Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing&nbsp;(SMFL) is acquiring a 35 percent stake in helicopter lessor LCI and has committed to helping to grow the business by $1.5 billion in the near term.&nbsp;“LCI is delighted to expand and solidify its relationship with SMFL through this transaction. Together we intend to reinforce LCI’s position as a leading provider of leasing, financing, and investing solutions in the aviation industry,” said LCI CEO Jaspal Jandu.
Libra Group unit LCI first partnered&nbsp;with SMFL in 2020&nbsp;by&nbsp;launching a $230 million joint venture (JV)&nbsp;covering the purchase of&nbsp;19 helicopters. Subsequently, the JV has&nbsp;grown to cover&nbsp;over 50 aircraft valued at over $550 million. LCI has orders&nbsp;to expand its fleet to nearly 350 aircraft including substantial commitments to acquire 165 eVTOL aircraft from manufacturers Elroy Air and Beta Technologies.&nbsp;&nbsp;
“The investment by SMFL into LCI is the next step in what we hope will be a series of strategic collaborations across the helicopter and relevant industries, which enables both of us to further strengthen LCI’s business,” said Masaki Tachibana, president of SMFL.
“We expect to progressively grow and deepen our relationship with SMFL over the years,&nbsp;our long-term outlook and belief system are strikingly similar. The possibilities for collaboration are endless, from aviation to maritime&nbsp;to renewable energy&nbsp;and all that lies in between,” said George&nbsp;Logothetis, Libra Group executive chairman.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Sumitomo Takes Large Stake In Helicopter Lessor LCI 

Sumitomo Mitsui Finance, which acquired a 35 percent stake in LCI, intends to grow that business by $1.5 billion.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AmyWilder

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Italian aerospace and defense group grew revenues by 16.2% last year

Helicopter and Defense Divisions Boost Leonardo Earnings

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Group of investors fail to complete takeover of German company assets

Lilium Closes eVTOL Business As New Investment Falls Through

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Industry groups release new analysis showing growing economic impact

General Aviation Contributes $339B to U.S. Economy

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Swiss manufacturer delivered 153 aircraft in 2024, including PC-12s and PC-24s

Pilatus Boosts Revenues, Responds to Supply-chain Issues

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Helicopter and Defense Divisions Boost Leonardo Earnings

Italian aerospace and defense group grew revenues by 16.2% last year

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Industry groups release new analysis showing growing economic impact

Pilatus Boosts Revenues, Responds to Supply-chain Issues

Swiss manufacturer delivered 153 aircraft in 2024, including PC-12s and PC-24s

Eviation ‘Pauses‘ Alice Electric Aircraft While Seeking New Funds

30 staff at the Washington-based company were laid off last week

FlyExclusive To Acquire Jet.AI’s Aviation Assets

Jet.Ai to remain independent, spin off aviation business

Piper Aircraft Deliveries Soar Nearly 20% in 2024

M700 Fury launch contributed to growth in aircraft shipments last year

Archer Raises Capital To Exploit Military Demand for VTOL Aircraft

Meanwhile, ‘technical delays’ raise questions over efforts to relaunch Lilium’s eVTOL progradm

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