Category: BizJet

JSfirm Creates Searchable Airmen Database

JSfirm.com announced their newest feature, a searchable airmen database. This new feature allows companies to search and filter certificated aviation professionals by category (pilot, dispatcher, maintenance, UAV/UAS), location, rating/type (when applicable), and last name – directly on JSfirm.

“This new programming gives our customers a unique and powerful tool to find aviation professionals,” said Abbey Hutter, executive director of JSfirm.com. “We’re always striving to develop new ways to provide aviation companies with more effective hiring resources.”

JSfirm says the airmen database is a great addition to its existing job board and resume search tools, creating a more comprehensive and proactive solution for hiring companies. Whether companies are looking to fill immediate openings, build a long-term pipeline or increase their marketing exposure — this new feature allows companies to source the most relevant professionals for their business.

AeroMech Issues STC for Starlink High-Speed, Low-Latency Connectivity on Cessna Caravan / Grand Caravan Aircraft

AeroMech Incorporated has announced it has been awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of Starlink for Cessna Caravan and Grand Caravan aircraft.

AeroMech will provide the STC and PMA installation kits to Starlink Authorized Dealers. AeroMech’s wholly owned subsidiary, AMI Aviation Services, will also install Starlink for customers at its facilities in Orlando/Sanford (KSFB) and Nashville/Smyrna (KMQY). AeroMech is now accepting orders for the Cessna Caravan and Grand Caravan Starlink STC equipment package and scheduling appointments at AMI facilities.

AeroMech currently holds Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) STCs for the installation of Starlink on the Beechcraft King Air 200/300 Series, Cessna Citation Excel/XLS/XLS+/XLS Gen2, Cessna Citation X/X+, Cessna Caravan / Grand Caravan, and Cessna Citation Sovereign/Sovereign+ aircraft.

General Aviation Community Unites to Support the 2026 Special Olympics Airlift

During the industry’s iconic Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, leading general aviation organizations — including EAA and General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) — announced their collective support and endorsement of the 2026 Special Olympics Airlift event.

The Special Olympics Airlift, organized by Textron Aviation Inc., mobilizes hundreds of volunteer Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker pilots and aircraft to create the world’s largest peacetime airlift and provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Special Olympics athletes. This monumental event will transport hundreds of athletes and coaches across the country to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.

“The support of EAA, GAMA and our customers across the general aviation community is a powerful testament to the spirit of aviation and its ability to change lives,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron Aviation. “Together, we are creating unforgettable experiences for these athletes and demonstrating the true heart of our industry.”

The industry is calling on Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft owners and operators to come together on Friday, June 19, 2026, and Saturday, June 27, 2026, to enable champions from all corners of the nation to travel to and from the host city, regardless of financial or logistical challenges. Owners and operators of Cessna Citation, Beechcraft King Air and Hawker aircraft can participate by volunteering their aircraft, crew, fuel and time.

“The Special Olympics Airlift is one of the most inspiring demonstrations of what aviation can do to uplift lives and unite communities,” said Jack J. Pelton, chairman and CEO, Experimental Aircraft Association. “EAA is proud to support this extraordinary mission, and we deeply appreciate the dedication of the pilots and volunteers who make it possible. It’s a shining example of aviation’s heart.”

Since the inception of the Special Olympics Airlift in 1987, Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker owners have transported more than 10,000 athletes and coaches to various Special Olympics World and USA Games. During the 2026 event, participating aircraft known as Doves are expected to touch down or takeoff from St. Paul Downtown Airport Holman Field (KSTP) every three minutes throughout a 10-hour period.

“The Special Olympics Airlift is an excellent example of how the general aviation community bands together to support special missions and give back. This noble effort provides Special Olympics athletes and coaches with the transportation necessary to create lasting memories of the games and inspiring achievements by the competitors,” said James Viola, president and CEO, GAMA.

Everybody needs a lift every now and then. Become a Dove for this monumental nationwide aviation event by visiting airlift.txtav.com.

