In a departure from its light-helicopter roots, Robinson Helicopter has introduced the next helicopter in its product line: the 10-place single-engine turbine R88, a clean-sheet design with a new type certificate. First flight could come as early as this year, with certification and service entry to follow later this decade. The company is already booking orders for the $3.3 million R88.

With a 275-cu-ft, reconfigurable cabin capable of carrying up to eight passengers or 1,800 pounds of payload with full fuel, R88 missions will include aerial firefighting, air medical transport, utility work, and passenger transport.

Until the R88 enters service, the Torrance, California company’s largest helicopter is the five-seat R66, powered by a 300-shp Rolls-Royce turboshaft. The R88’s engine is a Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2W capable of producing 1,000 shp. It will sport a Garmin avionics suite with touchscreen G500H TXi displays and a standard four-axis Garmin autopilot.

“It’s quite a large aircraft and is everything that Part 27 can offer in a single-engine package, with cabin capacity and performance consistent with many twins,” Robinson Helicopter president and CEO David Smith told AIN.

The R88 carries on Robinson’s two-blade teetering main rotor system with bonded metal blades but with a slightly higher disc loading. Cyclics for the R88, however, will be traditional dual controls. Range is projected at more than 350 nm, and endurance will be more than 3.5 hours.

Blackhawk Aerospace has received FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for the integration of its XP67A Engine+ upgrade with the Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion avionics system. Under the STC, factory Fusion-equipped King Air 350is and 360s are now eligible for Blackhawk Aeropace’s aftermarket XP67A conversion, which increases the power and fuel efficiency of these aircraft.

According to Blackhawk Aerospace, the conversion—which uses Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engines—translates to a significant reduction in operational costs and an increase in longevity for King Airs.

“This certification brings significant value to King Air 360 owners and operators, offering a powerful and efficient engine upgrade option,” said Blackhawk Aerospace president Edwin Black. “Integrated with the Pro Line Fusion avionics system, the XP67A Engine+ upgrade enhances the capabilities and market value of these aircraft. This certification effort expands eligibility for more than 300 recently delivered aircraft.”

Compatible with all Pro Line Fusion software phases, the XP67A upgrade is a versatile option for King Air 360 owners. The Phase 3.7 software update as part of the upgrade package brings several benefits, including controller-pilot datalink communications, as well as a Privacy ICAO Address.

The FAA is pledging to take a series of steps—from improving pilot communications to conducting further risk analysis—to bolster business and general aviation safety. That pledge followed a “General and Business Aviation Call to Action” that the agency held last week with leaders of several key industry organizations to discuss recent accidents and trends. The summit “will kick-start even greater safety collaboration” between the agency and the industry, the FAA added.

Immediate actions include communicating to pilots the importance of checking notams, familiarizing themselves with destination airports, avoiding complacency by carefully following preflight checklists, and paying attention to onboard collision warnings, even if they don’t think a conflict will occur.

Other actions ahead include a safety-risk analysis of close calls involving a mix of VFR and IFR flight; increasing FAA Safety Team outreach on radio communication phraseology, notams, and operations around Class B airspace; working with Part 135 and air tour operators on safety management system implementation; and exploring further tools for pilots to assess operational risk. In addition, the government/industry General Aviation Joint Safety Committee this week will discuss further strategies to improve safety.

“Safety is a collective effort that requires constant, proactive collaboration among all stakeholders,” said acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. “Complacency is the enemy of safety, and we need to be vigilant to address emerging risks before they become problems.”

Charter operator Opul Jets has acquired aircraft management and sales group Wallcourt Aviation. From its headquarters at London Biggin Hill Airport, Wallcourt manages a fleet of 11 business aircraft, including three Bombardier Learjet 45s, a pair of Learjet 40s, and a Global Express, as well as a mix of Cessna Citation CJ1, CJ1+, CJ2, and CJ4 models.

These aircraft are operated in the charter market on behalf of Wallcourt by various third-party air operator certificate (AOC) holders, with the company—which was formed in February 2022—marketing the flights.

Announcing the acquisition late last week, UK-based Opul Jets said it will now integrate Wallcourt’s operation into its network, which includes bases at Biggin Hill, as well as Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport and the Manx Jet Centre at Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man.

Opul Jets’ charter flights are conducted under AOCs held by its partners: Saxon Air Charter in the UK and Av8Jet Charter in Malta. The company’s fleet includes a Bombardier Global Express XRS and a Learjet 40, which is equipped with a Starlink connectivity system.

