The FAA has decided to stay a controversial legal interpretation surrounding in-person supervision of maintenance activities while the agency reviews its policies.

Laura Megan-Posch, the FAA’s assistant chief counsel for regulations, informed leaders at the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and Savvy Aviation of the decision this week, cautioning, “This stay does not represent a conclusion on the contents of that interpretation.” But the stay will remain in effect “until the agency issues new or supplemental guidance.”

In the September 3 letter of interpretation, the FAA deemed that the use of “in person” in Part 43 maintenance forbids the use of remote supervision of aircraft maintenance: “The Office of the Chief Counsel finds that the phrase ‘in person’ explicitly requires physical presence. Virtual presence, through a live video feed or other technological means, cannot replace the physical presence of a supervising mechanic.”

This generated significant opposition, with the maintenance community saying it means a supervising mechanic must watch every move of a non-licensed individual performing maintenance.

ARSA maintained the interpretation “reversed years of well-established policy and contravened recognized legal precedent to require certificated individuals to be physically present while supervising others." ARSA and GAMA were among 16 industry organizations that signed onto a coalition letter requesting reconsideration. Savvy Aviation also had petitioned the FAA on the issue.

The Paragon Network—a group of upscale aviation service providers that numbers more than 140 locations worldwide—has increased its footprint in the Pacific Northwest region with the addition of Jackson Jet Center, one of three FBOs at Idaho’s Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field.

A full-service provider, Jackson Jet offers aircraft charter, management, and maintenance in addition to the standard FBO services. It also is an authorized service center for Textron Aviation and Cirrus Aircraft.

Members in the network must meet and uphold certain quality standards for facilities and amenities. The Titan Aviation Fuels-branded facility offers 140,000 sq ft of hangar space capable of accommodating the latest ultra-long-range business jets. Its terminal includes passenger and pilot lounges, a pair of conference rooms, concierge, crew cars, and complimentary shuttle service.

A standout feature of the facility is its participation in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s reimbursable services program (RSP), which allows the FBO to schedule and pay for after-hours customs inspections and clearance.

“We are excited to welcome Jackson Jet to the Paragon Network,” said Julie O’Brien, the group’s v-p of business development. “Their innovative U.S. Customs RSP, combined with competitive fuel pricing and outstanding service, aligns seamlessly with our commitment to providing unmatched service and value to our customers.”

Airbus Corporate Jets is bringing the ACJ TwoTwenty back to this year's NBAA-BACE after the bizliner made its debut at the 2023 NBAA show. The company is targeting a new segment in the business aviation market the company has identified as the "Xtra Large Bizjet," emphasizing the aircraft’s 786-sq-ft cabin that doubles traditional business jet space without sacrificing range.

The ACJ TwoTwenty is the business jet variant of the A220-100, a twin-engine airliner that can accommodate up to 135 passengers. In a VIP configuration, the aircraft features seating for up to 19 and a six-zone layout including everything from office space to a private bedroom with a California King bed and en suite bathroom.

Despite its size, Airbus said the ACJ TwoTwenty has a range of up to 5,650 nm and is designed for low operating costs. It is powered by Pratt & Whitney 1500G engines, which provide improved fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. The aircraft can operate with a blend of up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), but Airbus has a goal for all of its aircraft to use 100% SAF by 2030.

Elliott Aviation recently completed its first Starlink connectivity system installation on a Beechcraft King Air 350 at the company’s Atlanta DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (KPDK) facility. Starlink's low-earth-orbit satellite network delivers in-flight internet at download and upload speeds of up to 220 Mbps and 25 Mbps, respectively, along with low latency.

“It is great working with a team that takes pride in every project they deliver,” said Bill Forbes, v-p of avionics programs at Elliott Aviation. “With Starlink, our customers can enjoy uninterrupted internet access from home, to the office, and now in the skies. This installation is a game-changer for business and leisure travelers alike.”

Besides the KPDK location, Elliott Aviation is also offering Starlink installations at its facilities in Des Moines, Iowa; Moline, Illinois; and Minneapolis for a range of aircraft that includes the Cessna Citation XL/XLS/XLS+ and Bombardier Challenger 300/350 and 604.

“With our leading team and multiple installation centers, we're driven to deliver business travelers unmatched connectivity, boosting productivity and convenience wherever they go,” Forbes added.

To truly be a business tool, business jets must remain seamlessly connected to the world below them. Today’s connectivity solutions frequently fall short of delivering the truly global, consistent, and enterprise-grade connectivity needed to do business. But that is set to change thanks to Eutelsat OneWeb and their recently completed global constellation of low Earth orbit satellites.

