Gallery Of Laureates 2024 Winners - Business Aviation

A small team of Dassault engineers and pilots, led by engineering manager Cyrille Grimald, developed a flight planning tool called FalconWays that allows pilots to optimize fuel consumption by selecting the most fuel-efficient route based on real-time weather data and performance data for each specific model of Falcon business jet. The team proposed the program through an in-house entrepreneurial initiative. 

Credit: Dassault Aviation

The National Business Aviation Association launched the Sustainable Flight Department Accreditation Program to help organizations reduce their carbon footprints. The program has four accreditations—flight, ground support, operations and infrastructure. To date, it has awarded 44 accreditations to 25 businesses that have identified a net reduction of 125,266 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. Beyond this, it nurtures a sustainable culture that has become the industry standard. 

Credit: NBAA

SmartSky’s 5G/LTE air-to-ground connectivity network for business aviation became operational across the U.S. in 2022. In 2023, the company announced SmartSky LITE, the first streaming-level system available for smaller business aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-12. The 5G/LTE LITE system is flying on five different types of light jet and turboprop. 

Credit: SmartSky Networks

Established in 2015 by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), EPIC has successfully brought industry together to provide coordinated input to aviation regulators and standards developers on issues raised by new technologies including electric aircraft propulsion and simplified vehicle operation. In August 2023, GAMA submitted a robust industrywide response to the FAA’s proposed operating rules for vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicles. 

Credit: MagniX

Having previously been the youngest person to pilot an airplane around the world solo, Jamaican American pilot Irving created the Flying Classroom to bring STEM learning to K-12 students. Now that classroom, part of the Barrington Irving Technical Training School, will also serve adults. The aviation technical training delivers job-ready skills that can help expand the workforce to a wider range of people.

Credit: Barrington Irving