AOPA is warning general aviation aircraft operators of the prospect of new landing fees in Florida that could take effect as early as next month. Earlier this year, the state contracted with Virtower to collect aircraft movement data at airports throughout the state using ADS-B. Virtower has partnered with Vector Air Systems, a company that can use the Virtower data to provide automated invoicing—a capability it is actively marketing to airports in the state.

ADS-B was mandated in 2020 but it was never intended as a tool for collecting fees, according to AOPA. The group is weighing its options to combat Vector's proposals, which are under consideration by several popular airports at a fee of $3 per 1,000 pounds of aircraft weight. AOPA questions the need for the fees to be collected at the public-use airports that already receive federal funds.

Last week, DeLand Municipal Airport (KDED) users were notified that fees will be charged for “itinerant aircraft” starting October 1. KDED’s manager stated that the move was meant to protect the airport from its neighbors—such as Orlando Executive and Kissimmee Gateway airports—that are considering adding landing fees. “If we do not impose landing fees, airplanes that are using other airports and paying landing fees...will choose to come to DeLand and saturate our pattern to an unsafe level,” he said.

In 2011, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, AIN asked our readers–many of whom are corporate pilots–to write the narrative by sharing their own personal stories of that day and share they did. While some 3,650 days had passed since then, their accounts still include minute details and raw emotion, evidence that 9/11 is indelibly etched in their minds forever.

Some were in the New York City metro area that fateful day, while others were across the country or even on the other side of the world. Their stories are varied, yet at the same time similar.

Many who shared their stories were already airborne and vividly remembered what aircraft they were flying, where exactly they were flying over when news of the airspace shutdown reached them via an ATC radio transmission, and the details of where they made an unscheduled landing.

As we approach the 23rd anniversary of the tragedy on Wednesday next week, we thought it would be appropriate to once again highlight their memories of 9/11. These are their accounts.

As the FAA and the TSA mull changes to DOT Part 380 safety and security requirements, those proposals and a recent bill calling for heightened security for the public charter operations is underscoring the ongoing divisiveness of the issue, even within the private aviation sector.

Joel Thomas, CEO of charter broker Stratos Jets, embraced the Safer Skies Act announced in early August. Acknowledging that it could make the shared-seat model carriers use under Part 380 more difficult, Thomas contends it will benefit business travelers and safety of flying private.

“Personally, I’ve never been a big fan of the shared seat model for safety reasons, and it competes for aircraft availability, driving up the costs of private travel for those who need it as a valuable tool for business…travel,” said Thomas, a former chairman of the Air Charter Association of North America.

Meanwhile, Josh Kimbrell, a Republican South Carolina state senator and operator of Part 135 firm Exodus Aircraft, came out with an opinion piece working with the nascent U.S. Private Aviation Association calling for a “regulatory ground stop.” Noting Part 380s will serve Essential Air Service markets where airlines have pulled out, he said the FAA and Department of Transportation “seem to be taking aim at Part 135 operators who are filling the gap in service.” Proposed changes will drive up costs and limit access, he maintained.

European trip support provider FCG OPS has issued a new update to its air traffic operation management (ATOM) IT platform, linking the company's operational control center and supported ground handlers. First introduced in 2015, ATOM integrated FCG's enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, flight operations, reporting, and business analysis into one package that can monitor requested services such as fuel orders, ground handling, crew and passenger transport, and flight or landing permits.

The new functionality builds on that capability, providing users with real-time updates to details such as aircraft readiness, crew and passenger locations, catering delivery, fueling schedules, and deicing application.

“Our system, which has already proven its usability, continues to evolve,” said company CEO Sergey Starkov, adding that users can just open a link to access all their information tracked down to the minute. “Now, every step of ground handling is documented immediately, so there’s no need to worry about ground services being on time or double check by phone or email if the catering is on board, has the fueling started, or whether the passengers just arrived at the terminal or already onboard.”

The update will first be rolled out to the company’s handling network of more than 60 airports in Eastern Europe, the Baltics, Central Asia, and Scandinavia. A second phase of implementation will include the company’s FBO partners at major European airports.

Discover the secrets behind Western Aircraft’s remarkable journey from a small corporate flight department to a leading MRO provider. Explore how Western Aircraft has evolved, expanded, and continues to set the standard for excellence, serving a diverse range of airframes and making its service mark in the Gulfstream aftermarket.

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is bringing back its Fall Awards event this year on November 6 after a brief hiatus with plans to honor luminaries spanning the aerospace industry, including AIN Media Group co-founder and chair emeritus Wilson Leach with the Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman & Stateswoman of Aviation Award. The event will be held at the Hilton Washington, D.C. National Mall/The Wharf.

