The UK’s Farnborough Airport has signed a letter of intent with Hydrogen Refinery—a local developer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)—to purchase more than 3.3 million gallons (12.5 million liters) of SAF annually. London-area Farnborough is already one of the business aviation industry’s largest distributors of SAF. It has sold more than a half million gallons of the blended fuel since stocking continuous supplies in 2021.

Farnborough CEO Simon Geere believes the offtake agreement—which is based on future developments—will help kick-start the country’s domestic SAF refining sector. With the UK and EU SAF use mandates instituted at the beginning of this year, he noted the lack of domestic production and investment in companies could impact supplies in the UK. 

Hydrogen Refinery uses a microwave-induced plasma electrolysis system to break down wastes ranging from plastics to food scraps into synthesis gas, which can then be converted into synthetic fuels such as SAF.

“We are delighted to be forging this ground-breaking alliance with e-fuels developer Hydrogen Refinery,” Geere said. “Their patented technology has the potential to provide Farnborough Airport with enough proprietary supplies of SAF for us to become the first and only airport in the world to be offering fuel with a 20% blend across its entire supply by 2028, well ahead of the UK government’s own target of 10% by 2030.”

The NTSB has published a preliminary report on the February 25 near-collision runway incursion involving a Flexjet Bombardier Challenger 350 and Southwest Airlines (SWA) Boeing 737-800 at Chicago Midway International Airport (KMDW). The report noted that the “cockpit voice recorders for both airplanes were overwritten,” although the “SWA flight data recorder (FDR) and data from the Flexjet FDR were sent to the NTSB’s Vehicle Recorder Laboratory in Washington, D.C. for analysis.”

The incursion resulted in the SWA 737 crew aborting the landing on Runway 31C and performing a go-around after Flexjet Flight 560 (LXJ560) crossed the active runway in front of the 737. The 737 passed less than 200 feet behind the Challenger, according to the NTSB.

Clear weather prevailed as the SWA 737 crew flew the ILS approach to Runway 31C, with the captain as pilot flying and first officer (FO) in the pilot monitoring role. After shutting off the autopilot at about 500 feet ago, both pilots saw the Challenger “taxiing on a surface perpendicular to their runway and assumed it would be holding short of Runway 31C.” At 100 feet, when he heard the avionics call out the altitude, the FO “realized that the [Challenger] was not stopping and was going to cross onto Runway 31C. The FO stated that he called for a go-around and the captain executed it.”

James Viola took the reins of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today, becoming the trade group’s sixth president and CEO since its founding in 1970. Viola most recently headed up Vertical Aviation International (VAI, née Helicopter Association International) and succeeds Pete Bunce, who has led GAMA since 2005.

“It is a privilege and an honor to be able to lead such an impactful global organization that is known for the great work it does on behalf of the general aviation industry,” said Viola. “I look forward to working with our membership to continue to advocate for policies and regulations that allow for the industry to grow, flourish, and advance innovation.

“While this is an exciting time for our industry there is still a lot of work to be done to meet new and ongoing challenges. It is important that we continue to illustrate the robust opportunities and economic and societal benefits that our industry provides around the world.”

Viola has served as VAI’s president and CEO since 2020, representing and supporting the global helicopter industry and other vertical aviation stakeholders. While there, he spearheaded the association’s rebranding from HAI to VAI to broaden the association’s focus to include advanced air mobility and eVTOLs. Prior to VAI, Viola spent more than a decade at the FAA, leaving there as director of general aviation safety assurance.

Provo Air Center, one of three FBO providers at Providenciales International Airport (MBPV) in the Turks and Caicos Islands, has expanded services to South Caicos. It said this move aims to enhance private aviation accessibility to the island, providing fuel support and streamlined entry services at South Caicos Airport (MBSC), which has a 6,000-foot runway. The expansion mainly caters to private jet passengers and guests of the recently opened Salterra Resort & Spa.

“We are thrilled to extend our services to South Caicos,” said Provo Air Center CEO Deborah Aharon. “Our presence on the island not only enhances private jet accessibility but also underscores our unwavering commitment to providing first-class service, flexibility, and convenience to our clientele.”

South Caicos, known for its salt production and marine biodiversity, is experiencing a rise in luxury tourism. The opening of Salterra Resort & Spa last month has contributed to this growth.

The FBO's expansion coincides with recent upgrades at South Caicos Airport, including a new passenger terminal and airline flights from Miami. Provo Air Center’s presence aims to support the island’s growing tourism sector by enhancing aviation services and providing a seamless travel experience for private jet passengers.

Astronics unveiled its new SkyShow Server this week at AEA 2025, offering a modern moving map solution for business aircraft. The product, developed in partnership with FlightPath3D, is expected to be available in the third quarter.

Brian Smisek, senior manager of business development for Astronics, described it as “the latest in moving map technology” that “will provide the best moving map experience available today.”

The SkyShow Server is positioned as a replacement or upgrade for legacy map products in business aircraft. It delivers 4K resolution imaging and supports multi-user interfacing through passengers’ personal electronic devices. The system features multiple video outputs compatible with existing in-flight entertainment distribution systems and Astronics’ 4K monitors.

Technical capabilities include HD, SD, and 4K HDMI outputs and Ethernet interfacing, enabling client-server applications on personal devices when connected through the aircraft’s wireless access point. Passengers can access the moving map by downloading the FlightPath3D application or using a browser interface.

An audit report released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) highlights challenges in the FAA’s approach to data-sharing and implementation of safety initiatives. The report, which assessed the FAA's efforts to analyze data and prevent runway incursions at primary commercial service airports, was conducted in response to a series of incidents in early 2023 where aircraft came dangerously close to one another on runways at busy commercial airports.

An independent safety review team issued 24 recommendations to the FAA in November 2023 addressing process integrity, staffing, facilities, and technology. As of October 2024, the FAA had implemented five of these recommendations and the OIG report also reviewed five recommendations to improve data sharing and prevent future incursions.

These include completing the development and implementation of an integrated safety dashboard, establishing procedures to analyze safety data for decision-making, implementing suggestions from a draft Mitre report, developing cost estimates for its “Technology Sprint” initiative and runway surveillance technology, and providing regular updates to stakeholders, including Congress, on its progress.

The FAA concurred with all five recommendations and has established completion dates. According to the OIG, it considers the recommendations as resolved but open pending the completion of planned actions.

As preowned twin-engine helicopter prices steadily increased in 2024, a drop in the number of deals and the growing supply of aircraft for sale could signal “a possible cooling trend,” according to market analysts at Aero Asset. The helicopter trading and market intelligence firm released its “2024 Annual Heli Market Trends: Twin-Engine Edition” report last week at Verticon.

“Our research shows a slowdown in 2024 deal volume and a growing supply for sale,” said Valerie Pereira, v-p of market research at Aero Asset. “However, the resilience in transaction prices—an 11% year-over-year increase—highlights the continued demand for quality preowned twin-engine helicopters, despite supply fluctuations.”

The number of preowned twin-engine helicopter sales declined by 8% year over year (YOY) in 2024, whereas the supply of aircraft for sale increased by 14%. Average absorption rates for the market segment rose to 16 months of supply at current trade levels. Pereira noted that while absorption rates increased overall, the average rate fared better in the second half of 2024.

Supply of light twin-engine helicopters on the preowned market swelled by 33% YOY, while medium-twin supply dropped by 15%. Although sales of preowned light twins remained steady year-over-year, medium-twin models saw a 22% decline in sales. Meanwhile, sales of heavy-twin helicopters hit a five-year low as the supply for sale increased by 13%.