Williams International plans to invest more than $1 billion to build a high-volume aviation gas turbine engine manufacturing plant at the Shoal River Industrial Park in Crestview, Florida. The facility will open in 2026, with another section slated to come online in 2028 and the final one in 2035/2036. The state of Florida chipped in $3.2 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, and the development is expected to generate more than 330 jobs.

“Northwest Florida is proving itself to be a rising hub for aerospace activity and an essential part of Florida’s expanding aerospace ecosystem,” said Space Florida president and CEO Rob Long. “Williams International’s expansion in this community is a stellar example of how new opportunities for innovation and investment are being built in every corner of the state—reinforcing all of Florida as the global and interplanetary center for aerospace commerce.”

Phase one of the Williams International plan in Florida includes a 250,000-sq-ft facility, and the final portion in 2035/2036 will enclose 500,000 sq ft. This will add to the company’s existing plants in Pontiac, Michigan, and in Ogden, Utah. The latter is also being expanded.

Williams International manufactures military and civil turbine engines, including the FJ33 and FJ44 series for business jets such as the Cirrus Vision Jet, Beechcraft Premier, various Cessna CitationJets, and Pilatus PC-24.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times: business aviation isn’t about airplanes—it’s about people. And we’re fortunate to have some of the most remarkable people in our industry. That’s why how we show up matters. Every day. Everywhere.

Whether at a training center, an FBO, commenting on LinkedIn, or attending an event, our words and actions matter. They reflect not only on our organizations but on our industry as a whole.

A Part 91 director told me a story that made him proud. At an FBO, a fellow department leader approached one of his pilots and said, “Your team always looks polished and professional. I wish our culture was like yours.”

That’s what being an “employer of choice” looks like. It’s a place where employees line up to work. And it’s how reputations are built and how flight departments endure.

Being an employer of choice requires more than competitive compensation. It takes alignment across three pillars: leadership, balance, and pay. And, just as important, it requires ownership at every level.

Bombardier will showcase its Global 7500 and Challenger 3500 business jets at the Catarina Aviation Show from June 5 to 7 in São Paulo, Brazil. The event will offer potential customers the opportunity to tour both aircraft.

Tailored to meet operational demands in the Brazilian market, the Global 7500 and Challenger 3500 represent the company’s flagship long-range and super-midsize models, respectively. The Global 7500’s 7,700-nm range and hot-and-high performance make it capable of direct flights from São Paulo to Dubai, London, Tel Aviv, New York, and Geneva. The Challenger 3500 supports missions such as São Paulo to Panama City or San Juan, with one-stop access to most European destinations.

“The record-setting and record-breaking Global 7500 and industry-leading Challenger 3500 are proven performers,” said Michael Anckner, Bombardier’s v-p of worldwide pre-owned, fleet, defense, and Latin America. “Being onsite at the Catarina Aviation Show provides Bombardier with an outstanding opportunity to highlight the performance and design attributes of these incredible aircraft.”

Both aircraft feature Bombardier’s smooth ride technology, high dispatch reliability (99.8%), and advanced cabin comfort systems. The Global 7500 flies at speeds up to Mach 0.925 and is equipped to handle challenging runways, while the Challenger 3500 is recognized for its cabin ergonomics and operating efficiency.

During the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sweet Helicopters once again offered short-hop charter flights to move people to and from the brickyard to avoid traffic jams. The flights numbered 500 this year, up from 450 last year. Sweet Helicopters is the official helicopter service provider for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“After watching the high-speed, adrenaline-pumping action of the big race, it can be frustrating for fans to then find themselves stuck behind the wheel of their own vehicle sandwiched into bumper-to-bumper traffic,” said director of business development Bob Bailey. “Sweet Helicopters charter flights help erase those headaches.”

In addition to flying Indy racecar fans, Sweet Helicopters helped driver Kyle Larson make a quick getaway from outside the Speedway to jump on his jet for a flight to North Carolina to drive in the Coca-Cola 600 Nascar race, thus achieving the “Memorial Day weekend double.”

“We’re always looking for ways to make charter flights more convenient and more accessible for both race fans and race team executives,” said Sweet Helicopters v-p of aviation Tim Edmonds. “That hard work and professionalism was on full display on Sunday, as safety always remained paramount.”

A sleek and up-to-date aircraft interior starts with a vision. But where do you go from there? This quick guide from C&L Aviation Group breaks down the process of redesigning a private jet, explores the possibilities, and helps you focus on what matters most—style, function, budget, and timeline.

