Memphis, Tennessee-based air charter firm AB Jets took delivery of the first of three Bombardier Challenger 3500s that will become a core part of its operations. The super-midsize twinjet joins nine Learjet 60s in the Argus Platinum-rated carrier’s fleet.

“This delivery is more than an aircraft handover; it represents the future of AB Jets,” said company president Andrew Bettis. “The Challenger 3500 is our flagship, a jet that elevates our ability to serve clients with more comfort, extended range, and the same uncompromising focus on safety and reliability that defines our culture.”

The 3,400-nm Challenger 3500 provides coast-to-coast capability and can seat 10 in a cabin that leverages key features from Bombardier’s Global family, including the Nuage seats. It is further equipped with voice-control 4K entertainment and wireless chargers.

“Adding the Challenger 3500 to AB Jets’ existing fleet of Learjet aircraft will provide its customers with countless new charter destination options and an exciting new world of opportunities,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, executive v-p of aircraft sales and Bombardier Defense.

Luxaviation subsidiary ExecuJet has forged a partnership with Azerbaijan-based aviation services provider Silk Way AFEZCO to develop a new FBO at Alat International Airport, under development just south of the Azerbaijani capital Baku. For ExecuJet, which operates a global FBO network, this will mark its first presence in Azerbaijan, a strategic crossroads between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The country is also experiencing rapid growth in its energy, commerce, and tourism sectors, driving demand for private aviation solutions.

Construction of the facility—which draws design inspiration from ExecuJet’s flagship FBO at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW)—is expected to begin by year-end, with an anticipated opening in early 2027. The two companies have also signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint venture in the economic zone to create a comprehensive aviation services hub to elevate the country's role in global business aviation.

“This is a milestone partnership for Luxaviation and Execujet as we expand into the Azerbaijan market,” said Luxaviation Group CEO Patrick Hansen. “By combining Silk Way AFEZCO’s strong regional expertise with our global experience in premium FBO and aircraft management services, we are setting new benchmarks for quality, efficiency, and customer hospitality in the Caspian region.”

As part of the agreement, Luxaviation will manage Silk Way AFEZCO’s new Gulfstream G500, the first of its kind in the country.

Duncan Aviation’s new Pratt & Whitney Canada designated overhaul facility for the PW300 and PW500 engines at its Lincoln, Nebraska campus is nearly ready to open. Interior work on the facility is underway, including building out 12 engine maintenance bays, expanded backshops, a new parts warehouse, and customer amenities such as offices, conference rooms, break rooms, and locker rooms. The backshops are being equipped with new tools and machinery.

Duncan Aviation is installing 16 one- and two-ton overhead cranes for moving large engine components with precision-handling capabilities. Also in process is installation of a larger evaporator drain pit for chemical recycling and a 12,000-gallon fuel tank and backup system for the Atec engine test cell and control room. Operations are set to begin next month and full completion of the project is slated for April 2026.

“These comprehensive in-house capabilities underscore our unwavering commitment to providing unparalleled, cost-effective, and high-quality engine maintenance services,” said Doug Alleman, v-p of Duncan Aviation's engine operation. “We are dedicated to maximizing aircraft performance, minimizing downtime, and ensuring the long-term value of our customers’ investments.”

Universal Weather and Aviation has launched uvGO Tasks, which the company describes as a “breakthrough enhancement” in customer communications for its managed missions. It said the integrated solution replaces the 30-plus emails per flight leg with a secure, centralized workflow.

When customers update a task, Universal’s mission advisors are notified instantly. Operators can view task descriptions, ownership, priority, and status; drag and drop sensitive documents such as passports with ISO 27001-aligned security; and add comments for context or respond directly through uvGO. The addition of Tasks allows users to maintain a complete, searchable audit trail without having to dig through email inboxes.

Starting October 25, the new system will be introduced with no additional cost to Universal mission-managed clients with active uvGO accounts. Operators who prefer to continue using emails are free to do so, and Universal expects the functionality to be available through the uvGO iPad application by year-end.

“For decades, email has been the backbone of mission support—but also its biggest bottleneck and where critical tasks can be dropped,” explained Craig Mabray, senior v-p for Universal Trip Support Services. “For the first time, operators and our mission advisors can collaborate on Universal-managed trips in real time, in one secure platform, without sifting through endless email chains.”

Hydrographics are transforming aircraft interiors with stunning woodgrain, modern carbon fiber, or bold custom designs. This cost-effective, durable process wraps cabinetry, tables, and more in seamless finishes that rival veneers, at lower cost and shorter downtime. Refresh your jet or brand a fleet with executive sophistication and personal style.

Pilatus has selected Astronautics’ AeroSync Max as the line-fit connectivity system for the Swiss OEM’s PC-24 twinjet, marking the first application of the system in an airplane. AeroSync Max captures, stores, and transfers aircraft flight data to help make flight operations more efficient and reduce downtime.

Consisting of an airborne communications server, connectivity module, and ground server software, AeroSync Max transfers flight data securely and directly to Pilatus’ CrystalCare servers. AeroSync Max is certified to EASA ED-203A cybersecurity standards.

