London Biggin Hill Airport has estimated that it contributed £200 million ($250 million) to the UK economy in 2023, but the business aviation hub believes this could rise to more than £630 million in the future. The privately-owned airport in the southeast of the British capital commissioned Lichfields to conduct independent research on its economic impact, focusing on its role in driving investment, as well as supporting employment and economic benefits both locally and nationally.

According to the just-released study’s findings, between 2012 and 2023 the gross value added (GVA) generated directly by Biggin Hill Airport-based businesses increased by 47.8%, from £89 million to £131.4 million. On top of that figure, these companies spent £155.7 million in the wider UK economy.

Last year, Lichfields estimated that Biggin Hill supported 2,692 “full-time equivalent” jobs, of which 1,760 positions were at the airport site. That represented an increase of 80% since 2012, and every 1,000 business aircraft movements have been calculated to support 88 jobs and £6.74 million in GVA.

According to Lichfields, the airport site, which has been designated as a Strategic Outer London Development Centre, could support up to 7,649 jobs and generate £636 million annually in GVA. The report determined that this progress would be contingent on local officials approving the airport's plans for further development.

Avjet Global and its customer were revealed this week as having taken delivery of the first U.S.-registered Gulfstream G700 late last month. “The airplane is magnificent,” said Avjet CEO Marc Foulkrod. “It’s so quiet and comfortable, and the owner is really happy with it.”

One of the first trips in the G700 was a long-range flight outside the U.S. “It proved very capable,” although one issue that did develop was a heating problem in the cockpit, he added, “which will be fixed with a software update. There are always little things that have to be cleaned up [with a new jet program].”

The Avjet customer’s G700 is equipped with Viasat Ka-band satcom and an 18-passenger cabin with forward galley and crew rest area and an aft bedroom. The noise level in the forward club seating area is 3 to 4 dB lower than in the G650, according to Foulkrod. “The [Rolls-Royce Pearl 700] engines rumble when they start but once started, they’re amazingly quiet. When you take off and you’re sitting there, you can barely hear the engines.”

The G700’s pilots, who moved up from flying the G650, love the jet’s fly-by-wire active control sidesticks, he said. “They think it’s a great innovation. Gulfstream scored a big win with that advancement. It’s so intuitive and just natural.”

Worldwide business aircraft activity rose by 1.7% last month compared to a year ago, according to the latest monthly report from industry data provider Argus International.

The company's April TraqPak report noted that while North American flight activity declined by 1.1% year-over-year (YOY), that decrease was more than offset by European use, which posted a 3.9% boost following months of lackluster performance. Compared with March 2024, activity in Europe rose by 2.5% as well.

In North America, the fractional ownership industry was the only segment to post positive numbers, with a YOY increase of 7.5%. All fractional aircraft categories (with the exception of turboprops) saw improvement, led by the midsize cabin class, which was up nearly 15% compared with a year ago.

Outside the fractional segment, turboprops fared better as the only category in the Part 91 and Part 135 segments to demonstrate gains at 7.3% and 8.7%, respectively. In Europe, however, the situation was reversed, with the turboprop category being the only one to experience a YOY decline, with usage down nearly 18% from April 2023. The leading category there was the large-cabin jets with a robust 23.8% improvement from a year ago.

For other regions, April proved a strong month, with a yearly increase in overall activity of more than 30%.

The National Air Transportation Association’s maintenance committee has begun equipping new applicants for Part 145 certificates with a resource to ensure their thorough understanding of the FAA’s internal and external systems and processes.

Called “Guidance for Initial Applications for Repair Station Certificates,” the resource offers applicants help with several elements of the process, including insight into the steps involved in the Certification Services Overnight Process (CSOP) and Safety Assurance Systems (SAS) for certification project management.

