Michael Wildes
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Living a full life, building solutions in Aviation, Business, & Media. Founder: Drive Phase HoldCo., Pilot. Prev: B.Editor @FlyingMagazine
Articles by Michael Wildes
Democrats won Congress. What that means for business aviation
Before Democrats won Congress, a group of senators had already challenged how the IRS taxes a private flight. In one hypothetical example tied to a New York-to-Washington trip, an executive could report a taxable benefit of $235.77 for travel worth between $4,500 and $5,112, according to a Joint Committee on Taxation analysis cited by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse's office in September.
Used jets beat the factory queue. The resale math is the catch
Before a company president in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, bought a jet, he sent his economist to Nebraska. He had a King Air, a budget capped at $14 million and a request: a cabin in which he could stand up. According to Duncan Aviation’s published account, he expected roughly 250 flying hours annually for business and family travel. He wanted four years of costs compared across a Falcon 2000EX EASy, Falcon 900EX and Gulfstream G450 before choosing.
Treasury won't change SIFL, the private-jet tax rule senators call a loophole
On September 3, five U.S. senators — Sheldon Whitehouse, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, Ed Markey and Bernie Sanders — publicly challenged the Treasury Department over its decision to keep the Standard Industry Fare Level, or SIFL, the formula that sets the taxable value of personal flights on employer-provided aircraft. In their July 24 letter, the lawmakers argued that SIFL allows taxable values far below comparable charter prices.
ATI Jet sues Pratt & Whitney Canada. What does "priority access" buy?
ATI Jet says it joined an engine maintenance program partly so it would not have to buy its own spare engines. Then it bought three. The El Paso charter company says the purchases cost about $2.5 million. Its complaint put payments into Pratt & Whitney Canada’s Eagle Service Plan at more than $20 million over the relationship, according to ch-aviation’s account of the dispute. That is not proof that every program dollar was wasted. Those payments bought maintenance as well as rental support.
Sustainable aviation fuel was the bridge to net zero. Aviation is backing away
A pump fake works because the defender believes the shot is coming. You sell the motion, draw the commitment out of the man guarding you, and keep the ball. It buys everything the real shot would have, without the risk of taking it. Aviation ran that play on decarbonization for most of a decade.
Gulfstream stopped building the G650. That changed what a private jet is worth
A jet broker has a buyer with cash and a clear list of what he wants. A Gulfstream G650, built between 2016 and 2020, low hours, the right cabin layout. The order has been sitting open for weeks. Not because the buyer is picky. Because the airplane is almost impossible to find. At the start of 2026, you could count the G650s for sale anywhere in the world on one hand. About two were listed. There are more than 400 of them flying.
How the FAA Fined 11 Charter Operators $1.5 Million on Paperwork Alone
On June 3, 2026, the FAA proposed a $104,000 fine against Private Jets, Inc. of Bethany, Oklahoma. The reason was almost boring. According to the agency, a company pilot flew several trips in April 2025 without having taken or passed the required testing in the previous twelve months. Not to serve as pilot-in-command, not as second-in-command, and not for the type of aircraft he was flying. No crash. No near-miss. Just a pilot who wasn't current, flying anyway, with the records to prove it.
Before Business Aviation Bets the Cabin on Starlink, Read the Fine Print
On July 24, 2025, Starlink went dark for roughly 150 minutes; the flight time from Teterboro to Palm Beach. Reuters reported the outage hit tens of thousands of users, with more than 61,000 incident notices logged on Downdetector. SpaceX called it an internal software failure in key network systems. The most modern satellite network on Earth got taken offline by the same thing that ruins your office printer. Somewhere over the Atlantic, a Gulfstream cabin went quiet.
Business Trends to Watch in 2023
Business of Aviation Here's what we see on the horizon for 2023. There are four themes that will capture our focus in 2023, and in many ways, they are continuations of trends that stretch back for years. [Credit: Jim Barrett] If 2022 represented the return to normal, how would you describe the year ahead? I can think of four themes that will capture our focus this year. In many ways, they are continuations of trends that stretch back for years.
