Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is getting ready for the series production of an upgraded version of the super-midsize G280 business jet it builds under license for Gulfstream Aerospace. Following type certification in Israel and the U.S., plans call for first deliveries to be made in 2026.

According to Shmuel Kuzi, executive v-p and general manager of IAI’s aviation group, the company has already produced a prototype of the upgraded G280 and is now adapting its production lines. "We have designed the upgraded version and we will certify it as we did with previous models of Gulfstream business jets that we have made," he told AIN. "We plan to manufacture 30 aircraft a year."

IAI has delivered around 300 G280s since the 3,600-nm, Mach 0.85 twinjet entered service in 2012. Kuzi refrained from detailing all the changes that will be introduced with the upgraded G280, but according to previous reports based on Gulfstream data, it is known that the U.S company has managed to reduce the cabin altitude from 6,000 feet to 4,800 feet at FL410. The model is also expected to feature a new avionics suite.

From mid-2024, the G280 will feature an enhanced cabin altitude and LED lighting. These upgrades will also be available for retrofit, Kuzi said.

Fernand François, a former chief executive of the European Business Aviation Association and publisher of BART International magazine, passed away on Friday. After beginning his career as a graphic designer and running an advertising agency, he earned a private pilot’s license in 1970 and then spent the best part of five decades focused on aviation. He was instrumental in founding the EBACE trade show that is jointly run with NBAA.

In 1993, EBAA appointed François as its chief executive and he played a leading role in regenerating the trade association. After 12 years in the post, he handed over the reins to Brian Humphries and focused on running his Business Aviation Real Tool (BART) media group, with operations in both Europe and the U.S.

His collaboration with former NBAA president Jack Olcott transformed EBAA’s annual meeting from being a small annual event held in a Brussels hotel to the large-scale convention now staged in Geneva each May. The first EBACE was held April 18 to 20, 2001, and the upcoming 23rd edition will take place May 28 to 30.

The 2024 edition of EASA's annual European Plan for Aviation Safety reflects the European air safety agency’s most current assessment of strategic priorities for EU member states. The document includes updates to the Volume I strategic priorities document covering 2023 through 2025, as well as 19 new action items spelled out in Volume II and an updated safety risk portfolio in Volume III.

Among the new rulemaking tasks set by EASA is an action to address safety concerns over “erroneous takeoff parameters and position errors” in airline operations. The report also calls for a new regulatory framework to address the “trustworthiness” of artificial intelligence and the safe integration of higher-airspace operations.

The report identifies the following three risk areas for general aviation operations as being of greatest importance: aircraft upset, airborne collision, and runway excursion. It indicates that the first two risks are mainly associated with leisure or personal flying.

According to outgoing executive director Patrick Ky, EASA has adjusted and shortened the timeline for implementing the safety plan to make its work more focused. He also said the air transport industry needs greater stability to deal with the continuing fallout from Covid and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The agency has deprioritized some action items in its plan in response to acknowledged budget restrictions at EASA and national aviation authorities.

Clay Lacy Aviation will become a dealer for SpaceX’s Starlink low-earth-orbit satcom terminals and will install the systems at its MRO facilities in Van Nuys, California, and Oxford, Connecticut.

So far, supplemental type certificates (STCs) are available for three aircraft families. STC holders include Nextant Aerospace—with approvals for the Gulfstream G650/650ER and Bombardier Global 6000, Express, and XRS—and Aerospace Design & Compliance for the Embraer ERJ-135/145.

Additional Starlink STCs are under development for the Bombardier Challenger 300/350 and Global 5000/5500/6500/7500; Gulfstream G550/G450/IV/V; Embraer Legacy 600/650, Praetor 500/600, and Phenom 300; and other types. Downtime for installation ranges from 15 to 25 days, depending on the aircraft model.

SpaceX said Starlink offers download speeds of 40 to 220 Mbps and upload speeds of eight to 25 Mbps on its global network. Latency is “less than 99 milliseconds.”

Service plans start at $2,000 per month for 20 GB and $10,000 per month for global unlimited. Onboard hardware consists of a fuselage-mounted electronically steered antenna, power supply, and two wireless access points.

“Starlink offers business aviation high-speed, global-coverage solutions that can transform the flight experience for passengers, as well as enhance the operations for crewmembers," said Clay Lacy avionics manager Eddy Diaz. "We anticipate many aircraft owners will be eager to add this reliable connectivity technology.”

Explore the skies with a 60% climb rate boost and cruise effortlessly at 330+ knots. This isn't just an upgrade; it is a transformative flying experience. Unleash the full potential of your aircraft and explore the possibilities.

The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) has expanded its roster with six more products and services members, enhancing the support framework essential for preowned aircraft transactions. Announced by IADA executive director Wayne Starling, the new members are AeroProjx, Aviation Legal Counsel, Aviation Maintenance Support, Jet Access Group, MRO Insider, and Vedder Price.

Based in Berlin, AeroProjx specializes in a range of services from business aircraft maintenance and engineering projects to airworthiness reviews. Its expertise extends to base maintenance oversight, technical support for transactions, and oversight and management of completion and refurbishment.

Aviation Legal Counsel offers extensive experience in aviation legal considerations and aircraft operations. Its services cover cross-border transactions, airman defense before the FAA and DOT, and aviation-related civil litigation.

Meanwhile, Aviation Maintenance Support provides maintenance services for private and business jet aircraft. It offers aircraft acquisition and sales assistance, audits, department management, and ongoing maintenance management.

Jet Access Group, a full-service aviation management company, is an IADA-accredited dealer member, while MRO Insider allows its app users to connect with aircraft maintenance providers. Lastly, Vedder Price, an international business-focused law firm, caters to a diverse range of clients across multiple industries.

These additions join nearly 90 IADA support companies serving the preowned business aircraft resale industry.

Western Canada’s Blackcomb Helicopters is equipping its fleet of four Airbus H135s and four Bell 212HPs with GPMS International’s Foresight MX health usage and monitoring system (HUMS).

“Some of our contracts mandate the use of HUMS to ensure we’re operating to the highest levels of safety,” said Jonathan Burke, president of Blackcomb. He added that his company selected Foresight MX for its simplicity, predictive analytics, and customer support. “We’re looking forward to start using the system after certification has been completed.”

“Being able to be more proactive than reactive is what we’re really looking forward to,” said Blackcomb director of maintenance Aaron Trimble. “If you’re able to plan ahead, you’re not having to go AOG and your customers, engineers, and of course, your management are all happier.”

Blackcomb provides helicopter tourism, utility, and civil services from bases at Boundary Bay Airport (Delta), Whistler, Pemberton, Squamish, Sechelt, Lillooet, Terrace, and Calgary/Springbank Airport.

Foresight MX provides machine condition monitoring, optimized rotor track and balance, and fleet data with exceedance monitoring. Certifications or certification work cover rotorcraft as small as the MD530F to as large as the Boeing CH-47D Chinook.

Million Air Dallas has been selected as the Corporate Aircraft Association’s (CAA) Preferred FBO at Addison Airport for the 20th consecutive year. The facility—the first location in the Million Air chain—is considered one of the pioneers of the luxury FBO concept. Million Air is also celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Achieving CAA Preferred status is a competitive process and involves voting by pilots who are tasked with considering a facility’s excellence in customer service, safety, and operational efficiency. The chosen FBO in turn receives CAA promotion in exchange for offering its members preferred fuel rates.

“Maintaining our status as the CAA Preferred FBO for two decades is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team,” stated Jeff Zimmerman, v-p of FBO services for Million Air Dallas. “We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering unmatched service excellence to our valued clients.”

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.