The NTSB has released its preliminary report on the March 30 crash of a Daher TBM 700 in California, which claimed the lives of the pilot and passenger. The accident occurred while the single-engine turboprop was maneuvering in IMC to land at Truckee Tahoe Airport (KTRK) and followed a series of autopilot activations and deactivations, according to the NTSB’s preliminary report.

Flying under Part 91 IFR, the aircraft was returning to KTRK from Denver’s Centennial Airport. The flight was uneventful until the aircraft reached the final approach fix. The airplane passed over the final approach fix, and FAA ADS-B data showed that, immediately thereafter, the approach mode was turned on and the altitude hold (ALT Hold) was turned off. Some 20 seconds after passing over the visual descent point at about 121 knots and 6,475 feet msl, ADS-B data shows the aircraft passed over the missed approach point at 6,200 feet msl and 100 knots and continuing until abeam the runway identifier numbers (about 1,300 feet east).

At this point, the autopilot was turned off. As the airplane began a gradual 180-degree turn to the right and climbed to about 6,750 feet during the turn, the following autopilot selections were made: ALT Hold on, ALT Hold off, lateral navigation (LNAV) on, autopilot on, LNAV off, several altitude selections (ending with 9,300 feet), and lastly, the autopilot was turned off.

Embraer’s Executive Aviation division was a strong contributor to growing first-quarter revenues announced by the Brazilian aerospace group on Tuesday. The $897 million in revenues for the first three months of 2024 represented a 25% year-over-year increase, with business jet deliveries standing out as the best rate for the past eight years.

During the first quarter, the company delivered 18 executive aircraft and seven airliners, representing an increase of 67% over the same period last year. Nonetheless, group earnings were 4.4% down on the first quarter of 2023 at $6.8 million.

Reporting to analysts, Embraer management highlighted a negative free cash flow of $346 million due to costs associated with spooling up production for high delivery rates for the remainder of this year. The company confirmed estimates released in April that it aims to deliver between 72 and 80 of its E-Jets family of airliners and between 125 and 135 of the Phenom and Praetor business jets.

For the full financial year, Embraer’s guidance anticipates group-wide revenues of between $6 and $6.4 billion, with an adjusted earnings margin of 6.5% to 7.5%.

Eve Air Mobility, the eVTOL aircraft developer in which Embraer is the main shareholder, reported a stable net loss of $25.3 million for the first quarter. Expenses increased over this period due to increased spending on efforts to achieve type certification for its four-passenger vehicle.

Aviation associations are celebrating the defeat of Hawaii Senate Bill 2747, which would have required air tour operators to carry aircraft liability coverage of $20 million per person per incident.  AOPA, NBAA, and NATA collaborated with the Vertical Aviation Association (VAI) on steps to oppose the bill.

S.B. 2747 was introduced by Senator Chris Lee (D-District 25) in January and would have required $1 million per person per incident liability insurance. This version of the bill passed in both the Hawaii Senate and House, but the Senate Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts removed that threshold and sent the bill for further review to the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. This committee has “expertise in addressing insurance limits,” according to the VAI, and in April it increased the liability limit to $20 million.

The VAI highlighted the damage that the bill would cause to air tour operators “in productive dialogue with Hawaii state legislators to address the vertical aviation industry’s concerns about the bill,” the association said, “emphasizing the potential financial burden and regulatory conflicts the bill posed.” Two key issues were “the impracticality of obtaining the specified insurance coverage at a reasonable cost and the risk of violating FAA grant assurances, potentially jeopardizing Hawaii’s federal funding for airport improvement programs.”

The FAA has certified the Gulfstream G600 for steep approaches, opening access to more airports around the world, the manufacturer said on Tuesday. The G600 demonstrated its steep-approach capabilities with low-speed handling and short-field landings at London City Airport in England and Lugano Airport in Switzerland.

Operating the jet at London City requires a steep approach due to the field’s short runway and at Lugano due to its location in the mouth of a valley.

“This certification further increases global access for the G600,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “Building on the speed and range performance advantages that G600 customers already experience, steep-approach capability broadens possibilities and increases flexibility for travel.”

The G600 can fly 6,600 nm at Mach 0.85 or 5,600 nm at Mach 0.90. Operators can configure the jet’s interior for up to four living areas. The Gulfstream cabin experience includes abundant natural light from 14 of its hallmark panoramic oval windows, 100% fresh air, “whisper-quiet” sound levels, and a 4,850-foot cabin altitude. The aircraft comes equipped with the Gulfstream Symmetry flight deck, which features the industry’s first active control sidesticks and the extensive use of touchscreen technology.

