Preowned business aircraft transactions in the second quarter diminished slightly year over year, according to the latest report by industry data analyst Amstat. The company noted that while transactions for business jets and turboprops dipped 2.4% from the same period a year ago, the rate of transactions for the quarter was still historically strong, exceeding the 10-year quarterly average by 7.4%. While inventory levels continue their rise to 6.5% of the active fleet, they remain below the 10-year average of 7.6%.

Broken up by segment, heavy jet transactions for the quarter declined by more than 4% compared to a year ago, but year-to-date (YTD) sales activity is up by more than 17%. Inventory reached 6.8% of the active fleet in this segment.

Super-midsize jets surged by 14.6% over second-quarter 2024, with YTD growth better than 25%. For midsize jets, YTD transactions rose by 15.5% with a slowing growth of inventory and higher asking prices. Light jets declined by 5.3% in the quarter, but YTD growth remains strong at 17.7%. Turboprop activity is up 8.2% from a year ago.

“The second quarter’s mild pullback should be viewed in the broader context of a resilient and active preowned market, particularly given the record-setting first quarter,” said Amstat general manager Andrew Young. “Our data suggests that strong demand, pricing adjustments, and inventory growth are creating a dynamic yet balanced market environment.”

Epic Aircraft has received FAA approval for installation of the Garmin GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar in the E1000, E1000 GX, and E1000 AX turboprop singles. The radar is housed in a laminar-flow radome mounted near the right wingtip and does not affect cruise speed.

Equipped with a 10-inch antenna, the radar features full antenna stabilization; horizontal and vertical scanning profiles to give pilots a clearer view of weather at various heights; ground clutter suppression; Garmin’s Watch technology to identify potential radar-shadowing zones; an expanded color palette; ground-mapping mode; StormOptix volumetric auto-scan to analyze size, shape, and intensity of storm cells; lightning and hail prediction; and turbulence detection.

“The Garmin GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar is now available as an optional upgrade for our certified models,” said Epic Aircraft CEO Doug King. “E1000 AX customers who selected the radar option will receive their aircraft with it installed. All existing E1000 and E1000 GX aircraft are already pre-wired for radar, and installation can be completed in the field through one of our authorized service centers. Our engineering and flight test teams worked closely to integrate the radar in a way that preserves the aircraft’s performance.”

In an effort to enhance its border security and preemptively screen inbound passengers, Singapore will introduce a No‑Boarding Directive (NBD) starting early next year. According to Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the policy will “instruct transport operators to deny boarding to travelers deemed high-risk or otherwise undesirable, even before they arrive at immigration checkpoints.”

Universal Weather & Aviation noted that the NBD will integrate with the existing Advance Passenger Information process, which operators must complete before departure. After submitting their data to the ICA, they will receive either an “OK to Board” or “Do Not Board” response for each person on the flight. In the case of the latter, the offending individual must be offloaded from the aircraft before departure.

All flights headed to Singapore must have all passengers and crew cleared, with a possible penalty of SGD 2,000 (about $1,555) per violation. Universal Aviation Singapore added that ICA may request additional documentation or confirmation, such as an SG Arrival Card completion.

ICA explained that its checkpoint modernization program—which uses features such as passport-less and QR-based clearance, automation, and biometric systems—has significantly improved security and efficiency. Since the beginning of the year, the authority stated that entry refusals have increased by 43% and contraband detection has risen by 28% as a result of additional profiling and detection capabilities.

AircraftExchange has formed a partnership with the Embraer Jet Operators Association (EJOA) to expand access to preowned Embraer business jets represented by International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA)-accredited dealers. The collaboration integrates AircraftExchange listings into EJOA’s member-facing platforms, offering users a direct pathway to browse curated aircraft for sale.

The exchange includes Embraer models such as the Phenom 100, Phenom 300, and Legacy/Praetors. Listings feature interactive tools such as watchlists for users to track specific aircraft models and receive real-time alerts on availability and pricing changes.

AircraftExchange is the exclusive listing site of IADA, and every aircraft featured on the platform is represented by a verified dealer. As part of the partnership, EJOA’s website now includes a live link to AircraftExchange’s Embraer inventory, while AircraftExchange reciprocates with access to EJOA’s community resources. (AIN Media Group has a similar partnership with IADA/AircraftExchange.)

“This partnership is a natural alignment between two organizations that value operational excellence and informed ownership,” said IADA executive director Louis Seno. “We’re giving [EJOA members] a trusted pathway to aircraft transactions executed with confidence.”

Jamie Rogers, EJOA executive director, added that the integration “enhances our members’ access to trusted aircraft listings while reinforcing our shared commitment to safety, service, and operational excellence.”

