Global 7500 Sets 135th City-pair Speed Record

Bombardier’s Global 7500 has set its 135th city-pair speed record, which the company said is the most ever achieved by a single business aircraft type. Overall, the in-service fleet of more than 200 aircraft have logged in excess of 250,000 flight hours.

“This is the ultimate recognition, the most speed records of all time—and it’s precisely what Bombardier’s discerning customers need: a reliable, fast, efficient business tool that gets them to destination quickly and efficiently,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, executive v-p of aircraft sales and defense. “Even more impressive is the fact some of these records have been set with passengers on board in varying conditions and airports. It’s a testament to how well-engineered the aircraft is.”

With an Mmo of Mach 0.925 and a 7,700-nm range, the Global 7500 has established city-pair records such as Tokyo to San Francisco and London to Riyadh. Also, the twinjet previously completed the longest flight in business aviation history: Sydney to Detroit.

According to Bombardier, the ultra-long-range jet’s wing and aerodynamic design contribute to high efficiency, reduced emissions, and smooth ride comfort. Bombardier is preparing to build on this legacy with the upcoming Global 8000, which is set to enter service later this year.

King Air Crashes on Takeoff from UK’s Southend Airport

London Southend Airport (EGMC) remained closed on Monday morning after a Beechcraft King Air B200 crashed while taking off on Sunday afternoon. Dutch charter operator Zeusch Aviation confirmed that its aircraft, PH-ZAZ, had been involved in the accident and that it is supporting the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch.

On Monday afternoon, local police confirmed that all four people on board the aircraft had been killed. In a statement issued almost 24 hours after the accident, officers said they were still trying to confirm their identities.

The King Air crashed close to the airport perimeter and was engulfed in flames after takeoff from Runway 05. Media reports cited witnesses saying the aircraft banked to the left within seconds of takeoff in visual meteorological conditions.

According to data from Flightradar24, flight SUZ1 had flown to Southend from Pula Airport (LDPL) in Croatia, arriving 57 minutes before taking off to fly to its base at Lelystad Airport (EHLE) in the Netherlands. On Sunday morning, the B200 had flown from Greece’s Athens International Airport (LGAV), logging sectors of 2 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours 5 minutes, with around a 90-minute ground stop in Pula.

Zeusch Aviation operates King Air B200 and C90A turboprop twins, mainly for emergency medical flights. According to the company, PH-ZAZ was built in 1994, and its Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-42 engines had last been overhauled in 2020.

Oklahoma Issues Airport Development Grants

Following approvals for airport improvements in the state as part of the Airport Construction Grant Program, the Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission also authorized the first awards given under the recently introduced aircraft and space engine test cell grant program. It includes two grants for Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, with an initial $2.7 million allocation for a second engine test cell at Kratos subsidiary and turboprop engine maintainer Consolidated Turbine Specialists, located at Bristow Jones Memorial Airport (K3F7).

Included among the airport construction programs are $5.5 million to construct a terminal building and 120-foot-by-80-foot box hangar at South Grand Lake Regional Airport (K1K8); a $3.6 million project at Ada Regional Airport (KADH) to add a parallel taxiway B; $2.3 million to rehabilitate and widen Runway 13/31 at Tulsa Riverside Airport (KRVS); $1.9 million each for Clinton Regional (KCLK) and Tahlequah Municipal (KTQH) airports for hangar construction; and several other pavement or small hangar build projects.

Under the state’s Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity program, an additional $8 million was awarded to fund community hangar construction, including a 15,600-sq-ft hangar and offices at Bartlesville Municipal Airport (KBVO), 12,000-sq-ft hangar at Guymon Municipal Airport (KGUY), and 4,030-sq-ft hangar at Wilburton Municipal Airport (KH05), with construction on most of the projects expected to begin before year-end.

Private Jet Card Hourly Rates Rise Slightly in 2Q2025

Jet card hourly rates rose 1.1% quarter over quarter, reaching an average of $11,273 as of March 31, according to the latest pricing analysis from Private Jet Card Comparisons. That marks a 2.9% year-over-year increase as operational pressures continue to shape the market. These figures are based on North American jet card programs that offer guaranteed availability and fixed or capped hourly pricing, inclusive of fuel surcharges and the 7.5% federal excise tax.

Doug Gollan, editor-in-chief of Private Jet Card Comparisons, attributes the increase to rising labor costs and lingering supply-chain issues. “Providers are facing higher salaries for pilots and maintenance technicians, and delays in getting aircraft back in the air are impacting revenue,” he said.

Despite the uptick, many providers are quietly offering promotional discounts, often negotiated individually rather than broadly advertised. According to Gollan, customers flying popular routes where repositioning flights are minimal are better positioned to negotiate rates.

Jet cards remain popular for their ease of use and guaranteed access, but Gollan cautioned that program rules are key. “The biggest mistake consumers make is not understanding how terms like peak days, Wi-Fi charges, pet policies, and cancellation windows can impact usage and cost.”

The average number of peak days per program held steady at 35.6 in the second quarter but fell 23.3% compared to last year, potentially giving flyers added flexibility during high-demand periods.

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Skyryse and Cal Fire To Deploy SkyOS for Firefighting

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) and Skyryse have partnered to incorporate Skyryse’s SkyOS universal operating system and fly-by-wire (FBW) controls in Cal Fire helicopters to enhance firefighting activities.

Skyryse has been working on FAA supplemental type certification of SkyOS and FBW controls for the Robinson R66, and recently launched a similar program for Sikorsky’s Black Hawk with the acquisition of an A-model Black Hawk. Cal Fire operates Sikorsky Firehawk helicopters, and these would be likely candidates for a Skyryse modification, although Skyryse is developing the SkyOS platform for a variety of aircraft types, including airplanes.

