Category: BizJet

Major Airline Carriers to Provide ADA Onboard Wheelchair Through Diatom Company Midwest Aero Support

Diatom Capital, a leading innovator in the aerospace industry, today announced that Midwest Aero Support (MAS) has been selected by multiple major U.S. airline carriers to provide an onboard wheelchair that is compliant with the updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These major carriers, as early adopters of this compliance, will be the first to fly this chair model.

The compliance is part of the Department of Transportation (DOT) rule (Title 14 CFR Part 382), which falls under the Air Carrier Access Act, and requires that any new aircraft for 60 or more passengers delivered after October 2026 have an ADA-compliant onboard wheelchair to ensure the rights of passengers. The rule mandates that the onboard wheelchair rolls directly in front of the lavatory door or fits inside the lavatory completely, which enables easier and more private lavatory access. All current airlines flying a non-compliant chair will be required to switch to the updated chair over a five-year period. 

“MAS and its partners have been relentlessly working with customers customizing this onboard wheelchair for mobility and convenience. A small adjustment can make a big difference,” said Rick Ruppert, president of Midwest Aero Support. “We took as much weight out and put as many features in the onboard wheelchair as possible to ensure compliance with federal regulation while suiting the needs of passengers for navigating the aircraft aisles and lavatory. We hope to continue to bring additional upgrades to airlines and passengers to make travel even more accessible and comfortable.” 

These carriers selected MAS to lead the design, manufacturing, testing, certification, packaging, delivery, and support for the onboard wheelchairs. MAS will also carry out an attrition-based replacement program with a designated pipeline to replace chairs and parts quickly and over time as needed.

This new model includes these features:

  • Increased adjustability and comfort to fit passengers of different sizes without adding weight or storage. The chair back telescopes and the foot panel extends, accommodating passengers’ differing heights, and it also includes armrests. The chair will accommodate up to 500 pounds, and it will be 0.5 inches longer, but it will collapse into the same footprint for storage, so it will not take additional space when not in use. It weighs in at 19.2 pounds — several pounds less than the previous model. 
  •  Streamlined directional mobility. The front two wheels will be omnidirectional, and the back two wheels will pivot on an axle, allowing the chair to move forward and in reverse without extraneous effort and movement.
  • Reduces germs on high-touch surfaces. The seat pans will have antimicrobial covers, decreasing germ transfer.
  • More accessible instructions label. In addition to descriptions for proper usage, the instructional label update will include a pictogram, which accommodates passengers’ language needs.

“Currently, U.S. airlines are not required to carry an onboard wheelchair on every flight and are generally required to provide one only when requested in advance; however, that will change under the updated Department of Transportation rule,” said Burt Mattice, president and co-founder of Diatom Capital. “With new compliance requirements taking effect beginning in late 2026, this is a critical time for airlines to prepare. There are a limited number of solutions that meet the new federal mandate, and Midwest Aero Support brings a proven track record of delivering ADA-compliant onboard wheelchairs to the airline industry. Our focus is on delivering compliant, practical solutions that help airlines meet regulatory requirements while improving the overall passenger experience. That is Aviation Simplified.”

To date, MAS has built and shipped 150 onboard wheelchairs per year to major airlines which comply with current ADA requirements. It has also provided onboard wheelchairs for charter buses that serve disabled quadriplegic veterans. 

Gogo Confirms New Plane Simple Ku-band STC as AirX Upgrades Fleet of Bombardier Challenger 850s

AirX, one of Europe’s largest private jet operators, has confirmed it is upgrading its connectivity across its Bombardier Challenger 850 aircraft fleet by installing the Gogo Plane Simple®Ku-band terminal. The equipping of the terminals is part of a customized service plan created by Gogo to support very specific AirX requests that ensure passengers receive high-speed inflight connectivity. The tailored bundle includes Pay-As-You-Go airtime for broadband connectivity, and AirX is also taking advantage of Sky Ticket Credit Card (STCC) technology, which enables the operator to provide on-demand connectivity. The ability to control, manage and access customer connectivity usage through a dedicated portal ensures passengers can access high-speed Wi-Fi while onboard.

To date, two Bombardier Challenger 850 aircraft have been fitted with the Gogo Plane Simple Ku-band terminal and are now fully operational. The initial installation, managed by Alamo Engineering at AirX’s London Stansted facility, resulted in the issuance of a new EASA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the aircraft type.

The equipping of the advanced technology terminals represents the first phase of an entire AirX fleet connectivity upgrade, which aims to provide uniform, high-speed connectivity across the fleet. “Demand for our charter services is continuing to grow, with each aircraft currently undertaking, on average, 900 hours of flight per year. Limiting downtime is a key consideration, which is why this upgrade program is underway,” says Houssam Hazzoury, AirX Group CEO. “The simplicity of the Gogo antenna series means we can add reliable, consistent global connectivity with minimal downtime. The streamlined upgrade path and the fact we can make one call to Gogo for end-to-end connectivity management and support were key decisions in our selection process.”