Engineers at RTX, half a world apart, bond in building the backbone of a future plane’s power system

Global aviation safety trends remain positive over the long term, but ICAO warns that accident and fatality rates rose in 2024 despite record-breaking traffic volumes. The agency’s 2025 Edition Safety Report – State of Global Aviation Safety recorded 95 accidents involving scheduled commercial flights, up from 66 in 2023. Ten of those were fatal, resulting in 296 deaths—more than quadruple the 72 fatalities reported the previous year.

The global accident rate climbed to 2.56 per million departures, compared with 1.87 in 2023, even as the industry handled more than 37 million departures worldwide. ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar said aviation remains the safest form of transport, but stressed the need for continuous improvement. ICAO Council president Salvatore Sciacchitano called the 2024 data “a tragic and timely reminder” of the importance of collective action toward the goal of zero fatalities.

Four high-risk categories—controlled flight into terrain, loss of control in flight, mid-air collisions, and runway incursions—accounted for 25% of fatalities and 40% of fatal accidents. ICAO also reported that turbulence was responsible for nearly three-quarters of all serious injuries in 2024—a trend it linked to increasing weather-related hazards.

To address these issues, ICAO is advancing global runway safety action plans, developing enhanced real-time turbulence monitoring systems, and issuing updated guidance to mitigate global navigation satellite system spoofing and jamming. The agency is also expanding data-driven approaches to accident, incident, and wildlife strike reporting, and promoting enhanced civil-military cooperation to reduce conflict-related risks.

The perception that business aviation struggles to recruit young talent was vividly challenged during the internship program that the Air Charter Association (ACA) staged this month at London Biggin Hill Airport. During a week-long training schedule, a group of 15 college-age recruits got an inside track on the career options offered by charter operators and brokers, FBOs, and MROs.

Now in its second year, the program—according to ACA CEO Glenn Hogben—has already guided several interns into their first jobs in the industry. After their time at Biggin Hill, the candidates will begin a week’s placement with member companies of the industry group.

They are also expected to prepare a 10-minute presentation and a 1,200-word report on an aspect of the business. ACA will honor the best of these presentations during its annual awards evening in November.

At Biggin Hill, Hogben and ACA training manager Julie Ellis provided instruction covering multiple topics, including safety-critical aspects of ground handling, airport operating restrictions, limitations such as air crew recurrency training, and cost factors for charter flights. One of the key lessons illuminated how brokers and handling agents often have to think quickly to work around challenges associated with delivering the flexibility for which private aviation is so valued.

Embraer will offer Starlink in-flight connectivity as an aftermarket option for Praetor 500/600 and Legacy 450/500 business jets. The service will be available through a supplemental type certificate developed in partnership with Nextant Aerospace, the engineering arm of Flexjet. FAA certification has been received for the Praetor 500 and Legacy 450; additional certifications are expected through early next year.

“This builds on our ongoing efforts, strengthening our commitment to seamless, connected flight experiences around the world,” said Marsha Woelber, v-p of customer support and aftermarket sales at Embraer Executive Jets.

“With more than a year of operational experience and hundreds of kits sold to the business aviation fleet, Starlink has firmly established itself as the preeminent solution for in-flight connectivity,” said Flexjet technical services division president Jay Heublein. “The Praetor is one of the most technologically advanced business jets in its category, and the addition of Starlink ensures that passengers will have a seamless connectivity experience.”

Flexjet, the largest operator of Praetor twinjets, plans to equip its entire fleet with the connectivity system. A Starlink STC for Phenom 300 jets is also in development. Installation services will be offered at Embraer’s global owned service center network.

The National Business Aviation Association will introduce a new Career Zone at NBAA-BACE 2025 designed to connect top employers with professionals at every career stage. The Career Zone builds on the show’s established Career Fair and adds tools to help attendees navigate job transitions and growth.

“We are thrilled to introduce the new NBAA-BACE Career Zone,” said NBAA senior v-p of events and professional engagement Jo Damato. “Whether you’re a student, young professional, mid-career expert, or transitioning military member, the NBAA-BACE Career Zone provides valuable resources and opportunities to support your next career move.”

Career Zone features include one-on-one coaching with industry veteran Jenny Showalter, a personalized scholarship guide and audit from AviationStart, and meet-and-greets with leaders such as former U.S. Air Force Thunderbird pilot Michelle “Mace” Curran. A headshot lounge and networking with the 2025 NBAA Top 40 Under 40 honorees will also be available.

The Career Zone will run on October 15 and 16 in West Hall W1 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Jet Aviation and USAIG are among the companies participating in the Career Fair. “This is always a great opportunity to build on existing industry relationships, as well as engage with emerging talent,” said Penny Stocksdale, senior talent acquisition partner at Jet Aviation.