Category: Commercial

Former StandardAero Regional Sales Manager Steve Lunde Receives Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award

Steve Lunde, former regional sales manager for the Western U.S. on the business aviation team at StandardAero was awarded the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award earlier this year. The award was presented on June 17, 2025, during a ceremony held at StandardAero’s Van Nuys, California facility, surrounded by friends, family and colleagues from across the country.

The prestigious recognition commemorates Lunde’s remarkable achievement of maintaining an Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) License for more than 50 years — reflecting his lifelong passion, technical expertise and exceptional service within the aviation industry. After decades of meaningful contributions to StandardAero and the business aviation community, Lunde has since retired from his role but remains actively involved.

“I have now been an A&P Technician for over 50 years. What a great ride. I’ve worked on everything from a C-150 to a Boeing BBJ. I can’t tell you how rewarding it has been. What a great industry we work in,” Lunde said.

Lunde’s passion for aviation began at just four years old, inspired by childhood summer trips to Hawaii. This early fascination developed into a dynamic career after he earned his A&P License in 1975, working on 737s and C130s.

He later advanced to the role of director of sales at Gulfstream Aerospace, where he was directly involved in former Gulfstream owner Allen Paulson’s world record-setting G400 project. His career ultimately led him to Dallas Airmotive, which later became StandardAero, where he carved out a legacy as a trusted leader and friend. In his most recent role, Lunde served as regional sales manager within StandardAero’s Rolls-Royce Engine Program, embodying true dedication to both customer success and industry excellence, StandardAero said.

“It’s everything. It’s what my whole life has been,” he said when asked about the meaning of receiving the Charles Taylor Award.

Reflecting on Steve’s decades-long impact, Michael McCauley, senior director of the Rolls-Royce program at StandardAero, shared: “The Charles Taylor Award is a great example of Steve’s dedication to the industry… for over five decades. You don’t have the knowledge that Steve has and share the knowledge that Steve has without the character and respect of others to do so.”

“Congratulations once again to Steve on earning this esteemed recognition and for an incredible career in aviation—one that we are grateful to continue supporting through his new role as a customer,” the company said in a press release.

StandardAero Breaks Ground On Winnipeg Facility Expansion

StandardAero has broken ground on an approximately 70,000 sq. ft. expansion to one of the company’s facilities in Winnipeg, MB, which provides full MRO support for the GE Aerospace CF34-3/8 and CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engines.

This latest investment in StandardAero’s extensive Winnipeg footprint will increase the site’s capacity for the CF34-3/8 engine, which powers some of the industry’s most popular regional airliners such as the Embraer E175 and MHIRJ CRJ700. The expansion will also allow StandardAero to increase work on the CFM56-7B, which powers the Boeing 737 NG and its military variants, including the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

The investment in the Winnipeg campus is being undertaken in partnership with StandardAero’s government partners, most notably the Manitoba provincial government, which is contributing $3 million towards the expansion. This investment supports the highly skilled workforce at the facility, which serves commercial and military operators worldwide.

“StandardAero is delighted to reinforce its commitment to our CF34 and CFM56 customers worldwide through this new investment in our Winnipeg facility, which will increase the building’s footprint by 40 percent,” said Russ Ford, Chairman & CEO of StandardAero. “Over the past 25 years, we have developed a reputation for reliable service excellence on the CF34 engine family, and we look forward to exceeding our customers’ expectations on this and all platforms for decades to come.”

Commenting on the Manitoba provincial government’s investment in the expansion, the Honourable Jamie Moses, minister of business, mining, trade and job creation said: “Today’s announcement is a powerful example of StandardAero, a world-class company, continuing to choose Manitoba as the right destination for investment. Through this partnership, our government is investing in Manitoba’s people, supporting thousands of jobs right here in Winnipeg and building a globally leading aerospace sector.”

