The NTSB's just-released final report on the crash of a Hop-A-Jet Bombardier Challenger 604 on Feb. 9, 2024, pointing to corrosion in the jet’s GE CF34-3B engines’ variable geometry (VG) system, is an “accurate assessment,” Hop-A-Jet president Barry Ellis told AIN. “We’re very happy…and the way that it was written is understandable to a layman. So we felt like [the NTSB] did a really good job.”

One element of the NTSB final report surprised Ellis: there were no recommendations issued by the agency. While he appreciates that GE Aerospace has revised the service bulletin and maintenance manual procedures to emphasize corrosion-detection procedures on the CF34-3B, he also believes that the service bulletin should be made mandatory. This could be done by an FAA airworthiness directive that references a service bulletin, and he expects some action on this by the FAA.

Ellis wants to make sure other operators understand VG corrosion issues and thinks the NTSB report will help with that. “We’ve tried to be very transparent about this from the beginning,” he said. “We haven’t tried to hide behind anything, but we’ve definitely learned a lot that has made us a safer company, just through things that we’ve learned, and we’d like for everybody to have that knowledge.”

The FAA’s Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program recently published a study on circle-to-land approaches that identifies contributing factors of safety issues experienced by pilots when flying this maneuver. ASIAS analyzed data from various voluntary safety programs to offer useful insights and tips for pilots conducting circle-to-land approaches.

Pilots of business aircraft must, on occasion, fly a circling approach when they cannot land from a straight-in approach due to tailwinds, obstacles, other limitations, or the need to accommodate traffic flow for ATC. Circling approaches, according to the ASIAS study, “present an increased risk to general aviation operations because they require maneuvering at low altitude and low airspeed during the final segment of the approach and landing.”

The NTSB reports that, from 2008 to 2023, there were 10 accidents involving Part 91 or 135 operators during circling approaches, resulting in 17 fatalities.

An NTSB safety alert further cautions pilots: “Circling approaches can be riskier than other types of approaches because they often require maneuvering at low altitude and low airspeed during the final segment of the approach, increasing the opportunity for loss of control or collision with terrain. These risks are heightened when conducting circling approaches in marginal or reduced visibility conditions, and increased focus is required.”

Business aviation digital platform Tuvoli logged $100 million in air charter bookings last month, pacing it for a $1.2 billion annualized run rate. Tuvoli estimated that the bookings made through its platform equate to one departure every 11 minutes, marking a record for the company that was founded in 2019.

With a goal of $2 billion in such transactions this year alone, Tuvoli reported that it has surpassed $3 billion in lifetime bookings. The company ranked 186th in the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America, topping 2,000% growth during the ranking period.

Tuvoli CEO Greg Johnson called the March results “a meaningful inflection point” for the platform. “Crossing $100 million in a single month demonstrates that operators and brokers are not just trying Tuvoli—they’re relying on it to run real volume,” he said. “This success underscores the escalating trend towards digitalization in private aviation.”

Its platform enables air charter brokers and operators to manage the sales process, from quote to payment, in a single location. “The combination of real-time availability and integrated instant payments offers brokers and operators crucial time advantages,” Johnson maintained.

The company is building on its technology capabilities with plans to formally launch a Global Distribution System (GDS) for private aviation by June. The GDS will connect brokers and operators, similar to the GDS used by airlines.

Bombardier has expanded its global service network, bringing expert, personalized support closer to customers and making every interaction simpler and more effortless.

São Paulo’s airshow season kicked off this week with HeliXP at Helipark, which was earlier this year because the next event, Catarina Aviation Show, had moved up its dates to May 21 to 23. The last and most longstanding event, LABACE, will take place from August 4 to 6 at Campo de Marte Airport (SBMT). Organizers of all three fairs spoke with AIN yesterday on the closing day of HeliXP.

Now in its seventh edition, HeliXP featured 58 stands exhibiting 87 brands, including 12 new exhibitors. Gledson Castro, executive director of organizer G2C Events, explained the fair’s efficiency: by offering standard booths, it’s possible to set up the fair in two days and break it down in six hours.

Catarina Aviation Show is hosted at Catarina Executive Airport (SBJH), Brazil’s first purpose-built business aviation airport, and focuses on the consumer market. Rogério Sautner, Catarina commercial manager, said, “All the OEMs have confirmed: Bombardier, Gulfstream, Dassault, Embraer, Airbus, Leonardo, Pilatus, and Textron.”

LABACE sales head Tamara Savelkoul was present at HeliXP and noted, “No one believed in the change [to SBMT]. But I have not had one single complaint.” This year, 150,000 sq m of space has been sold for LABACE 2026, with 160 brands present and 57 aircraft confirmed. “It will be bigger and stronger…we expect a better LABACE,” she said.

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Atlantic Aviation is expanding its STEM and workforce outreach in the Chicago area, one of the nation’s busiest aviation corridors, in an effort to give students there early awareness of, and access to, the industry.

The FBO chain is partnering with the Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS) and Chicago Public Schools to give students at Morgan Park High School on the Windy City’s South Side immersive exposure to business aviation careers, including the FBO and MRO realms.

“At Atlantic, we believe aviation should be accessible to anyone with the drive to pursue it,” said company CEO Jeff Foland. “This initiative is about opening doors, connecting students to real opportunities and showing them what’s possible.”

With the aviation industry facing workforce shortages, the program focuses on showing those students pathways to success, aside from the traditional four-year college degree. Starting in about a year from now, participating students will begin their journey to develop job skills through BITTS, with some progressing to paid summer internships.

“I know first-hand how powerful access and opportunity can be," said BITTS creator Irving, a pilot, aviation industry advocate, and educator. “When young people are given the chance to step into this world and see what’s possible, it can change the trajectory of their lives.”

French air charter firm SD Aviation placed an order at Aero Friedrichshafen 2026 for a pair of Cessna Citation M2 Gen3s and a CJ3 Gen2, Textron Aviation announced yesterday. The aircraft operator also signed for options on three additional unspecified light jets.

These Citations will be deployed to support SD Aviation’s new SD Share shared ownership program, offering flights in aircraft based in Paris and Côte d’Azur resort Cannes. The program has been launched through a partnership between Groupe Dubreuil and SD Aviation, which has not disclosed further details of the terms.

Deliveries of the M2 Gen3s and the CJ3 Gen2 are expected to start in 2027. SD Aviation, which is based at La Roche-sur-Yon in the west of France, already offers preferential charter flight terms through its Club Entreprise membership plan.

According to Textron Aviation, the light jets will be suitable for charter flights across Europe, connecting Paris with capital cities such as Lisbon, Athens, and Copenhagen. SD Aviation has operated two Citation M2 twinjets since 2024.

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