With Super Bowl LIX just weeks away, NBAA’s Air Traffic Services has issued advice for aircraft operators looking to head to New Orleans for the February 9 championship game.

The Super Bowl traditionally represents one of the major gatherings of private aviation, with airports in the host city inundated by aircraft. Due to the high volume anticipated, a reservation program for all nonscheduled general aviation operations has been established and will be required for all arrivals and departures at airports in metropolitan New Orleans. This will be in effect from Thursday, February 6 through Monday, February 10.

FBOs at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (KMSY), Lakefront (KNEW), Slidell (KASD), Hammond Northshore Regional (KHDC), and Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional (KAPS) airports are now accepting reservations, with each allocated slot times as determined by FAA arrival departure rates. According to NBAA’s traffic desk, drop-and-go reservations may be the only option available at some of the city’s airports once long-term/overnight parking is at capacity. That will entail operators obtaining reservations for both the drop-off and pick-up legs.

Further afield, airports such as Baton Rouge Metropolitan Ryan Field (KBTR), Lafayette Regional Paul Fournet Field (KLFT), Stennis International (KHSA), and Houma-Terrebonne (KHUM) will not be subject to the reservation program, but operators should still contact FBO providers there ahead of time to confirm parking availability.

Israel’s new Electronic Travel Authorization System (ETA-IL)—one of the most substantive changes in the country’s entry policies—went into effect at the beginning of the year. The new policy affects travelers from all visa-exempt countries, including the U.S. and UK, and it requires them to obtain authorization at least 72 hours before their intended travel date.

Amnon Shmueli, the head of Israel’s Border Control, noted that it is the responsibility of the aircraft operator to check that all passengers have received an ETA-IL form and have obtained their travel permit. Shmueli added that passengers who do not receive ETA-IL approval before their trip may be refused entry into the country.

Those exempt from the ETA-IL process include Israeli citizens, individuals with an Israeli identity number, or current visa holders. According to Universal Weather and Aviation, “the regulatory changes reflect Israel’s ongoing commitment to enhancing both security and efficiency in its air travel systems.”

The company also posted the updated list of airports approved for non-Israeli flights requesting to land in Israel or overfly the Israeli FIR. Those approved for general aviation flights only include Marka International Airport (OJAM) in Jordan, Al Bateen Executive (OMAD) and Dubai Al Maktoum (OMDW) airports in the UAE, and Farnborough Airport (EGLF) in the UK.

The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) selected Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) to chair its aviation subcommittee. In that role, Nehls succeeds former Rep. Garret Graves (R-Louisiana), who retired at the end of his congressional term last year.

A former law enforcement officer, Nehls has served in Congress since 2021. During that time, he has become involved in aviation issues, including introducing the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act to raise the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots to 67.

In the upcoming session, Nehls will steer new aviation policy and oversee the implementation of the many measures of the FAA reauthorization bill that was passed last year.

“As chairman, I will ensure the FAA implements the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 effectively and efficiently and dig deeper into aviation issues. At such a critical time for our nation’s aviation industry, I look forward to working with [T&I] Chairman [Sam] Graves and my colleagues to advance policies that promote safety and improve efficiency within America’s aviation industry,” Nehls said.

Graves (R-Missouri) called Nehls “a proven leader on many of the issues before our committee” and reiterated plans to work together to ensure the bill is implemented as Congress intended.

An Eclipse 500 very light jet is now flying with an upgraded air data computer (ADC) developed by Resurgent Aviation Solutions and using Avilution’s eXtensible Flight System (XFS) software. This is the first FAA-approved use of XFS, according to Avilution, and offers “an efficient solution for upgrading older aircraft like the Eclipse 500 to meet modern standards.”

Integration of hardware components into the ADC upgrade was done by Skytron Avionics, and this work will help keep Eclipse 500s flying with a modern ADC solution. “A big advantage of this outcome was that nothing changed with the pilots’ interface to the avionics,” said Avilution founder Mark Spencer. “This integration is completely invisible to the flight crew, avoiding the need for additional flight training or procedure changes.”