Other recipients of the Distinguished Statesman award include safety expert Gregory Feith, champion aeromodeller Jim Richmond, and veteran communications and marketing executive Robert Stangarone, who recently became president and CEO of the Corporate Angel Network. These are the 2023 recipients, with 2024 still to come.

Other award recipients named thus far to be honored at the event include David Allvin, chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, with the Clarence H. Mackay Trophy; PenFed Credit Union president and CEO and PenFed Foundation CEO James Schenck, with the Bruce Whitman Trophy; Irene Trowell-Harris with the Katherine and Marjorie Stinson Trophy; and Arthur “Trip” Barber with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale World Air Sports Federation (FAI) Frank Ehling Diploma.

In addition, NAA will present the Public Benefit Flying Awards. The recipients to date are Dennis Phelan with Distinguished Volunteer Pilot; David Brubaker with Distinguished Volunteer; Jim Hesseman with Outstanding Achievement in Public Benefit Flying; and Lightspeed Aviation with Champion of Public Benefit Flying.

All Motors Brazil has taken delivery of a Bell 505 painted with a unique design that replicates the teal blue color of the luxury auto dealer’s 2023 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster. Powered by a 770-hp V-12 engine, the Aventador is made with an ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber body and rigid resin-transfer-molded roof.

Capable of carrying up to four passengers, the 505 Jet Ranger X can fly at 125 knots and at long-range cruise speed up to 306 nm. Hover ceiling in ground effect is 14,450 feet and out of ground effect is 10,460 feet. Powered by a 505-shp Safran Arrius 2R turboshaft, the light helicopter has made significant penetration into Latin America, and “in the Southern Cone [Uruguay, Argentina, Chile] there are more Bell 505s in operation than any other area in Latin America,” according to Bell Textron.

“We are excited to integrate the Bell 505 into our fleet,” said All Motors owner Edmundo Pedroso. “This aircraft will be instrumental in meeting our corporate transportation needs and providing our customers with a comfortable and time-saving travel experience, in line with All Motors’ high standards.”

Ontic has secured renewed investment by CVC Capital Partners as majority owner and is adding new minority investors. The investments support Ontic’s plans to continue growing and serving aircraft operators and licensors of aerospace products.

Ontic holds nearly 200 licenses from aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and supports more than 80,000 in-service aircraft. It manufactures more than 8,000 product lines that enable aircraft to keep flying with spares that OEMs no longer manufacture.

According to Ontic, “By taking the responsibility for the supply and repair of these divested parts and the individual components within them, Ontic is able to sustain the OEMs’ in-service aircraft, while supporting them to invest in new technologies and programs.”

“Ontic has served the market for 50 years this year and has delivered strong growth since 2019 because it provides a unique and valuable service to the aerospace and defense industries,” said CEO Gareth Hall. “We license mature product technologies so that OEMs can focus on their future next-generation technology initiatives, and in doing so, we guarantee part availability to civil and military operators for the decades-long life of their aircraft. With this new investment cycle, I look forward to welcoming many more people, licenses, and sites to Ontic as we continue to grow.”

The FAA has approved extending the service life on 12 Robinson Helicopter R66 helicopter components, doubling their life limits to 4,000 from 2,000 hours. The approval also extends the calendar life for R66 main rotor and tail rotor blades to 15 years from 12 years.

According to Robinson, “This approval, backed by previously approved data and structural testing, will help operators reduce maintenance costs, enhance reliability, lower operating costs by 6%, and reduce hourly reserve for overhauls by 25%.”

The 12 parts covered by the extension include five in the main gearbox, the main and tail rotor drive shafts, horizontal stabilizer, tail rotor guard, upper frame, servo support frame, and pop-out floats stabilizer. 

“This is a game-changer for R66 operators,” said Robinson Helicopter president and CEO David Smith. “By reducing the frequency of maintenance intervals, we're making the R66 even more cost-effective and reliable. This reinforces our commitment to providing our customers with the best possible ownership experience. Robinson's dedication to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction is evident in this latest enhancement to the R66.”

Join AIN, along with industry experts, on October 2 to learn how advanced weather services can provide critical insights to help pilots navigate complex weather situations. Discover the benefits of multi-scan weather and predictive wind shear for real-time weather updates and forecasts in flight and understand how vertical weather can optimize flight paths, reduce delays, and enhance fuel efficiency. Sponsored by Collins Aerospace.