Fargo Jet Center (FJC), the full-service FBO provider at North Dakota’s Hector International Airport (KFAR), celebrated a major expansion this week with the opening of a $25 million, 112,000-sq-ft hangar and office complex. The expansion brings the company’s footprint at KFAR to 328,000 sq ft of facilities spread over 11 acres and highlights its position as a key player in the local aviation industry and economy.

In addition to standard FBO services, it offers aircraft sales, charter, management, flight training, and a comprehensive suite of maintenance capabilities, including special-mission modifications and completions.

The new facility includes a 27,000-sq-ft maintenance hangar and a 23,000-sq-ft hangar for modifications with dedicated space for composite fabrication, paint, sheet metal work, and avionics. The added hangars—among the largest in the region—have 30-foot-high doors, allowing them to accommodate the latest ultra-long-range business jets. The facility—which will also serve as home to FJC sister company Weather Modification International—will enable the FBO to repurpose 32,000 sq ft of hangar space for increased based and transient aircraft storage.

Located adjacent to the FJC terminal, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility is expected to clear nearly 800 international flights this year, with the additional space enhancing the FBO’s ability to serve corporate aircraft from around the world.

“Our new hangar and office complex allows us to expand our services, increase efficiency, and take on more complex and specialized work,” explained FJC president Jim Sweeney. “The investment in state-of-the-art equipment and technology positions us to meet these demands while delivering a seamless, top-tier experience for our clients.”

In 2014, the FAA introduced new and revised air traffic procedures that included “climb via,” “descend via,” and speed adjustment clearances for pilots flying RNAV departures (SIDs) and arrivals (STARs). Remarkably, in the 10 years since, pilots continue to make mistakes complying with these ATC clearances. As a result, altitude (vertical), course (lateral), and speed deviations are often cited as the most common reasons for a pilot to submit a NASA ASRS or ASAP report.

Recognizing the complexities of these new procedures, NBAA’s Domestic Operations Committee has published “Pilot Briefing: Climb Via, Descend Via, Speed Adjustments,” which covers the nuances of each procedure and the subtle differences between procedures around the world, including the FAA, ICAO, and Nav Canada.

According to the document, the goal of these updated procedures was to reduce radio frequency congestion, reduce the number of hear-back and read-back errors, and provide worldwide harmonization of ATC clearances. By design, these procedures were intended to provide “simple, intuitive phraseology for issuing a clearance to laterally and vertically navigate a departure or arrival.”

At a minimum, pilots must be familiar with the basic application of these types of clearances.

CleanJoule has begun the process of having its CycloSAF sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) approved for blending with jet-A/A1 fuel under ASTM International’s D4054 process. The Utah-based company, which announced the move this week, is aiming to start production of what it said will be a 100% drop-in fuel for aircraft in 2026.

According to CleanJoule, its synthetic blending component will deliver 10% greater energy density than jet-A and is made from a feedstock of waste biomass. Its process is based on increasing the proportion of cycloalkane hydrogen molecules in its SAF to eliminate the aromatics that cause contrails and boost energy density.

After establishing an industrial demonstration plant in 2026, CleanJoule aims to scale up the output of its SAF between 2029 and 2030. It plans to establish plants in multiple locations worldwide, including the U.S., Brazil, India, and Thailand.

To date, ASTM International has approved eight production processes that are compliant with its D7566-22 specification for aviation fuel containing synthesized hydrocarbons. According to CleanJoule founder and CEO Mukund Karanjikar, CycloSAF is currently the air transport sector’s only option for a 100% drop-in fuel and represents a near-term path for SAF use to cut the industry’s carbon emissions by 65% as it strives to meet its net-zero target in 2050.

Hurricane Helene surged ashore last night as a Category 4 storm, making it the strongest on record to impact Florida’s Big Bend region. Several fatalities were reported and millions were left without power as it moved north into Georgia, where it quickly lost strength. Early this morning, it was downgraded to a tropical storm, bringing heavy rains and flooding as it plowed into the Carolinas.

Tampa International (KTPA), St. Pete-Clearwater International (KPIE), and Gainesville Regional (KGNV) airports all reopened this morning after assessments determined that they had sustained no significant damage from Helene, as did Tallahassee International Airport (KTLH) in the heart of the landfall zone.

