Rolling Business Aviation Daily Briefs (September 2025)

September 30, 2025

 Elevate Jet Introduces Challenger 650 Charter Operations To South Korea

Elevate Jet, with support from PJS Korea, is expanding its international charter operations to the South Korea market. The partnership designates PJS Korea as Elevate Jet’s brand ambassador and in-market agent for the country. Subsequently, Elevate Jet will begin offering charter flights onboard a Bombardier Challenger 650 in the region, representing the first step in a “large-scale capital investment program in APAC,” according to Elevate Aviation Group CFO Randy McKinney. The Challenger 650 features seating for up to 12 passengers, with a range of over 4,000 nm.

September 29, 2025

Embry-Riddle Prescott ATC Management Program Joins FAA Initiative

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s (ERAU) air traffic management program, based at the school’s Prescott, Arizona, campus, is now participating in the FAA’s Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI). The initiative enables graduates of the program to be fast-tracked into on-the-job training at FAA facilities. According to ERAU, the milestone marks ERAU’s campus as the first university in Arizona to receive approval for the enhanced AT-CTI program.

September 26, 2025

ERAU, Panhandle Helicopter Academy Enter Strategic Partnership

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and Panhandle Helicopter Academy (PHA) announced their strategic partnership to expand academic pathways and educational opportunities for helicopter students taking part in ERAU’s online degree programs. According to ERAU, the partnership combines PHA’s FAA-approved helicopter training curriculum with ERAU academic guidelines, allowing students to transfer certain credits based on FAA certificates and ratings toward associate or bachelor’s degrees.

September 25, 2025

AMAC Aerospace Turkey, Istanbul Reach Falcon Fleet Milestones

AMA Aerospace Turkey, Istanbul announced the completion of three major aircraft checks in 2025. The checks included a comprehensive carpet change on a Dassault Falcon 900EX EASy aircraft. Additionally, the company is in the final phase of a Falcon 2000 Classic C inspection, to be followed by a livery update and paint renewal. AMAC Aerospace Turkey expects to perform more C-checks before the end of the year, including a full cabin refurbishment.

September 24, 2025

Bombardier Celebrates 20 Years At Chicago And Frankfurt Parts Hubs

Bombardier is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its parts hubs in Chicago and Frankfurt. According to the company, both locations began operations in 2005 in order to consolidate multiple smaller sites. The Chicago facility ships 2,000 parts daily, while the Frankfurt location ships 400. Bombardier expects the Chicago facility to surpass 10 million parts shipped by early 2026 and 1.5 million parts shipped for the Frankfurt facility by the end of 2025. The company also operates four regional depots located in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai and California.

September 23, 2025

Legacy Flight Training Celebrates Milestones

Legacy Flight Training is celebrating its 15^th year of operations at its headquarters in Florida and 10 years at its location in Arizona. The flight school is headquartered at Piper Aircraft in Vero Beach, Florida, where it offers standardized training for Piper PA-46 pilots. Its headquarters, alongside its Scottsdale, Arizona location, feature PA-46 flight simulators, classroom instruction, inflight training and online learning.

September 17, 2025

Global Medical Response Purchases Seven Bell 429 Helicopters

Global Medical Response (GMR), which says it is the world’s largest Bell helicopter operator, signed a purchase agreement for seven Bell 429 aircraft. The order also includes an option for an additional eight aircraft. GMR is headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, and operates from 381 bases across the U.S. and internationally. The company previously received its first IFR-configured Bell 407GXi—the first of 24 anticipated aircraft deliveries to GMR, according to Bell.

September 16, 2025

Air Charter Service Opens Third Australian Office

Air Charter Service (ACS) announced the opening of its third operation in Australia. The new office, located in Perth, will serve as the company’s western Australian base of operations and will be led by Stephen Fernandez. Fernandez previously served as a regional director for ACS and has spent over 20 years with the company. Perth was selected for the office’s location due to the city’s role as Australia’s energy capital and for its strong overall economy, company officials say.

Diamond Aircraft Holds Homecoming At Canadian Headquarters

A homecoming event, dubbed Diamond Fest 2025, was held at Diamond Aircraft’s Canadian headquarters in London, Ontario. The event was the result of collaboration between Diamond Aircraft Canada, Diamond Flying Club (DFC), Airshow London and the Diamond Pilots Association (DPA). Diamond Fest coincided with Airshow London SkyDrive, a drive-in airshow, where military and civilian demonstration teams performed aerial maneuvers for attendees. The event also included seminars and a guided factory tour.

