Airbus Corporate Jets research is showing a bump in interest in business aircraft from governments. A recent survey of 280 business aviation financiers and brokers worldwide found that 91% of respondents expect government interest in purchasing or chartering business aircraft to grow.

This research highlights that business aviation has expanded beyond traditional executive transportation into multimission governmental roles supporting diplomatic travel, crisis response, humanitarian missions, medical evacuation, and repatriation, according to Airbus Corporate Jets. Survey respondents in the U.S. represented the highest proportion of those seeing increased government demand (95%), followed by the Middle East (94%), Asia (92%), Europe (88%), and Latin America (80%).

About 50% of Airbus Corporate Jets’ customers are government entities, and the company believes this is a long-term growth market.

“The findings demonstrate just how significantly the role of business aviation is evolving within government,” said Airbus Corporate Jets president Chadi Saade. “The current geopolitical environment has increased the need for governments to be able to move people quickly, securely, and reliably, often at short notice and into challenging operating environments.”

Citing examples, the company noted that Germany’s special air mission wing operates a fleet of 18 aircraft—including ACJ319, ACJ321neo, and ACJ350 models—for government and patient transport roles. Another example is the Slovak government flight service, which operates two ACJ319s to support search-and-rescue and humanitarian missions.

More than 20 NTSB investigators are now on scene in Palm Beach County, Florida, where a Bombardier Learjet 60 crashed on Sunday, claiming the lives of the seven passengers, pilot Jeff Gregory, 55, and copilot Nathalia Filgueiras, 20.

In a press briefing yesterday, NTSB member Thomas Chapman described how N722BD—operated by Aurora Aviation (dba Upper Jets)—was operating under Part 135 charter regulations when it crashed. The crew told air traffic control they were dealing with clear ice and turbulence, and requested a higher altitude to escape precipitation. Shortly after receiving the clearance, the copilot issued a mayday radio call, noting a sudden loss of altitude and overspeed. The twinjet crashed about a minute later.

“We do have some evidence that there was some breakup of the aircraft before impact,” said Chapman, implying the 2004-built Learjet possibly shed control surfaces during its rapid descent.

“We have a lot of work to do on scene,” said lead investigator Timothy Monville. “This will be a several-day process, and the biggest obstacle that we’re going to have is recovering the major wreckage from the impacted crater on the roadway.”

According to Monville, the crash site is spread across an area half a mile long by four-tenths of a mile wide. Members of the community who come across any wreckage are asked to contact authorities and not move it.

The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) and the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) have launched an educational partnership to provide professional development opportunities for their members.

In pursuit of strengthening aircraft appraisal education across general aviation, the partnership will include IADA’s Quarterly Market Reports in the ASA’s Machinery & Equipment Valuation Methodology. The collaboration gives candidates pursuing ASA’s Accredited Senior Appraiser designation access to IADA’s market intelligence, drawn from its global network of accredited aircraft dealers, certified brokers, and parts and services members.

“These ongoing learning initiatives greatly contribute to both organizations,” said IADA executive director Lou Seno. “ASA students gain valuable market intelligence, while IADA members gain a better understanding of the disciplined process behind professional aircraft appraisals and how they can contribute to more accurate valuations.”

The partnership also launches development of an online broker education course, covering the methodology, standards, and documentation of professional aircraft appraisals. The course, developed in collaboration with IADA-U—the association’s education program—will include the ASA’s credentialing process to further prepare professionals to make accurate appraisals.

“Education is central to ASA’s mission, and this partnership benefits both organizations,” said ASA CEO Guillermo Ortiz de Zarate. “Combining IADA’s market expertise with ASA’s appraisal education helps strengthen professional knowledge and confidence throughout the business aviation industry.”

A Daher TBM 850 pilot’s failure to clear snow from the airplane and to follow the manufacturer’s anti-icing procedure during continued snowfall led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of control after liftoff in an Oct. 29, 2024 accident at Ralph Wenz Field (KPNA) in Pinedale, Wyoming, according to the NTSB final report. One passenger was seriously injured, and the pilot and five others sustained minor injuries.

