Bombardier is bringing one of its Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) aircraft to the NBAA-BACE static display, along with nearly a full lineup of its new models, including the Global 7500 and 6500 and Challenger 3500 and 650. The CPO aircraft, a super-midsize Challenger 300, marks the first time Bombardier is showcasing such an airplane at a U.S. aviation trade show, it noted. A 2012 Challenger 605 CPO jet was on display at EBACE in May.

The Montreal-headquartered company unveiled its “like-new” CPO program in 2021. By EBACE 2023, it had already delivered 18 of these aircraft.

Under CPO, Bombardier acquires select Learjet, Challenger, or Global jets from trade-in or on the market. It then inspects, updates, and renovates them before reselling them with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty and operational support. Bombardier is hosting a panel about its CPO program at NBAA-BACE next Wednesday.

Bombardier is also showing the breadth of its super-midsize, long-range, and ultra-long-range portfolios at this year’s NBAA-BACE, including its Global 7500, which has now been in service for five years. Bombardier reached the 100th delivery mark of its Mach 0.925, 7,700-nm flagship last year.

The Challenger 3500 is the newest of the lineup. The Challenger 300/350 follow-on reached the market a year ago, incorporating amenities such as Nuage seats and new technologies such as a voice-controlled cabin.

StandardAero subsidiary Western Jet Aviation has received FAA Part 145 certification for its repair station at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), the company said Monday. The southeast Florida facility will provide maintenance and avionics services for large-cabin business jets.

StandardAero acquired Western Jet Aviation in February. As one of the largest independent Gulfstream maintenance providers, Western Jet’s facility in Van Nuys, California, performs heavy airframe maintenance, structural repair, engine line maintenance, avionics installations, engineering services, and interior soft goods upgrades.

“We are excited to bring the level of service and support to Gulfstream operators in and around Opa Locka that customers have come to expect from our Van Nuys location,” said Western Jet maintenance supervisor Cooper Skeen.

According to Katie Higgins, v-p and general manager of the Van Nuys and Opa Locka locations, expanding into Florida allows the company to extend support to existing customers from Southern California who might require service during trips to the East Coast.

The Western Jet Aviation locations in Van Nuys and Opa Locka complement StandardAero's business aviation MROs in Springfield, Illinois; Dallas and Houston; Augusta, Georgia; and Gosport, UK. The company also operates regional service centers in the U.S., Brazil, the UK, South Africa, and Singapore, as well as mobile service teams that support AOG around the world.

Luxaviation is expanding its ExecuJet network of FBOs through a partnership with Samson Executive Jet Centre at Newcastle International Airport in the UK. Under the co-branding agreement announced today, Samson’s private jet terminal will become one of more than 100 ExecuJet locations worldwide.

In addition to ground handling, crew support, and concierge services, Samson Executive Jet Centre also arranges charter flights, which complements Luxaviation’s activities in this area. The partners said they want to help raise the profile of Newcastle International Airport as a gateway for business and leisure travelers heading to northeast England.

As part of the Luxaviation Group, ExecuJet directly operates 24 FBOs worldwide, including its co-branded facilities in Turkey with Bilen and in St. Gallen, Switzerland. The wider global network includes more than 100 facilities, including those run by its partners EDEIS in France (16 FBOs) and Paragon in the U.S. (approximately 70 sites).

“I am proud to be from the area and to have worked all over the world for Luxaviation,” said Luxaviation Group FBO services manager Gary Forster. “I have always monitored Newcastle International Airport and would like nothing better than seeing Samson Executive Jet Centre flourish, and Newcastle winning the Champions League [European soccer tournament].”

Gulfstream Aerospace received FAA approval for steep-approach operations in its large-cabin G500. The approval comes as the G500 was able to prove low-speed handling and short-field capabilities at airports such as the UK’s London City Airport, which has a short runway and strict noise abatement requirements, and Switzerland’s Lugano Airport, which is at the mouth of a valley and requires an extremely steep approach.

“Our customers already benefit from the revolutionary performance and efficiency of the G500,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “We are now pleased to deliver steep-approach capability as well, providing additional flexibility by unlocking access to even more destinations around the world.”

Capable of flying 5,300 nm at Mach 0.85 and 4,500 nm at Mach 0.90, Gulfstream’s G500 entered service in 2018. More than 110 of the twinjets are now in service. With a top speed of 0.925, the aircraft has established nearly 60 city-pair records.

