Collins Aerospace is offering key upgrades to its Pro Line 21 avionics in King Air 200/300-series turboprops and Hawker 750/800/900-series jets; Pro Line Fusion upgrades to factory-installed avionics in King Air 200/300s; and a Pro Line 21 to Pro Line Fusion upgrade for the King Air 200/300. Each of these upgrades in the Collins flight deck modernization program will include availability of FANS 1/A+ and controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) and European ATN B1, enabling the latest next-gen communications capabilities.

The supplemental type certificate (STC) for Pro Line 21 to Pro Line Fusion for King Air 200/300s is expected in June, according to Collins Aerospace v-p and general manager of business and regional avionics Nathan Voight. This will bring Pro Line Fusion’s touchscreen technology to older King Airs, matching the capability of factory-new King Airs that have the Fusion suite.

For King Air 200/300s already equipped with Pro Line Fusion, a January 2025 STC will upgrade these airplanes to the latest Fusion software, adding the MultiScan radar; FANS 1/A+, CPDLC, and ATN B1; and privacy ICAO address.

Also in January 2025, King Air 200/300s with Pro Line 21 will have availability of an STC to add MultiScan radar; FANS 1/A+, CPDLC, and ATN B1; privacy ICAO address; and dual flight management system and GPS options.

Honeywell’s board of directors continues to evaluate strategic alternatives, including possibly separating its aerospace business, as part of its ongoing portfolio review, the company said today. This process began earlier this year, led by chairman and CEO Vimal Kapur. Jefferies Equity Research values Honeywell Aerospace, as a standalone company, at about $111 billion.

In addition to evaluating the potential aerospace spinoff, Honeywell has announced other strategic actions over the past year, including acquiring businesses valued at approximately $9 billion. These include the Access Solutions business from Carrier Global, Civitanavi Systems, CAES Systems, and the liquefied natural gas business from Air Products. Honeywell also plans to spin off its advanced materials business into an independent publicly-traded U.S. company and divest its personal protective equipment business.

“We have been moving swiftly and decisively to optimize the Honeywell portfolio to deliver superior growth and drive incremental shareholder value,” Kapur said, referencing the company’s focus on what it terms three compelling megatrends: automation, the future of aviation, and energy transition. “At the same time, we have been evaluating more transformational changes.”

Kapur said the company is making significant progress with this evaluation. Honeywell plans to provide more details on these strategic initiatives and the potential aerospace separation in its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings release.

Daher has opened a training facility in Colomiers, France, to address the demand for skilled workers in aerospace. The Daher Learning Center near Toulouse includes a technical workshop where up to 40 people can be trained simultaneously.

The center offers customized programs in fields such as systems mechanics, assembly fitting, and cabin integration. Training ranges from one- to three-day short modules to months-long career transition courses. In 2024, Daher trained nearly 700 individuals at various facilities, and the company intends to increase that number to 1,300 in 2025.

“At Daher, we are fully committed to developing and preserving the essential skills within the aerospace sector,” said Daher secretary general and HR director Jérôme Leparoux. “The Daher Learning Center is designed to meet our internal training needs for current and future roles, as well as those of our clients—taking into account their specific industrial challenges.”

“With this center, Daher reaffirms its ambition to offer increasingly relevant and tailored training programs,” said Daher managing director of industrial services Cédric Eloy. “The Daher Learning Center also collaborates with partners such as Aérocampus Aquitaine to develop specialized programs tailored to the specific needs of the industry.”

As the aviation sector faces increasing demand for qualified professionals, the new center could become a key player in supporting workforce development through academics and hands-on training.

The FAA is encouraging all organizations to incorporate safety management systems (SMS). In an Information for Operators (InFO 24014), the agency noted its recent release of SMS requirements for charter, certain air tours, and manufacturers earlier this year.

That rule, which expanded Part 5, did not address other organizations such as fractional ownership and Part 145 repair stations, the agency pointed out. However, the International Civil Aviation Organization has established an international standard for general aviation operators flying large and jet aircraft (Annex 6 Part 2, Section 3). Further, the FAA added, repair stations operating with EASA Part 145 authorization are required to have an SMS program by December 2025.

