Epic E1000 owners and operators in the Midwest U.S. have more maintenance options after OEM Epic Aircraft tapped Yingling Aviation in Wichita to join the authorized service center network for the all-composite turboprop single.

“Epic Aircraft owners are now able to see Yingling’s customer-first capabilities and commitment to excellence in maintaining their aircraft to the manufacturer’s highest standards,” said Kerry Heiss, v-p of sales and marketing at the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (KICT)-based maintenance, repair, and overhaul provider. “We’re eager to earn their trust to protect and keep their aircraft flying.”

Yingling has done inspection, repair, refurbishment, upgrade, and modification work for owner-operators, corporate fleets, and government and specialized aviation customers on numerous business and general aviation aircraft. Its capabilities also include interiors, avionics, paint, propellers, engines, and mobile support for grounded aircraft.

Yingling is a portfolio company of private equity firm AE Industrial Partners, which specializes in aerospace, defense, and government services.

MD Onboard, the wholly owned aviation medical advisory subsidiary of Northwell Health, has consolidated its services with the integration of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s (UPMC) STAT-MD. In exchange, UPMC has acquired a share in MD Onboard.

The move unites MD Onboard’s physician-led aviation technology platform with STAT-MD’s more than four decades of experience managing in-flight and gate-side medical events. STAT-MD’s clients and operations will transition to the MD Onboard platform, ensuring service continuity while gaining access to advanced clinical decision-support technology.

Combined, the company’s capabilities will reduce fragmentation across medical advisory services, passenger health assessment, onboard emergency response, crew training, and post-event reporting.

“As the next-generation, state-of-the-art service provider, we are delighted to join forces with STAT-MD, which brings one of the deepest clinical histories in aviation health,” said MD Onboard CEO Grant Jeffery. “By integrating STAT-MD’s experience into the MD Onboard ecosystem, we are creating an advanced, connected, and robust platform, ensuring that medical recommendations and advice provided in complex aviation environments are backed by trusted expertise, data, and real-time digital decision support.”

Nav Canada air traffic delays dropped by 85% from May through August at major airports as the Canadian air navigation service provider implemented a new operational readiness plan for the summer. The proportion of scheduled flights impacted dropped from 1.54% in 2025 to 0.24% this year at Toronto Pearson (CYYZ), Montréal-Trudeau (CYUL), Calgary (CYYC), and Vancouver (CYVR) airports, it said.

Vancouver marked the largest improvement in “absolute gain,” where the share of scheduled flights facing service delays dipped from 4.42% in 2025 to 0.64% this year. Calgary, meanwhile, had the largest proportional improvement, from 1.16% to 0.05%. These improvements occurred while traffic increased collectively by 0.9% at the four airports, to 394,919 flights, between May 1 and August 31, versus 391,245 a year earlier. In addition, Nav Canada faced World Cup traffic during the period.

“In May, we said our team was ready. In July, the results showed they were. Today we can say they upheld that standard through the most demanding stretch of the year,” said Nav Canada v-p and chief of operations Marie-Pier Berman.

Improvements came as Nav Canada air traffic services staffing was higher than at any point since before the pandemic. The air navigation service provider offered targeted summer scheduling and incentive measures and rehired more than 50 retired controllers. In addition, it invested in technology improvements.

An updated guide from business aviation manual and safety management system developer Nimbl aims to help Part 91 operators quickly sort out which FAA letters of authorization (LOAs) apply to their operations, cutting the time spent deciphering agency requirements. Released yesterday, the free Part 91 LOA Guide charts 12 LOAs across five operating areas, from domestic U.S. flights to global operations. It also lists typical FAA turnaround times for most of them.

The chart marks LOAs, area by area, as recommended, required if the operator uses the related capability, or required outright. According to the guide, LOAs for datalink communications and oceanic and remote operations typically take one to three months, while those for RVSM and minimum equipment lists clear in three to four weeks. Nimbl emphasized that its estimated times are based on observations and not guarantees.

Nimbl suggests that operators apply for every LOA covering operations their aircraft can perform. It also recommends that buyers file whatever applications they can during the final stages of an aircraft purchase to be ready to fly upon delivery.

The guide follows a Nimbl webinar in April covering the FAA’s streamlined LOA process, which took effect in 2023 and lets Part 91 operators apply for multiple LOAs in a single application.

The toughest Falcon maintenance lessons aren’t learned from a manual. They’re learned aircraft by aircraft, inspection by inspection.

The FAA has proposed a $260,868 civil penalty against Long Island, New York-based aircraft management provider ExcelAire, claiming it conducted unauthorized air charter operations.