Blushi v. Garland et al
May 5, 2023 Filing 2 CIVIL COVER SHEET filed..(Wildes, Michael) May 5, 2023 Filing 1 COMPLAINT against Merrick Garland, UR JADDOU, Alejandro Mayorkas, SUSAN QUINTANA, Terri Robinson, USCIS. (Filing Fee $ 402.00, Receipt Number ANYSDC-27705877)Document filed by Erdet Skender Blushi.
Avionics Upgrades Go a Long Way
Garmin’s announcement in October that it acquired a supplemental type certification (STC) from the FAA for the GI 275 electronic flight instrument in the Dassault Falcon 7X business jet should give operators and pilots a reason to celebrate.
Dream Soars announces next chapter: building of career resource, talent pledge, advisory council and 'Uplink' podcast
Dreams Soar, Inc. unveiled the next phase in its mission Monday, on how to transform how the aviation industry inspires, connects and empowers professionals. The plans are underway to build an all-in-one aviation industry career-building resource called The Hub. Dream Soar is a nonprofit that led a historic solo flight around the world by pilot Shaesta Waiz, who is also the founder and current CEO of the company.
Approaching a New Airport
I admit flying into unfamiliar airports has caused me anxiety and confusion in the past. If the proverb is true that “familiarity breeds contempt,” new airports still command all my respect. I guess a big part of this is not knowing what to expect. Back at my home airport in Daytona Beach, Florida (KDAB), I’d mastered all the visual navigation aids that had come to serve as cues for my flying.
Moving on Up - FLYING Magazine
Even when you’ve had your private pilot certificate for some time, buying your first airplane can be tricky. Typically, potential buyers who’d like to go for faster single-engine equipment—even when they remain in the piston category—find that they have obstacles to overcome, to include qualifying for insurance. That was the case a few years ago when a long-time pilot friend told me she wanted to upgrade to a Beechcraft Bonanza that had come up for sale.
Hot Weather Takes a Toll
I remember saying to my student, “It’s finally August, Kevin, we’re almost there.” I was upbeat about our training progress and beaming with optimism that we’d be able to meet our goal. Kevin and I met for the first time in June. We were paired together for his initial commercial pilot training course. Doing my typical spiel, I told Kevin it was possible to earn his entire certificate before the end of summer.
Challenges and opportunities in Athens
The Mayor’s Summit Against Antisemitism, held in partnership with the Combat Antisemitism Movement, the Center for Jewish Impact, and the Jewish Federations of North America, met in Athens from November 30 to December 1. I was privileged to participate as a featured guest speaker, along with other mayors, deputy mayors, and municipal officials from cities around the world.
Embraer E195-E2 and E190-E2 Receive Type Certification in Canada
Aircraft manufacturer Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) announced today that its family of E2 commercial jets, which include the E195-E2 and E190-E2, received type certification from Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). The certification is the latest for the aircraft, which have also received certification from ANAC (Brazil), the FAA, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Joby Completes Second of Four System Reviews with FAA
Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) startup Joby (NYSE: JOBY) has successfully completed its second of four system reviews required as part of the FAA’s aircraft type certification process, the company announced this week. The step is a sign of progress for Joby after it told investors in November that it was delaying the commercial service launch of its eVTOL services until 2025, partly because of regulatory hurdles.
Challenges and opportunities in Athens
The Mayor’s Summit Against Antisemitism, held in partnership with the Combat Antisemitism Movement, the Center for Jewish Impact, and the Jewish Federations of North America, met in Athens from November 30 to December 1. I was privileged to participate as a featured guest speaker, along with other mayors, deputy mayors, and municipal officials from cities around the world.
