Spike Aerospace is refining the aerodynamics, cabin configuration, and lower-boom performance of its Mach 1.6 S-512 Diplomat as it lays the groundwork to bring a supersonic business jet to market. The company is completing what it calls an “enhanced study” that builds on previous research and design iterations to validate the aircraft’s ability to meet stringent noise requirements over land with low-boom capability.

The Atlanta-based firm is further working with aerospace companies, as well as key industry partners and academic institutions, to accelerate design, plot out certification, and prepare for market readiness, it said. Spike Aerospace plans to develop a supersonic jet that can link London and Dubai in about 3.2 hours. Initial designs would have up to an 18-passenger cabin that, in lieu of windows, would sport full-length panoramic high-definition displays.

“Our goal is to redefine long-distance travel for business and government leaders, offering the speed of supersonic with the comfort and discretion of a private jet,” said Spike Aerospace president and CEO Vik Kachoria. “The S-512 Diplomat is being engineered to connect cities like New York and Paris in under four hours—quietly and sustainably.”

In May, the company announced it was relaunching the program with “renewed leadership and sharper focus,” along with actively recruiting key engineering staff, engaging with suppliers, and preparing its capital roadmap.

Signature Aviation is celebrating the grand reopening of its renovated FBO this week at Smith Reynolds Airport (KINT) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The aviation services provider occupies nearly 3,000 sq ft in the building, which dates to 1941.

The reconstruction project took two years and preserved several historical details, including an original mural dating back more than 80 years. The main lobby features a replica of the Savoia Marchetti S-56 that airport namesake Zachary Smith Reynolds used during his 17,000-mile global circumnavigation in 1931.

At the grand opening event on Monday, Signature provided guests with a walk-through of the facility, highlighting its historical details and updated amenities. It includes a spacious crew lounge with snooze rooms, business center, expanded refreshment bar, and an outdoor seating area on the second floor.

“Winston-Salem has a proud legacy in aviation, and the revitalized Signature KINT with the new terminal at Smith Reynolds Airport builds on that tradition,” said company CEO Tony Lefebvre. “Thoughtfully designed and crafted, this updated space blends modern amenities with unique design elements that honor the region’s deep aviation roots to elevate every moment for our guests.”

The KINT facility update is Signature’s latest for 2025, with similar unveilings at Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, and Palm Beach, Florida, on tap for later in the year.

Dallas-based Jets MRO has tripled its technician workforce and become the largest employer at Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) following the expansion of its FAA Part 145 repair station capabilities. The company attributes its rapid growth to a “people first” operating model that prioritizes technician welfare amid widespread industry labor shortages.

The company's FAA certification allows it to perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations on aircraft and components, including Beechjets, Bombardier Challengers and Learjets, Cessna Citations, and Hawkers. Its expanded workforce enables a broader focus on platforms including the Cessna Citation 500 series and X, Challenger 300 and 600 series, and Learjet 45.

“Our approach has always been simple: take care of your people, and they’ll take care of your customers,” said CEO Suresh Narayanan. “This philosophy isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s proven to be our most effective business strategy.”

The company’s latest milestone follows its engine repair certification earlier this year, allowing onsite and mobile powerplant services across North Texas. That approval marked a shift toward full-spectrum support, a strategy Narayanan said will reduce downtime and improve service continuity.

Eve Air Mobility plans to raise $230 million in equity capital through a share offering that is set to close on Friday. The government-backed Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), along with Embraer and several institutional investors, subscribed to the offering of 47,422,680 shares in common stock, priced at $4.85 per share.

The offering includes new Brazilian Depository Receipts backed by BNDES that will be listed on the São Paulo stock exchange. Eve will use the proceeds from these to cover the cost of services performed in Brazil, where it is manufacturing the four-passenger eVTOL Eve 100 it is developing for service entry in 2027.

In May 2022, Eve raised $337 million through an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange based on its merger with special acquisition company Zanite. In trading on August 13, Eve’s stock closed at $5.86. According to the company, it has now raised more than $1 billion.

“Eve’s dual listing in the U.S. and Brazil is aligned with our continuous effort to diversify our investor base, bringing new stockholders from different locations,” said the company’s chief financial officer, Eduardo Couto.

In business aviation, it is essential to partner with a training provider—like FlightSafety International (FSI)—that invests in your success and supports your pilots throughout their entire career. 

General aviation services group GDAT is set to start operating the Airbus H160 helicopter in China after taking delivery of its first aircraft in that country on Tuesday. The company ordered 50 examples of the utility-twin model in April 2023 and has since taken delivery of five other aircraft from this batch for operations outside China.

