Organizers of the annual Aero show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, say they are targeting an increased business aviation presence at next year’s event to be held in mid-April. On Wednesday, Fairnamic reported that the April 2026 show increased its visitor total to 37,000 with more than 400 exhibitors and around 50 business aircraft in a dedicated static display.

According to German events group Fairnamic, Aero is now Europe’s largest trade show for business aviation. The event may have drawn increased interest and support from the sector following the cancellation of the 2026 EBACE show, which was to have been held in Geneva during the first week of June. Organizer EBAA has not yet said whether it intends to relaunch that show in 2027.

In addition to the statement issued by Fairnamic this week, aircraft orders worth an estimated $500 million were confirmed at Aero 2026. These included a contract signed by Hamburg-based Platoon Aviation for 16 Cessna Citation Longitude jets.

The 2027 show will once again feature space dedicated to business aviation exhibitors in Messe Friedrichshafen’s Hall A1 and the Dome structure adjoining the static display area. These areas will be expanded for the business aviation portion of the show, which will run from Wednesday, April 14, to lunchtime on Friday, April 16, with a public day to follow on April 17.

The crew of a U.S. Air Force Gulfstream V operating under the call sign SAM741 (Special Air Mission 741) reported seeing a person in a “wingsuit” as the aircraft passed through 4,000 feet on a flight into Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) earlier this week, according to the LiveATC recordings.

While no other sightings were known to follow, the report hearkened back to various reports of a person apparently seen wearing a “jetpack” flying through various altitudes that circulated earlier in the decade. Video captured at least one of these incidents. Investigations yielded no information, and the reports ceased.

However, on Sunday, SAM741 reported a similar event while on a trip to KLAX from Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. This flight followed one that began at Joint Base Andrews, according to FlightAware.

The pilot on the GV reported to air traffic control “a potential skydiver around 4,000 feet.” The controller responded with seeming surprise: “What was that?” And the pilot elaborated, “We just had somebody cross above us around 4,000 feet in a wingsuit.” This elicited an “are you serious?” response, but the pilot affirmed.

The controller then notified other incoming aircraft that could be near the flight path of the potential, including those from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) developer Twelve has officially inaugurated its AirPlant One commercial SAF production facility in Moses Lake, Washington. Developed over the past three years in partnership with major investors including Alaska Airlines and Microsoft, it is the first commercial refinery in the U.S. to produce second-generation “eSAF,” using a feedstock of atmospheric carbon and electricity via the power-to-liquid pathway.

Twelve’s process captures CO2 from the air, combines it with water and renewable electricity, and converts that into hydrocarbon fuel molecules to produce SAF that meets ASTM International certification standards for jet fuel. Like all certified SAF, it requires no modifications to aircraft, engines, or existing airport infrastructure and can be freely mixed with conventional jet-A.

According to the company, the opening of the Washington plant—with its capacity of 50,000 gallons of SAF a year—demonstrates that American manufacturing can produce fuel by using abundant, onshore feedstocks, with no upstream extraction required. Its cost is anchored to long-term power contracts rather than commodity markets or OPEC decisions. And with supply and infrastructure to uplift SAF at Pacific Northwest airports constrained, the facility directly addresses that gap, producing fuel domestically for flights and reducing dependence on foreign fuel sources and the supply-chain disruptions that come with them.

The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) has recognized 16 aircraft sales professionals with the Certified Aircraft Broker designation so far this year. Additions to the IADA Certified Aircraft Broker list include 11 from North America, two from Latin America, and three from Europe.

These certified brokers bring the total number recognized under the IADA program to 233. To become an IADA Certified Aircraft Broker, sales professionals must demonstrate multifaceted expertise and ethical standards.

“Every aircraft transaction represents a significant financial decision, and buyers and sellers deserve to know they are working with professionals who have demonstrated both expertise and integrity,” said IADA executive director Lou Seno. “The IADA Certified Aircraft Broker designation gives clients confidence that their advisor has met rigorous industry standards and is committed to ongoing professional development. Combined with our Accredited Dealer program, certification creates a level of accountability and transparency that is unique in business aviation and helps ensure transactions are conducted with the highest degree of professionalism.”