Eurocontrol has predicted increased traffic growth in European airspace in a revised seven-year forecast released on Tuesday. The European air traffic management agency said that it expects to record 10.7 million flights this year in the 44 member states of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), representing a 5.1% increase from 2023.

The latest traffic projections show overall flight levels returning to pre-Covid 2019 levels during the third quarter of 2025, and to 96% of those levels by the end of this year. Eurocontrol's report, which updated its earlier Spring 2024 forecast, said many ECAC states have already fully returned to pre-pandemic flight activity.

Next year, Eurocontrol expects traffic to grow by a further 3.7% to 11.1 million flights. By 2030, overall traffic levels are expected to reach between 12 and 13 million flights.

For the states involved in Eurocontrol’s Single European Sky Performance Scheme, annual flight growth is set to average 2.3% between 2025 and 2029. The forecast shows significant variations in anticipated traffic between member states, as well as a forecast range indicating how uncertainties, such as geopolitical instability and economic shocks, could affect air traffic.

Bell Textron appointed Japan General Aviation Service (JGAS) as an authorized reseller for the Bell 505 single-engine rotorcraft in the Japanese market, the U.S. rotorcraft manufacturer announced in Tokyo on Wednesday.

JGAS has operated as an aircraft and spares sales agent in the country since 2009 and also provides aftermarket support. In 2023, the company signed a contract to take delivery of the first Bell 429 Designer Series helicopter in Japan.

According to the Textron subsidiary, it has delivered more than 100 Bell 505s to customers in the Asia-Pacific region. The single-pilot light helicopter, which entered the market in 2017, can carry four passengers on routes of up to 306 nm.

“We have seen the Bell 505 grow from strength to strength in the region over the last few years and we want to ensure the momentum continues within Japan,” said Takuya Masamura, the country manager for Bell Japan. “With their extensive experience and deep commitment to the customer, JGAS was the ideal choice to work with to grow the Bell 505’s presence in a key market.”

Los Angeles-area FBO Sun Air Jets is the latest to join the Avfuel branded dealer network. One of three service providers at Camarillo Airport (KCMA), Sun Air offers 24/7 operations from its facility that features a 23,000-sq-ft terminal with conference rooms, pilot lounge with snooze rooms and showers, concierge, and onsite car rental. The Signature Aviation affiliate also has more than 100,000 sq ft of hangar space.

Along with conventional jet-A, Avfuel will continue the FBO’s continuous supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with each truckload providing a 19-tonne life cycle carbon reduction. It will make the facility a standout SAF-available location for AvfuelZero, Avfuel’s customer sustainability program that manages its carbon portfolio with a mix of direct SAF purchase, book-and-claim, and carbon offset credits.

“Sun Air Jets is excited to partner with Avfuel to provide industry-leading, sustainable services to Southern California,” said Mary Brehm, the service provider’s v-p of business operations. “Avfuel’s reputation of reliability, personalized customer care, and environmental leadership integrate seamlessly with Sun Air’s mission and legacy of award-winning service.”

Sun Air will now offer Avfuel contract fuel as well as its Avtrip customer loyalty program. To highlight its new affiliation, the California company will join the exhibiting FBOs at the Avfuel booth next week at NBAA-BACE.

Gogo Business Aviation is launching a nationwide tour to showcase its Gogo Galileo, a low-earth-orbit satellite broadband solution for business aircraft, next week at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas. The mobile demo invites aviation professionals to try out Gogo's high-speed, low-latency in-flight low-earth-orbit satellite connectivity offering.

“For anyone curious about reimagined in-flight Wi-Fi, we invite you to experience Gogo Galileo firsthand at one of our tour destinations,” said Gogo president and COO Sergio Aguirre. He noted that the response to Gogo Galileo has been brisk as the industry seeks reliable global airborne broadband service.

During the tour, attendees can test connectivity via their own devices for uses such as videoconferencing and streaming on both the compact HDX and larger FDX antenna configurations.

Earlier this month, Gogo reported a significant increase in demand for its Galileo HDX service, leading the company to double production in preparation for its commercial launch. Galileo is projected to provide average speeds near 57 Mbps, and the company has plans to secure 27 supplemental type certificates to cover aircraft lacking broadband in-flight services. Gogo is offering a temporary $24,000 rebate for customers upgrading from its air-to-ground systems.

After NBAA-BACE 2024, the tour will continue across the U.S. through early March 2025, stopping at various FBOs and airports. A list of future tour stops and RSVP details can be found on Gogo’s website.

Join AIN on Thursday, October 24 at 8 a.m. PT at the Las Vegas Convention Center for our Annual Upfront Breakfast. We are proud to welcome back Ryan Dohrn, an Emmy award-winning expert in sales and marketing. Ryan will share the emerging marketing strategies that are driving ROI for companies across the country. Register today.