Bombardier today celebrated the 1,000th delivery of its super-midsize business jet line portfolio with the handing over of a Challenger 3500 to JM Family Enterprises. More than 700 of the company’s employees and other invitees gathered at Bombardier’s Challenger delivery center in Montreal for the ceremonial delivery.

The milestone comes a little more than 20 years after the original member of the Challenger 3500 family—the Challenger 300—entered service with fractional ownership provider Flexjet in January 2024. Initially named the Continental, the Challenger 300 forged a new path for Bombardier in the aircraft segment, becoming the most-delivered super-midsize aircraft.

A little more than 450 of the Honeywell HTF7000-powered Challenger 300s were handed over before Bombardier transitioned to the follow-on Model 350 model a decade later, with the first delivered to NetJets in June 2014. The newest follow-on, the 3500, entered service in September 2022 and by this past October had become the fastest super-midsize jet to reach 100 deliveries.

“Reaching the delivery of our 1,000th super-midsize aircraft marks a defining moment for Bombardier,” said Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel. “This milestone is a testament to the dedication and exceptional talent of our employees, as well as the trust and loyalty of our customers around the world.”

Embraer’s Executive Aviation division was a primary contributor to positive year-end and fourth-quarter results announced today by the company. The Brazilian aerospace and defense group delivered 130 Phenom and Praetor business jets last year, accounting for almost two-thirds of total deliveries, which also included 73 airliners and three of the C-390 Millennium multi-role military aircraft. Deliveries could rise by about 20% this year, with the company projecting shipments of 145 to 155 business jets and 77 to 85 airliners in 2025.

Group-wide revenues for the full 12-month period reached $6.395 billion, up 21% from 2023 and close to the top of Embraer’s guidance range. Revenues at Embraer Executive Jets increased at a slightly higher rate of 25% to $1.763 billion. This business unit was the second-largest contributor to Embraer's adjusted earnings, accounting for $206 million of the $708 million total.

According to the company, the services division was the highest source of earnings at $270 million, partially driven by increased support for business jet operators. Commercial aviation and defense/security generated $55 million and $45 million in earnings, respectively.

Among the reported 2024 sales, Embraer included the $7 billion contract with Flexjet for 182 business jets and options for 30 more, even though it wasn't publicly announced until February 5. Backlog at the end of 2024 was $26.3 billion, up 40% year over year.

With eVTOLs poised to enter service in the next 18 to 24 months, FBO providers Atlantic Aviation and Signature Aviation are actively working to stand up vertiport infrastructure for advanced air mobility (AAM) services, company officials said yesterday at the NBAA regional forum in Orlando, Florida. Both companies are seeking to build city-center vertiports while also adapting their FBOs to handle electric aircraft.

“The goal is to build vertiports where the people are,” said Kevin Cox, CEO of Vertiports by Atlantic, a newly created subsidiary following Atlantic’s acquisition last month of vertiport developer Ferrovial. “We’re leading the way in vertiport development and now have four leases in Florida to build vertiports in city environments. AAM isn’t a matter of if, but when, and that when is within two years.”

Cox said vertiport sites can be as small as one or as large as two to three acres. “We’ll start with vertiports in big metro cities and then filter down to medium cities,” he added.

Signature CEO Tony Lefebvre said his company is not interested in converting downtown parking garages into vertiports, explaining, “This is not our core competency.” The company’s current emphasis is adapting its FBOs for eVTOL operations, he noted.

Both said they’re taking an “agnostic” approach to electric aircraft charging infrastructure, though Lefebvre would like to see OEMs commit to a common charging system.

An alternative avionics upgrade is now available to modernize Cessna Citation 550, 560, and 560XL Honeywell Primus 1000 systems without the expense of a complete avionics suite replacement. Aerospace Design and Compliance (ADC) developed the SkyVue 1000 supplemental type certificate (STC), which is available from SkyVue Avionics; both are Atlantic Jet Partners companies.

SkyVue 1000 includes the replacement of obsolete Honeywell DU 870 primary and multifunction flight displays with LED DU 875 displays. The original flight management system is replaced with two BendixKing AeroNav 900s with LPV approach capability, and a new fuel flow computer ensures true fuel flow function on the AeroNav 900s. A Becker audio panel with Bluetooth, 3D audio, and last-message replay rounds out the upgrade.

According to Atlantic Jet Partners, “The SkyVue 1000 cockpit upgrade represents one of ADC’s [organization designation authorization] most technically challenging and rewarding projects to date. The alteration involved addressing critical cybersecurity concerns, including potential database hacking vulnerabilities. Working closely with the FAA’s [New York Aircraft Certification Office] and the Transport Aircraft Policy and Standards Office, ADC developed rigorous testing methods and procedures to evaluate and secure the system’s software.”

“The upgrade reflects our commitment to providing innovative and reliable solutions for aircraft operators,” said Atlantic Jet Partners COO Joe Rizzo. “This achievement underscores our strategic vision and ability to tackle complex projects with speed, precision, and expertise.”

The professional collegiate aviation fraternity Alpha Eta Rho (AHP) has awarded its namesake honor to NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, recognizing his contributions to the aviation industry and dedication to developing future leaders.

AHP presented the award during its inaugural Collegiate Aviation Symposium held February 24 and 25 in Columbus, Ohio. AHP CEO Ben O’Brien highlighted the significance of the recognition during the ceremony, saying, “We are pleased to present Ed with our highest award in recognition of the role he and NBAA have played in reinforcing Alpha Eta Rho’s mission of helping today’s students become tomorrow’s aviation leaders.”

Bolen, who has led NBAA since 2004, expressed gratitude for the recognition. “I am deeply honored to receive this award and have been fortunate to be part of a community filled with inspiring young people, from all backgrounds, with a shared passion for ensuring that a vital industry continues to have a central role in our nation’s future,” he said.

Bolen’s aviation career includes eight years as president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and service as majority general counsel to what is now the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. A private pilot, Bolen was instrumental in the passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994.

The Sustainable Aviation Fuels Institute (SAFII), a newly launched organization, aims to unite stakeholders across the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry to foster collaboration and ensure that fuel quality standards are maintained. Founded in 2024, SAFII has been conceived to serve as a central hub for leaders, technical experts, supply-chain partners, and policymakers in the sector. It is planning to hold its first educational event—“What Is SAF?”—early this year.

In addition to serving as a communications hub for innovations and resources, the organization’s mission includes providing a training resource offering webinars and events, as well as a platform for networking roundtable events to encourage greater collaboration across the SAF supply chain. SAFII membership is open to professionals and organizations involved in various development and distribution roles. These include feedstock sourcing, fuel development, storage and transportation, carbon credits, testing, refining, and distribution.

Cindy Tomei, president of SAFII, emphasized that the institute would provide industry insights and legislative awareness and work on research and technology development to ensure consistent fuel quality standards. “Currently, we are the only organization able to consistently teach ASTM standards for aviation fuel quality,” she said.

SAFII is gaining industry support with several sponsors already on board, including SAF test equipment provider Falex Corp., fuel test equipment distributor Compass Instruments, and advisory, tax, and assurance firm Baker Tilly.

Tell us about the product support you receive from business aviation OEMs. The 2025 AIN Product Support Survey is now open, ready for selected readers to rate aircraft, engine, and avionics support. AIN readers who have been selected to participate in this year’s Product Support Survey should have received their password and link to the online survey by e-mail. The survey deadline is June 1 at midnight.