Gulfstream Aerospace, Jet Aviation Continue To Soar in Q3

Third-quarter revenues at General Dynamics’ aerospace division—composed of Gulfstream Aerospace and Jet Aviation—climbed 9.3% from a year ago to nearly $3.54 billion, thanks to higher jet deliveries and a more favorable mix of jets at Gulfstream and an elevated aircraft services business at both subsidiaries, the parent company reported on Friday. Aerospace unit earnings in the quarter soared by 19.3%, to $513 million. For the first nine months, the division reported $10.34 billion in revenues, up 10.9% year over year (YOY), and earnings of $1.516 billion, up 19.8%.

Gulfstream delivered 40 jets (five super-midsize G280s and 35 large-cabin models) in the quarter and 119 aircraft (18 G280s and 101 large cabins) in the first nine months. This compares with 39 (six G280s and 33 large cabins) and 113 (18 G280s and 95 large cabins) aircraft shipments in the respective periods last year.

Notably, the 33rd Gulfstream G800 was handed over in the last quarter, said General Dynamics president Danny Deep, who will also take over the CEO title from retiring Phebe Novakovic on January 1.

Meanwhile, aerospace backlog climbed by about $1.5 billion quarter over quarter, to nearly $25.4 billion. Book-to-bill was 1.4:1 in the third quarter, up from 1.3:1 in the same period a year ago. Deep said demand for Gulfstream jets remains robust despite geopolitical and interest rate concerns.

Florida Learjet Crash Claims Nine Lives

A Bombardier Learjet 60 crashed around 1 p.m. on Sunday near Palm Beach, Florida, killing all nine on board. According to FAA records, the aircraft is registered as N722BD to LR60271 LLC, a Delaware shell company.

The 2004-vintage twinjet departed from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) in Texas and was en route to North Eleuthera Airport (MYEH) in the Bahamas, when its pilots issued a mayday call describing a rapid loss of altitude. In previous conversation with air traffic control, the pilot described managing an icing situation, moderate turbulence, and precipitation, and asked the controller if there were “any better rides” in the airspace ahead as they requested a climb to 37,000 feet.

Immediately after acknowledging the approval to climb, the pilot told ATC the airplane was descending at 10,000 fpm. She urgently added that the aircraft “was in an overspeed condition” and descending at 20,000 fpm. Thirty seconds later, the pilot’s radio call ended with “we’re out of time,” as ATC attempted in vain to reestablish radio contact.

NTSB investigators are on the scene and will be providing information as the investigation proceeds.

NetJets Plans Major Expansion of Columbus Headquarters

NetJets is significantly expanding its global headquarters complex in Columbus, Ohio, with plans to add more than 365,000 sq ft. Announcing the expansion this morning, the fractional ownership provider said the project will accommodate future growth, as well as meet customer demands and evolving expectations.

Slated for completion in early 2029, the project will include constructing two buildings to provide additional office space and a dedicated training center for NetJets crews. NetJets is also adding a parking garage and expanded dining and event facilities, among other improvements.

In tandem, NetJets plans to hire about 800 more people by the time the expansion is complete, bringing its workforce in central Ohio to about 3,200.

The project continues NetJets’ multiyear investment in Columbus. In June, the company completed renovations of the 85,000-sq-ft facility housing the NetJets Flight Center. That project added collaboration areas and upgraded the technology in the center.

Columbus developer Daimler and Cleveland architectural firm Vocon are working with NetJets on the expansion, which will be completed in phases in the coming years and is subject to legal and regulatory approvals. NetJets praised state and local authorities for their cooperation on the project.

Jet Mentis Launches Charter Broker Training Foundation

Jet Mentis Academy has launched a program to train new private charter flight brokers. The U.S. professional education group started accepting enrollments yesterday for the Jet Mentis Charter Foundation, which will offer 14 self-paced learning modules, each with its own exam.

According to Jet Mentis, the training has been devised by its founder and president, Adam Juckett, who is a director of operations with an FAR Part 135 charter operator. Louisiana-based Jet Mentis said the initiative is in response to the lack of a registration process for the Part 295 rules put into effect by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2019 that set broker disclosure, advertising, and refund requirements.

Juckett said charter brokers have had difficulty in finding structured training. He pointed out that the Air Charter Association’s broker qualification is assessment-based and only available to employees of member companies, while the Argus Certified Charter Broker program audits broker companies rather than credentialing individuals.

The new program will prepare students for the Jet Mentis Certified Broker credential. Key topics covered include the legal distinctions between Part 91 and Part 135 operations, preparing quotes, and relationships with operators and clients.

Jet Mentis said the standard tuition cost is $3,995, but the first 15 students to sign up will get a discounted rate of $2,495.

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Threshold CEO Snags Fourth City-pair Speed Record in G550

Threshold Aviation Group CEO Mark DiLullo flew a Gulfstream G550 from Narita International Airport (RJAA) in Japan to Green Bay, Wisconsin (KGRB), to secure his fourth city-pair speed record. DiLullo flew as pilot-in-command with Jerry Perez and Travis Holland trading places as second-in-command.

