Technology
Merlin Labs Distinguishes Flight Autonomy from Mission Autonomy in Aviation Systems
Merlin Labs published a technical analysis distinguishing flight autonomy from mission autonomy, with CTO Tim Burns outlining an expanded Aviate, Navigate, Communicate, Operate framework in a July 2026 post calling the broader capability Artificial Airmanship.
Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport delays simultaneous runway departures to early next year
Kempegowda International Airport's simultaneous dual-runway departures, which would raise capacity from 60 to 90 air traffic movements per hour, now slip to early next year instead of September 2026.
Horizon Aircraft Reports Q1 Fiscal 2027 Results, Targets Full-Scale Cavorite X7 Demonstrator Completion by Early 2027
Horizon Aircraft reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 results on October 9, 2026, with CEO Brandon Robinson targeting completion of the full-scale Cavorite X7 demonstrator around the end of the first quarter of calendar 2027.
Capua's Oreste Salomone Airport Completes 1,400-Metre Runway and Wins Approval for RAM Terminal Expansion
Capua's Oreste Salomone Airport has completed paving of its 1,400-metre runway and secured Services Conference approval for a broader enhancement project including a new RAM Terminal.
Privesa Launches AI Platform to Automate Charter Brokerage Workflows
Naples, Florida startup Privesa, founded by Logan Cassidy, launched in August an AI platform that automates 80-85% of charter brokerage back-office work and is now running its first proof of concept.
NBAA Backs House Bill Seeking $30 Billion for ATC Modernization
Rep. Tracey Mann introduced House legislation seeking an additional $30 billion for air traffic control modernization, backed by NBAA and the Modern Skies Coalition.
Modern Cockpits and Electric Trainers Reshape Flight Training, With Beta Technologies Leading the Way
Beta Technologies showcased electric trainers and modernized cockpits at its Burlington, Vermont media day, as roughly 700 employees pursue flight training and industry-wide schools adopt Velis Electro trainers with an estimated $7 hourly operating cost.
evoJets VP Kate Morello: Private Jet Flights Hit 3.9 Million in 2025 as Industry Shifts Toward Tech-Driven Access
evoJets VP Kate Morello reported 3.9 million private jet flights in 2025, a 4% increase from the prior year, as the industry expands access beyond whole and fractional ownership.
Viasat and Corporate Jet Investor 2026 Survey Finds Wide Gap Between Professionals and Principals on In-Flight Connectivity
The 2026 Viasat and Corporate Jet Investor survey found 51% of aviation professionals cite low speed as their top in-flight connectivity frustration versus just 13% of aircraft principals.
Liebherr-Aerospace to showcase landing gear, air management and EMA technologies at NBAA-BACE 2026
Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS will exhibit landing gear, air management and electromechanical actuation technologies at Booth 3555 during NBAA-BACE 2026, held October 20-22, 2026.
Tanis Aircraft Products Gains STC and PMA for Engine Preheat System Covering Full Daher TBM 700 Series
Tanis Aircraft Products, a Hartzell Propeller division, received an STC and PMA for a multipoint engine preheating system covering every Daher TBM 700 series aircraft across more than 35 years of production.
Nine Private Jets Larger Than the Bombardier Global 7500
Slashgear identified nine private jets exceeding the Bombardier Global 7500's 111-foot length or 54-foot-5-inch cabin, led by the Airbus ACJ 350 at 219 feet 2 inches overall.
Jeteye Launches Business Aviation Intelligence and Software Platform Backed by Boca Raton Developer The SilverLogic
Jeteye launched a business aviation intelligence and software platform built by Boca Raton-based The SilverLogic, debuting four tools: Screener, Dynamic Fleet, TripScope and Budget Builder.
Gogo Signs $15M-Plus GEO Satellite Connectivity Lease with Government Customer
Gogo signed a communications lease worth more than $15 million to supply geostationary satellite connectivity to a government customer, CEO Chris Moore said.
FlyJets Launches JetGPT™ AI Agent for Charter Flight-Finding and Flight-Sharing
FlyJets launched its JetGPT AI agent on October 8, 2026, giving users conversational search, booking and listing tools for charter flights and flight-sharing after a February 2026 beta.