IADA created the program to establish consistent standards among aircraft brokers and strengthen public confidence in the profession. To obtain the recognition, the broker must receive independent verification of knowledge, skills, and professional judgment through a structured examination process and ongoing professional development requirements. Only professionals employed by an IADA Accredited Dealer or approved OEM are eligible for the process.

Equivu Capital has made a majority investment in business aviation aircraft detailing and appearance service provider Leading Edge Aviation Services. Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Equivu Capital specializes in “acquiring and growing companies with strong operational histories and long-term potential.” Other Equivu aviation companies include NextGen Deicing, NextGen Ground Handling Services, and Volant Logistical Solutions.

With the investment in Leading Edge Aviation, Equivu said it plans to expand into new markets and preserve the company’s culture and service standards. “Our goal is simple: take what already makes this company exceptional—its people and its customer-first culture—and scale it the right way,” said Equivu Capital CEO Salvatore Calvino.

Leading Edge Aviation, based in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, was founded 38 years ago. Interior and exterior detailing and appearance services are available at FBOs and customer hangars. “Unlike franchise operations or large consolidators, we are led by experienced aviation professionals who remain directly involved in the work and accountable for every result,” according to the company.

“Our people have always been the difference,” said Leading Edge Aviation CEO Steve Palauskas. “With Equivu Capital’s support, we will grow thoughtfully and continue delivering the level of service our customers expect—every aircraft, every time.”

The FAA is reminding operators of Part 25 transport-category aircraft that speeds greater than 250 knots indicated airspeed (kias) below 10,000 feet msl are prohibited unless the aircraft design dictates a higher minimum safe airspeed. In a newly released Information for Operators (InFO 26010), the agency noted that if the minimum safe airspeed is more than 250 kias, then the aircraft can be operated at the minimum safe airspeed.

The InFO comes with the introduction of some transport-category airplanes that require speeds in excess of 250 kias below 10,000 feet when operating with a “clean wing” configuration. The introduction of these aircraft has caused confusion about how to comply with the speed-limit regulations.

Aircraft in that configuration must still comply with the federal regulations unless they have higher minimum safe airspeeds. In those cases, the FAA said, operators should file “H” (heavy) on the flight plan to inform controllers that higher speeds may be necessary on departure. The FAA also provided an example of how such operators should notify air traffic control: “SoCal Departure, Call Sign 136 Heavy, minimum safe (climb) speed is 270 knots.”

However, the FAA warned that speed restrictions must be followed during obstacle departure procedures or standard instrument departures and advised pilots to request a different departure if necessary.

Ticket sales for the 2026 Air Charter Expo (ACE) at London Biggin Hill Airport went on sale this week. The September 8 event is jointly run by the airport with The Air Charter Association (ACA) and Business Air News.

The organizers said on Monday that they expect this year’s show to build on growth achieved in recent years. More than 2,000 business aviation professionals attended the 2025 event, which also attracted more than 100 exhibiting companies and around 20 aircraft.

The 2026 show’s static display—extending from one of Biggin Hill’s hangars to an adjoining ramp area—will feature the following jets and helicopters, mainly displayed by charter operators: Dassault Falcon 6X; Gulfstream G700 (Qatar Executive); Bombardier Challenger 604 (Luxaviation); Bombardier Learjet 45 (247 Aviation); Embraer ERJ-135 (Air Charters Europe); Airbus H145 (Capital Air Services); and AgustaWestland AW139 (Castle Air).

The show site will feature a new hospitality pavilion and a reformatted conference zone. Sponsors include Dassault Falcon, Qatar Executive, APOGEE, FCG OPS, Drivania Chauffeurs, Close Brothers, and XLR Executive Jet Centres.

“ACE has continued to grow from strength to strength over the years, setting new records for both attendees and exhibitors, and establishing itself as the must-attend event in the air charter industry calendar,” said ACA chairman Kevin Ducksbury.