Engine Assurance Program (EAP) knows maintaining engines is critical to maintaining the value of an aircraft. But with aircraft utilization at close to record levels, there’s increased competition for the already limited resources needed to keep engines in peak condition. That’s why EAP has amassed a large pool of rental engines, maintains a multi-million-dollar inventory of spare parts, and has assembled a highly-skilled technical team including AOG support.

Oklahoma’s Elk City Regional Business Airport (KELK) broke ground last week on a new terminal and hangar for the airport-owned and -operated FBO. KELK—which has a 5,400-foot main runway and sees approximately 9,000 operations a year—is located in the midst of Oklahoma’s oil fields.

The $5 million-plus project—funded by the state Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA), the local government, and the FAA—will feature a new 3,600-sq-ft terminal that will replace the existing structure, built in 1966. That structure will eventually be demolished to expand the parking apron.

“Terminal buildings serve as gateways to communities, leaving lasting impressions on visitors,” explained ODAA executive director Grayson Ardies, adding that the new terminal reflects the community's dedication to aerospace excellence. “We are proud to partner with the city on this project and look forward to the future growth this investment will spur throughout the region.”

The project will also include a new 15,000-sq-ft hangar, similar to the existing hangar, capable of sheltering midsize business jets. Ardies told AIN that, while the new hangar will initially be used for community aircraft storage, plans call for it to eventually be occupied by an aircraft maintenance provider.

The new complex is expected to be completed by mid-2025.

Improved fuel efficiency, lower operating costs, and better onboard technology are the main factors driving business aircraft acquisitions, according to new research commissioned by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ). The European manufacturer recently surveyed senior executives from large U.S. companies that already own or lease business jets.

ACJ has also analyzed industry data from JetNet, concluding that the average age of business aircraft in the U.S. is 18 years and six months, while in 11 of the 50 states, the average is 20 years or older. “Our analysis shows that a significant number of business aircraft in the U.S. are older, and many of their owners will be looking to replace them with newer, more efficient models,” concluded Sean McGeough, vice president of commercial for ACJ in North America. “The level of innovation and development in the larger business aircraft segment has been staggering, and this bodes well for this market.”

Research conducted for ACJ by Pureprofile also found that 85% of U.S.-based financiers and brokers working in the business aviation sector said they expect to see purchases of large, heavy-class jets increase over the next five years. Almost everyone surveyed said that demand for large and midsized aircraft is now growing faster than any other category due to the increased range and cabin space they provide.

South Florida start-up carrier UrbanLink has orders for 20 of Lilium’s six-passenger eVTOL aircraft and plans to launch flights connecting locations such as Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Marco Island. Announcing the agreement on Monday, the European manufacturer said it includes options for 20 more Lilium Jets and scheduled pre-delivery payments.

UrbanLink plans to operate under a Part 135 certificate with a mix of scheduled and on-demand services starting in 2026, which is when Lilium intends to begin deliveries following initial type certification with EASA in Europe. The company said it expects to be able to use ground infrastructure that is being established in South Florida by the manufacturer and partners to take advantage of the Lilium Jet’s initial range of around 94 nm.

The operator is being launched by Ed Wegel, who was previously chairman of Global Crossing Airline Group, a U.S. Part 121 operator. In September 2022, the group’s GlobalX charter division agreed to buy up to 50 of Eviation’s nine-passenger Alice electric aircraft. Then in November 2023, it launched a new business unit called UrbanX, which signed a letter of intent for up to 200 of Eve Air Mobility’s four-passenger eVTOL aircraft. Plans called for a network of commuter flights across the Miami-Dade County area, with flights of up to 52 nm.

Dick Rutan, an iconic figure in aviation history known for his record-breaking nonstop flight around the world in the Rutan Model 76 Voyager, has died at the age of 85. Rutan passed away on May 3 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, surrounded by family and close friends, including longtime companion Bill Whittle.

Born in Loma Linda, California, Rutan's storied career began in the U.S. Air Force where he flew 325 combat missions during the Vietnam War. As a fighter pilot, he faced intense situations, including two instances where he had to eject from his aircraft.

In December 1986, Rutan and copilot Jeana Yeager made aerospace history with the Voyager aircraft, designed by his brother Burt Rutan. The aircraft, made largely of carbon fiber, took off from Edwards Air Force Base and completed its global journey without refueling in just over nine days. This achievement earned them not only a place in the history books but also a Presidential Citizens Medal awarded by then-President Ronald Reagan.

Following his military and test piloting careers, Rutan continued to work on various projects, including the innovative Pond Racer, and he participated in test flights.

Rutan's contributions to aviation are immortalized in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where the Voyager is displayed.

“Dick Rutan was a legend who will be profoundly missed,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.