Airbus Helicopters has received a contract for up to 82 (62 firm orders and 20 options) of its multi-role H145M twin-engine helicopters from the German Bundeswehr. The contract—worth an estimated $2.3 billion—includes seven years of support services with deliveries beginning in 2024. Of the 62 firm orders, the German Army will receive 57 helicopters, while the Luftwaffe's special forces will receive five. It is the largest order ever placed for the H145M and the biggest for the Airbus HForce weapon management system, which transforms the civil H145 into a military variant.

The H145M offers various mission capabilities and can quickly be converted from a light attack helicopter, with axial ballistic and guided weapons, into a special operations version fitted with fast rappelling equipment. Mission packages include hoisting and external cargo capabilities and options that enable future technologies, including the integration of crewed-uncrewed teaming, upgraded data links, and communication systems. The base H145 is powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines and equipped with full authority digital engine control (Fadec). It also features the Helionix digital avionics suite and four-axis autopilot.

The global fleet of the H145 family has accumulated more than 7 million flight hours. It is used by armed and law enforcement forces worldwide. The Bundeswehr already operates 16 H145M LUH special operations and eight H145 LUH search-and-rescue helicopters. The U.S. Army employs almost 500 helicopters from the H145 family—designated UH-72A and UH-72B Lakotas—largely as trainers.

Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) has rolled out a Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (GAPRI) to tackle an issue that has come into the spotlight after a spate of high-profile incidents this year. Developed by an international task force of 200 aviation professionals from 80 organizations worldwide, the GAPRI provides 127 recommendations that can serve as a roadmap to address runway incursions globally.

FSF called runway incursions one of the most persistent threats to aviation safety and expressed concern that the risk of them could grow with the rebound in air traffic worldwide.

“Despite efforts over the years to prevent incursions, they still happen,” said FSF president and CEO Hassan Shahidi. “The risk of runway incursions is a global concern, and the potential consequences of an incursion are severe.”

The task force found that breakdowns in communication and coordination—as well as a lack of systemwide collision-avoidance barriers and technologies and increased operations—have increased the risk of runway incursions. Further, the task force concluded that many serious incidents could have been avoided through technologies that improve situational awareness.

The recommendations included actions for airport operators, air navigation service providers, aircraft operators, manufacturers, countries and regulators, and the research community.

Broadly speaking, the recommendations involve areas such as training, operational procedures, communication protocols, airport visual aids, infrastructure design, and personnel empowerment/responsibilities.

Las Vegas-based charter operator Thrive Aviation has announced a partnership with Southwest Airlines through the Destination 255° Pilot Pathways Program. This collaboration marks a pivotal step in fostering new aviation talent, particularly for aspiring pilots, according to Thrive.

“The program catalyzes a new pilot's aviation career, offering mentorship, training, and the opportunity to build the needed hours," said Curtis Edenfield, Thrive Aviation's CEO and a Southwest Airlines alum.

The Destination 225° program offers a structured pathway for cadets, starting with comprehensive courses and flight training. This initial phase includes earning flying hours in single- and multi-engine aircraft and simulator training, culminating in a commercial pilot's license. The second phase involves cadets becoming certified flight instructors, further accumulating flying hours, thus qualifying them for potential roles within Southwest Airlines.

Through the program, qualified candidates are also prepared for positions with program partners such as Advanced Air, Jetlinx, iAero Group, SkyWest, and Vista.

Lee Kinnebrew, v-p of flight operations at Southwest, remarked, "The program aims to support and inspire pilots interested in joining Southwest as a first officer, and we look forward to working with cadet candidates as they build flight experience."

Thrive Aviation acknowledged the significant role of Southwest Business and Southwest Business Assist in its operations, particularly in facilitating employee travel across Southwest's network.

Indiana’s Gary/Chicago International Airport (KGYY) has purchased nearby Griffith-Merrillville Airport (05C), a privately owned general aviation airfield in Lake County, for $1.8 million. The transaction—in process since late last year—was funded via KGYY’s locally generated revenue.

“We are excited to acquire this local airport and bolster our short- and long-term aviation offerings,” said Gary Chicago International Airport (GCIA) Authority chairman Pete Visclosky. “This past decade of strong planning, investments, and growth of our airport has put us in a position where we can acquire this new asset, helping sustain our local aviation offerings while building for the future as well.”

