AIN’s product support survey for 2024 saw Bombardier rise to the top of all business jet manufacturers with a full-point improvement from 2023, when it ranked last with a score of 7.6. The company’s 8.6 rating this year resulted from a strong showing in several categories, including a tie for first place with Dassault Falcon in warranty fulfillment at a score of 9.0.

Also seeing gains in support rankings in 2024 were Embraer Executive Jets and Dassault, with each improving by 0.4 points in the overall average from 2023. Both had strong service center ratings, reflecting their concerted effort to expand support capacity.

Atop the turboprop ratings was Pilatus Aircraft, garnering an 8.4 overall average rating. Textron Aviation’s rating for King Air turboprop support matched its composite score of 7.9 from last year.

While virtually every company surveyed last year reported negative effects of supply-chain constraints, several reported some improvement in that area in 2024. Efforts to relieve the pressure took the form of better communication and hands-on help for suppliers, increasing inventory levels, and maintaining closer ties with teardown agencies to help supplement their parts inventories. Finally, continued pressure from increased demand for MRO services saw companies add still more square footage for MRO operations and parts warehousing.

Signature Aviation has signed an agreement to purchase Dulles Jet Center (DJC), a major private aviation hangar complex at Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD). Signature operates one of the two FBOs on the field. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

The DJC campus consists of 197,000 sq ft of hangar space, office space, and a luxury passenger lounge. It made news in 2010 when a massive snowfall collapsed the roofs of three of its hangars. They were later rebuilt while the insurance battles over the damaged and destroyed business jets within raged for years. The move will bring Signature to 194,000 sq ft of hangar space—capable of handling the latest ultra-long-range business jets—at KIAD, along with added office and shop space.

In June, Sky Harbour announced that it would be installing a luxury turnkey 136,000-sq-ft private hangar complex at KIAD with its own fuel farm for tenants, a move which some in the industry suggest may have been a factor in DJC ownership’s decision to sell.

“We’re excited to welcome Dulles Jet Center into the Signature Aviation family,” said Signature CEO Tony Lefebvre. “This is a great opportunity to bring together two companies that have operated as neighbors over the years and are committed to delivering exceptional hospitality to our guests and residents.”

Mental health, the safety management system (SMS) mandate, and the massive FAA reauthorization bill are among the many pressing issues that will take center stage at NBAA-BACE 2024, to be held October 22 to 24 in Las Vegas. NBAA highlighted these issues as among the several significant developments that will bring the safety landscape into focus “as never before” during the upcoming convention.

“In just the past year, the FAA has been taking a new look at pilot mental wellness,” said Mark Larsen, NBAA's director of safety and flight operations who served on the FAA Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee. “Equally important, this year also included the introduction of a sweeping new safety management system mandate. Separately, but significantly, Congress has passed a 1,600-page multi-year FAA reauthorization bill with key safety provisions."

NBAA is bringing in experts at its annual convention to “unpack” the new SMS requirements, as well as changes in FAA’s mental fitness approach, and whether those have implications for flight readiness. These discussions will culminate with the association’s 2024 National Safety Forum and Single-Pilot Safety Standdown.

“Safety is a core value of the business aviation community, and it will be a centerpiece of the convention,” said Paul “BJ” Ransbury, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force captain, CEO of Air Performance Solutions, and NBAA's Safety Committee chair.

Skyservice Business Aviation has launched an aircraft recycling division that has received accreditation under the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association’s (AFRA) best maintenance practices for disassembly.

According to the Toronto-based company—which offers aircraft maintenance and aircraft management, and operates a network of FBOs throughout Canada and the U.S.—the venture will provide sustainable solutions. Its comprehensive strategy prioritizes environmentally conscious aircraft teardowns using the latest technologies and industry expertise to maximize the yield of recyclable aircraft components, in direct response to the current shortages in the aircraft parts market.

It offers flexible options including the direct purchase of the aircraft, or a consignment model in which it will handle the disassembly and sale of the components, with owners receiving a share of the proceeds.

