Honeywell has developed FMS-guided visual (FGV) approaches to provide a safer path to runway ends that offer some additional challenge and risk to business jet pilots. The resulting paths use radius-to-fix legs “which provide a precise track over the ground to align the aircraft while observing known airspace restrictions,” according to Honeywell. So far, there are FGV approaches for 10 runways at nine airports—including Teterboro (KTEB) and Van Nuys (KVNY)—with four more runways at three airports in development at Singapore Seletar (WSSL, Runway 3/21), Westchester County (KHPN, Runway 34), and Napa County (KAPC, Runway 24).

Most airports have instrument approach procedures that align the aircraft with a runway end, but not all runways—especially those constrained by terrain or airspace restrictions—have an IFR approach. Visual approaches can be more expeditious, but they lack guidance, and pilots must rely on their skill and judgment to keep the aircraft on the right path.

The FGV approaches are designed to mitigate risks inherent in visual approaches by providing lateral and vertical guidance that results in a stable approach. Honeywell has made these visual approaches available as a subscription service that adds them to FMS databases in qualifying aircraft. These include the Bombardier Global Express; Cessna Citation Sovereign and X; Falcon 900EX EASy, 900B/C/EX, 2000 EASy, 7X, and 8X; Gulfstream GV, G450/G550, G500/G600, and G650; and Hawker 4000.

Gulfstream’s G650 and G650ER fleet achieved a major milestone, surpassing one million flight hours, the Savannah, Georgia-based OEM announced this morning. With the G650 entering service in 2012, followed two years later by its longer-range G650ER stablemate, the large-cabin twinjet earned the Robert J. Collier Trophy in 2014 for its performance, safety, and efficiency innovations.

To date, the G650/650ER has amassed more than 125 city-pair speed records, and the G650ER currently holds the record for the farthest, fastest business jet flight.

While the aircraft was recently replaced at the top of the airframer's lineup by the newly certified G700, to keep them on the cutting edge of avionics, Honeywell recently released the Primus Epic Block 3 cockpit upgrade for the G650/650ER. This builds upon existing Gulfstream PlaneView II visual, communication, alerting, and navigation systems to help pilots make informed safety decisions during all aspects of flight.

“We could not be more pleased that the G650 program—synonymous with business aviation excellence—has been serving our customers for over a decade,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “This milestone is a true testament to our precision manufacturing, state-of-the-art design, world-class Gulfstream customer support, and commitment to continuously improve our customers’ operating experience.”

The comprehensive five-year FAA reauthorization bill sailed through the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 387 to 26 and goes next to the President’s desk for signature and enactment into law by the end of this week.

A bipartisan bill with strong endorsement by the Democrat and Republican leaders of the Senate Commerce and House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committees (whom NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen called the "four corners"), the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R.3935) also overwhelmingly passed the Senate last week by an 88-4 vote.

While not everyone was completely happy with the bill, the key House and Senate leaders compromised on myriad issues—such as slots into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (there will be more) and the age 65 retirement rule for airline pilots (which remains unchanged)—to ensure that the bill did not stagnate for years as has happened in the past.

Even so, Congress passed four extensions of the FAA’s authorization before the bill cleared the legislature.

As for its contents, the 1,061-page bill addresses a range of safety, certification, workforce, consumer protection, and sustainability issues, among many others. And, in a first for an FAA reauthorization bill, H.R.3935 also contains a title solely dedicated to general aviation.

Pittsburgh International Airport (KPIT) has announced a partnership that could propel it to the forefront of sustainable aviation. In cooperation with KeyState Energy and CNX Resources, KPIT is looking to develop a new renewable fuel facility on the field that could produce up to 68,000 tonnes of clean hydrogen or 70 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel a year. That amount would be nearly enough to replace all jet-A consumed at the airport and at a price on par with that of jet-A.

The plant will offer the flexibility to produce both products simultaneously at varying amounts to satisfy demand.

The fate of the $1.5 billion project hinges upon the U.S. Treasury Department enabling a pathway for the use of ultra-low-carbon-intensity fugitive coal mine methane—a resource abundant in the Pennsylvania coal region—under the 45V Hydrogen Production Tax Credit.

