The African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA) has launched a multi-phase research initiative intended to build the most comprehensive data-driven assessment of the continent’s business aviation sector. The first phase of the project is already underway, AfBAA announced today.

Independent consultancy Seefeld Group is conducting the research for the industry group. The company specializes in behavioral economics and strategic marketing research.

AfBAA said the effort is designed to assemble a unified dataset that the organization will use to deepen its understanding of business aviation in Africa, deliver information to its members, and recruit new members. Initial findings will be presented at the Aviation Africa event in Nairobi, Kenya, on September 9 and 10.

According to the association, the first phase of the project takes an iterative, data-first technical approach encompassing fleet, economic, and maintenance analyses, along with a review of how the industry is portrayed in media. The research covers nonscheduled aviation activity—including business jets, turboprops, and helicopters—as well as UAVs, mirroring the breadth of AfBAA’s membership.

“This type of research is long overdue for our members and those seeking to operate effectively in Africa. We anticipate that the data will provide foundations for smarter investment, create platforms from which to increase advocacy, enhance safety, and enable more resilient operations and business longevity,” said AfBAA chairperson Dawit Lemma.

Optimism is increasing among business jet brokers as available aircraft inventories tighten up, according to analyst Jefferies. Releasing results of its 21st semi-annual business jet survey, which drew responses from 80 brokers globally, Jefferies said its sentiment index edged up to 7.2 on a 10-point scale. This is up from 7.0 in January but is shy of the 8.7 mark in January 2022 during an overheated market.

In the survey, 27% of brokers cited shrinking available business jet inventories as a signal of robust demand. In June, 1,029 aircraft were available for sale, representing 4% of the total fleet. This is below the 4.4% one-year average and down 11% year over year.

Further, 25% pointed to long lead times for new jets as bolstering the used market. Jefferies is forecasting that new aircraft deliveries will be up by 2% this year on the strength of the newer jet introductions. The survey also revealed that 57% believe the return of bonus depreciation is a primary driver.

However, there is some concern of an economic slowdown at key end markets (44% pointed to this), and another 26% cited Middle East unrest as a risk. Meanwhile, brokers expect high-net-worth individuals to lead the market in 2026.

Gulfstream claimed the top spot as the most in-demand OEM (64% selecting), followed by Bombardier, Embraer, and Textron Aviation.

Utility aircraft operator Avincis has ordered up to 30 helicopters to support existing customers and long-term growth, including up to 15 from Airbus Helicopters and 15 from Leonardo. Plans call for deploying the new helicopters for search and rescue, helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), and offshore energy support. Deliveries of these helicopters are expected from 2028 to 2031.

The order from Leonardo includes 10 AW169 light intermediate and five AW139 intermediate twins. Avincis plans to send three AW169s to Sweden for HEMS operations to fulfill a 10-year contract covering the Uppsala and Västra Götalandsregionen regions. One AW169 will be located in each region, and the third will serve as a shared backup helicopter.

Airbus Helicopters will provide up to 15 H145 medium-twin helicopters to Avincis, which plans to operate them in the Nordics, Italy, and Spain.

Avincis’ fleet includes 170 helicopters and 40 airplanes, with 60 Airbus and nearly 70 Leonardo helicopters.

“This significant order represents the confidence we have in the potential of the emergency aerial services market and will support our pipeline of growth going forward,” said Avincis group CEO John Boag. “We have listened to our customers, and we believe this combination of Airbus and Leonardo aircraft will meet their future requirements. Our new contract with the regions of Uppsala and Västra Götalandsregionen demonstrates that our strategy is already working.”

NASA’s X-59 reached its mission performance of flying at 55,000 feet and at Mach 1.4 on Friday as the aircraft took a step toward its planned low-boom supersonic demonstration flights over communities. The envelope expansion came a week after the aircraft broke the sound barrier, flying at Mach 1.1 and reaching an altitude of 43,400 feet on June 5.

As part of the NASA Quesst mission, the X-plane will fly at 55,000 feet/Mach 1.4 over various communities in the U.S. to test public perception of noise surrounding newer supersonic technologies that produce a “quiet thump” versus loud sonic booms from legacy aircraft. Data from these test flights will be used to determine whether it would be feasible to lift the ban on civil supersonic flight over land.

NASA noted that the first supersonic flight verified aircraft performance, but “Friday’s mission conditions flight was an even more critical step.” The agency said the aircraft still has months of performance testing before flights over communities begin.

In upcoming flights, NASA’s F-15 research aircraft will be equipped with a shock-sensing probe to measure the X-59’s shock wave signature. In addition, the team will conduct tests at various altitudes and conditions before the acoustic validation phase. Designed in concert with Lockheed Martin, the X-59 will be able to fly at speeds up to Mach 1.6 and altitudes up to 60,000 feet.

