Business aircraft flying activity in the U.S. saw a “modest” gain last month, rising 2 percent from a year ago, according to TraqPak data released yesterday by aviation services company Argus. It also marked a return to positive territory for Part 135 activity, a segment that has been badly bruised during the recession and sluggish recovery.

Part 91 flying continued to lead in the operational category segment, recording a 2.7-percent year-over-year increase, while Part 135 charter activity wasn’t far behind, with a 2.2-percent rise. Fractional flying last month could be considered almost flat, falling just 1 percent from a year ago.

Aircraft category results last month were positive in nearly all segments. Turboprop flying again led with a 2.7-percent year-over-year increase, followed by light and midsize jet activity at 2.1 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively. Large-cabin activity was only slightly in the red at -0.5 percent.

Though fractional and large-cabin jet flying both trended negative last month, the largest increase in individual market segments was paradoxically the fractional large-cabin market, which saw a 12.4-percent climb in activity. Midsize fractional flying recorded the largest decrease, falling 4.5 percent from a year ago.

Argus TraqPak data provides “serial-number-specific aircraft arrival and departure information on all IFR flights in the U.S.”