Michael Wildes
Local, national and global Jewish life
Garmin G5000 Earns EASA Approval for Cessna Citation Excel, XLS
Garmin’s (NYSE: GRMN) G5000 flight deck for the Cessna Citation Excel and Citation XLS aircraft has officially received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification. A spokesperson for Garmin confirmed the news with FLYING after the company announced in October that approval was pending.
Aviation Attorney Presses FAA to Update Mental Health Policies
Aviation attorney Joe LoRusso is a “fierce advocate” for supporting pilot mental health and has made it his business to do so—at least that’s how he’d put it, based on his profile at Ramos Law. LoRusso is a lead aviation attorney at the firm, but before that, he was a pilot. The pilot-turned-lawyer recently joined BusinessAir TV, where he spoke with FLYING COO Preston Holland and Kaylee Nix about the state of mental health support in the aviation industry.
Boom to Lead New Powerplant Design for Supersonic Jet
Months after losing its primary engine manufacturer, Boom Supersonic is now leading a consortium of industry partners in designing a powerplant for its Overture supersonic airliner, it announced. Boom said it is leading the collaborative effort in developing the new supersonic engine—dubbed Symphony— alongside Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT) for engine design, GE Additive for additive technology design consulting, and StandardAero for maintenance for Symphony.
United to Purchase Up to 200 New Boeing Widebody Aircraft
United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) placed a firm order for 100 Boeing (NYSE: B.A.) 787 Dreamliners and an option to purchase 100 more, it announced Tuesday. The aircraft order is the largest ever placed by a U.S. commercial carrier for widebodies, United said. Deliveries are expected to begin between 2024 and 2032, and United will have the option of choosing among 787-8, -9, or -10 models.
Forward-Fit Avionics Sales in Q3 Highest On Record
During the first nine months of the year, global sales of business and general aviation avionics totaled more than $2 billion, the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) said in its recent third quarter report AEA said avionics sales increased 4.6 percent from the second to the third quarter this year, marking nine consecutive quarters of increasing sales, the association said.
Boeing Delivers First P-8A Poseidon Maritime Aircraft to New Zealand
Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the first of four P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to New Zealand in a ceremony at the Museum of Flight on Wednesday. The New Zealand Government entered into an agreement with the U.S. Navy for the P-8A aircraft in July 2018.
Senators Call Part 121 Aircraft Evacuation Standards ‘Unrealistic’
U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill Thursday that would require the FAA to publish new aircraft evacuation standards for Part 121 commercial aircraft, Reuters reported. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Tammy Baldwin co-sponsored the Emergency Vacating of Aircraft Cabin (EVAC) bill that would require future FAA evacuation simulations to include more realistic scenarios, including passengers across a wider age range and physical abilities, and with carry-on bags.
Pilatus Delivers First PC-12 NGX to Tradewind Aviation
Tradewind Aviation received its first PC-12 NGX from Pilatus during a ceremonial handover at the OEM’s U.S. subsidiary in Broomfield, Colorado. Pilatus and Tradewind Aviation executives were both present at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC) to celebrate the milestone, as the charter operator will take delivery of 19 additional PC-12 NGXs over the next five years. The company announced the deal in March.
Airbus to Miss 2022 Delivery Target - FLYING Magazine
Citing a “complex operating environment,” Aircraft Manufacturer Airbus announced on Tuesday that its target of producing approximately 700 aircraft in 2022 is now out of reach. Though it didn’t specify how much it would miss its target, the OEM said that the final figure would not be “materially short of the ‘around 700’ delivery target.” In 2021, Airbus delivered 661 aircraft to customers worldwide.
FAA Policy Allowing Airline Dispatcher Remote Work Under Fire
Lawmakers want the FAA to explain why it has allowed certain airlines to continue using a pandemic provision that allowed their dispatchers to work remotely. Representatives Peter DeFazio, the chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Rick Larsen, the chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee, wrote to acting FAA administrator Billy Nolen on Tuesday seeking clarification on the matter.
