Cerulean Aviation, the airport-operated FBO at South Carolina’s Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (KGSP), has completed a $15 million terminal renovation and expansion. The project, which began in April 2024, saw the building nearly triple in size to 12,700 sq ft, with an upgraded interior and exterior, expanded lobby and customer service areas, new restrooms, and airlocks at the land and airside entrances to enhance climate control in the building.

Amenities include a refreshment bar, private lounge areas, conference rooms, and a pilot lounge with snooze rooms and shower facilities. Outside, a vehicle canopy was added to the main entry, and the auto parking layout was redesigned to improve traffic flow and support future development.

“We launched Cerulean Aviation in 2016 with the goal of providing personalized, world-class ground support and fueling services for both general and corporate aviation customers,” said Dave Edwards, president and CEO of the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District. “This renovation is part of our commitment to delivering the highest level of service to all who pass through our FBO.” He added that the expansion will not only improve the experience for current customers but also position the facility to meet future demand.

With $12.5 billion in additional funds approved for air traffic control modernization and controller staffing, lawmakers and stakeholders attending an Air Traffic Control Modernization Summit yesterday in Washington, D.C., agreed that this is just a down payment of what is necessary. But NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, speaking during the summit, noted that “this is our opportunity” to accomplish what has faltered in the past, given the unique alignment of government, stakeholders, and the general public.

Stakeholders attending the day-long event hosted by the American Association of Airport Executives cited a need closer to $30 billion to achieve the required upgrades. Recognizing this, U.S. transportation, housing, and urban development subcommittee chairman Steve Womack (R-Arkansas) said lawmakers are planning upwards of a $6 billion additional bump to the $12.5 billion through the transportation, housing, and urban development bill that the full Appropriations Committee will consider tomorrow.

“The goal is to build a brand-new air traffic control system—not piecemealing, which is what we have been living through…It’s not enough money to accomplish the goal,” Womack said.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reiterated his calls for stakeholders to coalesce on moving forward, stating this renewed effort cannot be “NextGen 2.0.” Airlines for America president and CEO Nicholas Calio agreed, saying the community needs to maintain the urgency and money.

Pula Aviation Services (PAS), based on Guernsey in the Channel Islands, has acquired UK-based aircraft repair provider Jet Maintenance International (JMI).

Established in 2018, JMI provides base maintenance, line support, and AOG services to aircraft throughout the UK and Europe, specializing in engine and airframe maintenance, structural repairs, avionics upgrades, interior modifications, and aircraft paint support. It operates from an 18,000-sq-ft hangar at London Oxford Airport (EGTK) and also has a line station at London Biggin Hill Airport (EGKB).

JMI founder Ed Griffith will remain with the company as managing director of the new PAS subsidiary. PAS’s other businesses include ASG and Centerline, which operate FBOs and provide maintenance at Guernsey (EGJB)  and Bristol (EGGD) airports, respectively; parts supply firm Airpart; and Pula Aircraft Sales.

“This acquisition aligns with our group strategy to expand core capabilities across the aviation support services,” said PAS group CEO Steve Page. “JMI complements our existing aircraft maintenance offering at ASG, our parts supply business Airpart, and our special missions aircraft operations. It broadens our maintenance approvals, particularly across the Textron jet series and Dassault Falcons, unlocking further opportunities for growth across the group.”

An FAA-funded nationwide study led by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) has found that small uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) are frequently flying above the 400-foot ceiling established for drones, raising concerns about potential mid-air conflicts with crewed aircraft. The report used Remote ID signals collected from sensors across the U.S. to analyze flight activity at 43 airports and heliports.

Because the study did not distinguish between authorized flights and violations, some high-altitude flights may have occurred under FAA waivers or certificates. However, researchers noted that flights above 500 feet were likely recreational based on the types of drones identified.