September 15, 2025

USAVCo Opens New Hangar In Tulsa

The 2025 United States Aviation Co (USAVCo) opened its second 48,000 ft.² hangar expansion at Tulsa International Airport (KTUL). The expansion, completed through a $6.8 million investment by USAVCo, was carried out in an effort to better serve transient business jet aircraft, the airport’s largest demographic, according to the company. To accompany the development, additional investments are being made into new ground service equipment to support charter flight activity.

Tamarack, ForeFlight Announce Active Winglet Data Integration

Tamarack Aerospace and ForeFlight have teamed up to provide enhanced flight planning data for aircraft equipped with Tamarack’s active winglet technology. The partnership enables ForeFlight users to integrate high-resolution performance datasets into the platform. They will begin with Cessna CJ2 and CJ2+ operators. Data insights for Cessna 525 series and 525B series aircraft operators will be rolled out in the future, according to ForeFlight.

September 12, 2025

Registration For GAMA’s 2026 Aviation Design Challenge Now Open

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has opened registration for the 2026 Aviation Design Challenge. The annual competition is open to the first 150 U.S. high school teams that register, who will then receive free “Fly to Learn” curriculum in accordance with national STEM standards. Students will then apply that knowledge to design modifications for an aircraft to meet the needs of a simulated mission using X-Plane software. Teams can register at GAMA’s Aviation Design Challenge webpage. Registration ends on Dec. 19, 2025, or when all available slots are filled.

Adacel, Smart Eye Partner To Add Eye Tracking To ATC Training

Adacel Technologies and Smart Eye have partnered to integrate Smart Eye’s eye tracking technology into Adacel’s air traffic control (ATC) simulation platform. The partnership aims to enhance ATC training by providing enhanced insights into controller attention, decision-making and situational awareness within Adacel’s MaxSim simulation environments. According to Adacel, eye tracking helps to provide actionable analytics on trainee performance, with the goal of improving controller proficiency.

September 11, 2025

VistaJet Becomes First Private Operator To Earn Baseline EBT Certification

VistaJet has become the first business aviation operator to receive baseline Evidence-Based Training (EBT) certification. The certification is a safety methodology commonly used by commercial airlines, enabling flight crews to tailor core competency training to real-world scenarios. According to VistaJet, the company began implementing EBT in 2018 through the use of in-house simulator instructors, standardization and concordance programs, comprehensive data collection and direct data integration.

Elliot Aviation Installs Starlink On Gulfstream G450

Elliot Aviation announced the successful installation of Starlink in-flight connectivity on a Gulfstream G450 aircraft. The installation took place at Elliot’s facility at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) in Atlanta. According to the company, the installation was completed within three weeks and was conducted alongside several other maintenance procedures. Additionally, a comprehensive weight and balance assessment was performed on the aircraft.

September 10, 2025

Textron Launches ProParts+ For Citation 525 Series

Textron Aviation launched a new addition to its ProAdvantage support programs for Cessna Citation 525 series operators. The expanded offering, dubbed ProParts+, includes landing gear coverage, consumables, standard freight coverage and a contract buy-out option. Textron’s ProParts program works as a fixed-cost plan designed to simplify maintenance planning for airframe systems and avionics parts for line, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. According to Textron, ProParts+ is available for enrollment alongside existing ProParts programs.

Otto Aviation Rebrands as Otto Aerospace

Otto Aviation announced its rebranding as Otto Aerospace to reflect its expansion into the wider aerospace market. The company was founded in 2008 by William Otto, with a focus on tackling high private air travel costs and its negative environmental impact. Otto Aerospace is developing its next-generation aircraft, the Phantom 3500, as a private jet utilizing laminar flow technology to achieve cost savings of up to 50%.

September 9, 2025

Registration Opens For Bombardier Safety Standdown 202

Bombardier’s 29th annual Safety Standdown seminar is now open for registration. The event brings together professionals from across the industry to learn, apply and share methodologies for safety in aviation operations. Bombardier will host the event in Wichita beginning Nov. 11, 2025. The event is free to attend and is open to all aviation professionals.

EAA Launches Young Eagles Connect Portal

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is now offering free support for members of its EAA Young Eagles program. The support is available for members who enroll in the complimentary Sporty’s Learn-To-Fly course, connecting students with their Young Eagles pilot or an EAA chapter member. Through the program, mentors can view student progress and FAA practice test results through the Sporty’s CFI Portal.

September 8, 2025

AOPA, TDOT Partner To Bring Aviation STEM To Tennessee Students

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) announced its partnership with Tennessee’s Department of Transportation (TDOT) to offer free high school aviation STEM curriculum to Tennessee students. Throughout September 2025, AOPA will visit three cities in Tennessee to introduce educators to the program in an effort to expand STEM and aviation education across the state. The organization will make stops at Hilton Knoxville Airport, Murfreesboro Municipal Airport and at FedEx’s Experience Center in Memphis.