“Because of this exciting new project, Pittsburgh International Airport will become home to one of the largest facilities in the nation that specializes in the innovative process of using hydrogen gas to produce sustainable aviation fuel,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) “It will help support thousands of new union jobs and provide a look at how cutting-edge innovation in Pennsylvania is helping to build the energy economy of the future.”

Duncan Manufacturing Solutions (DMS), the parts manufacturing and fabrication division of Duncan Aviation, rises above others in the aviation parts fabrication industry with a focus on innovation and creative problem-solving. The team is constantly seeking new machinery and capabilities to meet the demand for high-quality precision parts and quick-turn services.

The Air Charter Association (ACA) is launching a sponsored internship program to coincide with its 75th anniversary. This three-month program will offer expert training, hands-on work experience, a competition project, and a networking and awards presentation event. It will run from August and is open to 18- to 25-year-olds.

“I am delighted that the ACA is launching this new program, which will not only provide a much easier route for the next generation to enter the charter sector but will also support our member companies by introducing young, enthusiastic talent to support their future workforce,” said ACA chairman Kevin Ducksbury.

The first stage will include four days of classroom training led by ACA training experts at a London airport. Interns will take an assessment at the end of the training and, upon passing the assessment, receive a certificate. Travel and accommodations are being covered by ACA.

During the second stage, interns will be placed in a work training experience, including working with an aircraft operator, private air charter broker, airport ground handler/FBO, flight support company, aviation legal practice, aviation insurance firm, or aircraft catering provider, among others.

After that, interns will be invited to complete a report on an industry topic of interest. The two top-rated intern projects will receive an award, presented at the Air Charter Excellence Awards event in Brighton in November.

DC Aviation G-OPS, a joint venture between Germany-based DC Aviation Group and French flight support provider G-OPS, has unveiled its updated FBO in the general aviation terminal (GAT) at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. At the recent grand opening, the company—which was awarded the space in 2022—showed off the renovated 300-sq-m (3,230 sq ft) space it occupies in the GAT, which is the second-largest of any airport in the country, hosting three service providers.

Featuring large windows with abundant natural light, the DC Aviation G-OPS facility offers upscale amenities including a sound-insulated passenger lounge and comfortable crew lounge, as well as its own sanitary facilities. Services offered comprise ramp handling; aircraft loading and unloading; passenger and crew transportation; fueling requests; permitting and slot reservations; and customs and immigration processing assistance.

“We are very proud to set a new quality standard with our FBO in the business aviation terminal at Nice Airport—one of the most popular and busiest airports in Europe,” said Svenja Wortmann, authorized signatory of DC Aviation Group. “By improving the infrastructure, we guarantee fast and efficient handling processes and offer our customers the highest level of comfort and privacy.”

Dallas-based Jets MRO and Spirit Aeronautics have signed an agreement to collaborate on complementary services for maintenance and avionics support, the companies said Monday. A veteran-owned small business based in Ohio, Spirit Aeronautics operates several Part 145 repair stations specializing in avionics systems, upgrades, rotable parts, and engineering support. Jets MRO provides scheduled and unscheduled maintenance in the Dallas region and component repair in Miami.

According to the companies, the partnership tightly couples Spirit Aeronautics’ avionics offerings with Jets MRO’s aircraft maintenance services. Spirit brings what it characterizes as a wealth of expertise and resources in avionics systems modernization, parts, and technical support, and offers all major avionics OEM dealership and service center authorizations.

“Spirit Aeronautics has long been a company focused on a positive work culture and safety advancements aligning seamlessly with Jets MRO's values of excellence and innovation,” the companies said. “Together, Jets MRO and Spirit Aeronautics embark on a collaborative journey towards excellence and innovation in aircraft maintenance and modernization. One of many partnerships to come, both companies look forward to pushing the boundaries of avionics technology and delivering exceptional results to their clients from industry experts.”

AIN sister publication Business Jet Traveler has launched its 14th annual Readers’ Choice survey. The poll solicits private aircraft fliers’ opinions about and experiences with flying privately and asks them to rate charter, jet card, and fractional-share providers, membership clubs, aircraft manufacturers and models, and more. All respondents will receive a prepublication copy of the results, be entered into a drawing for a $500 Amazon gift card (gift cards apply to U.S. survey respondents only), and have a donation made on their behalf to Corporate Angel Network. Take this year's survey or view results of the previous Business Jet Traveler reader surveys.