Researchers documented 6,037 drone flights with altitude data, of which 573 reached between 400 and 500 feet and 781 exceeded 500 feet. Factoring in duration, drones were found to be flying in airspace used by crewed aircraft for roughly 10% of the cumulative flight time observed.

“Study data suggests that a sizable number of small UAS flights take place above that altitude, which could impact the operation of manned aircraft,” said Ryan Wallace, associate professor of aeronautical science at ERAU and principal investigator on the project.

The study also noted heightened risk near airports, particularly heliports. Small UAS were detected within about 3,000 feet of heliports, which are often omitted from aeronautical charts and obscured, “often hidden within urban sprawl,” Wallace noted.

Semi-autonomous software systems can help with manual tasks and cognitive calculations, freeing pilots to focus on critical thinking and decision-making. Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has been developing and testing those systems.

Metrojet Engineering Clark (MEC) has received a maintenance approval certificate from Guernsey’s Director of Civil Aviation (DCA). The company—a business aviation MRO services provider in the Asia-Pacific region—operates a 76,000-sq-ft repair station at Clark International Airport (RPLC) within the Clark Freeport Zone in the Philippines.

It also carries repair authorizations from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the FAA, as well as from those authorities in the Cayman Islands, Qatar, the Isle of Man, San Marino, South Korea, and Indonesia. According to MEC, this latest approval affirms its technical capabilities and reinforces its dedication to delivering dependable and high-quality services to its customers.

“This achievement reflects the hard work and professionalism of our team and serves as a reminder of our ongoing responsibility to uphold the highest standards of safety, transparency, and service excellence,” said MEC general manager Rudgen Guzman. “We sincerely appreciate the Bailiwick of Guernsey DCA for the guidance and support throughout the certification process.”

Flightpath Aviation, the recently-launched sister of Canadian aircraft operator Flightpath Charter Airways, will serve as the exclusive tenant of a hangar under construction at the Atlantic Aviation FBO complex at Florida’s Boca Raton Airport (KBCT).

The 30,000-sq-ft structure—being built by Atlantic and expected to be completed in October—will feature a 195-foot-wide, 28-foot-high door that will allow it to accommodate the latest ultra-long-range business jets. With 8,000 sq ft of office space on two floors, the hangar will also serve as Flightpath’s U.S. headquarters. Capable of sheltering up to seven large aircraft, the hangar will be located steps away from KBCT’s customs facility and the Atlantic terminal.

“This new hangar represents an important step in our efforts to better serve clients in the U.S.,” said David Shaver, Flightpath Aviation’s managing director. “South Florida continues to be an important region for private aviation, and this facility allows us to support our clients with added convenience and reliable service.”

As the company looks to build up the fleet on its U.S. certificate, Shaver told AIN that many of the owners of its 23 Canada-based aircraft also have residences in Florida. Flightpath provides advisory services on which jurisdiction and registry would best suit their activities.

Aviation maintenance organization support provider Pilot John International (PJI) has expanded its OEM-certified mobile ground service equipment (GSE) service throughout the U.S. The move will help customers reduce equipment downtime and improve efficiency.

Eliminating the need to transport GSE offsite for inspections or repairs, PJI’s mobile teams bring factory-trained service technicians to a customer’s location. They arrive equipped to perform a complete slate of tasks, ranging from routine maintenance and annual inspections to diagnostics of equipment. These teams can service ground power units, lavatory and water carts, aircraft tugs, towbars, and axle jacks, all in accordance with manufacturer specifications and industry standards.

Since the launch of its mobile GSE teams, PJI has noted a steady increase in demand for customers requesting diagnosis of broken equipment or those seeking to service large amounts of equipment at a time. The company can also provide onsite equipment training.

“Ensuring our customers have convenient, expert service where they need it most is our top priority,” said company president John Werner. “With our mobile service now available across the country, FBOs, MROs, and corporate flight departments can count on PJI for responsive, high-quality maintenance and repairs that keep their operations moving.”