Category: BizJet

AEVEX Aerospace Expands Facilities In Murrieta, California

AEVEX Aerospace, a global leader in full-spectrum airborne intelligence solutions, announced the expansion of their aircraft modification facilities located at the French Valley Airport (F70) in Murrieta, CA. AEVEX’s existing campus has 65,000 sq ft of hangar, manufacturing, and office space. The new facilities provide the AEVEX campus with an additional 15,000 square feet of light industrial space for parts manufacture, repairs, and structural assembly supporting aircraft modifications and manufacture of aircraft modification products.

“Our French Valley facility’s core business in special missions aircraft has been growing” said Dan Constantinide AEVEX’s Vice President of Modifications, “The expanded facilities provide a building block for further growth in our commercial derivative special missions aircraft modification business with room to support an expected 20% increase in our staff for the coming year.”

The expanded campus allows AEVEX’s hangar complex to focus on developing unique aircraft with special missions modifications developed using internal engineering and FAA airworthiness certification resources. As an example, AEVEX is currently simultaneously developing business jet and turboprop testbed aircraft as well as commercial products including a large (23” diameter) camera portal for a Gulfstream G-IV. The G-IV STC is expected to be fully FAA approved by the end of 2024 and includes modifications allowing operations with medical evacuation provisions, a scientific mission payload (for mapping ground or underwater surfaces), or a standard passenger transport arrangement. Other specialized Gulfstream aircraft are also being used to support developmental programs for new electronic systems and hypersonic technology.

AEVEX’s presence in the special missions modification arena transforming commercial derivative aircraft to operate with new, unique capabilities can be traced back to the 1990s. During that time the facility developed the Calgis/Fugro-Earthdata G-II GeoSAR and NASA’s UAVSAR G-III radar mapping aircraft.

For more details on AEVEX Aerospace and our extensive range of solutions, please visit our website or contact Bo Alksninis, senior director of business development, at balksninis@aevex.com.

Wheels Up Names Jill Greer as Executive Vice President, Investor Relations and Sustainability

Wheels Up Experience announced the appointment of Jill Greer as executive vice president, investor relations and sustainability. Jill brings more than two decades of experience in aviation and strong financial leadership to the role, having spent 21 years working at Delta Air Lines. During her tenure, Greer led the investor relations organization and was responsible for the company’s finance digital transformation efforts. Additionally, she has experience in operational finance, corporate communications and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) initiatives.

In her new position, the company says Greer will shape Wheels Up’s investment narrative and lead the company’s engagement with the investment community, as Wheels Up executes on its long-term strategic plan. She will also lead the development and implementation of the company’s ESG strategy in this newly created role, bringing increased focus and leadership to Wheels Up’s sustainability efforts.

Most recently, Greer served as vice president of investor relations at Travel + Leisure Co., where she has strengthened investor engagement and corporate storytelling. Previously, as senior vice president of finance at ADT, she was instrumental in enhancing corporate communications and sustainability, developed ADT’s first ESG report, and led the company’s post-IPO Investor Day. Her prior experience at Delta Air Lines as vice president of finance solidified her reputation as a financial strategist, where she contributed to earning the company prestigious recognition as a “Most Honored Company” by Institutional Investor.

“We are excited to welcome Jill to Wheels Up at such a pivotal time for our business,” said George Mattson, CEO of Wheels Up. “I had the opportunity to work closely with Jill over the course of my time on the Delta Air Lines board, and I know that her exceptional leadership in finance and sustainability, along with her ability to drive impactful investor relations, will be invaluable as we elevate our investor engagement and communications and deepen our commitment to responsible aviation.”

She will be based in Atlanta and is expected to join the company in January 2025. She holds an MBA from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s degree from University of Maryland.

Lynx Software Technologies Announces Acquisition of Core Avionics & Industrial

Lynx Software Technologies (Lynx), maker of foundational, open architecture software solutions for edge computing, announced the acquisition of Core Avionics & Industrial (CoreAvi). CoreAVI is a provider of development tools, software libraries and deployable software packages that enable safety-critical graphics processing unit (GPU)-based computing, including certified graphics rendering, autonomy, and AI applications. The acquisition positions Lynx to tap into the rapidly growing market for GPU-enabled safety systems, which is forecasted to reach $20 billion by 2030 across aerospace, defense, space and other mission-critical end markets.  