Following installation onboard the first two aircraft, Gogo provided its unique Entry-into-Service (EIS) offering at the AirX UK facility, supplemented by system training for the AirX team based in Malta. AirX customers include global brands, major corporations, government officials, and heads of state. The tailored EIS training ensures the AirX crew and operations department are familiar with the system, prepared to manage unexpected coverage interruptions and can enable passengers to maximize functionality. AirX will also benefit from 24/7/365 customer support, which ensures optimal performance and troubleshooting if necessary.

“AirX has a reputation for delivering uncompromising, high-quality standards to its clients, and we are proud to support their needs with our purpose-built for business aviation terminals. The Gogo Plane Simple Ku-band antenna, in conjunction with the dedicated airtime provided by the SES FlexExec network, ensures AirX clients can remain productive, relax and enjoy entertainment wherever they fly,” said Dave Falberg, Gogo’s senior vice president of EMEA-APAC. “Our ecosystem has been defined and developed to deliver tailored solutions for mixed, large fleet operators conducting international missions, and we look forward to adding more of our antennas to the AirX fleet to enhance their passenger connectivity experience.”

Mente Group Appoints Steve Main as Chief Revenue Officer and Brent Hanson as Managing Director

Mente Group, an aviation advisory and brokerage firm, has promoted Brent Hanson to managing director and appointed Steve Main as chief revenue officer. These appointments are part of a strategic effort to enhance the firm’s sales and go-to-market strategy to drive continued business growth.

Steve Main rejoins Mente Group as chief revenue officer, where he will lead the firm’s sales organization and oversee the global go-to-market strategy. A seasoned aviation executive, Main brings decades of experience in sales leadership and revenue generation, having previously held senior positions across various aviation sectors in transactions and operations.

Prior to his promotion, Brent Hanson was business and development manager for Mente Group and prior to that worked as a sales executive for Gulfstream and Pentastar Aviation. His extensive sales background includes significant experience at OEM’s, MRO/FBOs, and the heavy equipment industry. This unique combination of OEM expertise and industrial asset management provides him with a deep understanding of complex aircraft transactions, high-capital transactions, and lifecycle costs.

“Mente Group is evolving our leadership structure to ensure we stay ahead of a rapidly changing market,” said Brian Proctor, president and CEO of Mente Group. “Elevating Brent Hanson to managing director and bringing Steve Main back on as CRO allows us to continue building upon a record year. Their combined expertise in private aviation is exactly what we need to keep growing the business and delivering an elite product to our clients.”

Brent Hanson will be based in Michigan, with sales territories across the country, while CRO Steve Main will be based in the Mente Group Frisco headquarters.

Bluetail Unveils AI-Powered Digital Logbooks, Introducing Intelligence to Aviation Maintenance Records

Bluetail, provider of digital aircraft records management software for business aviation, has introduced the latest addition to its cloud-based, AI-powered, software-as-a-service platform: It automatically builds and timelines the aircraft logbook from past to the new bringing efficiencies to new levels for aircraft maintenance records management.

Bluetail clients can now upload any scanned document (handwritten or typed) and AI automatically
identifies, organizes, and places them in precise chronological order within the logbook. “At Bluetail, innovation means more than building software—it means applying intelligence to unlock the full value of aircraft records. We are continuously evolving our platform to turn data into insight for customers and future partners alike. This philosophy guides how Bluetail operates every day,” said Bluetail Chief Executive Officer Roberto Guerrieri.

“Our focus has been on making the AI-powered logbooks work seamlessly for aviation maintenance
crews because their time and expertise need to be focused on returning the aircraft to service, not on
administrative tasks,” explained Bluetail’s chief technology officer, Kent Pickard. “We are at the
forefront of integrating AI into aviation intelligence software, and our development is targeting ways
to introduce technologies that minimize wasted time and effort.”

He shared one example of how the Bluetail AI-powered digital logbook saves time: All maintenance
files, both current and future, are automatically organized into the AI-powered digital logbook,
enabling users anywhere in the world to then instantly search the entire logbook, either
chronologically or by keyword, to locate anything from inspection and service dates to individual in-
service part numbers.

Bluetail’s AI-powered digital logbooks’ array of operational benefits includes:

  • Automatic organization of all maintenance files in AI-powered digital logbooks
  • Chronological and keyword search capabilities via service dates, part numbers, and aircraft for
    instant information retrieval
  • View airframe and engines in a single, unified chronological timeline
  • Greatly reduces workload and time required for back-to-birth records searches and confirmation
  • Ensures compliance and conformity for Part 91 and Part 135 operations
  • Helps protect the aircraft’s value through organized and secure record and logbook keeping.

