A little more than a year after Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter lost two pilots and a Bombardier Challenger 604 to an accident in Naples, Florida, president Barry Ellis shared the company’s story about the aftermath of the tragedy with attendees yesterday at the 2025 Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) Safety Symposium. He also provided insight into some of the lessons learned about “planning for the unthinkable.”

“In aviation, we routinely train for scenarios we pray will never happen,” Ellis said. “We run emergency drills, we practice evacuations, we memorize procedures, all in the hope that those skills will never be needed. But the true purpose of that training isn’t just to prevent accidents, it’s to prepare us in case they do occur.”

He added that if there was one thought he could leave with attendees, it is to “have a plan, train your people, assess your risks honestly and regularly. And remember when the unthinkable happens, you’re responsible to find not just recovery, but your legacy.”

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Hop-A-Jet continues to reflect on that plan. “We do so in memory of captain Ed Murphy and first officer Ian Hofmann,” the pilots lost in the Feb. 9, 2024 crash. The Challenger 604, N823KD, crashed on the southbound lane of Interstate I-75 while on approach to Naples Airport (KAPF). The crew had reported a dual engine failure.

Cessna Citation Mustang owners can now purchase SkyWay Group’s SkyStep replacement cabin door step. The airstair is qualified on all Citation Mustangs, as well as other 500-series Citations.

The SkyStep features three steps versus the original two steps and is made of aluminum with an enclosed back and sides, with the third step closer to the ground. This eliminates the need to provide a stool to help passengers reach the first step on the original configuration. A pneumatic strut deploys the SkyStep gently to prevent damage to the door sill.

According to SkyWay Group CEO Mark Huffstutler, “Our new SkyStep represents the culmination of years of valuable customer feedback and continuous design enhancements. With its sleek, organic design and precision craftsmanship, it’s not just an upgrade, it’s a major step forward in innovation, delivering unparalleled strength and performance.”

SkyWay also holds supplemental type certificate approvals for SkyStep installations on Citation 500, 501SP, 525, 525A, 525B, 550, 551SP, S550, and 560 twinjets. Installation takes about two hours.

In the ongoing United States v. Hansen Helicopters case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Guam has entered into a global settlement agreement with defendants associated with Pacific Spotters Corporation (PSC).

According to the office, the defendants agreed to “termination of any relationships with named criminal defendants in United States v. Hansen Helicopter, Inc., et al., No. 18-CR-00010, and the companies named as alter egos in Civil Case No. 23-CV-00002.” The agreement included “disposition of aircraft and aircraft business operations…and…a provision of information/cooperation.”

The defendants include Cherry Anne Espion, director, corporate secretary, and treasurer of PSC; Oswald Espion, chairman of the board and president of PSC; and Antonio S. Padua and Robert Dodd Plew, directors of PSC.

“This agreement ensures these civil defendants are permanently enjoined from ever illegally operating or continuing the scheme for which Hansen Helicopters and John Walker were convicted,” the office said. “It follows additional plea agreements by other named criminal defendants.”

In September 2022, a Guam federal district court jury found Hansen Helicopters and its CEO, John D. Walker, guilty on 110 counts related to (among other things) conspiracy, defrauding the FAA and the NTSB, bribery, aircraft parts fraud, causing serious bodily injury and death, and falsification of aircraft registration. A sentencing hearing for Walker is set for May 5.

Bosch General Aviation Technology is backing Vaeridion’s plans to bring a nine-passenger, all-electric Microliner airplane to market by 2030. The offshoot from the German automotive group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Munich-based start-up today at Aero Friedrichshafen and will help with the electric drive technology.

The Microliner is intended for scheduled regional air services and business aviation missions of up to around 400 kilometers (217 nm). Vaeridion plans to certify the aircraft in Europe in the next four years and aims for global markets, including North America, by the early 2030s. The design incorporates a modular battery system in the wings.

“We have our first generation of battery modules in production and testing right now,” said Vaeridion CEO Ivor van Dartel. “They are not ready for flight yet, but by the time we will be flying—2027—and then for certification, I would say 400 kilometers minimum because other industries are propelling the development of battery technology.” 

Bosch’s capabilities in testing and development of electric drive technology will complement the small team already working on the airplane. Its aviation division is EASA Part 21 certified and involved in developing electric drive technology. The new collaboration will be housed near Munich to leverage Bosch’s expertise and testing facilities to accelerate the development of a novel propulsion system with dual electric motors that offer redundancy for its single propeller.

As Europe’s general aviation manufacturers brace for the impact U.S. tariffs on aircraft and parts, France-based Daher today made the case for sustaining transatlantic cooperation in the face of the disruptive policy. Referring to Daher Aircraft’s production facilities in Idaho and Florida, CEO Nicolas Chabbert told press conference attendees at the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany that it is boosting its investment in the U.S. and creating further jobs there.

“We believe we are creating long-term value in America with around a 50:50 mix between Europe and the U.S. [in terms of production],” Chabbert commented.

At its Stuart site on Florida’s Atlantic coast, Daher is now executing plans to establish the company’s third assembly line. This will supplement the output of its TBM aircraft at its main site in Tarbes, France, as well as Kodiak 100s and 900s that it makes in Sandpoint, Idaho.

“Time is of the essence for all of us in this situation, and as an industry we need to stay united,” Chabbert said. “No one can get out of this without being hurt, and isolation is not the answer, so we’re glad that a common voice is being heard through GAMA.”

Luma Technologies introduced complete LED upgrade packages for the Cessna Conquest I and II turboprops, expanding its product line beyond the previously released solutions for Cessna piston twins. The company unveiled the LT-4250 series two-panel LED suite for the Conquest I (425) and the LT-4441 All-In-One LED suite for the Conquest II (441), both designed to address reliability issues that extend beyond just the annunciator panels.

As the company investigated the Conquest series’ requirements, the remote logic dimming control box presented potential issues. This led Luma to develop a “pin-for-pin, connector-for-connector drop-in replacement” using modern solid-state surface mount technology.

Emphasizing safety considerations, the company addressed landing gear status lights in particular. “The landing gear status light consistently is one of the top five causes of fatalities or serious injury accidents,” said a company spokesperson.

For Conquest II, the upgrade package faced additional engineering challenges due to the placement of fire suppression switches. The packages include LED panels, logic dimming capability, gear status lights, and optional master warning functionality. According to Luma, installations can be completed in a single day through the company’s STC, with the 425 solution expected to be available in mid-June.

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (KBLV) expects to complete the first phase of its new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility by year-end. Construction began on the nearly $30 million project at the Belleville, Illinois gateway in the third quarter. According to airport director Darren James, the general aviation portion of the 25,277-sq-ft facility will come online first, followed by the Federal Inspection Station for commercial passengers and cargo, a move that will allow the airport—which is co-located with Scott Air Force Base and has a 10,000-foot main runway—to receive international airline flights.

While St. Louis-area KBLV has an existing general aviation customs clearance facility, James told AIN that it is now out of compliance with CBP specifications. Since the new building is under construction, the airport is permitted to continue using the old facility until its replacement is ready for use. The work is funded by FAA grants, community and state money, passenger facility charges, and local matching.

“The project will expand service offerings and increase airline competition by facilitating new international entrants into the regional market,” James explained. “We have worked closely with CBP to ensure the facility is designed to meet existing requirements and anticipated needs.”