“This highly intuitive best practice details the process for an applicant to obtain a part 145 Repair Station certificate through the current AFS Certification Services Oversight Process (CSOP),” said Dan Lane, NATA’s maintenance committee vice chairman and vice president of technical services at Aero Services in Atlanta. “Applicants will be better prepared and reduce the time needed to achieve certification by reviewing the detailed explanation of the process phases, helpful tips, and handy resource links.”

Along with CSOP and SAS processes, the documents provide insight into the three phases of the FAA repair station application process, the FAA’s management of applications, the process of applying directly to a FSDO rather than using an SAS portal, descriptions of Part 145 application forms, and FAA resources and links for new repair stations.

Duncan Aviation has started a significant expansion of its turbine engine overhaul facility in Lincoln, Nebraska. This expansion follows an announcement during the 2023 NBAA BACE convention by Pratt & Whitney Canada designating Duncan Aviation’s Lincoln MRO facility as a DOF, Designated Overhaul Facility, for PW300 and PW500 turbofan engines.

Bell Textron has unveiled its 429-based Aircraft Laboratory for Future Autonomy (ALFA) helicopter equipped with fly-by-wire flight controls and capable of autonomous flight. The modified 429 made its first flight last August at Bell’s Canada assembly and delivery center in Mirabel, Quebec, then it was moved to Bell’s flight research center in Fort Worth, Texas.

The ALFA 429 was developed by Bell’s advanced programs team, and its fly-by-wire flight controls are separate from the helicopter’s aircraft safety system. This allows “for rapid development and evaluation of novel flight control technology without compromising overall safety,” according to Bell.

“Fly-by-wire flight, coupled with additional capability that [is] being integrated into ALFA, provide a great foundation for Bell to expand on its autonomous capabilities,” said Jason Hurst, executive v-p of engineering. “This aircraft will serve as a flying lab that will inform future autonomous technology development, which we can ultimately leverage to deliver the best rotorcraft solutions to global operators.”

Bell’s military V-22 Osprey is equipped with fly-by-wire flight controls, as is the Bell 525 commercial helicopter that is due to receive FAA certification this year.

Luxaviation Group, parent of the ExecuJet FBO chain, announced that it has begun stocking sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its location at European business aviation hub Paris Le Bourget Airport. The company will now provide a blend of up to 35% SAF derived from used cooking oil refined through the HEFA process.

As an example of the environmental benefits from its use, the company noted that a Bombardier Global 7500 flying between its FBOs at Le Bourget and Johannesburg, South Africa, on a 35% SAF blend would reduce the CO2 emissions from the flight by 20 tons.

The addition of SAF follows the Le Bourget facility’s transition to fully electric ground service equipment.

“As the industry aligns with global environmental goals and the Business Aviation Commitment on Climate Change, sustainability stands at the cornerstone of Luxaviation Group, paving the way for a more sustainable future in aviation,” said company CEO Patrick Hansen. “We strive to set new standards and inspire others to join us in embracing innovation to enhance corporate social responsibility.”

Kentucky-based air ambulance helicopter pilot Morgan J. Wiljanen has been sentenced to eight months of incarceration, 18 months of supervised release, four months of home detention, and a $100 special assessment for operating an air common carrier while under the influence of alcohol. The violation occurred on a flight from Corbin to Richmond, Kentucky.

Wiljanen pleaded guilty to operating an air common carrier while under the influence of alcohol in December 2023. A blood alcohol test indicated Wiljanen had a 0.35 blood alcohol concentration while piloting Air Evac Flight 79, an air ambulance helicopter operated by Air Evac EMS on or around March 21, 2023.

Under FAA regulations, a flight crewmember is strictly prohibited from operating or attempting to operate an aircraft while having a breath alcohol concentration 0.04 or above or while under the influence of alcohol.

Requests for comment to Air Evac EMS were not returned by time of publication. The company describes itself online as a "preeminent provider of air ambulance services to communities in need of advanced emergency healthcare and rapid medical transport."

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. Take this year's survey or view results of the previous Business Jet Traveler reader surveys.