Peter Wheatley, vice president & general manager – CF34/CFM56 at StandardAero, added: “This new investment in our CF34/CFM56 lines continues StandardAero’s 114-year presence in Winnipeg, and further cements our commitment to our 1,500 employees here. Our team has long exemplified StandardAero’s focus on operational excellence, and the approximately 70,000 sq. ft. expansion will benefit from the very latest in world-class equipment and processes when it comes on line in the second half of 2026. Moreover, the volume of work represented by this additional capacity over the next several years is already mostly secured through long-term contracts.”

“StandardAero is a trusted, high performing MRO provider and we’re pleased their facility expansion in Winnipeg will offer our CF34-3/8 engine customers even greater capacity and capabilities to meet their needs,” said Vivek Kuppusamy, general manager, regional engines, GE Aerospace. “This site expansion highlights our commitment to an MRO network that offers our customers a choice of facilities and geographies to meet surging travel demand.”

StandardAero has been a GE-Branded Service Agreement (GBSA) partner for the CF34-3 and CF34-8 since 2001, and the Winnipeg facility celebrated its 4,000th CF34 MRO workscope last November. StandardAero also offers CF34 authorized line service maintenance from its location in Augusta, GA, USA, plus engine health monitoring (EHM) data analysis support from its facility in Gonesse, France.

British Airways Selects MRO-PRO Platform for Global Customer Line Maintenance

In a major milestone on the MRO industry’s digitization journey, British Airways has selected a pioneering, cloud-based platform developed by UK aviation software specialist, MRO-PRO, to manage the line maintenance of its global third-party customer network.

British Airways will deploy the MRO-PRO platform across its entire line maintenance network to manage customer aircraft. Using mobile tablets at the aircraft, engineers will capture live technical data, reporting instantly to British Airways and its customers, providing real-time visibility and faster decision-making.

A key feature is MRO-PRO’s groundbreaking resource planning module, designed to transform how line maintenance is scheduled and managed. The system gives British Airways hour-by-hour forecasting that overlays inbound flight data with engineer availability and authorizations, enabling proactive planning and faster allocation decisions. Integrated with MRO-PRO’s live flight radar tool, it ensures the right engineers are in the right place at the right time, aligned precisely with aircraft schedules.

As well as digital task management, MRO-PRO will support the co-ordination of spares, tooling, and logistics, helping to streamline maintenance operations and improve efficiency. British Airways will also run its third-party maintenance invoicing through MRO-PRO’s platform, which will streamline the billing process, improve itemization accuracy and reduce manual administration.

With full implementation expected to be complete by the end of January 2026, MRO-PRO will assist British Airways in rolling out its platform to more than 30 international stations, including major hubs such as Miami, New York, Boston, Chicago, Barcelona, Madrid, Sydney, Delhi, Manchester, and London Gatwick.

“MRO-PRO is proud to announce that British Airways, one of the world’s most recognized and prestigious airlines, has chosen our platform to manage the MRO requirements for all its customer line maintenance network,” said Scott Wells, founder and managing director of MRO-PRO. “This new partnership represents a significant milestone for MRO-PRO in our growth ambition to deliver digital and AI-enhanced solutions to leading airlines, MRO workshops, line and base maintenance providers across the world. By combining advanced data tools with real-time insight, MRO-PRO is setting a new standard in digital MRO management, and we look forward to a long-standing partnership with British Airways and our other new customers on their respective digital transformations, that’s built on proven innovation, precision, efficiency and global reach.”

Gavin Shearer, head of operations – line maintenance, British Airways, said: “Since implementing MRO-PRO’s platform, we have been able to deliver several benefits to our customer line maintenance operation. The system has enabled simplified aircraft workflows with enhanced performance visibility for managers, through improved data insights, and delivered smarter work allocation using flight radar feeds to track any aircraft delays and reprioritise tasks. It’s also helped us improve the customer invoicing process, with transparent, itemised breakdowns. Overall, we’ve achieved 100% engineer adoption of the system, following a smooth onboarding process and thorough training supported by MRO-PRO.”

