It is with deepest sorrow that Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics announces the passing of its former president and CEO, John W. Winter, on May 27, 2024, in Wichita, KS. Winter was a well-known and beloved member of the aviation community whose ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit helped shape the industry.

SmartSky, provider of inflight air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity for business aviation, announces that Aero Center Atlanta has joined the SmartSky dealer network as a sales and installation partner. With seven FBO locations across the U.S., Aero Centers is a full-service management, charter and FBO provider, which also offers Part 145 maintenance services, including connectivity upgrades for business aircraft, at the Atlanta location. 

Duncan Aviation showcases a Falcon 50 that was refurbished at its full-service maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Lincoln, NE. The aircraft arrived for paint and maintenance due to corrosion and other age-related issues that needed to be addressed for safety concerns.

Dedienne Aerospace, a provider of aerospace maintenance tooling, announces a pivotal license agreement with Lilium, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The collaboration underscores the shared vision of both companies to transform civil aviation through innovative technologies and operational performance.

West Star Aviation announces the approval of its next 25 apprentices selected for the new West Star Aviation Academy (WSAA) at its East Alton, IL (ALN), facility. WSAA was opened earlier this year in collaboration with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) as an initiative that aims to address the ongoing shortage of aircraft maintenance technicians in the industry.

TrustFlight Ltd. (TrustFlight), a technology provider focused on digitization of the aviation industry, announces the launch of its leading Centrik Safety Management System (SMS), Centrik 5. Centrik, used by over 70,000 aerospace professionals around the globe, is adopted by every segment of aviation, including advanced air mobility (AAM), airlines, airports, business aviation, MROs, OEMs, training organizations and regulators.

Global aviation training provider, CAE, confirms at EBACE 2024 that its new Vienna training center will be home to up to nine full-flight simulators (FFS), including the newly announced Embraer Phenom and Bombardier Challenger 3500 aircraft. This is in addition to the Bombardier Global 6000 Vision and 7500 announced last year. CAE will also be offering maintenance training in Vienna, Austria. The new center is scheduled to open in Q2 2025.

STS Aviation Services (STS), a division of STS Aviation Group and a global provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul solutions, announces the acquisition of UK-based engine MRO, GT Engine Services (GTES).

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) pays tribute to Paul Smith, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, who served in key leadership roles for the association. Smith passed away peacefully on May 10.

Neptune Aviation Services, a provider of aerial firefighting and aviation services, is awarded a multiple award task order contract (MATOC) by the United States Forest Service (USFS) with task orders for three BAe 146 aircraft for the 2024 wildfire season. All three task orders are for exclusive use and include a base year with four one-year options along with 160-day guaranteed mandatory availability periods (MAP). With this award and their existing contracts, Neptune’s entire fleet of nine airtankers are committed to exclusive-use contracts.