Jet Aviation held the grand opening yesterday at its newest FBO: a 27-acre complex at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (KOPF). The General Dynamics subsidiary began operations from a temporary facility at the location in November, making it the fifth service provider at KOPF.

Built to LEED environmental standards—with features such as solar panels, LED lighting, and low-flow water features—the FBO features an airy 8,500-sq-ft terminal with an open layout and floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructead views of the ramp and runway. Amenities include passenger and pilot lounges, office space, and a conference room.

The adjoining 40,000-sq-ft hangar has 30-foot-high doors to handle the latest ultra-long-range business jets, and the 12.4-acre ramp offers two taxiway connectors and customer vehicle access via a private gate. On-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection is scheduled to open later this year.

Jet Aviation has had a presence in South Florida since 1985, when it opened its FBO in Palm Beach. “As our 12th FBO in the US, and one of the top five busiest business aviation destinations in the region, Miami is an important step in continuing to grow our network and services where our customers want us to be,” added David Best, the chain’s senior v-p and general manager for the Americas.

Every one of us can probably name someone who has influenced the course of our professional journey. I'm fortunate to name several people who've influenced me throughout my career. They’ve challenged my thinking, opened doors, and encouraged me to stretch.

I’ve always believed we have a responsibility to develop our own teams and invest in professionals outside our organizations. That’s one of the reasons I’ve come to value the NBAA Mentoring Network. It provides a framework for building meaningful mentoring relationships with professionals you might never have met otherwise.

One of the people I’ve most enjoyed mentoring is Andre Watson, a leader in aviation maintenance. When Andre and I connected through the NBAA Mentoring Network, he had already worked with mentors in maintenance, scheduling, and leadership.

For his next mentorship, he was looking for someone outside his own discipline who could challenge his thinking and broaden his perspective. As Andre’s mentor, I wasn't there to chart his career. My role was to ask questions, listen, and help him build the confidence to pursue opportunities he might not have considered.

High Flying Hangars has signed a letter of intent with airport management at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for a nearly nine-acre complex on the northeast end of the field. This marks the second proposed development there in less than a week after Volare Hangars revealed plans for an 80-acre hangar complex at KOSH on Monday.

According to High Flying Hangars, the project includes up to 35 premium aircraft hangars ranging from 50 feet by 40 feet to 80 feet by 80 feet. The latter would provide approximately 6,400 sq ft of hangar space, with a second level featuring crew rest suites, meeting space, kitchen, entertainment areas, and a rooftop sky deck.

An exclusive 7,000-sq-ft clubhouse designed for hangar owners—offering a gathering space for pilots, owners, and guests—will round out the project.

“We've been attending EAA AirVenture [at KOSH] for years, and the opportunity to now build a permanent part of Wittman Regional Airport is incredibly meaningful for our team,” said company CEO Kenny Hinkes. “Our goal is to create a hangar community that reflects the prestige of this airport while giving owners a first-class place to base their aircraft and enjoy the camaraderie that makes Oshkosh so special."

The G600 TXi integrates flight displays, navigation data, and system information into a cohesive Garmin interface, while the GFC 600 provides smooth, precise autopilot control. Together, they create a unified cockpit environment that supports efficient workflows and consistent pilot operation in CJ1 and CJ2 missions. View the complete guide to Garmin G600 TXi and GFC 600.

AeroAngel, a charity providing private jet flights for seriously ill children needing access to distant medical care, established its headquarters at Denver Centennial Airport (KAPA) this week. Last year, the organization provided more than $2.7 million in donated flights to families whose children required medical care far from home. 

The organization’s connection to Centennial dates to 2010, when it flew its first mission from the airport. The nonprofit provides flights for children who cannot safely travel commercially but do not require an air ambulance. These are flown by professional pilots and supplemented by an emergency flight fund for long-distance trips when donated flights are unavailable. 

“We’ve considered Centennial Airport our home base for many years and are excited to have a more permanent presence,” said AeroAngel executive director and founder Mark Pestal. “Centennial Airport hosts a great business aviation community that has been very supportive of our mission over the years.”

Mark Carmen, CEO of Modern Aviation, which owns the office building and supports AeroAngel flights across its 19 FBO locations nationwide, said, “AeroAngel’s mission embodies the best of business aviation—using aircraft, expertise, and generosity to help families access critical medical care when they need it most.”

AeroAngel’s annual Light Up the Sky Gala is scheduled for September 19 at Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight at Centennial Airport. 

The Tracy Forrest Foundation, an aviation career development organization, pledged $1 million toward the development of EAA Discovery Park. According to the Foundation, the new park will act as the “next evolution of youth aviation” at the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The area will bring together KidVenture and other youth programs in a more accessible area on the main airshow grounds at Oshkosh Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH).

“The Tracy Forrest Foundation is helping take Discovery Park from a vision to a reality,” said EAA Aviation Foundation v-p Margaret Brill. “Sharing ‘the spirit of aviation’ is at the core of EAA and AirVenture purpose and beginning next year, sharing that spirit with youth on the AirVenture grounds will be more dynamic and effective than ever.”

The foundation’s namesake, Tracy Forrest, spent much of his career supporting young aviators. Forrest once served on the President’s Council for both EAA and the AOPA. Additionally, he served on NBAA’s Leadership Council and was a founding director at both the TBM Owners and Pilots Association and Citation Jet Pilots and Owner Association.

EAA Discovery Park is set to open during AirVenture 2027 and will include new TeenVenture programming, hands-on STEM activities, youth forums, and aviation-themed play experiences, according to EAA.