Beyond Aero today unveiled adjustments to the design for its planned hydrogen-powered business jet. In a program update, the French start-up shared details about the powertrain’s architecture featuring fuel cells and a pair of ducted fan electric motors, with 700-bar fuel tanks now positioned in the wingbox and wingtips.

The Beyond Aero engineering team has increased the capacity for the fuel cell stack to 2.4 megawatts. It said the new position for the gaseous hydrogen fuel tanks would improve the crashworthiness of the six- to eight-seat BYA-1 aircraft, which is expected to enter service in 2030 with a range of up to 800 nm. Another objective for the redesign has been to eliminate high-pressure fuel lines inside the pressurized cabin.

The electric motors are mounted in the rear of the fuselage, which also features a T-shaped tail section. Wingtip tanks give the BYA-1 a resemblance to the classic early Learjet design, and Beyond Aero told AIN that refueling time will be comparable to that of current business aircraft.

Beyond Aero said it is in discussions with EASA to agree on a certification basis for the aircraft and its propulsion system. It maintains that, with an expected maximum takeoff weight below 8.6 tonnes (about 19,000 pounds), the BYA-1 can be certified under CS-23 rules, as opposed to the more complex CS-25 rules for transport-category aircraft.

International private lift provider Vista has received a $600 million investment influx from a consortium of investors led by RRJ Capital, an Asian private equity firm. Expected to close by the end of this month, the investment will optimize Vista Global’s capital structure, enhance its free cash flow, and reduce the company’s debt.

“RRJ is very pleased to become a long-term partner to Vista, the leading private jet company in the world,” said RRJ Capital founder and CEO Richard Ong. “With more than 20 years of industry innovation, and a global presence across all markets, this strategic investment in Vista marks an exciting new chapter in our shared journey.”

RRJ, Andalusian Private Capital, and others in the consortium will join the existing investors, including Rhône Group. Vista noted the capital injection is in line with its commitment to “accelerate deleveraging,” diversify its investor base, and strengthen its financial position

“Today’s announcement is a strong endorsement of our strategy and long-term vision for the future, while also providing us with great partners for years to come,” said Vista founder and chairman Thomas Flohr. “We are excited to welcome RRJ Capital and the rest of the consortium to join our existing, carefully curated investor base, and look forward to working with Richard and the rest of the team to support Vista’s next phase of growth.”

Paragon Network announced that 18 of its member FBOs have completed Gulfstream ground handling and service training. A joint effort of the airframer and FlightSafety International, the program covers all midsize and large-cabin Gulfstream jets. It includes specialized content for the fleet intended to enhance operational efficiency.

The training modules cover the product line from G150 through the G800, the latter of which is anticipated to receive FAA certification this year. They focus on parking, towing, and tiedown; safety procedures such as fueling protocols and ice removal; maintenance services, including lavatory and water servicing and window cleaning; and operational best practices with demonstrations.

On the list of companies that completed the advanced training are Business Jet Center (KDAL), Castle & Cooke Aviation (KHNL), Chantilly Air Jet Center (KHEF), Clay Lacy Aviation (KSNA and KOXC), ExecuJet (OMDB, OMDW, LEIB, LEBL, LEGE, LEVC, and TNCM), Fargo Jet Center (KFAR), Henriksen Jet Center (KEDC), National Jets (KFLL), Premier Jet Center (KFCM), Samson Aviation Services (EGNT), and Metro Air Services (KCEF).

“Proper quality training is essential for maintaining safety and dispatch reliability,” said Paragon Aviation Group president Crystal Kubeczka. “The completion of this training marks a significant milestone for our FBO partners and reflects our unwavering commitment to safety and quality in service delivery.”

The Pilatus PC-12 Pro announced on Friday is the first to be equipped and certified with Garmin’s G3000 Prime avionics suite. Garmin unveiled the G3000 Prime touchscreen avionics suite in October. Deliveries of the PC-12 Pro begin in the third quarter. 

In addition to touchscreen control of primary and secondary display units, PC-12 Pro pilots can manipulate the avionics with a cursor-control device. The PC-12 Pro is equipped with three 14-inch primary displays and two secondary displays, which are used for data entry and system control.

Its primary displays feature a multi-touch interface that can recognize up to 10 touchscreen inputs simultaneously, allowing two pilots to interact with the display at the same time. On-screen hand stabilization means that pilots can rest their fingers on the display while manipulating touchscreen elements.

The PC-12 Pro also features Garmin’s autoland technology, which can safely land the airplane at a suitable airport automatically in case of pilot incapacitation. Other features that the avionics enable include Garmin’s Smart Glide autopilot guidance to a nearby airport in case of engine failure and Electronic Stability and Protection, which helps pilots remain within a safe flight envelope when the autopilot is switched off.

Typically equipped, the PC-12 Pro is priced at $6.8 million. The 2024 PC-12 NGX listed for $6.2 million.

