ANAC, EASA Validate Citation M2 Gen2 with Autothrottles

Brazil’s ANAC and EASA have validated the certification of Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 equipped with Garmin autothrottles, opening those regions’ market for deliveries of the light jet. The autothrottles help M2 Gen2 pilots manage engine thrust to maintain target speeds, “reducing pilot workload during high-demand phases of flight such as climbs, descents, and approaches,” according to Textron Aviation.

The M2 Gen2 added new interior styling features as well as ambient accent lighting, illuminated cupholders, and an optional folding side-facing seat that converts into additional cargo storage. The copilot’s seat has three additional inches of legroom, and each cabin seat is equipped with USB-A and -C ports. Maximum passenger capacity is seven.

Powered by two Williams International FJ44-1AP-21 engines, the M2 Gen2 has a maximum cruise speed of 404 knots and a range of 1,550 nm. It can operate at airports with runways as short as 3,210 feet, according to Textron Aviation, and can climb to FL410 in 24 minutes. Avionics are a Garmin G3000 suite.

“For our customers, these validations unlock access to technology that helps simplify flying in some of the world’s most complex operating environments,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior v-p, sales and marketing. “The Citation M2 Gen2 with Garmin autothrottles delivers an intuitive cockpit experience, helping pilots manage workload with greater confidence.”

SyberJet Aircraft To Unveil SJ36 Mockup on October 19

On the eve of NBAA-BACE on October 19, SyberJet Aircraft plans to unveil a full-scale mockup of the SJ36, the latest iteration of the Ed Swearingen-designed light business jet that was originally FAA-certified as the SJ30-2 in 2005. The SyberJet World 2026 event will include a presentation on “the full design vision, program roadmap, and an exclusive early-owner incentive program,” according to the company.

SyberJet Aircraft, led by CEO Trevor Milton, purchased the program in 2023 and is redesigning the jet with fly-by-wire flight controls, an in-house-developed SyberVision avionics suite and emission-free APU, and a more spacious cabin.

The $14 million SJ36 will accommodate nine people, up from the SJ30-2’s seven occupants, with a four-foot stretch of the cabin. The cabin’s width and height are similar to the SJ30’s, although the cabin redesign will maximize the space using modern materials.

The SJ36’s Mmo is projected to be Mach 0.88, with a long-range cruise of Mach 0.74. Maximum altitude is the same as the SJ30-2’s—at FL490—as is the 12-psi cabin pressure differential, providing a sea-level cabin at FL410. Williams International FJ44-4A engines, each producing 3,621 pounds of thrust, will power the SJ36, an upgrade from the SJ30-2’s 2,300-pound-thrust FJ44-2A turbofans. Mtow is projected to be 18,500 pounds, and the SJ36 will have a range of 3,000 nm.

First flight of the SJ36 is projected in 2027, with FAA certification in 2032.

Wheels Up Focused on Fleet Growth with Premium Services

With a fleet transition completed 18 months ahead of schedule and a fresh capital infusion, operator Wheels Up is focused on doubling its Phenom and Challenger fleets and growing its Signature membership program introduced last fall, CEO George Mattson said. But Mattson also told AIN that once that scaling is complete, “We will continue to look for opportunities to expand into new categories that we currently serve on a charter basis, including larger-cabin aircraft.”

The operation has transformed in the past three years since Mattson took over the helm in the wake of the May 2023 departure of founder Kenny Dichter. This transformation also came as Delta Air Lines expanded its stake in the struggling operation in 2023 with a $500 million rescue package.

Since then, Wheels Up has streamlined its fleet, eliminating four jet types and adding two new ones, Embraer Phenom 300s and Bombardier Challenger 300s, that serve as the focus of the company’s in-house operations.

Helping boost its ambitions is $165 million in additional liquidity. “The new financing reinforces a strategy that was already well underway,” Mattson explained. Meanwhile, Wheels Up’s Signature program has grown to 800 members, representing one-third of its membership base and fueling the drive to expand the Phenom and Challenger fleets.

Mx Provider Altus Aerospace Hopes To Score at U.S. Open

With professional golf’s U.S. Open Championship slated to start later this month at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton on New York’s Long Island, private aircraft traffic into nearby Francis S. Gabreski Airport (KFOK) is expected to rise. To support that tempo of operations, Altus Aerospace will be providing dedicated on-field maintenance support throughout the four days of the tournament, which begins on June 18.

Based at nearby Long Island MacArthur Airport (KISP), Altus—an FAA Part 145-certified repair station as well as an Embraer authorized service center—offers scheduled maintenance support and service coordination for customers throughout the metro New York area, including engine overhaul and repair and avionics services. The company will position one of its mobile service vans and crew at KFOK and will provide AOG support, diagnostic troubleshooting, and line maintenance from factory-trained technicians.

“The U.S. Open brings a substantial increase in business aviation activity to the region,” said Dan Swerdlow, Altus Aerospace’s business development manager. “Our goal is to provide operators with immediate, reliable maintenance support to help keep aircraft moving safely and efficiently during a high-demand operating period.”

