Gulfstream Aerospace has achieved a milestone with its G600/G500 series, logging the 300th delivery of the large-cabin business jets. The G500 achieved FAA certification in 2018, followed by approval for its larger sibling a year later, with both models being issued with their type and production certificates simultaneously.

The aircraft were purposely designed to increase manufacturing efficiencies through commonality with the rest of the Savannah, Georgia-based OEM’s new models—the G400, G700, and G800—that feature the Honeywell Epic-based Symmetry flight deck.

Both the G500 and G600 are powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800 engines and feature a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.925. At Mach 0.85, the former has a range of 5,300 nm while the latter model can fly 6,600 nm.

In June the two aircraft families each surpassed 100,000 flight hours and within the past year both received FAA certification for steep approach operations.

“Delivering 300 aircraft is a clear indication of strong interest in the G500 and G600 around the world,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns, adding the advanced efficiencies established by this program have provided flexibility to expand the airframer’s production line and support the success of its next-generation fleet well into the future. “Thanks to investments from our parent company, General Dynamics, these aircraft continue to achieve new milestones as customer demand remains steadfast.”

A former key lawmaker revisited the concept of air traffic control privatization during an Aero Club of Washington luncheon last week, saying the issue needs to be reconsidered. According to Washington insider publication Politico, former Rep. Bill Shuster, a Pennsylvania Republican who chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from 2013 through 2018 and strongly pushed for privatization during his tenure, told Aero Club luncheon attendees, “I think we should take it out of government, commercialize it, or make a non-for-profit similar to that was the idea that I had six years ago.”

Shuster, now a senior policy advisor for the multinational law firm Squire Patton Boggs, added, “I think that’s something that needs to be considered again” given the results surrounding the agency. Unable to move reauthorization with an ATC privatization measure, Shuster ultimately stripped his provision from the 2018 FAA bill.

“As we know, over several decades, the notion of privatizing air traffic control has been thoroughly debated by Congress,” NBAA said in a statement in response to Shuster’s comments. “Each time, lawmakers’ bipartisan decision to shelve ATC privatization reflects not only an understanding of the flaws in other countries’ privatized systems but opposition to ATC privatization by the American public, a host of aviation groups, organizations on the political left and right, local elected officials, and others.”

Further cementing the Pilatus PC-24’s emergency medical service (EMS) role, the FAA has approved the use of Spectrum Aeromed air ambulance equipment for the twinjet, which can carry two patients simultaneously. 

The PC-24 can carry certified medical equipment tailored to the needs of patients. These range from secure stretcher kits to advanced critical care modules with electric and pneumatic capabilities.

Spectrum Aeromed can supply custom configurations such as overheads and Medwalls with extra pneumatic ports, the company explained, “allowing for flexible mission setups.” Various options are also available, including infant transport decks and an aft cargo net to secure patient loaders. 

"We’re excited to offer our certified equipment for the PC-24, a jet that is an ideal platform for EMS missions,” said Thomas Redder, v-p of international sales at Fargo, North Dakota-based Spectrum Aeromed. “We are proud to support operators in maximizing their potential with versatile medical configurations.” 

The PC-24 can fly up to 2,000 nm with six passengers and its large aft cargo door, measuring 4-foot, 1-inch-wide and 4-foot, 3-inches-high, makes loading equipment and patients much easier. At 501 cu ft, the jet’s cabin volume is the largest in the light jet category.

The UK’s new legally-binding mandate for use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will take effect January 1. Under legislation introduced in July by the Labour government, 2% of all aircraft fuel delivered to operators at UK airports will need to be SAF from 2025, with this increasing to 10% in 2030 and then 22% in 2040.

According to the government, it will not increase the mandate above 22% until “there is greater certainty regarding SAF supply.” The legislation also includes a requirement for the use of power-to-liquid fuels to increase progressively from 2028 to account for 3.5% of aircraft fuel by 2040.

The UK mandate includes a buyout mechanism intended to induce energy companies to boost SAF production or carry some of the cost of inflated fuel prices. Per liter prices for these will be set at £4.70 ($5.92) and £5 ($6.30) for standard SAF and power-to-liquid fuel, respectively.

It starts out matching the European Union’s requirements, which also take effect at 2% from January 1. However, the EU mandate calls for SAF supplies to account for 34% of all aircraft fuel by 2040, and then rise to 42% in 2045 and 70% in 2050.

