Gulfstream Aerospace found its groove in the third quarter as business jet sales and shipments climbed 56% and 39%, respectively, Phebe Novakovic—chairman and CEO of parent General Dynamics—said this morning during an investor call. “There was robust order momentum at Gulfstream in the quarter,” she said, noting a 1.3:1 book-to-bill that increased aerospace backlog to $20.6 billion, a nearly $1 billion quarter-over-quarter rise.

The company’s aerospace unit, composed of Gulfstream and aviation services firm Jet Aviation, saw third-quarter revenues soar 30.3% year over year (YOY), to $3.234 billion, and earnings jumped 41%, to $430 million. For the first nine months, these figures were $9.322 billion (up 24.2% YOY) and $1.265 billion (up 43.9%), respectively. Driving the gains were higher jet deliveries, more special-mission work, and aircraft services, according to Novakovic.

Gulfstream shipped 39 jets (33 large cabins and six super-midsize G280s) in the three-month period, up from 28 (24 large cabins, four G280s) a year ago. Novakovic said the latest third-quarter tally included 13 G700s and three G800s. In the first nine months, the Savannah, Georgia-based company handed over 113 aircraft (95 large cabins, 18 G280s), a 27% YOY increase over the 89 units (76 large cabins, 13 G280s) delivered. To date, Gulfstream has shipped 72 G700s, she added.

Every hiring match begins with hope. Employers hope to find the right person who will strengthen their team. Candidates hope to find a place where they can grow and belong. Yet too often, that shared hope turns transactional instead of personal.

After nearly 25 years as a career “matchmaker,” I’ve learned that hiring isn’t about résumés or job titles. It’s about alignment between values, communication, and expectations. When that alignment is missing, even the most qualified hire won’t stay long.

That belief shaped a recent conversation I co-led with my colleague, Jennifer Pickerel, at NBAA-BACE 2025 titled “Navigating Careers & Culture.” We were joined by two aviation directors from Part 91 flight departments: Jay Orwin and Steve Saflin. Both are hiring managers who have also been job seekers within the past five years.

Together, we explored how every stage of the hiring process—from defining a role to onboarding—shapes retention. Retention starts at the very beginning, with clarity about what you want, what you offer, and how you show up in the process.

Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to hiring or retention. Each organization’s process looks different depending on its size, structure, and resources. Some have dedicated HR teams, while others rely on department leaders, peers, or outside recruiters. Whatever the scale, the goal remains the same: to create an authentic match that lasts.

Brian Barents, the longtime business aviation and military veteran whose leadership has placed him among the most revered in the industry, will be honored on January 31 with the Wichita Aero Club (WAC) Trophy, the group announced this week. Presented annually, the trophy “honors individuals, groups, or organizations with deep ties to the Wichita region who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in aviation or aerospace.”

“Brian Barents exemplifies the leadership, expertise, and commitment to advancing the aviation industry that is fundamental to the Wichita Aero Club Trophy,” said Ashley Bowen Cook, WAC trophy committee chair and Greteman Group president. “His decades of military service and corporate leadership span executive roles, strategic leadership, and impactful contributions that have strengthened Wichita’s position in the global aerospace community.”

Recognized as a “Living Legend in Aviation,” Barents’ career traces back to 1965, when he graduated from Western Michigan University and entered the U.S. Air Force, becoming a fighter pilot. On the civilian side, he held roles including senior v-p for Cessna Aircraft, where he helped propel the Citation series, and Learjet, where he made a near-bankrupt company profitable. He further led Galaxy Aerospace, helping negotiate its sale to General Dynamics, and was CEO of Aerion. Barents has served on the boards of numerous aviation companies and is a past GAMA chairman.

Bell’s third-quarter revenues climbed 10% year over year to $1 billion, driven by accelerating work on the U.S. Army’s MV-75 tiltrotor program, though commercial helicopter deliveries dropped and segment profit declined slightly, parent company Textron reported yesterday. The Fort Worth, Texas-based helicopter manufacturer delivered 30 commercial helicopters in the quarter, down from 44 units in the same period last year.

Despite the delivery decline, Textron chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly emphasized, “Bell continues to see strong demand across its commercial product portfolio.” He pointed to a recently announced purchase agreement with Global Medical Response for seven 429s and options for eight more, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026.

The year-over-year revenue increase of $97 million in the quarter was driven by higher military revenues of $128 million, primarily reflecting increased volume from the MV-75 program. This was offset by the $31 million decline in commercial revenues due to lower delivery volume.

Bell’s segment profit for the quarter was $92 million, down $6 million from a year ago. However, the company’s backlog surged to $8.2 billion at the end of the quarter, up $1.3 billion from the previous quarter, primarily reflecting the award for the prototype, testing, and evaluation phase of the MV-75 program.