According to NBAA’s air traffic services desk, Augusta Regional Airport (KAGS) in Georgia and Asheville Regional Airport (KAVL) in North Carolina are both open today but without local tower air traffic control.

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A bipartisan group of U.S. senators launched the Sustainable Aviation Caucus to promote the long-term development of renewable fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel, and other key green advancements in the industry. Founded by Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinios), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), the caucus follows a similar group established in the House of Representatives in June by Reps. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas) and Dusty Johnson (R-Alabama).

“As the aviation industry strives for lower emissions and cleaner energy sources, the development and utilization of sustainable aviation fuel will be a critical element,” Moran said. “The caucus will work together to find ways to promote technologically innovative solutions to create a sustainable aviation industry.”

Duckworth added: “As we continue our work to reduce emissions and foster energy independence, one of the most important things we can do is make aviation more sustainable by increasing the use and supply of American-grown, American-made sustainable aviation fuel.”

Praising the caucus, GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce said it will assist in fostering key partnerships between government and other stakeholders. "Business aviation is leading in sustainability with a mission to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, through new technologies, including more efficient aircraft, electric aviation, and sustainable aviation fuel," added NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, noting that the caucus “will help innovate toward a net-zero future.”

Aircraft MRO provider StandardAero earlier this week launched a proposed initial public offering (IPO) of its common stock and today increased the amount of available shares. Initially proposing 46.5 million shares, Reuters reported this morning that the company is now targeting an upsized sale of 60 million shares priced between $20 and $23 each. That would raise $1.38 billion in funding, up from the initial $1.1 billion announced on Monday. With other interests in the company, that values StandardAero at up to $7.7 billion.

J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America Securities, UBS Investment Bank, Jefferies, and RBC Capital Markets are acting as lead book-running managers for the proposed offering.

Earlier this year, StandardAero said it would expand beyond aircraft maintenance by agreeing to test and assemble the Symphony engines at its Texas facility for Boom Supersonic's Mach 1.7 airliner. In July, it celebrated six decades of its support of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engine series.

StandardAero has applied to list its common stock on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SARO.” No date has yet been announced for the IPO. StandardAero is currently privately owned by global investment firm Carlyle.

A snowmobiler who was seriously injured from crashing into a parked Army Black Hawk helicopter in 2019 has been awarded $3.3 million by a federal judge. Jeff Smith hit the aircraft at 65 mph at night while transiting a rural Worthington, Massachusetts airstrip that was also used as a snowmobile trail.

The helicopter was on a training mission from Fort Drum, New York, and the crew did not set up reflective cones or chem sticks after it was parked. Smith had drunk two beers and was on prescription drugs immediately before the accident. He also was wearing tinted goggles.

Smith was seeking $9.5 million in damages. Separately, he also sued and settled with the owner of the private airstrip for an undisclosed amount.

U.S. District Judge Mark Mastroianni assigned blame at 60% to the government, writing, “The court finds the government breached its duty of care in failing to take any steps to protect against the obvious risk of a camouflaged helicopter parked on an active snowmobile trail, in a somewhat wooded area, as darkness set.” Mastroianni additionally criticized Smith’s role in the accident.

An official Army investigation found that the helicopter crew was unaware they were landing on an active snowmobile trail and cast doubt on whether chem sticks would have provided sufficient illumination to prevent the accident.

Over the four years since the Covid pandemic, many changes have impacted businesses, with perhaps the most radical being the work-from-home paradigm. How businesses continue to respond to this dynamic was one of the topics discussed in an industry leadership panel on Wednesday at the JetNet iQ Summit in New York City.

“We absolutely had to learn to be a little more flexible and accommodating…and like many manufacturers, the key was keeping our factory running and making sure the people who worked in the factory were safe,” explained Jeannine Haas, Gulfstream Aerospace’s chief marketing officer, adding that it then evaluated the corporate roles that could work from home. “A few things were lost trying to communicate over the screen; it’s just not quite the same, so we really do appreciate the in-person time.” Since then, the company has swung back to more of an in-the-office mode but with more flexibility.

Paul Sislian, executive v-p of aftermarket services and strategy with Bombardier, noted that while his company was able to successfully weather the work-from-home situation, the topic “is a huge debate at Bombardier right now,” with a discussion of why a return to in-office was necessary. “We have gained an amazing amount of goodwill with our employees,” he said, while noting that there are drawbacks, including loss or erosion of culture.