Heavy, wet snow fell during the airplane’s 15-minute ground stop. The pilot brushed it off with a foam brush, but a witness saw snow remaining on an outboard wing section. The airport manager said the pilot declined available Type I and Type IV fluids.

Snowfall had eased by the takeoff roll. During rotation, the left wing dropped and struck terrain, and the substantially damaged turboprop single came to rest on a dirt berm about 300 feet from the runway.

A manufacturer service letter warned that takeoffs with snow or ice adhering to the wings “should not be attempted.” Type I fluid, the report noted, offers little protection once snow resumes falling unless takeoff follows deicing almost immediately.

The pilot reported rotating at 85 knots, below the 87 knots calculated for the takeoff weight. Investigators found no pre-crash mechanical failures and cited two earlier accidents in which the type’s left wing dropped after pilots failed to remove snow or ice.

For over 60 years, King Air operators have trusted Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems (Stevens) to provide the best upgrade and MRO service solutions. The company proudly continues that tradition with the introduction of its proprietary STC, enabling Gogo Galileo HDX high-speed satellite connectivity in King Air 200 and 300 series aircraft.

SC Aviation, an aircraft charter and management provider at Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (KJVL), has broken ground on a 30,000-sq-ft hangar. Designed to accommodate the latest ultra-long-range business jets, the $3.5 million facility—slated for completion in March—will provide additional capacity for aircraft storage, maintenance activities, and customer services.

The company, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary, currently has 50,000 sq ft of hangar space but said that is not enough. It maintains a waiting list of aircraft owners seeking hangar space, underscoring the need for additional capacity and the continued growth of business aviation throughout the region, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison.

“SC Aviation’s groundbreaking represents both a celebration of our history and an investment in our future,” said company v-p Adam Singer. “This new hangar ensures we have the infrastructure to support our continued growth, better serve aircraft owners and charter clients, and create opportunities for our team for decades to come.” 

Pilots insured by 5X5 Aviation Insurance can trim 5% from their premiums by completing a qualifying upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) course with Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) within the preceding 12 months. Under a partnership between the insurer and the training provider, eligible policyholders also qualify for discounted rates and upgraded course options on certain APS programs.

The credit falls under 5X5’s Safety Rewards program, which reduces premiums for policyholders who adopt voluntary safety measures, among them training beyond regulatory minimums.

“At 5X5, we believe that pilots who invest in their proficiency are making an investment in safety,” said Doug Tibbs, managing director of 5X5 Aviation Insurance. “APS brings exceptional expertise and a proven approach to upset prevention and recovery training. By rewarding policyholders who complete these programs, we’re helping them take a proactive step toward managing risk and being better prepared for the unexpected.”

Loss of control in-flight ranks among the leading causes of aviation fatalities. APS trains pilots to recognize, avert, and recover from unanticipated upsets through a mix of classroom work, simulator sessions, and in-aircraft instruction.

Based in Minneapolis, 5X5 insures pilots and owners of high-performance airplanes in 40 states through a direct-to-consumer model and intends to extend underwriting across all 48 contiguous states.

Private jet operator Nicholas Air has given a pilot his own five-hour jet card for reaching 10 years with the company, a longevity award it said no other operator extends to flight crews.

“With the 10-Year Longevity Award, I wanted to turn the tables. Instead of orchestrating the mission from the flight deck, I wanted our pilots and their families to experience our world-class service as members,” said founder and CEO NJ Correnti.

Captain Rob Milner reached the mark after a decade on the flight deck and used the hours to fly his wife and children across the country for a family wedding.

“Over the past 10 years, I’ve made sure our members have a flawless flight. But having my wife and kids step into the cabin to head to a family wedding was completely surreal. Seeing the look on my family’s faces when they experienced the level of service I provide every day is a memory that I’ll keep forever,” Milner said.