Blackhawk Aerospace has launched a supplemental type certificate (STC) program for the Hartzell five-blade composite propeller on Beechcraft King Air 350s as part of its XP67A Engine+ upgrade, with FAA approval slated for late July. Announced last week at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, the composite propeller option offers lighter weight (by about 20 pounds), reduced noise, increased durability, and enhanced performance compared to the standard four-blade aluminum propeller.

According to Blackhawk, the composite propeller allows for shorter takeoff distances, faster climb rates, and improved cruise speeds, as well as smoother operation, reduced cabin noise, and lower maintenance demands. This builds on the XP67A Engine+ upgrade, which replaces factory-installed Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A engines with PT6A-67As that have a 24% increase in available shaft horsepower.

“This new STC program highlights our passion to pursue next-level performance solutions,” said Blackhawk president Edwin Black. “By integrating Hartzell’s cutting-edge propeller with our proven XP67A engine upgrade, we’re providing King Air 350 operators with additional propeller options resulting in a personalized path to smarter, faster, more efficient flying—with significant operational savings.”

Five fatal business jet accidents claimed 12 people in the first three months versus four accidents and 11 deaths in first-quarter 2024, according to preliminary data gathered by AIN. U.S.-registered business jets fared better, with two fatal accidents claiming two people in the quarter versus three accidents and nine fatalities in the same period last year. But non-U.S.-registered business jets experienced a significant uptick in fatalities: 10 deaths in three accidents in the first quarter compared with two deaths in a single accident in the same timeframe last year.

Meanwhile, fatalities more than tripled from accidents of nonscheduled U.S.-registered business turboprops in the first quarter versus a year ago: Three fatal accidents claimed 10 people in the most recent quarter versus two accidents and three deaths in the first three months of 2024. Another 28 died in four accidents of non-U.S.-registered business turboprops in the first quarter versus seven accidents and 26 fatalities in the same period last year.

Although runway excursions (the most common airplane accident type) have decreased in the last three first-quarter periods—from 23 in 2023 to 20 in 2024 to 17 this year—they can be deadly, as evidenced in two of the five fatal business jet accidents in the first three months of 2025.

The European Commission’s efforts to prevent fuel tankering by aircraft operators are posing significant headaches for the business aviation sector. Rules that took effect from January 1 will impose significant financial penalties on operators conducting 500 or more flights from European Union (EU) aiports each year who can’t prove that they uplifted at least 90% of their required fuel from those airports.

According to EBAA, the anti-tankering policy is fundamentally unfair and disproportionate for the sector it represents. Nonetheless, reporting requirements started last month—applying to all commercial operations but not to flights operated under private rules—creating what the industry group said will be a huge administrative burden. Penalty payments for fuel deemed to have been tankered based on uplifts falling short of the 90% mark will be charged at twice the cost of the fuel.

There are two criteria for being exempt from the rules: proving that fuel uplifts outside the EU were justified on safety grounds; and establishing that it would not be operationally feasible to take on fuel at a specific airport. In both cases, operators have to apply for exemptions three months in advance of the flight, which EBAA has told Commission officials is completely unworkable in the context of short-notice business aviation operations.

Industry leaders at the recently held British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) annual conference emphasized the growing importance of apprenticeships, school outreach, and retraining programs to address a significant talent shortage in business aviation.

Panelists from Hunt & Palmer, Gama Aviation, Bombardier, and Universal Aviation shared positive experiences with apprentices but agreed that more visibility is needed for the diverse career paths within business aviation. While the airlines remain a popular career aspiration, the panel highlighted opportunities in air ambulance services, special missions, aircraft management, and air charter.

Bombardier, for example, hosts 15 maintenance technician students annually at its London Biggin Hill facility and has added retraining initiatives and a military transition program. Gama Aviation is expanding its apprenticeship programs into IT and finance and collaborates with providers to deliver industry-relevant training.

Zenon CEO Andrew Middleton reported a 38% rise in aviation recruitment demand, citing pilot cadet schemes and a pressing need for maintenance technicians as key drivers. The panel also acknowledged recruitment challenges linked to Brexit.

BBGA is encouraging its members to accept school work experience requests, viewing early engagement as vital to attracting the next generation of talent.

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

Air Culinaire Worldwide has launched an order management portal designed to simplify in-flight catering logistics. The platform offers a user experience similar to food delivery applications but is tailored for business aviation.

