NextGen air traffic management technology will be less transformational than originally promised, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). Under Section 502 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, the OIG was tasked with reporting on the FAA’s progress in implementing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), which is a massive investment in modernizing the aging U.S. air traffic system.

According to the OIG report, the FAA claimed in its Section 502 NextGen report that “all major NextGen systems will be in place by 2025.” However, the OIG noted, that full deployment will take longer because the “FAA plans to deploy each major system to at least one location by 2025.” According to OIG's analysis and other stakeholder reports, the NextGen infrastructure will be less transformational than originally promised.

The FAA 502 report projected $100 billion in benefits by 2030 “even though [the] FAA had previously acknowledged that this amount was not achievable within that timeframe," concluded the report. “In addition, [the] FAA reported that the agency remains committed to working with industry on NextGen programs, but industry representatives stated that transparency and collaboration with the agency declined starting in 2018.”

The OIG report acknowledged that the FAA has closed all but three of the more than 200 recommendations the Department of Transportation made between 2005 through 2022.

Bombardier on Tuesday confirmed that it has a “clear line of sight” of meeting its 2025 objectives of 150 deliveries and $9 billion in revenues. Speaking during the company’s Investor Day at its new aircraft assembly plant at Toronto Pearson International Airport, president and CEO Éric Martel also confirmed that an order announced in December from an undisclosed customer for a dozen Challenger 3500s, valued at $326.4 million, was in fact from fractional owner provider NetJets and included 232 Challenger 3500 options that could push the value of the deal up to $6 billion, based on list prices. Deliveries on that order are set to begin next year.

As for its Investor Day, Martel outlined a plan to grow organically on all fronts—from delivery growth next year to expanding the market in services, defense, and its Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. On the latter three, services is set to achieve $2 billion this year and grow to $2.8 billion, defense has the potential to reach $1 billion to $1.5 billion, and even CPO may be able to turn into a $500 million to $1 billion program by 2030, he said.

Martel also outlined plans for future investments, keeping in line with its strategy of building on its existing product line such as the unveiling of the Global 8000 and Challenger 3500. He also opened the discussion to acquisitions in the future.

Sheltair has broken ground on a new FBO at Florida’s Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. When completed by the end of 2025, it will become the service provider’s 17th FBO location and its 13th in Florida.

“We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Sheltair as the third fixed-base operator at SRQ,” said airport president and CEO Rick Piccolo. “Situated on 24 acres within the new north quad airport development, this addition will provide another choice for the general aviation community and bring numerous job opportunities to the Sarasota-Bradenton area.”

The $40 million project will feature a 10,700-sq-ft terminal with an aircraft arrival canopy and landside porte cochere, open lobby area, a private lounge, pilot lounge, conference rooms, and tenant office space.

It will also include a pair of hangars capable of accommodating the latest ultra-long-range business jets, at 30,000 sq ft and 17,000 sq ft respectively, with another nearly 10,000 sq ft of office space. Future plans for the site call for an additional four 20,000-sq-ft-plus hangars and a 60,000-sq-ft aircraft maintenance facility.

“I can’t begin to express how excited we are to be in the Sarasota market,” explained Sheltair president and CEO Lisa Holland. “We recognize the potential that it holds for us, and we look forward to working with the community.”

Axis Flight Simulation this week introduced its AX-D Flex platform to allow pilots to train to fly multiple aircraft types using the same hardware. The equipment consists of a core simulator structure with motion and visual display components that can be integrated with cockpit modules representing a variety of business jets and narrowbody airliners.

According to the Austrian company, the AX-D Flex supports level-D full flight simulator training approved for EASA and FAA pilot qualifications, as well as the requirements of other regulators. Changing out the cockpit modules in a process Axis describes as "roll-on-roll-off" takes up to two hours. It recommends that users plan courses to avoid having to make the swaps more than once each day with each simulator.

The AX-D Flex replicates type-specific flight decks using what Axis refers to as “OEM-quality” simulated aircraft parts. The company adapts cockpits from pre-owned aircraft to achieve an authentic experience for the pilots.