The SkyOS platform removes most of a helicopter’s original controls and replaces them with FBW controls that are managed with an intuitive user interface consisting of a single control stick and touchscreen flight displays. FBW controls enable a pilot to fly the helicopter through its full flight envelope with built-in protections that prevent exceeding limitations and without having to manage the pedals, cyclic, and collective.

A partnership ensued after Cal Fire personnel spent time at Skyryse’s El Segundo, California headquarters, trying out the SkyOS simulator. “They see this as an ability to not only make their mission more effective, not just through the inherent stability and the flight envelope protection, but to optimize water drops, and [consider] optionally piloted vehicles,” said Warren Curry, v-p of sales.

Dassault Selects Honeywell Aspire 350 Satcom for Falcons

Dassault Aviation has selected Honeywell’s Aspire 350 satcom system for continued deployment across its business jet lineup, with certifications now complete for Falcon 6Xs and 2000s. The Aspire 350 also will be available on the Falcon 8X this month, while the upcoming Falcon 10X will feature the system as a line-fit option. Honeywell is also developing supplemental type certificate solutions for aftermarket installations on Falcon 900s and 7Xs.

Providing dual functionality, the satcom system serves both cockpit operations and passenger connectivity requirements through the Iridium Certus satellite network. Honeywell recently achieved the first FAA technical standard order approval for a hybrid system offering integrated cockpit and cabin connectivity.

“We’re excited to work with Dassault to provide Falcon Jet operators with Aspire 350, which will enable high-speed, high-performance satcom capability for both flight crews and passengers,” said Steve Hadden, v-p and general manager of services and connectivity at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies.

For flight operations, the Aspire 350 enables real-time weather data, Future Air Navigation Systems datalink communications, and cockpit safety services. The system supports voice and data capabilities for pilots operating globally.

Passenger services include internet connectivity delivering up to 704 kilobits per second for email, messaging, conference calls, and web browsing applications. The system maintains consistent performance at cruise altitudes, providing office-level connectivity throughout flight operations.

Man Sentenced for Drone Flight over NFL Playoff Game

A Baltimore resident has been sentenced for violating restricted airspace by flying a drone over M&T Bank Stadium during an NFL playoff game on January 11. Alexis Perez Suarez, 43, pled guilty to the charge and received one year of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, and a $500 fine.

“Public safety is a top priority, so we’re committed to protecting our airways above mass gatherings,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes. “Suarez knew that M&T Bank Stadium was under a temporary flight restriction, yet he flew his drone into the airspace anyway, which is unacceptable.” FBI special agent Amanda M. Koldjeski added, “It is not just irresponsible and reckless, but illegal to fly a drone over a major sporting event such as a Ravens playoff game.”

The FAA had issued a temporary flight restriction for the game, prohibiting all uncrewed aircraft near the stadium. Temporarily suspending the game, the unauthorized drone flight prompted an investigation by the FBI and Maryland State Police. Suarez, who lacked FAA certification and registration, admitted to knowingly flying over the crowd and capturing several photos.

Officials emphasized that such violations carry serious legal consequences under the FAA’s zero-tolerance policy for drone use in restricted zones.

Air Care Alliance President Jim Hesseman Dies at 73

Jim Hesseman, president of Air Care Alliance (ACA) and an advocate for volunteer aviation, died June 24 following an illness, ending a career spanning more than two decades of public-benefit flying. Hesseman led ACA, which represents a network of volunteer pilot groups across the U.S., and personally flew missions for multiple organizations including Angel Flight West, PALS SkyHope, Pilots N Paws, Flights for Life, and White Feather Flights.

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) recognized Hesseman’s contributions with its 2023 award for outstanding achievement in the advancement of public benefit flying, describing him as “a volunteer pilot with generosity and compassion that exceeds all expectations.” Upon receiving the NAA award, Hesseman articulated his philosophy: “Do as much as you can, for as long as you can, for as many as you can.” The organization characterized these words as “a testament to the way Jim lived.”

“Jim believed deeply in the power of aviation to change lives,” ACA said. “Whether flying medical patients, transporting precious cargo, or giving grieving families a moment of peace in the sky, he approached every mission with humility, compassion, and care.”

ACA promotes missions of participating groups, encourages collaborative efforts, and maintains charitable aviation as a resource for those in need while promoting safety and best practices among volunteer pilots.

AVIATION SAFETY QUESTION OF THE WEEK

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RECENT ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTS

July 13, 2025
London Southend Airport, United Kingdom

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Fatal Accident
ACCIDENT REGISTRATION #: PH-ZAZ
MAKE/MODEL: Beechcraft King Air B200

July 11, 2025
Bettaforca, Italy

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Nonfatal
ACCIDENT REGISTRATION #: I-HBEP
MAKE/MODEL: Airbus Helicopters AS350B3

July 10, 2025
St. Simons Island, Georgia United States

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Incident
ACCIDENT REGISTRATION #: N67
MAKE/MODEL: Beechcraft King Air 300

July 10, 2025
Near Sungai Pulai, Malaysia

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Nonfatal
ACCIDENT REGISTRATION #: 9M-PHG
MAKE/MODEL: Airbus Helicopters AS355N

July 8, 2025
Nashville, Tennessee United States

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Incident
ACCIDENT REGISTRATION #: N54KJ
MAKE/MODEL: Eclipse 500

July 8, 2025
Wheeling, West Virginia United States

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Incident
ACCIDENT REGISTRATION #: N124H
MAKE/MODEL: Cessna Citation CJ2+

July 7, 2025
Baltimore, Maryland United States

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Incident
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MAKE/MODEL: Gulfstream IV-SP

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