Bombardier today celebrated the entry into service of its new flagship, the Global 8000, with a ceremony marking the first delivery of the ultra-long-range business jet at the company’s aircraft assembly center near Toronto. The twinjet received certification from Transport Canada last month; FAA and EASA approvals are pending.

Following a performance by Canadian rock musician Tom Cochrane, and in front of an audience of company employees, government officials, suppliers, media, and special guests, Patrick Dovigi—a long-time Bombardier customer—took possession of the aircraft, which will supplant his Global 7500.

“Pride and excitement only begin to describe what the entry into service of the Global 8000 means for all 18,000 of us at Bombardier,” said company president and CEO Éric Martel. “This revolutionary aircraft is redefining the business aviation landscape with its innovative design, signature smooth ride, unmatched performance, and a promise fulfilled to our customers.”

First announced at EBACE 2022, the Global 8000 is now the fastest in-service civil aircraft, with an Mmo of Mach 0.95. The four-zone jet with a separate crew rest area offers a cabin altitude of 2,691 feet at FL410 and a range of 8,000 nm, opening up more nonstop city pairs.

According to Bombardier, the advanced design of its wing, which features slats, gives it “takeoff and landing performance comparable to that of a light jet.”

Global business aircraft flight activity took an 8.2% leap year over year (YOY) last month as the North American region logged its largest single-month increase in more than a decade outside of Covid at 8%, Argus International reported. Citing its latest TraqPak report, the aviation data and safety specialist also noted that Europe has now remained in the positive territory in flight activity growth for the seventh month in a row, with a 0.3% gain YOY in November.

This momentum is expected to continue into this month, Argus projected, believing flight activity will be up by 2.5% in North America YOY and by 0.2% in Europe.

All operational categories in North America were stronger last month, with fractional activity roaring ahead at a 12.8% YOY gain. Part 135 activity was up by 9.9%, and Part 91 activity posted a 4.4% increase. Similarly, all aircraft categories were more active in November, with midsize and small-cabin jets up by 10.4% each and large-cabin jets increasing by 6.3%. Turboprop activity also experienced a 3.8% YOY bump.

While up 0.3% YOY, European business aircraft flights posted more uneven results last month with turboprop activity down by 4.8% and small-cabin jets by 1.9%. However, midsize and large-cabin jet activity in the region rose 3.8% and 4%, respectively.

As eVTOL developers edge closer to operational approval, lawmakers and stakeholders are stressing the need for regulatory clarity and consistency and close collaboration between Congress, the FAA, industry, and the states to ensure a safe transition for advanced air mobility (AAM). That message was threaded through a hearing the House aviation subcommittee held last week on the state of the AAM industry.

House aviation subcommittee chairman Troy Nehls (R-Texas) pointed to a report projecting the AAM market would reach $115 billion annually by 2035 and generate 280,000 jobs. “There’s only one issue: No one has a type certified aircraft yet. We just don’t have it done,” he said.

Aviation subcommittee ranking member Andre Carson (D-Indiana) agreed on the benefits of the sector but cautioned that the AAM industry “must clearly demonstrate that these innovations can safely operate without placing additional strain on the system.” Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Washington), the ranking member for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, added that the FAA must have early, transparent, and meaningful engagement with states and local communities.

Beta founder and CEO Kyle Clark advocated for “clear and unmoving goal posts and allowing the use of tools at its disposal to get through type certification.” Meanwhile, NASAO president and CEO Greg Pecoraro called for aligning policy, planning, and infrastructure to provide clarity on operations and what to expect across the states.

EASA and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have granted supplemental type certificate (STC) approval to Butler National subsidiary Avcon Industries and Butler Avionics for the replacement of portable Halon fire extinguishers with non-Halon units in Learjets. Announced three months after the FAA issued a similar STC, the certification allows the affiliate companies to install new Halotron BrX fire extinguishers across the full Learjet line.

Replacement fire extinguishers are filled with Halotron BrX, a more sustainable alternative to Halon, a fire-suppressing chemical and ozone-depleting substance with toxic byproducts. While the U.S. still permits Halon fire extinguishers, aircraft registered in Europe will no longer be allowed to carry them after December 31.

“Avcon and Butler Avionics are working diligently with a leading aviation fire extinguisher vendor to stock non-Halon fire extinguishers to comply with the pending December 31 mandate,” said Butler avionics manager Patrick Hupp. “We are committed to making the fire extinguisher kits with FAA Form 8130 approvals and the associated STC paperwork available to customers with minimal time, [and] recognize the importance of meeting the deadline with an EASA and CAA STC-compliant solution.”

Halotron BrX fire extinguishers are designed to be the same size as the Halon extinguishers they are replacing, which minimizes impact on fit and compatibility, according to Butler National.