As Gogo Business Aviation nears the launch of Gogo Galileo, the company’s new Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) global broadband satellite service, it’s receiving unprecedented demand for the new service. That demand has been accelerated with the development of 27 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) across Gogo’s dealer network. Those STCs will unlock a total addressable market of more than 18,000 aircraft globally, many of which have not had access to broadband connectivity prior to Gogo Galileo. 

Textron Aviation recently delivered the first of a pair of aeromedical-equipped Beechcraft King Air 360CHWs to the Peruvian air force. The multi-mission turboprop twin—the largest in the King Air family—is equipped with a cargo door enabling the loading of patient stretchers or bulky cargo and it is also able to handle heavy weight operation, according to Textron Aviation.

“The King Air 360CHW delivered to the Peruvian air force for aeromedical evacuation can also execute troop and cargo transport, command and control, and many other missions,” said Bob Gibbs, v-p of the airframer’s special mission sales. “From the coast and the highlands to the Amazon rainforest of Peru, the versatile King Air is well suited to operate in diverse, austere, and remote locations.”

Delivery of the second aeromedical aircraft in the order is expected in 2025. The King Air 360 received FAA certification in October 2020 and saw its first delivery a month later.

Several business aviation companies were recognized in the annual Excellence Awards event organized by the Air Charter Association (ACA). Ten awards were handed out during a gala dinner attended by 500 industry professionals in Brighton, UK, on November 21.

The award for executive passenger charter operator of the year went to Atmospherica Aviation, which is based in the Czech Republic. In the helicopter, commercial, and cargo charter categories, Halo Aviation, Air Charter Europe, and Cargojet were, respectively, announced as the winners.

Gulfstream Aerospace was honored as aircraft manufacturer of the year, while UK-based XLR Executive Jet Centres was named as the top handling agent/FBO. Hunt & Palmer won the charter operators’ broker of the year award.

As part of the ACA’s ongoing work to promote opportunities for a new generation of charter industry professionals, judges chose Saxon Air’s Rachel Harvey as the group’s NextGen Young Person of the Year. William Bush was recognized among the 2024 cohort of ACA interns for the project he conducted during the program.

Business aviation services group Luxaviation won the Sir Michael Marshall Award for sustainability in aviation. The ACA’s sustainability partner 4Air arranged for the awards event’s immediate environmental footprint, in terms of water, energy, and waste, to be offset through carbon credits.

Embraer has implemented a program to leverage its digital evolution to help better manage its supply chain. Coming as supply-chain issues have continued to nag manufacturers throughout the industry, ONEChain is designed to produce greater transparency, increased collaboration, and more agility through an integrated digital platform.

The result, Embraer said, is a more simplified approach to supply-chain operations and one that the manufacturer believes will benefit its suppliers as well. Incorporating best practices, ONEChain is enabling the company to standardize its processes while reducing costs and increasing productivity, Embraer said.

“In addition to achieving enhanced operational efficiency, we have integrated all operations with our suppliers and partners in a single platform, which makes it possible to manage operations in real time,” said Roberto Chaves, Embraer's executive v-p of global procurement and supply. “This guarantees a more leveled and uniform production of our products, a reduction in fixed and variable costs, and more agile decision-making processes.”

ONEChain has already received recognition, recently garnering the Process Innovation Award and Procurement Ecosystem Award during the Procurement Success Summit in China.

Embraer has launched the program in Brazil and other countries where it operates, including the U.S., China, Singapore, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

PorterJets opened earlier this year as a new charter broker based in Hollywood, Florida, and has since completed more than 625 flights with a claimed 100% customer retention rate. The company, which officially announce its launch last week, said it aims to deliver “a seamless blend of luxury and efficiency, saving clients time while elevating every moment of their travel experience.”

Dan Naaman, CEO, and managing partner Guy Harrison-Murray co-founded PorterJets. “As much as we’re about luxury, we’re also about empowerment,” said Naaman. “Our goal isn’t just to get you in the air; it’s to make you feel confident in every decision you make with us. Transparency is at the core of everything we do.”

As a broker, PorterJets can arrange flights with Part 135 and 121 charter operators in the U.S. and anywhere in the world. In addition to brokering charters, the company has an in-house concierge to make special arrangements such as a “dream car waiting outside the hotel to take them to a yacht charter” and “unique local experiences.”

PorterJets also offers a jet card, an adaptive deposit model to help clients “who seek flexibility coupled with savings,” one-way and empty-leg flights, and an aircraft sales service.