Light Jets and Smart Management Drive New Era in Business Aviation
Light jet makers including HondaJet with the Echelon and Embraer with the Phenom 300E are pushing transcontinental range, fuel-efficient design and satellite connectivity as operators shift toward customisable management and charter revenue-sharing programmes.
2003 Dassault Falcon 2000 With 5,424 Hours Listed for Sale With Collins Pro Line 21 Upgrade
A 2003 Dassault Falcon 2000 with 5,424 total flight hours and 2,509 landings is listed for sale call-for-price, featuring a June 2022 Collins Pro Line 21 cockpit upgrade by WestStar.
Honda Aircraft Completes First HondaJet Echelon Wing Structure, Targets 2031 Certification and First Delivery
Honda Aircraft completed the first HondaJet Echelon wing structure on 15 September 2026, now targeting first flight in 2028 and type certification with first delivery in 2031.
Phoenix to Test Honeywell SURF-A Runway Collision Alert System on Ground Vehicles at Three Airports
The City of Phoenix Aviation Department will test Honeywell's SURF-A collision-avoidance system on ground vehicles at Sky Harbor, Goodyear, and Deer Valley airports starting this month through year-end.
ACJ Research: Flexibility, Technology and Sustainability Drive Middle East Corporate Aviation Demand
Airbus Corporate Jets published survey research of 35 Middle East business aviation financiers and brokers finding flexibility, technology and sustainability as the top demand drivers, with 83% expecting large jet activity to grow through 2030.
Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council Agenda: Curfew Request, FAA Presentation, and Capital Improvement Plan
The Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council placed three items on its agenda: a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan review, a nighttime jet curfew request, and a letter asking the FAA for a formal presentation.
Federal Jury Awards Aerosonic $116.9M After Finding Joby Aviation Breached NDA, Willfully Misappropriated Trade Secrets
A federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida found Joby Aviation liable for breaching an NDA and willfully misappropriating Aerosonic's trade secrets, awarding $116.9 million in damages.
Viasat's Velaris Satellite Service Targets BVLOS Autonomous Aviation Connectivity
Viasat is positioning its Velaris satellite connectivity service, built on L-band aviation safety links used in crewed aviation for more than 30 years, as a prerequisite for certifiable BVLOS autonomous aircraft operations.
Jeppesen ForeFlight Launches First Airflow™ Agents for Commercial Aviation
Jeppesen ForeFlight unveiled the first agents for its Airflow Aviation Operating Intelligence platform at its annual commercial aviation users conference, targeting three major sources of operational friction.
Skandia Receives ANAC Approval for King Air 200/300 Soundproofing Kit in Brazil
Skandia received final approval from Brazil's ANAC on October 6, 2026 for its King Air 200/300 soundproofing acoustic kit, following earlier FAA, EASA, and TCCA approvals.
Cirrus Aircraft Opens 189,000-Square-Foot Innovation Center in Duluth
Cirrus Aircraft has opened a 189,000-square-foot Innovation Center on 39 acres in Duluth, adding more than 30 engineers and technicians since 2022 for a workforce of over 300.
FAA Reaches Decade-High 11,027 Certified Controllers but Remains 1,500 Short of Revised Target
The FAA ended fiscal year 2026 with 11,027 certified air traffic controllers, a decade high, after hiring 2,235 trainees, but remains about 1,500 short of its revised 12,563 target.
West Star Aviation Outlines Scope and Upgrade Opportunities for Hawker 800/900 Series 96-Month Inspections
West Star Aviation detailed the scope of the 96-month inspection for Hawker 800/900 series aircraft, offering in-house NDT support and bundled upgrade options across its four US maintenance facilities.
Private Jets vs. Airliners: How the Gulfstream G650's Lower Weight Enables Superior Climb Performance Over the Boeing 737 MAX 8
Performance data compiled by Guardian Jet, Global Air, Ultimate Specs and Quantum Jets show the Gulfstream G650, with a 99,600 lb MTOW, climbing faster and higher than the 182,200 lb Boeing 737 MAX 8.
