FlyEpic has launched a fractional aircraft ownership program built around the Epic E1000 turboprop single. Announced yesterday, the program allows customers to purchase shares beginning at one-sixteenth ownership, which includes 50 flight hours annually for $285,000.

Larger one-eighth and one-quarter shares are also available. Additionally, the company is offering a one-time introductory charter program of 25 flight hours for $100,000 for qualified fractional buyers.

The program includes guaranteed availability, dedicated flight crews, and maintenance support. FlyEpic intends to serve entrepreneurs and investors seeking shared aircraft access, with a focus on connecting cities and towns throughout the West Coast of the U.S. and beyond.

According to FlyEpic, its model is designed to provide a predictable ownership experience without the full cost and logistics of whole aircraft ownership. “We believe private aircraft ownership shouldn’t just be about exclusivity. It should be about access, performance, and reimagining what’s possible,” said FlyEpic founding CEO Toby Woods.

The E1000 can climb to 34,000 feet in about 20 minutes and cruise at up to 333 ktas, with a maximum range of 1,560 nm. FlyEpic's aircraft are configured to seat up to four passengers and include Starlink Mini airborne connectivity.

The insurance industry has discovered an enigma in commercial aviation: the rate of aircraft hull losses and fatalities is at historic lows, yet the financial consequences of non-catastrophic operational incidents have surged to unsustainable levels. A recent study suggests that these operational incidents—including tailstrikes, hard landings, runway excursions, flap overspeed events, and ground collisions—are largely preventable through better, more effective pilot training.

In 2023, the fatal accident rate for IATA member airlines was a low 0.03 per 1 million flights, while the escalating costs of survivable incidents have detached from historic norms due to the increasing complexity of composite airframes, a challenged global supply chain, and a tighter insurance market.

Andy O’Shea, executive chairman of the Airline Pilot Club, recently published “The Financial Pathology of Pilot Training Deficiencies,” a report that digs into the costs associated with preventable operational incidents in aviation. The study examined 32,000 industry claims worth almost $15 billion. Of this total value, 63% involved non-catastrophic events and ground collisions.

According to O’Shea, the former training chief at Ryanair, the insurance industry refers to these events as “attritional losses.” One industry CEO referred to these incidents as their “headache in safety and cost.” The report argues that “the industry’s financial vulnerability has shifted from catastrophic loss of hulls to attritional accumulation of ‘minor’ pilot-related operational incidents.”

Sheltair today celebrated the completion of Hangar 4300, its newest development at Tampa International Airport (KTPA) and the first purpose-built MRO hangar in company history. The $15 million complex, built over the span of 15 months, consists of 50,880 sq ft of hangar space, 8,344 sq ft of office and shop space, and a 50,000-sq-ft apron designed to support aircraft maneuvering, staging, and fueling.

The hangar features a 30-foot-high door with a 45-foot-high tail door, and while the hangar will be used for aircraft storage in the near-term, the company said it is targeting a single occupant interested in providing MRO services to business jets and/or other transport-category aircraft.

“This project represents more than just new infrastructure; it’s a strategic investment in the future of Tampa’s aviation ecosystem,” said Tony Sherbert, Sheltair’s senior v-p of real estate. “As demand for high-quality hangar space continues to grow, this development allows us to deliver the scale, flexibility, and modern capabilities that operators and maintenance providers need to thrive.”

“The opening of this new hangar facility is another clear indicator of the continued growth of general aviation at Tampa International Airport,” added Brett Fay, KTPA’s v-p of general aviation. “Sheltair’s newest investment responds directly to increasing demand while enhancing the level of service and infrastructure available to our customers.”

Hong Kong-based business aircraft charter management company TAG Aviation extended its pilot training agreement with CAE for another three years, the companies announced at the recent 2026 Singapore Airshow. Under the renewed contract, TAG Aviation’s pilots in Asia and Europe will train on a variety of business jet types at CAE training centers in Dubai, Singapore, the UK, Vienna, the U.S., and Canada.

Platforms included in the agreement are the Gulfstream G280, G450, G550, and G650; Bombardier Global 7500 and classic Globals; Dassault Falcon 2000/EX/EX EASy II, 6X, and 8X; and Embraer Phenom 300.

“This agreement strengthens our relationship with TAG Aviation and reflects CAE’s commitment to delivering training excellence as the trusted partner for leading business aviation operators worldwide,” said CAE civil aviation president Alexandre Prévost. “By combining rigorous training standards with cutting-edge technologies, we will continue to equip TAG Aviation pilots with the skill and confidence to operate at the highest levels.”

TAG Aviation pilots will have access to CAE’s simulation technology, including immersive solutions and training programs, ensuring the highest standards of proficiency, the companies noted.

CAE added that the partnership also strengthens its global presence and deepens relationships with industry stakeholders. “With training delivered in Asia-Pacific and Europe—regions where demand for skilled aviation professionals continues to rise—CAE is positioned to support long-term growth and address global pilot high demand,” the company concluded.

Oklahoma-based Intercontinental Jet Service has been tapped as a Piaggio Aerospace-authorized service center, making it the first such facility added in North America since Baykar’s acquisition of the turboprop manufacturer in July.

The agreement builds on more than a decade of collaboration between the maintenance provider and the OEM, underscoring Piaggio Aerospace’s “commitment to a strong comeback in the U.S. market,” explained Intercontinental Jet.

Piaggio Aero Industries and Piaggio Aviation were acquired by Turkish aerospace firm Baykar last year, following a protracted restructuring ongoing since 2018. Throughout this period, Piaggio continued both its airframer and MRO roles, including developing the upgraded P.180 Avanti Evo turboprop twin.

“There is still significant potential in the P.180, and this is only the first step of many to enhance both the aircraft and the after-sales service,” said Piaggio Aerospace CEO Giovanni Tomassini. Intercontinental Jet noted that the new service center designation formalizes “a long-term partnership that signals a clear and strategic return to growth in the U.S. market.”

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