The Week In Business Aviation - June 11, 2021

FAA To Create New Drone Rulemaking Committee

SmartSky Opens Corridor For Connectivity Demos

Credit: SmartSky Networks

Air-to-ground network (ATG) developer SmartSky Networks has announced the opening in the southeastern U.S. of the first fully operational coverage area of its inflight communications network for route-based demonstrations. 

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Sounding Board: Five Minutes With Yingling Aviation President Andrew Nichols

Credit: Yingling Aviation

Yingling Aviation, based at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, originally began business in 1946 as the first Cessna Aircraft dealer. This year, it is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Andrew Nichols was promoted from chief financial officer to president in 2019, succeeding his dad, Lynn Nichols, who bought the business in 2000. 

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Jet Edge Secures $150M Credit Facility From KKR

Credit: Jet Edge International

Investment firm KKR is providing a credit facility of up to $150 million to support the growth plans of private aviation services company Jet Edge International, the companies announced on June 8.

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ADAC Executes First SAF-Powered EMS Helicopter Flight

Credit: ADAC Luftrettung/Theo Klein

A German helicopter emergency medical service operator has carried out the first rotary-wing rescue flight using sustainable aviation fuel. 

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Investment Firm KKR Agrees To Buy Atlantic Aviation

Credit: Atlantic Aviation

Investment firm KKR has agreed to acquire fixed-based operator (FBO) Atlantic Aviation from Macquarie Infrastructure Corp. (MIC) for $4.48 billion and assumed debt, the companies announced on June 7.

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Icon Minority Investors File Suit Against Chinese Shareholders 

Credit: Molly McMillin

Icon Aircraft’s minority investors, including its cofounders and a former Boeing chairman, have filed a lawsuit against Icon’s Chinese majority investors for allegedly seizing control and aiming to export Icon’s intellectual property, composite technology and manufacturing to China. 

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Xeriant Backs Design Of XTI’s Trifan Hybrid EVTOL

Credit: XTI Aircraft

XTI Aircraft has secured funding to complete preliminary design of its TriFan 600 hybrid-electric vertical-takeoff business aircraft, with the prospect of additional funds to build and fly a full-scale prototype.

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Eve Teams With Brazil’s Helisul On UAM

Credit: Eve

Hard on the heels of its agreement with UK and U.S. helicopter operator Halo Aviation, Embraer spinoff Eve Urban Air Mobility has partnered with Brazil’s Helisul Aviation to develop an ecosystem for aerial ridesharing.

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