ALTEA report warns capital endurance and risk-sharing will determine whether alternative propulsion reaches regional aviation
ALTEA's September 2026 report, authored by Chris Holliday, warns that thin regional routes least able to absorb new-technology failures are often the first targeted for sub-30-seat electric and hybrid aircraft adoption.
eVTOL Cash Burn Now the Key Variable Separating Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation
Joby Aviation ended the quarter with $2.3 billion in cash after raising $1.2 billion, while Archer Aviation posted a $263.2 million net loss with liquidity guided to cover only twelve months.
Misd Skyward Targets Urban Air Mobility with eVTOL Networks and AI Traffic Management
Misd Skyward is developing an integrated eVTOL and AI traffic-management system, with a pilot in an unspecified major Asian city showing five vertiports cut peak-hour cross-city commute times by up to 65%.
Japanese Suppliers in the Business Jet MRO Market: Strengths, Challenges and Outlook
A market research post published October 10, 2026 examines Japanese suppliers' position in the global business jet MRO sector, citing strengths in precision machining and quality control alongside cost and scale challenges.
Merlin Labs Distinguishes Flight Autonomy from Mission Autonomy in Aviation Systems
Merlin Labs published a technical analysis distinguishing flight autonomy from mission autonomy, with CTO Tim Burns outlining an expanded Aviate, Navigate, Communicate, Operate framework in a July 2026 post calling the broader capability Artificial Airmanship.
Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport delays simultaneous runway departures to early next year
Kempegowda International Airport's simultaneous dual-runway departures, which would raise capacity from 60 to 90 air traffic movements per hour, now slip to early next year instead of September 2026.
Horizon Aircraft Reports Q1 Fiscal 2027 Results, Targets Full-Scale Cavorite X7 Demonstrator Completion by Early 2027
Horizon Aircraft reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 results on October 9, 2026, with CEO Brandon Robinson targeting completion of the full-scale Cavorite X7 demonstrator around the end of the first quarter of calendar 2027.
Capua's Oreste Salomone Airport Completes 1,400-Metre Runway and Wins Approval for RAM Terminal Expansion
Capua's Oreste Salomone Airport has completed paving of its 1,400-metre runway and secured Services Conference approval for a broader enhancement project including a new RAM Terminal.
Privesa Launches AI Platform to Automate Charter Brokerage Workflows
Naples, Florida startup Privesa, founded by Logan Cassidy, launched in August an AI platform that automates 80-85% of charter brokerage back-office work and is now running its first proof of concept.
NBAA Backs House Bill Seeking $30 Billion for ATC Modernization
Rep. Tracey Mann introduced House legislation seeking an additional $30 billion for air traffic control modernization, backed by NBAA and the Modern Skies Coalition.
NBAA-BACE Flight Deck to Feature Sessions on Cybersecurity, AI, MRO and AAM at Oct. 20–22 Convention
NBAA-BACE, running Oct. 20-22, 2026, will host Flight Deck sessions on cybersecurity, AI, MRO capacity, AAM and the radio altimeter mandate, plus a Thursday Collegiate Connect career event.
Modern Cockpits and Electric Trainers Reshape Flight Training, With Beta Technologies Leading the Way
Beta Technologies showcased electric trainers and modernized cockpits at its Burlington, Vermont media day, as roughly 700 employees pursue flight training and industry-wide schools adopt Velis Electro trainers with an estimated $7 hourly operating cost.
China's Qifei Aviation Raises Nearly 100 Million Yuan, Manned eVTOL W280 Wins TC Acceptance
Chinese eVTOL developer Qifei Aviation raised nearly 100 million yuan and saw its manned W280 eVTOL receive type certificate acceptance from CAAC's East China Regional Administration on 1 September 2026.
FAA Outlines Remote Technology Tools and Regulatory Requirements for Aircraft Maintenance
The FAA outlined how remote technologies such as AR, VR, robotics, and sUAS are being applied to aircraft maintenance and inspection while stressing they cannot replace required physical inspection methods.
FAA Outlines Future of General Aviation Propulsion: Diesel, Electric, Hydrogen, and Supersonic
The FAA published an overview of emerging general-aviation propulsion technologies, covering diesel compression ignition, electric motors, hydrogen fuel cells, and supersonic engines.
From Concept to Cabin: How Global Collaboration and Precision Engineering Shape Modern Aircraft
Aviation analyst Brian Foley detailed the multibillion-dollar, decade-long process of developing new aircraft, contrasting it with the Wright brothers' 1903 flight and Boeing's 747 program.