Aircraft hangar builder and operator Sky Harbour has signed a lease with the city of Long Beach, California, for the construction of a $60 million complex at Long Beach Airport (KLGB). The 17-acre, two-phase development is expected to include five 42,000-sq-ft hangars capable of sheltering the latest ultra-long-range business jets, with private, premium offices, and/or lounges.

The company anticipates breaking ground before the end of next year, with the grand opening of the first phase, including three hangars, estimated for first-quarter 2028. As part of its turnkey, Home Base Operator offering, Sky Harbour will provide a full slate of ground services such as fueling and towing.

Across the country, Sky Harbour operates nine facilities at Houston Sugar Land Regional Airport (KSGR), Nashville International Airport (KBNA), Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (KOPF), San Jose Mineta Airport (KSJC), Southern California’s Camarillo Airport (KCMA), Seattle King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KBFI), Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (KDVT), Dallas Addison Airport (KADS), and Denver Centennial Airport (KAPA). Nine more are also under development, including four in the U.S. Northeast.

“Long Beach has successfully established itself as a hive of innovation, most notably in the aerospace technology sector,” said company CEO Tal Keinan, who expects that to drive hangar demand in the area. “Business aviation will increasingly power business innovation and economic growth in this community.”

With the FAA having furloughed 11,322 of its 44,829 employees during the government shutdown, many aircraft certification activities have slowed or halted. So Kilroy Aviation, which holds FAA organization designation authorization (ODA), is helping companies to complete many of the processes involved with supplemental type certificate (STC) approvals during the shutdown.

“An FAA ODA grants Kilroy Aviation organizational FAA approval authority, enabling the issuance of fixed-wing and rotorcraft supplemental type certificates on behalf of the FAA,” according to the company.

Although the Department of Transportation’s shutdown plan outlines “certain certification activities” as excepted during the shutdown, the plan doesn’t mention STCs. It does say the FAA will support “the certification, system oversight, and continued operational safety functions of commercial airplanes and engines.”

“We understand that companies are working on aircraft modifications that require significant time and money,” said Kilroy Aviation CEO Mike Borfitz. “The government shutdown can cause critical delays for companies that cannot afford to be on hold for a prolonged period of time. Delays result in increased expenditures. Our team’s 80 years of combined experience and commitment to performance and integrity will assure operators the ability to proceed with their certifications without experiencing unnecessary delays.”

Argus International has added 14 audit categories to its Gold audit standard for charter operators, which previously focused on pilot background checks, accident and incident history, verification of pilot experience, operating certificates, and insurance. The added categories give users more information about the operator’s flight operations and maintenance programs, according to Argus.

The flight operations Gold criteria now include evaluation of safety management systems (SMS); emergency response plans; organizational structure; training programs; fatigue management; and flight operations procedures. Maintenance features cover in-depth review of maintenance management; personnel qualifications; quality assurance; training; maintenance control and planning; record-keeping; parts inventory and shelf life; and documentation systems.

More than 400 charter operators hold Argus Gold ratings, and many are working on meeting the more rigorous standard or higher audit tiers.

“These enhancements ensure that Argus Gold-rated operators are aligned with industry-leading safety practices and are well-positioned to meet FAA Part 5 SMS regulations,” said Mike McCready, president of Argus International. “Achieving the Gold rating now represents a proactive commitment to safety and a clear pathway to the prestigious Argus Platinum and Platinum Elite ratings.

“Operators who pursue the new Gold standard are sending a strong message to their clients and partners: safety and quality are non-negotiable,” he concluded.

Dallas-area McKinney National Airport (KTKI) will be hosting an aircraft display day—free and open to the public—on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests will have an opportunity to see a wide range of aircraft, including EMS helicopters, drones, business jets, and light general aviation airplanes.

In addition to allowing people to explore these aircraft up close, the event is intended to drive awareness about KTKI, which is a significant contributor to the local economy, generating nearly $300 million annually in economic activity.

“Many residents have not had a reason to visit McKinney National Airport yet,” said KTKI director Ken Carley. “Display Day is a chance to see the aircraft based here and learn how the airport operates today.”

After four decades of serving as a dedicated general aviation airport, McKinney expects to usher in a new chapter late in 2026 with the completion of its 46,000-sq-ft passenger terminal—part of a $79 million airport upgrade—and the start of airline service. KTKI is anticipated to serve 200,000 airline passengers annually.

“In the near future, we hope residents will think of McKinney first when they are ready to fly, as we work toward offering commercial passenger service close to home,” added Carley.

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News from NBAA-BACE 2025