During its 11th Annual Odyssey Fly-In held on Friday, Epic Aircraft delivered the 100th certified E1000 turboprop single. The owner of the milestone aircraft—an E1000 AX with a commemorative logo both on the exterior and seats—will base it in Texas.

This landmark comes just five years after the first E1000 was delivered, and the AX model is the third iteration of the E1000 line. New features of the E1000 AX include Garmin autothrottle and Autoland, with three activation buttons for easier passenger access; automatic yaw damper; electronic brake hold; CoolView windows that optimize crew visibility, reduce glare, and provide UV protection; Garmin GDL 60 with PlaneSync; GRA 5500 radar altimeter; 3D SafeTaxi and Taxiway Routing; GWX 8000 weather radar; and True Blue Power lithium-ion battery.

“Achieving this delivery milestone underscores the strength of demand for our aircraft,” said Epic Aircraft CEO Doug King. “We reached our 100th certified aircraft faster than anyone imagined. From our first to our 100th aircraft delivery, each certified Epic reflects the innovation, passion, and commitment of our employees—and the belief of our owner community. Each delivery is more than an aircraft. It’s the beginning of a new adventure.”

In July, the E1000 AX received FAA certification. The all-composite, Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A-powered E1000 AX cruises up to 333 knots and can fly 1,560 nm.

Bombardier has handed over its ninth Global aircraft to the U.S. Air Force for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program, the company announced today. The BACN aircraft, a Global 6500, was delivered during a ceremony this month at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts under an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract affirmed in 2021 and valued at up to $465 million. That agreement succeeded earlier contracts with the USAF for the communications platform that date back nearly two decades.

Known as the E-11A and referred to as “Wi-Fi in the sky,” the aircraft is used as a specialized high-altitude communication platform to bridge voice and tactical data between aircraft and land forces. The USAF has cited the aircraft’s flexible deployment options and ability to operate at high altitudes as enabling its forces to overcome communications difficulties caused by mountains, rough terrain, or distances and increasing situational awareness in the air and on the ground.

“At Bombardier Defense, we are honored to see our reliable, high-performing Global aircraft serve the United States Air Force in critical missions worldwide through the BACN program,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, executive v-p of aircraft sales and Bombardier Defense. “We are grateful for the longstanding trust of the U.S. Air Force, and we look forward to continuing to support the operational needs of the United States.”

Fourteen industry associations, including aviation, automotive, boating, and satellite groups, sent a letter asking the Department of Defense and Department of Transportation to fix the GPS jamming and spoofing situation. Signatories include AEA, AOPA, ALPA, A4A, Aviation Spectrum Resources, GAMA, National Agricultural Aviation Association, NBAA, and others.

The letter doesn’t ask for developing a backup for GPS but focuses on fixing problems inherent to GPS. “The nation’s trust in GPS has been well-placed since it entered service in 1993,” the letter explained. “GPS has never experienced an outage. The U.S. Space Force does an outstanding job ensuring the overall GPS system operates consistently at a 99.99% availability rate. The latest generation of GPS satellites deliver exceptional capabilities to users.”

Yet, the letter continued, “Counter-spoofing signal-authentication technologies are not included in the program plan. These capabilities are necessary for modern signals to become operational and available to integrate into aviation-certified GPS receivers and for increased resiliency to jamming and spoofing.”

“GPS technology has long been essential, not just for business aviation, but more broadly for the nation's economy, transportation, defense, and other critical functions," said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Jamming, spoofing, and other intentional disruptions to GPS pose a serious threat to safety, security, and reliability.”

Sikorsky Helicopter lost a vibrant link to its past with the passing on Thursday of Sergei Sikorsky, son of company founder and rotorcraft pioneer Igor Sikorsky, at the age of 100. He was an eyewitness to the inception and development of the helicopter manufacturing industry.

Following a stint in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, Sergei joined the family business in 1951 in the international marketing and sales division for what would be a 41-year career with the rotorcraft manufacturer. In 1976, at the dawn of the OEM’s highly successful Black Hawk program, he was recalled to the company’s Stratford, Connecticut headquarters to become division v-p, overseeing Sikorsky’s co-manufacturing program, and later served in marketing and special roles.

Despite retiring in 1992, Sergei remained active with the company, serving as an ambassador at major trade shows and speaking about his family’s continuing legacy as the first commercial helicopter manufacturer. In 2019, in what Sergei described as his life’s single greatest honor, the aircraft hangar at Sikorsky’s Stratford facility was dedicated as the Sergei I. Sikorsky Flight Center.

