U.S. private charter operator Bravo Air has agreed to buy up to five of the three-seat SD-05 eVTOL aircraft being developed by Japan’s SkyDrive. The companies signed a letter of intent for the anticipated transaction during an event at Georgia’s Augusta Regional Airport, which is expected to be the base for planned commercial flights with the eVTOLs.

Last year, SkyDrive established a U.S. base in neighboring South Carolina, where it is partnered with Beaufort-based Austin Aviation. That Part 135 charter operator has also made a provisional commitment to buy five SD-05s, which are intended for short flights of up to 10 miles. In addition to its focus on the Southeastern U.S., SkyDrive holds provisional sales agreements with operators in South Korea and Vietnam.

According to the manufacturer, its agreement with Bravo Air will extend to a broader collaboration with the state of Georgia to develop infrastructure for eVTOL air-taxi services via a network that could include other small regional airports. The company plans to focus on providing last-mile transportation to and within local communities.

Bravo Air’s current charter fleet consists of Cessna Citation Ultra twinjets and Beechcraft King Air 200 turboprop twins. In addition to passenger transportation, the company arranges emergency medical and cargo flights and manages aircraft for private owners.

Thanks to a team photoshoot, I've come to realize the immense power of infusing fun into the workplace. Sure, it's easy to get caught up in the seriousness of business. Especially in business aviation, where safety, precision, and compliance are paramount. We can often get so focused that we forget to find joy in our everyday environment.

But a recent experience reminded me of the profound impact that moments of levity can have on organizational culture and team dynamics.

It all started when our v-p, Jennifer Pickerel, suggested we recreate the “Stepbrothers” movie poster for our team photo. Admittedly, I was a bit perplexed at first—I hadn't even seen the movie! But seeing the enthusiasm from Jennifer and the rest of the team, I decided to go along with it. After all, we were wearing matching blue jackets, so why not?

As we posed for the camera, the photographer instructed me to make a forlorn expression, a direction that left me even more bewildered. But despite my lack of familiarity with the movie, I found myself caught up in the moment, laughing along with my colleagues as we brought the scene to life. What followed was unexpected but incredibly gratifying.

A coalition of eight aviation and labor organizations—including NBAA, GAMA, NATA, and the NetJets pilot union—are jointly opposing higher fuel taxes under the Biden Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2025 budget and regulatory changes that “single out business aviation.” The groups sent a letter outlining their collective objection yesterday to U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts).

The proposal calls for a phased increase in jet fuel taxes for non-commercial operators from the current 21.9 cents per gallon to $1.06 per gallon in fiscal year 2029. If enacted, this jet fuel tax would increase to 38.64 cents in 2025, with a 16.84-cent-per-gallon increase in each subsequent year until 2029. The Administration also aims to change the depreciation schedule for a purchased business aircraft from five to seven years.

“According to a 2018 Harris Poll, 85 percent of companies relying on an airplane to meet their transportation challenges are small and midsize enterprises,” the groups wrote. “Business aviation allows companies to optimize efficiency, productivity, and flexibility and to access hard-to-reach communities.”

Negative tax proposals would also adversely impact an industry that supports 1.2 million jobs and contributes nearly $250 billion to the country’s gross domestic product, they added.

Former FBO owner and NATA board chair and president and CEO Martin Hiller and the Hiller family have made a “strategic equity ownership investment” in Hill Aircraft. The FBO has a long history of serving business aviation at Atlanta-Fulton County Executive Airport (KFTY) and consistently high ratings in AIN’s annual FBO survey.

The Hill family retains majority ownership in Hill Aircraft, while the Hiller family investment will help the company expand. “Marty and I have been doing business together for almost 30 years and have been FBO partners before at Harbour Air Services,” said Hill Aircraft president and CEO Guy Hill Jr. "He and his family’s deep industry experience make them the ideal partners. Together, we are poised to elevate and expand Hill Aircraft into the future."

Hill Aircraft was founded in 1955 by Guy Hill Sr. and occupies a 17-acre leasehold with 100,000 sq ft of hangar space and Phillips 66 fuel supplied by World Fuel Services.

Hiller owned Marathon Jet Center in Key West, Florida, then sold it to Million Air in January 2022. “With our shared passion for aviation and commitment to excellence,” Hiller said, “I am confident in our collective ability to accomplish remarkable things. Hill Aircraft is poised for greatness, and we are excited to contribute to its future achievements.”

Confirmation this week that the Ukrainian government has initiated talks with EASA and the FAA over a possible reopening of its airspace to international air traffic has raised questions as to how this could be achieved safely while intense combat continues with invading Russian forces. Ukraine deputy prime minister Oleksandr Kubrakov told media outlets that while no timeline for the restoration of civil flights can be confirmed, the government has “conveyed its vision to the regulators on how the market will operate under the conditions of martial law, its risk assessments, approaches, and algorithms.”

Ukrainian officials have held talks with their counterparts at Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority, seeking guidance as to how airspace could be opened up during an ongoing conflict. There has been no public confirmation as to which of the country’s airports might be reopened, but Kubrakov indicated that several Ukrainian airlines, as well as European carriers such as Ryanair, have expressed interest in resuming scheduled services.

Aviation security expert Eric Schouten with risk management and intelligence group Dyami urged caution in plans for reopening airspace in Ukraine. However, he told AIN that any resumption of flights could potentially begin with cargo and business aviation operations, rather than airline services.