FlyExclusive is launching air charter service out of Tamiami Airport (KTMB) in Florida to link its members and guests between South Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean, including destinations that may not have runway availability. Beginning this month, the Luxury Caravan and Amphibious Caravan service will provide passengers with direct access to private beaches, remote islands, and waterfront properties.

The company is using a Cessna Caravan and an amphibious Caravan for the service, with the former launching this month and the latter in mid-July.

“There’s a clear gap in the market—and the time is right to introduce a service our customers have been asking for,” said FlyExclusive founder and CEO Jim Segrave. “With the launch of our new amphibious floatplane and land-based Caravan, we’re expanding our ability to connect travelers to the most sought-after island destinations in the region.”

FlyExclusive anticipates popular destinations for the service will span locations in Florida, such as Key West, Naples, Marco Island, Everglades City, Miami’s Fisher Island, and Ocean Reef Club (Key Largo), as well as Bahamas locations including Nassau, Harbour Island, Exumas, Eleuthera, Bimini, and Abaco. In the Caribbean, FlyExclusive cited Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and several private islands.

Mexico’s Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil (AFAC) has granted MRO approval to StandardAero’s Van Nuys, California (KVNY) facility. StandardAero purchased the former Western Jet Aviation operation at the Southern California airport in 2023.

With the AFAC approval, StandardAero Van Nuys can offer airframe MRO services for aircraft registered in Mexico and line maintenance on their Rolls-Royce Spey and Tay and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306 engines and Honeywell GTCP36-100 and -150 auxiliary power units.

In operation for more than 25 years, the Van Nuys facility specializes in Gulfstream maintenance, including AOG support, major avionics installation and repairs, cabin management/in-flight entertainment system and airborne connectivity installations, and structural repairs.

“This certification is an important milestone for StandardAero KVNY that strengthens our ability to serve our customer base from Mexico, closer to home,” said facility v-p and general manager Katie Higgins.

“Van Nuys joins our Augusta, Georgia, and Houston business jet service centers certified by Mexico’s aviation authority, giving those operators coast-to-coast aircraft support from the U.S.,” said Tony Brancato, president of StandardAero business aviation engine services division. “We continue to invest in our people and facilities to ensure we meet the evolving needs of our customers and the global market.”

Executive Air Services at Danbury Municipal Airport (KDXR) in Connecticut is the newest member of the AEG Connect Network. For the fuel provider, this marks its second location in the Northeast U.S. and its 31st overall since its branded dealer network was launched in 2022.

One of four FBOs on the field, Executive Air Services—which has been in operation for more than half a century—offers a full slate of aircraft ground-handling duties, flight school, aircraft rental, and aerial tours.

Its five-acre facility features a 2,200-sq-ft terminal with refreshment bar, pilot lounge, and business center. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with after-hours callout available, it has 14,000 sq ft of hangar space that can accommodate light jets and turboprops.

As a member of the AEG network, Executive Air will receive access to competitive fuel pricing, international flight support, equipment leasing, and enhanced visibility through AEG’s global platform.

“Partnering with AEG gives us the tools to reach new customers while staying focused on the personal service our clients expect,” said FBO manager Jayson Sherwood.

Broward Aviation Services Group has acquired Support Air, a Miamisburg, Ohio-based provider of aircraft materials, advance exchanges, consignment services, and repair management programs for Boeing and Airbus jets. The purchase complements Broward Aviation’s offerings for Boeing and Airbus freight operators and corporate flight department and VIP operators.

According to Broward Aviation, the two companies’ offerings won’t overlap, and Support Air will continue operating as a standalone company. There will be no changes to Support Air’s leadership team.

“Their experience and dedication to customer service is in alignment with ours,” said Dennis Amaty, co-founder and president of Broward Aviation. “The customer accounts are not in competition with each other, and the fleet types supported by Support Air align with the maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities available at our FAA, EASA, and UK CAA-certified repair shops as well as our current and future aircraft part-out projects and package acquisitions.”