Bluetail and Traxxall Deepen Integration to Automate Aircraft Maintenance Records Flow
Bluetail and Traxxall, the maintenance tracking software owned by JSSI, have strengthened their integration to automatically flow compliance documents and maintenance records between the two platforms in real time.
evoJets VP Kate Morello: Private Jet Flights Hit 3.9 Million in 2025 as Industry Shifts Toward Tech-Driven Access
evoJets VP Kate Morello reported 3.9 million private jet flights in 2025, a 4% increase from the prior year, as the industry expands access beyond whole and fractional ownership.
Viasat and Corporate Jet Investor 2026 Survey Finds Wide Gap Between Professionals and Principals on In-Flight Connectivity
The 2026 Viasat and Corporate Jet Investor survey found 51% of aviation professionals cite low speed as their top in-flight connectivity frustration versus just 13% of aircraft principals.
Liebherr-Aerospace to showcase landing gear, air management and EMA technologies at NBAA-BACE 2026
Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS will exhibit landing gear, air management and electromechanical actuation technologies at Booth 3555 during NBAA-BACE 2026, held October 20-22, 2026.
SAIT receives $30M gift to build autonomous aviation park in Calgary
SAIT in Calgary announced plans for a new autonomous aviation park, funded by a $30 million gift, to train students in drone and autonomous aviation technology.
Chinese Researchers Develop Cobalt-Manganese Catalyst for Sustainable Jet Fuel With Projected Gross Profit Margin Above 50%
Chinese researchers developed a cobalt-manganese catalyst converting woody biomass syngas into sustainable jet fuel, with a planned 100,000-tonnes-per-year plant projected to exceed a 50 per cent gross profit margin.
Evolutionary Neural Network Outperforms Humans and PID Controller in Single-Engine Glide Distance Study
A research study found that an evolutionary neural network controller extended single-engine glide distance by 17.77% over untrained humans and outperformed a tuned PID controller by 35.73% across 390 unseen conditions.
Tanis Aircraft Products Gains STC and PMA for Engine Preheat System Covering Full Daher TBM 700 Series
Tanis Aircraft Products, a Hartzell Propeller division, received an STC and PMA for a multipoint engine preheating system covering every Daher TBM 700 series aircraft across more than 35 years of production.
Nine Private Jets Larger Than the Bombardier Global 7500
Slashgear identified nine private jets exceeding the Bombardier Global 7500's 111-foot length or 54-foot-5-inch cabin, led by the Airbus ACJ 350 at 219 feet 2 inches overall.
Jeteye Launches Business Aviation Intelligence and Software Platform Backed by Boca Raton Developer The SilverLogic
Jeteye launched a business aviation intelligence and software platform built by Boca Raton-based The SilverLogic, debuting four tools: Screener, Dynamic Fleet, TripScope and Budget Builder.
Gogo Signs $15M-Plus GEO Satellite Connectivity Lease with Government Customer
Gogo signed a communications lease worth more than $15 million to supply geostationary satellite connectivity to a government customer, CEO Chris Moore said.
FAA's Emerging Technologies Division Leads Integration of Drones and eVTOL Aircraft into U.S. Airspace
The FAA's Emerging Technologies Division, led by manager Joe Morra, is centralizing oversight of drones and eVTOL aircraft integration into U.S. airspace through a structured product development lifecycle.
Vertiports Identified as Primary Constraint on eVTOL Market Growth as Sector Targets $110.64B by 2035
Kings Research projects the global eVTOL market will reach $110.64 billion by 2035, while a GAO report cites vertiport construction costs as the sector's main growth constraint.
FlyJets Launches JetGPT™ AI Agent for Charter Flight-Finding and Flight-Sharing
FlyJets launched its JetGPT AI agent on October 8, 2026, giving users conversational search, booking and listing tools for charter flights and flight-sharing after a February 2026 beta.
Light Jets and Smart Management Drive New Era in Business Aviation
Light jet makers including HondaJet with the Echelon and Embraer with the Phenom 300E are pushing transcontinental range, fuel-efficient design and satellite connectivity as operators shift toward customisable management and charter revenue-sharing programmes.