Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based VIP Completions today provided an update on its operations along with an outlook for 2024 activities that include a Boeing BBJ refurbishment.&nbsp;Now operating with full hangars, the company also expects to convert a Gulfstream G550 from a business aircraft to a Medevac air ambulance and perform a full interior refurbishment of a Dassault Falcon 7X.
“These are all big projects,” said VIP Completions president Ben Shirazi. “Working on corporate airliners and long-range business jets gives our team the opportunity to transform and revitalize aircraft. Comprehensive refurbishments dramatically improve the in-flight experience while increasing the value of our clients’ assets.”
While industry consensus appears to indicate a 2 percent growth rate this year, resulting in the delivery of 775 new-production business aircraft, a return to pre-pandemic “reality” and a largely recovered supply chain seem to point to a period of stability, according to VIP Completions. &nbsp;
“Looking specifically at preowned business aircraft, we anticipate a slight softening in pricing this year,” said Shirazi. “However, that can be beneficial for refurbishments and conversions because buyers will take a closer look at value. In turn, owners may decide that upgrading their current aircraft is more attractive than putting it on the market. For these reasons, we believe that refurbishments and conversions will remain quite strong…we are feeling optimistic.”

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.

VIP Completions Reports Strong Start to New Year

Heading into 2024, the company’s hangars remain full

VIP Completions' activities in 2024 will include a major refurbishment of a Boeing BBJ and a conversion of a Gulfstream G550 to a medevac configuration.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

Extension goes to six years or 4,000 flight hours, whichever is first

Hartzell Lengthens Warranty on Props for Raisbeck King Airs

Curt Epstein

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

The addition will support Flightstar’s MRO growth

Illinois MRO/FBO Flightstar Expands with New Hangar

Combines component repair and overhaul and parts services companies

Jet Parts, DAS Aviation Merger To Improve Efficiency

Amy Wilder

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.

Installation supports ISR and law enforcement missions

SEA Adds Mission Console and Sensor Mount for Caravan

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 about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

New customer support leader Lor Izzard is building on earlier improvements

Gulfstream Steps Up Investment in Customer Support

Kerry Lynch

Industry experts caution on the need for a full pre-buy and one that is carefully laid out

Back on the Plate, Pre-buys Still Face Post-covid Challenges

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

In this article

Falcon 7X/8X

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Hartzell Lengthens Warranty on Props for Raisbeck King Airs

Extension goes to six years or 4,000 flight hours, whichever is first

Illinois MRO/FBO Flightstar Expands with New Hangar

The addition will support Flightstar’s MRO growth

Jet Parts, DAS Aviation Merger To Improve Efficiency

Combines component repair and overhaul and parts services companies

SEA Adds Mission Console and Sensor Mount for Caravan

Installation supports ISR and law enforcement missions

Gulfstream Steps Up Investment in Customer Support

New customer support leader Lor Izzard is building on earlier improvements

Back on the Plate, Pre-buys Still Face Post-covid Challenges

Industry experts caution on the need for a full pre-buy and one that is carefully laid out

Kazakhstan Approves China’s ExecuJet Haite for Maintenance

Beijing-based MRO provider has its first approval in Central Asia

Turbulence Canceling Technology Could Make the Skies Smoother for Aircraft

Active control surface system cancels turbulence effects.

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