Epic Aircraft launched the E1000 AX, an upgraded version of its E1000 GX, today at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. The new variant offers more than 25 new features, including Garmin Autothrottle and Autoland, in addition to eight new paint schemes. Price is $4.85 million—$100,000 more than the GX model it replaces—with certification and service entry expected in July.

“The E1000 AX is a testament to our team’s passionate and ongoing commitment to adding automated, safety-enhancing tools and technology,” said Epic Aircraft CEO Doug King.

Garmin Autothrottle integrated with the G1000 NXi avionics automatically manages engine power from takeoff to landing, ensuring optimal power settings and protecting against throttle rollback, overtemperature, and over-torque. Meanwhile, Autoland autonomously lands the airplane if a pilot is unable to fly. Autoland activation buttons are located in the cockpit and cabin.

Other added features of the E1000 AX include automatic yaw damper; electronic brake hold; CoolView windows that optimize crew visibility and provide UV protection; Garmin GDL 60 with PlaneSync; GRA 5500 radar altimeter; 3D SafeTaxi and Taxiway Routing; GWX 8000 weather radar; and True Blue Power lithium-ion battery.

“The E1000 AX is also equipped with the best autopilot,” added King. “The Garmin GFC 700 AFCS provides flight director, autopilot, yaw damper, automatic and manual electric trim capabilities, and brings a high level of digital sophistication to flight control.”

Premier Private Jets has acquired the former Wheels Up FBO at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (KCVG). The deal, completed today, expands the business aviation services group’s network, which now includes three FBOs in the Upper Midwest region. Facilities are already established at Dayton International Airport (KDAY) and Oakland County International Airport (KPTK) near Detroit.

The rebranded PremierFBO facility is the only FBO serving local and transient business aircraft operators at Cincinnati’s main airport, and it will likely continue to support Wheels Up’s flights. Now, the site provides an additional support hub for Premier’s own charter fleet of light and midsized jets, boosting capability for dispatching aircraft-on-ground arrangements.

With 50,000 sq ft of space, the hangar and terminal buildings include a spacious lounge area and adjoining offices. The hangar itself can accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Gulfstream G650. Outside, a 225,000-sq-ft ramp has space for larger aircraft, such as Boeing 757s that tend to be used by professional sports teams for charter flights.

In January, Premier added an FBO at Dayton when it acquired the former Aviation Sales Incorporated operation, and it has plans to upgrade the facilities there. Eleven months earlier, it acquired a 370,000-sq-ft maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility from Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems at the Ohio airport.

Jet Aviation has delivered a VIP-configured aircraft that it says features the quietest cabin its completions team has yet produced. Today, the company reported that its facility in Basel, Switzerland, had achieved sound levels below 40 dB SIL for the unspecified narrowbody bizliner.

The cabin interior featured special sound-dampening materials developed by Jet Aviation’s engineers. These were installed using techniques that reduced the level of sound emitted from the various cabin interior fittings and structures, according to the business aviation services group.

To be certain it had achieved its sound level targets, Jet Aviation developed its own acoustic laboratory. It uses this in conjunction with various techniques to achieve the right balance in sound and weight, as well as new technologies to assess different materials for their acoustic properties.

In addition to the VIP areas of the cabin, where the area around the principal’s seat has the lowest noise levels, the aircraft’s cabin offers four first-class suites with lie-flat seats. The cabin also features curved ceilings over 2.1 meters (6 feet 11 inches) in height and has four flexible OLED entertainment system displays fitted flush to the sidewalls.

SR Aviation Infrastructure (SRAI)—a recently introduced subsidiary of real-estate investment firm SomeraRoad—has expanded its portfolio with the purchase of a major private aviation hangar complex at San Antonio International Airport (KSAT) in Texas from American Corporate Airport Partners.

The nearly nine-acre facility, built in 2020, features 125,000 sq ft of hangar space capable of sheltering the latest ultra-long-range business jets. It consists of seven hangars ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 sq ft and is fully occupied.

In November, the division launched with the purchase of the former Quail Air Center at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Combined with its latest deal, this brings SR Aviation to nearly 400,000 sq ft of hangar space.

“The acquisition of the premier [KSAT] hangar complex is a proud moment for our team and the growing SR Aviation Infrastructure platform,” said SR president Jonathon Reeser, adding that the area represents a highly attractive expansion opportunity. “The hangars are the most recently developed and highest quality at the SAT airport and support the SRAI thesis of acquiring top-tier aviation infrastructure assets in strategic U.S. markets.”

The business aviation market is growing, and Thornton Aviation is growing, too, providing much needed capacity and expertise. 

Daher Aircraft announced avionics and systems enhancements for its Kodiak 100 Series III and 900 today at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Central Florida. The company also provided a delivery outlook for 2025.

