NetJets has selected SpaceX’s Starlink satcom system for installation on about 600 business jets in its fleet. Installations are expected to be completed by the end of next year. According to industry sources, Starlink installation costs, including hardware, start at about $300,000 per airplane, so the NetJets investment could represent nearly $200 million at retail prices.

Starlink installations will be done on NetJets’ Cessna Citation Latitudes and Longitudes, Embraer Praetor 500s, and Bombardier Challenger 350s and 650s and Globals in the U.S., as well as its Challenger 650s and Globals based in Europe. The Starlink electronically steered antenna is mounted on top of the airplane’s fuselage, and the installation includes a power supply and wireless access points.

“This agreement with Starlink positions NetJets to continue delivering exceptional travel experiences for our owners and their guests,” said NetJets Aviation president Patrick Gallagher. “With Starlink, travel is elevated with reliable connectivity, whether our owners are flying for business or leisure—as seamless connectivity is critical to the experience our owners need and deserve.”

More than 8,000 Starlink satellites in low-earth orbit deliver global high-speed and low-latency broadband airborne connectivity from the ground to all altitudes. Starlink’s published speeds range from 135 to 310 Mbps for downloading and 20 to 44 Mbps for uploading. Unlimited data plans are priced at $10,000 per month.

Vertical Aerospace today unveiled its first full-scale, production-conforming eVTOL at a public event in London’s Canary Wharf business district. The new model—dubbed Valo—can seat up to six passengers and succeeds the VX4 prototype that Vertical has been flight testing since 2022. According to the company, the revised design incorporates lessons learned from the piloted flight-test program, as well as feedback from airline customers and other prospective operators.

When it enters service in 2028 after achieving EASA and UK type certification, the Valo is expected to have a range of up to 87 nm and speeds of more than 130 knots. Vertical said the initial premium version of the cabin will have four seats with room for two more to be added for some applications, and space next to the pilot for “an observer.” Each passenger will be able to bring one checked bag and a smaller carry-on

The new design features what Vertical claims is a more aerodynamic airframe with an under-floor battery system, a redesigned wing, and new propeller architecture. Program partners include Aciturri for aerostructures and Honeywell for avionics and flight control systems.

According to Bristol-based Vertical, the early commercial routes are likely to include shuttle services connecting airports with city centers. The company said Valo is also suitable for emergency medical flights, cargo operations, and potential defense missions.

Aerospace parts manufacturer Ontic has opened an MRO facility in Miramar, Florida, the company’s eighth site worldwide. The new facility—which recently received FAA approval, cost $10 million, and covers 64,000 sq ft—consolidates Ontic’s U.S. MRO teams, equipment, and processes in one location.

Ontic specializes in manufacturing aerospace components as a license holder to the original manufacturer, which helps keep aircraft flying where support might otherwise not be available. As the manufacturer, the company explained, “Ontic retains the proprietary data, tooling, and test equipment required to repair components to OEM standards. This ensures repairs that are longer-lasting and backed by an OEM warranty, providing operators with the assurance that every component meets its original engineering specification.”

Equipment at the Miramar facility includes a paint room, vibration testing, a machine shop, and a portable dark room. The site supports electro-mechanical, avionics, actuation, and hydraulics components.

“The opening of our first-ever Ontic MRO center of excellence marks an important first milestone in the creation of our new global MRO network, which will improve turnaround time and transparency, and transform how we support airlines and operators,” said Jack Karapetyan, v-p of global MRO operations. “This investment further positions us as an industry leader, both enhancing and expanding our existing operations while increasing future growth opportunities across our original equipment and MRO operations.”

A bipartisan bill aimed at restoring the full value of the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit and extending the incentive for eight years was introduced yesterday in U.S. Congress. Known as the Securing America’s Fuels Act (SAF Act), it follows legislation passed earlier this year that extended the tax credit but reduced its value, hindering investment in SAF production projects.

Sponsored by Reps. Mike Flood (R-Nebraska) and Sharice Davids (D-Kansas), the bill would return the Clean Fuel Production Credit to the previous level of $1.75 per gallon and extend it through 2033—a measure the industry believes will play a significant role in spurring increases in production.

Restoration of the tax credit is anticipated to help SAF move closer to pricing parity with conventional jet-A—presently a stumbling block in the widespread adoption of the fuel—and enable increased SAF production, while creating new economic opportunities for farmers, rural communities, and fuel producers.

The legislation—which still needs to clear the House and the Senate, as well as the White House—was met with accolades from the aviation industry. “NBAA thanks Reps. Flood and Davids for introducing this measure and understanding SAF’s economic and sustainability benefits,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Restoring the full credit provides the clarity and stability needed to unlock investment, expand supply, and accelerate progress toward our industry’s long-term environmental commitments.”

Gogo is revolutionizing business aviation connectivity with the launch of Gogo Galileo LEO global satellite and the upcoming Gogo 5G and LTE air-to-ground networks. Operators must upgrade legacy hardware by May 2026 for uninterrupted service, unlocking faster broadband and seamless global coverage for every aircraft size.

