Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC) has completed the first test flight of its Rapcon-X aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform earlier this month in Hagerstown, Maryland. The Rapcon-X ISR jet is based on a Bombardier Global 6500 that SNC is heavily modifying for the U.S. Army’s Theater-level High-altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne ISR (Athena) program.

Bombardier delivered the two ultra-long-range business jets to SNC’s Hagerstown integration facility in late 2022. Through Rapcon-X (short for “rapidly configurable to any mission”), SNC aims to reduce the time it takes to add, upgrade, or swap out systems in ISR aircraft. The open-architecture design allows operators to swiftly reconfigure the interior for various special mission requirements without costly redesign work. 

“Our clear commitment to open architecture maximizes both capability and schedules,” said Tim Harper, vice president of business development at SNC. “Rapcon-X is a quick-reaction capability built to program-of-record standards utilizing modular hardware and software.”

SNC intends to scale Rapcon-X to other aircraft, including the Bombardier Challenger 650 and King Air 350ER. The Finnish Border Guard will use the Rapcon-X system in a pair of modified Bombardier Challenger 650s it purchased from SNC to replace two aging Dornier Do-228 turboprops.

In August, the U.S. Army selected SNC to lead ISR systems integration for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System program, which aims to modernize its fleet of aging ISR turboprops.

Foreign object debris (FOD) is a contributor to aircraft damage, serious incidents, and accidents in aviation. The problem is large and continues to grow. FAA reports suggest that FOD costs the U.S. aviation industry nearly $500 million annually; it is not only costly but can be deadly.

It is easy to see how the costs add up. Last year, a single misplaced flashlight caused $4 million in damage to the engine of a U.S. Air Force Lockheed F-35A. Following this mishap, an Air Force Times article stated that FOD was one factor that caused the number of ground accidents to nearly double from 2022 to 2023.

Beyond the physical damage to an aircraft, FOD damage can be catastrophic. In July 2000, an Air France Concorde departing the Charles de Gaulle Airport struck a piece of metal, blew out a tire, and the debris caused the aircraft’s fuel tank to rupture. Leaking fuel ignited, and two of the four engines flamed out. The aircraft crashed, killing nine crewmembers, 100 passengers, and four people on the ground.

Most FOD awareness campaigns focus on tool control programs for mechanics and keeping ramp areas and hangar floors clear of debris for aviation workers; rarely are pilots reminded to keep track of their own personal equipment or other objects on the flight deck.

Aviation sustainability specialist 4Air has added 21 regulatory schemes globally to its compliance monitoring and reporting services. The additions come as regulatory programs continue to grow exponentially throughout the world.

“Four years ago, operators had to worry about just two regulatory programs that affected them from an environmental perspective, now that has grown to dozens of reporting requirements, taxes and fees, emission schemes, and indirect programs that affect business aviation’s customers,” said 4Air COO Nancy Bsales.

Bringing the total to 25, the additions help operators ensure they are in compliance with the constantly evolving regulatory environment and are designed to provide more oversight over the financial ramifications of these types of programs, 4Air said.

The additions cover emissions tracking, reporting, taxes and duties, and offsetting requirements across different jurisdictions such as contrail monitoring, reporting, and verification under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and Refuel EU reporting and fuel procurement.

4Air further is actively monitoring another three dozen emerging or evolving environmental programs that could require future compliance, including the proposed €3,000 per passenger tax for long-range business aviation flights departing from France.

“As sustainability regulations continue to evolve, our goal is to stay ahead of the curve, providing predictability and seamless solutions that remove the complexities of compliance for our clients,” said 4Air president Kennedy Ricci. “Potential non-compliance costs with new programs are significant.”

FlightSafety International (FSI) is investing in several avenues of new technology to enhance its delivery of simulator training for flight crew. The initiatives involve data management, increased use of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technology, as well as artificial intelligence (AI).

Among its most recent initiatives is a partnership with GE Digital to make better use of the data generated by its flight simulators. Based on GE’s Flight Analytics platform, the partners are developing an app that will provide a platform for comparing data between actual flights and simulator sessions to help mitigate real-world operational risks.

