Business Aviation
Desert Jet Expands to Colorado with New Hangars at Yampa Valley
Desert Jet manages two new hangars at Yampa Valley Regional Airport, expanding its services and addressing the regional hangar shortage.

This article is based on an official press release from Desert Jet.
Desert Jet Expands to Colorado, Managing New Hangar Complex at Yampa Valley Regional Airport
Desert Jet, the Thermal, California-based business aviation service provider, has announced its first major expansion outside of its home state. According to an official company announcement released on December 17, 2025, Desert Jet has secured an agreement to manage and operate two newly constructed hangars at Yampa Valley Regional Airport (KHDN) in Hayden, Colorado. The airport serves as the primary gateway for the popular Steamboat Springs ski destination.
The agreement marks a significant strategic shift for Desert Jet, which recently divested its charter subsidiary to focus exclusively on Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and maintenance services. By partnering with developers Wiens Real Estate Ventures and HDN Hangar Investment Group, Desert Jet aims to address a critical infrastructure gap in the Colorado high country while laying the groundwork for a future full-service FBO presence.
Addressing the High-Country Hangar Shortage
The expansion comes at a time of acute demand for private jet infrastructure in the region. According to data cited in the announcement, private jet operations at KHDN have surged by over 75% in the last five years. Despite this rapid growth, the airport has not seen the construction of new hangar facilities in nearly two decades, with the last significant additions completed in 2006.
The new development, which broke ground in September 2024, includes two heated hangars designed to withstand the harsh winter climate of the Rockies. Each hangar measures 28,800 square feet, creating a combined total of approximately 57,600 square feet of premium storage space. The facilities are scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025, timed to coincide with the 2025-2026 ski season.
Desert Jet emphasized that the facilities are engineered to accommodate the largest ultra-long-range business jets currently in operation, including the Gulfstream G800 and Bombardier Global 8000. This capability is essential for the high-net-worth demographic frequenting Steamboat Springs, who often require indoor, heated storage to prevent ice accumulation and protect sensitive aircraft systems during winter stays.
Strategic Pivot and Future FBO Ambitions
This expansion follows Desert Jet’s strategic pivot in September 2024, when the company sold its charter division to Advanced Air. That divestiture was intended to free up resources for expanding the company’s FBO and maintenance footprint. The KHDN project represents the first tangible result of that strategy.
Jared Fox, CEO of Desert Jet, highlighted the significance of moving into the Colorado market:
“We are proud to extend Desert Jet’s national reputation for service excellence to Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley. This expansion represents the next chapter in our mission to deliver the highest standard of aviation services to new destinations across the country.”
While the current agreement focuses on hangar management, providing secure storage and handling for based tenants and transient aircraft, Desert Jet has explicitly positioned this move as a “foundational step” toward establishing a world-class, full-service FBO. Currently, Atlantic Aviation holds the monopoly on full-service FBO operations at KHDN. Desert Jet’s entry introduces a potential competitor to the field, signaling long-term plans to compete for fuel sales and comprehensive ground handling services.
Tim Wiens, Principal of Wiens Real Estate Ventures, expressed confidence in the partnership:
“We are excited to partner with Desert Jet, whose reputation for excellence in aviation services aligns perfectly with our vision for Yampa Valley. This collaboration is a pivotal step in enhancing the aviation experience in this world-class destination.”
AirPro News Analysis
The entry of Desert Jet into Yampa Valley Regional Airport represents a classic “beachhead” strategy in the FBO industry. Breaking into an airport with an established incumbent monopoly, in this case, Atlantic Aviation, is notoriously difficult due to lease restrictions and space limitations. By securing management rights to independently developed real estate, Desert Jet establishes an operational footprint without immediately needing to build a fuel farm or terminal from scratch.
This move also reflects a broader industry trend where FBOs are decoupling from charter operations to specialize in high-margin ground infrastructure. With the “hangar shortage” affecting an estimated 71% of General Aviation airports nationally, companies that control the physical space for large-cabin jets hold significant leverage. If Desert Jet successfully transitions this hangar management contract into a full FBO license, it could significantly alter the pricing and service landscape for private aviation in the Colorado Rockies.
