First-quarter data shows jet card providers easing peak-day access rules and lowering daily minimum charges as rates increase moderately. Jet card customers saw improved flexibility from jet card providers in the first quarter of 2025, even as average hourly flight rates continued to rise, according to new data released by Private Jet Card Comparisons (PJCC), which tracks more than 500 membership, card, and fractional programs.

The card programs, which offer prepaid access to aircraft at fixed or capped hourly rates, have reduced peak-day designations to an average of 35.4 days, down from 44.6 at the end of 2024 and significantly below the fourth-quarter 2022 high of 55.7 days. Though still higher than the 22.8-day pre-Covid average, the trend reflects greater schedule flexibility for cardholders.

While peak days decreased, average hourly rates for fixed- or capped-rate jet cards edged up 0.9% in the first quarter to $11,147. That figure includes applicable fuel surcharges and the 7.5% federal excise tax.

Daily minimums—used to determine charges on short flights—also declined to an average of 80.8 minutes, their lowest level since tracking began. “The reduction in daily minimums favors private jet users who are taking shorter flights,” said Doug Gollan, president and editor-in-chief of PJCC.

Average non-peak callout—the advance booking time needed to lock in rates—held steady at 65.7 hours for the fourth consecutive quarter.

CGI has announced the expansion of its Universal Virtual Flight Data Recorder (UVFDR) initiative, which aims to enhance aviation safety by introducing a cloud-based alternative to traditional “black box” flight recorders that meets global regulatory standards. The CGI VirtualFlightRecorder, developed with support from the European Space Agency and the UK Space Agency, will leverage AWS cloud infrastructure to provide real-time flight data transmission and storage capabilities that align with ICAO’s standards for Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety Systems.

Building on initial pilot demonstrations, the system incorporates blockchain technology to ensure data authenticity and integrity—critical factors for regulatory compliance and potential use in accident investigations. The system is designed to transmit flight data via satellite in emergency scenarios, creating a virtual backup that would remain accessible even if physical recorders are damaged or lost.

Designed to integrate with existing aircraft interface devices, CGI’s VirtualFlightRecorder is intended to serve air transport, business and general aviation, and advanced air mobility.

The expansion phase will include demonstration flights with Cranfield University’s Flying Laboratory to validate data resilience and transmission capabilities. While traditional flight data recorders remain the industry standard, virtual solutions could provide additional data redundancy and accessibility during accident investigations.

TrustFlight has launched a specialized training division, TrustFlight Training, aimed at helping aviation organizations enhance safety, accelerate compliance, and maximize their efficiency.

The service offers expert-led training in areas of compliance and operational continuity, regardless of internal change or resource constraints. Additionally, the team overviews quality management system (QMS) and safety management system (SMS) principles.

TrustFlight Training further helps clients with the use of the company’s Centrik platform, which includes electronic tech logs, SMS/QMS, reliability analytics, minimum equipment list management, and technical services supporting continuing airworthiness. The platform has more than 200,000 users.

The training involves modular sessions through virtual classrooms, in-person workshops, and “blended” environments. Courses share practical best practices and provide essential tools. Upon completion, participants receive a TrustFlight Certification validating their knowledge and readiness for safety-critical environments, and they are offered extended support from the division.

Colin Harley and Jamie Cummins, who bring backgrounds in operations, training, customer support, and program leadership, have joined the training division.

Aircraft Services Group (ASG) has broken ground on its new corporate headquarters hangar complex at Florida’s Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ). Founded in 1989, the family-run business provides a slate of aircraft operations: charter, management, maintenance, brokerage, and consulting. It operates a fleet of 26 aircraft, including heavy jets.

ASG subleases hangar space at Boston-area Hanscom Field (KBED), Teterboro (KTEB), New York’s Farmingdale (KFRG) and Westchester (KHPN) airports, Chicago Executive (KPWK), and at Florida’s Palm Beach (KPBI) and Miami–Opa Locka (KOPF) airports and has a temporary hangar in Sarasota, but this will be its first dedicated facility.

The $25 million project at KSRQ will be divided into two phases. First is a 30,000-sq-ft hangar capable of sheltering the latest ultra-long-range jets, along with a fuel farm and a terminal building with offices and a customer lounge. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Phase 2 will add another 30,000-sq-ft hangar. These will be for the private use of ASG’s clients, and the company will provide fuel, maintenance, and passenger handling.

“The groundbreaking ceremony marks an exciting new chapter for our company, and for the Sarasota-Bradenton region,” said company CEO Peter Cuomo. “Our new headquarters at [KSRQ] will increase our ability to offer world-class aviation services and will also create high-quality job opportunities in this thriving area.”

