Premier Private Jets has expanded its aviation services at Ohio’s James M. Cox Dayton International Airport (KDAY) with the acquisiton of the Aviation Sales Incorporated (ASI) FBO. Early last year, Premier purchased the Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems MRO and FBO at KDAY, which was slated for closure, preserving the jobs of the trained staff and turning the business around. That complex occupies 8.5 acres on the field, and the ASI leasehold will add another four acres.

At 5,500 sq ft, the ASI terminal is much larger than Premier’s existing FBO, which is attached to the MRO facility and will be repurposed to support the maintenance operation. The ASI terminal includes a large passenger lobby, conference room, pilot lounge, and flight-planning room. As with the earlier Stevens transaction, Premier will retain the FBO’s staff when it assumes operation of the FBO on Monday.

“With more traffic to Premier MRO in Dayton and strong business aviation traffic generally, we are pleased to add new FBO capabilities,” explained Premier CEO Josh Birmingham. “With the acquisition of ASI, we’ll have more capacity and capability for maintenance customers, local operators, and transient traffic.”

In addition to its KDAY facilities, Premier also operates another FBO at Detroit-area Oakland County International Airport (KPTK) and an aircraft charter base/MRO at Witham Field (KSUA) in Stuart, Florida.

Chris Rocheleau, a 22-year FAA veteran who most recently was NBAA’s COO, has returned to the agency as FAA deputy administrator, according to multiple sources. Neither the FAA nor the White House have yet announced the appointment and did not confirm whether Rocheleau would serve as acting FAA administrator, a position that opened with Michael Whitaker's decision to step down after holding the title for a little more than a year. Deputy administrator Katie Thompson left the agency earlier this month.

NBAA has not been available to comment on the appointment at the FAA, but the association no longer lists Rocheleau on its website. Rocheleau joined NBAA in June 2022 to oversee the association’s activities surrounding aircraft and flight department operations, as well as the administrative, financial, and human resources functions.

He had spent the prior nearly 17 years with the FAA in various roles, rising to the position of deputy associate administrator for aviation safety. Rocheleau also has served as FAA deputy assistant administrator for policy, international affairs, and environment, and chief of staff, among others. He joined the FAA in 1996 but left for a nearly four-year stint in 2002 to serve as a senior policy advisor during the early days of the then-nascent Transportation Security Administration. He also spent 10 years in the U.S. Air Force.

Universal Aviation Spain will upgrade its offerings in Madrid with the destination’s first and only general aviation hangar at Madrid–Barajas Airport (LEMD). Construction is expected to begin later this year on the 53,820-sq-ft (5,000-sq-m) project, which will include a 107,640-sq-ft apron. Its late 2026 completion will coincide with the start of the city’s decade-long hosting of Formula One races, which drives demand for aircraft storage space.

Located on LEMD’s Ramp 7, the structure’s large frame design will include four independently opening doors and space to accommodate up to a commercial narrowbody jetliner in addition to the latest ultra-long-range business jets. Open 24/7, it will feature fire suppression to NFPA 409 standard, office space, and dedicated customer storage space.

“We’re creating more than just a hangar; we’re establishing a premium facility that addresses the specific needs of discerning flight departments and aircraft owners who demand the highest standards of service and security,” said Gonzalo Barona Jr., general manager of Universal’s Spain operation. “This facility will offer unmatched benefits to based clients, including enhanced security against environmental activists and protestors, comprehensive weather protection, and congestion avoidance during major events.”

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee yesterday voted unanimously to approve Sean Duffy for the role of transportation secretary, clearing the nomination for consideration on the Senate floor. With a vote of 28-0, the Duffy nomination sailed through the committee during a session that lasted a little more than 10 minutes. The move comes just one week after his nomination hearing.

Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) called Duffy a “consensus-driven leader” who is prepared to meet the challenges with the Department of Transportation at a pivotal moment. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) added, “Duffy received a tough but fair questioning from many members” and noted that he has committed to her that infrastructure funding decisions would be free from political interference under his leadership.

The only other member giving a full statement during Wednesday’s session was Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), who reiterated her earlier praise about his collaboration on a bridge project that linked Minnesota and Wisconsin but required congressional intervention.

Several Commerce Committee members had previously worked with Duffy while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. Most recently, he has co-hosted Fox Business show “The Bottom Line with Dagen and Duffy.”

Bell Textron’s fourth-quarter revenues reached $1.1 billion, up $58 million year over year. This reflected higher military and support program revenues of $67 million, primarily due to higher volume on the FLRAA program, partially offset by lower volume on the V-22 program. For the full year, Bell reported revenues of approximately $4 billion, a 13.7% increase over 2023 that was primarily driven by the continued ramp-up of the FLRAA program. Profits last year were $50 million higher at $370 million.

In the fourth quarter, Bell delivered 78 civil helicopters, down from 91 a year earlier. The mix included thirty 505s, twenty-three 407s, fifteen 429s, and five 412s. On the military side, Bell delivered only two V-22 Ospreys and no H-1s in the quarter. In comparison, for the fourth quarter of 2023, Bell delivered forty 505s, twenty-eight 407s, eighteen 429s, and five 412s, as well as two H-1s and no V-22s.

Civil deliveries for the full year 2024 totaled 172 helicopters, which was essentially flat from 2023. Annual production included ninety 505s, forty-nine 407s, twenty-three 429s, and ten 412s. Military deliveries consisted of 14 V-22s and four H-1s. In 2023, Bell had delivered seventy-seven 505s, fifty-three 407s, thirty 429s, and eleven 412s.

Bell’s fourth-quarter segment profit of $110 million was down $8 million from the prior year period. Its backlog at the end of 2024 stood at $7.5 billion.