Aircraft owners and operators at Eppley Airfield (KOMA) in Omaha, Nebraska, continue to sift through the rubble after a tornado on Friday afternoon destroyed four hangars containing 32 general aviation aircraft, including a Cirrus Vision Jet. No injuries were reported and the airport’s basic infrastructure—including its passenger terminal—was unscathed. It reopened within an hour.

Aircraft management and private lift provider Jet Linx suffered damage to its brand-new complex. Company CEO Brent Wouters told AIN that while its south hangar saw only minor damage to its metal siding, the other 30,000-sq-ft hangar took a direct hit that stitched an opening in the roof, sheared bolts and welds, and twisted steel beams, rendering it unsafe for occupation.

Wouters added that it is undetermined if the hangar can be repaired or will require replacement. Four of the private jets in it at the time—including three Cessna Citations—suffered minor damage and were able to be removed from the hangar for evaluation and repair. The facility’s private terminal had its land and airside doors blown out but, aside from that, suffered little other damage and Jet Linx hopes to have it restored within days.

Of the two FBOs on the field, Atlantic Aviation and Signature Aviation each had minor to moderate damage to a hangar but reported minimal impact on their operations.

Embraer on Friday announced plans to invest $390 million and hire 900 additional employees this year to increase aircraft production and prepare for future growth. The investment includes stepping up research and development activities for electric aircraft, expanding aeronautical services, and boosting industrial activities.

“Embraer begins a new phase of growth based on efficiency and innovation. We are focused on capturing our full potential in the different segments in which we operate towards more sustainable aviation,” said Embraer president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto. “And through partnerships with the public and private sector, we are expanding sales, opening new markets, and investing in new technologies, which makes it possible to increase the export of high-value-added products and create thousands of highly qualified jobs in Brazil.”

According to Embraer, approximately 90% of hires will occur throughout the year for the operations sector, with positions for mechanics, electricians, millers, molders, aircraft maintenance technicians, and quality technicians with experience. In addition, there will be opportunities for production trainees, engineers, and other administrative roles.

Last year, Embraer hired 1,500 employees and returned to pre-pandemic employment levels. The company has around 19,000 direct employees worldwide, of which 88% are based in Brazil. The São Paulo-based aircraft manufacturer expects to deliver 72 to 80 regional jets and 125 to 135 business jets this year, up from 64 and 115, respectively, last year.

House and Senate lawmakers have reached an agreement on a comprehensive five-year FAA reauthorization bill and appear poised to pass it before the latest extension of the FAA’s operating authority expires on May 10. Unveiled today, the 1,069-page bill also would reauthorize the National Transportation Safety Board through fiscal year 2028 and continue the aviation excise taxes without change through the reauthorization periods.

The agreement comes seven months after the term of the last five-year reauthorization bill was complete and follows three short-term extensions. However, in reauthorization cycles, that is relatively expeditious—the 2018 bill required six extensions.

H.R.3935, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, is expected to come under consideration in the Senate beginning tomorrow. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) has filed a cloture motion that would cut off debate and clear the way for a vote.

As for the compromise package, it is wide-ranging covering myriad safety, consumer, cybersecurity, workforce, airport, and advanced technology measures, among many others. House and Senate negotiators retained the title of general aviation, a first for an FAA reauthorization bill, that includes additional safety, medical, and other measures tailored for the sector.

The massive bill also includes a title dedicated to facilitating the development of the advanced air mobility sector but in a safe manner.

Gama Aviation expects to delist from the London Stock Exchange on May 30, with shareholders to be offered £0.95 per ordinary share under revised terms announced today. Shares on the AIM sub-market closed today at £0.93, after the UK-based business aviation services group said it will seek shareholder approval to resume trading as a private company at its annual general meeting on May 15.

According to Gama, the tender offer will result in £32.6 million (nearly $41 million) being returned to shareholders—almost double the amount proposed in February. At that time, the company said it intended to return some of the funds raised by the sale of U.S.-based maintenance division Jet East to West Star Aviation, which yielded net proceeds of around $100 million.

In its statement today, Gama said shareholders representing an aggregate 79.6% of the current issue share capital have given irrevocable undertakings to support the general meeting motion to return the company to private ownership. Company founder and CEO Marwan Khalek, who holds 22.1% of the share capital, has agreed not to tender any of his equity through the delisting, as has investment group Bermesico Concert Party with a 22.4% holding.

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To help companies meet new FAA regulations for implementation of safety management systems (SMS), Aviation Safety Solutions (AVSS) has launched its SMS manual for Part 91 and 135 operators. The SMS manual also facilitates compliance with ICAO Annex 19.

The FAA's new rules apply to nearly 1,900 Part 135 operators and 700 air tour operators, which will have to implement an SMS in one to three years, although less restrictive requirements apply to single-pilot charter operators. Expansion of SMSs to other operators and aircraft manufacturers is intended to address a 2020 congressional mandate and recommendations from the NTSB and two Aviation Rulemaking Committees. Additionally, the rules more closely align the U.S. with ICAO Annex 19 “Safety Management.”

According to AVSS, its SMS “is not just a document but a comprehensive tool that enhances the safety and efficiency of your operations.” The SMS is customized for each operator “to seamlessly integrate with [their] specific operational requirements” and “to ensure the manual aligns perfectly with their organization's needs.”

This includes compliance with standards set by organizations such as the International Business Aviation Council’s International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations, Business Aviation Safety Consortium, Air Charter Safety Foundation, Wyvern, and Argus. Once implemented, AVSS helps manage compliance with ongoing updates through its annual subscription program.

Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract to sell up to 20 H175 super-medium twins (10 firm, 10 options) to Shanghai-based GDAT, part of general aviation services provider GDAT Group. The group recently launched GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF) in Dublin, and GDHF will be marketing the H175s to energy, search and rescue, emergency medical service, and parapublic operators.

A year ago, GDAT placed an order for 50 H160 intermediate-twins. GDAT specializes in helicopter sales, leasing, maintenance, and modifications, as well as operating emergency rescue and other government services flights. GDAT Group also owns 21 Airbus H225 heavy twin-engine helicopters.

Airbus has delivered 55 H175s since the model's service entry in 2015, with the fleet logging more than 210,000 flight hours.

“This H175 order, along with the existing 50 Airbus H160 medium helicopters already on the GDAT orderbook, will be available to GDHF,” said GDHF CEO Michael York. “This deal will further enhance GDHF’s ability to offer our customers near-term availability of efficient, cost-effective, multi-mission helicopters of the very latest technology.”

“The creation of GDHF and this follow-on GDAT contract underlines the versatility and competitiveness of the H175 and the H160,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even. “We look forward to a long-standing partnership with GDHF as they put these multi-mission helicopters into service with their customers around the globe.”

Tell us about the product support you receive from business aviation OEMs. The 2024 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 3.