According to the ICAO standard, general aviation operators of aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds and jet aircraft must maintain an SMS “commensurate with the size and complexity of the operation and meet the criteria established by the state of registry.” The SMS should include a process to identify safety hazards and assess the associated risks; a process to implement remedial action when necessary; and provisions for continuous monitoring and regular assessment of safety management activities.

The FAA stressed that “a successful SMS implementation will require more than writing a manual.”

The latest quarterly survey from Vref Aircraft Value Reference & Appraisal Services shows mixed perceptions about the direction of the economy among the business aviation community. Of the 488 industry stakeholders recently surveyed, nearly 60% said they were somewhat-to-very optimistic about the direction of the global economy, while nearly a quarter were pessimistic.

Just more than 40% of the respondents noted interest rates and inflation were the biggest factors in determining their economic outlook. This was followed by policy uncertainty and stock market outlook. Slightly more respondents (44%) said they were concerned about impacts on policy changes resulting from the 2024 elections than those with no concerns (40%).

In terms of operational costs, more than three-quarters of the respondents said they have risen over the past year, with key factors being increased maintenance and fuel costs. More than half indicated they had seen delays in obtaining aircraft parts, indicating lingering supply-chain issues.

Interestingly, a majority of survey respondents said they were “not at all likely" or “unlikely” to purchase a new aircraft in the coming months. Nearly 80% said that of all the types of aircraft they were likely to acquire, pistons were the top choice.

"These findings reflect the balancing act we’re all managing—optimism tempered by the realities of rising costs, bottlenecks, and an evolving market," said Vref CEO Jason Zilberbrand.

U.S. Army qualification testing has been completed on the Vita Inclinata Technologies Vita Rescue System, which stabilizes the rescue hoist load and eliminates the need for a tagline to keep the hoist from swinging or moving. Following Army airworthiness qualification, the Air Force also completed testing of the Vita Rescue System.

Vita Inclinata recently delivered the first units for the Army to South Carolina’s Army National Guard, and these are operational with the South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team.

The testing was conducted by the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory to Combat Capabilities Development Command standards. These included MIL-STD-461 electromagnetic environmental effects qualification; human systems integration assessments; MIL-STD-810H environmental qualification; safety and handling evaluations; and multi-environment flight qualification testing by Air Force and Army test authorities.

“The purpose of the Vita Rescue System is to give the aircraft and operating aircrew complete control over rescue hoist motion,” said Vita Inclinata co-founder and chief technology officer Derek Sikora. “Our objective is to deliver man-machine teamed solutions that enable determinism in helicopter rescue operations. The successful completion of these test and qualification programs underscores the Vita Rescue System’s potential to revolutionize mission outcomes for military and civilian teams alike.”

Luxaviation Group has joined the International Business Aviation Council’s (IBAC) Industry Partner Program as its 19th organization, and the fourth company from Europe. The global aviation services provider will play a key role in supporting IBAC’s global initiatives to drive safety, sustainability, and growth in business aviation, together with the 15 IBAC member associations and fellow industry partners.

“We are pleased to join the program at this specific moment during MEBAA 2024, where key leaders and innovators are setting the pace for reshaping the future of business aviation, driven by sustainability goals, alternative fuels, and changing customer demands,” said Luxaviation CEO Patrick Hansen. “Our collaboration with IBAC reflects Luxaviation’s commitment to setting the highest standards for excellence and integrity in business aviation worldwide.”

“All of us at IBAC are excited to have Luxaviation join our growing global business aviation community,” said IBAC director general Kurt Edwards. “Their expertise and commitment to excellence will further strengthen our collective efforts with the member associations and the other industry partners. We welcome their thought leadership and considered direction in representing our sector globally.”

David Van Den Langenbergh, Luxaviation's chief industry affairs officer, remarked, “There is immense value in working closely with IBAC, not only to help advance safety and sustainability standards, but also to defend and represent the interests of our industry on a global stage.”

AIN’s FBO survey is open for year-round feedback, but the deadline to vote in the 2025 survey (to be published in April) is January 17. The survey takes only a minute, and you can do it while waiting for passengers, on the shuttle bus to/from the hotel, or any other time that is convenient for you. Participants will be entered to win a $250 Amazon gift card (winner must reside in the U.S.). Log in to rate your experiences at the FBOs you visit.