Citing several recent “notable and high-visibility events,” the FAA is urging air carriers and pilots to review available safety information, practice safety management system principles, and examine their operational procedures to understand the risks associated with visual approaches.

In a new Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO 25001), the FAA said the severity of the events in recent months is concerning. “In light of recent events, the FAA identified the need to ensure all operators and pilots understand and evaluate the risks associated with the acceptance and execution of visual approaches,” the agency said.

In the SAFO, the FAA reminds that effective communication between pilots and air traffic controllers is essential to avoid collisions. “ATC supports the pilot-in-command’s (PIC) authority to declare ‘unable’ when a clearance reduces the safety margin.” Reduced margins could surround vectors, speeds, or altitudes that increase pilot workload, the FAA said.

The FAA recommended that pilots and other operational personnel “take any necessary steps to ensure operations are conducted at the highest level of safety. Utilizing safety management system principles, certificate holders should evaluate changes to procedures or training to ensure PICs understand their authority for safe aircraft operation.” Further, the agency advised using strategies to mitigate risks associated with complex operations.

A Mitsubishi MU-2B turboprop crashed near Craryville, New York, on April 12, killing a family of six traveling to a holiday gathering. “There was no distress call from the pilot,” NTSB board member Todd Inman said during a Sunday press briefing, adding that air traffic control made multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach the aircraft.

The turboprop had been en route to Columbia County Airport (1B1) when it crashed around midday. Victims were identified by a family statement reported by the BBC as Michael Groff, Joy Saini, their daughter Karenna Groff, her partner James Santoro, their son Jared Groff, and his partner Alexia Couyutas Duarte.

Preliminary details suggest the MU-2B experienced no apparent in-flight breakup. Inman said that its cockpit was fitted with newer (presumably avionics) technology. The family statement, cited by The New York Times, described Michael Groff as an experienced pilot.

Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed the airplane intact before ground impact, descending at a high rate. “The aircraft was compressed, buckled, and embedded in the terrain,” Inman noted. He also confirmed that the flight was operating under instrument flight rules. Conditions at the time included overcast skies and rain, but investigators have not confirmed that weather was a factor.

The NTSB’s investigation will examine pilot records, maintenance logs, and operational factors. A final report is expected in 12 to 24 months.

Spanish flight simulator manufacturer Entrol has unveiled its new MR Hoist Operator Station, a training solution that incorporates mixed-reality technology to enhance hoist operator proficiency in mission-critical helicopter operations.

The Madrid-based company, which produces EASA- and FAA-certified flight training devices and simulators, has designed the new station to address communication challenges between pilots and hoist operators during complex rescue missions. With the technology, operators can train in simulated high-risk environments without the associated dangers or operational costs of actual helicopter deployments.

According to Entrol, the new solution features mixed-reality goggles that create an immersive training experience, a four-axis winch cable control system for simulating complex hoist maneuvers, and customizable mission scenarios for search-and-rescue, firefighting, and offshore operations. The system integrates fully with the company’s existing flight simulators to provide comprehensive training solutions.

Effective communication between pilots and hoist operators during critical missions like search-and-rescue operations is one of the most challenging aspects of helicopter emergency services. As helicopter rescue operations become increasingly complex, particularly in offshore environments and urban settings, training systems that can replicate real-world conditions with high fidelity are becoming essential for operational safety.

Founded in 2005, Entrol has expanded its global presence with flight simulators now certified in more than 35 countries. The company provides solutions for flight schools and operators, from initial certification to lifetime simulator maintenance.

Luxaviation is extending the use of TrustFlight’s Centrik quality and safety management system. The business aviation services group announced its renewed commitment to the platform last week at Aero Friedrichshafen.

Centrik is now being used to support the 13 air operator certificates that Luxaviation holds worldwide. Under the new agreement with TrustFlight, it will now also use the technology for its network of 140 FBOs.

According to TrustFlight, the Centrik technology will help Luxaviation’s employees manage operational risks in tasks including ground handling for passengers and aircraft, fueling, and maintenance. Luxaviation has been using the system since 2018 to coordinate safety management, regulatory compliance and operational processes for its aircraft charter and management activities for which it operates a fleet of around 220 aircraft.

“Centrik has become the heartbeat of our global safety and compliance strategy, fundamentally changing how we manage operational risk and regulatory alignment,” said Suzy Gautrey, Luxaviation’s group safety and compliance manager.

According to TrustFlight, the Centrik platform features regulation-driven checklists, real-time analytics, and integrated workflows.

Discover how innovative 3D printed sealants enhance precision, reduce installation time, and promote sustainability in aerospace maintenance

Rosen Aviation has introduced Celestia, which the company describes as the world’s first operator-designed cabin management system (CMS) for VIP, business, and commercial aviation applications. The Eugene, Oregon-based in-flight entertainment and cabin electronics specialist developed this system in collaboration with an aircraft operator.

