U.S. Air Charter Activity Robust, but Lags 2021 Peak

An analysis from Argus International shows that North American Part 135 activity remains robust heading into the end of the year, with October ranking as the second-busiest month on record—trailing only October 2021. The report—the first of its kind from Argus—examines aircraft counts, total flight hours, and utilization trends to delve into industry performance.

Argus’ previous October global business aviation activity analysis also framed the month as the second-busiest on record, pointing to a 5.3% year-over-year (YOY) increase in global activity and broad strength across North America and Europe. The air charter report confirms October’s activity and shifts the focus to the structural drivers behind it: fleet size, total hours flown, and utilization. While the earlier report emphasized demand trends—fractionals booming at double-digit rates, Part 135 up 4.9%, and regional breakouts—the new analysis adds a deeper operational lens.

The aviation data firm describes the air charter picture as mixed but positive overall. All three indicators—aircraft count, total hours, and utilization—improved YOY in October. While slightly below the 2021 peak, Argus pointed out that with more aircraft and more total hours, the industry appears stronger in aggregate.

According to Argus, the 2025 activity pattern mirrors historic norms, with October typically representing the industry’s annual peak. The report concludes that while Part 135 is not flying as intensively as during its post-Covid high point, upward momentum is expected to continue into 2026.

AINsight: Navigating Screening Medical Testing for Pilots

Pilots are often faced with the decision of whether to embark on age-appropriate medical screenings. These tests are sometimes recommended by primary care physicians, or they are fresh in the pilot’s mind after a deluge of media advertising.

Let me begin by stating my support for medical screening tests, which have overall provided a good service and have reduced the morbidity and mortality rates of many illnesses, including cancers.

At the same time, I completely understand the trepidation that pilots feel about potentially opening the proverbial “can of worms” with the FAA. They worry that getting a screening test may turn into another “no good deed goes unpunished” situation. They do a recommended test, a goat rope ensues, and a period of grounding may result.

All that said, it's no different than with mechanical systems of an airplane: the sooner a problem is diagnosed, the sooner it can be taken care of. More importantly, the problem can be taken care of before it causes more serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. Pay me now or pay me later.

Berkshire Hathaway Expands NetJets CEO’s Leadership Role

Berkshire Hathaway announced this week that Adam Johnson, CEO of wholly owned subsidiary NetJets, has taken over as president of Berkshire’s consumer products, service, and retailing businesses, which includes FlightSafety International among these 32 companies. Johnson will continue in his role at NetJets, where he has served as CEO since June 2015.

As CEO, Johnson has built lasting customer relationships and strengthened operations, the announcement noted. His tenure at NetJets spans nearly 30 years, including serving as president of global sales, marketing, and service; senior v-p of NetJets administrative services; senior v-p of logistics; and executive director of the NetJets Aviation Flight Center. He is also a licensed pilot.

Gregory Abel, vice chairman of non-insurance operations, will become president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the start of next year. He will continue to directly oversee industrial products, building products, railroad company BNSF, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Pilot, and McLane.

Abel described Johnson as “an accomplished leader with a proven ability to deliver long-term shareholder value.” He added that Johnson “will support the outstanding CEOs of our 32 consumer products, service, and retailing businesses, and uphold Berkshire’s culture and values.”

Critics Say NDAA Could Undermine D.C. Airspace Safety

NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy has raised an alarm over language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that critics claim would allow the military to bypass safety protocols enacted after the January 29 midair collision between a CRJ700 operating as PSA Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., in which 67 people were killed. The NDAA passed in the House on Wednesday and now goes to the Senate.

According to section 373(a) of the NDAA, “Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary of a military department may not authorize any manned rotary wing aircraft of the Department of Defense to operate a training mission in a covered airspace unless such aircraft, while being operated, is actively providing warning of the proximity of such aircraft to nearby commercial aircraft in a manner compatible with the [TCAS] of such commercial aircraft.”

Essentially, this was the state of affairs when the accident happened. Compatibility with TCAS means the intruder aircraft needs a Mode C or S transponder. While the Black Hawk’s transponder was detected by the CRJ700’s TCAS, resolution advisories are inhibited below 900 feet agl and traffic advisory aural annunciations are inhibited below 400 feet agl. The CRJ700’s last recorded altitude was 313 feet at 2 seconds before the collision, while the Black Hawk’s final recorded radar altitude was 278 feet.

Pegasus Advances as First Aircraft Lands in Germany

The Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System (Pegasus) has reached a milestone with the arrival of its first aircraft in Germany, following a transatlantic flight from Bombardier’s Wichita facility. Last week, the Global 6000 platform landed at Lufthansa Technik’s Hamburg headquarters, where the program now shifts from U.S.-based design and development to mission-system integration and certification.

Led by defense developer Hensoldt, with Lufthansa Technik Defense and Bombardier Defense as key partners, Pegasus will deliver a next-generation airborne signals intelligence (SIGINT) capability to the German Armed Forces. The program centers on Hensoldt’s Kalaetron integral system, which will be installed along with a full mission cabin and additional military and communications systems at Lufthansa Technik. Bombardier Defense supplies and supports the Global 6000 platform.

Hensoldt v-p for airborne SIGINT, Jürgen Halder, called the aircraft’s arrival “a decisive step towards operational capability,” noting that the program is transitioning from design and testing into full implementation. Bombardier Defense v-p Steve Patrick emphasized the Global series’ suitability for demanding government missions, while Lufthansa Technik v-p Michael von Puttkamer described the milestone as the beginning of “an exciting new phase.”

Lufthansa Technik will manage both civil and military certification, while preparations for entry-into-service support, including personnel training and technical documentation, are already underway.

Bay Area Parks Air Tour Agreement Opens for Comment

The FAA and National Park Service (NPS) are requesting comments on a proposed voluntary agreement for commercial air tour operations at four prominent national parks in California’s San Francisco Bay Area: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods National Monument.

Published to the Federal Register, the proposed voluntary agreement details exactly where, when, and how aerial sightseeing tours are permitted to fly over or near those Bay Area parks. Operators and other stakeholders may submit comments to the NPS website until 1:59 a.m. ET on January 3.

Under the National Parks Air Tour Management Act, commercial air tour operators are required to obtain FAA approval before conducting aerial sightseeing tours over a national park. The FAA and NPS may enter into voluntary agreements with commercial air tour operators to establish operating conditions that protect and preserve the environment and the visitor experience. For example, an agreement may seek to mitigate noise pollution by imposing minimum flight distances, restricted operating hours, and annual or daily flight limits.

The newly proposed Bay Area voluntary agreement includes 1,000- to 2,500-foot agl minimums above several specific sites to protect nesting seabird colonies and marine mammals. It implements a 1,500-foot lateral minimum distance from Alcatraz Island, prohibits flights over Muir Woods National Monument, and bars helicopters from Point Reyes National Seashore.

Photo of the Week

Starring the PC-12. Duncan Aviation showcased this striking paint job that its MRO facility in Provo, Utah, recently completed on a Pilatus PC-12. It noted that the paint transformed the turboprop single “into a flowing display of patriotic pride for its owners.” Thanks for waving the flag, Duncan Aviation!

Keep them coming. If you’d like to submit an entry for Photo of the Week, email a high-resolution horizontal image (at least 2000 x 1200 pixels), along with your name, contact information, social media names, and info about it (including brief description, location, etc.) to photos@ainonline.com. Tail numbers can be removed upon request. Those submitting photos give AIN implied consent to publish them in its publications and social media channels.