Business aircraft operators flying to Los Cabos should expect significant ground transport delays as a long-term road construction project disrupts access to San José del Cabo International Airport (MMSD) and Cabo San Lucas International Airport (MMSL). Local authorities began work on May 20 at the Glorieta Fonatur roundabout near MMSD, with the project expected to last 18 months.

Due to the roundabout’s location, MMSD and the surrounding hotel zone are experiencing the most severe impact. MMSL travelers using the same corridors should also anticipate delays. Transfer times of two to three hours have been reported during peak periods.

In response, four temporary alternate routes via Arroyo Costa Azul have been opened: Colinas Plus, Monte Real, Vista Hermosa, and G-20. Some detour segments may be unpaved.

Upon completion, the project will include sublevel roadways to improve long-term traffic flow. In the meantime, Universal Aviation Mexico recommends operators build in buffer time, coordinate closely with local handlers, and consider overnight repositioning or early shuttle transfers for critical flights.

Golden West Jet Center will end operations at Oxnard Airport (KOXR) in Ventura County, California, on June 1, concluding 18 years of service. The announcement follows a recent request for proposal process for the leasehold, during which the FBO’s owner elected not to submit a bid for renewal.

“We’ve truly valued our time at Oxnard Airport,” said Golden West Jet Center owner Harold Lee. “However, our strategy has evolved, and continued operations at Oxnard no longer align with our long-term goals. We remain optimistic about the future for our company and are open to new opportunities.”

Lee, a veteran of nearly 40 years in the FBO industry, also owns Van Nuys Skyways, which operates as Million Air Burbank at Hollywood Burbank Airport (KBUR). His previous FBO locations have included Million Air Van Nuys (KVNY), Million Air Palm Springs (KPSP), and Golden West Jet Center in Santa Maria (KSMX).

Going forward, the company is focusing efforts on growth and infrastructure development in Burbank. “We have several exciting projects underway at our Burbank location,” said Priscilla Howden, general manager of Golden West Jet Center and Million Air Burbank. “We expect to complete our electric vehicle charging stations by the end of the year, along with highly anticipated upgrades that will elevate the FBO experience for the Burbank aviation community.”

Sky Valet Connect has added a major destination to its network of European FBOs with the addition of Advanced Air Support at Paris–Le Bourget Airport (LFPB).

According to the company, a subsidiary of Groupe Europe Handling, it serves approximately 15% of the traffic at the bustling business aviation hub and offers a full slate of amenities, including VIP and crew lounges, snooze rooms, private storage units for operators, concierge, ground transfers, and luggage handling. With 16,700 sq m (180,000 sq ft) of hangar space, Advanced Air Support can accommodate up to airliner-class jets.

The facility can also assist with overflight, landing, and takeoff permit authorizations, as well as other approvals. Its addition brings Sky Valet Connect to 43 locations in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Cyprus, and Greece.

“Advanced Air Support has a unique feature that is highly relevant to our business model,” said Jean-François Guitard, director of the general aviation and external development business unit for Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, which founded the network six years ago. He added that the FBO manages a large fleet of equipment at LFPB. “Its location at Paris–Le Bourget is a major asset for our network, whose franchisees have been asking for a base at Europe’s leading business aviation airport.”

Phil Michel, who served as v-p of marketing at Cessna Aircraft from 1975 to 2007, passed away on Sunday, at the age of 85.

Born on July 11, 1939, in Bronxville, New York, Michel earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 1964. His early career included roles in advertising and public relations, with positions at The Evening Star, Lewis & Dobrow Advertising, American Motors Corp., and Hilti U.S.A.

Michel joined Cessna in 1975 as v-p of marketing, a position he held for nearly 32 years. During his tenure, he played a significant role in promoting Cessna’s aircraft lineup, contributing to the company’s growth and global market presence.

In addition to his professional achievements, Michel was active in various organizations, including the American Marketing Association, Advertising Club of Wichita, NBAA, and GAMA. He also served on the board of directors for the Music Theatre of Wichita.

Michel is survived by his wife, Judy Michel; sons, Philip John Michel (Cynthia) and Karl Philip “Kip” Michel (Miriam); grandchildren Jenna (Michel) Gaitan, Erin Marie Michel, Philip “Nick” Michel, and Maiken Carina Michel; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his former spouses, Mary Flanagan Michel and Carina Pehrson Michel; his parents, Philip Harold and Margaret Michel; and his brother, Robert Melville Michel.

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