Business Aviation

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Charter & Fractional

Zetta Jet To Acquire Firms in Singapore and Van Nuys

Zetta Jet and Asia Aviation Company will combine operations under the Zetta Jet brand, while Advanced Air Management is to become Zetta Jet USA.

FBOs

UK Aviation Company Adopts New Identity

Bristol Flying Center wants to take on a "modern identity."

Rotorcraft

Chinese AC352 Makes First Flight

The helicopter is the Chinese manufactured version of the Airbus Helicopters H175.

Aircraft

Embraer Completes First E2VS Retrofit on Legacy 500

The retrofit comes two months after the combined enhanced vision system won U.S., European and Brazilian approvals for the Legacy 500 and 450.

Cirrus Delivers First Vision Jet

Arkansas real estate developer takes keys; Cirrus opens Duluth "finishing center" as part of the festivities

Maintenance and Modifications

Embraer Adds New Service & Support Unit

The OEM sees an opportunity to expand and integrate service and support across its product lines.

Charter & Fractional

Lynjet Launches Members-only Charter Booking Site

Members pay annual dues to book flights online at new site launched by France-based Global Jet Partner.

AOPA Schedules 2017 Fly-ins with Expanded Format

AOPA will host four two-day Fly-Ins in 2017.

FBOs

Jet Aviation Marks 50th Anniversary with Refreshed Branding

Business aviation services group is marking its 50th anniversary in 2017.

Maintenance and Modifications

Colorado Pilatus Dealer Earns Part 145 Certification

Denver-based Tempus Jets is ratcheting up its maintenance support in advance of the PC-24's anticipated entry-into-service.

Rotorcraft

Air Methods Upgrades with Honeywell Sky Tracker III

The system enables phone and text services through the Iridium satellite network, including in areas without cell phone coverage.

Rotorcraft

FAA Clears Super Pumas for Return to Service

EASA had previously permitted the helicopters to return to flight.

Maintenance and Modifications

Constant Aviation Ups Its Winter AOG Service

Just in time for ski season, the Ohio MRO has expanded its U.S. coverage with two additional Colorado locations.

FBOs

Meridian Hosts Grand Opening at California Location

The New Jersey-based service provider has completed the first phase of its West Coast development in the San Francisco Bay-area.

Aircraft

Gulfstream Achieves G600 First Flight Ahead of Schedule

The first G600 took off from Savannah on December 17, with two other prototypes set to join the test program soon.

Rotorcraft

FAA SAFO Stresses Hover Checks

The agency attributes a number of accidents to pilots' failure to follow checklists.

Regulations and Government

Huerta: GA Entering 'New Era' with Part 23 Release

Huerta announced the release of the Part 23 rule, which culminated a nearly decade-long effort, saying it represents a fundamental shift in certification.

Regulations and Government

FAA's Part 23 Rewrite Ready for Release

U.S. FAA holding a briefing on December 16 on new rule.

Rotorcraft

Leonardo Signs 30-helicopter Chinese HEMS Deal

This follows an order for 25 AW119Kx singles from Sino-US placed earlier this year.

Avionics

AEA Survey: ADS-B Fueling Growth at Avionics Shops

89 percent of avionics shops expect their businesses to grow in the next 12 months, up from 81 percent in last year’s survey.

Aircraft

Young Pre-owned Business Jet Inventory Stable, Says UBS

At 2,326, the number of pre-owned business jets available for sale at the end of last month was roughly unchanged from a year ago.

Aircraft

Bombardier Banking on Global 7000 To Boost Revenues

The new Global 7000 is expected to drive up Bombardier Business Aircraft’s revenues by $3 billion between its service entry in 2018 and the end of 2020.