According to the agency, the company operated two flights for compensation or hire in August 2025, two months after its director of operations surrendered the company’s air carrier certificate to the FAA. That person, and the remainder of the company’s required management personnel, also resigned in June 2025.

Additionally, the FAA alleges that ExcelAire lacks the required qualified management personnel to ensure the safety of its operations. “The conduct of ExcelAire demonstrates a disregard for the safety of the flying public, and its actions were careless or reckless so as to endanger the lives and property of others,” the agency noted in its complaint.

Fellow Long Island aviation services provider Executive Fliteways had purchased the company in 2023, mainly to acquire its Part 145 repair station, and it subsequently sold the remainder of ExcelAire—including its charter certificate—in September 2024 to Sky Elite Holdings, a Bronx, New York-based limited liability company. Its current ownership remains unclear; calls eventually went to the voicemail of Empyreal Jets, a Houston-based charter broker, when AIN approached the company to comment on the FAA’s proposed action.

ExcelAire has 30 days after receipt of the notice to respond to the FAA’s allegations.

California-based aviation services provider Clay Lacy Aviation (CLA) was honored by airport operator Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) last week with two awards during a ceremony and breakfast held at Van Nuys City Hall.

For the 10th straight year, the company received a VNY Friendly Flyer Award, highlighting its community partnership at West Coast business aviation hub Van Nuys Airport (KVNY). The award recognizes jet operators that demonstrate exceptional compliance with voluntary aircraft noise abatement procedures at KVNY, going beyond mandatory requirements to reduce noise impacts on surrounding communities.

In recognition of CLA’s sustainability efforts, it was also presented with the inaugural VNY Green Tenant Award. The company has maintained carbon-neutral certification across its facilities since 2019, and implemented sustainable practices such as electric ground equipment, renewable electricity sourcing, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, recycling programs, and availability of sustainable aviation fuel.

“Clay Lacy continues to set a benchmark for what it means to be an exceptional neighbor and partner at Van Nuys Airport,” said KVNY manager Jacob Haik. “Earning the Fly Friendly Award reflects their ongoing diligence in adhering to our mandatory and voluntary noise abatement procedures, while their recognition as an inaugural Green Tenant Awardee demonstrates real leadership in sustainable aviation. Meaningful progress happens when airport operators proactively invest in the well-being of our local community and the future of our environment.”

Hartzell Propeller subsidiary Tanis Aircraft Products has received an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) for its preheating system for the Daher TBM series, along with parts manufacturer approval for the system’s kit. The STC covers all of the airframer’s TBM turboprop singles, from the original TBM 700 to the latest TBM 980.

Tanis’ TBM system is self-regulated to deliver preheating to the turboprop’s overall powertrain, including the engine, prop reduction gearbox, oil cooler, fuel control unit, accessory gearbox, and battery. It also provides avionics and cabin preheating, with LED power indication and circuit overload protection.

The Tanis TBM kit—which comes with a five-year warranty—is available in both North American (115 volts) and European (230 volts) versions and can be ordered directly through the Hartzell Preheat website or through an authorized dealer.

“As colder weather approaches, maintaining reliable aircraft operations becomes increasingly important,” said Hartzell president JJ Frigge. “This new Tanis system gives TBM owners and operators a comprehensive preheat solution designed to support easier cold-weather starts, while providing protection and supporting reliability of critical aircraft systems.”

He noted that beyond those operational benefits, it also creates a more comfortable experience for passengers by allowing the aircraft to be warm and ready before boarding.

NATA has revealed the names of this year’s recipients of its two highest honors. Former NATA chair and current Sheltair Aviation COO Todd Anderson will receive the Distinguished Service Award, while Sheltair’s late founder, Jerry Holland, will posthumously be awarded the William A. Bill Ong Memorial Award, its highest recognition.

Holland founded Sheltair in 1963 and turned the company into the nation’s largest privately owned aviation network. Under his leadership, Sheltair expanded its aviation real estate and FBO locations while maintaining a family-owned culture centered on service. Today, the company, under the leadership of his daughter, Lisa Holland, operates a chain of FBOs and manages more than 4.6 million sq ft of aviation facilities.

“Jerry Holland’s extraordinary vision, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to serving others embody the very purpose of NATA’s highest honor,” said NATA president and CEO Curt Castagna. “He built an enduring family business grounded in opportunity, relationships, and a genuine dedication to the aviation community.”

Anderson has more than 40 years of aviation and airport management experience. He was elected chair of NATA’s board of directors in 2023 and now serves as immediate past chair. A Sheltair employee for more than 25 years, Anderson oversees the company’s day-to-day FBO and real estate operations, strategic growth, marketing, and construction.

The awards will be presented on November 10 during NATA’s annual Aviation Business Conference in Denver.