“Our AFRA accreditation represents a significant milestone in our commitment to sustainability and innovation within the aviation sector,” said company president and CEO Benjamin Murray. “Our approach to aircraft teardowns not only addresses immediate supply-chain issues but also contributes to a more sustainable aviation ecosystem while delivering a strong ROI for aircraft owners.”

FlightSafety International, the go-to name in pilot training, offers extensive programs for maintenance technicians. Programs developed closely with aircraft and engine manufacturers foster a better training environment.  These strategic partnerships stretch back years, bringing valuable and informed OEM data and insights to the development and upkeep of each technician program. 

AOPA’s Air Safety Institute (ASI) today released an Early Analysis video that provides an initial examination of the Pilatus PC-12 crash north of Gillette, Wyoming, that occurred last Friday. The instrument-rated private pilot and six passengers aboard the turboprop single perished in the accident.

Registered as N357HE to Haynie Enterprises, the PC-12 was two hours into a flight from Nebraska City Municipal Airport (KAFK), where a fuel stop was made, to Montana’s Billings Logan International Airport (KBIL) when it crashed. FlightAware flight data indicates that the aircraft was at FL260 when it began to experience altitude oscillations about three minutes before the crash. N357HE’s ADS-B transmissions ceased at 23,400 feet.

“The pilot reported autopilot trouble and problems controlling the aircraft while in cruise flight at 26,000 feet msl. He tried to regain control of the aircraft as he declared an emergency with air traffic control,” said ASI senior v-p Mike Ginter. “The NTSB will likely look at en route weather, aircraft equipment, and pilot experience and proficiency.”

He added, “As pilots, it is imperative that we continuously train for and be prepared to manage sudden in-flight system malfunctions to help us maintain positive control of our aircraft.”

ASI’s Early Analysis videos “provide an initial assessment of prominent accidents that generate large public interest and may indicate important safety lessons for the general aviation community.”

Gogo Business Aviation has teamed with Duncan Aviation to pursue an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) for Gogo 5G on Bombardier Learjet 40/45/70/75 jets, the companies said today. According to Gogo, its 5G system will deliver more speed, capacity, live experiences, and the ability to connect more devices for crew and passengers of these Learjet models in North America.

More than 300 Learjets are equipped and flying with a Gogo air-to-ground (ATG) system, including legacy ATG (ATG 1000, 2000, 4000, 5000) and Avance L3 and L5 hardware. With installation led by the Duncan Aviation Houston satellite shop team, the STC provides operators of Learjet 40/45/70/75s—of which more than 700 fly today—an upgrade path to faster, higher-performing inflight connectivity with the installation of Avance L5 and Gogo 5G provisions.

“We’re excited to collaborate with Gogo on this Learjet project,” said Duncan Houston satellite manager Mark Winter. “This platform is one of our most requested for this size aircraft, and this STC will be the first for the Learjet that incorporates the LX5 and MB13 antennas for 5G access.”

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has contracted with Metro Gulf to equip its new Cessna 208 Caravan for search-and-rescue and other public safety missions. 

The MRO, a division of Lafayette, Louisiana-based Metro Aviation, will install an L3Harris MX-15 electro-optical and infrared camera, Technisonic TDFM 9000 radio, AEM audio system, multiple MacroBlue and ViewPoint touchscreen monitors, and a Shotover ARS-750 mapping system. In addition, Metro Gulf will furnish the aircraft with a fully articulated seat and custom mission console, easing the tactical flight officer’s access to the mission equipment.

A longtime completion customer of Metro Aviation, the Texas DPS aircraft operations division operates more than 25 aircraft, providing air patrol, criminal surveillance, and rescue. It has a staff of 50 police pilots, 25 tactical flight officers, and five support personnel. “We’ve completed numerous Texas DPS helicopters and are excited they’ve chosen Metro Gulf for this fixed-wing completion,” said Metro COO Kenny Morrow. “We look forward to working with more of our current partners and welcoming new customers to the family.”

There are more inflight connectivity options on the market today than ever before. Join us on August 21 at noon ET to learn what you need to consider when reviewing your options and the implications of this decision today and for your aircraft's future. We’ll be discussing ATG vs Satellite, LEO satellite solutions, and the ROI of IFC. Sponsored by Gogo Business Aviation.