Business aircraft service specialist Jet Aviation has been approved by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) to use automated drone and artificial intelligence technology for general visual inspection (GVI) work. The drones are used to create images of an aircraft’s entire surface, from which a detailed paperless report can be derived.

A GVI is an important, regulated maintenance process that identifies defects in an aircraft’s surface. Drones are more efficient than traditional methods for this purpose and reduce aircraft downtime. These reports are a valued element of pre-purchase inspections.

“The FOCA approval is a significant milestone for our program as we continue to expand our automated drone and AI capabilities across our network,” said Vincent Rongier, v-p of business operations support. “As we continue to challenge ourselves to re-imagine business aviation and expand our services, we can provide groundbreaking solutions for even the most challenging inspections and offer innovative services centered around predictive maintenance.”

The global company—which is wholly owned by U.S.-based General Dynamics—introduced drones and AI last year for a number of non-regulated services such as pre-purchase aircraft structure inspections, paint quality checks, and inspections in connection with insurance and warranty issues. Regulated inspections are now available for the Gulfstream G280, G550, and G650, as well as for other larger wide- and narrowbody business aircraft.

Pilatus Aircraft last week marked the EBACE debut of its recently upgraded PC-24. Unveiled in October, the upgrades include a 600-pound increase in payload, boosting range to 2,040 nm, and a new side-facing divan that can convert into a bed. The Swiss aircraft manufacturer began deliveries of the upgraded model earlier this year and first showcased it in Europe at Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany.

Payload was increased with refinements in the wing and fuselage structural elements, which reduced empty weight and increased the maximum gross takeoff weight limit. Empty weight was reduced by 660 pounds, “which means a lot more range,” said Pilatus marketing manager Ursula Widmer. In addition, storage space was optimized. The changes, she added, open more options for operators, reaching further distances and also more easily accommodated six people with luggage.

Most of the upgrades have been certified, said Widmer. The divan is approved for two places, but work for three is still ongoing, she said. Widmer added that the divan option has proven popular, exceeding the company’s expectations.

Along with the PC-24 twinjet, Pilatus brought its PC-12 NGX turboprop single to EBACE. “Both are doing really well,” Widmer said, noting that the backlog has grown for each model. “If you want to order an aircraft now, it takes around about two years until we can give you one.”

SEA Prime has introduced a reimbursement program to incentivize business aviation customers to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The company, which operates the general aviation infrastructure at Milan Malpensa and Linate airports under the Milano Prime brand, has allocated €50,000 this year to partially reimburse customers to uplift the higher-cost SAF-blend fuel. These refunds are calculated at a rate of about half of the cost of the SAF component in the blend.

“Our new SAF program, the first of its kind in Europe, represents tangible support for the industry’s path towards decarbonization,” said SEA Prime CEO Chiara Dorigotti. He noted that SAF is already available for customers at both Linate and Malpensa.

Meanwhile, in preparation for an influx of private aviation traffic for the 2026 Cortina Winter Olympic Games, SEA Prime plans to expand the terminal at Linate by 2,000 sq m (21,500 sq ft). That would essentially double the size of the building, which is home to four ground-handling providers: AviaVIP, Sky Services, Signature Aviation, and Universal Aviation.

The €10 million project will include remodeling of the air and landside facades of the outside of the building, and a reorganization of the interior layout to enhance passenger movement. Sustainability will be a key feature of the redesign, with solar panels on the roof for energy generation, energy-efficient heating and air conditioning, and rainwater harvesting systems.

The Air Charter Association (ACA) has released an online version of its Air Charter Broker Qualification training and launched a hub to improve communication among its 420 members in 59 countries. With the member hub, ACA will be able to create forums based on key topics, allowing members to share input.

“This will facilitate wider discussion and engagement amongst the membership, with key issues in the areas of affairs, regulation, and sustainability,” ACA explained. “Additionally, given the oversaturated use of traditional communication channels such as email, having a unique platform of communication will ensure that ACA is able to deliver clear updates to the membership that do not get missed.”