Since its founding in 2005, CoreAVI’s solutions have enabled semiconductor partners and customers to leverage the power of GPU-driven processing in safety-critical systems, initially to run safety-certified graphics in high-assurance systems, and then as technology progressed, to run machine-learning, neural networks and AI workloads. Its differentiated products and technical software engineering capabilities support the expanding uses of GPU-based computing in mission-critical avionics platforms, space-based systems, military ground and naval applications, automotive, medical, and other industrial use cases.   

CoreAVI’s advanced product suite complements Lynx’s portfolio of foundational software products, development tools, open-source expertise, and software development services focused on leveraging the capabilities of multi-core processors. Together, Lynx and CoreAVI address some of the most challenging software requirements of customers with complex interoperability, safety, security, and data processing challenges for next-generation aerospace, defense, industrial, and automotive platforms. The combined company has approximately 300 employees, nearly 60 patents, and has jointly invested thousands of engineering staff years in research and development to advance its product portfolio.   

“Lynx’s vision is to build an ecosystem of IP that aligns with market-established open standards and partner-enabled capabilities to address the software challenges of the most demanding customers,” said Tim Reed, CEO of Lynx. “With CoreAVI, we are taking a critical step toward the future of high-assurance computing as we expand into the GPU computing market for safety- and security-critical systems. By adding CoreAVI’s leading technologies for high-performance computing and graphics systems to the LynxYNX MOSA.ic suite of edge computing solutions, we are now able to provide a comprehensive suite of software solutions and services that enable our customers to deploy next-generation, certified technologies that include real-time safety control, cybersecurity, AI, autonomy, and computer vision capabilities.”  

“The safety-critical embedded computing market is aggressively transitioning toward standardization to enable accelerated time to market and improve the economics of robust computing,” said Damian Fozard, CoreAVI’s founder and CEO. “This requires technologies that simplify the development, deployment and orchestration of software-defined embedded systems. For nearly two decades, CoreAVI has been a leading voice and active participant in standards bodies to promote the adoption of open standards. Since each company’s founding, Lynx and CoreAVI have been intently focused on simplifying the software development efforts of our customers via modular and interoperable solutions. Together, we can now enable customers to develop, deploy and orchestrate mixed-criticality edge systems at scale and at pace with a mature set of industry-proven building blocks to enable safe, secure and reliable performance.”  

Jets MRO Moves into New Facility in Dallas

Jets MRO announced its official move into a state-of-the-art 40,000 square foot MRO facility at Dallas Executive Airport. This significant milestone coincides with the company’s achievement of servicing its 100th aircraft, accomplished just months after launching operations. The arrival of a Bombardier Challenger 300 as the first jet in the new hangar marks a pivotal moment for Jets MRO, which has quickly established itself as a leader in maintenance for Citation, Learjet, and Challenger models.

Jets MRO has been waiting for this new facility all year and this milestone aligns with another big milestone which is surpassing 100 aircraft worked on since May of 2024 when they worked on their first aircraft.

The innovative approach of Jets MRO prioritizes mechanic welfare, enhancing customer experience through improved retention rates. The new facility at Dallas Executive Airport offers unmatched convenience and value, located just minutes from major hubs like Dallas Love Field and Dallas Fort Worth Airport. With updated runways and advanced airport technology, this hidden gem is poised to support business jet operators effectively. The partnership with Jet Access, featuring a brand-new FBO facility, further enhances Jets MRO’s capabilities.

Jets MRO is proud to be a catalyst for economic and job growth in South Dallas that has long wanted economic investment in the region.

Survey Reveals Key Workforce Trends and Challenges Facing MRO & Engineering Professionals in Aviation

A recent survey by aviation recruitment specialists GOOSE Recruitment highlights the evolving priorities and challenges for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and Engineering professionals. Now in its second edition, the MRO & Engineering Report 2024 explores critical areas such as job security, employee well-being, job seeking, shift patterns and more.

