Bell Textron showed off a fresh slate of luxury interiors for its light single 407 GXi this week at Verticon. Inspired by customer feedback, the interiors constitute a new entry in the OEM’s designer series catalog, which debuted at then-HAI Heli-Expo in 2022 with the Bell 429.

The upgraded options for the 407 include leathers and color coordinated schemes featuring Black Kydex panels, headliner, trim, and custom-stitched seats, along with leather wrapped, color-matched armrests and headliner inserts with embroidered Bell logos.

Among the interior color scheme combinations now available are charcoal and jet black; snow and jet black; arctic grey and charcoal; sand and jet black; and crimson and jet black. The elevated style is completed with premium flooring options.

Bell noted it has already received several orders for the new interiors from corporate operators. “The release of these Bell 407 Designer Series truly sets a new standard for Bell interiors,” said Danny Maldonado, the rotorcraft manufacturer’s chief commercial officer. “We provide our customers the highest quality of materials and finishings for their aircraft and continue to introduce fresh concepts and selections to enhance their experiences.”

The FAA has issued a supplemental type certificate (STC) to AeroMech for installation of a SpaceX Starlink satcom system on the Citation X and X+. Textron Aviation service centers are also now offering Starlink installations for these jets.

Covered by the AeroMech STC is installation of a Starlink electronically steered antenna on top of the fuselage, as well as a power supply and router. More than 7,000 Starlink satellites in low-earth orbit provide worldwide coverage, with download speeds from 40 to 220 Mbps and upload speeds of 8 to 25 Mbps. Service prices range from $2,000 per month for 20 GB plus $100 per additional GB to $10,000 per month for unlimited.

Starlink upgrades for the Citation X/X+, as well as the Citation 560 series and Beechcraft King Air 200/300 series, are available from North American Textron Aviation service centers and select international service centers.

“Textron Aviation knows customers are after connectivity solutions that elevate their in-flight experience and help them achieve their mission,” said Brian Rohloff, senior v-p of customer support. “Offering Starlink for the Cessna Citation X and X+ positions our customers to experience cutting-edge technology, providing them with one of the best possible in-flight connectivity and aviation experiences available today.”

GE Aerospace has approved ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East to support the GE Passport engines that power Bombardier’s Global 7500. Following an announcement this week, the Dubai maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility is now the only authorized service center (ASC) for the turbofans in North Africa and the Middle East.

ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East is already an ASC for several versions of GE’s CF34 engine family, including the -1A, -3, and -10E. The company’s facility at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport also conducts non-destructive testing for GE Aerospace’s GE90 engines for airliners.

EASA recently authorized ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East to conduct line and base maintenance on European-registered Global 7500 long-range jets. As an ASC for the Passport engines, the scope of work covers line maintenance, troubleshooting, component and engine changes, and borescope inspections.

Wholly owned by Dassault Aviation, the MRO provider had to invest in tools and ground support equipment to support the Passport engines. It also sent an engineer to GE Aerospace’s facility in Berlin for specialized engine maintenance training.

ExecuJet MRO Services has facilities in South Africa and Malaysia, as well as a joint venture in China called ExecuJet Haite. In addition to Bombardier business aircraft, the group also supports Dassault Falcons and various Gulfstream, Embraer, and Hawker models.

Members of the U.S. Congress expressed concerns regarding reported considerations within the FAA to terminate its existing telecommunications contract with Verizon in favor of a new arrangement with Elon Musk’s Starlink.

In a letter on March 7 to acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau, Reps. Seth Moulton (D-Massachusetts); Rick Larsen (D-Washington), the ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; and Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee), the ranking member of the aviation subcommittee, requested information about potential changes to the FAA Enterprise Network Services (FENS) program.

The congressional inquiry references a 15-year, $2.4 billion contract awarded to Verizon in 2023 to provide telecommunications and information management services within FAA facilities.

“While we understand if FAA may have concerns with certain aspects of the current contract’s implementation, reports that the agency was considering terminating the Verizon contract for a new venture with Starlink without the appropriate safety or legal reviews are deeply troubling,” the representatives wrote.

The letter specifically questions whether Musk’s role as a “special government employee” for the Department of Government Efficiency creates potential conflicts of interest. These representatives requested written responses to 12 detailed questions by March 14, including whether the DOT or FAA plans to cancel the Verizon FENS contract, whether they intend to award a new contract to Starlink, and what due diligence has been conducted regarding potential conflicts of interest.

Fledgling FBO chain Vantage Aviation has made a splash by acquiring two facilities—Greenville Jet Center and Donaldson Jet Center—from the same owner.

At Greenville Downtown Airport (KGMU)—the busiest GA airport in the state—Vantage will rebrand the Greenville Jet Center, the lone service provider on the field. The company obtained a new 35-year lease (including options) from the Greenville Airport Commission and, as part of the negotiations, agreed to build a minimum of two new hangars capable of sheltering ultra-long-range business jets, the first of which is expected to open by mid-2026.

Donaldson Jet Center at Donaldson Field Airport (KGYH) is one of three providers on the field. It offers a trio of 10,000-sq-ft hangars with an FBO lobby. Vantage plans a major renovation of the facility.

Last October, the company announced its arrival in the FBO market with its purchase of Dominion Aviation at Richmond Executive-Chesterfield County Airport (KFCI) in Virginia. It is also developing a new FBO at Colorado’s Rifle Garfield County Airport (KRIL).

“We are thrilled to announce our acquisition of both the Greenville and Donaldson Jet Centers,” said Vantage founder and CEO Ryan Maxfield. “The economic growth of the area has been the primary driver for the increasingly high demand for new hangars and general aviation services at both KGMU and KGYH.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation is adopting the NTSB’s recommendations regarding helicopter operations around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) and wants to put forward an ambitious plan to modernize the National Airspace System (NAS) and ATC technology. These statements were made by DOT Secretary Sean Duffy in a press conference on March 11, following the NTSB’s preliminary report release and media briefing by NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy on the midair collision near KDCA in January.

“Thirty-six hours after the crash, we restricted this airspace, and we’re going to continue with those restrictions,” said Duffy. “We’re going to have a notice to airmen with the specific guidelines on how they’re going to fly this [in that airspace]. I talked to Secretary [of Defense] Pete Hegseth earlier today about giving the DOD a route around this restricted airspace, which I think the military is going to be fine with.”

He added that they will have special exclusions for presidential and vice-presidential travel, as well as provisions for law enforcement and life-saving missions, and details will be included in the notam.

Also on the table is a call to modernize NAS and ATC systems across the board and at speed; Duffy called for updating the ATC system in particular with fiber, wireless, radar, and satellite technology.

Titan Aviation Fuels recently acquired the Multi Service Aviation Card business and its related payment platform from the U.S. Bank National Association. This acquisition expands Titan’s card network and payment processing offerings in the aviation fuel and services sector.

The Multi Service Aviation Card serves flight operators, fleets, and FBOs. With access to more than 35,000 cardholders, the platform is tailored to meet the needs of aviation management, providing flexible payment options and POS technology. Features of the platform include competitive fee structures, PCI-compliant security, and modern POS devices that help streamline operations for FBOs and other aviation businesses.

“We believe that this move will benefit our customers by providing a new level of customer service and ultimately improve efficiency and responsiveness to our card programs,” said Titan Aviation Fuels president Robbie Stallings.

Titan operates more than 620 locations in the U.S. and 2,000 globally. Among the company’s services are equipment leasing, FBO management software, quality control training, and aviation insurance.

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