Bombardier has joined the U.S. Department of Defense's SkillBridge program, which helps military service members navigate the transition between active duty and the beginning of their civilian careers with training, apprenticeships, or internships at authorized employers. The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense granted the Canadian business aircraft maker an official memorandum of understanding to develop SkillBridge training programs for branches of the U.S. military.

As a SkillBridge industry partner, Bombardier will offer 60- to 90-day in-person job training programs for all eligible service members. They will include employment skills programs at Bombardier service centers in Wichita; Dallas; Tucson, Arizona; Hartford, Connecticut; and Miami, according to Bombardier v-p of customer support Anthony Cox.

“We are actively recruiting A&P mechanics at all our U.S. sites and look forward to adding SkillBridge trainees to our network of qualified professionals,” said Cynthia Giguère, Bombardier's senior director of workforce planning and talent acquisition.

Bombardier has steadily expanded its footprint in the U.S. In April 2022, the Montreal-based group designated its Wichita site as its new U.S. headquarters and launched Bombardier Defense as part of its existing specialized aircraft division.

Every new-production Dassault Falcon delivered to Part 91 operators now includes AviationManuals’ Ready Flight International compliance and safety program, the manual development and SMS software company said on Tuesday. Designed to help customers plan for changing regulatory requirements, Ready Flight International allows operators to meet international requirements as soon as possible, the company added.

Through the new alliance, Ready Flight International has become a part of Dassault Falcon’s aircraft delivery experience, covering international procedures, LOA support, Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs), SAFA prep, risk assessment, and document management.

“AviationManuals and Dassault Falcon are both acutely aware of the challenging hurdles required to operate internationally and are committed to always keeping their operating customers up to date,” the companies said. “This alliance is a testament to Dassault Falcon and AviationManuals’ dedication to safe flight operations and mutual commitment to provide the best customer service in business aviation.”

Dassault Falcon works closely with AviationManuals to develop procedures and authorizations specific to each aircraft, with as little information as possible needed from the operator. “Our number-one priority is to require less work by Dassault Falcon’s clients when preparing their aircraft for their future flights,” said AviationManuals CEO Mark Baier.

The Kansas Department of Commerce has officially recognized Textron Aviation’s maintenance and paint apprenticeship programs. The two-year programs, which are now state-registered apprenticeships, support the company’s long-term workforce plan and offer prospective and current employees opportunities to try new fields, learn new skills, and boost their competencies, the company said.

“Textron Aviation has long been committed to building educational and community collaborations that benefit our employees, company, region, and the state of Kansas, particularly in developing a skilled workforce that maintains our advantage in a competitive, global market,” said Textron Aviation senior v-p of HR and communications Maggie Topping. “These apprenticeships are another way we provide employees a solid foundation for success and ongoing support throughout their careers.”

Program participants receive benefits and pay during on-the-job and classroom training. In a typical week, employees divide their time attending training at Wichita State University (WSU) Tech and working with assigned mentors at Textron Aviation production facilities. The company also pays for program-related tuition and fees.

Textron Aviation, the state of Kansas, WSU Tech, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers collaborated on the program to help address long-term production and workforce needs and reinforce Wichita’s status as a global aerospace hub.

The company continues to expand its earn-and-learn opportunities, including airframe and powerplant, avionics, and computer numerical control machining and tooling programs.

Duncan Aviation Provo COO Chad Doehring plans to move to Duncan headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska, as a member of the senior management team. As a result, the company will begin a search for another COO for its Provo facility.

“The last few months have been tough for me personally, as I have been challenged with balancing the increasingly complicated health needs of my parents, who still live in Nebraska, with the rewarding demands that come from running one of Duncan Aviation’s main MROs,” said Doehring. “I love my work, the team and facility we have built in Utah, and the Provo community, but I need to physically be in Nebraska right now. We have a strong leadership team in Provo, and they will have the support of the entire Duncan Aviation family during this transition.”

Doehring will continue his leadership role at Provo over the next several months and help choose the facility's future COO. He plans to relocate to Nebraska in mid-2024. Senior leaders from Duncan Aviation’s Battle Creek, Michigan and Lincoln facilities will also spend time in Utah supporting the Provo facility and ensuring a smooth transition.