On May 16, Bombardier’s first production Global 8000 ultra-long-range business jet made its first flight, taking off from Pearson International Airport in Toronto. The aircraft will undergo completion shortly at Bombardier’s Laurent Beaudoin Completion Centre in Montreal, in preparation for entry into service in the second half of this year.

Bombardier pilot Sandro Novelli was at the controls of the Global 8000, along with co-pilot Charlie Honey and flight engineer Bhargav Bhavsar. During the flight, according to Bombardier, “the systems and aircraft performed as expected.”

With a maximum range of 8,000 nm, the Global 8000 is an evolution of the Global 7500. The newest flagship in the Global family has a top speed of Mach .94 and “ultra” high-speed cruise of Mach .92, which allows faster flights for up to 4,200 nm. Normal high-speed cruise is Mach .90, and “typical” cruise speed is Mach .85. Power is provided by two 18,920-pound-thrust GE Passport turbofans.

The jet’s 54-foot 5-inch-long cabin has the longest seated length size in its class, the company said, a cabin altitude of 2,900 feet above FL410, and the ability to be configured with four living spaces and a separate crew rest area. Sea level takeoff distance is 5,760 feet, and landing distance is 2,220 feet. Maximum operating altitude is FL510. 

With fly-by-wire flight controls, the Global 8000’s flight deck is equipped with a Collins Aerospace-based Global Vision avionics suite. 

James Edward “Jim” Schuster, who led the turnaround of Raytheon Aircraft and its transition to Hawker Beechcraft in the 2000s, passed away on Thursday, May 8, in Palm City, Florida. He was 72.

Under Schuster’s leadership from 2001 to 2008, the Wichita-based OEM implemented sweeping changes that revitalized the struggling aircraft manufacturer. When appointed chairman and CEO in May 2001, Schuster inherited a company facing severe financial challenges, with operating cash flow consuming nearly $1 billion in the three years prior to his arrival.

Schuster quickly took decisive action, implementing cost reductions while simultaneously reorganizing the senior leadership team. In what AIN described as “one of the most thorough corporate management shakeups of a business aircraft manufacturer ever,” he restructured the executive ranks in 2001.

His approach to management was hands-on. Soon after taking the helm, Schuster moved from the company’s plush headquarters to “Mahogany Row” in Plant One, where hourly employees could see him through his open office door.

During his nearly eight-year tenure, Schuster led the rebranding effort that reinvigorated the Hawker and Beechcraft names, a move that facilitated the company’s transition from Raytheon Aircraft to Hawker Beechcraft when Raytheon sold the company to Goldman Sachs and Onex in 2007. His leadership resulted in record order backlogs in his final years at the helm, expanded global operations, and certification of 19 new aircraft.

The Asia-Pacific region ended 2024 with 4,131 civil turbine helicopters in operation, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 64 units, or 1.6%, according to Asian Sky Group's Civil Helicopter Fleet Report. This growth, while modest, mirrors the annual average from 2019 to 2022 and aligns with a long-term trend of expansion. Over the past decade, the regional fleet has grown by 850 helicopters, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3% since 2014.

Despite operational constraints in major markets and emerging alternatives in advanced air mobility, demand for civil helicopters remained resilient. In 2024, the region received 113 new helicopters and 84 preowned additions, distributed across all size categories. New delivery figures for leading models exceeded 2023 levels.

Airbus leads with a fleet of 1,717 helicopters, delivering 51 new units, including 13 H145s, 13 H125s, and six H175s. Notably, the first SAR-equipped H175s were delivered to mainland China. Leonardo delivered 17 AW139s, primarily for EMS and SAR roles, and six AW189s, including units for China’s Ministry of Transport. Its regional fleet grew by 27 helicopters, reaching 489 units.

Preowned additions were led by the Airbus AS350/H125 and EC145/H145. Fleet removals totaled 133, primarily through retirements of older Bell 206s and AS350s.

Australia has the largest national fleet, with 1,016 helicopters, adding 54 units. Other major markets remained stable, while mission profiles and size category shares showed minor year-over-year adjustments.

Aeromedic/Ametek MRO has launched a line of lightweight, multi-regulation-compliant onboard first aid kits designed specifically for business jet operators. “We’ve made it easy for operators of business jets,” said Steve Rowley, engineering director at Aeromedic. “Our kits are reassuringly compliant and built for practicality with variable content selection.”

The soft-case design allows operators to tailor medical kits to fit specific aircraft needs while meeting international safety standards. Aeromedic’s kits are certified to UK CAA, EASA, and FAA regulations and supported with available AOG stock for urgent requirements.

With experience managing complex global compliance—including the possession and supply of controlled drugs under UK Home Office authorization—Aeromedic supports operators navigating logistical and regulatory hurdles across jurisdictions. “From plasters and Calpol to therapeutic oxygen and emergency resuscitation kits, our scope is broad,” said Rowley. “We help owners and operators of both individual aircraft and fleets navigate this complex area.”