This latest development comes shortly after Rosen’s launch of the 4K Smart Map Box, which combines SmartTV functionality with advanced moving-map capabilities in a compact unit.

According to Rosen Aviation, the new Celestia CMS focuses primarily on reliability and redundancy through a distributed network architecture with a secondary Ethernet backbone. The system offers enhanced component health monitoring capabilities and allows operators to create customized user interfaces and graphics with integration options for iOS and Android personal electronic device applications.

Lee Clark, senior v-p of strategy at Rosen, said the CMS provides “a highly capable, innovative one-stop shop for all cabin electronics needs, yet maintains a high level of agility and scalability to integrate with other technologies available in the interiors space.”

Rosen’s team designed the system architecture to enable operators to easily swap components between locations with minimal integration requirements. The company highlighted the inclusion of predictive system diagnostics designed to improve overall performance and reliability.

Rosen showcased a functioning Celestia system mockup at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2025 in Hamburg, Germany.

Among the accolades handed out at AIN’s inaugural FBO Awards at the conclusion of NBAA’s Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference in New Orleans were the FBO Sustainability Award and the Commitment to Progress Award.

The Sustainability Award recognizes an FBO that demonstrates outstanding environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.

Co-winner California-based Clay Lacy Aviation has embraced sustainability across its entire operation, ranging from offering continuous supplies of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its FBOs and operating 100% of ground equipment on renewable fuel to using compostable coffee cups. It has earned sustainability honors from NATA, NBAA, 4Air, and the Los Angeles Green Business program.

Atlantic Aviation has implemented a broad spectrum of initiatives across its entire chain to reduce its environmental footprint and promote responsible aviation practices. The company offers SAF at nine of its locations and has developed a book-and-claim system that allows customers to purchase SAF benefits throughout its entire network. In addition, it has invested in energy-efficient technologies, resulting in a 55% reduction in energy consumption.

Lastly, Sheltair at Florida’s Melbourne Orlando International Airport (KMLB) was the recipient of this year’s Commitment to Progress Award, which honors the FBO that achieved the largest increase in its score year-to-year in the AIN FBO Survey. A Sheltair property since 2021, the company has been steadily upgrading the facility, bringing it in line with the network's standards.

Delivering ever more performance from aircraft cabin entertainment and management systems, while doing so discreetly and efficiently, is a core mission for Lufthansa Technik (LHT) with its Nice technology. The fruits of this labor were evidenced by the company’s exhibit last week at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in its hometown of Hamburg.

“Many of our OEM customers are now looking for more compact solutions, without compromising on performance and capability,” Astrid Döge, senior director with LHT’s OEM business unit, told AIN before the show opened. “Nice has been there for a while, and one of the biggest challenges in modern cabin design is to embed technology without disrupting the elegance and luxury of the space. So our main focus is on providing non-intrusive options that are only available when needed and disappear when not in use.”

An example of this approach is LHT’s lightweight OmniFi speakers, which can be integrated into cabin walls and decorated with materials such as leather. These won a Red Dot design award and represent a further refinement of the company’s speaker technology.

Another addition to the Nice portfolio is a new all-in-one cabin management system that incorporates multiple control functions into a compact unit that is suitable for simplified installation on smaller business aircraft. The system, which weighs around 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds), is now available on the Pilatus PC-24.

Read more from AIX 2025.

Million Air Dallas has introduced MAnext, a newly branded entity that unifies the company’s aircraft management, charter, maintenance management, and sales and acquisitions divisions. The company’s FBO services will continue to operate under the Million Air Dallas name.

Introducing the MAnext branding is a “defining moment in our company’s legacy,” said Million Air Dallas president and CEO Don Rickerhauser. “The launch of MAnext provides our aircraft charter, aircraft management, maintenance management, and sales and acquisitions divisions with a unified identity to expand and excel, while preserving Million Air Dallas’ focus on providing exceptional FBO services. It’s about evolving these divisions to meet the future demands of private aviation while celebrating the strength of our roots.”

He added, “Since 1984, Million Air Dallas has been an innovator in the private aviation landscape, setting the standard for the entire industry. That legacy remains just as vital to our future, with Million Air Dallas continuing to uphold its storied excellence, while the introduction of MAnext establishes a new brand identity dedicated to advancing these specialized divisions.”

Tell us about the product support you receive from business aviation OEMs. The 2025 AIN Product Support Survey is now open, ready for selected readers to rate aircraft, engine, and avionics support. AIN readers who have been picked to participate in this year’s Product Support Survey should have received their password and link to the online survey by e-mail. The survey needs to be completed by midnight on June 1. Please contact Lisa Valladares if you have not received your access code.