Embraer finished 2025 in strong fashion with its executive jet division handing over 155 aircraft for the year, its highest tally in 15 years and exceeding the previous year’s total by 25 deliveries. With that total, the Brazil-based OEM reached the high mark of its business jet delivery guidance issued early last year.

“Achieving the high end of our delivery guidance reflects disciplined execution and a relentless focus on profitable performance with strong margins,” Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Michael Amalfitano told AIN.

In the quarter, Embraer delivered 28 Phenom light jets and 25 Praetor midsize/super-midsize jets. While the airframer has instituted measures in an attempt to level off Embraer production throughout the year, the 53 deliveries in the fourth quarter represent a third of its output for the year.

It handed over 86 Phenoms—including 72 Phenom 300s, now the most delivered aircraft in its class for 13 consecutive years—and 69 Praetors last year.

“While the Phenom 300E continued its dominance as the most-delivered light jet, we also saw significant growth in Praetor deliveries, underscoring the strength and versatility of our portfolio,” Amalfitano explained. “This momentum, supported by a book-to-bill ratio around 1:1, positions us for sustainable, profitable growth into 2026.”

Last year was one of the worst on record for business aviation safety, as fatalities soared 53.8% year over year (YOY) to 143, only eclipsed by 156 fatalities in the sector in 2011, according to preliminary data tabulated by AIN. Fatalities from business jet accidents globally climbed 171.4% YOY, from 21 in 2024 to 57 last year, while turboprop fatalities rose 19.4%, from 72 to 86 killed.

The 104 business aircraft accidents—32 involving business jets and 72 turboprops—last year represented a 15.6% increase over 2024. Worse, more accidents were fatal as these mishaps soared 29.6% YOY—involving 13 business jets and 22 turboprops, up from eight and 19, respectively, in the previous year.

However, the number of U.S.-registered business jet fatal accidents dropped from five to four over the comparable years, but the fatality count remained flat at 15. Looking at fatalities involving non-U.S.-registered business jets, the number of lives taken surged from six in three accidents in 2024 to 42 who lost their lives in nine crashes last year.

Fatalities in accidents involving U.S.-registered business turboprops also recorded a significant spike. Last year, 31 people died in 11 crashes versus 17 fatalities in seven accidents in 2024. As for fatal accidents of non-U.S.-registered business turboprops, 55 people were killed in 11 accidents last year compared to the same number of fatalities in 12 accidents in 2024.

Dassault Aviation fell short of its target of delivering 40 Falcon business jets last year, but the 37 deliveries it did achieve marked an improvement on the 2024 total of 31, according to data released today by the company. The French aircraft manufacturer also achieved an increase in Rafale fighters delivered in 2025 at 26 aircraft versus 21 in the previous 12-month period.

Last year, Dassault logged 31 orders for Falcons, which were up from the 26 sold in 2024, taking the backlog for the family to 73 units versus 79 at the end of 2024. The unaudited details released today did not provide a breakdown of specific Falcon models delivered and ordered.

Of the 26 Rafales delivered last year, 15 went to export customers and 11 to the French military—compared with seven and 14, respectively, in 2024. Dassault booked 26 more Rafale export orders last year, taking the total year-end backlog to 220 units (175 for export and 45 for France).

Dassault has increased its financial guidance for year-end 2025 to more than €7 billion (about $8.2 billion). The group will announce its full annual results on March 4.

The NTSB issued seven urgent safety recommendations voicing concern that pilots conducting manufacturer-required post-maintenance stall test flights in certain Hawker business jets may be inadequately trained and unprepared to safely respond to unacceptable stall behavior. The recommendations—directed to the FAA, Textron Aviation, and NBAA—follow recent accidents involving post-maintenance stall testing in Hawkers.

In its notice, the NTSB is concerned that “other flight crews tasked to perform such flights may be similarly unprepared” because of deficiencies in training guidance, pilot qualification criteria, stall test planning, and aircraft documentation. The agency said improved training and experience criteria, along with defined stall test plans, would better prepare crews to safely conduct post-maintenance tests.

Five of the urgent recommendations call on Textron Aviation, the type certificate holder for Hawkers, to define manufacturer-authorized pilot training and experience qualification criteria for stall test pilots. The NTSB also urged the FAA to require Textron to complete those actions and ensure the information is properly incorporated into approved manuals.