The flight took 10 hours 31 minutes and covered 6,344 nm at an average groundspeed of about 600 knots. The record flight has been submitted to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

To achieve the record, the pilots climbed steeply to reach cruise altitude as quickly as possible but leveled off at lower altitudes to be able to fly at higher true airspeeds. Air traffic controllers assisted when the crew asked for shortcuts from the standard great-circle route to cut down distance. The pilots entered “world record attempt” in the remarks section of their flight plan to help facilitate priority and direct routing from air traffic controllers.

“The tactical execution relied heavily on real-time data synthesis. Throughout the flight, the crew cross-referenced manual calculations with side-by-side computer flight-planning models. This allowed them to constantly recalibrate their altitude and routing based on shifting jet stream wind strengths,” according to Threshold Aviation.

Daher Touts Kodiak, TBM at Firefighting Conference

Seeing growing interest in aerial firefighting support and multimission applications, Daher Aircraft exhibited the Kodiak 900 during the Canadian Wildfire Conference last week in Kelowna, British Columbia, and highlighted the capabilities of the Kodiak 100 and TBM 980. These aircraft have been flown on the front lines of wildfire response in both the U.S. and Canada, providing aerial supervision, coordinating airtanker drops, and supporting real-time situational awareness during those missions, Daher reported.

The Kodiak models are supporting aerial firefighting and multimission needs, while the TBM has entered service as an airborne command-and-control platform, used for monitoring fire zones, assessing risks, and helping with deployment strategy for water/retardant by airtankers, the airframer added.

Daher pointed to the recent introduction of a Kodiak 100 Series III into the U.S. Forest Service fleet. That aircraft underwent a comprehensive systems integration at Daher’s Sandpoint, Idaho facility, where the Kodiak lines are built. This included the installation of a Canyon AeroConnect digital communications control system, which connects the pilot, copilot, and cabin operator console.

In addition, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation received a Kodiak 900 with communications-focused integration to support aerial fire attack, personnel transportation, and conservation-related activities. The Conair Group acquired and converted two TBM 960s into airborne command-and-control platforms to coordinate airtanker drops and provide real-time oversight during aerial firefighting operations.

Canada Approves Flyte for Cross-border Charter Trips

Flyte Aviation can now offer charter flights into and out of Canada, following Transport Canada approval. With a fleet of Cirrus single-engine Vision Jets, the air charter firm plans to connect the Northern and Northeastern U.S. with Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa.

Flyte’s other international destinations include the Caribbean, and it plans to add more locales where flying in a Vision Jet is more advantageous than commercial travel. This is especially true for shorter journeys, according to the company, “where airport congestion, connecting flights, and ground transportation often add substantial trip time and complexity.”

In May, Flyte launched a charter brokerage service, which now has more than 20,000 users. The company’s preliminary third-quarter revenue is estimated at $2.1 million, more than double that from the previous quarter.

“Expanding into Canada is an exciting milestone for Flyte as we build out the much larger aviation network we envision,” said Flyte Aviation chairman and CEO David Jenkins. “Canada is a natural extension of our growing U.S. network, and we anticipate this expansion will open meaningful opportunities to serve customers traveling between major business, leisure, and cultural destinations across North America.”

Textron Aviation Opens Hands-on Flight Exhibit in Wichita

Children can explore a Cessna Citation business jet and look up at a Beechcraft Staggerwing mounted atop a control tower at Exploration Place in Wichita, where the Textron Aviation Flight Adventure opened to the public last week.

The attraction is built around physical exploration, using aircraft tied closely to the city’s manufacturing history. Textron Aviation said entering and handling the airplanes is meant to inspire children to picture their own futures in the industry.

“Aviation is deeply connected to the people and history of Wichita,” said Maggie Topping, senior v-p of human resources and communications for Textron Aviation. “The Flight Adventure gives families a new way to connect with that legacy while introducing more children to an industry that continues to shape our community.”

Textron Aviation cast the project as an extension of its ties to the city and of its spending in the communities where its workforce lives and works. Sharing the experience as a family, it said, helps pass Wichita’s aviation heritage to longtime residents and first-time visitors alike. Employees and their families toured the space together before it opened to the public.

AVIATION SAFETY QUESTION OF THE WEEK

The terms solid contaminant, loose contaminant, and deformable contaminant are associated to which aviation-related phenomena?

A. Aviation fuel contamination, when fuel is sourced in bad weather conditions.
B. Wing leading edge contamination, such as insects.
C. Runway contamination.
D. Windshield contamination.

Take The Quiz

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RECENT ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTS

November 1, 2026
Greenacres, Florida United States

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Fatal Accident
ACCIDENT REGISTRATION #: N722BD
MAKE/MODEL: Bombardier Learjet 60

October 30, 2026
Near Chayee, India

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Fatal Accident
ACCIDENT REGISTRATION #: VT-HCX
MAKE/MODEL: Airbus Helicopters AS350B3e

October 29, 2026
McMinnville, Oregon United States

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Fatal Accident
ACCIDENT REGISTRATION #: N704RH
MAKE/MODEL: Airbus Helicopters AS350B3

October 28, 2026
Jeffersonville, Indiana United States

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Incident
ACCIDENT REGISTRATION #: N244LJ
MAKE/MODEL: Bombardier Learjet 35

October 24, 2026
Rome, Italy

REPORT TYPE: Preliminary
INCIDENT TYPE: Nonfatal
ACCIDENT REGISTRATION #: N103FX
MAKE/MODEL: Gulfstream G700

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