Available used business jet inventory continued to climb in March, up by 26 percent year-over-year (YOY) overall and by 21 percent for aircraft less than seven years out of production, according to analyst Jefferies. At the same time, pricing dipped by 4 percent YOY.

Citing Amstat and its own data, Jefferies said 1,116 business jets are up for sale so far this month, compared with 1,094 in February and 883 in March 2023. Inventory represents 4.3 percent of the total fleet, which is still down from the five-year average of 5.1 percent but up from the one-year average of 4.1 percent.

Inventory is up across all segments, led by the 30 percent increase in available midsize jets. The number of large-cabin jets for sale increased by 25 percent, while light jets were up by 24 percent YOY.

Gains were seen across all the major manufacturers except for Embraer. A decline in available Phenom 300s and 100s for sale helped shrink the overall Embraer inventory by 11 percent YOY to 31 units. Bombardier aircraft for sale increased by 18 percent YOY to 59 units, while Cessna Citation inventory rose 25 percent to 111 units. Of the major OEMs, Dassault Falcon saw the largest increase, up 43 percent, but from a smaller base of 20 units for sale. The number of Gulfstreams for sale increased by 31 percent to 72.

Carly Simon’s 1972 hit song “You’re So Vain” described someone flying their Learjet up to Nova Scotia to see the total eclipse of the sun. That scenario will be repeated on April 8 as the U.S. will be treated to the first total eclipse in seven years.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the “Great North American Eclipse” will transit a narrow path of totality from southwest to northeast across 13 U.S. states, as well as swathes of Canada and Mexico. This event is predicted to be spectacular, with those along the direct path experiencing several minutes of totality.

The eclipse path will impact the U.S. from approximately 1830 to 1940 UTC, and the DOT warns that aircraft operators should be prepared for potential airborne holding, reroutes, and/or Expect Departure Clearance Times (EDCTs) that may be issued for all domestic IFR arrivals and departures.

The agency also noted that there may be higher traffic volumes than normal at airports along the path of the eclipse, and to assist FBOs with staging aircraft and to ease ramp congestion, aircraft departing airports along the eclipse path are strongly encouraged to coordinate their departure times as early as possible.

One such airport—Watertown International in New York at the Canadian border—will be holding a viewing party for the celestial event with bands and food trucks.

In an earnings call today, Atlanta-based private aviation company Volato reported a net loss of $32.1 million last year. It partially attributed the red ink to a $13.4 million non-cash charge related to the change in fair value of its forward purchase agreement, as well as higher operating, selling, general, and administrative expenses from growth in its business. The company also cited lower aircraft sales.

Volato co-founder and CEO Matt Liotta said industry factors such as new-production aircraft delivery delays also affected revenue by hobbling fractional share sales. Its reported 2023 revenues were $73.3 million.

“We are in close contact with our suppliers and partners and understand that production and supply chain issues are easing, providing us with good visibility into our 2024 and 2025 delivery pipeline,” he said. “We expect continued fleet expansion will propel revenue and margin in several ways, including increased fractional sales and operating revenue, and more efficient aircraft utilization. We remain focused on growth and our path to profitability.”

Volato’s aircraft usage revenue for the fourth quarter increased by 121 percent as a result of an increase in the number of aircraft in its floating fleet. The company is expecting to take delivery of 22 HondaJet Elite IIs and four Gulfstream G280s in 2024 and 2025.

Following a so-called Markman hearing, Delaware District Court Judge Jennifer Hall yesterday accepted a claim construction order submitted by plaintiff SmartSky Networks and defendant Gogo Business Aviation in the ongoing patent dispute between the two companies.

SmartSky filed the complaint in February 2022, alleging that Gogo is infringing on its patents. Key to this is one patent that involves how air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity systems conduct handoffs from one terrestrial base station to another. The order sets forth “(1) the joint constructions agreed upon by the parties either before, or in response to, the Markman hearing; and (2) the constructions for certain terms, phrases, or clauses contained in the asserted claims” of six patents “ruled on by the Court.”