After every flight, AeroSync Max automatically downloads flight data via cellular or Wi-Fi networks, enabling Pilatus’ predictive services to help mitigate maintenance issues and prevent excessive downtime.

“Astronautics is proud to partner with Pilatus to provide PC-24 operators with a certified and secure connectivity system that is improving aircraft operations and availability,” said Matt Frei, Astronautics’ director of connected aircraft solutions. “Because data is transferred directly to Pilatus’ ground server without intermediaries, operators can trust that their information remains private—supporting the trusted relationships Pilatus has built with its owner-operators.”

Emergency medical services operator StarFlight Australia has ordered three Airbus H145 helicopters for delivery in 2027. In August, Tasmania’s government awarded StarFlight Australia a $354 million, 12-year contract to provide helicopter EMS services in the country.

LifeFlight Australia and logistics and support provider Fox Group Holdings’ Linfox partnered to create the StarFlight Australia joint venture in 2017. Their first contract was a 10-year aircraft and support services program with three Leonardo AW139s for Australia’s Victoria Police. This included the helicopters, maintenance, pilot, and tactical flight officer training, fuel truck, and management services. StarFlight Australia expects to fly the new H145 fleet about 1,500 hours a year.

“The investment in the H145 demonstrates our commitment to strengthening aeromedical and emergency service capability in Tasmania for the long term,” said StarFlight chair Dennis Richardson. “By partnering with Airbus and drawing on its proven support network in Australia, we are positioning StarFlight to deliver sustained reliability, innovation, and value to the Tasmanian government and the communities we serve.”

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will once again be available at Las Vegas-area airports for this year’s NBAA-BACE, which opens on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Physical SAF supplies will be present at Henderson Executive Airport (KHND), which will host the annual gathering’s aircraft static display, and at North Las Vegas Airport (KVGT) for operators to refuel their aircraft before departure.

Several of the OEMs bringing display aircraft will fly them to Las Vegas using either physical SAF or via book-and-claim, the process that makes it possible to purchase the environmental attributes of SAF even in locations where it is not present. Those operators using book-and-claim will upload traditional jet fuel at a participating FBO, but will receive credit for buying SAF at an airport where the actual blended SAF is available.

SAF’s environmental benefits come from its circular life cycle, using existing carbon in biomass and the atmosphere as feedstocks. Using SAF is a key part of business aviation’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

“By making SAF available to operators at NBAA-BACE, we’re highlighting the importance of expanding its production, accessibility, and adoption,” explained NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Sustainable aviation is a key element of our industry’s long-term strategy to reduce emissions.”

Wichita-based aircraft lighting specialist PWI has received FAA parts manufacturer approval for its LED cabin lighting system for the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP light jets. This latest authorization follows one announced earlier this year for the type and covers the remainder of the 400-series Beechjets, including the widest serial number range and the largest number of registrations.

The PWI system is a replacement for aging fluorescent lights and uses the same wiring and aircraft-supplied voltage. Through the use of LEDs, it eliminates fluorescent-related problems such as light flicker, background hums or buzzing, and ongoing maintenance. The removal of high-voltage fluorescent power supplies also eradicates potential electrical interference in the aircraft.

PWI cabin LED lighting systems—available directly from the manufacturer or its authorized dealer network—are 4,000K neutral white, offer 100,000-hour service life, and create no heat. The replacement LEDs match the original fluorescent tube lengths and carry a three-year warranty. The system requires installation by a qualified repair station; therefore, PWI recommends scheduling the installation during a maintenance event to minimize downtime.

“Our goal was to leverage our five decades of aircraft lighting experience and bring the 400-series Beechjet cabin experience up to today’s standard,” said PWI president Robi Lorik.

Duncan Aviation has updated its free “Straight Talk About Buying & Selling a Business Aircraft” guide to help business aviation operators, owners, and prospective buyers better understand the complex process of buying or selling a private jet. The latest edition examines current aircraft market conditions and outlines the steps and considerations involved in both acquisitions and sales.

In addition, it expands on five central tenets for aircraft buyers and sellers: understanding the true costs of ownership; choosing the right aircraft; conducting thorough pre-purchase and pre-sale evaluations; avoiding title, legal, and tax pitfalls; and recognizing that each transaction is more than a financial exchange. According to the publication, success “depends on more than just market timing” and instead requires “the guidance of a trusted partner who understands every nuance of the transaction and is fully committed to protecting your interests.”

Duncan Aviation’s guide emphasizes that a pre-purchase evaluation is the most important safeguard in the process, and warns that “aircraft transactions are high-value, legal events that often span state and international jurisdictions. Missteps can be costly.”

“Acquiring or selling a business jet is one of the most significant financial decisions an individual or company can make,” said Duncan Aviation market research team leader Rebekah Williams. “Our updated ‘Straight Talk’ explores the critical stages of a transaction.”

Join us for lunch on Wednesday, October 15, at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas to hear from a distinguished panel of leaders in business aviation to explore the future of in-flight connectivity. This exclusive event will feature key updates, highlighting innovations that are shaping the passenger experience and operational capabilities in the skies. Seating is limited. Sponsored by Honeywell Aerospace and Viasat.