For the fourth consecutive year, Pentastar Aviation, a full service-­provider at Detroit-area Oakland County International Airport (KPTK), received the highest score in the latest annual AIN FBO Survey. AIN readers who evaluated hundreds of aircraft handling facilities on a 1 to 5 scale in five categories—line service, passenger amenities, pilot amenities, facilities, and CSRs—awarded the location an overall score of 4.81, an improvement of 0.03 points from last year.

With a 4.79 overall score, second place in the 2024 survey went to American Aero at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (KFTW) in Texas, followed by Sheltair Tampa (KTPA) in Florida with a score of 4.76. Tied for fourth was newcomer to the AIN survey Galaxy FBO with its facility at Dallas-area Addison Airport (KADS) and Henriksen Jet Center, the lone FBO at privately-owned Houston Executive Airport (KTME)—both of which earned a 4.74 overall score.

In fifth place this year with a score of 4.73 was Banyan Air Service with its sprawling campus at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE), which tied with fellow Florida FBO Jet Aviation at Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI).

Rounding out the top 5 percent of North American FBOs this year are Henriksen Jet Center (KEDC), Wilson Air Center (KMEM), Business Jet Center (KDAL), Galaxy FBO (KCXO), Sheltair (KBJC), Sheltair (KFLL), Aero-One Aviation (KDHN), Base Operations at Page Field (KFMY), and Western Aircraft (KBOI).

CMC Electronics and Hexagon's autonomy and positioning division are developing technology that will mitigate global navigation satellite system (GNSS) jamming and spoofing using a multi-constellation, multi-frequency GNSS platform. Multi-constellation systems can receive position, navigation, and timing signals from more than one satellite navigation network, such as the U.S. GPS, Europe’s Galileo, Russia’s Glonass, and others.

Working with the autonomy and positioning division of Hexagon, CMC has made its “next-generation receiver,” which is certified to DO-254 level-A standards and incorporates Hexagon’s technology. The receiver also integrates inertial measurement unit inputs, as well as controlled reception pattern antennas. These antenna arrays can detect the difference in the direction between legitimate GNSS signals and jamming signals. Spacial filtering allows the receiver to remove the unwanted signals.

According to CMC, “What we see our customers experiencing is typically jamming on one or two bands at a time. If they’re using a multi-constellation receiver, they can rely on the non-jammed signals to maintain their position. There are significant costs and logistical challenges to jamming or spoofing multiple GNSS bands simultaneously, so each additional band of signal diversity makes it more difficult to jam or spoof the receiver.”

“As leaders in the industry, we are setting a new standard of excellence by introducing a new era of high-precision, high-performance GNSS solutions to the market,” said CMC navigation systems business unit director Nick Chalkiadakis.

Aviation training group CAE predicts an industry need for around 402,000 skilled aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul technicians over the next decade. In a newly published white paper, the company has made the case for a new approach to training that it said will both attract a younger generation of recruits and accelerate their training.

In the document, CAE and its partner Xennial make the case for deploying so-called extended reality technology to accelerate the development of new technicians. The technology encompasses augmented reality, giving a view of the physical world overlaid with digital elements, and virtual reality, offering an environment where physical and digital elements can interact, as well as a blend of both of these with mixed reality.

CAE recently trialed and implemented simulation with a new technician training program for the Gulfstream G500/600 and G650. “We have the ability to build a full digital twin of a Gulfstream aircraft at this point, with all the features of its physical twin,” explained Xennial CEO and founder Douglas Fajardo.

The virtual reality hardware now being deployed includes headsets and hand-tracking technology. According to CAE and Xennial, increased use of artificial intelligence is set to further expand the horizons for extended reality training.

Hong Kong Business Aviation Center has launched a transfer service that eases the way for passengers linking private flights with airline service. Dubbed HKBAC JetLink Service, it ensures seamless connectivity between business jets and airliners at Hong Kong International Airport (VHHH), providing private aircraft operators and passengers with a convenient and personalized transfer with enhanced privacy.

The sole FBO at VHHH, HKBAC was the first in Asia to introduce co-located customs, immigration, and quarantine services. With dedicated personnel accompanying the traveler through the entire transfer journey, it eliminates the need for them to face the complicated and time-consuming tasks of customs and immigration clearance, as well as collecting luggage in the airline terminal.

As an example, the company noted that through this offering, international passengers may choose to fly to Hong Kong via an airline and then transfer directly to a business jet for the leg to other cities in the region, thus opening up new connections.

“The HKBAC JetLink Service will, no doubt, facilitate Hong Kong’s attempt to attract international talents, business and leisure travelers, as well as new opportunities,” said Allen Fung, the company’s chairman. “It will also enhance HKIA’s competitiveness and our ability to leverage the Hong Kong double gateway advantage to connect with other cities in the mainland and the rest of the world.”

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is increasing the quantity of sustainable aviation fuel it sources from World Fuel Services through a new agreement for 5.2 million liters (1.4 million gallons). The agreement announced by the U.S.-based supplier on Thursday follows an earlier contract to supply 4 million liters for British military forces between November 2023 and February 2024.

Under the deal, the fuel supplied is a 40 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend sourced from Neste, with the renewable part of the feedstock being produced from used cooking oil or animal fat. This latest order covers supplies between July and September and is part of the MoD’s carbon reduction efforts under its Defence Operation Energy Strategy published in December.

The Royal Air Force (FRAF) is taking the leading role in this strategy, which is intended to align with the UK Department for Transport’s Jet Zero commitment. “Establishing the routine procurement of aviation fuel blended with SAF is a critical early step to achieving Defence’s net-zero aviation strategy,” explained air vice-marshal Shaun Harris. “This has been developed to improve the resilience of Defence’s energy supply chains, as well as achieving the UK government’s carbon dioxide emissions reduction trajectory from 2020 to 2050.”

The NTSB is warning about the dangers of dust devils, saying they have been present in more than 170 aircraft accidents it has investigated since 1982. Noting that dust whirlwinds are often considered a harmless phenomenon, the Safety Board said in a safety alert, Dust Devils: Silent Sky Snares: “For pilots unfamiliar with or inattentive to the presence of dust devils, especially when operating at low altitudes, the consequences can be catastrophic.”

Dust devils can occur under clear skies and warm conditions, the NTSB noted, adding that they can be as strong as tornadoes and waterspouts. “Given their often invisible nature (unless they pick up dust and debris), dust devils pose a risk of sudden and unexpected turbulence for pilots and aircraft, which may lead to rapid loss of lift, uncommanded roll or yaw, or other disturbances."

The NTSB cited related accidents, including one involving an MD-369FF helicopter that flew into a dust devil shortly after takeoff in Palm Gardens, Nevada. The encounter caused a sudden right yaw, loss of lift, and an uncontrollable hop, the NTSB said. “The pilot attempted to maintain control during the descent but the main rotor struck the tailboom, which sustained substantial damage.”

The NTSB provided guidance on detecting dust devils and stressed the need to check for possible conditions and to inspect an aircraft afterward should an encounter occur.

As ever, you can count on AIN for full coverage of EBACE 2024. Our team will publish three of our award-winning daily EBACE Convention News editions at the show on May 28, 29, and 30. We will also have comprehensive real-time reporting of all the top news at AINonline.com and in our daily e-newsletters. If you are an exhibiting company that wants to share news or propose pre-show interviews and briefings, please contact show editor Chad Trautvetter.