New systems help pilots, simplify flight—and keep humans at the helm.

Million Air at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) has taken its first load of what will be continuous supplies of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). For the company, KAUS is its second FBO location to carry SAF.

“Austin is a thriving, business-centric city that also deeply values environmental responsibility,” explained Million Air CEO Roger Woolsey. “Bringing SAF to…Austin is about giving our customers meaningful options that align with both their travel needs and their sustainability goals.”

Originating in Texas and delivered by Avfuel, the 30% SAF blend offers a 19-tonne reduction in life-cycle carbon emissions with every 8,000-gallon truckload delivered. While not yet approved for aircraft use, neat SAF can provide up to 80% emissions reduction versus fossil-based jet-A.

Million Air’s Austin FBO represents Avfuel’s first distribution location in Texas. “The Million Air team has been an exceptional partner to work with in expanding sustainable fuel solutions,” said Mark Haynes, the fuel provider’s v-p of sales. “We’re proud to collaborate with them to establish our first consistent SAF-supplied location in Texas and help further their corporate initiatives on sustainability.”

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has posted a draft notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on its previously disclosed plan to auction up to 180 MHz of spectrum in the 3.87 to 4.2 GHz (the upper C-band) for next-gen wireless services. Unlike past rulemaking on lower C-band expansion that caused interference with radio altimeters, comments on this NPRM are expressly being sought from the aviation community.

Radio altimeters operate in the adjacent 4.2- to 4.4-GHz band. The FCC acknowledged its failure in previous frequency band expansions to address adjacent band inequities. Consequently, it “will necessitate broad-based and proactive engagement from relevant industry stakeholders, as well as our federal partners,” including the FAA.

The FCC intends to apply the same framework used in the 2020 lower C-band auction—3.7 to 3.98 GHz—which allocated 280 MHz for flexible wireless use and expanded 5G access. However, it also caused flight disruptions requiring radio altimeter retrofits.

“There are also ongoing aviation industry-led efforts to design next-generation radio altimeters that predate the instant FCC proceeding but nonetheless may lead to the production and deployment of more resilient [radio] altimeters,” according to the FCC. “To that end, we expect the FAA to...complete a rulemaking to codify the new radio altimeter standards in parallel with our rulemaking and prior to any auction.” 

CAE will introduce Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) principles into its business aviation programs beginning in January, marking a structural shift in how pilots are evaluated and prepared for increasingly complex operational environments. The company said the model will debut with Phase A of the EASA recurrent training curriculum, where CBTA will be offered as an optional format alongside traditional recurrent coursework.

Instructor development began a year ago, with CBTA principles incorporated into CAE’s teaching standards through structured training and mentorship. The methodology, delivered through the company’s Continuously Optimized Recurrent (CORe) model, links operational insights to training outcomes and emphasizes standardized procedures, scenario-based exercises, and measurable performance improvement.

According to CAE, CBTA is recognized by regulators such as the FAA, EASA, UK CAA, and Transport Canada. It is designed to develop practical decisionmaking and real-world competencies rather than relying on task-based evaluation. The company describes the framework as a data-driven approach that better reflects modern operational demands.

Pilots enrolled in the Phase A EASA recurrent training program in 2026 will see assessments conducted through observable behaviors, facilitated debriefs, and modular CORe topics that reinforce skills like teamwork, decisionmaking, and situational awareness. CAE noted that the approach aligns with guidance from ICAO, IATA, and major manufacturers.

Abu Dhabi Airports is teaming with Skyports to develop a network of vertiports to support eVTOL aircraft operations. The companies confirmed that they have already started construction at Zayed International Airport (OMAA) and Al Bateen Executive Airport (OMAD) and expect to have these facilities ready in the first quarter of 2026.

Last year, the Abu Dhabi government gave its blessing for eVTOL air taxi services to be launched by rival manufacturers Archer and Joby. Earlier this month, local charter operator Falcon Aviation Services announced an order for 50 of AutoFlight’s V2000EM eVTOL models, including 35 passenger and 15 cargo versions.

Once construction is complete, Skyports and Abu Dhabi Airports intend to jointly operate the vertiports, with services including passenger handling, security, cargo operations, and supporting commercial operators. The agreement did not state where other vertiports might be located in the emirate. Other sites owned by Abu Dhabi Airports include Al Ain International Airport (OMAL), Dalma Airport (OMDL), and Sir Bani Yas Airport (OMBY).

UK-based Skyports is also developing vertiports in neighboring Dubai through a partnership with Joby. In July, its Skyports Middle East division signed a similar agreement with Ajman Transport Authority, extending its presence in the UAE.

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