“The entire team—past and present—at Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin mourn the passing of a remarkable man, a link to the golden age of aviation who meant so much to the success of our business,” said Sikorsky v-p and general manager Rich Benton. “Sergei will be greatly missed.”

Million Air Austin broke ground on the company’s Phase II expansion, bringing exciting new facilities and amenities to one of the region’s most in-demand FBOs.

AeroMech has received a supplemental type certificate (STC) for installation of SpaceX’s Starlink connectivity system on the Cessna Citation Latitude. The upgrade is now available at Textron Aviation’s North American and international service centers.

“With Starlink connectivity now available as an upgrade, Citation Latitude customers can enjoy a seamless, high-speed in-flight experience that keeps them connected in more of the places they fly,” said Brian Rohloff, senior v-p of Textron Aviation customer support. “This enhancement reflects our commitment to innovation and elevates the Latitude’s reputation as the world’s most-delivered midsize business jet, renowned for its exceptional performance and cabin comfort.”

The Starlink installation consists of mounting an electronically steered antenna on the top of the fuselage, a power supply, and wireless access points. Starlink speeds range from 40 to 220 Mbps for downloading and eight to 25 Mbps for uploading. Service prices span from $2,000 per month for 20 GB plus $100 per additional gigabyte to $10,000 per month for unlimited data. There are more than 8,000 Starlink satellites in low-earth orbit, providing worldwide coverage.

A Cessna Citation CJ4 overran Runway 14 at the Mayfield Graves County Airport (M25) and struck a nearby residence on Thursday, according to the FAA and Graves County Sheriff’s Office. The sole-occupant pilot was not injured in the crash, the FAA reported, but the 2013 CJ4—registered as N577RT—sustained substantial damage after its left wing hit the house.

Sheriff Jon Hayden said dispatchers received reports of a possible crash at 3:49 p.m. at M25. Responders found that the jet had gone past the runway end, crossed a grassy area and through a perimeter fence, and continued across Kentucky Route 58 before colliding with a house in the 2100 block east of Mayfield.

“The residence was occupied by the resident, but she was not injured,” according to the sheriff’s statement. “The aircraft was occupied only by the pilot, and he had no visible injuries.”

Local and state emergency management agencies responded and the sheriff confirmed the FAA and NTSB have been contacted and are investigating. The crash scene was secured, with KY 58 closed between KY 131 and KY 301 to through traffic. Highway 58 reopened midday today.

Blade Urban Air Mobility is preparing to serve visitors to the 2025 Ryder Cup golf tournament, which starts on Thursday at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York. Now owned by eVTOL aircraft developer Joby Aviation, the helicopter flight broker is the official “air mobility provider” for the biennial contest between the U.S. and European teams.

The company expects its charter partners to carry around 3,000 passengers on 12-minute helicopter flights from three Blade Lounge sites in Manhattan and the surrounding New York City area during the four-day tournament. Blade will operate vertiports at the Bethpage course and also at the nearby Republic Airport (KFRG).

Blade’s Ryder Cup Vertiport consists of 15 landing zones at the Bethpage Red course, from where guests will be quickly transported in golf carts to the championship grounds via the PGA’s VIP area. There is also a landing zone for amphibious aircraft at Republic Airport.

Joby plans to display one of its four-passenger eVTOL air taxis at the event, as well as allowing attendees to try its flight simulator. Special Ryder Cup-themed cocktails will be served in the Blade Ryder Cup Lounge, which will also be equipped with a golf simulator.

According to Joby, its eVTOL air taxis will be available for the next Ryder Cup staged in the U.S. in 2029.

Bell Textron has signed a purchase agreement with Global Medical Response (GMR) for seven Bell 429s and options for eight more of the light twin helicopters. GMR also recently took delivery of its first IFR-configured 407GXi, the first of an order for 24.

Based in Lewisville, Texas, GMR is the world’s largest Bell operator of emergency medical services helicopters, with 381 bases worldwide operating a fleet of Bell 407s and 206Ls.

“Adding the Bell 429 to our fleet will allow us to expand access to care to patients who need it,” said Daniel Sweeza, national president of air operations for GMR. “It also allows us to meet the requests of our healthcare partners, who have been asking for the flexibility the Bell 429 provides. We’re excited to add this airframe to our GMR communities starting in the spring of 2026.”

The Bell 429 features rear clamshell doors and a litter-height deck for ease of patient loading, maximum cruise speed of 155 knots, and 372-nm range. Avionics include Astronautics multifunction displays and Garmin GTN 750/650 com navigators, as well as a 3- or optional 4-axis autopilot.

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.