Textron Aviation has received FAA approval for a series of enhancements to the Citation Latitude’s Garmin G5000 avionics suite that will provide for greater situational awareness and lower approach minima, the company announced today. Certified earlier this month, the advanced features include Garmin’s synthetic vision guidance system (SVGS) on the primary flight displays, GDL 60 Datalink, and a taxiway routing feature.

Certification of the features, which were announced at EBACE 2024, followed more than 240 flight test hours and are expected to enter service on new-production aircraft later this year. Textron Aviation anticipates similar approval on the super-midsize Citation Longitude—which is also equipped with the G5000—in 2026.

SVGS couples with synthetic vision technology (SVT) to support approach minima down to 150 feet, providing a continuous, geospatially correct depiction of the outside topography, including obstacles, augmented by the display of the runway.

The enhancements also provide a 3D view of the SafeTaxi  airport environment, as well as 3D displays of building footprints, including hangars, terminals, and towers, taxiways, aprons, signs, and other markings. Introducing multiple viewpoints, the SVT integrates with a taxiway routing feature to give better awareness during ground operations, which is especially helpful at large, unfamiliar, and complex airports during low visibility.

George J. Priester (GJP) Aviation has completed the acquisition of aircraft management and charter provider Omni Air Transport in Tulsa, Oklahoma, helping to expand its presence in the U.S. South-Central region. This was one of two deals announced a month ago, with a second agreement signed for the planned purchase of Sunrise Jets of Westhampton, New York, which would broaden GJP’s reach in the Northeast.

Adding more than a dozen aircraft to GJP’s managed fleet, the combined acquisitions will reinforce its nationwide presence, which had already included bases in the Midwest, Rocky Mountain West, and Southeast.

Omni and Sunrise had each served their respective markets for more than 40 years, GJP noted, adding that they both have Argus and Wyvern Wingman safety ratings. Charter additions include a Bombardier Challenger 350 and 604 and Learjet 40, 45, 60, and 75; Cessna Citation Sovereign and XLS; and HondaJet. These additions will push GJP’s fleet to nearly 100 aircraft.

GJP said the acquisitions will provide Omni Air Transport and Sunrise Jets clients access to its nationwide resources, efficiencies, and stability, while still maintaining local expertise and personalization that come with family-run aircraft management and aviation services.

To support U.S. Navy TH-73A training helicopters and civil rotorcraft, Leonardo has opened a support center at Whiting Aviation Park near Milton, Florida. The facility is located adjacent to Naval Air Station Whiting Field and is part of Leonardo’s $65 million investment in military aviation support, civil helicopter services, and regional aerospace growth, according to the company.

In addition to supporting the TH-73A fleet, Leonardo is offering customer support for civilian operators of its helicopters in the southeastern U.S. The facility holds an FAA Part 145 repair station certificate.

“This facility reflects the power of partnership,” said Clyde Woltman, CEO of Leonardo Helicopters U.S. “With its proximity to NAS Whiting Field, we're proud to offer world-class sustainment for the TH-73A program while expanding support for civil operators in the region. None of this would be possible without the shared vision of Santa Rosa County, Space Florida, Triumph Gulf Coast, the U.S. Navy, and our many community partners. Together, we’ve built more than a facility—we’ve built a foundation for mission success.”

Nevada-based jet charter operator and management provider Cirrus Aviation Services (not to be confused with OEM Cirrus Aircraft) is expanding for the first time beyond the Las Vegas and Southern California region with the opening of a base in Dallas.

Located at the Atlantic Aviation FBO at Dallas Love Field (KDAL), Cirrus Aviation Services will occupy two 25,000-sq-ft hangars. Initial plans call for the basing there of three of the company’s aircraft, including a Bombardier Challenger 850. The Argus Platinum Elite safety-rated operator has a floating fleet of nearly 30 aircraft.

“Dallas is one of the fastest-growing private aviation markets in the country, and this expansion allows us to meet increasing demand while introducing travelers to the elevated service Cirrus is known for,” said company president Eric Grilly. “We’re proud to bring a touch of Vegas hospitality to match Dallas’ southern charm.”

The KDAL location will offer the operator’s full slate of services, including empty-leg opportunities and 24/7 concierge service. Customers there will have access to Cirrus Aviation’s business jet lineup, ranging from the light HondaJet to ultra-long-range aircraft such as the Gulfstream G550 and Bombardier Global Express XRS.

“Since our founding in Las Vegas [in 2009], we’ve built Cirrus by focusing on safety, service, and value for our clients,” said company co-founder and CEO Greg Woods. “Opening in Dallas is a natural next step in our growth.”

Building trust, fostering teamwork and delivering exceptional outcomes. Thornton Aviation’s success is the result of more than technical expertise.

