Dassault’s new Falcon 5X has entered the ground testing phase following power-up of the first aircraft at the end of August. First flight is expected by the second quarter of next year, and certification by the end of 2016.

Avfuel Corporation continues to expand its FBO network. It recently added Winner Aviation at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, Ohio, where the FBO provides fueling, maintenance, hangarage, flight planning and weather services, passenger and crew amenities, and ground transportation.

With the arrival in completion centers around the world of Boeing’s BBJ747-8 and BBJ787, it’s too easy to forget that there are still other VIP widebody jets out there, and no small number of them are coming in for cabin replacement or refurbishment.

L-3 Platform Integration is racing to be the first completions center to deliver a Boeing BBJ747-8 to a customer.

Boeing’s new BBJ747-8 and BBJ787 are filling hangars in completion and refurbishment centers and the pipeline remains full.

Despite a slight drop in narrowbody business jet deliveries over the past year, demand for their completion and refurbishment appears to continue keeping the independent centers occupied.

One important – but sometimes overlooked – aspect of creating a safe and high-quality maintenance operation is ensuring all technicians have a strong sense of moving along an attractive and professional career path.

Marco Túlio Pellegrini, president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, invited us to belt into the left seat of the Phenom 100E at Orlando Executive Airport to evaluate key improvements the firm has made to the product line at serial number 325 and subsequent.