Sources
Photo Credit: Desert Jet
Business Aviation
Atlantic Aviation Breaks Ground on New FBO at Nashville JWN
Atlantic Aviation begins construction of a new executive FBO terminal and hangar at John C. Tune Airport, due Q4 2027.

Atlantic Aviation has officially commenced construction on a new executive fixed-base operator (FBO) terminal and hangar complex at John C. Tune Airports (JWN) in Nashville, Tennessee, expanding its infrastructure footprint in the region.
Announced in a press release on August 25, 2026, the project is slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2027. The development follows Atlantic Aviation’s successful bid for a new leasehold through a Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) request for proposals in May 2025 and complements the company’s existing operations at Nashville International Airport (BNA).
Facility specifications and infrastructure
The planned facility will feature a 7,500-square-foot executive terminal alongside a 37,000-square-foot hangar and office complex. To accommodate aircraft movement and parking, the project includes the development of approximately 175,000 square feet of new ramp space.
The infrastructure upgrades will incorporate a new fuel farm with a 60,000-gallon capacity for Jet-A and a 12,000-gallon capacity for 100LL aviation gasoline. According to the company, the design integrates Sustainability initiatives, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) focused elements, efficient building systems, and construction waste minimization strategies.
Strategic expansion in the Nashville market
Located eight miles west of downtown Nashville, John C. Tune Airport serves as a primary reliever for BNA and a key gateway for general aviation. MNAA President and Chief Executive Officer Doug Kreulen stated that the expansion marks a major step forward in strengthening access for the area’s growing general aviation community.
“By bringing world-class facilities and services to John C. Tune Airport, Atlantic Aviation is helping us position the airport for long-term success, and we’re excited for the expanded opportunities this Investments will create for our customers and for Middle Tennessee,” Kreulen said.
Atlantic Aviation Chief Executive Officer Jeff Foland described the start of construction as an exciting milestone for the Partnerships. The company previously opened a newly completed FBO facility at BNA in June 2024.
AirPro News analysis
We view Atlantic Aviation’s dual-airport Strategy in Nashville as a direct response to the region’s sustained economic and population growth. By establishing a modern presence at JWN just two years after securing the leasehold, the company is positioning itself to capture overflow corporate traffic that might otherwise face congestion at BNA. The inclusion of substantial ramp space and high-capacity fuel storage indicates an expectation of high-volume, large-cabin business jet traffic at the reliever airport.
Sources: Atlantic Aviation
Photo Credit: Atlantic Aviation
Business Aviation
Avcon Industries Delivers Modified King Air B200 for Mosquito Control
Avcon Industries delivered a modified Beechcraft King Air B200 to Lee County Mosquito Control District in Florida for aerial pest mitigation.

Avcon Industries, Inc. delivered its first specially modified Beechcraft King Air B200 equipped for large-scale mosquito mitigation to the Lee County Mosquito Control District in Florida on August 25, 2026.
In a press release, the Butler National Corporation subsidiary detailed the engineering modifications designed to support rapid airborne liquid dispersal for disease and pest prevention. The delivery provides the Florida district with a twin-engine turboprop platform capable of covering larger areas than traditional ground-based methods or smaller agricultural aircraft.
Engineering and modification details
The special mission modification centers on a removable external under-fuselage pod. The system incorporates an electric pump, aerodynamic fairings, and dispersal booms to facilitate repeatable fluid application.
Avcon Industries President Marcus Abendroth stated the project highlights the company’s capacity to integrate specialized mission systems into established airframes.
“The King Air B200 provides an excellent platform for this mission, and the solution developed by our team creates an opportunity to support similar mosquito-control and airborne dispersal requirements for other operators,” Abendroth said.
Operational impact in Florida
Mosquito mitigation remains a persistent public health requirement in Florida due to the climate and the associated risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. The Lee County Mosquito Control District utilizes aviation assets to manage these risks across extensive geographical areas.
