Jet Aviation has expanded its automated drone and artificial intelligence (AI) aircraft exterior inspection service to its U.S. locations. The General Dynamics subsidiary launched the capability at its MRO facility and global headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, in 2023.

Developed in partnership with Donecle, a provider of drone and AI technology for the aviation industry, the process was approved in 2024 by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) for General Visual Inspections (GVIs) by images.

Jet Aviation’s U.S.-based managed and FBO customers can now use the technology to generate digital reports that map the exterior surface of their aircraft, for reference or for use in operational events such as pre-purchase inspections, warranty cases, or insurance claims. It is available for a wide range of business jets and airliners, according to the company.

“Our team is committed to listening to, and working closely with, our customers to grow our regional offering in ways that make a real difference to the owner and operator experience,” said David Best, Jet Aviation’s senior v-p for regional operations and general manager for the Americas. “The drone and AI technology offers our managed and FBO customers additional peace of mind, providing an accurate, comprehensive, digitized report of the exterior of the aircraft for their records now and in the future.”

“We’re on a mission to foster an environment that allows business aviation to thrive in the United States and around the world,” NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen said this morning during the opening session of the organization’s Northeastern Regional Forum at New York’s Westchester County Airport (KHPN). “We like to tell the world business aviation is a great industry, one that needs to be fostered, not impeded.”

Bolen noted that one of the organization’s key tenets is “safety first, safety always,” and as such, it has pushed for legislation that encompasses the NTSB safety recommendations following last year’s tragic midair accident in the skies over the nation’s capital. NBAA has worked to lobby the House and the Senate to move bills in both chambers of Congress to advance those recommendations. “I can’t think of a more lasting tribute to those people who lost their lives in the accident than for our country to respond with safety enhancements,” he told the audience gathered in the show presentation area of host FBO Million Air’s 52,000-sq-ft community hangar.

Another increase in safety is expected to come from the major renovation of the nation’s air traffic control system. Following a recent update on the project, Bolen reported on the progress: “It’s really exciting to see that we’ve replaced about 50% of the copper wires with fiber optics.”

The available used business jet inventory is down by 11% year over year (YOY) this month to 1,029 aircraft, according to the latest report from analyst Jefferies. Citing its own data and analysis, along with that of Amstat, Jefferies further noted that inventory fell 37% when counting only younger jets—those less than seven years out of production. However, both the overall and young inventories did tick up from April by 1% and 7%, respectively.

Driving the YOY inventory decline were available heavy jets, down by 26%. Available used light jets dipped by 8% and midsize jets by 5%. As a result, pricing is up by 4% YOY, but softened by 2% from April.

Considering just the younger models, available inventory remains in the historically low range of 2.1% of the overall fleet. By manufacturer product lines, young Gulfstream availability is down to 35 units, dropping 43% YOY as a result of a contraction in G650s on the market. Similarly, available Bombardier fleets were down 41% to 37 units with fewer Globals and Learjets for sale.

Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation line accounted for 44 units for sale, down 40%, and available Embraer units decreased by 28% to 29 aircraft. Dassault Falcon inventory slid by 23% to 17 units.

Pro Star Aviation is making it easier to have SpaceX Starlink satcom systems installed in business aircraft by sending technicians to a customer’s location. Based at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (KMHT) in New Hampshire, Pro Star has already done six “On-The-Fly” Starlink installations, eliminating the need for customers to fly to one of Pro Star’s three facilities, which also include Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Portland, Maine.

The most recent On-The-Fly installation was done on a Gulfstream G500, and others include the G450, G550, and Bombardier Global Express XRS. “As demand for connectivity grows, this flexibility has become increasingly valuable,” Pro Star said.

“Completing these installations on the road allows customers to keep their aircraft where they operate,” said Pro Star Aviation director of sales and marketing Jeff Shaw. “It minimizes downtime, reduces the need for additional aircraft movement, and gives operators greater flexibility when planning for upgrades.”

Starlink Aviation has supplemental type certificates available for a variety of Bombardier, Dassault Falcon, Embraer, Gulfstream, and Textron Aviation platforms, with more in the works.

With Gogo Galileo HDX now available for the King Air, global connectivity has finally caught up to one of aviation’s most trusted platforms. Stevens Aerospace worked alongside Gogo to bring the system to the King Air, delivering seamless integration, proven real-world performance, and connectivity aligned with how operators fly today.

