Operations at Munich International Airport are gradually returning to normal after severe disruption caused by heavy snowfall and exceptionally cold temperatures over the weekend. More than 700 scheduled flights were canceled on Saturday and business aircraft were grounded as a result of an early winter storm that produced up to 17 inches of snow and temperatures as low as -20 degrees C (-4 degrees F).

A video widely distributed via social media showed a Cessna Citation X stranded on the apron and tipped back on its tail. According to sources at local ground handlers, the incident was caused by heavy snow accumulating on the aircraft’s tail.

Staff with the ExecuJet Aviation FBO operating from the German airport’s general aviation terminal reported difficulties experienced with snow removal vehicles that could only work very slowly to clear aprons, taxiways, and runways. The Luxaviation company’s local manager told AIN that, for general aviation traffic, prior permission required restrictions are likely to remain in place through tomorrow because of the disruption from the snowstorm.

Other parts of Central Europe—including Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic—saw widespread disruption to transportation networks as a result of the weather. Flights were also suspended for a prolonged period on Saturday at Glasgow Airport in Scotland due to heavy snowfall.

On November 30, Dassault’s first Falcon 6X began flying for its new owner, the French aircraft manufacturer announced today. The largest jet in the Falcon lineup—until the 10X enters service in 2025—the 6X received FAA and EASA type certification concurrently on August 22. Dassault did not reveal the identity or location of the 6X launch customer.

“Since that time, post-certification upgrades that were applied required EASA approval,” according to Dassault. Three flight-test airplanes logged more than 1,500 flight hours during a text campaign that lasted more than two years. First flight took place on March 10, 2021.

With maximum range of 5,500 nm, the 6X was launched in February 2018, after the 5X program was canceled due to problems with the in-development Safran Silvercrest engine. The 6X is 20 inches longer than the 5X, to accommodate the 6X’s more powerful Pratt & Whitney PW812D engines.

Former FAA Administrator and head of Midway Airlines David Russell Hinson passed away at the age of 90 over the weekend. The 13th FAA administrator, Hinson led the agency from 1993 to 1996.

“We are forever thankful for the service of former FAA Administrator Hinson,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “He was a champion for aviation safety and security, and he did a steadfast job overseeing the FAA during trying times.”

Born March 2, 1933, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Hinson brought a lengthy background in airline operations to the agency. A University of Washington graduate, he began flying in 1954, entering flight school with the U.S. Navy. He served in both active duty and as a reserve for a decade but moved into civil aviation in 1961 as a pilot for Northwest Airlines.

This kicked off a decades-long career with airlines, including United Airlines and West Coast Airlines. He helped found Midway Airlines in 1978, serving as chair between 1985 to 1991. He had joined McDonnell Douglas when asked to serve at the FAA. He also had a hand in general aviation, including through a limited partnership that invested in the Beech Aircraft distributor Flightcraft.

With 8,000 hours in 70 types, Hinson's passion for general aviation continued; he flew his own Beechcraft Duke. He further served on the board of the National Air and Space Museum and AOPA.

Fractional aircraft and jet card provider Volato has merged with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Proof Acquisition Corp. (PACI) and began trading today on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol SOAR. The merger was approved last week in a special meeting of PACI shareholders.

At the same time, PACI announced the closing of an additional $12 million in private investments, which—along with $14 million in Series A Preferred Equity financing—was converted to common stock. These, with the conversion of Volato’s convertible debt, brings more than $60 million in total new capital funding raised for the company, which operates one of the world’s largest HondaJet fleets.

“This is an exciting milestone for Volato, our customers, and our investors,” said company CEO and co-founder Matt Liotta. “We believe that this transaction provides not only the capital to accelerate our fleet growth and strategy, but also a level of transparency and institutional support that should make our product even more attractive to new fractional owners and private flyers.” He added that, after posting nearly $100 million in revenue last year, Volato is now poised to build on that momentum as a publicly held company.

PACI CEO John Backus added, “Our two teams have worked together to bring over $60 million of fresh capital to Volato, positioning the company for a strong debut.”

The FAA is proposing to increase the minimum recording time of cockpit voice recorders (CVR) from the currently mandated 2 hours to 25 hours on certain new-production aircraft. It would be effective one year after the final rule is issued. Comments on the proposal are due Feb. 2, 2024.

Notably, the proposed rule would not expand CVR applicability in the general aviation fleet, continuing instead to apply only to aircraft currently required to have a CVR. Under Part 91, this means multi-engine, turbine-powered aircraft with 10 or more passenger seats manufactured on or after Oct. 11, 1991. Under Part 135, this encompasses multi-engine, turbine-powered aircraft with six or more passenger seats manufactured on or after April 7, 2010.

Since 2018, the NTSB has repeatedly recommended that the FAA increase the mandatory recording time to 25 hours. The Safety Board has also recommended to the FAA on numerous occasions to extend CVR applicability to other general aviation aircraft. The FAA proposal does not address the latter recommendation.

Due to EASA requirements and ICAO standards for 25-hour CVR capability that took effect in 2021, “market research shows that [CVR] manufacturers already have developed 25-hour compliant variants that meet FAA TSO–C123 compliance,” the FAA said. “Therefore, the proposed regulation is not expected to result in new or significant impacts on CVR manufacturers.”

For the eighth year running, TAM Aviação Executiva has been voted Brazil’s best passenger air transport company in Transporte Moderno’s “Maiores and Melhores” (translated into English as “biggest and best”) ranking. TAM AE credits its investment in team training, modernized hangars, and new equipment purchases in preparation for the next phases of IS-BAH and IS-BAO. Last year, it became the first Brazilian company to obtain both certifications.

TAM president Leonardo Fiuza points to the company’s “focus on the expansion and improvement of processes, resulting in the segment’s best offers of products and services.” Those improvements include a new VIP room at its flagship São Paulo Congonhas Airport FBO, inaugurated in August during LABACE, and the opening of a new maintenance base at Goiânia in the Central-West, handling repairs, inspections, and upgrades in Cessna and Beechcraft airplanes. Additionally, its business aviation MRO in Jundaí is Latin America’s largest.

In October, TAM AE was recognized for the second consecutive year as the world’s top Bell helicopter sales organization. At the start of the year, it was lauded for selling the most Cessna Citations, as well as for the world’s highest Beechcraft King Air sales.

Demand for Collins Aerospace, Garmin, and Honeywell avionics installations and upgrades have also increased to meet upcoming Brazilian requirements such as ADS-B Out, the company noted.