Wayne Luettich, Aircraft Maintenance Manager for the district, emphasized the importance of the new platform for local residents.
“Mosquito control has become a significant effort in Florida. We have an important mission to mitigate the impact of the mosquitoes on our residents. We look forward to operating the Avcon-modified airplane and appreciate the Avcon engineering services,” Luettich said.
AirPro News analysis
We note that adapting business aviation platforms like the King Air B200 for public health missions reflects a demand for higher payload and extended range in aerial application. While single-engine agricultural aircraft excel in localized operations, twin-engine turboprops offer the speed and capacity required for county-wide vector control, particularly in coastal regions requiring rapid response to emerging public health threats.
Sources: Avcon Industries, Inc.
Photo Credit: Avcon Industries
Business Aviation
Embraer Phenom 300EV Earns Triple Certification With Autoland
Embraer’s Phenom 300EV receives ANAC, FAA, and EASA certification, becoming the first twin-engine light jet with Garmin Emergency Autoland.

Embraer has secured triple certification from Brazilian, United States, and European regulators for its Phenom 300EV, clearing the way for the aircraft to become the first twin-engine light jet equipped with Garmin Emergency Autoland. The August 25, 2026, announcement from the manufacturer’s Melbourne, Florida, facility marks the final regulatory hurdle before global deliveries begin.
In a press release issued Tuesday, Embraer confirmed that the Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), the FAA, and EASA have all certified the updated aircraft. The Phenom 300EV builds upon the Phenom 300 series, which has held the title of the world’s best-selling light jet for 14 consecutive years.
Integrating autonomous safety technology
The certification introduces Garmin Emergency Autoland to the twin-engine light jet segment. Previously, this autonomous safety system was restricted to single-engine turboprops and the Cirrus Vision Jet, according to reporting by Flying Magazine. The system is designed to take control of the aircraft, navigate to a suitable airport, and execute a fully automated landing in the event of pilot incapacitation.
Embraer integrates this capability through its Garmin G3000-based Prodigy Touch flight deck. Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, stated that the aircraft builds on the capabilities of the Phenom 300 series, “now enhanced through purposeful innovations that further elevate safety technology, best-in-class performance characteristics, and the customer experience.”
Performance upgrades and delivery timeline
While the airframe remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, the Phenom 300EV introduces specific performance and comfort enhancements. AVweb reports that the updated jet features a maximum zero fuel weight increase, providing 430 pounds of additional payload capacity. The aircraft maintains a maximum speed of Mach 0.80 and a range of 2,055 nautical miles with National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) instrument flight rules (IFR) reserves and four passengers.
Passenger comfort upgrades include a maximum cabin altitude of 6,600 feet. Embraer officially introduced the Phenom 300EV on July 14, 2026, focusing the evolution on avionics and cabin technology rather than a clean-sheet redesign. Following this triple certification, Flying Magazine notes that Embraer targets 2028 for the first Phenom 300EV deliveries.
Amalfitano characterized the regulatory approval as a reflection of the manufacturer’s engineering discipline.
“Achieving triple certification is a testament to the dedication of our teams and Embraer’s disciplined approach to engineering excellence and execution. With this important milestone achieved, we look forward to bringing the Phenom 300EV to customers worldwide and extending the remarkable reputation of the Phenom 300 series.”
AirPro News analysis
We view the rapid certification of the Phenom 300EV as a strategic maneuver by Embraer to defend its dominance in the light jet market. By securing ANAC, FAA, and EASA approvals simultaneously, the manufacturer avoids the staggered regional rollouts that often complicate global delivery schedules. The integration of Garmin Emergency Autoland into a twin-engine platform is particularly notable. It establishes a new baseline for safety expectations in the light jet category, likely pressing competitors to accelerate their own autonomous safety integrations. This follows Embraer’s successful triple certification of the Praetor 500E and 600E earlier in 2026, demonstrating a highly efficient regulatory compliance pipeline.
Sources: Embraer
Photo Credit: Embraer
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