GA Industry and FAA on Safety Pause

GA Industry Teams with FAA on National Safety PauseEighteen business and general aviation organizations, in collaboration with the FAA, launched the “2025 National Pause for General Aviation Safety” at the Sun’n Fun Aerospace Expo. The initiative encourages pilots to spend 15 minutes to an hour over the next six months reviewing safety materials on GAsafe.org, which hosts videos, articles, and other resources. An open letter from the initiative’s backers highlighted that GA accident rates have dropped 60% since 1994, from 1.73 to 0.68 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours. Despite improvements, many accidents remain preventable. The letter emphasized pilots’ responsibility to prioritize safety through disciplined preparation. Participation in the National Pause aims to enhance safety awareness by focusing on relevant operational risks.Airbus Boosts A220 Output with Mirabel Delivery CenterAirbus has begun delivering A220 regional jets from its new 75,000-sq-ft delivery center at the Mirabel production line near Montreal. Air Baltic recently took delivery of its 50th A220-300 at the facility, which has four aircraft stands and will support the airline’s expansion to 100 A220s by 2030.Benoît Schultz, CEO of Airbus Canada, called the center a key milestone in boosting productivity for the former C Series program, acquired from Bombardier in 2020. The facility, powered by low-carbon geothermal energy, includes customer amenities like conference rooms—one named after Rob Dewar, the “Father of the A220”. When asked about U.S. tariffs, Schultz emphasized Airbus’s mission to connect nations through aviation. The Mirabel operation is 75% owned by Airbus, with Quebec holding 25%. Combined with its Alabama plant, Airbus now produces six A220s monthly, with over 480 delivered globally to 24 airlines, serving 160+ million passengers.Survey Finds eVTOL Air Taxi Passengers Demand Fancy Cabin InteriorsA survey by Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), released ahead of next week’s Hamburg event, reveals that high-net-worth individuals in the UAE are eager to fly in eVTOL air taxis—but only with luxury cabin interiors. The study polled 250 executives earning over £250K/year, with 96.4% open to using eVTOLs, citing convenience (52.4%), novelty (49.6%), and eco-friendliness (47.6%) as key motivators. Respondents demanded culturally sensitive Gulf-inspired designs, with 98% expecting bespoke interiors featuring customizable colors, lighting, and entertainment for sub-20-minute flights. Nearly half also requested flexible family seating, despite most eVTOLs seating four or fewer passengers. Notably, 83.6% called current business jet cabins outdated, presenting an opportunity for innovation, said AIX director Archana Dharni. The expo will spotlight next-gen eVTOL interiorstailored to elite travelers’ expectations.Cirrus Launches Upgraded IQ App with PRO SubscriptionCirrus Aircraft unveiled its revamped Cirrus IQ app at the Sun’n Fun Aerospace Expo. The iOS-based digital management tool features a streamlined interface for monitoring aircraft systems including fuel, fluids, battery health and flight hours via iPhone or My Hangar portal. The new IQ PRO subscription offers SR20/22 and SF50 Vision Jet owners enhanced capabilities: real-time status updates, maintenance management, flight summaries, and beta pilot approach scoring. CEO Zean Nielsen called it “a powerful tool” improving safety and convenience. Key PRO features include remote aircraft synchronization, flight purpose categorization , data export for accounting or debriefing, approach stability scoring, digital inspection tracking, and access to technical publications. Pricing will be announced later this year.Kentucky’s Barkley Regional Airport FBO Under New ManagementBarkley Regional Airport (KPAH) in West Paducah, Kentucky, has transitioned its sole FBO to new operator Airport Management Solutions (AMS) after 30+ years under Midwest Aviation. Rebranded as Four Rivers Aviation, the facility joined Avfuel’s network while maintaining its 7,700-sq-ft terminal with lounges, kitchenette, crew cars, and 23,000-sq-ft of hangar space for light jets. AMS-selected over three competitors-operates four other FBOs across the South and Midwest. Former operator Midwest Aviation shifted focus to maintenance at nearby Mayfield Graves County and Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois. Airport director Dennis Rouleau announced upcoming 3 million terminal renovations and a 2 million fuel farm replacement, signaling continued investment in the facility.