The FAA is making progress on the nearly three-dozen NTSB recommendations issued in the aftermath of the Jan. 29, 2025 midair near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA). But whether its approach to many of them will be acceptable to the Safety Board remains to be seen, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford informed Congress yesterday.

Bedford appeared before the Senate aviation subcommittee to delve into FAA actions in the aftermath of the collision of a PSA Airlines CRJ700 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk that killed 67. “We can do better,” Bedford conceded, in areas from aircraft traffic management to coordination. He said the FAA and Department of Transportation are committed to addressing the issues involved.

One of the key steps that Bedford emphasized came at the end of March, when the agency suspended the use of visual separation between helicopters and aircraft in Class B, Class C, and terminal radar service area airspace. “This is not merely a procedural adjustment. It is a fundamental change in how we manage traffic separation in complex airspace,” he emphasized.

This was an example that Bedford cited of a step the agency has taken to address NTSB recommendations as an alternative to the actual recommendation for restructuring charts for increased separation. Of the 35 specifically addressed to the agency, the FAA has accomplished several and has 19 in progress.

Steiner Aviation International expanded its facility at Akron-Canton Regional Airport (KCAK) in Ohio with a 12,000-sq-ft hangar initially dedicated to servicing Embraer ERJ-135s and ERJ-145s, which includes Legacy 600/650 business jets.

The company provides avionics service, installations, and repair, as well as aircraft maintenance services. Steiner Aviation has invested in specialized tools and has added an experienced Embraer technical team. The new facility, now operational, focuses on heavy maintenance, scheduled maintenance, and inspections for ERJ-135/145s, as well as other super-midsize business jets and regional jets.

“For more than 25 years, Steiner Aviation has built a solid reputation on providing quality avionics and maintenance services and putting a priority on customer and vendor relationships,” said company owner and general manager Kevin Steiner. “Our recent expansion and additional capabilities geared towards Embraer midsize and super-midsize business jets is natural progression, and we look forward to building lasting relationships within this segment as we have always done.”

DAS Aviation and AQRD Engineering have developed a modification to replace Embraer Phenom 300 engine inlet fasteners and repair mounting flanges and surrounding structure. According to DAS Aviation, “The solution changes the inner barrel fasteners as part of a comprehensive repair intended to address fastener-related inlet issues and improve overall inlet reliability.”

Instead of replacing loose or missing fasteners, the modification replaces about 700 rivets and involves a complete teardown to inspect mounting flanges and structural elements to “identify hidden failures that can contribute to blind rivets working loose,” the company explained. The entire process takes seven to 10 days, and DAS Aviation can provide loaner inlets and spares if necessary, or the work can be done during a regular inspection.

“DAS Aviation is a solutions company. When operators need an efficient path forward, we are here to develop a plan that keeps them flying,” said senior v-p Dan Podojil. “We are proud to support customers who are addressing this issue during routine inspections, as well as those taking proactive steps to address inlet fastener concerns. At the end of the day, our focus is on what the customer needs. That means delivering innovative solutions that are accomplished safely, efficiently, and with minimal downtime.”

Ontic tapped Jean-Christophe Gallagher as its CEO, succeeding Gareth Hall, who has served as chief executive for more than 10 years. In the coming months, Hall will transition to executive chairman and continue his work on the company’s long-term strategy.

Ontic supplies aircraft parts and MRO services for the civil and military sectors. “Ontic is entering an exciting new phase of growth, and this is the right moment to add to our leadership structure to match that opportunity,” said Hall. “[Gallagher] brings deep aerospace expertise and a strong track record of leading high-performing global teams. His appointment further strengthens our senior leadership and positions Ontic to build on the momentum we have created.”

Gallagher previously worked for two decades at Bombardier, most recently as executive v-p of aircraft sales and defense. Hall highlighted Gallagher’s alignment with the strategy, values, and goals of Ontic, as well as his “enormous energy, global perspective, and a clear passion for this industry.”

“Ontic plays a vital role in keeping aircraft flying for generations, and I’m honored to join a team so deeply committed to that mission,” Gallagher said. “The company’s purpose—supporting a lifetime of flight—resonates strongly with me, and I’m excited to build on the exceptional momentum Gareth and the team have created.”

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