Simulator and training company CAE has integrated Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 3D visuals to provide more realistic views for pilots training in its level-D full flight simulators. The first simulator to host the Prodigy image generator with Unreal Engine is an Airbus A320, although CAE said Prodigy will become standard on new and earlier-generation CAE level-D simulators.

“Prodigy improves visual simulation fidelity,” according to CAE, “by elevating training standards in all areas, including photo-realistic renderings and enhanced moving models, to provide a more immersive training experience.” This includes higher-resolution 3D content and more entities and lifeforms in virtual environments such as aircraft and moving ground vehicles in airports, models in motion such as marshalers guiding an aircraft to a position on the ramp, more realistic weather, detailed airport markings, reflections with physics-based rendering, and detailed night visuals.

“Our collaboration with Epic Games on the CAE Prodigy Image Generator is a huge leap forward in the use of technology to increase the efficacy of pilot training and make our skies safer,” said Abha Dogra, CAE chief technology and product officer. “The convergence of the simulation and gaming industries will result in an enhanced simulator training experience with ultra-realistic visuals that further narrow the gap between the virtual and physical worlds.”

Long-time NBAA executive Dina Green was promoted to the newly created role of chief of staff, responsible for ensuring that the association leverages “every opportunity to enhance how the organization serves its members and the industry.” Most recently v-p of events, Green will also continue to oversee VIP experiences at NBAA events and other gatherings.

“Dina is recognized throughout business aviation for her exceptional organizational skills, deep personal and professional relationships, ability to get things done, and total commitment to NBAA,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Over her impressive industry career, she has earned the trust and respect of everyone with whom she has worked.”

Green, who joined NBAA in 2003, previously served as director of registration and seminar exhibits and director/senior director of conferences and forums for the organization. She was elevated to the v-p level in 2019, where her duties included event planning and budget oversight of trade shows and regional forums, along with registration and sponsorships.

A private pilot, Green previously held roles with the International Aircraft Dealers Association and the National Association of State Aviation Officials and has worked as a legal assistant in the U.S. House’s General Counsel Office, as well as for the law firm Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker.

Pratt & Whitney and the FAA are collaborating with Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), Aerodyne Research, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study non-CO2 aviation emissions.

"As the aviation industry targets a goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, we continue to pay close attention to addressing the environmental impact of other emissions, including cruise non-volatile particulate matter and NOx," said Sean Bradshaw, Pratt & Whitney's senior technical fellow of sustainable propulsion. "Combustor rig tests with 100 percent SAF provide a controlled environment for generating valuable baseline data, which will support future studies using full scale engines on-wing at ground and flight-test conditions."

The effort is part of the FAA’s Ascent program, a cooperative aviation research organization co-led by Washington State University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology tasked with the goal of reducing the environmental impacts of aviation. The project will study and compare emissions from jet-A and SAF comprised of hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids synthetic paraffinic kerosene (HEFA-SPK), a biofuel derived from vegetable oils and animal fat.

"By bringing together expertise from industry, government, and academia, this project represents an important step towards understanding and reducing the environmental impacts of aviation, including those arising from non-CO2 emissions," said Philip Whitefield of Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Philippines-based Aviation Concepts Technical Services (ACTSI) recently obtained FAA approval for its Wheel and Tire Shop Services (WTSS) subsidiary under its limited accessory rating. WTSS offers tire change, tear down, and build-up with nondestructive testing on 19 wheel assembly part numbers for aircraft types that include the Gulfstream G280, G350/450, G550, and G650/650ER; Beechcraft King Air B200 and B300; and Bombardier Global family.

WTSS complements ACTSI's component support services, which has a sheet metal repair shop and battery repair shop, among others.

"We are in constant pursuit of redefining MRO standards in the region, and adding the Wheel and Tire Shop to our suite of support services helps bolster our existing repair station services," said TJ Trinidad, v-p of business development at ACTSI. “This in turn helps solidify ACTSI's reputation as a key player in the MRO sector in Asia."

