Piper Aircraft’s new M700 Fury single-engine turboprop has received type certificate validation from Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), marking the aircraft's first nod outside the U.S. The validation includes flight into known icing (FIKI) conditions approval, and the initial Canadian delivery is scheduled for this quarter.

Piper anticipates additional international deliveries this year into EASA countries, the UK, and Brazil as those validations are obtained. "The first international certification of the M700 Fury with FIKI from TCCA is a crucial part of the overall value proposition of the M700 Fury, as well as a key safety feature for operators,” said John Calcagno, Piper president and CEO.

The FAA certified the $4.15 million M700 in March and FIKI approval followed in May. The aircraft comes standard with the Halo safety system, featuring Garmin Emergency Autoland. It also features the G3000 avionics suite with autothrottle, emergency descent mode, electronic stability protection, SurfaceWatch, SafeTaxi, and PlaneSync.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-52 700 shp engine, the M700 has a maximum cruise speed of 301 knots, a max range of 1,852 nm at a 206-knot cruising speed, and a standard useful load of 2,320 pounds.

The attempt by Richmond International Airport (KRIC) in Virginia to take over its two FBOs has been postponed indefinitely after the overseeing Capital Region Airport Commission unanimously decided to halt its vote on the matter. Officials this week said they decided to delay the vote again so that they could have more time to study the proposal.

This move comes after a tumultuous process of nearly two years, one in which the airport issued and then canceled two requests-for-proposals for service providers.

Announcement of the plan met stiff opposition from the airport’s long-established service providers Richmond Jet Center and Million Air, as well as concerns from elected officials; industry trade groups such as AOPA, NATA, and NBAA; and even members of the Capital Region Airport Commission itself.

Among the factors cited were a lack of transparency in the deliberation process, the airport’s ability to manage the businesses that also provide airline fueling at the mixed-use KRIC, and—most importantly—the elimination of competing businesses on the field, which could drive prices up under an airport service monopoly.

While the leases on both FBOs are set to expire in 2026, industry experts that AIN spoke with believe the airport will eventually offer short-term lease renewals to the FBOs while it continues to ponder its path forward.

Both pilots escaped the burning wreckage of a Cessna Citation X+ after the business jet touched down 200 feet short of Runway 25 at Jamestown Airport (KJHW) in New York on August 5. The aircraft ran into runway lighting and came to rest 2,150 feet from the initial impact point, according to the NTSB preliminary report.

The two pilots were the only people on board the aircraft owned by Access Stripe, and they departed Chautauqua County Dunkirk Airport (KDKK) on a flight plan to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Florida, “to collect airplane parts and a mechanic for work on another company airplane,” the NTSB preliminary report explained.

After taking off and climbing to 10,000 feet, the Buffalo, New York approach controller radioed the pilots to expect their flight-planned altitude of FL470 in 10 minutes, but there was no response. The controller kept trying to contact the pilots before trying the emergency frequency and noticed that the flight was transmitting 7700, the transponder emergency code.

After the accident, the pilots reported smelling smoke at 8,000 feet and while descending through 10,000 feet, “the copilot said he heard the ‘clacker’ for the pitch trim and that the airplane was ‘trimming down and accelerating…well over 250 [knots] with the nose trimming down.’” The copilot tried to contact the controller, and “he noticed that ‘Comm 2 had failed, and the Garmin 5000 had big, red X’s.’”

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.

Upper Silesian Aviation Group (Górnośląskie Towarzystwo Lotnicze or GTL), the company that manages Poland’s Katowice International Airport (EPKT), has begun construction on a major general aviation aircraft hangar project.

Located near Apron #4 in the southwestern part of the airport, the nearly 59,000-sq-ft structure will include three hangar bays, each of which will be able to accommodate bizliner class aircraft such as the Airbus ACJ or Boeing BBJ. The new facility is expected to be completed early in 2025.

EPKT is one of the largest airports in the country, handling more than 5 million passengers a year, and is the top charter flight gateway in Poland. For private aviation customers, it offers two security and customs fast tracks in the commercial terminals along with a pair of business lounges. The airport’s business customer department assists in the check-in procedure and provides private transport between the terminals and aircraft on the ramp. GTL also has certification and approval for ground handling of general aviation aircraft.

“At Katowice Airport, we are committed to diversifying our operations based on the optimal use of infrastructure,” said Artur Tomasik, GTL's board president, adding that the company has been investing in the general aviation services at the airport for years. “It is our ambition to make Katowice Airport one of the best airports in Europe in this sector.”

The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) has increased its reach with eight new members, including three IADA-accredited dealers and five IADA-verified products and services members. This latest expansion brings the organization’s total membership to a historic high of 169 companies.

Among the new dealer members to earn accreditation are Aviation Sales Associates in Costa Mesa, California; Flightline Group in Tallahassee, Florida; and San Francisco-based Global Elite Aviation. Being granted initial IADA accreditation—a requirement for full dealer membership—means customers receive efficient, ethical, and effective aircraft transactions, and dealers must be re-accredited every three years.

IADA also lists among its members vetted companies that provide ancillary services to the aircraft transaction sector. Its five newest representatives in that category include lenders Fifth Third Bank based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and First National Capital in Irvine, California; law firms Jaffa & Co. in the UK and Florida-based Lapayowker Jet Counsel; and aircraft management provider Silver Air Private Jets in Santa Barbara, California.

“This unprecedented growth underscores the trust and respect that IADA members command in the business aircraft resale community,” said Wayne Starling, the trade organization's executive director. “Our newest members are recognized leaders in their respective fields, and they epitomize the high standards of professionalism, integrity, and expertise that IADA represents.”

With upcoming mandates for Part 135 operators, now is the time to think about your Safety Management System. Join us on September 17 at noon ET to learn how you can go beyond compliance to drive true ROI with easy-to-implement SMS software. We'll also discuss how paper-based approaches to SMS can leave you with blind spots and how an integrated approach to SMS, QMS, and Risk can deliver outsized ROI. Sponsored by TrustFlight.