Dassault appears to be getting closer to the start of flight testing for its ultra-long-range Falcon 10X, according to images of the first 10X prototype posted this week by French aviation media group Actu Aero. The aircraft manufacturer declined to comment on reports that first flight could happen in early 2026, but it has confirmed plans for a purpose-built production facility for the 10X at its site at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport in southwest France.

A photo of what appears to be a Falcon 10X prototype shows an aircraft with power on during ground testing. Dassault is expected to stage a rollout event for its flagship model in the new year and is targeting service entry in 2027.

Powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X turbofans, the latest Falcon is expected to have a range of 7,500 nm and a top speed of Mach 0.925. In early August, Rolls-Royce confirmed it had completed testing and had submitted all certification data for the 10X’s Pearl 10X powerplant to EASA. A longer-than-anticipated development timeline for the 18,000-pound-thrust engine contributed to the new jet’s type certification target slipping from late 2025.

The Falcon 10X will compete with other ultra-large-cabin jets, including the Bombardier Global 8000 and Gulfstream G700. Its 2,780-cu-ft cabin will have space for a private suite with queen-size bed.

The FAA last week learned of the controversial Section 373 in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which eases certain safety measures put in place after the January 29 collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA), rather than being given the traditional heads-up, according to agency Administrator Bryan Bedford.

However, testifying before the U.S, House aviation subcommittee today, Bedford stressed that the Department of Defense has been a “great partner” surrounding the restrictions implemented around KDCA, and the FAA does not plan to revert to the safety standards in place before the accident.

Marking his first testimony before Congress since becoming FAA administrator in July, Bedford told the subcommittee that he can’t comment on pending legislation but that “normally when language like this is discussed, it's customary to reach out to the FAA and ask for a technical consult or some form of technical advisory. I can tell you that did not happen in this case. We learned of Section 373 essentially when everybody else did last week.”

Having said that, he stressed, “Our intent is not to go back to where we were prior to January 29...We will monitor the airspace with vigilance,” and he praised the partnership with the military.

Bedford also updated the progress of ATC modernization, saying the FAA has committed more than $6 billion of the $12.5 billion allocated for the project.

The charter industry is on the precipice of a major change as artificial intelligence (AI) matures, a key industry executive maintained, encouraging executives to prepare for the technology. Speaking during the recent NATA Aviation Business Conference in Dallas, Greg Johnson, president and CEO of aviation payment platform Tuvoli, noted swings in the market in 2025.

“But there is a bigger shift that I see happening,” he said. “And I truly think that an awful lot of folks in our industry are discounting the impact that is going to happen in a pretty short period of time as AI becomes more prevalent in the market.”

While AI can’t replace personal relationships—which matter in the charter market—it can satisfy many. “Relationships mattered before the internet, too. And I bet that back then, people were going, ‘Nobody’s going to go to a broker because they know me.’ And yet, guess what? Brokers ended up dominating the market,” he said.

Johnson added that the AI revolution would happen faster than many may believe. Already, mortgages are being sold through AI, he said, predicting that quote requests would jump as a result, and the detailed questions even more so. Operators unable to respond to the quotes will lag. Personnel will become a critical factor because ChatGPT can do the job of a junior charter broker pretty effectively already, he concluded.

Quanta Services has purchased helicopter operator Billings Flying Service, adding the latter’s fleet of super-heavy-lift CH-47 Chinook rotorcraft and support services to its offerings. No changes to locations or staff will occur, and Billings Flying Service will maintain control and execution of existing contracts.

Located in Billings, Montana, Billings Flying Service operates a fleet of Chinooks for aerial firefighting, utility, and construction work. The company’s Part 145 repair station is approved by Boeing for Chinook maintenance and by Honeywell for flight control systems MRO on the CH-46, 234, CH-47D, and CH-47D+. Customers include commercial operators and U.S. and foreign militaries. Quanta Services is an infrastructure solutions provider for utility, renewable energy, technology, communications, pipeline, and energy industries.

