Business & Commercial Aviation

JetMembership.com has launched what it says is the first zero-commission private jet charter membership model in the U.S., offering access to wholesale rates when chartering private flights.

A proposed Chinese import tariff on U.S.-built, large-cabin business jets is hitting the business jet industry just as it is emerging from extended economic doldrums, says U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).

Qatar Airways has taken a minority stake in U.S. private aviation company JetSuite and indirectly in its sister company, JetSuiteX.

Avionica, in collaboration with L2 Aviation, has earned an Approved Model List STC (AML-STC) from the FAA for the miniQAR (quick access recorder) and avCM (cellular module).

Tamarack Aerospace Group received additional EASA and FAA approvals for its active winglets on the Cessna Citation business jet line, with new supplemental type certificate (STC) authorizations for the C525A series including the CJ2 and CJ2+ aircraft. Tamarack already has approvals on the C525 and C525B CJ series.

Daher introduced the latest features and functionality on the Garmin G3000 all-glass integrated flight deck configuration for the TBM 930 — the high-end model in Daher’s turboprop aircraft family.

New from Cloudbase are sunglasses that feature Carl Zeiss lenses chosen specifically for pilots. These lenses are designed to provide high contrast, outstanding optical clarity and excellent UV protection.

The headset has phone and audio interface and, smart audio muting that allows you to choose what auxiliary audio you hear, including automatic muting of aux audio when the intercom is active.

XTI Aircraft says its TriFan 600 prototype is on budget and on schedule for a first flight later this year. A unique design, it is a six-passenger vertical- and short-takeoff luxury aircraft expected to reach speeds of more than 260 kt. and have a range of slightly more than 1,200 nm.

The U.S. Air Force recently named Nextant Aerospace as a subcontractor to Field Aerospace on the service's T-1A Avionics Modernization Program. The T-1A is a military derivative of the Hawker Beechcraft 400A business jet.

Leonardo has pushed back the timeline for the certification of its AW609 civil tiltrotor by another year in a bid to further mature the aircraft.

FlightSafety International and Pilatus have announced that training for the Pilatus PC-24 is underway at FlightSafety's Learning Center in Dallas.

Flying Colours Corp. has signed an agreement with the Conair Group to modify six production Bombardier Q400MR aircraft to support multipurpose missions. Conair Group provides fixed-wing firefighting aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney Canada has unveiled six new service packages as part of its growing focus on tailored after-market support.

According to the U.S. Transportation Department Inspector General's Office, evaluations in 2013 and 2014 found that the FAA's Civil Aviation Registry lacked accurate and complete information on pilots and aircraft registered in the U.S., including aircraft owned under trusts.

Textron Aviation is halting production of the high-performance Cessna TTx single. Last year, it delivered just 23 units, down from 31 in 2016 and 44 in 2015.

Aircraft deliveries at Vero Beach, Florida-based Piper Aircraft rose 23% in 2017 compared to 2016, while billings increased 27%, the company said.

ConnectJets has confirmed the first delivery of an Avanti EVO turboprop to a UK customer.

Med-Trans Corp., an air medical transport company, and Care Flight have partnered to provide helicopter medical service to Nevada and California.

Honeywell has announced that President and CEO Darius Adamczyk also will be chairman when current Chairman Dave Cote retires at the end of April.

Embraer delivered 109 executive jets—72 light and 37 large—in 2017 and says it plans to deliver 105-125 jets this year.

Air medical transport company Air Medical Resource Group has changed its name to Guardian Flight. Air Medical Group Holdings recently acquired Guardian Flight, which operates a fleet of about 100 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft in the Upper Midwest, Mountain West, Southwest, Alaska and Hawaii.

XOJet has enhanced its XOJet Elite Access Program, giving guaranteed rates on light and midsize business jets, in addition to its super-mid business jet product.

Duncan Aviation's helicopter component repair services business rose 80% in 2017, and the growth is expected to continue through 2018, the company said.

Oriens Aviation recorded a strong 2017, with the sale of five new Pilatus PC-12 aircraft to customers. The company also has secured its first new-build delivery position for 2018.