Axis is marketing the AX-D Flex as an alternative to level-D simulators produced by training groups like CAE and FlightSafety International. It expects its customer base to include operators seeking the flexibility to conduct training in-house to include mixes of aircraft types that will have variable flight training hour needs.

After purchasing a G650 aircraft, the new owner brought the aircraft to Duncan Aviation to make some aesthetic paint and interior changes. Since the airframe is fairly new, it was a Duncan Aviation first. The project went smoothly and the owner flew away happy.

Pro Star Aviation broke ground this week for a new $12.4 million, 37,000-sq-ft hangar and office facility at the Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Michigan. The project includes a multi-bay aircraft maintenance hangar with a support mezzanine as well as a 17,000-sq-ft steel-framed office structure. The hangar will serve as a dedicated Pilatus Aircraft sales and service center.

The project will debut a 56,000-sq-ft ramp and a new taxiway connector. The two-story office facility features large clerestory windows to increase the amount of natural light flowing into the building. The space will offer modern amenities, including a pilot lounge and customer relaxation areas. Pro Star expects construction to conclude by the end of the year, with occupancy anticipated in early 2025.

"Our company has experienced tremendous growth over the last decade and this further expansion into the West Michigan area is a proud accomplishment," said group CEO Henry Laughlin. “We look forward to supporting our Pilatus customers in the region from exceptional new facilities.”

Headquartered at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire, Pro Star operates as an authorized factory service center for Dassault Falcon Jet, Embraer, and Pilatus Aircraft. Company services include avionics upgrades, business aviation connectivity, special mission aircraft modifications, aircraft maintenance, and sales. Founded in 1948, Pro Star Group also operates an FBO, airline services, and aircraft de-icing.

Aviation medical and security service provider MedAire has announced the launch of its new peer counseling-based mental health service called MedAire Wellbeing Services. The initiative is a partnership with risk management and workplace wellbeing company OdiliaClark.

Through the platform, aviation personnel can speak with peers and share their experiences. The “peer support volunteers” are current or former aviation professionals trained in empathy and active listening.

“MedAire has been the go-to resource for aviation professionals, ensuring their health and safety for decades,” said company CEO Bill Dolny. "We appreciate that an effective support system like our Wellbeing Services is vital to strengthening your safety culture. In partnership, we're cultivating a supportive community, making certain that each voice is heard, each person is assisted, and each member is valued,”

Richard Gomez, MedAire's v-p of aviation products, added the initiative is supported by the FAA aviation rulemaking committee's recommendations by bridging the gap between recognizing mental health issues and actively addressing them, allowing aviation professionals to operate securely and confidently anywhere in the world.

“Our collaboration embodies an unmatched level of empathy and understanding within the aviation sector, combining our expertise to offer peer support that's both effective and compassionate,” said Peter Whitten, sales director at OdiliaClark. “This initiative reinforces the importance of mental health in maintaining safety and peak performance in aviation.”

While most companies that have undergone the auditing needed to achieve Wingman certification by safety and risk-management solutions provider Wyvern are charter operators, Dallas-based Jets MRO is one of the few companies to partner with Wyvern to become a Wingman-certified MRO. The announcement of the partnership was made yesterday during the NBAA Maintenance Conference in Portland, Oregon.

To become Wingman certified, operators must be audited initially then every 24 months. Wyvern launched the Wingman standard shortly after the company opened in 1991.

“This certification exemplifies Jets MRO's dedication to upholding the highest standards of safety and performance,” according to Wyvern, “positioning the company as a trusted leader in the MRO space. The partnership with Jets MRO represents a significant step towards achieving our shared goal of elevating aviation safety standards worldwide.”

Jets MRO launched its maintenance business in January in a new 40,000-sq-ft facility at Dallas Executive Airport. The company is uniquely focused on treating employees as key stakeholders, with an employees-first ethic based on financial transparency, highly subsidized family benefits, and a focus on corporate culture, according to Jets MRO. Serving both business jet and military aircraft markets, Jets MRO runs a full shift seven days a week. It also recently added an APU component repair station in Miami.

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. Just click here to take the survey or here to see results of Business Jet Traveler’s past surveys.