Construction is set to begin on a new corporate aircraft hangar at Triangle North Executive Airport (KLHZ) in Louisburg, North Carolina. Expected to be completed by year-end, the 12,000-sq-ft structure will accommodate business jets up to a Gulfstream G650.

The gated-access facility will also feature a climate-controlled lobby, office, and restroom, along with free vehicle parking, and group volume pricing for jet-A.

After a recent apron expansion directly adjacent to the hangar site, the airport has 32,400 sq ft of county-owned hangar space plus another 34,600 sq ft of private hangars, all of which are fully occupied.

“Hangar space is in high demand in North Carolina—KRDU (Raleigh–Durham International Airport), KJNX (Johnston Regional Airport), and KTTA (Raleigh Executive Jetport at Sanford-Lee County Airport) are fully occupied with waitlists for private aircraft hangar space,” said Ashley Carrabba, a senior associate at Avison Young, the commercial real estate firm that is marketing the space. “The delivery of this space at KLHZ provides immediate relief for that demand in a newly constructed building that’s well located near US-401, which offers direct access to downtown Raleigh.”

Farnborough Airport (EGLF) is seeking to boost training options for new recruits by partnering with the local Farnborough College of Technology to launch an enhanced Certificate in Airport Operations course. The first of the six-week courses will start on November 4 and include classroom instruction and opportunities for students to gain experience working at the UK business aviation gateway.

The organizations are offering 20 places on each course for recruits aged 21 and over, representing an increase of eight places from an earlier intake for the course. Instruction at the college will be provided on two weekday evenings, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so that it is suitable for students currently in other employment or training.

One of the sessions will focus on air traffic control with an expert presentation by air traffic management and airport services group NATS. Other modules will include customer services, for which there will be an optional assessment as part of the wide UK City & Guilds qualification that can be applicable to other industries. Students can sign up for an optional engineering bootcamp at the end of the course.

Students will spend two immersive “Airport Insights” days at the site. During this time, they will shadow experienced airport staff to gain practical experience of various roles.

Textron Aviation is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Stuttgart satellite service center, which supports Citation business jets and King Air turboprops in Germany. Opened in 2015 as a line station, the facility has grown into a satellite location for the company’s Düsseldorf service center.

General manager Christof Kandel credited the center’s success to the dedication and expertise of its employees. In 2021, the facility doubled in size to 12,000 sq ft of hangar space to accommodate demand. In addition to the larger facility, the service volume also doubled, reinforcing the location’s role as a hub for Textron Aviation’s European support network.

Through its Cessna and Beechcraft brands, Textron maintains a global support structure composed of 20 company-owned service centers, more than 300 authorized facilities, and a fleet of more than 50 mobile service units. In total, the company operates 11 domestic and nine international service centers that provide aircraft maintenance, inspections, upgrades, and other specialized services.

Emergency medical services operator Avincis has purchased Denmark’s KN Helicopters, which specializes in offshore wind farm services. Avincis has been operating in Norway, Sweden, and Finland for more than 10 years, and the KN acquisition adds Denmark and wind sector services to its portfolio.

The KN Helicopters fleet includes three Airbus H135s and one H145, and they join Avincis’ fleet of more than 60 Airbus helicopters. KN CEO Niels Peter Kjeldahl will keep running the wind farm operations.

According to Avincis, “Helicopters are increasingly seen as the preferred option for the offshore wind sector’s need for fast and agile support. They are not only quicker than traditional offshore service vessels but can operate safely in more challenging weather conditions.”

The 2025 Global Offshore Wind Report projects a compound average annual growth rate in the wind sector of 28% until 2029 and 15% to 2034, underscoring the future potential for offshore wind energy, Avincis noted.

“We are thrilled to welcome the KN Helicopters team to the Avincis group,” said John Boag, group CEO. “Today’s news is testament to our appetite for further growth and expansion into new sectors and regions. Offshore wind energy has an exciting future, and we are looking forward to supporting wind farm owners in Denmark with the same dedicated helicopter services we have been providing in other global markets for 60 years.”

Butler Avionics has received EASA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for a Garmin Class A terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) for the Learjet 35/35A and 36/36A. The upgrade is also FAA-approved and available from Butler Avionics or other qualified avionics dealers.

The Class A TAWS installed with Garmin’s GTN 750/750Xi navigator “features three principal alerting functions,” according to Butler Avionics. These include forward-looking terrain-avoidance (enabling reduced required terrain clearance and imminent terrain impact), premature descent alert function, and basic ground proximity warning system functions.

“The Garmin TAWS-A works seamlessly with the GTN navigators, and the TAWS-A upgrade is a cost-effective solution that is ideal for Learjets,” said Patrick Hupp, avionics manager for Butler Avionics. “We are receiving many inquiries about the TAWS-A, and we are extremely pleased to offer Learjet operators worldwide a quality alternative with both EASA and FAA STC approval. We are continuing to focus on global solutions to satisfy regulatory requirements.”