05C features a 4,900-foot runway and can handle aircraft with a dual wheel load of up to 50,000 pounds. It was completely rebuilt in 2001 and offers more than 175,000 sq ft of ramp area and a modern 38,000-sq-ft terminal. Griffith Aviation, the lone FBO on the field, will remain privately operated. According to the GCIA, the purchase will provide operational flexibility and open avenues for future infrastructure improvements at 05C.

“Griffith-Merrillville is a key reliever airport in the Indiana Aviation System,” explained Marty Blake, director of the state’s Department of Transportation. “GCIA’s acquisition will allow for continued partnership with our office to improve facilities at Griffith/Merrillville and will reinforce the $21 million regional annual economic impact this airport provides.”

FlightSafety prepares aviators to be capable and confident in every situation. Using cutting-edge technology and tailored curriculum, simulators and ever-improving training methods enable pilots to practice real-life scenarios safely and more consistently in ways not achievable before.

Private flight and shared charter provider Tradewind Aviation has added a pair of Pilatus PC-12 NGXs. The Oxford, Connecticut-based operator now has 27 PC-12s in service, which it says makes it the largest U.S. operator of the type for on-demand charter services. Fractional ownership group PlaneSense operates around 45 PC-12s.

Tradewind pilots flew the PC-12 NGXs in from Pilatus’ U.S. facility in Broomfield, Colorado, where they had some fine-tuning after being delivered from the manufacturer’s headquarters in Switzerland. The pair entered service based out of New York's Westchester County Airport. The operator is slated to take 15 more deliveries from Pilatus, and these are due to arrive at a rate of three or four each year over the next four years.

According to Tradewind, it has seen demand for flights bounce back to pre-pandemic levels during 2023. The company operates the PC-12s for trips within the Northeast and Southeast regions of the U.S., as well as in the Caribbean.

“In 2023 we saw the launch of our Southeast base, the addition of a hangar at Hudson Valley Regional Airport, and the arrival of five new Pilatus PC-12 NGXs to our growing fleet,” said Tradewind co-founder and CEO Eric Zipkin.

The NGX is the latest version of the PC-12 and includes several improvements that Pilatus says have made it more reliable, efficient, and comfortable.

Private aviation group Luxaviation has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for its operations in 2030—sooner than expected. On Thursday, the company announced it is launching what it calls a “Go-to-Zero” investment fund to introduce sustainability measures in all aspects of the way it does business.

The European group said that while carbon offsetting “is a step in the right direction, it is an imperfect solution,” and accordingly, it “is adopting a holistic and aggressive approach to sustainability.” The new fund, for which the investment level has not been disclosed, will support the introduction of multiple new technologies, including electric ground vehicles and sustainable aviation fuels produced from renewable sources.

Announcing the “Go-to-Zero” fund on the day after this year’s COP United Nations conference in Dubai resulted in what some critics have said is an excessively cautious and caveated resolution to phase out fossil fuels.

“The outcomes of COP28 served as a catalyst for our decisive action,” said Luxaviation Group CEO Patrick Hansen. “Rather than dwelling on these results, Luxaviation chooses to lead the charge in transforming the business aviation sector into a more sustainable industry. We are confident that our clients and partners will embrace this move and actively participate in the alliance, helping us achieve net zero carbon emissions faster than anticipated.”

Continuing its focus on safety for its member FBOs, the Paragon Aviation Group—which oversees a global network of more than 60 elite FBOs and handling agents—will fund an online safety officer program for the network for the fourth consecutive year.

The program provides safety communication, training, and regulatory compliance through monthly safety meetings, and 2024's edition will be led by Paragon's strategic partner Polaris Aero. According to the group's management, it provides the framework for an effective safety promotion and communication program suitable for satisfying several IS-BAH and safety management system (SMS) requirements.

Via its VOCUS cloud-based application, Polaris offers SMS e-learning, advanced risk assessment, and next-generation safety management systems for FBO line service, safety managers, and operations management personnel.

Paragon is also encouraging its network members to participate in the annual Gulfstream ground handling and service training program, which was developed in partnership with FlightSafety International. Specific to the airframer’s lineup of large and midsize offerings, the course focuses on awareness of aircraft safety protocols during servicing, intending to improve dispatch reliability and operational efficiency.

“Paragon’s commitment to safety is an investment in our members,” explained Paragon president Megan Barnes. “I want our members to have the support they need, not only to remain in compliance but ensure their team’s training requirements are met consistently.”