TIACA Welcomes Magma Aviation As Its New Member

Magma Aviation, an air cargo specialist, announced its membership with The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) during the Air Cargo Forum 2025 held in Abu Dhabi last November, 2025.

Magma Aviation’s growing influence and steady expansion over the past years achieves a new milestone by officially joining more than 500 industry leaders across all segments of the air freight supply chain, with the shared goal of developing a more efficient, modern, and unified global air cargo industry.

TIACA connects the global air cargo community and provides a platform for its members for collaboration, powerful networking and training opportunities for its members. On top of the member-level benefits, the association also helps create  policies that promote safe, efficient, and sustainable air cargo operations worldwide.

“TIACA plays a leading role in the air cargo industry, and joining the association gives Magma Aviation the opportunity to be part of a global community of experts within the air cargo industry. Their forums, events, and industry insights align perfectly with our growth ambitions and it’s a great avenue for Magma Aviation to connect with industry-players that set the global standards within the air cargo industry,”– Peter Kerins, CEO of Magma Aviation

Joining TIACA supports Magma Aviation’s long-term growth ambition to be a trusted global air cargo partner, leveraging the association’s vast knowledge of modern industry standards, sustainability initiatives, and global networking opportunities.

Investigation Delves into Maintenance History of UPS Flight 2976 that Crashed Nov. 4

Investigators in the UPS Flight 2976 was a scheduled domestic cargo flight from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, to Honolulu, Hawaii, that crashed shortly after takeoff on November 4, 2025 are focusing on maintenance.

NTSB spokesperson Todd Inman said at a press conference that a little over 30 seconds after the crew called for takeoff, an alarm was heard.

“About 37 seconds after the crew called for takeoff thrust, a repeating bell was heard on the CVR (cockpit voice recorder), which persisted until the end of the recording 25 seconds later. During this time, the crew engaged in efforts to attempt to control the aircraft before the crash,” said Inman.

The authorities have confirmed that left engine caught fire and fell off during the plane’s takeoff.

Inman said they will split into multiple groups: operations group, structures group, power plants group, systems group and a maintenance group. There will also be specialists.

The NTSB said they are reviewing the more than six weeks of heavy maintenance overhaul done between September and October. Inman said UPS is providing all maintenance records for the aircraft. “We are currently downloading information,” he confirmed. He also said UPS said no maintenance was done on the day of the fight and that it was not delayed due to maintenance.

Inman said at the press conference on Friday, November 7, that video from the airport showed that the left engine detached from the aircraft shortly after takeoff. Both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder have been recovered and are in the process of being analyzed.

AerFin and Turning Rock Partners Announce Asset-Backed Aviation Investment Partnership

Turning Rock Partners a private investment firm based in New York, announced a new asset-backed financing through the acquisition of three Airbus A320neo airframes in partnership with AerFin, the aviation asset specialist that buys, sells, leases and repairs aircraft, engines and parts.

“We’re excited to partner with AerFin on this transaction, which demonstrates Turning Rock’s ability to originate and structure differentiated investments backed by tangible assets,” said Sha Khoja, Turning Rock Partners’ head of credit. “This investment underscores TRP’s continued focus on sourcing opportunities in asset-heavy sectors where capital inefficiencies and market dislocation create compelling entry points.”

Under the terms of the transaction, the assets will be integrated into a structured revenue pooling arrangement, under which AerFin will manage the teardown, maintenance, and parts distribution processes.

With logistics hubs and facilities strategically located in Miami, London, Newport and Singapore, AerFin has built long standing relationships with major global airlines and MROs, and has been proven to deliver exceptional part-out value and ensure high utilisation of harvested material, providing diversified exposure and steady cash distributions over the investment period.

“This partnership reflects the confidence investors have in AerFin’s ability to maximize value from next-generation assets like the A320neo,” said Simon Goodson, CEO of AerFin. “Our technical expertise and proven track record in strategic asset monetization enable us to deliver efficient, sustainable solutions that unlock value and create long-term benefits for our partners.”