Xwing Joins FAA Study of Unmanned Systems Traffic Integration
Autonomous aircraft company Xwing has been selected to participate in a study of how commercial unmanned aerial systems, such as its forthcoming autonomous aircraft, would interact with general aviation traffic and in complex operating environments, it announced Thursday. The Crosscutting Operations Strategy and Technical Assessment (COSTA) project is spearheaded by the Federal Aviation Administration and also has support from NASA.
Volato Orders 25 HondaJet Elite IIs
Atlanta-based fractional jet and aircraft management company Volato is expanding its fleet. The company announced a new order of 25 HondaJet Elite II light jets, which upon delivery will stretch its fleet to more than 40 HondaJets. Deliveries will begin in 2023 and will be completed in 2025. HondaJet unveiled the new Elite II in October during the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Orlando, Florida.
Embraer Nabs Order for 5 E195-E2 Aircraft, Keeps Airline Secret
Aircraft manufacturer Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) announced today that it had secured a new firm order for five E195-E2 aircraft from an undisclosed airline “with exciting new plans for future growth.” The OEM said it will deliver four aircraft by the end of 2023, while the final aircraft will be delivered in 2024. The contract is valued at $389.4 million and adds to the manufacturer’s backlog.
NetJets to Add Bombardier Global 8000 to Fleet
NetJets will be the fleet launch customer for Bombardier’s Global 8000, adding the new platform to its already sprawling fleet of more than 850 aircraft, the aircraft manufacturer announced Wednesday. The long-time fractional company has placed a firm order for four Global 8000 aircraft valued at $312 million. Additionally, it converted eight existing orders for Bombardier products, the OEM said.
Memphis Airport Opens New Deicing Pads Ahead of Winter Season
Construction of 3.3 million-square-feet of new deicing pads at Memphis International Airport has been completed ahead of the winter season. The project, which included $174 million in FAA funding, is an example of federal investment into the modernization of a critical U.S. cargo hub, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The new deicing pads are large enough to accommodate a dozen wide-body cargo aircraft simultaneously, the Department Of Transportation said.
Denver International to Build Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation
Denver International Airport (DEN) revealed the mockups today of its forthcoming Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CEEA), a training center to create an aviation talent pipeline in Denver, especially for under-represented groups and young people. Construction is set to begin in late 2023.
IADA, 4AIR Partnership Focuses on Aircraft Environmental Impact
The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) is making it easier for its members to understand their environmental impact. Under a new partnership with sustainability solutions provider 4AIR, IADA-member aircraft owners will now have access to a free carbon assessment and exclusive discounts on voluntary programs and regulatory monitoring and compliance services, IADA said.
Jet It Pivots Away From HondaJet to Phenom 300
One HondaJet customer isn’t happy. In a scathing letter sent to its customers last Friday, Glenn Gonzales, the founder and CEO of fractional company Jet It, accused the Honda Aircraft Company of costing the company tens of millions of dollars due to its gaps in customer service. A Honda Aircraft Company (HACI) spokesperson told FLYING in a statementthat the OEM was aware of the Jet It CEO’s message to the company’s customers.
NTSB Welcomes New FAA Medical Rule for Hot Air Balloon Pilots
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it welcomed the new FAA ruling requiring commercial hot air balloon pilots to hold at least a second-class medical certificate when flying paying passengers, as is already required for commercial airplane and helicopter pilots. The FAA first proposed the rule in November 2021.
Wheels Up, AirMed Launch Medical-Travel Services Partnership
Wheels Up (NYSE: UP) announced Tuesday it is partnering with medical transport provider AirMed to bring a range of medical-travel services to Wheels Up members and their families. As part of the exclusive partnership, Wheels Up will launch a new membership tier that features the enhanced product offering from AirMed.
Neste Delivers More than 500,000 Gallons of SAF to LAX
Neste, the aviation fuel provider, continues expanding its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) network. Tuesday the company announced it delivered more than 500,000 gallons of My Sustainable Aviation Fuel supply to the Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX), boosting the supply of SAF at the airport. Neste said it worked closely with LAXFUEL to make the transfer possible. LAXFUEL is a group of airlines at KLAX that provide the jet fuel supply infrastructure for planes at the airport.
