Classic Lear Jet Foundation—the nonprofit group that aims to bring the first production Lear Jet back to flight status—announced that it has begun the restoration process on the first customer-delivered Lear 23. The Wichita-based organization acquired serial number 23-003 in August after a pair of industry veterans stepped up to donate the budget shortfall for its purchase from a private owner.

Bombardier donated space to house the restoration work at Building 14, the former Learjet delivery facility on its Wichita campus, and the aircraft has been there for a year now after being transported by a flatbed truck from Florida.

The process on the first workday included the ceremonial opening of the first panel—the pilot’s nose avionics door—after which a team of volunteers carefully removed avionics, gyros, oxygen and air bottles, and other components. According to the work staff—who also found long-vacant wasp nests—the bottles were still pressurized, even though the aircraft had not been serviced for nearly 25 years.

Every part was photographed and logged by name, model, and serial number before being placed in secure storage. Each will be inspected and evaluated as to its condition and need for possible restoration or replacement.

Before 23-003’s return to Wichita, its two GE CJ610-1 engines were removed and sent, along with their maintenance records, to Michigan where they will eventually be refurbished by International Turbine Industries.

Global Jet Capital (GJC) has topped $4 billion in aircraft financing originations for new-production and preowned business aircraft—a milestone reached a decade after its founding.

GJC was established in 2014 to focus on business aircraft financing solutions, and it grew rapidly with the purchase of the $2.5 billion portfolio from GE Capital in 2015. The Danbury, Connecticut firm has continued to expand with a global reach, as well as establishing offices in Zurich and Hong Kong.

In 2018, GJC issued its first asset-backed securitization (ABS) backed by business jet and operating lease loans and since has conducted a series of such transactions, issuing some $3.6 billion in ABS notes.

“Looking back on our journey to this point, one of the things I’m most proud of is the team’s history of stepping into complex situations and quickly removing obstacles and making deals happen for our clients and their advisors,” said CEO Vivek Kaushal. “As we celebrate a decade in business and surpass $4 billion in financing, these milestones underscore our firm commitment to leadership in the business aircraft financing industry.”

Modern Aviation is now the sole aviation services provider at Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci/Isla Grande Airport (TJIG) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, after it acquired rival Puerto Rico FBO. In 2021, Modern purchased the Million Air franchisee at TJIG, giving the growing FBO chain its first foothold in the Caribbean. This latest move will see the consolidation of the two locations.

Modern recently finished the first of two hangars it is constructing at TJIG that will add 48,000 sq ft of aircraft shelter when the second is completed by April. In its latest purchase, Modern gained an additional 40,000 sq ft of hangar space and offices, which will bring it to a total of more than 150,000 sq ft.

“This acquisition will enable us to more efficiently provide services to customers at TJIG by adding significant hangar and office infrastructure to our current offerings,” explained Modern CEO Mark Carmen. “We are pleased to welcome the employees and customers of Puerto Rico FBO to Modern Aviation.”

Benitez Aviation, Puerto Rico FBO’s former owner, will continue to operate its aircraft management and Part 135 charter operation from the facility.

“We are pleased to partner with Modern Aviation, a preeminent provider of FBO services, as we can continue to focus on growing our aircraft management business,” said Benitez Aviation CEO Carlos Benitez.

Training beyond the minimums is becoming increasingly encouraged and standardized across business aviation. This equates to good news for all facets of the industry, as safety remains the critical axis on which our success revolves. Achieving necessary and effective balance surrounding safe flight narrows down to one thing: pilot training. 

Stuart, Florida-based charter operator Premier Private Jets has acquired additional MRO capacity and an FBO in Dayton, Ohio, from Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems. Stevens had planned to close the facilities as part of a consolidation effort. Premier will operate the MRO under the name Premier Aviation Services and the FBO as Premier Jet Services.

The addition of Dayton provides more capacity to support Premier’s fleet, as well as other aircraft. The purchase strengthens Premier’s FAA Part 145 repair capabilities by adding a third MRO location to its bases in Michigan and Florida. According to Premier, current customers can expect a “seamless” transition as they continue to work with their existing teams. 