FSI recently announced further innovations with the Simulated Air Traffic Control Environment visual system, which is part of the Vital portfolio it introduced in 2023. This platform features improvements in high-fidelity satellite imagery for airport databases and biometric capabilities.

The aviation training group is now investing further in AR/VR technology applied to smaller devices that can benefit from Level D full flight capabilities, including visual systems, motion cueing, satellite imagery, and biometrics. According to FSI, these AR/VR devices can be useful in supplementing training conducted in aircraft and helicopters at off-site locations.

Effective international trip planning is a specialized art and to ensure a seamless experience for passengers and crews, business aviation organizations should leverage a trip support provider. Learn about the most common challenges with planning an international flight and how ForeFlight Trip Support sets the standard for comprehensive, region-specific trip planning.

World Fuel Services and Hill Aircraft, a service provider at Atlanta Fulton County Airport (KFTY), have partnered to bring the first continual supplies of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Georgia. The long-tenured FBO will designate a specific truck to handle the blended fuel.

“With Hill Aircraft’s extraordinary history in Atlanta since 1955, we are proud to be an independent FBO taking the lead on SAF,” said Andrew Ash, the company’s v-p and general manager. “The investment we are making in alternative jet fuel reaffirms our focus on the future to not only provide the best service possible for our guests but also our interest to support innovative products that help meet their needs.”

World Fuel also expanded its global network with two new international Air Elite FBO members and a U.S.-branded dealer location. The international locations include Jet-TNCA, the lone FBO on the island of Aruba, and Wira FBO at Indonesia’s Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (WIHH). In the U.S., Tucson Jet Center—one of several FBOs at Tucson International Airport (KTUS)—is the newest member of the World Fuel branded dealer network.

Document management specialist Web Manuals has introduced a new PDF Reader to make it easier for aircraft operators to navigate complex documentation. According to the Sweden-based company, the tool allows administrators to seamlessly upload and connect regulations to PDF documents they keep on file, making it easier for them to keep their companies’ compliance up to date.

The new function includes the option to track changes and preview how revised documents will appear on devices used to access Web Manuals’ cloud-based documentation platform.

Anyone accessing the documents can navigate between updated sections and make their personal annotations for future reference, using highlighting and bookmarks to show revisions. They can also use fillable forms, electronic signatures, and direct change requests to support a more efficient workflow between those editing documents and those using them in operations.

Web Manuals said the enhanced search capabilities, which are part of its latest version of its platform, help users quickly identify relevant safety information. The tool includes zoom technology to support high-resolution image quality.

“Ensuring straightforward navigation and accessibility has been key to launching our new PDF Reader,” said Web Manuals chief technology officer Richard Sandstrom. “Our aim has always been to support aviation businesses with advanced digital capabilities. Elevating our PDF function will allow users to access a broader range of documentation, streamline their workflow, and experience new levels of efficiency.”

GPMS International has secured FAA supplemental type certificates for the installation of its Foresight MX HUMS aboard Airbus EC135s and AS332 Super Pumas. Metro Aviation and operators Blackcomb Helicopters and Precision worked with GPMS on the latest STCs, which brings the total number of Airbus models approved for the health monitoring unit to five.

GPMS v-p of marketing Ronnie Ries said demand for the Foresight MX units is being driven by customers wanting to monitor their entire fleet, operators needing to meet contractual requirements, and operators looking at ways to mitigate significant business challenges.

“We’re finding external demand for HUMS has increased substantially because of new and evolving contracts requiring HUMS, BARS compliance requirements, and especially because of the impacts of supply chain and manpower challenges. They need HUMS to win contracts in this super competitive era,” Ries said.

He further noted that operators are recognizing that the impact of unscheduled maintenance goes beyond the price of an AOG part. “The stress to their already shorthanded maintenance team and the lost revenue from an easily detectable bearing that’s going to make metal is having skeptics take a closer look at why their peers are adopting Foresight MX HUMS.”

AIN’s FBO survey is open for year-round feedback, but the deadline to vote in the 2025 survey (to be published in April) is January 17. The survey takes only a minute, and you can do it while waiting for passengers, on the shuttle bus to/from the hotel, or any other time that is convenient for you. Participants will be entered to win a $250 Amazon gift card (winner must reside in the U.S.). Log in to rate your experiences at the FBOs you visit.

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