The first flight-test HondaJet Echelon is now starting to take shape at Honda Aircraft’s manufacturing facility in Greensboro, North Carolina. It has begun assembly of the light jet’s wing structure, the company reported late yesterday.

First flight of the light jet is expected next year, with service entry scheduled for 2028. Formally unveiled at NBAA-BACE 2023, the twinjet will feature a larger cabin with increased passenger capacity and range over the HondaJet HA-420, though they share the same over-the-wing-engine-mount configuration. Echelon specifications include a 450-knot top speed, 2,625-nm NBAA IFR range, and seating for up to 10 passengers.

Honda Aircraft’s production department began to stand up specialized assembly lines for the Echelon early last year, with the tooling in place before year-end. Last month, Honda Aircraft marked the completion of the HondaJet Echelon development simulator at its advanced systems integration test facility in Greensboro. This simulator uses data from wind tunnel models and actual aircraft hardware to predict aircraft performance before the first flight.

“We are very excited to see the HondaJet Echelon program gaining momentum,” said Honda Aircraft senior v-p and chief commercial officer Amod Kelkar. “We are proud of the achievements we have made in the last several months, and it is just the beginning.” He added that the company has inked nearly 500 letters of intent for the new airplane.

For years, directors of maintenance (DOMs) have been the unsung heroes of corporate flight departments. These professionals lead teams, manage budgets, negotiate contracts, make schedules, and oversee technical operations. They also serve as key liaisons with aircraft owners and company executives. Day in and day out, they’re in the hangar, ready to tackle whatever challenges arise.

But what if a DOM’s next step isn’t just about maintenance? What if it’s about leading the entire aviation operation?

Many DOMs already possess the skills required to step into a broader leadership role. The transition from DOM to director of aviation isn’t about starting over—it’s about leveraging existing expertise to fulfill a more strategic capacity.

Today’s aviation leaders don’t have to be pilots to run a multimillion-dollar flight operation. In fact, the role is often so demanding that focusing on flying becomes nearly impossible. With their technical knowledge, financial acumen, and the ability to lead teams, DOMs are uniquely positioned to take on the top role in a flight department. Here’s why.

Bombardier is finalizing its flight-test campaign for the Global 8000 and has moved toward validation and demonstration flights, including a trip this week to Salzburg, Austria. The flight and operations validation comes as Bombardier is eyeing entry into service of the 8,000-nm aircraft, which has tested beyond the sound barrier, later this year.

At the same time, the trials provided an opportunity for the Montreal-headquartered airframer to showcase the aircraft to the pilot community and “business jet enthusiasts.” According to the company, the aircraft continues to draw interest and remains on track for its anticipated timeline.

In addition, Bombardier is finalizing a $3 million upgrade kit that will bring the predecessor 7,700-nm, Mach 0.925 Global 7500 in line with the Global 8000’s performance. The company estimates that the upgrade would require about 14 days of downtime.

With a cabin altitude of 2,900 feet at 41,000 feet, the 8,000-nm, Mach 0.94 Global can connect Salzburg to Perth, Australia, or Santiago, Chile. Following its operations in Europe, the flight-test vehicle returned to the Bombardier Flight Test Center in Wichita.

Without specifically mentioning the word “privatization,” U.S. Senate Commerce Committee chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) yesterday issued a call to action to the aviation community to work together on an overhaul of the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system. In a speech at the Aero Club of Washington, Cruz noted that the recent series of fatal crashes underscored the need to update the nation’s aging air traffic system. Calling the ATC system antiquated, he pointed out that the air traffic controllers are still using paper strips and floppy disks.

But Cruz doesn’t believe the problems stem from a lack of funding: “The FAA has spent billions of dollars on delayed or failed modernization projects.” Instead, he said the system was broken and the status quo is not working. “In an era of AI and automation, is the current ATC system really the best we can do?” Cruz asked. “The time of doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results is over.”

He asked stakeholders to avoid reflexively resisting change. “I know this has been a controversial topic for many in this room—particularly within the last 10 years,” Cruz said referencing past battles over privatization.

Instead, he said, the community collectively must explore how the FAA’s air traffic organization works and whether reforms would be necessary in how it is managed and financed.

An uptick in helicopter deliveries contributed €17.8 billion ($18.6 billion) in 2024 revenues for Italian aerospace and defense group Leonardo. Announcing annual results in Rome yesterday, the company said the 16.2% growth in revenues was also supported by strong performance in its defense electrionics and security business units, with adjusted earning climbing by 12.9% last year to reach more than €1.525 million, thanks in part to supply-chain improvements.

Leonardo delivered 191 helicopters last year, six more than in the previous year. Revenues at its helicopter division increased by 11.1% to reach €5.3 billion, which made it the second-highest contributor across the group after defense electronics and security.

Net orders were 16.8% up across the group last year, with Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani highlighting a 6.4% increase in rotorcraft orders.

Leonardo acknowledged that it continues to face challenges in its aerostructures division, which makes composite fuselage sections for the Boeing 787 and also encompasses its ATR regional airliner joint venture with Airbus. Cingolani told reporters the company is close to firming up an agreement with a new investment partner for aerostructures and said the identity of the new backer and terms of the deal could be announced on March 11, when Leonardo will release an update for its industrial plan.

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