Nighthawk Flight Systems’ Guardian System Signs Agreement with Aircraft Performance Group for Comprehensive Navigation Data

Nighthawk Flight Systems, Inc., has further solidified its Nighthawk Guardian System’s groundbreaking capabilities through an agreement with Aircraft Performance Group (APG). The move enables the Guardian System to deliver detailed, interactive, and up-to-date navigational information, providing superior situation awareness and enhanced flight safety.

The Guardian System is a new large-format glass cockpit avionics system. In addition to being lightweight, customizable, and easily expandable, the Guardian System provides unmatched high-resolution real-world 3D synthetic vision, enhanced with APG’s comprehensive FAA DO-200B certified ChartData and supplemental worldwide navigation data.

“Aircraft Performance Group is a nimble and innovative supplier with a full ecosystem of capability that works with our unparalleled graphic display for enhanced situational awareness,” said David Lanning, Nighthawk Flight Systems, Inc. chief technical officer. “We recognized that to be successful, we had to partner with similarly innovative companies. APG is very responsive, which will allow us to more effectively service our customers by growing and expanding Guardian’s capabilities quickly.”

“We’re extremely excited to work with Nighthawk and their stunning new Guardian System,” said Gene Albright, senior vice president of operations and head of navigational data. “Their real-world 3D synthetic vision system brings situational awareness to a new level and the flexibility and modularity of the system means exceptional long-term value to users.”

The agreement provides Nighthawk users APG’s up-to-date navigation and ChartData databases, including global georeferenced approach plates and airport diagrams, navaids, obstacles, radio frequencies, and more. The data is then integrated into Guardian’s system, overlaid onto the high-resolution synthetic vision to provide pilots with stunning 3D full-color 360° situation awareness, regardless of outside conditions. Pilots can also switch to an approach plate view alongside the primary flight display, where a georeferenced aircraft icon is overlaid to illustrate the aircraft’s position.

AIM Las Vegas Campus Awarded on USA TODAY’s America’s Top Vocational Schools 2025 List

The Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) Las Vegas, Nevada Campus has been awarded to USA TODAY’s inaugural list of America’s Top Vocational Schools 2025. The award list was announced on July 22nd, 2025, and can currently be viewed on the USA TODAY’s website.

The ranking of the best schools offering vocational training via undergraduate certificate or diploma is based on an analysis of five Key Performance Indicators. The analysis for the ranking included: Graduation Rate, Graduate Salary, Years to Pay Off Net Price, Social Mobility, and Diversity. Data on the schools’ performance was collected through publicly available sources like IPEDS and College Scorecard.

AIM Las Vegas works closely with industry partners to ensure their curriculum meets the current workforce demands. This alignment allows students to graduate with relevant, high-demand skills that translate directly into employment opportunities, often without the burden of long-term student debt.

All schools were benchmarked against one another using the final score. Based on the results of the study, AIM Las Vegas has been recognized as one of America’s Top Vocational Schools 2025. This award serves to reinforce your institution’s unwavering commitment to excellence in hands-on education, career readiness, and workforce development.

Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.

“We’re ecstatic to receive this recognition. It’s a powerful affirmation of the dedication our students, instructors, and staff bring every day. It reinforces AIM’s mission to deliver high-quality, hands-on career education that truly prepares the nation’s next generation of aviation maintenance technicians,” said Samuel Thomas, campus executive director, AIM Las Vegas.

Aviation Search Group Announces Rebrand as a LAUNCH Company

Aviation Search Group at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 show in
Wisconsin, unveiled its new brand and announced they have become a LAUNCH company,
following their recent acquisition. As a top-tier executive recruitment partner dedicated to
the aviation industry, Aviation Search Group complements the technical solutions and
aviation services provided by LAUNCH. Aviation Search Group will continue to operate as a
separate business and LAUNCH will offer additional executive search services to their
clients through Aviation Search Group.