Paragon Aviation Group has teamed with NBAA to launch the NBAA FBO Partnership Network, an initiative they say will help FBOs “enhance their brand visibility and generate new sales leads within the business aviation industry.”

"Connecting your brand with the right network is crucial in the business aviation industry," said Paragon Aviation Group president Megan Barnes. "We are excited to partner with NBAA to offer this resource to our member FBOs, helping them to enhance their brand visibility and generate valuable new sales leads. By becoming a part of the NBAA FBO Partnership Network, FBOs can give their brand the recognition it deserves."

As part of the partnership, Paragon Aviation Group has agreed to support the initiative to NBAA member FBOs. "We are thrilled to partner with NBAA as they launch their FBO Partnership Network," said Crystal Kubeczka, v-p of Sales at Paragon. "We look forward to working together to support member FBOs in the business aviation industry."

Connecticut-based aircraft brokerage and consulting firm Guardian Jet has announced that it achieved sales exceeding $2 billion in 2023. It also announced changes in its management and leadership. The company said it experienced “unprecedented growth” in its consulting services, noting that it was the 22-year-old company’s most successful year for new aircraft acquisitions.

“Despite facing a flat market landscape, we’re committed to reinvesting and expanding in every facet of the business,” said Guardian Jet managing partner Mike Dwyer. “From bolstering our workforce to enhancing technological infrastructure and services, Guardian Jet has spared no effort in fortifying our position and driving growth. As we further invest in our people, technology, and services, we’re confident that we will continue to increase market share, drive growth, and solidify our position as a global leader in aircraft sales and acquisitions."

The company announced president Mike Dwyer as managing partner, and former v-p of sales Gabriel Bastos was promoted to head of global sales. Additionally, Meghan Dwyer was named sales director of Europe and Amber Gardner was appointed regional sales manager of West Hudson. Joining the company are John Ballenger, regional sales manager for Midwestern and Western states; Greg Sydor, mid-Atlantic regional sales manager; and Wyatt Breedlove and Brantley Gandy, aircraft market researchers.

"These key leadership changes illustrate our desire to empower the next generation," said managing partner Don Dwyer.

Dassault Falcon Service (DFS) has selected TrustFlight’s electronic logbook to drive adoption of digital processes across its fleet of business aircraft. Designed to gain real-time insights while eliminating error-prone, time-consuming manual processes, the electronic logbook allows for increased operational efficiencies, safety improvement, and the ability to outline potential risks ahead of time.

With TrustFlight, DFS maintenance and flight operations personnel can eliminate transcription errors and manual processes to gain instant overviews into aircraft locations, maintenance statuses, and real-time alerts to mitigate potential issues as they arise.

“The selection of our electronic logbook solution by Dassault Falcon Service is a testament to the robustness, functionality, and integrability of the application,” said TrustFlight CEO Karl Steeves. “The Dassault Aviation group and its affiliates are well regarded for its operational excellence and business acumen, and we are excited to partner with them to help streamline operations through digitization.”

TrustFlight’s electronic logbook enables fully digital workflows for crew and maintenance personnel by automating vital information to enhance speed and accuracy while reducing low-value-added operations. Meanwhile, it integrates into various systems—including AMOS, CAMP, and Leon Software—allowing users to leverage bidirectional data flows to maintain a connected ecosystem of digital products.

AIN’s senior-level Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit (CALS) East, set for July 15 to 17 in Jersey City, New Jersey, will address the latest hot topics, strategies, and solutions in business aviation. The summit is attendee-centric and serves as an educational and professional networking platform, connecting corporate aviation leaders with peers, industry experts, and solution providers in a relaxed, informal environment. We invite U.S.-based flight department leaders to apply to attend this all-expenses-paid event as our guests. Seats are limited, so don’t wait to apply.