For AerFin, this partnership further strengthens its leadership in the A320neo aftermarket and demonstrates the company’s ability to support investors with flexible, high-value asset strategies.

UPS MD-11 Crashes on Takeoff from Louisville, Kentucky Hub

A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky yesterday, November 4, 2025, resulting in at least nine deaths and multiple injuries. The incident occurred around 5:15pm local time.

The UPS MD-11F was taking off from the company’s Louisville, Kentucky hub yesterday when it encountered difficulties, crashed and exploded. The aircraft failed to gain altitude, burst into flames and ended up in an industrial zone near the airport just minutes after beginning its takeoff roll. The aircraft was bound for Hawaii.

The plane skidded off the runway, struck and ignited fires at two nearby businesses, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts. The resulting fire was massive due to the large amount of fuel (over 38,000 gallons) the plane was carrying for its long journey.

Reports say nine people have died, three crew members onboard the aircraft and six people on the ground. Eleven others were injured, some with reported “significant injuries.” A full investigation has been launched.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. Early reports and video footage suggest the plane had a fire on one of its wings. Some footage appears to show an engine may have separated before or during the crash but it is too early to report this conclusively.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said he expected the numbers of casualties and injured to possibly grow.

The crash led to the temporary closure of the Louisville airport and a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. Operations at the UPS Worldport, the company’s largest air cargo hub located at the airport, were halted overnight.

AEVEX Announces Leadership Transition

AEVEX has announced that its current chief executive officer, Brian Raduenz, will transition to the role of executive chairman, and the company’s president, Roger Wells, will be appointed chief executive officer. Wells’s appointment reflects the culmination of his planned transition to CEO, which was established when he joined the company as president in April 2025. This methodical transition plan ensures AEVEX’s continued focus on disciplined execution, customer success, leadership continuity and global growth.

Founded by Brian Raduenz, AEVEX has grown into a leading U.S. provider of uncrewed systems and mission solutions, continuing to invest in innovation that delivers reliable, effective technology to support customers and partners globally. As the United States advances initiatives to scale autonomous and uncrewed systems, AEVEX is committed to remaining at the forefront of delivering innovative and reliable technologies, serving as a critical enabler of the U.S. Drone Dominance strategy.

Effective 31 October 2025, Raduenz assumed the executive chairman role and will:

  • Serve as a close advisor to the management team and the Board.
  • Support Wells’s transition and onboarding as CEO to ensure continuity across programs, customers, and teams.
  • Support the Company’s continued growth and strategic priorities, including innovation, strategic partnerships, disciplined M&A, market development, and global operating readiness.

“Founding and leading AEVEX as CEO has been the honor of my life,” said Brian Raduenz, incoming executive chairman. “I could not be more proud of the team we have built and the impact we have had on our customers’ missions. As the company has scaled and evolved, now is the perfect time to hand the reins to Roger, a fantastic executive and the ideal leader for AEVEX’s next chapter. In my executive chairman role, I will remain actively engaged, advising on strategy, mentoring the leadership team, meeting with customers and partners, and supporting innovation, disciplined growth, and operational excellence.”

“I am excited for the opportunity to lead AEVEX in its next phase of growth,” said Roger Wells, incoming CEO. “AEVEX has accomplished a significant amount over its history and I’m highly optimistic about the opportunities ahead of us. Brian’s continued engagement as Executive Chairman ensures strong continuity for our customers and our people. Together with the leadership team, we will focus on operating excellence, innovation, and disciplined growth globally.”

“The Board is grateful to Brian for his outstanding leadership and is confident that Roger is the right CEO to guide AEVEX through its next chapter,” said Matt Norton (partner and head of technology & government services), Brandon Levitan (managing eirector) and Ben Spacapan (director) as representatives of Madison Dearborn Partners. “This transition positions AEVEX to sustain momentum while advancing our international strategy and long-term objectives.”

