In May 2026, a federal court of appeals handed Flight Options (now an affiliate of fractional operator Flexjet) a victory in a long-running dispute over federal excise tax on fractional-program fees. The IRS sought payment of $39 million (which included interest and penalties) for Flight Options’ failure to collect 7.5% federal excise tax (FET) on fractional program monthly management fees (and membership fees for a now-defunct jet-club program). It’s important […]
Sometimes the most valuable innovations on the ramp aren’t about making equipment bigger—they’re about making it smarter, easier to use, and more adaptable to the job at hand. That’s exactly what makes the new TLD NBT-ER electric belt loader such an exciting addition to the AERO Specialties lineup. Designed for business aviation, regional airline operations, and narrow-body aircraft, the NBT-ER combines the functionality operators expect from a full-featured belt loader […]
Los Angeles County is a popular destination for private aircraft. A hub for the entertainment and aerospace industries, the county counts nearly 10 million people as residents. LAX, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Burbank, Hawthorne, Torrance and Santa Monica are the primary airports used by private aviation. Many (most?) aircraft that are available part-time for Part 135 charter to the public end up visiting L.A. County. In March 2026, the L.A. […]
The culture of an operation is vital to its success. Safety culture is a subset of the overall culture and can have a profound impact, good and bad. A mature operation will want to take the pulse of its personnel routinely to make sure that what it believes ‘to be’ is actually ‘what it is’, and if there are simmering problem areas, be proactive to address them before they become […]
In the aviation industry, customer service goes far beyond providing a service or completing a task. It is about creating an unforgettable human experience. For many passengers, an FBO becomes a recurring touchpoint in their lives. If someone flies once, chances are they will fly again. That is why it is so important to identify repeat customers and build genuine relationships with them. The strongest service experiences happen when customers […]
We’re excited to share the third issue of The Strategic Connection for 2026—arriving just ahead of Schedulers & Dispatchers, your go-to source for the latest updates across the Paragon Network®. In this special pre-event edition, explore key network developments, partner highlights, and important updates as we prepare to connect in Cleveland. From recent milestones to ongoing initiatives, this issue captures the momentum leading into one of the industry’s most anticipated events. […]
We’re excited to share the second issue of The Strategic Connection for 2026—your monthly source for the latest updates, partnerships, and progress across the Paragon Network®. In this edition, discover recent network developments, partner highlights, and marketing initiatives continuing to build momentum into the year. From collaborative successes to strategic growth across our community, this issue reflects the ongoing strength and evolution of the Paragon Network. Stay informed, stay connected, and […]
In aviation, progress has always come from learning, especially learning from each other. Pilots learning about approach and departure nuances at airports they’ve never been to, Maintainers getting a helpful tip from a fellow AMT, and Schedulers and Dispatchers learning about customs and airport services at a trade show or online forum are all examples of where the information sharing that occurs in Business Aviation is a real thing. This […]