Ampaire Eco Caravan Conducts First Flight
The nine-seat regional aircraft Eco Caravan made its first flight using the fully integrated hybrid-electric propulsion system Friday, Ampaire announced. Ampaire said it expects its Eco Caravan to earn FAA certification in 2024, claiming it could be the first electrified regional aircraft to enter commercial service. The maiden flight launched from Camarillo Airport (KCMA), close to Los Angeles, early Friday morning. It was piloted by Elliot Seguin, who flew for 33 minutes.
EVTOL Startup Lilium to Raise $119 Million From Investors
German eVTOL developer Lilium N.V. plans to raise $119 million from existing shareholders, new shareholders, and strategic partners, the company announced. The company said it plans to raise the funding by issuing Class A shares priced at $1.30 per share. The fundraising campaign will end November 22. Lilium said in a statement that some investors committed to partaking in the fundraising campaign include Honeywell, Aciturri, LGT, Lightrock, Tencent, and B. Riley Securities.
Wheels Up, MAG Aerospace Launch Pilot Recruitment Partnership
Wheels Up (NYSE: UP) is partnering with MAG Aerospace, a Virginia-based military contracting company, as it looks to boost its pilot recruitment efforts. The on-demand private aviation company said this Pathway Development Program would allow current and former MAG pilots to move their employment to Wheels Up. Additionally, former MAG pilots who work for Wheels Up can take leaves of absence to complete MAG tours. Wheels Up said the shared pipeline would be beneficial to both organizations.
Aircraft Deliveries Up in Q3 Across All Segments: GAMA
Aircraft manufacturers have delivered 1,841 aircraft so far this year, representing an increase in deliveries across all segments, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s (GAMA) third-quarter shipping and billing report. The delivery trend also points to an increase in the overall value of the aircraft shipments, the association said in a statement.
Piedmont Airlines Offers $100K Pilot Bonuses
Piedmont Airlines is boosting pay packages to attract and retain pilots for the next two years as it eyes route expansion. The American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) regional carrier announced Wednesday that it is offering $100,000 upfront to pilots who can sit in the left seat of the flight deck, and $75,000 to pilots who are close to upgrading to captain. The bonuses, however, target pilots with specific levels of experience.
BOC Aviation Sues 16 Insurance Companies Over Russia Losses
BOC Aviation has become one of the latest aircraft leasing firms to launch legal action against insurers to recoup losses from airplanes stranded in Russia. The Dublin-based aircraft lessor, is suing 16 insurance companies, including Swiss Re, Chubb European Group, Lloyd’s of London, and AIG Europe, Reuters reported. BOC Aviation is a subsidiary of Singapore-based BOC, the largest aircraft leasing company in Asia.
Chinese Intel Officer Sentenced to 20 Years for Aviation Espionage
Chinese intelligence officer Yanjun Xu, who worked for China’s Ministry of State Security, was sentenced to 20 years in prison Wednesday after being convicted for attempting to steal trade secrets from U.S. aviation and aerospace companies. Federal Judge Timothy Black presided over the trial, which took place in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati. It’s a lesser sentence than the 25 years that federal prosecutors sought after a jury convicted Xu in November 2021.
CubCrafters Advances Towards Becoming a Public Company
CubCrafters, the light-sport, experimental, and backcountry aircraft company, could soon become a publicly traded company. The company announced Tuesday it earned a qualification through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to make a $50 million public stock offering. Using the exemption, the company said it would be the first time outside investors would have an opportunity to support the company.
Boeing Business Jets Joins IADA as latest OEM member
Boeing Business Jets (BBJ), a unit of Boeing (NYSE: B.A.), is now a member of the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), the business jet organization announced Monday. The move makes the aircraft manufacturer the most recent OEM to join IADA’s fledgling network of accredited aircraft dealers.
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