Private aircraft customers at Saint Martin’s Princess Juliana International Airport (TNCM) will see an upgrade in FBO facilities as the airport authority turns its redundant temporary arrival facility (TAF) into a general aviation terminal (GAT). The 7,500-sq-ft TAF was built to handle commercial operations after TNCM’s terminal was ravaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The refurbished main terminal opened late last year.

ExecuJet and Signature Aviation, which provide business aviation services at TNCM, are based in small trailers on the field. They have long negotiated with the airport authority to build new FBOs or even a shared GAT, befitting the airport’s status as one of the major Caribbean gateways.

The companies are preparing for the move into the GAT facility in August after renovations are completed. Each service provider will occupy approximately 1,200 sq ft within the terminal, with the remaining space housing border control, customs, and the airport authority security screening area.

“This is a transformative step, not only for ExecuJet, but for private aviation in the region,” said ExecuJet Caribbean managing director Gary Forster. “Saint Martin’s central location makes it a vital hub for visiting aircraft, technical stopovers, and regional transit.”

“Saint Martin is one of the most unique destinations within both the Caribbean and Signature’s global network, highlighted by rich culture, vibrant culinary scene, and scenic beaches,” added Signature chief commercial officer Derek DeCross.

The Goodyear Blimp turned 100 today, marking a century since its first flight near Akron, Ohio, on June 3, 1925. To celebrate the milestone, Goodyear hosted a high-profile birthday party at its historic Wingfoot Lake hangar, featuring brand mascots from across the country and a tribute to the blimp’s cultural and technological legacy.

Goodyear also announced that it will bring two of its airships to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July, the first time in more than 50 years of attendance that two Goodyear airships will participate. One will be stationed near the EAA Museum when not flying in the afternoon and night airshows.

“There is no aviation event more ‘blimp-worthy’ than EAA AirVenture Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, v-p of communities and member programs for EAA. “To have two of Goodyear’s airships over the grounds will make this year unforgettable.”

Michael Dougherty, chief pilot of Goodyear airship operations, added, “We can’t think of a better place than EAA AirVenture Oshkosh to celebrate our 100-year milestone with aviation enthusiasts from around the world.”

Today's Goodyear fleet consists of four Zeppelin NT airships based in Ohio, California, Florida, and Germany. Though technically semi-rigid, the company retains the historic “blimp” moniker for its ships. Goodyear’s last true blimp, Spirit of Innovation, was retired in March 2017.

Aircraft operators that are still using Russian airspace should be prepared for short-notice closures and reroutings, according to security experts at Osprey Flight Solutions. On Tuesday, the company issued an advisory based on increased threat levels in the wake of recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian air force bases as far away as Siberia.

According to Osprey, between May 20 and 29, around 1,800 drones were shot down over Russian territory, and around 500 of these were destroyed in airspace that remains open, including around the Moscow area. The company’s analysts said Russian defense forces are using surface-to-air missiles that can be lethal at all altitudes, posing risks in high-traffic routes.

While airlines based in North America, Europe, and some Asian countries remain excluded from Russian airspace, operators from other countries are still operating in airspace that Osprey said should now be considered at risk from air defense systems. The same risks apply to business aircraft operators who are still using Russian airspace for overflights or trips to and from Russian cities.

Osprey analysts said that the recent concentration of drone attacks has resulted in “frequent and extensive flight restrictions implemented at airports across Russia, including over 50 separate time periods at the Moscow-area airports.”

Beta Technologies’ Alia CX300 today become the first all-electric aircraft to land at a New York City airport. In partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, one of Beta’s prototypes landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK) after a 45-minute passenger-carrying demonstration flight with a pilot and four passengers, including Blade Air Mobility CEO Rob Wiesenthal and Republic Airways president Matt Koscal.

New York City officials present to mark the Alia’s arrival at KJFK said that they are eager to encourage the adoption of advanced air mobility services as part of wider efforts to decarbonize public transportation. The flight started at East Hampton Airport on Long Island.