“I’ve known and worked with the founders for many years,” said Kurt Krafka, founder and president of Support Air. “Their portfolio of companies has an excellent reputation, and with their investment and involvement, I could not have asked for better long-term stewards of Support Air.”

In addition to Support Air, Broward Aviation’s companies include Broward Aviation Services, an aircraft part-out specialist; Air Accessories and Avionics; and Part 145 facility Jet Air MRO.

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee today narrowly approved the nomination of Bryan Bedford to serve as FAA administrator, clearing the way for Senate floor consideration. The 15-to-13 vote in the committee came as the nomination has drawn opposition from the Democrat leadership and others, such as famed pilot Sully Sullenberger, over his stance on the 1,500-hour rule.

Bedford, president and CEO of Republic Airways, in past has lobbied for a change in the 1,500-hour threshold for commercial airline pilots. During his confirmation hearing, he was repeatedly pressed about his stance on the rule and asked to commit to not having any involvement with changing it. Bedford responded that his focus is on air traffic control modernization rather than a rule change. He also pledged not to support actions that would compromise training or pilot safety.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) announced on the eve of the vote that she was going to oppose the nomination because Bedford “repeatedly refused to commit to upholding the 1,500-hour rule and refused to recuse himself for his full term from granting his own company an exemption from this critical safety requirement.”

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), ranking member on the aviation subcommittee, was also against the nomination, citing the 1,500-hour rule. However, many groups, such as NBAA, supported the nomination.

Duncan Aviation has completed a refurbishment of a Dassault Falcon 900EX, preserving its original red-toned veneer while adding contemporary design elements. The project included both interior upgrades and a new custom paint scheme.

“This project stands out because it didn’t follow the typical route of replacing the original woodwork,” said lead designer Jilli Sitkiewicz. “Instead, we found a way to elevate and modernize around it. From the quilted seating to the 3D carpet and the stylish exterior, every element was curated to complement the aircraft’s existing features.”

The interior features quilted seat inserts, a geometric-patterned carpet, and soft goods chosen to complement the classic veneer. Two-piece passenger service panels were installed to enhance functionality and visual appeal. Inspired by the owner’s luxury car, the aircraft’s paint scheme features dual-tone grays with a metallic blue accent.

Avionics enhancements included the installation of Cabin Management Solutions’ Empire CMS system and Gogo’s Plane Simple Ku-band connectivity.

“Partnering with Duncan Aviation on this Falcon 900EX upgrade is an exciting milestone,” said Cabin Management Solutions president Troy Michaels. “This aircraft holds special significance for us…bringing it up-to-date with our high-end Empire system elevates the in-flight experience to match the most [advanced] home theater setups.”

Greene Tweed believes it has solved one of the biggest hurdles in the widespread adoption of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF): gasket and seal leakage. This problem arises due to the lack of aromatic compounds in neat SAF, which are necessary in legacy aircraft fuel systems for the proper function of synthetic rubber (nitrile) gaskets and seals in preventing leakage.

“Since there may be nitrile seals in both the legacy aircraft fuel systems (and in the refueling systems) that have been exposed to aromatic-containing jet fuel, any ‘drop-in’ SAF will still need to be blended with aromatic containing fuels,” said Ronald Campbell, senior technical advisor for Pennsylvania-based materials developer Greene Tweed.

According to the company, a recent study proves its elastomer seals made from FKM—a fluorinated, carbon-based synthetic rubber first developed in the 1950s for its ability to withstand high temperatures—could address that situation. Testing protocol simulated extreme aerospace environments, with temperatures up to 248 degrees F (120 degrees C) and prolonged exposure to SAF, both neat and blended.

“All three of our FKM compounds show consistent and acceptable swell and hardness change in the three straight 100% [SAF] fuels tested,” Campbell told AIN, citing the results of a recent test study. “Our findings therefore suggest that these compounds—and FKM compounds in general—do not require the fuel to contain an aromatic content.”