Elliot Aviation Launches CJ Flight Deck Evolution Program

Elliot Aviation has launched a CJ Flight Deck Evolution Program with avionics upgrades for Citation CJ1 and CJ2 operators. The program, available in three tiers, creates a path for owners to modernize their aircraft with Garmin technology. Each tier is based on Garmin’s G600 TXi and GFC 600 integrated flight display system. Higher tiers add on upgrades such as GDL 60 PlaneSync technology and GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar.

September 5, 2025

Elevate Jet Authorized For Challenger 650 Charter Operations

The FAA has granted Elevate Jet additional Part 135 authority to operate a Bombardier Challenger 650. The company will offer the aircraft as an option for transcontinental travel for business and leisure customers. The addition of the Challenger 650 allows Elevate Jet to meet its increasing client demand with greater flexibility, says Elevate Aviation Group CEO Greg Raiff. The Challenger 650 includes seating for up to 12 passengers with a dedicated galley and lavatory.

North Manila Flight School Receives Two New Flight Simulators

WCC Aeronautical and Technical College’s North Manila Campus (WCC), a flight school based in the Philippines, has received two new flight training simulators through a partnership with ALSIM. The school previously used one ALX simulator and has now added an additional ALX and one AL250 simulator. ALSIM’s partnership with WCC spans over 15 years, providing students with immersive learning environments, the company says.

September 4, 2025

Flynqy Pilot Training, Aerobility Partner On Accessible Aviation

Aerobility, a UK-based aviation charity, and Flynqy Pilot Training have partnered to provide accessible flight training at Cornwall Airport Newquay. Flynqy Pilot Training previously became a partner flight school of Aerobility but will now expand that partnership by adding accessibility modifications to its aircraft for students with limb differences and reduced mobility. Additionally, staff at the flight school will undergo training to operate hoisting equipment to ensure “safe and dignified access” to aircraft for students requiring assistance.

VistaJet Becomes First International Private Jet Operator In Saudi Arabia

VistaJet received authorization from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to conduct domestic flights within Saudi Arabia. The authorization marks VistaJet as the first international private jet operator in Saudi Arabia, the company says. The authorization was made possible by the removal of cabotage restrictions for on-demand charter operations, which took effect on May 1, 2025, it says. The move is also part of the country’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy to develop the region into a global logistics hub.
 

September 3, 2025

Electra, Surf Air Mobility Complete First Public Demos Of Ultra Short Aircraft

Electra, Surf Air Mobility and Virginia Tech announced the completion of its first series of public demonstrations for its hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft. According to Electra, the demos highlight technology that will eventually be used in the company’s flagship EL9 Ultra Short aircraft, which is expected to begin commercial service in 2029. The demonstrations were conducted at Virginia Tech, using a combination of blown lift and hybrid-electric propulsion.

Plane Place Aviation Becomes Mexico AFAC Certified Repair Station

Plane Place Aviation, a certified repair station based in Texas, is now a Mexico AFAC (Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil) certified repair station. The approval now allows the company to perform maintenance on Mexico-registered aircraft at its Cleburne, Texas, facility, near the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Plane Place, the services it provides for Mexico aircraft includes airframe, engine, radio, wheel, tire, battery maintenance and accessory capabilities for Challenger, Hawker and Citation aircraft.

September 2, 2025

Textron Pledges $2 Million To WSU Tech Foundation

Textron Aviation has pledged a $2 million lead gift to the Wichita State University (WSU) Tech Foundation’s capital campaign. The $8 million campaign, dubbed “Accelerate. Innovate. Aviate.,” was organized to support the expansion of WSU’s National Center for Aviation Training. As a result of the lead gift, WSU will name its new training hangar the “Cessna + Beechcraft by Textron Aviation Hangar.” According to WSU, the lead gift enables the university to increase its capacity to meet regional workforce needs through enhanced hands-on training opportunities.

Gogo Receives First FAA-Approved STC For Galileo HDX On Gulfstream G200

The FAA has awarded Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval to Gogo for the installation of its Galileo HDX antenna on Gulfstream G200 aircraft. According to Gogo, this represents the first approval of the fuselage mount installation of the compact electronically steered antenna in North America. Gogo obtained the STC through partnership with Trimec Aviation, completing the work at Trimec’s headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. Subsequently, Trimec now offers upgrade options for the retrofit installation.