Indian private aviation group JetSetGo plans to reshape its fleet for the emerging advanced air mobility sector with up to 100 of Horizon Aircraft’s in-development Cavorite X7 eVTOLs. On Tuesday, the Delhi-based company signed a memorandum of understanding provisionally committing to purchase 50 of the six-passenger X7, with options for another 50.

Toronto-based Horizon reported the purchase price for each of the hybrid-electric aircraft as $5 million, meaning the deal would be worth between $250 million and $500 million. On Monday, Horizon completed its business combination with special purpose acquisition company Pono Capital Three. The following day, the combined company started trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

According to Horizon CEO and chairman Brandon Robinson, the initial public offering raised around $9 million, which could rise to $25 million if stock options are exercised. He told AIN that this capital will support the development of a full-scale technology demonstrator over the next two to three years.

JetSetGo was founded in 2014 and provides on-demand charter flights as well as aircraft management, membership packages, maintenance, and aviation consultancy. The company’s fleet consists of five Hawker 750s/800XPs, as well as a mix of Cessna CitationJets; Bombardier Global 6000 and Challenger 604 and 850 twinjets; Dassault Falcon 2000; and 37-seat Embraer ERJ-135LR.

Blackhawk Aerospace Technologies has completed the first installation of Garmin’s Autoland system and a full Garmin G1000 NXi suite in a King Air 200, which has been delivered to the customer. The Autoland installation includes Garmin autothrottles.

Autoland automatically selects a suitable airport, flies the airplane to the airport—including maneuvering to lose altitude and fly an RNAV approach—lands, then shuts off the engines. The Autoland button is mounted on the aft console in the King Air 200 installation so it is easily reached by the pilot or passengers. In case of inadvertent activation, pilots can disable the Autoland event and continue flying. 

The autothrottles help pilots manage engine limitations such as over-temp and over-torque, prevent flap overspeed, and add or reduce power in underspeed or overspeed conditions, respectively. 

"While King Airs are known for their versatility, they can sometimes be demanding for the crew. Autothrottle and Autoland increase the pilot’s bandwidth for added operational safety,” said Blackhawk v-p of sales and marketing Conrad Theisen.

A new study from consultancy Persistence Market Research predicts that the nearly billion-dollar worldwide aviation fuel additive market will grow by more than 50 percent by 2030. In the report, the company estimates a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) expansion of 6.7 percent over that period, based on increased commercial aviation demand, rapid aviation growth in developing countries, and environmental regulations spurring the adoption of cleaner, more sustainable fuels.

While additives are required for aviation fuels to optimize performance and safety by addressing stability, lubricity, corrosion, and ice concerns, they are subject to stringent regulatory approval that can result in high research and development costs. The report’s authors said that can limit new participants in the market and hinder innovation.

Yet the growing focus on sustainability is creating a demand for bio-based and renewable fuel additives that “presents a lucrative opportunity for companies that can develop and commercialize these eco-friendly solutions,” according to the report. It further describes the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as “one of the most significant breakthroughs in the aviation industry.”

The report noted that fuel additives play a critical role in enhancing the properties of SAF, ensuring that they meet standards while helping the sector in its goal of decarbonization. While most SAF use is presently limited to blends of up to 50 percent with conventional jet fuel, the addition of additives could pave the way toward pure SAF approvals.

AviationManuals has seen a 650 percent jump in subscribers for its Ready Flight compliance and safety management programs in the past year, a pattern the company said underscores the importance of continual improvement among industry safety professionals. The safety document management and support specialist also credited the quality of its manuals and the inclusion of intuitive safety management system software in Ready Flight as contributing to the growth.

Ready Flight—offered in International, Safety, and Complete versions—is a customizable document and compliance service that provides support oversight and helps track, analyze, and mitigate risks. “It is our mission to ensure that every client who becomes a Ready Flight Solution member knows that their procedures are up to date and that they have the support of experts essentially acting as part of their team,” said AviationManuals CEO Mark Baier.

In tandem with the increased demand, AviationManuals has grown its staff by 25 percent, as well as invested in its software, expanded partnerships, and introduced a customer success department.

“The main focus of customer success is to serve as the internal advocate for all our new and existing operators. This means that we work hand in hand with all our operators to ensure they get the most out of their journey with AviationManuals,” said Charles Tresky, senior customer success manager.

AviationManuals supports more than 4,500 operators worldwide.

Tyonek Services Group (TSG) has purchased the 68,000-sq-ft maintenance hangar in Huntsville, Alabama, which it has leased since 2018, the company said Tuesday. An FAA-certified Part 145 repair station located inside a TSA Security Identified Display Area (SIDA) at Huntsville International Airport, the facility includes back shops to perform rotary-wing aircraft organizational, intermediate, and depot-level maintenance. Tyonek uses the hangar to perform maintenance, repairs, overhauls, equipment installations, testing, and manufacturing services at the site.

“The purchase of this hangar force multiplies our portfolio of facilities allowing us to provide the highest caliber of service and quality to our customers,” said TSG president Paul Stein. “It will enable TSG to further showcase our comprehensive aircraft maintenance and modification expertise.”

TSG’s parent company, Tyonek Native Corp. (TNC), maintains its headquarters in Anchorage, Alaska, and operates as an Alaska Native Corporation formed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. TNC owns a diversified portfolio of subsidiaries specializing in aerospace and defense manufacturing, engineering, aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul, cyber technology, land resource development and renewables, and construction.

“The completion of this acquisition is a key milestone achievement supporting our longer-term objectives and positions us well for continued growth in the aircraft maintenance services segment,” concluded TNC CEO Stephen Peskosky.