing partnership with Lilium. 

Aerostructures Group Diversifies into eVTOL Aircraft Sector

Jeffries equity analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu outlined expected improvements in 2021 at the Wichita-based Beechcraft and Cessna airframer in an investor note.

Analyst Predicts Improving Year at Textron Aviation

The NTSB is exploring options for its training programs, but it is discontinuing use of its TWA Flight 800 reconstruction use.

NTSB To Decommission TWA Flight 800 Reconstruction

The Wichita-based supplier to Airbus and Boeing saw 2020 revenue nearly halved by the 737 Max grounding and Covid-19's effect on commercial aviation.

Spirit Aero Uses Commercial Downturn To Shore Up Processes

Embraer’s delivery of KLM Cityhopper’s first E195-E2 brings the Dutch airline’s fleet of E-Jets to 50 airplanes.

KLM Takes Delivery of Its First Embraer E2

NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt said that a fan blade from the PW4000 that failed in-flight on February 20 showed so-called "beach" marks.

Investigators Find Metal Fatigue in UAL 777’s Failed Engine

Embraer recently marked the first delivery of a Praetor 500 in Brazil.

Praetor 500 Enters Brazilian Market

The new Flex series from Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics can help give new life to aircraft with obsolete instruments.

Flex Flips Certification Burden for Custom Instrumentation

Following the grounding of all 32 of the suspect 777s in operation in Japan, the FAA ordered immediate or “stepped up” inspection of 24 airplanes at UAL.

Boeing 777s Powered by PW4000s Grounded Worldwide

The FAA's 43rd annual General Aviation Part 135 Activity Survey is used to track key GA safety and economic information.

General Aviation/Part 135 Survey Underway at FAA

Gordon Gilbert

The practice remains controversial and what's permitted is still unclear, though the FAA issued guidance on this subject a year ago, according to the GAO.

GAO: Controversy Still Surrounds Flight Expense Sharing

Transport Canada issues emergency airworthiness directive mandating inspection of collective sticks in Bell 505s. 

Cracked Collective Prompts Bell 505 Emergency AD

SmartSky Networks has closed on more than $32 million in additional funding as it aims to launch its air-to-ground connectivity by year-end.

SmartSky Lands $32M in Additional Funding

An inflight engine failure suffered by a cargo 747-400 involved a smaller version of the PW4000 that failed over Colorado on February 20.

Dutch Authorities Probing Inflight Failure of Another PW4000

Mid-Continent’s Flex Custom Function Display Simplifies Aircraft Instrument Development

The uncontained failure of a Pratt & Whitney PW4077 forces a United Airlines 777-200 to return to Denver.

NTSB Prepares To Analyze Debris from United 777 Engine Failure

The Bell 206 derivative  served as the U.S. Army's primary training helicopter since 1993. 

U.S. Army Retires Bell TH-67 Trainers 

The QTA HTF7000 repair, which involves reinforcing the thrust reverser doors with graphite doublers, received both FAA and EASA approvals.

QTA Develops Repair for HTF7000 TR Door Corrosion

Piper Aircraft M600 factory training provider Legacy Flight Training has added a Frasca M600/SLS simulator at its Vero Beach, Florida learning center.

Legacy Flight Training Adds Piper M600/SLS Simulator

Baldwin Safety and Compliance is now offering its Internal Evaluation Program to clients at no cost.

Baldwin Offers New Safety Tool Free To All Clients

Jon Lake

The Beechcraft AT-6E is being procured to advance the U.S. Air Force’s efforts to improve the counter-terrorism capability of partner air forces.

Wolverine Light Attack Aircraft Joins the U.S. Air Force

Sheryl Barden

The pandemic has been an awakening for business aviation, alleviating the pilot shortage and bringing in first-time aircraft buyers.

AINsight: An Awakening

Rob Finfrock

Albuquerque, New Mexico-based One Aviation will now be liquidated after several failed reorganization attempts.

Court Converts One Aviation Bankruptcy Case to Liquidation

Chen Chuanren

Indonesia’s air force hopes to acquire a new fleet of multi-role fighters, along with tankers, transports, UAVs, air defense radars and AEW aircraft.

Indonesia Confirms Interest in F-15EX and Other New Assets 

Airlines for America members agree to ask inbound international passengers to provide five data points.

U.S. Major Airlines Agree on Voluntary Contact Tracing

Industry analyst does see some upside later in 2021, but expects MRO business to remain flat with 2020 levels for the time being.

Foley: 2021 MRO Biz To Remain on Par with 2020

FAA Administrator Steve Dickson will join NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen in a virtual town hall the association is hosting on March 3.