The survey, which gathered responses from over 650 global professionals, provides actionable insights for aviation employers looking to enhance their workforce strategies and stay competitive in a talent-short marketplace. Alongside valuable industry data, the report includes tailored recommendations to help employers retain and attract skilled professionals.

The report can be downloaded from the GOOSE Recruitment website https://www.goose-recruitment.com/mro-and-engineering-report-2024

Highlights of the report:

• Rising Job Security Concerns: Job security issues have intensified, with 54% of professionals expressing concern, a notable increase from last year’s 45%. This shift is most pronounced in the Americas where concerns reach 80%. Major stressors, such as limited feedback and growth opportunities, now weigh more heavily than financial factors, sparking a broader debate on whether job stability or a sustainable lifestyle is driving these concerns.

• Career Progression Fuels Turnover: With 75% of permanent employees and 86% of contractors planning to seek new roles in the coming year, career progression has become the primary motivator. Despite high levels of job-seeking intentions, those loyal to their employers point to salary, workplace relationships and work-life balance as key retention factors. Concerningly, more than half of respondents who joined their employer within the last year also expressed plans to leave, indicating signs of the “great regret” and potential issues in preboarding and onboarding in recruitment processes.

• High Levels of Headhunting and Interest in Relocation: Headhunting is widespread, with 60% of professionals reporting recruitment approaches in the past six months, particularly among senior talent. Encouragingly, relocation interest is rising, with 85% open to moving internationally, up from 74% last year – a promising sign for employers expanding into new markets.

• Employee Well-being and Stress: Nearly half of the respondents report high-stress levels, citing workload, leadership style, and deadlines as the top stressors. In addition, a quarter did not feel valued by their employer, indicating a need for better recognition.

• Gender Imbalance and Growing Call for Proactive Initiatives: Despite 70% of respondents feeling diversity is adequate in the profession, a significant gender imbalance (95% male vs. 5% female) raises questions about inclusivity. Additionally, 64% of professionals now call for more proactive diversity efforts, up from 57% last year, reflecting a shift in industry expectations.

• Championing the Future of Aviation: Despite challenges, 88% of respondents would choose their MRO & Engineering careers again, and 85% would recommend their profession to young people, demonstrating strong career satisfaction and endorsement.

“The survey confirms that today’s MRO and Engineering professionals are looking for more than just a pay cheque. They want career advancement, to thrive in a supportive culture, recognition, and develop relationships at work,” said Mark Charman, CEO and founder at GOOSE Recruitment. “By focusing on these key areas, companies can not only attract but also retain the top talent that will drive the industry’s future growth.”

SkySelect has integrated with SalesEdge Quoting unveiled by Quantum Control and CORRIDOR.

SkySelect, the procurement AI platform for aircraft parts purchasing, announced direct integration with SalesEdge Quoting, ushering in a new era of aviation part sales by seamlessly integrating eCommerce capabilities with customers’ infrastructure.

SalesEdge Quoting is launched by CAMP Systems’ portfolio companies, Quantum Control and CORRIDOR, and SkySelect is an inaugural integration partner. 

Quantum Control and CORRIDOR are industry-recommended ERP solutions for MRO, manufacturing, distribution, and aircraft services. 

With 30 years of experience in aviation, the global ecosystem of CAMP Systems companies supports over 22,000 users and 1,700 aviation companies in 66 countries. 

With SalesEdge Quoting, suppliers can consolidate RFQs across multiple marketplace platforms and submit quotes from a single, centralized hub. The seamless integration simplifies quoting and eliminates redundancy between marketplace platforms and ERP systems, including Quantum Control and CORRIDOR Aviation Services Software. 

Existing Quantum Control and CORRIDOR customers can request personalized demos and solution scoping meetings. 

“We are excited to roll out SalesEdge Quoting to the aviation industry and continue to deliver the most effective solutions to the market,” said Todd Lewis, president and general manager at Quantum Control. “What makes this new product so useful to our users is the direct integrations we have built; this is why partners such as SkySelect, Inc., who have a shared goal of bringing automation and efficiency to suppliers.” 

