Lou Pepper, who has been leading FBO chain Atlantic Aviation as its CEO for more than 30 years, is stepping back from his role. Effective August 14, Jeff Foland will take over as CEO of the company, leaving Pepper to “fully focus on his role as a member of Atlantic Aviation’s board of directors.”

Foland has nearly three decades of experience in the aviation, travel, and transportation industries, including as a senior executive at United Airlines and Hertz Global Holdings. Most recently, he was CEO of The Parking Spot, which offers auto parking near airports.

“Jeff is a highly accomplished and innovative leader with a strong track record of overseeing growth at industry-leading companies and a deep commitment to providing an unmatched customer experience,” said Dash Lane, a partner at KKR, which acquired Atlantic Aviation in 2021. “I would like to thank Lou for his exceptional leadership over the past 30 years. As a result of Lou’s long-standing service, Atlantic Aviation is in the strongest position in its history, and I am confident that the company will continue to thrive under Jeff’s leadership. We are pleased that Lou plans to continue to contribute his deep experience as a member of Atlantic’s board.”

Under Pepper’s leadership, Atlantic Aviation has grown from 16 FBOs into one of the biggest chains with more than 100 locations in the U.S. and Caribbean.

Cessna's SkyCourier utility turboprop twin has won type certification from the National Civil Aviation Authority of Brazil, parent company Textron Aviation said today at LABACE 2023. The approval allows for its operation in the expansive Brazilian market for regional, utility, and special-mission aircraft.

“The Cessna SkyCourier's high payload capacity, short takeoff and landing capability, and cost-efficiency make it a great choice for operators in Brazil,” said Lannie O’Bannion, Textron Aviation's senior v-p for global sales and flight operations. “The aircraft's versatility and performance equip customers in the region with smart solutions for their unique missions and circumstances.”

Calling the SkyCourier an ideal fit for Brazil’s diverse geography, remote locales, and growing demand for air transportation, Textron promotes the aircraft as “an unparalleled combination” of performance, capacity, and capability, positioning it as a catalyst for enhanced regional connectivity, efficient cargo transportation, and reliable regional passenger operations.

The SkyCourier’s adaptability allows for what Textron characterizes as seamless transitions between different mission profiles. Featuring short takeoff and landing capability, the aircraft can operate from small runways, allowing it to reach remote communities and locations with limited infrastructure. Separately, the aircraft’s recently certified gravel kit option further expands the SkyCourier’s capability to operate from unimproved runways.

The first Brazil-based customer to install Satcom Direct’s Plane Simple Ku-band satcom antenna and airborne terminal, which was done on a Gulfstream G550 in July, plans to add another system to its G450 early next year. By year-end, three more Brazil-registered G550s will receive Plane Simple systems, according to Satcom Direct, and the backlog for installations in Brazil extends into 2024. Satcom Direct (SD) is highlighting its Plane Simple system this week at LABACE 2023.

Plane Simple systems are connected to Intelsat’s FlexExec high-speed Ku-band satellite constellation. The system requires installation of two line-replaceable units: the tail-mounted antenna and an SD modem unit. This “simplifies upgrade pathways, reduces aircraft downtime, and optimizes maintenance budgets,” according to Satcom Direct. 

Supplemental type certification approvals by Brazil’s ANAC are available for the Gulfstream G550, G450, IV, IV-SP, V, and V-SP, as well as Dassault Falcon 2000LX/LXS, 900EX/LX, and 7X models.

“Our clients in this region have been eagerly waiting for a simplified, high-speed data solution, and we are already delighted to hold orders for next year,” said Ewerton Libanio, managing director for SD Brazil. “More importantly, we are giving customers greater flexibility, cost-effective connectivity options, and a single resource to fulfill every connectivity need for those flying within Latin America and around the globe.”

Air bp is preparing to open an aircraft fuel supply hub at Paulínia in Brazil's São Paulo state, the company announced today at LABACE 2023. Expected to open later this year, it said the investment in this new facility will yield more flexible logistics and improved fuel supply options for aircraft operators.