While the judge’s adopted joint construction order defines terms that both parties agree on, yesterday’s order doesn't make any judgments about the patent claims or the defense by Gogo. Essentially, SmartSky is saying that these adopted construction definitions support its patent claims because the definitions don't support Gogo's infringement defense.

“The interpretations of these pivotal terms in the patents clearly support SmartSky’s novel and unique inventions, confirming our position that Gogo 5G is infringing,” said SmartSky CEO David Helfgott.

“Nothing about the Markman ruling changes Gogo’s position," a Gogo spokesman told AIN. "Gogo denies infringement and believes SmartSky’s patents are invalid.”

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Aircraft operators heading to Wyoming’s Casper/Natrona County International Airport (KCPR) now have a choice of FBO providers with the opening of the newest member of the growing Aero Centers chain.

The company’s seventh location in the U.S., pet-friendly Aero Center Casper offers a 3,000-sq-ft terminal with passenger and pilot lounges, a 12-seat conference room, business center, concierge, dishwashing service, crew cars, and rampside vehicle access. The complex also includes 28,000 sq ft of hangar space capable of sheltering aircraft up to a Gulfstream G650 and nearly two acres of soon-to-be-completed ramp space.

It is led by Casper native Jennifer McGraw, who brings more than a decade of FBO experience to the position of general manager. 

“The opening of Aero Center Casper is a landmark event for the region’s aviation landscape,” said company president and COO Geoff Heck. “It not only offers the services and amenities the community needs, but does so with the expertise to connect aviators to the breathtaking beauty and adventures Wyoming has to offer.”

The 35th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference—held in Orlando, Florida, from March 21 to 23—attracted more than 5,200 attendees, including 142 international representatives from 35 countries. The conference, organized by Women in Aviation International (WAI), also included a series of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and scholarship distributions.

More than 200 companies and organizations exhibited in the sold-out hall, showcasing the diverse career opportunities within the industry. Additionally, the event coincided with Women’s History Month, providing a fitting backdrop to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in aviation.

A highlight of the conference was the awarding of 131 scholarships, contributing to WAI's record of more than $15 million in scholarships awarded since 1995.

Significant organizational announcements were made during the WAI annual membership meeting. The membership report revealed a robust and growing organization with more than 18,000 members across 120 countries. New leadership appointments include Kathy Yodice as the incoming board chair and Shannon Weidekamp as vice chair, effective April 1.

The conference also celebrated the induction of notable figures into WAI’s International Pioneer Hall of Fame. Among the inductees were renowned mathematician and NASA pioneer Katherine Johnson, the first female class of U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Navigators, and the U.S. Army Air Forces World War II Flight Nurses.

Private equity group 4D Capital Partners has acquired Britten-Norman for an undisclosed amount with the promise of fresh investment in the UK aircraft manufacturer. Britten-Norman produces the Islander family of turboprop and piston utility aircraft, as well as a military variant called the Defender 4000.

The deal confirmed on Friday was closed after administrators were appointed on March 21 to handle the sale of 100 percent of the share capital in the newly incorporated Britten-Norman Aerospace to Shelton Bidco, which is an investment vehicle set up by 4D Capital. The group, which includes the B-N Group, Britten-Norman, Britten-Norman Aircraft, BN Defence, and BN Daedalus, has production, engineering, and maintenance facilities at Bembridge on the Isle of Wight in southern England, as well as at Lee-on-Solent and Southampton. The group employs 170 people at these sites.

In September, Britten-Norman re-opened the Islander production line at Bembridge after deciding to bring manufacturing back to the UK, having previously built the aircraft in Romania for many years. In late February, Britten-Norman confirmed it had initiated a search for new investors to secure the company's future.

Last year, Britten-Norman and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions announced plans to merge to jointly pursue a project to produce hydrogen-powered versions of the nine-passenger Islander. This has since been pursued under a less formal partnership.