FBO chain Signature Aviation has expanded its network by two locations with the acquisition of New Jersey-based Meridian. Formerly the lone independent service provider at metro New York City business aviation hub Teterboro Airport (KTEB), family-owned Meridian had a presence on the field for more than 75 years and was perennially ranked as one of the top FBOs in the Northeast U.S. in AIN’s annual FBO survey.

“We embarked on this journey having a strong sense of which company would best build on the incredible legacy we’ve created, delivering award-winning service to our customers and treating our team members like family,” said Meridian CEO Ken Forester. “Signature is best positioned to do just that through their great network, enhancing site plans, updating branding, and integrating Meridian’s team members into Signature’s family.”

In 2016, Meridian expanded across the country, opening a new FBO at San Francisco-area Hayward Executive Airport (KHWD) as a West Coast base for its charter fleet, which it chose to divest less than four years later, along with shutting down its maintenance operation.

The move bolsters Signature’s position at KTEB, the world’s busiest business aviation airport, giving it control of four of the six FBO locations on the field.

Although news reports claim that the Gulfstream III that disappeared after takeoff from Canouan Island Airport in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on December 22 has been found off the northeast coast of the island of Saint Vincent, AIN has been unable to verify this information. A spokesman for the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA), which provides aviation oversight and accident investigation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and six other member states, told AIN that it could not confirm those reports.

The U.S.-registered aircraft—recorded in January 2023 to Jetsteam (SIC) Aviation, a corporation based in Cheyenne, Wyoming—reportedly had two pilots and one passenger onboard. The web URL for Jetsteam Aviation is not active and returns an “account suspended” message.

A local news report—since deleted—cited ECCAA director general Reginald Darius as having given a press conference about launching an investigation into the supposed accident. However, when contacted by AIN, the ECCAA spokesman said that there is no such person associated with the authority and that no one from the agency has held a press conference about finding the wreckage.

Although N337LR is still listed on the AvBuyer sales website, the broker with that listing confirmed to AIN that he sold that GIII more than a year ago and that the listing should have been removed.

Business aviation is poised for a strong year in 2024 but must still navigate pressing issues such as safety management systems (SMS), potential Part 380 changes, and a need to spread the message on Climbing Fast, according to NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. Key among those issues, Bolen further told AIN, is the need for a long-term FAA reauthorization bill.

The FAA is operating under a short-term extension until March 8, as a five-year bill has stalled over the 1,500-hour airline pilot requirement and the mandatory retirement age of 65. “First thing is let’s get a reauthorization bill done,” Bolen stressed. “I think that’s fundamental.”

As for policy, the industry is watching for an SMS final rule that appears on track for release midyear 2024. The proposed rulemaking would mandate SMS for Part 135, air tours, and manufacturers. “SMS is a great tool,” Bolen said. “But it’s got to be scaled appropriately.”

Another major concern is possible action on safety regulations governing operators that fly under DOT Part 380 economic authority for public charters. “Part 380 has been around for decades, and while the industry has grown significantly, accidents and incidents have not,” Bolen said. “With Part 380 we have not seen data to suggest that needs to be changed.”

Remaining at the forefront is sustainability, and the need to educate the public on business aviation’s commitment.

As it looks to streamline itself into a dedicated airport businesses consultancy, FBO Partners has sold its Online Safety Officer (OSO) program to aviation software and service company Polaris Aero. By April, FBO Partners further plans to exit its customer service training, safety programs, marketing, and MRO consulting ventures in favor of expanding its core FBO business offerings, including mergers and acquisitions representation and brokerage, RFP/RFQ work, and commercial advisory and diligence.

Over the past four years, FBO Partners developed the OSO program to promote safety by supplementing and reinforcing formal training processes. It covers more than 60 topics ranging from health and safety to fuel and quality control using best industry practices. It now has more than 100 FBO location participants.

Polaris was founded in 2007 and focuses on risk analysis and safety management systems (SMS). The existing OSO format will be maintained with Polaris leading monthly safety calls and distribution materials, as well as augmenting it with new resources from its in-house VOCUS SMS program.

“We have worked with Polaris Aero for years and have found their team and dedication to industry safety in alignment with ours," said FBO Partners president Douglas Wilson. “Likewise Polaris’ Vocus SMS program integrates well with OSO and is a natural next step for many OSO subscribers seeking to grow their safety program.”

Aviation insurer Global Aerospace has added FlightSafety International (FSI) and GE Digital as partners to its SM4 Aviation Safety Program. FSI will leverage GE Digital’s corporate flight operations quality assurance (C-FOQA) data to help Global Aerospace business aviation policyholders “capitalize on aggregated industry insights gained from data sharing, enabling them to develop valuable scenario-based training,” the insurer said.

According to FSI executive v-p of operations and safety Richard Meikle, “Global’s elite flight departments have made a substantial commitment and investment in safety, their focus on data-driven risk reduction enhances safety for the entire industry. The primary mission of FlightSafety is to reduce risk and our investment in a data-driven approach is demonstrated in partnerships with both GE Digital and Global Aerospace.”

Dana DiPietro, the v-p of underwriting manager at Global Aerospace who co-manages the SM4 program, added that this initiative “aligns perfectly with a core principle of the SM4 program: loss prevention. We look forward to working together with FSI and GE Digital to enhance the industry’s utilization of data to avoid potential risks and tailor training programs to reduce safety events.”

The World Fuel-sponsored Air Elite FBO Network has increased its UK footprint with the addition of XLR Executive Jet Centers-Liverpool. For XLR, this marks its second facility to be accepted into the group of upscale FBOs, joining its Birmingham Airport (EGBB) location. The company also operates at Exeter and Bournemouth.

XLR Liverpool offers convenient access to the Liverpool city center, as well as Manchester, with connectivity to sports and cultural venues such as Aintree, Goodison Park, Old Trafford, Manchester Arena, and Etihad Stadium.

The FBO at John Lennon Airport (EGGP) offers a variety of amenities, including private in-house security clearance, passenger lounge with bar, crew lounge, direct ramp access for passenger vehicles, a 27,000-sq-ft heated hangar, and a dedicated pet travel program.

As a certified Gulfstream handler specializing in quick turns, the location offers expedited aircraft services from its team of line service technicians and a fleet of equipment.

“XLR is dedicated to delivering outstanding customer service, offering a safe place to work through our high-quality executive jet centers, and the entire XLR family is delighted we are able to join the Air Elite Network at this location and promote the best FBOs in the world,” said XLR director Chris Beer.” We look forward to an ongoing committed relationship between our two companies and working alongside the best in the business.”

Helsinki-based Coptersafety has received FAA Part 142 approval of its Airbus Helicopters H145 initial, airline transport pilot, and recurrent training programs. Crews can now book to train and test in Coptersafety’s FAA level-D H145 full-flight simulator.

Coptersafety initially received this approval two years ago, making it the first independent international helicopter Part 142 training center in Northern Europe with an approved simulator. Last year, its H145D-2 full-flight simulator became the first to be qualified for level D—and night vision goggle (NVG)—training by the FAA outside the U.S. The company is already an FAA, EASA, GACA, CAAT, and UK-approved training organization.

The simulator is currently equipped with Airbus Helionix Step 2 avionics and has features such as cockpit vibration, smoke generation, 3D clouds, night, and NVIS/NVG visual scenes. Customized visual environments in known geographic locations and landing sites can be fashioned by the company’s in-house visual model team based on customer requests.

“Coptersafety has been providing H145 training since 2017 in our level-D flight simulators and training center. We are continuing to expand our FAA-approved training programs to include H145 training offerings,” said Matt Presnal, chief theoretical knowledge instructor.