OSM Aviation Academy Signs LOI for 25 IFR-Certified Tecnam P-Mentor Aircraft

Tecnam Aircraft announced that OSM Aviation Academy (OSMAA) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the purchase of 25 fully equipped IFR-certified Tecnam P-Mentor aircraft, with options for an additional five units.

With this new LOI, OSM Aviation Academy will enhance its training fleet and capacity, ensuring that future pilots benefit from the most advanced training aircraft available today. The Tecnam P-Mentor fleet will not only strengthen the Academy’s European operations but also support its expansion into new markets, including the United States, where demand for efficient, sustainable, and IFR-capable training aircraft continues to grow.

The Tecnam P-Mentor is the latest two-seat IFR trainer from Tecnam, offering unmatched efficiency, advanced avionics, and a fully EASA-certified IFR and PBN platform. Designed to comply with all the latest EASA requirements, the P-Mentor combines outstanding performance, low fuel consumption, and safety, making it the ideal aircraft for modern flight training operations.

“We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Tecnam as we continue to scale our training operations,” said Martin Floor, CEO of OSM Aviation Academy. “The P-Mentor’s efficiency, safety, and IFR capabilities make it the perfect aircraft for training the next generation of Airline Ready pilots.”

Driven by increasing demand for OSM Aviation Academy’s Airline Ready cadet program, this strategic partnership represents a significant step toward expanding the Academy’s global flight training capacity.

“The aircraft order forms part of a broader group strategy to establish a strong presence in the United States to support OSM’s flight training operations, while creating a platform for further expansion across both the U.S. and European markets,” said Hans Kyrre Hultgren, executive director of OSM Aviation Academy.

Walter Da Costa, Tecnam’s chief sales officer, commented: “We are delighted to support OSM Aviation Academy’s continued growth and commitment to excellence in pilot training. The P-Mentor embodies Tecnam’s mission to deliver innovative, reliable, and sustainable training solutions to the world’s leading flight schools.”

With this new LOI, OSM Aviation Academy will enhance its training fleet and capacity, ensuring that future pilots benefit from the most advanced training aircraft available today.

Coulson Aviation Develops SafeFuel, an Onboard Fuel Quality Assurance and Protection System

Coulson Aviation, an aerial firefighting company and operator of a mixed fixed- and rotary-wing firefighting fleet, has developed SafeFuel, the aviation industry’s first onboard system designed to verify fuel quality and detect contamination during refueling.

The innovation comes amid growing safety concerns following multiple fuel-related incidents in military and commercial aviation, and recent Navy aircraft accidents under investigation.

Coulson Aviation’s aircraft often operate in remote environments around the world, where the risk of contaminated or off-spec fuel is heightened. Over years of operations, the company has encountered issues ranging from water-laden Jet A and microbial growth to cross-contamination, while the industry has seen increased fuel issues, including contamination from DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) and SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) from aging filter separators. One such incident resulted in one of Coulson’s jets having an engine flameout during an overwater ferry flight, a near-disaster that underscored the absence of onboard fuel technology across aviation.

Developed and patented by Coulson’s in-house team, SafeFuel integrates directly into an aircraft’s single-point refueling manifold and analyzes fuel during refueling. The system verifies key parameters in real time and automatically notifies the flight crew and can halt fueling if contamination or out-of-spec readings are detected before fuel reaches the tanks. Each fueling is digitally recorded, providing traceability and a verifiable chain of custody for operators, OEMs, and regulators.

“We’ve spent decades designing aircraft to survive any emergency, but none of that matters if the fuel itself isn’t safe,” said Britt Coulson, president & COO of Coulson Aviation. “As the industry transitions to Sustainable Aviation Fuels and complex global supply chains, the risks multiply and even small deviations can have catastrophic consequences. When only a few gallons of off-spec fuel can bring down a $100 million aircraft, it’s time for aviation to recognize that fuel is the final unmonitored frontier. SafeFuel closes that gap permanently.”