Gogo, the first and only dedicated multi-orbit, multi-band connectivity provider dedicated to business aviation, is ready to deliver its unique service globally.

The UK government’s planned “revenue certainty mechanism” intended to incentivize companies to invest in boosting the availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) would be funded by jet fuel suppliers, under proposals distributed for industry consultation this month. Until March 31, the Department of Transport is taking comments on its proposals for the SAF Revenue Support Mechanism.

Intended to address barriers to SAF production in the UK, the proposed mechanism is also designed to support the government’s SAF mandate, which went into effect on January 1. It requires that at least 2% of all aircraft fuel delivered to aircraft operators at UK airports will need to be SAF from this year, rising to 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040.

By the end of 2025, the government is aiming to have introduced all the required supporting legislation for the revenue certainty mechanism. It is proposing that jet fuel suppliers would pay a levy that would cover the cost of payments made to SAF producers to increase their output through investments in facilities that can range from £600 million ($775 million) and £2 billion before they achieve the required economies of scale.

The proposals indicate that the levies would vary over time in response to shifts in prices for UK-produced non-HEFA SAF.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, wrote a letter on March 7 voicing concerns about the Department of Defense’s (DOD) use of an exemption that allows helicopters to operate in the National Capital Region without automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) Out. The senator’s concerns stem from the January 2025 fatal crash near Washington, D.C., in which a U.S. Army Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter was operating without ADS-B Out activated during a routine check ride.

In the letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Cantwell pointed to a 2019 exemption issued by the Trump Administration allowing federal, state, and local government entities, including the DOD, to operate certain aircraft without ADS-B Out for “sensitive operations.” While the FAA cautioned that this exemption should not be routinely used, Cantwell expressed concern that the DOD has taken advantage of this rule more broadly than intended.

The senator noted a 2023 DOD statement that both the Army Aviation Brigade at Fort Belvoir and Marine Helicopter Squadron One operate all missions without ADS-B Out activated. This contradicts the FAA’s guidance that non-transmission of ADS-B should be rare, she said. “It is not credible to assert that each of the several thousand helicopter flights operated annually in the National Capital Region is sufficiently sensitive to merit a blanket exemption,” Cantwell wrote.

Caliber Aircraft has partnered with Javiation, a private aircraft charter company, to enhance services for their respective clients. The collaboration aims to streamline the transition between aircraft ownership and charter solutions, offering a more comprehensive aviation experience.

“We are excited to partner with Javiation,” said Vinny Morelli, president of Caliber Aircraft. “Their client-centric approach and dedication to excellence align perfectly with our values. This collaboration will provide our clients with access to exceptional charter services, while Javiation clients will benefit from our expert aircraft acquisition services.”

As part of the collaboration, Caliber Aircraft clients will receive a 7.5% discount on Javiation’s charter services, while Javiation clients will benefit from reduced brokerage fees when utilizing Caliber’s acquisition services. The initiative seeks to add value by offering more flexible and cost-effective aviation solutions.

Founded in 2018, Caliber Aircraft initially specialized in aircraft maintenance and inspections before expanding into acquisition services. Since then, the company has developed expertise across various aircraft categories, from light jets to long-range business jets.

Charter provider Javiation aims to complement Caliber’s brokerage expertise through seamless access to private travel solutions. 

By integrating brokerage and charter services, the agreement seeks to simplify the decision-making process for those navigating private aviation options.

Perth Airport (YPPH) in Australia is planning extensive upgrades, including a new parallel runway. Engineering and project management company Bechtel has been selected to support and advise Perth Airport on its multibillion-dollar expansion. The project will also add the airport’s first hotel. 

Currently, the airport has two runways: 11,299-foot-long Runway 03/21 and 7,096-foot-long Runway 06/24. According to a fact sheet published by the airport, the parallel runway will be built on the 03/21 orientation. Construction is already underway, with the new runway scheduled for completion in 2028.

“Perth Airport is a barometer for growth in the Western Australian economy,” said YPPH CEO Jason Waters. “When we’re growing, the state’s economy is growing and prospering. The appointment of Bechtel as our capital portfolio partner is another critical step in delivering our plans to change the face of Perth Airport over the coming decade.”

As capital portfolio partner, Bechtel will work with YPPH to manage the delivery of these upgrade projects within a live airport environment. The team will offer specialized advice and implement the necessary tools and processes to ensure the integration and execution of the initiatives within the expansion program.

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