The broker training “ensures that [charter] brokers are aware of industry best practices as set out by ACA.” So far, ACA has trained more than 200 delegates from 100 member companies. In-person training is still available, but online training makes it more accessible to people anywhere in the world. 

“The feedback has been incredibly positive,” said ACA CEO Glenn Hogben, “with many of the attending delegates highlighting the fantastic delivery of the course, using real-life experiences and anecdotes to give a practical understanding of the theory behind the qualification.”

Aero-Dienst is teaming with Munich-based Vaeridion to study an air ambulance version of the latter’s Microliner nine-seat electric-powered aircraft, as well as to develop a maintenance concept for the aircraft’s propulsion system and batteries. Aero-Dienst has an established maintenance network in Germany and Austria, in addition to being a major air ambulance operator.

The Microliner is a relatively conventional high-wing T-tail aircraft design. Its electric power unit comprises two or more battery-driven, isolated electric motors driving a single tractor propeller. The main benefit of this configuration is the robustness of the power unit against motor failures. Vaeridion began functional validation tests of a two-engine system in April, and it is aiming to certify and deliver the aircraft by 2030.

Aero-Dienst and Vaeridion will jointly conduct a feasibility study of using the electric conventional takeoff/landing (eCTOL) aircraft for air ambulance operations. Aero-Dienst’s experiences in both aeromedical and maintenance sectors will be leveraged to design concepts for internal layouts, as well as study operational and maintenance scenarios.

“We want to contribute to the further development of aviation and check the aspect of sustainability as an option for our ambulance fleet,” said Aero-Dienst CEO Oliver Kosing. “The use of eCTOL ambulance aircraft would offer a tactical advantage for patient repatriations, as patients and med crew could be transported faster than with ground transportation in an ambulance, and emission-free.”

UK-based trip support provider General Aviation Services (G.A.S.) has expanded its footprint to include Botswana, Namibia, and Mozambique. The company, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, serves customers by providing permits and ground-handling solutions across the African continent, while offering reliable and cost-effective fuel options globally.

Its business clientele includes trip support companies, aircraft charter and management operators, air ambulance, and cargo flights. The company now lists offices in London, Mwanza (Tanzania), Kigali (Rwanda), Moroni (Comoros), Maputo (Mozambique), Gaborone (Botswana), and Windhoek (Namibia). It works directly with the civil air authorities in all 54 African countries to arrange landing and overfly permits, and since 2020 it has arranged more than 12,000 such documents.

G.A.S. also announced its integration with Leon flight management software, allowing those customers to access its services directly through their flight management screen. This permits these customers to make immediate changes to flight plans, saving time and reducing logistical challenges.

“Our integration with Leon underscores [our] commitment to leveraging technology for the benefit of our customers, simplifying the mission planning process and ensuring efficiency,” said founding director Mohammed Tewfik.

The Irish Business and General Aviation Association is moving its annual business aviation and luxury tourism conference to the K-Club near Straffan in County Kildare. The luxury hotel and golf center became world-famous in 2006 when it hosted the Ryder Cup, with Europe enjoying victory for a third consecutive year.

“We have enjoyed a terrific two years at Adare Manor,” remarked Josh Stewart, IBGAA’s founding executive chairman, “but we thought it important to showcase to our industry other amazing venues that Ireland has to offer.”

The IBGAA event will take place on November 14 and be expanded to include an afternoon gathering on the preceding day at Weston Airport with static displays of business aircraft, helicopters, and cars. The airfield is located in Dublin’s outer suburbs and is a 15-minute drive from the K-Club. A welcoming reception will be held there in the evening prior to the conference. Once again, Gulfstream Aerospace is the headline sponsor.

IBGAA, NBAA, and EBAA have been campaigning against a proposed ban on general aviation at Dublin’s international airport. Last month, the Irish Aviation Authority announced that there would be no caps on general aviation traffic for the 2024/25 season, despite a cap being put in place on commercial passenger traffic that limits the annual number to 32 million. Fewer than 18,000 GA passengers are handled at Dublin, although the business supports more than 2,000 jobs and contributes nearly a billion euros to the Irish economy.

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