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The FAA has announced the retirement of three Outside the Contiguous United States (OCONUS) text area forecasts, transitioning to graphical forecasts for aviation weather updates to enhance accuracy and use for pilots and dispatchers. In collaboration with the National Weather Service (NWS), the FAA recently replaced the following OCONUS text area forecasts with graphical forecasts: FACA20 (OFAMKC) for the Caribbean and Gulf of America; FAGX20 (OFAGX) for the Gulf of America; and FAHW31 PHFO (FA0HI) for Hawaii.

These graphical forecasts provide an interactive and detailed representation of weather conditions, allowing users to pan, zoom, and focus on specific areas of interest. These tools include gridded displays of various weather parameters and textual weather observations, forecasts, and warnings. Icing, turbulence, wind, and temperature data are presented in three dimensions, offering a comprehensive view of weather patterns.

Pilots and dispatchers can access the graphical forecasts through the NWS Aviation Weather Center’s website. The FAA recommends that directors of operations, dispatch, and operational control managerial staff ensure that relevant personnel are trained to use these new tools effectively. Tutorials and instructional resources are available on the Aviation Weather Center’s website.

This transition aligns with the FAA’s ongoing efforts to modernize aviation weather services, providing pilots and operators with more accurate and user-friendly tools to support safe flight planning.

Atlantic Airways has inaugurated a flight training center in the Faroe Islands featuring an AW139 Reality H full-flight simulator developed with Thales. The EASA-certified level-D simulator is designed to provide pilots with a highly realistic training environment, including mission scenarios that reflect the challenging weather and terrain of the islands.

Incorporated in the simulator’s hoist module is a physical control grip and cable, with synchronized visual cues delivered through the ThalesView image-generation system. The winchman’s perspective is integrated with the full-flight simulator movement, supporting coordinated training between pilots and hoist operators.

Jóhanna á Bergi, CEO of Atlantic Airways, said, “The Thales [full-flight simulator] provides our pilots with an unparalleled cockpit experience, essential for mastering the operational challenges they may face in real-world scenarios. We’ve been confident from the beginning that partnering with Thales was the right decision.”

Atlantic Airways Aviation Academy can train up to 600 pilots annually, depending on the training syllabus. It supports domestic and international AW139 operators, particularly those engaged in offshore, rescue, and other complex missions.

Integrated in the simulator is the company’s patented Hexaline motion technology, including a mixed-reality hoist trainer for rear crew operations. According to the company, the simulator will be used for initial type rating, recurrent training, and proficiency checks for both VFR and IFR operations.

Levo has launched LevoAI, an artificial intelligence-based platform designed to support aircraft availability and flight request matching for private charter operators and brokers. “LevoAI is a game-changer for the charter market,” said Levo CEO Joe Moeggenberg. “Putting AI to work in the charter space is the missing link.”

LevoAI uses a proprietary learning model supported by multiple large language models to analyze available aircraft and open flight requests. When a potential match is identified, the system flags the opportunity for follow-up and can notify users via push notifications or text messages.

A consolidated interface on the platform allows users to review aircraft availability and demand data. Charter operators can use built-in prompts to identify potential revenue opportunities, while brokers can enter flight needs and receive scored match suggestions based on availability.

The goal of the system is to address long-standing industry challenges related to manual matching and response time. LevoAI is designed to reduce reliance on traditional tools such as spreadsheets and mass email outreach by introducing automation to the matching process.

A tribute to the crews that battled destructive Los Angeles wildfires in January will take center stage at the 22nd Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards, to be held on Friday in Southern California. The event will spotlight both historic achievements and lifesaving missions.

Actor and pilot John Travolta will host the ceremony, which will include honors for aerial firefighters and the Polaris Dawn spaceflight crew. Morgan Freeman and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, will lead the segment honoring helicopter pilots and other aircrew who flew hundreds of missions during the Los Angeles wildfire emergency response.

The Polaris Dawn crew will receive the inaugural Dr. Buzz Aldrin Space Advancement Award. Commander Jared Isaacman, pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet, and mission specialists Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon completed a high-altitude orbital mission and conducted the first private spacewalk while performing scientific experiments.

New inductees into the Living Legends of Aviation include former NASA astronaut and Navy SEAL Christopher Cassidy, veteran astronaut and air racer Robert “Hoot” Gibson, and NBC’s aviation and space correspondent, Tom Costello. Ron Draper, CEO of Textron Aviation, will receive the Lifetime Aviation Industry Leader Award, and Burt Rutan, designer of Voyager and SpaceShipOne, will receive the Dr. Sam B. Williams Technology Award.

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