For Citation Sovereign (680) operators looking to improve performance, efficiency, and overall aircraft capability, winglet upgrades offer a proven and impactful solution. West Star Aviation provides expert installation of advanced winglet technology, delivering measurable benefits while ensuring a seamless upgrade experience.

The Lincoln (Nebraska) Airport Authority has kicked off a $100 million reconstruction project on primary Runway 18/36 at Lincoln Airport (KLNK), which—at more than 12,000 feet—is the longest runway in the state.

Originally constructed in the mid-1950s to support the operation of six-engine Boeing B-47 Stratojet bombers at the former Lincoln Air Force Base, the runway’s length allows KLNK to accommodate a wide range of aircraft, including some of the largest military and civilian aircraft operating today.

“At 12,901 feet long, Runway 18/36 is one of the longest runways in the country and one of Nebraska’s most important pieces of transportation infrastructure,” said Rachel Barth, the authority’s director of marketing and air service development. “This investment preserves a nationally significant asset that supports economic development, military readiness, commercial aviation, and emergency response capabilities.”

A collaboration between the Lincoln Airport Authority, Nebraska Air National Guard, FAA, Nebraska Department of Transportation, and numerous community stakeholders, the project is funded through a partnership of federal, state, and local resources. It is slated for completion by the end of 2027.

Floating Fleet AI is expanding the availability of its scheduling, crew assignment, and crew rostering software from private operators to airlines and corporate flight departments. The software is designed to help operators “improve operational efficiency, reduce manual scheduling work, and make better real-time decisions,” according to the White Plains, New York-based company.

With a focus on optimizing complex scheduling scenarios, Floating Fleet AI continuously evaluates aircraft availability, crew constraints, customer demand, maintenance requirements, and operational disruptions. Crew rostering, a new feature in the software, is “designed to balance operational efficiency with crew quality-of-life considerations,” the company said. With Floating Fleet AI’s scheduling and planning solutions, operators can manage costs while improving efficiency and increasing revenue.

“Private aviation has some of the industry’s most complex scheduling environments, which made it the ideal proving ground for our technology,” said Roger Zhan, founder and CEO of Floating Fleet AI. “Our goal is simple: help operators make faster, smarter, and more resilient scheduling decisions.”

The FAA is accepting applications for the fourth round of Aviation Workforce Development Grants for pilots and maintenance technicians through 11:59 p.m. EDT June 22. However, that grant portal is undergoing scheduled maintenance from June 20 to 22, and the agency is advising potential applicants to submit before June 20 to avoid delays or other issues. No deadline extensions will be granted from this outage, the agency added, noting that it will accept only electronic applications.

Originally established through the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, the grants are provided by the FAA to academia and the aviation community “to help prepare a more inclusive talent pool of pilots and aviation maintenance technicians, to inspire and recruit the next generation of aviation professionals.” The agency is authorized to award the grants annually through 2028.

Targeting education and recruitment, the pilot and maintenance technician workforce grants are limited to $1 million per year per entity. Eligible projects must involve a program or curriculum that provides high school, secondary school, or higher education institution students with meaningful aviation programming. In addition, the projects could involve apprenticeships, internships, scholarships, flight instruction curriculum, military transitions, or outreach to underrepresented populations.

Electric aircraft developer Vaeridion inked letters of intent (LOI) for more than 100 of its nine-passenger Microliners with six prospective European operators. Reporting the deals at the ILA airshow in Berlin on Wednesday, the German start-up also announced a partnership with drone manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which will use Vaeridion’s battery technology.

The new sales commitments have been made by a mix of passenger and cargo operators, a leasing group, and a flight training provider. These include private charter operator ABS Jets, German regional airline Avanti Air, Copenhagen Helicopter, E-Flight Academy, and two other undisclosed customers. The LOIs add to the 10 aircraft provisionally ordered by Belgium-based business aviation service provider ASL Group last June.

Last week, Vaeridion announced additions to its market advisory committee. These include ABS Jets, Aer Arann Islands, Avanti Air, BayernLB, BRUS, E-Flight Academy, Green Flyway, IDRF, NRG2fly, and Power Up.

According to Munich-based Vaeridion, it has now completed the preliminary design review for the Microliner. It is aiming to achieve type certification in time for the aircraft to enter commercial service in 2030 on sectors of up to 300 nm. The company is planning to start test flights with a prototype by mid-2028.

AIN’s 2027 FBO survey is open! The deadline to vote in the 2027 survey (results to be announced at our 3rd annual FBO Awards Dinner & Gala and published in March) is December 6. It's earlier this year than usual. The survey takes only a minute, and you can do it while waiting for passengers, on the shuttle bus to/from the hotel, or at any other time that is convenient for you. Participants will be entered to win a $250 Amazon gift card (winner must reside in the U.S.). Log in to rate your experiences at the FBOs you visit.