National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) president and CEO, Ed Bolen, issues the following statement in response to the administration’s continuing calls for privatizing the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system. The president’s renewed call for ATC privatization was included in a set of transportation-infrastructure spending “principles” advanced by the president at the White House.

Duncan Aviation announces Scott McKenzie is taking over the administration of all OEM aftermarket warranty programs. In addition to his current responsibilities as an avionics tech rep for Duncan Aviation Components Services, McKenzie will assume the duties as Aftermarket Warranty Program administrator, overseeing contract sales, organization and administration of the company’s HAPP (Honeywell Avionics Protection Plan), Honeywell MPP (Mechanical Protection Plan), Rockwell Collins CASP (Corporate Aircraft Service Program), and Universal Avionics Flight Assure aftermarket warranty programs.

CSI Aviation, a New Mexico-based, international air charter and aviation logistics company, announces it has received the Pro Patria Award for its exceptional support for employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The Pro Patria Award is presented by the New Mexico Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), the state committee charged with supporting America’s part-time citizen-soldiers in the workplace. The Pro Patria Award is the highest level award that is bestowed by the New Mexico ESGR.

West Star Aviation receives FAA Part 145 repair station certification for its Denver satellite location at Centennial Airport (APA). West Star Aviation's Denver location opened in 2014, providing aircraft maintenance and support for Denver metropolitan airports. As a satellite location, APA offers avionics repairs, maintenance troubleshooting and other services.

The Trump Administration releases its full budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2018, including recommendations for funding the Federal Aviation Administration. The proposal reduces FAA funding by almost $300 million below current levels for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The proposal also assumes the creation of a separate air traffic control corporation beginning in FY2021.

Duncan Aviation announces it has received its eighth Falcon 7X 1C inspection aircraft at its Battle Creek, MI, MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility this week, only 16 months after receiving its very first at its Lincoln, NE, facility in January 2016. The company has confirmed commitments for more inspections through January 2018 at both facilities.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation announces the first, fully outfitted Gulfstream G500 test aircraft made its European debut by setting a city-pair record from Savannah to Paris. The aircraft flew between the two cities in 7 hours and 40 minutes, covering the 3,788-nautical-mile/7,015-kilometer distance at an average speed of Mach 0.90.

Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, prepares to debut its new super-midsize Cessna Citation Longitude to the European market at next week’s European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. In addition to the Longitude, the company will showcase many of its class-leading Citation business jets and turboprop platforms.

The European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA’s) deadline for upgrading to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) is approaching quickly. Aircraft must be equipped with a GPS position source (such as a certified WAAS GPS antenna) and a 1090-megahertz Mode S Extended squitter transponder to relay information to air traffic control (ATC). Duncan Aviation encourages its European, Middle-Eastern and African-based (EMEA) customers to contact its alliance partner, JetSupport, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and schedule their upgrades as soon as possible in order to avoid the last-minute rush. Owner/operators who need to retrofit their aircraft have until midnight on June 6, 2020, to meet the terms of the mandate. As the deadline nears, hangar space and skilled avionics technicians will be at a premium, and costs will likely rise. 

Blackhawk Modifications, Inc., a provider of aftermarket PT6A engine upgrades for turboprop aircraft, announces the new Blackhawk Vx Engine+ Upgrade package for the Cessna Caravan. This package is comprised of lightweight components to maximize efficiency, thereby lowering maintenance and overhaul costs.