“We are thrilled to add Aviation Search Group to the LAUNCH family,” said Mike Reporto, group president and chief commercial officer of LAUNCH. “We know our clients will
highly value their expertise in RPO, retained, and executive search recruitment. LAUNCH
continues to strive for growth by adding new services to fulfill the needs of our customers.”

Aviation Search Group executive director, Gary Miner, added, “Partnering with LAUNCH will
allow us to take Aviation Search Group to the next level. Our nationwide network of talent in
aviation, coupled with our unique recruiting process, will be a high-level service addition to
the LAUNCH suite of services. We look forward to providing our capabilities to their clients.”
Aviation Search Group is exhibiting at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Air Show throughout the
week at booth C5. Show visitors are invited to stop by to meet Alex Benyo, Doug Greene,
Randy Rowser and Tom McKinley to learn more about the executive recruiting programs the
team offers.

Nighthawk Flight Systems’ Guardian Avionics Suite Selected for Comp Air Aviation 6.2 Piston and Turbine Aircraft

Nighthawk Flight Systems’ revolutionary Guardian Avionics Cockpit System (Air Venture Booth #373) was selected by Comp Air Aviation as its preferred cockpit for its 6.2 Piston and 6.2 Turbine utility aircraft. Guardian’s launch aircraft OEM, Comp Air, chose Guardian for its lightweight state-of-the art modular design, coupled with world’s best synthetic vision display, giving pilots access to superior avionics and situational awareness.

Comp Air recently signed a purchase agreement for an initial order of the all composite CA6.2 turbine aircraft which will be delivered over the next five years. Each aircraft will be equipped with a Guardian Avionics Cockpit Display System.

“We selected Nighthawk’s Guardian system because it offers the advanced technology and situational awareness our customers need, backed by a company we trust. Their team’s commitment to innovation and support gives us full confidence as we integrate Guardian into our fleet. Nighthawk is a partner we know will help us deliver exceptional value to our customers.” Said Ron Leuck, President of Comp Air Aviation.

“Nighthawk is dedicated to supporting the Comp Air team by delivering a revolutionary cockpit display system that delivers professional grade avionics with unmatched situational awareness,” says Paul Martin, CEO. “Our initial offering of a very capable high resolution 11.6 display and associated avionics is just the beginning. Over the next year we will work with Comp Air and others to add increased capabilities including integrated GPS, our new 20W VHF Comm, our ILS, and transponder solutions that will together deliver the lightest, most advanced, and most cost-effective complete cockpit system available.”

Revolutionary Situational Awareness
Like Comp Air, Nighthawk maintains an innovative vision of superior aviation safety, making increased flight safety the primary goal in all design decisions. Our Guardian system’s design leverages cutting-edge safety enhancing technologies that increase situational awareness while minimizing crew workload in every phase of flight. This includes revolutionary high resolution 3D imagery on graphic displays that consolidate multiple sources of obstacle, flight environment, traffic, weather, terrain, imagery, and more. Unlike other synthetic vision systems, Guardian’s imagery provides high detail and more color shades that dramatically improve definition and situation awareness, especially at lower altitudes when detail is most vital.

At the core of the Guardian system is its avionics NEST, which can be located anywhere in the aircraft. The NEST houses each of the system’s individual functions and integrates with Nighthawk’s custom user-defined cockpit displays to provide a Primary Flight Display (PFD), Multi-Function Display (MFD), and Engine Indication System (EIS).

The Guardian system also integrates seamlessly with existing aircraft systems through its proprietary “Smart I/O”. Aircraft information is connected to the NEST, then all information is shared with all other functions through a unique data link system. The advanced displays are high resolution with both touchscreen and tactical controls.

See Guardian at EAA Air Venture
Nighthawk Flight Systems will exhibit its line of advanced digital avionics, including the Guardian Avionics Suite, and host a Comp Air Aviation CA6.2 Turbine at EAA Air Venture booth #373.