Aeromedic also offers universal precaution kits for infectious disease response and emergency resuscitation kits, addressing needs based on flight routes, climate, and passenger demographics. Cabin crews typically receive training aligned with the customized contents of each onboard kit.

With combined pharmaceutical and aviation certifications, Aeromedic is positioned to support high-net-worth individuals, FBOs, governments, and corporate operators seeking scalable, regulation-compliant medical kits.

How can intelligent automation create a safety net around your operation, without adding to your workload? By turning your SOPs into rules and automation within ForeFlight Dispatch. In this article, learn how operational rules in Dispatch can automatically adjust flight plans for specific scenarios like congested airspace, aircraft performance limitations, or other common risks while ensuring both safety and efficiency stay top of mind.

Air Methods has inaugurated its new national dispatch center in Omaha, Nebraska, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on May 15. Now the largest aeromedical dispatch center in the U.S., the facility consolidates the operations of 225 AirCom and Direct Patient Logistics team members. Together, they provide continuous dispatch and coordination support for more than 300 air ambulance helicopters and airplanes across the U.S. as well as patient transfer services for large healthcare systems.

The event was attended by Air Methods’ leadership, local officials, and team members. Omaha city councilmember Don Rowe and Air Methods CEO Rob Hamilton were among the speakers recognizing the behind-the-scenes role of dispatch teams in life-saving operations. Hamilton emphasized the importance of the dispatchers, calling them “the first point of contact in the thousands of transports we support every month.”

Operational since January, the new facility features flexible meeting spaces and critical infrastructure upgrades, including redundant power and network systems.

Tim Seidel, director of AirCom operations, noted that the improvements provide an enhanced working environment that supports the speed and safety of every transport mission.

In 2024, AirCom facilitated 81,757 flights and managed more than 600,000 calls, which equates to roughly 20,000 flight requests each month. The center also assists with ground ambulance dispatch and coordinates inter-facility transfers for many leading hospital systems across multiple states.

Garmin has added South Pacific coverage to its Garmin Navigation Database, including Australia, New Zealand, and surrounding countries. Previously, the database had been available to aircraft owners and operators in the Americas and Europe.

The Olathe, Kansas company is offering the database on a range of its products, including integrated flight decks, navigators, flight displays, and portables. Updates can be purchased individually or through bundle options or OnePak subscriptions.

“Customers now have the option for a convenient and comprehensive all-Garmin database solution that provides pilots with the information they need at a cost-effective price,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin v-p of aviation sales, marketing, programs, and support.

The database provides information for navigation throughout the departure, en route, arrival, and approach with coverage in more than 20 countries and for 2,500 airports. In addition, the database is customizable for region-specific needs, including verified aircraft landing areas in Australia and visual reporting points in New Zealand to assist with VFR navigation.

On May 21, the FAA is holding the first in a monthly series of online notam user forums where participants are invited to hear updates on the agency’s notam modernization efforts and ask questions of FAA and program leaders. These efforts are a result of the Notam Improvement Act of 2023 and work done by an industry task force assigned to recommend ways to fix the notam system in response to the act.

In April, the FAA said it would deploy a modernized notam system in September. The work is being done by contractor CGI Federal, which plans to deliver the Notam Modernization Service by July so it will become operational in September.

In the first forum session, the FAA will introduce the notam modernization program and provide an overview of the Notam Management Service’s transition planning process and what progress it has made. “Agency leadership will also brief users on upcoming changes to the program, including how notams are originated and distributed, as well as the benefits to users,” according to the FAA.

Forum participants are encouraged to submit questions ahead of the first monthly (and subsequent) meetings to notams@faa.gov. The forum registration can be accessed here. 

Euro Jet has expanded its ground handling capabilities across the Baltic region, adding personnel in airports throughout Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as part of a strategic growth initiative, while simultaneously preparing for increased summer traffic along the Adriatic coast.

The flight support provider has deployed additional representatives in the Estonian capital of Tallinn and at regional facilities including Tartu, Parnu, and Amari. Similar staffing expansions have taken place in Latvia’s Riga hub and across Lithuania’s three busiest aviation centers: Vilnius, Kaunas, and Palanga.

According to the company, the enhanced Baltic presence aims to service flight segments for business, diplomatic, humanitarian, and military operations, among others. Katarzyna Kopanska, Euro Jet’s manager for the Baltic region, noted, “Our new agents bring extensive experience in aviation, and we are confident that Euro Jet will attract new clients and strengthen our position in the region. Their expertise and connections will help us further enhance service quality and operational efficiency.”

The Baltic expansion coincides with Euro Jet’s preparations for what it expects to be a high-volume summer season throughout popular vacation destinations in Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania.

Services available across both regions include traditional ground handling, fuel coordination, permit acquisition, catering arrangements, and crew accommodations. Euro Jet maintains dedicated ramp vehicles and crew lounges at busier Balkan airports.