Based at Huntsville International Airport (KHSV) in Alabama, Avilution develops avionics software that can run on a variety of hardware, eliminating the dependency on proprietary software and hardware that is typical in the avionics industry.

“We are approaching avionics as the software product it has become and trying to address that in a way that takes advantage of the technological advances in the rest of the computer world,” Spencer explained. “It doesn’t make sense to carry around a separate flashlight, camera, and text messaging device when all those functions are just software on a highly portable smartphone.”

Czech-based PBS Velka Bites recently produced its 1,500th Safir SK/G MI auxiliary power unit (APU) that provides an independent power source for helicopters and airplanes. Offering both electrical and pneumatic power, the APU is designed to aid engine starting and onboard operations, including air conditioning.

The Safir SK/G MI is capable of continuous operation for up to six hours at altitudes of up to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet). It is equipped with an advanced diagnostic system featuring an RS-422 interface to monitor key parameters, including exhaust gas temperature and fluid status.

PBS Velka Bites manufactures four separate APU models, of which the SK/G MI is most in demand. The Safir SK/G MI also offers a simultaneous supply of compressed air and electrical power and can supply DC voltage. Meanwhile, the Safir SK/G Z8 and SPARK 40 offer similar features, with the latter increasing the flight envelope to 8,000 meters (26,247 feet).

Founded in 1950 in Velká Bíteš, Czech Republic, the company is a member of PBS Group, which originated from PBS Brno, established in 1814. Initially producing mining tools, PBS VB entered the aerospace sector in 1970, developing an APU for the Aero L-39 Albatros. In 2004, it expanded into propulsion units, including turbojet, turboshaft, and turboprop engines for aircraft.

Dassault subsidiary ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East has received EASA approval to perform line and base maintenance on the Bombardier Global 7500. The facility, based at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW), provides maintenance services on Dassault, Bombardier, Embraer, Gulfstream, Hawker, and other brands.

According to ExecuJet MRO Services, adding the Global 7500 is in response to the “rapidly expanding fleet in the region.” At OMDW, ExecuJet MRO Services operates from a 165,000-sq-ft (15,344-sq-m) air-conditioned facility that is also equipped with workshops for nondestructive testing, sheet metal and composites repairs, painting touch-ups, and other capabilities. 

“We are excited to extend our support to the Bombardier Global 7500 with EASA certification for our OMDW facility,” said Nick Weber, ExecuJet MRO Services regional v-p for the Middle East. “With years of experience maintaining the [Bombardier] Challenger and Global series, our team is committed to delivering the highest standards of quality, safety, and craftsmanship. We understand the importance of aircraft availability and on-time departures for our customers. We continue to focus on improving aircraft reliability and operational efficiency.”

Airbus has delivered a pair of H225M helicopters to the French Armament General Directorate (DGA). The twins are the first of eight aircraft ordered in 2021, the manufacturer confirmed on Friday.

According to the DGA, the H225Ms will be operated by France’s Air and Space Force, replacing Puma aircraft currently deployed in overseas territories including French Guiana, Djibouti, and New Caledonia. The service is harmonizing its fleet and the new helicopters will be used for missions such as search-and-rescue and utility flights.

The H225Ms, known as the Caracal in France, are equipped with Safran’s Euroflir 410 electro-optical system and the Sigma inertial navigation system. Other new equipment in the aircraft includes the Thales VUHF TRA6034 radio and the TSC4000 identification friend or foe transponder.

France was the launch customer for the H225M, and there are now more than 350 aircraft, including the civil H225, in service worldwide. Other military customers include Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Brazil, and Hungary.

“They have proven on multiple occasions the benefit of this rotorcraft for combat, search-and-rescue, disaster management, and medical evacuation missions,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even. “The French Air and Space Force will benefit from all the innovations that have been implemented on the H225M since the helicopter started operations in 2006 with the French armed forces, further expanding…capability.”

Published by AIN Media Group, FutureFlight is your guide to the cutting-edge technologies and business models that are reshaping aviation. Whether you’re interested in next-generation aircraft designs, advanced propulsion systems, or achieving net-zero carbon emissions, FutureFlight delivers timely, accurate, and insightful coverage straight to your inbox every Thursday. Subscribe today (it's free!).