Precision Aviation Group (PAG) has acquired Helicopter Engine Repair Overhaul Services (H.E.R.O.S.), a specialized Rolls-Royce M250/RR300 engine maintenance provider based in Chandler, Arizona, expanding PAG’s geographic reach and engine support capabilities. The acquisition adds H.E.R.O.S.’ modern engine facility to PAG’s network, increasing the company’s dedicated M250/RR300 support facilities to more than 80,000 sq ft.

Founded in 1988, H.E.R.O.S. provides MRO services for the M250/RR300 engine platforms along with related accessories and components for domestic and international operators. The company operates an advanced facility equipped with specialized tooling and test cell capabilities and extensive experience in the turboshaft engine maintenance sector.

“The acquisition of H.E.R.O.S. represents an exciting and very strategic addition to PAG,” said David Mast, president and CEO of Precision Aviation Group. “It allows us to better support our customers with an expanded geographic footprint.”

The transaction provides H.E.R.O.S. access to enhanced resources and PAG’s global customer network. Group chairman Heros Kajberouni stated that the partnership “positions our company and our employees for long-term growth and success.”

PAG provides MRO services and supply-chain solutions within the aerospace and defense industries globally. This acquisition strengthens its position in the helicopter engine maintenance market.

Daher Aircraft and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) have renewed their joint international internship program for a third year, offering four students hands-on experience across two of the company’s major aircraft production sites in France and the U.S. The program is designed to encourage future aviation professionals by pairing selected candidates with managers, workers, pilots, and aircraft owners.

Two North American students will spend eight weeks at Daher’s headquarters and TBM production facility in Tarbes, France. Two European students will be based at the company’s Sandpoint, Idaho, operation, where Kodiak aircraft are built. All four will then assist Daher during the company’s participation at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, gaining exposure to the world’s largest fly-in and airshow.

“General aviation continues to evolve rapidly, and it’s essential that we inspire the next generation to chart its future,” said Daher Aircraft CEO Nicolas Chabbert. He added that the internship provides insight into “an industry in transformation.” GAMA president and CEO James Viola said the program’s success “demonstrates the value of exposing students to the breadth of careers in general aviation,” noting that a former intern has since joined Daher as an apprentice.

Applicants must be 21 to 24 years old; hold U.S., Canadian, or EU citizenship; and be enrolled full-time in an associate, undergraduate, or graduate program. Submissions require a resume, a cover letter, and a 40-second video. Applications are due December 28, with selections to be announced April 14 at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida.

The Send Airtext Iridium satcom system, a lower-cost alternative for airborne connectivity, is now available for installation by Duncan Aviation. Airtext can be used for voice calling, SMS and WhatsApp text messaging, and emails, and it also provides Send’s Oasis moving-map that displays on portable devices or on Send’s bulkhead-mounted tablets.

Airtext+ offers all of the above features while the standard Airtext provides the messaging capabilities but not voice calls or email. Both units can handle up to 22 users and they include Send’s FBOLink, D-ATIS, and international weather services. Airtext+ retails for $18,500 and Airtext for $10,950 and service costs $500 per year for the first 2,500 messages and 5 cents per text after that, with voice calls starting at $1.53/minute.

Duncan Aviation has installed Airtext units on company-owned aircraft, including a Pilatus PC-12 and a Cessna Citation XLS and CJ3. According to Duncan Aviation corporate jet captain Michael Kussatz, “Often, during the last few minutes of a flight, when there are a lot of landing-related systems to focus on, we pilots have to shift our focus and notify the FBO of our estimated time of arrival, how many passengers we have aboard, and how many cars we’ll need for them. With Airtext, we can notify the FBO during the cruising portion of the flight, which saves us time and attention when we’re getting ready to land.”

Germany-based aircraft sales, maintenance, management, and charter provider Atlas Air Service has been appointed by Textron Aviation as an authorized sales representative for special-mission aircraft.

One of Europe’s largest providers of business aviation services—in operation for more than a half century—Atlas brings decades of technical expertise in maintaining Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft, as well as proven ability to perform special-mission conversions which are done at its Bremen facility. It is now also approved to sell these customized special-mission aircraft, which serve a wide variety of roles including airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; maritime and border control; search and rescue; air ambulance; atmospheric research; aerial surveys; training; and governmental flights.

In addition to those conversions, the company is also authorized to install complex OEM kits such as extended nose, drop hatch, or extended range. Atlas and its subsidiaries hold factory maintenance authorizations from Embraer, Gulfstream, Cirrus, Honeywell, and Williams International, with Part 145 repair station approval from EASA, FAA, Transport Canada, India, Isle of Man, San Marino, and other jurisdictions.

"Together with Textron Aviation, we offer our customers individually configurable solutions at the highest technical level, and we are now authorized to oversee projects from conversion in our own hangars through to the sale and delivery of the aircraft," said Atlas COO Gregor Bremer. "We can also retrofit factory-offered modifications in Germany."