Brazil was identified as a key growth market for Air bp in the updated corporate strategy it launched in 2022. Paulinia is nearly 100 miles inland from São Paulo, and the energy group already has 40 airport locations across the country, including Guarulhos (São Paulo), Galeao (Rio de Janeiro), and Viracopos (Campinas).

Air bp is also developing a new fuel tank farm at São Paulo Congonhas Airport that is due to start operating in 2024. The two new facilities represent a combined investment of more than $10 million.

Earlier this year, as part of its efforts to support aviation's transition to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Air bp made the first SAF delivery from its Castellon refinery in Spain under International Sustainability and Carbon Certification European Union standards. Chile-based operator LATAM Cargo used the fuel on a flight from Spain to North America. The SAF was made from a waste-based sustainable feedstock that is co-processed with fossil fuel.

Hawaiian commercial air tour operators can apply for FAA authorization to descend below the normal regulatory minimum altitude of 1,500 feet agl if it is for the purpose of weather avoidance, according to procedures proposed yesterday by the agency. The new procedures, including the application process for obtaining a letter of authorization, are outlined in draft Advisory Circular 136-B048.

The AC would apply to air tours in the state operating under Part 121, 135, or 121/135 combined certificate holders (CH). “These authorizations are granted with conditions and limitations to enable CHs to remain in VMC and avoid entering unforecasted IMC,” the FAA said.

Authorization is not intended to be used for flight planning and does not permit a commercial air tour operation to launch when forecast weather would not allow the operator to remain in VMC at altitudes above 1,500 feet agl for the duration of the planned flight.

Proposed new procedures include recommendations for pilot training and qualifications and specific aircraft equipment. The FAA “will thoroughly review each operator’s safety plan before issuing an authorization.” The public has until September 6 to comment on the procedures, which will take effect in spring 2024. It will replace an outdated, 15-year-old manual.

According to NTSB data, between 2000 and 2019, 38 people died in 11 air tour accidents in Hawaii.

Aircraft maintenance support and finance group Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI) is looking to expand its presence in the Latin American business aviation sector with new additions to its Brazil-based leadership team. At LABACE this week in São Paulo, the company announced the appointment of João Caram as director of business development for South America and Giuliano Donadio as director of regional sales for Latin America.

According to Chicago-based JSSI, Caram will support its hourly cost maintenance team and Donadio will be part of the maintenance software team. “Both João and Giuliano have an extensive network with the Latin American market, as well as deep industry experience,” said JSSI senior v-p of business development for the Americas David Caporali.

“João comes to JSSI after a decade working in the aviation sector. Following the announcement of his recent appointment, we are continuing to focus on Brazil, one of the largest markets outside of North America in terms of the size of its executive aircraft fleet. Giuliano’s proven track record makes him the perfect candidate to serve the area given his success working in the region.”

Both men joined JSSI from Brazilian business aviation group TAM Aviacão Executiva, where Caram was involved in sales of King Airs and Donadio was focused on Cessna Citations.

The European Union (EU) selected Magda Kopczynska as its new director general for Transport and Mobility (DG Move), a role she officially assumed on August 1. She takes over from Henrik Hololei, who resigned in March amid allegations of accepting free flights from Qatar Airways during negotiations for an open skies agreement with Qatar.

The College of Commissioners appointed Kopczynska last month, stating she was “particularly well-suited” to take on the position due to her thorough knowledge of the various aspects of the EU’s transport policy and her proven leadership and management skills.

A Polish national, Kopczynska joined the European Commission in December 2006, initially contributing to the Directorate General for the Internal Market. She transitioned to DG Move in 2009, where she led the unit for clean transport and sustainable urban mobility, followed by the unit for maritime transport and logistics. She was promoted to director of innovative and sustainable transport in 2014 and subsequently became the director of waterborne transport. In January 2022, she took on the role of deputy director general of the Directorate General of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Her professional journey began as a translator for the U.S. ambassador to Poland, after which she held diverse positions across the public, private, and non-governmental sectors in her home country and in Brussels.