A separate recommendation calls on NBAA to inform its members about the recent Hawker stall-test accidents and the need for specialized training and experience beyond that of typical line pilots. NBAA senior v-p for safety, security, sustainability, and international operations Douglas Carr told AIN that he is confident the association can meet the NTSB’s request.

Replacement isn’t always the best answer. See how DAS Aviation restored a Gulfstream V elevator through precision composite repair—avoiding costly replacement.

Helicopter operators in Japan can now replace main-ship batteries with True Blue Power lithium-ion batteries under Airwolf Aerospace supplemental type certificates (STCs) recently approved by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). The STCs cover the TB17 and TB20 batteries and add Japan to the list of regulators that have approved installation in a variety of helicopters, including the FAA, EASA, Brazil’s ANAC, Transport Canada, and UK CAA.

Helicopters covered by the JCAB STCs include the Airbus Helicopters H125/AS350, AS355, EC120, and H130/EC130; Bell 206A/B and 206L/L1/L3/L4; Enstrom 480B; Hiller UH-12E; and MD Helicopters MD 369/500.

True Blue Power lithium-ion batteries are FAA TSO-approved and, depending on the model and the type of battery replaced, are up to 63% lighter. Weighing 16 pounds, the 17-amp-hour TB17 is 45% lighter than lead-acid or nicad alternatives, according to True Blue Power. The 20-amp-hour TB20 weighs 19.5 pounds. Built-in heaters automatically warm the batteries, eliminating the need to carry batteries into warm buildings while the aircraft is parked in cold weather.

The batteries also help with faster and cooler turbine engine starting and recharge within minutes after engine start. The TB17 has a two-year maintenance cycle while the TB20 is maintained on-condition, and both have a service life of eight years.

Pentastar Aviation has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) from the FAA approving installation of the Gogo Galileo HDX satcom system on Gulfstream IV, G450, GV, and G550 series airplanes. The STC covers the GIV and GIV-X, as well as the GV and GV-SP variants. Initial installations were completed on a G450 owned by a private customer and a G550 operated by Hatzolah Air Aviation Rescue.

The Galileo HDX system connects to the Eutelsat OneWeb low-earth-orbit satellite network, providing global broadband connectivity with low latency. Pentastar said the system adds redundancy for operators upgrading from existing Gogo Avance connectivity systems.

“The speed and coverage combined with the integration abilities truly make Galileo an exceptional one-of-a-kind solution,” said Pentastar president and CEO Brad Bruce. He added that the approval expands connectivity options for Gulfstream operators and highlighted Hatzolah’s use of the system to maintain real-time medical data links during its missions.

“Owners of these Gulfstream aircraft can now optimize our advanced technology solution for best-in-class connectivity through these latest STCs,” said Gogo chief commercial officer Michael Skov Christensen, and they will benefit from around-the-clock technical support, training, and cybersecurity services.

The compact HDX antenna is designed for installation across a wide range of business aviation aircraft, from turboprops to large-cabin business jets.

Turboprop performance specialist The Blackhawk Group has acquired Silver Sky Aviation in a transaction the former says “provides a tremendous opportunity to expand [its] support of Alaskan aviation.” The purchase of Silver Sky’s facility in Wasilla, Alaska, will add specialized service capabilities to Blackhawk’s Columbia, South Carolina-headquartered network. Specifically, Silver Sky’s accreditation as an authorized service center for Cessna Caravan and Daher Kodiak turboprops “will accelerate capability expansion,” Blackhawk said.

The Blackhawk Group noted that Alaska has “seen significant growth in turboprop operations” due to their range, speed, payload, and ability to operate in cold-weather environments. Silver Sky is one of the few facilities in Alaska capable of supporting a demand that Blackhawk CEO Chad Cundiff recognizes as “a lifeline for operators in the region.”

Building on Silver Sky’s decade of experience, the newly rebranded Blackhawk Performance Center will continue to provide vital maintenance and performance upgrade capabilities. This includes supporting Beechcraft King Airs and Pilatus PC-12s, as well as Blackhawk and Finnoff performance conversions.

“Joining the Blackhawk Group allows us to expand our capabilities, strengthen partnerships with local operators, and create new opportunities and benefits for our team,” concluded Silver Sky founder Aaron McCarty.