Some of the benefits of SalesEdge Quoting include:

● RFQ Management

● RFQ Response Efficiency

● Sales Guidance

● Quote Optimization

● Quote Automation

“As many of our suppliers are users of the Quantum Control ERP System, our integration with SalesEdge Quoting provides a significant optimization to their operations, allowing them to work more efficiently and effectively,” said Craig Skilton, director of business development, SkySelect. “We’ll remain committed to providing the best possible sales opportunities to our global supplier base.”

Southeast Aerospace To Develop Gogo Galileo HDX STC For Hawker Series Aircraft

Southeast Aerospace announced the development of a new STC for the installation of the Gogo Galileo HDX system on the Hawker aircraft platform. Powered by Gogo Business Aviation, the HDX system will provide global, high-speed inflight internet for business aircraft of all sizes. It leverages Eutelsat OneWeb’s Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellite network, designed for mobility and consistent performance on all global routes.

This advanced connectivity solution will enable Hawker operators to enjoy reliable, high-speed inflight internet. The STC will cover multiple Hawker models, including Hawker 750, 800A, 800XP, and 900XP, addressing the growing demand for enhanced inflight connectivity and bringing unparalleled speeds to the platform.

“We are excited to lead this development for the Hawker platform,” said Luke Gomoll, Aircraft Modifications Sales Representative at Southeast Aerospace. “Our focus is on delivering innovative solutions that improve inflight connectivity and operational efficiency for our customers.”

The STC will be available at Southeast Aerospace’s Melbourne facility and through select installation partners. Hawker operators can also take advantage of a limited-time $25,000 promotional rebate when upgrading from legacy Gogo air-to-ground systems (ATG 1000, 2000, 4000, 5000) to the Gogo Galileo HDX and AVANCE SCS systems.

With its compact size and low-latency performance, the HDX offers fast, reliable connectivity for a wide range of business aviation aircraft, from light jets to the largest business jets.

“Gogo Galileo is designed to deliver high-speed, global inflight connectivity, enabling data heavy applications like video conferencing and streaming,” said Dave Salvador, vice president of aftermarket sales for Gogo. “Collaborating with Southeast Aerospace on this STC will deliver that level of service and connectivity to Hawker operators around the globe.”

Operators interested in upgrading to the HDX or any AVANCE system (L3, L5, LX5, SCS) can contact Luke Gomoll at Southeast Aerospace for more information or to submit a purchase order.

Supernal and Clay Lacy Aviation Partner to Prepare FBO Network for Advanced Air Mobility Operations

Supernal – Hyundai Motor Group’s (HMG’s) Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company – and Clay Lacy Aviation announced a partnership at 2024 NBAA-BACE to prepare Clay Lacy’s fixed-base operator (FBO) locations for electric vertical and take-off landing (eVTOL) operations. This marks Supernal’s first official FBO partnership, which will benefit future operators of the company’s eVTOL vehicles.

As part of the five-year partnership, Supernal and Clay Lacy will develop end-to-end operational plans for integrating AAM into existing airport infrastructure, with a focus on developing standards and procedures for ground handling, MRO and battery management. Supernal will also support Clay Lacy’s work to integrate sufficient power and charging infrastructure for electric aviation. Initially, the partnership will focus on two of Clay Lacy’s FBO locations: SNA (Orange County) and VNY (Van Nuys), which aligns with Supernal’s Southern California launch plans. In subsequent phases, the companies will apply their best practices and learnings to prepare Clay Lacy’s broader FBO network for AAM. 

“Supernal is pleased to join Clay Lacy’s efforts to adapt existing airport infrastructure to support Advanced Air Mobility operations, which will begin later this decade,” said Diana Cooper, chief partnerships and policy officer, Supernal. “Clay Lacy’s state-of-the-art facilities, award-winning customer service and commitment to sustainability make them an ideal partner for Supernal. Availability of infrastructure will be critical to scaling the AAM industry, and this partnership is the latest step in ensuring the ecosystem is thoughtfully designed for future commercial eVTOL operators.”

Supernal plans to deliver its first eVTOL vehicles to operators in 2028. The company’s vehicle will cruise at 120 miles-per-hour with an initial range of 60 miles to meet the growing demand for efficient, multimodal transportation options in urban environments, such as Southern California.