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Travel Groups Unite against DHS Talk of CBP Removals

Nearly 20 organizations, including NBAA and NATA, are urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to retain Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations at international gateway airports, warning that removing them would have nationwide consequences.

Signed on by groups ranging from Airports Council International—North America and Airlines for America to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Retail Federation, the statement comes in the wake of threats from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to remove CBP from airports located in cities that honor “sanctuary” policies.

When asked about the idea during a recent House hearing, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he had not seen the proposal, but in general, “We should not shut down air travel in states that don’t agree with our politics.”

The proposal has generated widespread opposition from the travel industry, and the groups collectively said in their statement, “Any reduction in Customs and Border Protection operations at major U.S. gateway airports threatens to cause unnecessary chaos throughout the nation’s air transportation system.”

The statement further notes that international aviation networks are highly interconnected, and such a change would have a ripple effect throughout the country. “Airports and airlines rely on stable, predictable federal inspection services to keep people and commerce moving safely and efficiently,” the organizations said. “We urge DHS to avoid actions that would create unnecessary operational and economic consequences for communities nationwide.”

Nicholas Air Launches Pilot Loyalty Jet Card Program

Nicholas Air has launched a program that awards personal jet cards to captains who reach 10 years of service with the private aviation operator. Under the program, pilots who complete a decade with the company receive a jet card granting access to the same tier of private travel they provide to passengers, flying as members rather than crew.

Phenom 300 captain Robert Milner is the program’s first recipient. Milner joined Nicholas Air in 2016 as a PC-12 captain after service in the U.S. Air Force, followed by work as a flight instructor, pipeline patrol pilot in the Cessna Caravan, and corporate operations manager in a Pilatus PC-12. He subsequently transitioned to the Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 as the company’s fleet evolved.

Milner, who is based in Houston with his wife and three daughters, will now be able to use his jet card to fly his family.

“The 10-Year Anniversary Jet Card Program is our way of thanking elite and tenured captains like Rob Milner who have dedicated years to upholding our uncompromising safety and service standards,” said Brian Portera, chief pilot at Nicholas Air.

Headquartered in Oxford, Mississippi, Nicholas Air operates under Part 135 and offers jet card and fractional ownership programs. The company describes itself as the largest independently owned private aviation provider led by its original founder and CEO.

FAA Dashboard Provides View into ATC Modernization

The FAA has rolled out a dashboard detailing more than 10,000 air traffic control projects ongoing throughout the National Airspace System (NAS). To be updated monthly, the dashboard provides descriptions of each project and how those efforts will improve the NAS. Also, the website includes an interactive map, a progress tracker, and a local impact search engine by location.

“The FAA is undertaking the most significant transformation of America’s air traffic control system in generations, and we are committed to being transparent and accountable every step of the way,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “The American people deserve a clear view of how these investments are being executed and the progress being made.”

Among the projects are the replacement of core infrastructure, radar, software, hardware, and telecommunications at 4,600 sites nationwide. This involves new radars, radios, surface surveillance systems, electronic flight strips, and voice switches. Alongside this, the FAA is replacing old copper telecommunications lines with fiber optic cable, wireless, and satellite technologies.

NBAA praised the effort. The industry group’s president and CEO, Ed Bolen, said, “This project is a national imperative, and the new, user-friendly dashboard is a helpful tool to monitor and measure the work being done to enhance the safety and efficiency of the NAS for all stakeholders and ensure that America remains the world’s aviation leader for decades to come.”

Security Specialist Warns of Bizav Cyberattack Threats

Smaller business aircraft operators generally lack the in-house expertise and management bandwidth to adequately protect themselves from cybersecurity threats, according to digital infrastructure specialist Cyviation. Last week, the company warned that cyberattacks on the aviation sector as a whole increased by as much as 600% in 2025, urging the industry to step up investment in protection.

According to Cyviation CEO Eliran Almog, smaller operators in private aviation need aircraft-specific cyber protection and risk management that does not require them to establish the sort of large security departments run by major airlines. The risks they face run through many aspects of the operation.

For smaller business aviation operators, the main gaps are usually around resources, processes, and third-party dependency, Almog told AIN. “They often rely on outsourced maintenance, external CAMO/management companies, connectivity providers, avionics shops, flight-planning tools, FBOs, and software vendors. Each of these creates a digital connection to aircraft operations, even if only indirectly.”

Cyviation urges clients to protect the aircraft connectivity systems and software, as well as laptops used for maintenance, electronic flight bags, crew devices, and flight planning systems. Requirements for increased cybersecurity are now being introduced through policies such as EASA’s Part IS rules.

“Maintenance data is especially important,” Almog explained. “Records, software part numbers, configuration files, avionics updates, aircraft health-monitoring data, and technical documentation all affect safety, compliance, and operational readiness.”

AVIATION SAFETY QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Which statement best reflects the philosophy of threat and error management (TEM)?

A. The primary objective of TEM is to eliminate human error in aviation operations.
B. TEM is primarily concerned with disciplining crewmembers who make operational errors.
C. TEM recognizes that threats and errors are inevitable and focuses on managing them effectively.
D. TEM applies only to multi-crew airline operations.

Take The Quiz

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