FAA's Dickson Returns for Another NBAA Town Hall

Covid hit the civil side of Airbus's balance sheet hardest in 2020, but the European group said results would have been worse without prompt action.

Airbus Sees an Uncertain Path to Air Transport Recovery 

Martha Jercinovich

Bombardier To Cease Learjet Productio‪n‬

AINdebrief Episode 34 | February 18, 2021

Blade Urban Air Mobility announced that it would base helicopters at Vertiport Chicago. 

Blade Expands Helicopter Rideshares into Chicago 

Business jet broker Jetcraft sees trend of some buyers wanting to upgrade their aircraft more quickly.

Jetcraft Sees Trend of New Bizjets Hitting Used Market Sooner

A small but growing number of Part 135 operators have jumped into Covid-19 vaccine distribution efforts but more can and needs to be done, NATA said.

NATA Pushes for Greater GA Role in Vaccine Distribution

Aircraft charter operator All In Jets, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last August will be hitting the auction block.

Part 135 Operator All In Jets Up for Auction

The company will offer its hybrid-electric retrofits to operators of existing aircraft such as the Twin Otter and Grand Caravan, as well as for new models.

Surf Air Mobility Acquiring Electric Aviation Pioneer Ampaire

Eugene Gerden

Russian business aviation fleet set to grow in years to come 

Embraer welcomed a Brazilian decision to turn its attention away from a WTO process in favor of a broader effort to address aircraft subsidies.

Brazil Withdraws WTO Subsidy Complaint Against Canada

NASA's Ingenuity micro copter was parachuted onto the planet’s surface from the belly of the Perseverance rover.  

NASA Helicopter Lands On Mars

As part of the expansion to Canada, Jet It has aligned with Skyservice Business Aviation for aircraft management and operations there.

Jet It Grows Footprint with Canadian Expansion

The U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) has developed a list of recommended practices focusing on spatial disorientation.

USHST Issues Guidelines To Combat Inadvertent IMC

Under a definitive agreement, StandardAero will pay $230 million for Signature Aviation's engine repair and overhaul business.

StandardAero To Acquire Signature's Engine Repair Biz

The public comment window on the National Fire Protection Association’s changes to NFPA 407 Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing is now open.

NATA Fights Fuel Farm Modifications

Air Charter Scotland set up an air operators' certificate in EU member state Malta and has moved two aircraft out of the UK to avoid Brexit restrictions.

Scottish Operator Latest To Exit Brexit with EU AOC

Tech Mahindra will provide engineering, optimization, and composite expertise to the development of Spike's S-512 Mach 1.6  jet.

Tech Mahindra Joins Spike Aero's Supersonic Bizjet Team

FlyDubai stands poised to return the Max to operation following the UAE’s clearance.

UAE Clears 737 Max for Return to Service

NATA Compliance Services' new CDCCheck System will help operators comply with Covid testing requirements for inbound international flights.

NATACS Develops Platform for Covid Testing Reqs

Las Vegas McCarran International Airport will be renamed following a unianimous vote by the Clark County Commission.

LAS Renamed Harry Reid International Airport

The Belgian arm of TUI Fly performed the first Max revenue flight in the EU since March 2019 with a service from Brussels to Alicante, Spain. 

TUI Fly Belgium First To Resume 737 Max Operations in EU 

Market conditions force De Havilland Aircraft of Canada to suspend production of the Dash 8-400.

De Havilland To Pause Dash 8 Line, Seeks New Production Site

With the new Aireon system, Isavia ANS’s ground-based air traffic surveillance will be enhanced in an area connecting Europe and North America.

Air Nav Provider Applies Aireon ADS-B in North Atlantic

MRO provider Summit Aviation and aircraft interiors specialist Cabin Crafters formalize their relationship through the new partnership.

Summit Partners with Cabin Crafters for Interiors Work

PrivateFly's new Bitcoin Jet Account comes follow a double-digit increase in the use of cryptocurrency to pay for flights.

PrivateFly Creates Bitcoin-based Member Program

James Wynbrandt

F/List Joins Renewable Cabin Materials Effort

The Queensland Section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service currently operates a fleet of 20 aircraft including Beechcraft King Airs.

Royal Flying Doctor Service Orders Four King Air 360s

Initial operational capability has been reached by the Northrop Grumman RQ-4D fifteen months after the first was delivered.

NATO’s Phoenix Fleet Achieves IOC

Argus Intl TraqPak analysts estimate that North American business aircraft flight activity will increase 25.4 percent year-over-year in the first half.

Argus: North American Bizav Flying Looking Up in 2021

Content Archive: February 2021

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