“This acquisition gives us needed MRO capacity and expands our geographic footprint,” said Premier CEO Josh Birmingham. “We’re also pleased to preserve the jobs of 40 experienced and talented employees in Dayton and welcome them to the Premier family. By acquiring Stevens, we add 370,000 square feet of leasehold space that includes a full refurbishment design center for paint and interiors plus aircraft hangar storage.”

Premier conducts purchase evaluations, avionics installations, repairs and overhauls, and interior/exterior refurbishment. The company said it will continue to guide customers in selecting appropriate avionics systems, including high-speed data and cabin management and next-generation modernizations, along with flight line maintenance for most business aircraft.

Private jet charter service Wheels Up Experience announced a shakeup to its organizational leadership this week, including former chairman of operations Dave Holtz being promoted to COO. Prior to his time at Wheels Up, Holtz ran the operations and customer center at Delta Air Lines, which owns a substantial stake in Wheels Up.

Other operational management changes include Rob Hamilton as the new senior v-p of operations, Pat Busscher as senior v-p of management, Patrick Burns as senior v-p of flight operations, Todd Wesoloskie as v-p of flight operations, and Al Mann as vice president of safety, security, and compliance.

“Our entire operations team is committed to delivering exceptional experiences for every customer on every flight—a mission critical to our vision of becoming the best run private aviation company in the world,” said Holtz. “To achieve this, I will lean on this team of industry-leading operators, whom I have previously worked closely with here at Wheels Up or during my career at Delta.”

The restructuring of Wheels Up's leadership comes just months after Delta led a consortium of investors to rescue it from reported financial troubles. In a 2023 financial filing, the air charter company reported a working capital deficit of $720.8 million. Delta previously owned a minority stake in the company.

Gama Aviation has agreed to buy UK-based special mission helicopter business Specialist Aviation Services for £280,000 ($353,000) as part of a pre-pack acquisition from its appointed administrators.

The deal adds further scale and strength to Gama’s Special Mission strategic business unit (SBU) with some £27 million of annual revenue, three significant UK air ambulance charity contracts, six managed Leonardo AW169 helicopters, and two more national security contracts in the Middle East, according to the company. The added capability complements the addition of a Leonardo Service Center in Staverton, Gloucestershire, by the Special Mission SBU.

“This acquisition accelerates our growth in our Special Mission SBU, adding scale in the UK, building on our recent contract wins with, amongst others, the Welsh Air Ambulance, and opening new international operations in the Middle East to complement our established fixed-wing aircraft management and MRO capability in the region,” commented Gama Aviation group CEO Marwan Khalek.

“We believe that there is considerable potential within the trade and assets of this business, that over the medium term will enhance the prospects of the Special Mission SBU. However, given the nature of the acquisition, our immediate priority is to ensure continuity of service for the UK air ambulance charities such that they are able to maintain their life-saving operations.”

Looking to help spur the development of the still-nascent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market, a group of aviation, SAF, and climate experts have joined to establish Future Energy Global.

The Ireland-based company, which is backed by aircraft winglet technology leader Aviation Partners, looks to help channel the more than a trillion dollars in investment required for the aviation industry to reach its goal of a net-zero emissions future. For that to happen, global SAF production would have to increase by a factor of 1,000, from approximately 550 million liters today to more than 500 billion liters by 2050.

“Given the size, scope, and urgency of the need to scale SAF, collaboration is crucial,” said Natasha Mann, Future Energy Global’s CEO and former head of GE Capital Aviation Services portfolio strategy. “Future Energy Global’s pre-purchasing ecosystem brings investors, suppliers, and buyers together, unlocking the capital to make that a reality.”

Mann is joined by COO, co-founder, and climate change economist Isabel Galiana and an advisory team that includes Thorsten Lange, Neste’s former executive v-p for renewable aviation.

“Future Energy Global represents sustainability in action, providing the leadership, technology, and experience to make widespread SAF use achievable,” said Aviation Partners president Gary Dunn. “It is a critical step that invests in everyone’s future.”