The H160 delivered this week will mainly be used to support energy sector customers. Flights will include transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms, as well for trips to wind farms, harbor piloting, emergency medical, and public service missions.

Since Airbus began deliveries of the H160 in December 2021, the model has entered service for a variety of applications, including law enforcement, search and rescue, and passenger transportation. Other operators are based in France, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and the UK.

“We are proud to be the first to receive the brand-new H160 in China,” said GDAT chairman Peter Jiang. “The introduction of this aircraft continues GDAT’s long-term commitment to providing state-of-the-art helicopter technology to both the Chinese market and those around the world, and underlines our commitment to the safety, quality, and efficiency of our operations.”

Last month, Airbus started flight testing a military version of the H160 that has been ordered by France’s armed forces.

Singapore-based Asia Corporate Jet is having Starlink satcom systems installed in its charter fleet, which includes the Gulfstream G450 and G550 and Hawker 900. The first to get the upgrade is the G450, which has been flown to Clark Civil Aviation Complex in Mabalacat City, Philippines, to have the Starlink system installed by Metrojet Engineering. After this, the other airplanes in Asia Corporate Jet’s fleet will get the Starlink upgrades.

“Asia Corporate Jet prides itself on maintaining absolute focus on the product it presents to its clients,” said CEO Jon Evans. “Be it unseen, such as our safety commitment through fleet-wide flight data monitoring, to premium client services such as cabin connectivity via Starlink, Asia Corporate Jet maintains the agility and determination to lead industry within the region.”

Starlink hardware costs $150,000, not including installation, and—except for countries where satcom is prohibited—provides worldwide coverage using SpaceX’s low-earth-orbit Starlink network. Starlink service cost ranges from $2,000 per month for 20 GB (plus $100 for each additional GB) to $10,000 per month for unlimited. System speeds range from 100 to 250 Mbps download and 8 to 25 Mbps upload, with latency less than 99 ms.

Axis Flight Simulation has introduced a redesigned version of its level-D flight simulators for regional airliners and business aircraft. According to the Austrian company, changes to the simulator cabin have improved access for maintenance and use pre-manufactured components that are not specific to aircraft types to accelerate deliveries.

The full-flight simulator’s new look, which includes improved external graphics, was developed in partnership with design specialist Formquadrat. According to Axis, it includes a modular structure that will make the simulators better suited to the changing needs of aircraft operators and flight training organizations.

Improvements include easier access to the simulator’s projectors at the top of the unit. Flaps on the underside, including movable modules inside that, facilitate access to components.

The simulator’s cockpit and mothership can now be built separately and the simulator platform has been split in two parts to make it easier to transport on standard trucks. Axis has also added exterior glass elements and status lights.

“The redesign is not just about aesthetics, it’s about aligning our product identity with the precision, innovation, and professionalism that Axis stands for,” said Christian Theurmann, a member of the company’s executive board. “The modular approach was created with our customers in mind, by making it easier than ever for them to maintain and service their simulators, while also supporting faster delivery times.”

The Blackhawk Performance Center (BPC) in Glendale, Arizona, is now an authorized service center for the Williams International FJ33-5A engine that powers the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet. As the sole Williams-authorized service provider in Arizona for the FJ33-5A, the facility can offer Check 1 and 2 inspections, engine removal and replacement, rental engine support, and hot section inspections.

The Glendale BPC is also an authorized service center for Cirrus Aircraft. “The addition of Williams’ service capability is a natural extension of our demonstrated proficiency in servicing Cirrus aircraft,” said Charlie Love, president of the BPC network. “Our team in Glendale has been supporting Vision Jet operators for nine years, and this authorization reinforces our commitment to delivering OEM-backed engine maintenance with the highest level of quality and care.”

Earlier this year, The Blackhawk Group announced that it acquired Glendale Aero Services. Blackhawk also recently said it has been selected as a preferred installation facility for the Avidyne Vantage 12 flight display system avionics upgrade for Cirrus SR20 and SR22 models. With 12-inch displays, synthetic vision, and full system redundancy, the upgrade is available for more than 4,000 in-service SR20s and SR22s.

AIN’s Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) Mx, set for November 3-4 in Scottsdale, Arizona, will address the latest topics, strategies, and solutions in business aviation. The summit is attendee-centric, serving as an educational and professional networking opportunity that connects directors of maintenance and corporate aviation leaders with peers, industry experts, and solution providers in a relaxed environment. The event is limited to 50 attendees, so we encourage you to apply to attend this all-expenses-paid event as our guests.