“Clay Lacy Aviation has a 57-year history of firsts in the aviation industry, and we are committed to support the launch of sustainable, innovative solutions such as these from Supernal,” said Scott Cutshall, president of real estate and sustainability, Clay Lacy. “Supernal and Clay Lacy share strong commitments to sustainable aviation, safe and efficient operations and a superior passenger experience that benefits the communities we serve.”

Precision Aviation Group Expands Airline Avionics and Engine Services Capabilities with Acquisitions of ICON Aerospace and TAG Aero

Precision Aviation Group, Inc. (PAG), a provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and value-added services to the global aerospace and defense industries, has acquired ICON Aerospace (ICON) and TAG Aero (TAG). These strategic acquisitions significantly enhance PAG’s avionics and engine services capabilities while broadening its product offerings for the airline market.

ICON, headquartered in Indian Trail, North Carolina, is a provider of MRO services specializing in avionics, accessories, and electronics. TAG, based in Rock Hill, South Carolina, is a provider of MRO services specializing in auxiliary power units (APUs). TAG provides a comprehensive suite of services including repair and overhaul, outright sales, leasing and exchanges for Honeywell GTCP-85, 131, and 331 Series APUs. The addition of ICON and TAG to PAG will allow the combined customer base to benefit from the expanded range of product and service offerings.

“The acquisition of ICON and TAG significantly bolsters our capabilities in our Engine and Avionics services businesses, and provides expanded product offerings for the airline market,” said David Mast, president and CEO of PAG. “The addition of ICON and TAG’s skilled workforce of over 200 employees, their experienced leadership teams, and more than 150,000 square feet of state-of-the art facilities, enables us to better support the needs of our customers.”

Jeff Lambert, CEO of ICON and TAG, added: “We are excited to join PAG and leverage their resources and global reach. This partnership enhances our ability to serve our customers, providing them with faster service times and broader technical capabilities.”

Jet Parts Engineering Announces Acquisition of Mitchell PMA

Jet Parts Engineering (JPE) announced the acquisition of Mitchell PMA, the PMA division of Mitchell Aircraft. The integration of Mitchell PMA’s products and expertise will significantly enhance JPE’s ability to meet the evolving needs of its customers, providing a broader selection of high-quality parts at competitive prices.

“We are excited to work closely with Doug Sebion and the Mitchell PMA team to continue to grow the excellent business they have built,” said Anu Goel, CEO of Jet Parts Engineering. “The addition of Mitchell PMA will not only expand our PMA offering at Jet Parts but also strengthen our design and engineering capabilities. Mitchell also brings with it core values of strong service, low prices, and ready inventory that align closely with JPE’s values.”

Mitchell Aircraft, a well-established parts distribution company, began its PMA group in the mid-2010s, providing FAA-PMA approved airframe and accessory replacement parts and grew a diverse catalog of over 170 parts, ranging from rudder balance weights to engine cooling hoses, to cargo door lanyards.

“We are excited to join the Mitchell PMA business with JPE and believe this will promote accelerated development and expansion of the product line,” said Dick Sebion, chairman of Mitchell Aircraft and Greg Fletcher, vice chairman of Mitchell Aircraft.  “Mitchell Aircraft launched the PMA division under the guidance of Doug Sebion who will continue in that role joining the JPE team.  Mitchell Aircraft will continue its journey as an OEM distributor, independent of the Mitchell PMA group.”

The transaction was overseen by Vance Street Capital, a middle-market private equity firm focused on investing in highly engineered solutions businesses across the aerospace and defense, industrial, and medical markets. JPE is a Vance Street Capital portfolio company.

“Mitchell Aircraft’s outstanding reputation for exceptional customer service and technical proficiency makes Mitchell PMA a natural fit within Jet Parts Engineering portfolio of companies. These same principles are what Vance Street Capital prioritizes in all investments: customer-first attitude, high quality standards and humility,” said Nic Janneck, Partner at Vance Street. “We are excited to continue to support the JPE team on their fifth add-on under Vance Street ownership.”