“This acquisition gives Billings Flying Service access to greater resources and long-term stability for growth while doing what we love: providing excellent service to our customers,” said Bridger Blain, president and CEO of Billings Flying Service. “As we integrate into the Quanta Aviation Services family, our leadership, culture, and identity will remain unchanged.”

“Billings has built an exceptional reputation in heavy lift and aerial firefighting, along with a culture and drive that perfectly complements our expanding aviation portfolio,” said Justin Gunsauls, president of Quanta Aviation Services.

In a customer notice sent this week, ForeFlight informed flight instructors that it has reduced the subscription discount for members of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) and the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) to 15%. The previous discount was 33%, and anyone can join SAFE and NAFI; there is no requirement to be a flight instructor.

ForeFlight also notified SAFE and NAFI members that the 15% discount applies only to the Essential or Premium plans and not to the Starter subscription.

Flight instructors can earn a higher discount by participating in the recently announced ForeFlight CFI Referral Program. When CFIs refer student pilots to ForeFlight, the CFI can earn 20% off for the first referral and 5% off for each subsequent referral—up to 100% off. However, CFIs cannot use both the CFI Referral Program discount and the SAFE/NAFI membership discount for the same subscription.

The Starter plan costs $125/year, while Essential and Premium annual rates are $250 and $370, respectively. Included in the Starter subscription are VFR and IFR charts for the selected region, flight planning, weight and balance, logbook, and other features. The Essential plan adds georeferenced approaches and taxi charts, dynamic procedures, synthetic vision, terrain profile, and more. Subscribers to the Premium plan can view performance profiles, takeoff and landing performance, 3D view, JetFuelX prices, and other features.

Stratos Jets has added built-in AOG mechanical recovery coverage, called FlightGuard, to every on-demand charter quote arranged through its network of franchise agencies. The protection applies automatically unless declined at booking and offsets the cost of securing a comparable replacement aircraft if the original jet becomes mechanically unavailable before departure.

The Orlando, Florida-based charter broker said the coverage—previously a hallmark of jet card programs—brings comparable reliability to per-trip charters without requiring prepaid deposits, block hours, or long-term contracts.

“We turned the most fragile point in private charter and made it dependable,” said Joel Thomas, founder and CEO of Stratos Jets. “In the event of an AOG, clients can expect a clear recovery plan and built-in financial protection.

”Reliability shouldn’t be reserved for members of prepaid jet card programs,” he added. “By including FlightGuard in every charter—while still giving clients the choice to opt out—we’re removing one of the last reasons travelers felt forced into jet cards for peace of mind.”

FlightGuard covers the price gap between the contracted charter cost and the market rate for a recovery aircraft, mitigating financial exposure from day-of-flight mechanical disruptions. The coverage is backed by Falcon MGA Services and underwritten through Lloyd’s of London’s JetSure policy.

Searidge Technologies reported that the first large-scale digital tower system certified by aviation safety regulators in the Middle East has entered operational service at Hamad International Airport. The virtual tower (vTWR) supports the Western Taxiway and Stand Development Project, an ambitious expansion that has increased the complexity of airside operations in the western area of the airport.

According to Searidge, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) adopted a hybrid digital-tower model to address distance and line-of-sight constraints from HIA’s main air traffic control tower. The approach enabled controllers to maintain high levels of safety, surveillance, and efficiency without constructing a secondary tower.

The vTWR operates on Chorus, Searidge’s open-airside digital platform. Ultra-high-definition, 360-degree visual coverage of the western expansion area gives controllers full situational awareness while allowing HIA to retain ownership of its operational data. The system integrates with existing airport capabilities, including ADB Safegate’s OneControl, A-SMGCS surveillance, and ATM flight data.

Four virtual tower controller positions—two in the ATC tower and two in the backup and approach training center—support both operational redundancy and training activities. The installation also uses Aimee, Searidge’s AI engine, to supply intelligent detection functions and real-time safety alerts.