Platinum Tooling Announces New Manufacturers’ Representative Group

Platinum Tooling, an importer and master distributor of live tools, angle heads, Swiss machine products, knurling tools and marking tools manufactured by various international suppliers has a new sales representative firm. Located in Conway, South Carolina, Sellers Marketing offers high quality cutting tools, work holding and tool holding solutions in the Southeastern United States. 

Founded in 2014 as a technical firm with engineers from job shops, the addition of Application Sales Engineers has been key to its success. These team members include David Sellers (key accounts and Georgia), John Huggins (Western North Carolina and Tennessee), Justin Sellers (Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia), Lee Sellers (Northeastern Georgia, Eastern North Carolina and Eastern South Carolina) and John Paquette (Alabama). 

David Sellers said that the company serves all industries in the Southeast, “as we consider the region a ‘mixed bag’ of all industries, predominantly featuring job shops and privately owned production shops.” 

Regarding its working relationships, Sellers highlighted that, “Our team engages all sectors of the channel. We work from OEMs down and from end users up.” 

Lastly, Sellers expressed his excitement at working with Platinum Tooling, stating, “Platinum Tooling brings to our firm tooling that we did not have with our other product offering. Additionally, the diverse offering at Platinum allows my engineers to feel confident that they have an added solution to success.” 

BGL Announces the Sale of Velocity Maintenance Solutions to Bombardier

Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL), a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm, announced the sale of Velocity Maintenance Solutions (VMS), a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider, to Bombardier, a Canadian-based aircraft manufacturer. The acquisition was completed through Bombardier’s U.S. subsidiary, Learjet Inc. BGL’s Aerospace, Defense & Government Services (ADGS) investment banking team served as the exclusive financial advisor to VMS in the transaction. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in New Castle, Delaware, and founded in 2021, VMS is a provider of MRO services to the business aviation end market. Operating 24/7 through both MRO facilities and mobile service teams, VMS provides domestic and international coverage. Its combination of core maintenance capabilities and specialized services has supported accelerated organic growth and positioned the Company as a market leader in business aviation maintenance services.

Alton Aviation Consultancy Reports Another Year of Record Growth in 2025

Alton Aviation Consultancy, an aviation advisory firm, reports another solid year of growth in 2025 as demand for premium aviation advisory services remains strong.

Continued growth in Alton’s advisory work increased across virtually all segments of the aviation value chain to include aircraft leasing and financing advisory, airline due diligence, restructuring, and fleet campaigns, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) advisory, in addition to supporting airports and business and general aviation (BGA) sectors. Across all sectors, merger and acquisition (M&A) transaction advisory activity remained robust.

In 2025, the firm successfully completed more than 200 engagements for over 100 organizations, with approximately two-thirds coming from repeat clients. This further underscores the value delivered through Alton’s deep domain expertise, and the firm’s high degree of client responsiveness and commitment to excellence.

Alton extended its global footprint with the addition of its London office, strengthening its ability to support clients in the UK and Europe with regional insight across major aviation markets. The new entity builds on Alton’s established global platform which includes New York, Dublin, Dubai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore, and Tokyo. The firm also had a strong year for talent development, with 16 employee promotions across its global team.

In addition, Alton continued to support global and local communities through its commitment to the Pledge 1% movement for corporate impact, electing to donate 1% of annual revenue to charity and dedicating 1% of employee time to volunteer work. In 2025, Alton’s lifetime charitable contributions exceeded the $1 million mark. 

“Our strong performance in 2025 was underpinned by the experience of our team and demonstrates the value of combining deep aviation expertise with practical, execution-focused advice,” said John Mowry, managing director, Alton Aviation Consultancy. “As market dynamics shift, investing in our people remains central to how we deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes for clients.”

Adam Cowburn, managing director, Alton Aviation Consultancy, added: “In 2026, we expect continued opportunities for M&A transactions, supported by improving market fundamentals, although supply chain challenges and broader macroeconomic factors will remain important considerations for industry stakeholders. Alton is well positioned to support clients as they evaluate complex opportunities and navigate an evolving market.”

Elliott Aviation Offers $50,000 Trade-In Credit for Pro Line 21 King Air Operators Upgrading to Garmin G1000 NXi

Elliott Aviation announced today a limited-time avionics incentive for King Air operators equipped with Pro Line 21 avionics. Operators who choose Elliott Aviation to upgrade to a Garmin G1000 NXi flight deck will receive up to $50,000 in trade-in credit for their existing avionics equipment. To qualify, customers must execute a signed quote and submit a deposit by May 31, 2026, and the aircraft must be inducted into Elliott Aviation by December 31, 2026.

