50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

United States aviation news

Exclusive tail fold patent granted to Switchblade Flying Car manufacturer

Sam Bousfield, CEO, Samson Sky, has been granted his eighth design patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and international patent offices for the Switchblade Flying Car. This newest patent was issued on November 19, 2025 and covers the unique tail fold and retraction design of the flying and driving vehicle. Designed for convenience, the tail fold mechanism works seamlessly and at...

Universal Flight Concepts expands fleet to 32 Tecnam aircraft

Universal Flight Concepts, one of the United States’ leading flight training organizations, has expanded its training fleet by acquiring an additional four Tecnam aircraft, including the P2008 LSA and P2010 models. UFC now has a total of thirty two Tecnam aircraft. UFC plans to add twenty-four more aircraft to its Tecnam fleet within the next two years, reinforcing its commitment t...

TRU Simulation Bell 525 flight simulator receives FAA Interim Level C qualification

TRU Simulation Bell 525 Full Flight Simulator located at Bell Training Academy received Interim Level C qualification from the Federal Aviation Administration. Bell Textron has designed and will manufacture the Bell 525 helicopter. By achieving this milestone, pilots can earn more flight hours on the Bell 525 platform ahead of the rotorcraft’s expected FAA type certification. Je...

Jet Aviation launches initial operations in Miami-Opa Locka, Florida

Jet Aviation launched initial operations at its FBO at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. The new facility is Jet Aviation’s 12th FBO in the US, joining a global network of some 30 FBOs worldwide. The company announced it had broken ground on the new facility in October 2024, with full completion scheduled for mid-2026. Initial operations launched today with a wide range of services for pass...

Signature Aviation elevates travel in South Florida with new private aviation terminal in Palm Beach

Signature Aviation announced the opening of its newly built terminal at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI North), marking a major milestone in the company’s ongoing transformation and commitment to hospitality. The new 15,700-square-foot facility offers an elevated experience for guests and crew traveling through one of South Florida’s most important private aviation gateways. T...

Cessna Citation Ascend achieves FAA certification

Cessna Citation Ascend achieved a major milestone as FAA awarded type certification for the aircraft, with entry into service expected later this year. The aircraft boasts an entirely new cockpit, improved performance and luxurious flat floor cabin, giving customers versatility and flexibility to accomplish their mission. Two flight test articles completed more than 1,000 flight hours an...

Skyportz unveils Aeroberm – modular vertipad prototype to unlock the future of air mobility

Skyportz announced the release of its Aeroberm modular vertipad prototype at the EVTOL Show in California, marking a major milestone in the company’s mission to create safe, scalable, and affordable infrastructure for the emerging Advanced Air Mobility industry. Following extensive research and development in collaboration with Swinburne University of Techn...

Joby begins power-on testing of first conforming aircraft, enters final stage of type certification process

Joby Aviation has begun power-on testing of the first of several FAA-conforming aircraft to be built for Type Inspection Authorization. With this milestone, Joby can now begin conducting thousands of hardware and software integration tests in preparation for “for credit” flight testing with FAA test pilots operating the aircraft. TIA testing is part of the final stage of the FAA Type C...

Hampton Roads Executive Airport announces strategic partnership with Avfuel Corporation

Hampton Roads Executive Airport (KPVG) announces its new strategic branding partnership with Avfuel Corporation, the leading independent supplier of aviation fuels and services. This collaboration marks an exciting milestone in the airport’s ongoing mission to elevate the general aviation experience in Southeastern Virginia. Through the partnership, Hampton Roads Executive Airport will...

First PC-12 PRO delivery to US customer

After deliveries to Australian and European customers in October, owners Ravi and Pheroza Arcot received their PC-12 PRO at Pilatus’ North American headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado. This moment marks an important chapter for the PC-12 PRO in the US, one of the most dynamic and demanding aviation markets in the world. Bringing the PC-12 PRO here isn’t just a delivery – it&rsqu...

Coulson Aviation develops SafeFuel, the first onboard fuel quality assurance and protection system

Coulson Aviation 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. Britt Coulson, President & COO of Co...

Signature Aviation grows network with agreement to acquire Fort Lauderdale Executive Jet Center

Signature Aviation has signed an agreement to acquire Fort Lauderdale Executive Jet Center, a premier full-service private aviation terminal at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) which offers personalized hospitality, comprehensive aircraft support, and convenient access to the significant business and leisure destinations in the area. This agreement aims to provide expanded access and s...