“This is the first and only end-to-end order management solution for in-flight catering,” said Air Culinaire Worldwide CEO John Lee. “The ease of use, customization, and capabilities of this system will transform how flight departments handle their in-flight catering orders. For the first time, users have complete visibility of their catering operations—from order tracking and simplified invoicing to extensive regional menu browsing and streamlined checkout—in one intuitive interface.”

Features include real-time order tracking, access to invoices, and the ability to order from a network of more than 1,200 locations. It also has menus from 23 company-operated kitchens, as well as offerings from third-party caterers. Future updates are expected to integrate the platform with business aviation software, allowing flight departments to connect catering orders with their flight management tools.

“With 23 owned and operated kitchens and the industry’s largest network of vetted third-party caterers, we’ve built unmatched global coverage. This digital platform is the next step in our innovation journey,” Lee added. “We’re already developing integrations with leading flight management systems, expanding our eco-friendly packaging initiatives, and strengthening our farm-to-flight program that brings fresh, local ingredients to every kitchen in our network.”

Austrian aircraft cabin design specialist F/List is debuting its latest aviation-grade material, F/Lab Stone Inlay, to the airline sector this week at AIX 2025. The handcrafted stone veneer, designed for high-end cabin interiors, will be showcased alongside a collection of innovative materials tailored for premium airline cabins.

“A growing number of airlines want to differentiate themselves from the competition, and our established materials portfolio is well-positioned to respond to this trend. With our naturally sourced premium products, we want to enable airlines to redefine the customer experience in their premium and first-class cabin interiors,” said Anita Gradwohl, group director of sales at F/List.

Managing director Michael Müller added, “Our F/Lab Stone Inlay is the perfect example of how we can bring natural products into the cabin by creatively transforming them into practical, refined solutions that elevate the cabin ambiance.”

F/Lab Stone Inlay combines advanced engineering with artisanal craftsmanship, offering a durable, aviation-certified material resistant to scratches, fluids, and chemicals. At just 2.5 mm thick, it minimizes weight while maintaining an elegant aesthetic. The veneer can be customized in various colors, textures, and engraving styles and applied to cabin elements such as table inlays, countertops, and bulkheads.

F/List is showcasing additional sustainable materials at AIX, including F/Lab Aenigma, F/Lab Whisper Leather, and F/Lab Natural Oil varnish.

Visit our AIX 2025 landing page for the latest news from this show.

FAI Aviation Group, a provider of global aviation services, has reported consolidated revenues of €130 million (about $141 million) for 2024, maintaining the same level as the previous year. The company continues its fleet renewal efforts and has added a second Learjet 60XR, replacing one of its four older Learjet 60s. Over the next 24 months, FAI plans to transition entirely to the XR model. Additionally, it is considering upgrading its Challenger 604 and Global Express with the Challenger 605 and Global 6000, respectively.

In a separate development, FAI Technik, the company’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) division, has confirmed the closure of its Berlin maintenance base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB). “Regrettably, our requirement for a brand-new MRO facility at EDDB in the near future was not feasible,” said Siegfried Axtmann, FAI’s founder and group chairman. He cited the outdated existing facility, rising lease costs, and the airport’s long-term lease requirements as key factors in the decision.

Following the closure, FAI Technik will continue servicing its primarily non-Berlin-based clients at its Nuremberg facilities, with plans to expand its workforce there.

FAI Aviation Group is also set to participate in Aero Friedrichshafen this week. The company will showcase a Challenger 604 featuring a new interior, while representatives from its charter and MRO divisions also will be available at the show.

French aviation startup Moove has launched its corporate flight department operating system, which is designed to streamline corporate flight booking and scheduling. It is now available for Part 91, Part 135, and brokerage operations across the U.S.

“With Moove’s dual platform, we help business aviation operators optimize their booking journey, streamline flight shuttle organization, and elevate the corporate travel experience,” said Moove co-founder and CEO Arthur Ingles.

Moove’s white-label infrastructure supports more than 100,000 annual passengers and is gaining traction with key clients, including Wonderful Aviation and PrismJet. Corporate-branded passenger portals and native apps enable autonomous booking and simplified travel planning. The company’s expansion into North America marks a step toward increasing accessibility to digital booking and scheduling tools for business aviation operators.

Samantha Garrison, flight coordination director at Wonderful Aviation, added, “What led us to choose Moove was the advanced technology behind its sophisticated yet user-friendly interface. Moove’s autonomous booking system and scheduling features will streamline our operations and optimize aircraft utilization.”

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.