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

SpaceX’s Starlink has appointed Metrojet Engineering Clark as an authorized dealer for Starlink low-earth-orbit satcom system aircraft installations. Based at Clark International Airport (RPLC) in the Philippines, Metrojet Engineering holds aircraft maintenance approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, FAA, Cayman Islands CAA, Qatar QCAA, Isle of Man CAA, San Marino CAA, Korea MOLIT, and Indonesia DGCA. 

Starlink offers download speeds from 40 to 220 Mbps and upload speeds of eight to 25 Mbps. Onboard hardware for the connectivity system includes a fuselage-mounted electronically steered antenna, power supply, and router. 

Cambodia, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and India are among the countries that are not on the approved list for in-motion satcom services. Asian countries that are on the approved list include Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, and the Philippines.

“The need for seamless in-flight connectivity is especially critical in the APAC region,” said Rudgen Guzman, general manager of Metrojet Engineering Clark. “Our clients operate on a global scale, and reliable internet access has become a necessity. The market potential for Starlink is significant. We’ve already received numerous requests, and we anticipate this will not only drive growth but also expand our customer base for maintenance operations at Clark.”

Airbus Helicopters secured commitments for 118 rotorcraft, including 63 firm orders, last week at Verticon 2025. The newly unveiled H140, a light twin-engine model, accounted for more than 74 of these commitments, with helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operators among the first to place orders. Airbus Helicopters conducted demonstration flights at Verticon with an H175, H160, H145, and an H125 IFR aircraft—all running on a 30% sustainable aviation fuel blend.

Several HEMS providers—including Global Medical Response, ADAC Luftrettung, ÖAMTC Flugrettung, Air Methods, Stat MedEvac, Metro Aviation, and DRF Luftrettung—signed agreements for the H140. Law enforcement acquisitions were also announced at the event, with the New York State Police set to become the first U.S. law enforcement agency to operate the H160. The department placed an order for one H160 and three H145 helicopters.

Beyond the H140, Airbus Helicopters announced that the H160 began offshore commercial operations with PHI Aviation for Shell following a route-proving program. Brazilian operator Omni signed an HCare contract ahead of the H160’s entry into service for Petrobras.

Westair Helicopters inked an HCare contract to assist with the entry into service of its H225 fleet, which will be used for offshore energy missions in Namibia. GDAT, a Chinese operator, signed an HCare In-Service contract for 10 H225 helicopters that will support emergency services and forest protection operations in China.

New European Union (EU) regulations governing ground handling start taking effect from March 27. Published by EASA on March 7, the rules combine safety requirements covering aircraft operations, airports, and cybersecurity. Aircraft ground-handling service providers will have to achieve full compliance within three years.

According to EASA, the new rules will be implemented by national aviation regulators, using a performance-based approach. Last week, the agency said it is committed to avoiding duplication of safety audits for handlers and reducing bureaucracy.

The regulations have been drawn up with input from national authorities, as well as handling companies, aircraft operators, airports, and trade unions. They cover passenger embarkation and disembarkation, aircraft turnarounds (including water and toilet servicing), deicing and anti-icing, and refueling.

“For this major area of aviation, EASA will now build further on the mature standards currently used in the industry,” said Jesper Rasmussen, EASA’s flight standards director. “With the new authority oversight, ground handlers become formally responsible for safe provision of services, relieving air operators of this obligation when operating from an EU aerodrome in the scope of EASA regulations.”

The new rules combine Commission Delegated Regulation 2025/20 covering requirements for companies and organizations and Commission Implementing Regulation 2025/23 covering oversight by competent authorities.

Sikorsky has reached a milestone for its blown-wing tailsitter uncrewed air system (UAS), which the helicopter manufacturer is developing as the progenitor of a new family of VTOL aircraft. In test flights, the autonomous twin prop-rotor prototype was able to successfully transition from vertical lift to horizontal flight and back again.

According to Igor Cherepinsky, director of Sikorsky Innovations—the airframer’s rapid prototyping group—the UAS has transitioned dozens of times during testing. The wing-shaped, electric-battery-powered vehicle weighs 115 pounds, has a wingspan of 10 feet, and is controlled by the airframer's Matrix flight autonomy system. The company believes the UAS can be scaled up as a cargo carrier.

The shape of the autonomous UAS represents the wing of the planned follow-on tilt-wing aircraft in the family. “For regional air mobility, we are in the process of building the hybrid-electric demonstrator (HEX),” said Cherepinsky.

HEX will be a 9,000-pound UAS with a single General Electric turbine spinning generators to develop electricity to power a pair of rotors mounted in the actuator-operated tilt-wing. Cherepinsky believes hybrid power will be required, given the current development status of batteries. “No electric power source that we see in the near future could provide support for this vehicle,” he said.

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