Tecnam Names Cutter Aviation Dealer for CA & AZ

Tecnam announced the appointment of Cutter Aviation as its Authorized Dealer for Arizona and California. This strategic partnership further strengthens Tecnam’s growing presence in North America, providing enhanced access to aircraft sales, support, and maintenance throughout the Southwest region.

As a well-established name in general aviation since 1928, Cutter Aviation will now offer the complete line of Tecnam aircraft, including the P2010, P-Mentor, and P2006T, as well as certified maintenance support. This new relationship ensures flight schools, private owners, and commercial operators benefit from comprehensive solutions tailored to a wide spectrum of general aviation needs.

“This partnership with Tecnam reflects our commitment to providing high-quality aircraft and services that meet the evolving needs of general aviation customers,” said Will Cutter, president of Cutter Aviation. “Tecnam is a globally respected name, and we’re proud to represent their products and support in Arizona and California.”

“We are excited to welcome Cutter Aviation to the Tecnam family,” said Walter Da Costa, Tecnam’s chief sales officer. “Cutter’s long-standing reputation for excellence, customer service, and deep roots in the U.S. Southwest make them the perfect partner to support our mission of bringing efficient, innovative, and environmentally conscious aircraft to more pilots and operators across the country.”

Cutter Aviation will be joining Tecnam at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, taking place July 21–27. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the Tecnam booth to meet the Cutter team, view the aircraft lineup, and learn more about this exciting collaboration.

Hartzell Earns FAA Type Certificate for First Part 35 Electric Engine Propeller, Designed and Tested with BETA Technologies

Hartzell Propeller has received FAA Part 35 Type Certification for the first propeller designed specifically for advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft. The company worked with aerospace company BETA Technologies to achieve this landmark, conducting all testing of its propeller on BETA’s proprietary electric propulsion systems (electric engines), which are designed and manufactured in-house by BETA.

This milestone signifies the maturity, certifiability and commercialization of the AAM industry, and next-generation electric aviation. It is also a huge practical step forward in the industry’s collective ability to support the growing demand for safe, low-cost, and efficient urban and regional air transport.

With this certification, Hartzell’s propeller is the first to earn FAA type certification specifically for integration with electric propulsion systems. These systems, like BETA’s, are capable of managing a wide range of different loads and conditions — from regenerative braking to startup — all of which Hartzell’s propellers are uniquely designed to support. The approval comes after thousands of hours of ground and flight testing over four years, and verifies that the propeller exceeds the rigorous performance and safety standards of FAA Part 35.

This is a critical endorsement from the FAA of the efficacy and safety of Hartzell’s propeller — as well as the performance of BETA’s electric engines, which provided the foundation for its testing.

“Hartzell Propeller is very pleased to work with BETA Technologies on this AAM breakthrough development,” said JJ Frigge, Hartzell president. “Our design specifically for BETA Technologies is a five bladed, carbon fiber, ground adjustable fixed pitch propeller that will have future applications for the entire AAM industry.”

Hartzell and BETA have worked on the propeller development since 2021, from initial aerodynamic modeling and design to full-scale testing and validation. The result is a high-performance, low-noise propeller tailored specifically for electric engines and this next generation of aviation. BETA will utilize Hartzell’s propeller to optimize the performance and safety profile of both its ALIA VTOL and ALIA CTOL aircraft. The propeller is also built to serve all AAM aircraft that utilize similar electric propulsion systems.

“With its decades of experience across all types of aircraft, Hartzell Propeller has understood from the beginning the unique challenges and opportunities of electric aviation,” said Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of BETA Technologies. “Their engineering precision and deep certification experience have assisted us as we bring this aircraft to market and walk through our own certification steps. We’re proud to have been their counterpart on this project, and look forward to getting this certified propeller in the air as we continue the process of certifying our electric engines, as well as our ALIA CTOL and VTOL.”