For the past six years, Beta has been working on both the conventional takeoff and landing CX300 and its Alia 250 eVTOL sibling. It is aiming to achieve FAA type certification with the former by year-end.

“This electric aircraft flight from Long Island to New York City highlights that quiet and emission-free flight is quickly becoming a reality, benefiting Blade’s fliers, local residents, and other key stakeholders,” Wiesenthal commented. “I can think of no better way to demonstrate our company’s commitment to quiet, electric aircraft commercialization than my participation on this flight as a passenger myself.”

Maintenance support provider Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI) has teamed up with the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) Foundation on a new grant program to help foster the next generation of aviation entrepreneurs. The JSSI Aviation Innovation Grant provides a $5,000 award and mentorship to a college student with innovative ideas that could transform the future of business aviation.

“At JSSI, we believe the future of business aviation will be shaped by bold ideas and the people courageous enough to pursue them. The JSSI Aviation Innovation Grant is our commitment to nurturing that spirit of entrepreneurship,” said JSSI chairman and CEO Neil Book.

The application period for the grant runs from June 1 to September 1, and the 2025 award will be presented during the IADA Fall Meeting in October. Both bachelor’s and master’s student candidates are eligible, but must have a minimum grade point average of 3.3. Applicants should submit a short essay (up to 500 words) outlining the business concept and market. The IADA Foundation Board will collaborate with the JSSI management team on final selection.

“The JSSI Aviation Innovation Grant is more than just funding; it is an investment in the next generation of aviation leaders,” said JetAviva CFO Kathy Oberbroeckling, who is an IADA Foundation board member and chair of the scholarship committee.

A complete loss of tail rotor control prompted an emergency landing of an aeromedical Airbus Helicopters BK117C1 in a grass field next to a driveway near Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, on May 19, according to an NTSB preliminary report. The three occupants sustained minor injuries, while the helicopter was substantially damaged. Local news reports and videos showed a mostly intact craft taped off in front of a home.

Registered as N117NC and operated under Part 135 by Triple M Leasing, the aircraft had completed a patient transport mission and was returning from Penn Presbyterian Medical Center North Heliport (PA39) to its home base at Wings Field Airport (KLOM). Weather at the time was clear with 10 miles of visibility and wind from 300 degrees at seven knots.

While cruising at 1,300 feet msl and 120 knots, the pilot reported that the helicopter began shuddering violently approximately 3 to 4 nm south of its destination. The pilot reported “a total loss of tail rotor control, including the loss of pedal authority and tail rotor thrust.” According to the NTSB, “there were no visual or aural warnings prior to the event.”

The pilot lowered the collective and initiated an autorotation. He identified a suitable forced landing site and brought the helicopter down after a 180-degree rotation.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is renewing its warnings about the risks posed by lithium batteries as personal devices become commonplace among almost all passengers. Releasing another safety information bulletin (SIB) on the topic, EASA noted an increased number of safety events involving lithium batteries that passengers carried onboard commercial aircraft.

The SIB urges air carriers to expand and reinforce their communications to passengers about lithium batteries. Passengers may not include lithium batteries in checked baggage or baggage that is inaccessible from the cabin. In addition, EASA reminds of the importance of training air carrier staff and airport staff on the risks and dangerous goods restrictions.

“Smartphones and computers powered by lithium batteries are now an inherent part of our daily lives, and we know that each passenger now takes four to five such items with them on a flight,” said Jesper Rasmussen, flight standards director at EASA. “Airlines and their ground staff need to make sure passengers know how to travel with these items responsibly. This includes prompting them to think carefully about not packing the devices in their check-in baggage but carrying them on board instead, so that they can be monitored and dealt with if something happens.”

EASA stressed the safety risks associated with lithium batteries, noting that they can overheat, catch fire, and/or release toxic smoke.