This program is designed to make modernizing legacy avionics more accessible for King Air owners looking to improve reliability, safety, and long-term aircraft value. The trade-in credits are being offered through Elliott Aviation’s aftermarket avionics department, which specializes in upgrade programs, system integrations, and long-term avionics support.

Elliott Aviation is the worldwide leader in Garmin G1000 and G1000 NXi installations for King Air aircraft and has held that position for more than 15 years. With nearly 450 Garmin G1000 and G1000 NXi systems installed in King Airs, Elliott Aviation brings unmatched experience, proven processes, and deep technical expertise to every upgrade program. Elliott Aviation also delivers the shortest downtime in the industry for these upgrades, with a typical 15-day installation timeline.

“Avionics modernization is one of the most impactful upgrades an owner can make to their aircraft,” said Bill Forbes, SVP of Sales and Avionics Programs at Elliott Aviation. “By offering meaningful trade-in value for Pro Line 21 equipment, we’re helping operators reduce the barrier to upgrading while delivering a proven, reliable Garmin flight deck solution that enhances safety, dispatch reliability, and long-term value.”

In celebration of its 90th anniversary, Elliott Aviation recently announced a special incentive for customers upgrading to select Garmin full cockpit retrofit programs. For every qualifying Garmin cockpit installation completed in 2026, Elliott Aviation will include the customer’s first year of Garmin databases at no cost, along with a Garmin MARQ Aviation smartwatch.

The Garmin G1000 NXi upgrade provides King Air operators with faster processing, improved display clarity, enhanced situational awareness, and a modernized flight deck architecture designed to support future capability growth. For operators planning long-term ownership, the upgrade also strengthens residual value and marketability.

Elliott Aviation’s avionics team manages the entire upgrade process, including aircraft evaluation, system design, installation, certification, and post-install support. The program allows operators to consolidate modernization efforts with a trusted provider that has executed more Garmin cockpit retrofits for King Air aircraft than any other facility worldwide.

The trade-in credit applies to qualifying Pro Line 21–equipped King Air aircraft upgrading to the Garmin G1000 NXi. Projects must be contracted by May 31, 2026, and inducted by December 31, 2026. Availability is subject to shop capacity and aircraft configuration.

For more information or to schedule an evaluation, contact Elliott Aviation’s avionics team or visit elliottaviation.com.

Textron Aviation 2026 Safety Standdown Reaffirms Company Commitment to Safety

The Textron Aviation 2026 Flight Operations Safety Standdown brought together over 200 employees and industry partners to reaffirm the company’s unwavering commitment to a robust safety focus and continuous improvement. With more than 17,500 flight hours logged by the Textron Aviation flight teams in 2025, emphasizing the importance of operational excellence is crucial.

The Standdown is a day dedicated to learning and collaboration between the Textron Aviation flight department, Quality and Air Safety teams, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other industry groups.

The day’s agenda featured: 

  • Safety updates related to the company’s Flight Operations, including an overview of air safety investigations  
  • A status of the Design and Manufacturing Safety Management Systems (SMS)
  • An interactive session about the importance of pilot mental focus
  • A review of the relationship between pilots and Air Traffic Control
  • The importance of self-reflection and learning through reporting, reviewing safety data and conducting robust pre and post flight briefings
  • Crisis management
2026 safety standdown presentation.jpg

“The Standdown is an important day for our team to reflect on lessons learned and reinforce the importance of a safety mindset,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO. “Safety is a collaborative effort that requires all of us to emphasize the importance of quality and working diligently to prevent avoidable incidents.”

Safety Standdown provides a clear pause to refocus on what matters most – protecting every flight. Through reflection and shared learning, employees strengthen the mindset and habits that keep the company operating safely and responsibly.

Audit Initiated of FAA’s Oversight of Repair Station Certification Procedures

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024 mandated that the Office of the Inspector General’s office conduct a series of audits to assess how consistently FAA interprets and applies policy regarding supplemental type certificates, repair stations and technical standards orders. The OIG is initiating the third audit in the series and will focus on FAA’s consistency in certificating domestic repair stations.

All repair stations performing work on U.S.-registered aircraft must be certificated by FAA under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 145. To issue an air agency certificate, FAA inspectors carry out a five-phase process to thoroughly review, evaluate,and test the repair station’s programs, systems and intended methods of compliance. FAA authorizes six general ratings and subclasses that specify what work a repair station can do.

While FAA’s repair station certification procedures are standardized, individual FAA offices may interpret standards, which include orders, guidance and regulations, differently when evaluating system design, approving ratings, or assessing compliance. Accordingly, their objective will be to evaluate whether FAA has sufficient controls in place to provide reasonable assurance that inspectors are consistent in interpreting and applying standards when certificating domestic repair stations.