BETA has been flying its ALIA CTOL and ALIA VTOL aircraft with Hartzell’s propellers for more than four years — including completing the industry’s first crewed transition of an eVTOL, and several long-range flights with its fixed-wing, including a coast-to-coast trip across the U.S., and now a Grand Tour of Europe.

This relationship brought Hartzell’s decades of expertise in propeller design and certification together with BETA’s technology-centric, bleeding-edge approach. As the AAM sector continues to evolve, Hartzell Propeller and BETA Technologies set a precedent for how legacy aerospace expertise and next-generation innovation can come together to deliver safe, certified, and sustainable flight solutions.

Goodyear to Donate Last Remaining GZ20-Era Blimp Gondola to the EAA Museum for a Children’s Exhibit

On opening day of the 2025 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh show, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced that it will donate its last-remaining blimp gondola frame to the EAA Museum as part of a new children’s exhibit.

The gondola frame is from Goodyear’s GZ20 model era of blimps that spanned nearly 40 years. In that time period, as one blimp retired, its gondola was often refurbished for a new blimp. The gondola frame being donated to the EAA Museum was previously used on the Europa, Goodyear’s Blimp that flew throughout Europe in the 1980s, and on the Florida-based Stars and Stripes in the early 2000s. This tradition ended in 2011 when Goodyear began the transition to the New Technology (NT)
semi-rigid airship platform that remains in place for its fleet of airships still today.

As part of this year’s celebration of the Goodyear Blimp’s 100th anniversary, this gesture marks another way for Goodyear to preserve the history of its airships program and carry the legacy of the Goodyear Blimp forward for future generations.

“As we celebrate our blimp program’s 100th anniversary, there’s no better way to honor its legacy than by inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts,” said Michael Dougherty, Goodyear’s chief pilot. “We hope this exhibit sparks curiosity and dreams of flight on aircraft of all kinds in countless children into the future.”

“Goodyear’s Blimp flying has been an iconic part of aviation for a century, so this donation is a great fit as part of our museum’s mission to tell the story of flight,” said Chris Henry, EAA Aviation Museum manager. “Just as Goodyear Blimps have brought fascination with flight, this donation will be part of a future exhibit that inspires those with aviation dreams.”

Limited-Edition Keepsake Item Gives Fans a Once-in-a-Lifetime Chance
to Own a Piece of the Goodyear Blimp
Along with the gondola donation, Goodyear is also offering fans the unique chance to take home a piece of the Goodyear Blimp. The Spirit of Goodyear keepsake item includes a genuine piece of envelope that flew with the Spirit of Goodyear blimp across North America from 2000 to 2014, wrapped in a commemorative 100th anniversary box. Christened by NASA Astronaut and the first American woman in space Sally Ride in March of 2000, the Spirit of Goodyear went on to become one of Goodyear’s most decorated blimps. It holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuously operated airship, and it was the first blimp to provide aerial TV coverage of a sporting event in high definition. When the Spirit of Goodyear retired in 2014, Goodyear donated its gondola to the Crawford Aviation Museum in Cleveland but retained its envelope, which is now a piece of this limited-edition keepsake item.

The Spirit of Goodyear keepsake item is now available for purchase while supplies last by visiting the Goodyear Fan Store: Goodyear | Blimp Keepsake Box. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the EAA Museum to contribute to the children’s museum build.

Goodyear’s 2025 Presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
This year, Goodyear Aviation will, once again, be located at booth (#489), where the latest aviation tires and technology will be on display. Additionally, as part of the Goodyear Blimp’s centennial celebrations,
Goodyear is sending two blimps to Oshkosh for the first time. Wingfoot One, with its vintage wrap inspired by the very first branded Goodyear Blimp Pilgrim, will participate in daytime airshows throughout the week, and Wingfoot Two, with its LED sign, will participate in nighttime airshows.
Fans can follow along @Goodyear and @GoodyearBlimp on social media for updates throughout the week.