Improvements for the airplanes cover both standard and optional equipment and are being applied on 2025 model-year Kodiaks, which are delivered from Daher’s Sandpoint, Idaho production facility. Besides further improving aircraft operability, maintainability, and flight safety, the updates also increase commonality between the two Kodiak models and Daher’s pressurized TBM 960.

Enhancements include the Garmin GDL 60 datalink and PlaneSync, which provides a “connected aircraft” solution, along with new external LED lights from Whelen Aerospace Technologies. Also available is an ADS-B OFF mode for special-mission operations. To also bring it to parity with the Kodiak 900, the Series III now comes standard with the Mid-Continent MD302 standby attitude module and MD32 magnetometer, which replaces the “whiskey” compass.

An optional Avionics One package for the Kodiak models adds the Garmin GWX 8000 StormOptix Doppler weather radar; all-digital GRA 55 radar altimeter; and GTX 345D diversity transponder with situational awareness tools.

Meanwhile, Daher Aircraft CEO Nicolas Chabbert said the company is targeting deliveries of 30 Kodiaks this year, a 15% year-over-year increase, and 62 TBM 960s, up nearly 11% from 2024.

Pilots and operators now have a secure online portal to submit aviation accident and incident reports, introduced this week by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This new digital system replaces the previous method, which required users to download, complete, and email a fillable PDF form. The updated process allows pilots and operators to submit NTSB Form 6120.1 directly from a computer or mobile device, streamlining submission and eliminating manual data entry by investigators.

Under federal regulations, pilots or operators must report accidents to the NTSB “immediately, and by the most expeditious means available.” After making an initial report by calling the NTSB’s 24-hour response operations center, an investigator determines whether a formal investigation is required. If so, the pilot or operator must complete Form 6120.1, which can now be submitted online.

The new digital system enhances the reporting process by providing a “convenient and secure” submission method, according to the NTSB. The system allows users to save progress before submitting and check their report’s status online.

Pilots and operators remain responsible for preserving aircraft wreckage and relevant documents following an accident until the NTSB or its representatives take custody, unless removal is necessary to protect individuals or prevent further damage.

The NTSB receives approximately 1,000 accident reports annually. The transition to a digital submission process is expected to improve efficiency and accessibility for pilots and investigators alike.

Germany-based Reiser Simulation and Training will deliver a level-D simulator for the Airbus Helicopters light-twin H135/H145 to the new European Heli Center (EHC) headquarters under construction at Lelystad Airport near Amsterdam. This move will enhance training capabilities in Central Europe starting at the end of 2026.

“We are delighted to partner with EHC in their ambitious endeavor to create a world-class training center,” said Reiser CEO Johannes Hain. “The contract marks another milestone in our history as Europe’s renowned manufacturer of helicopter full-flight simulators.”

The Lelystad facility will provide pilot and crew training solutions, including mission-specific curricula designed to improve operational safety and efficiency. Located near Schiphol Airport, it will offer accessibility to international arrivals from all over the world. As part of its expansion, EHC has signed an agreement with Bristow Group’s Nigeria division to provide pilot training on the H135. Bristow will be one of the primary users of the H135 at the new center.

“By combining our extensive training expertise with Reiser’s cutting-edge simulation systems, we are creating the most modern and comprehensive helicopter training center in the world,” explained EHC CEO Jeroen Peddemors. “This partnership reinforces our commitment to providing the highest quality training to meet the evolving needs of the global helicopter industry.”

NBAA honored Joy Buoncuore with the 2025 Schedulers & Dispatchers (S&D) Outstanding Achievement & Leadership Award last week at the 2025 Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference.  

Buoncuore is the supervisor of transportation scheduling for Constellation Energy, a role she has held since May 2024 after joining the company as a senior transportation scheduler in 2016. Her career, which began in 2000 at FlightSafety International, has spanned various roles, including pilot and maintenance training scheduler, FBO leader, and trainer for domestic and international airlines.

“Over the past eight years that I have worked with Joy, she has exemplified remarkable courage and adaptability at Constellation Energy,” said Brian Schuessler, director of transportation at Constellation Energy Generation. “Her innovative approach has delivered creative solutions that align with our commitment to safety and a development-centric work atmosphere.”

Buoncuore earned her FAA dispatcher certificate from FlightSafety in 2018, and she is an active member of the Delaware Valley Business Aviation Association, Women in Aviation International, Women in Corporate Aviation, PRIDE, and Women in Nuclear.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from my industry peers,” said Buoncuore. “I am committed to safety, empowering my team, enhancing operational excellence, and bridging the gap between technology and efficient operations.”  

Established in 2008, the S&D Outstanding Achievement & Leadership Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary leadership and contributions to scheduling and dispatch functions.