This article is based on an official press release from George J. Priester Aviation.

Maxair and Elite Jets Join George J. Priester Aviation

George J. Priester Aviation has announced the addition of two regional charter operators, Maxair and Elite Jets, to its growing family of private aviation companies. The strategic move, facilitated in partnership with Invision Capital, further consolidates the private jets market under one of the industry’s largest family-led networks.

According to the official press release, Maxair and Elite Jets will operate alongside existing legacy brands Priester Aviation, Mayo Aviation, Hill Private Aviation, and Omni Private Aviation. The integration aims to combine the specialized owned-aircraft charter expertise of the new additions with the broader aircraft management and ad-hoc charter capabilities of the George J. Priester Aviation group.

The collaboration builds on the collective group’s 80-year history of aviation services, aiming to provide enhanced charter opportunities and expanded access to experienced flight crews in markets across the United States.

Expanding the Fleet and Regional Reach

Strategic Geographic Additions

The inclusion of Maxair, based in Appleton, Wisconsin, and Elite Jets, located in Naples, Florida, strategically enhances the network’s geographic footprint. These additions complement the group’s established bases across the Midwest, Rocky Mountain West, Southeast, and South Central regions of the United States.

Despite the change in corporate structure, both Maxair and Elite Jets will maintain their regional focus. The company stated that both operators will continue operating under their historic brand names, preserving the local relationships and trust they have cultivated over the years.

Aircraft and Operational Synergies

The press release notes that the two companies will contribute 17 aircraft to the broader fleet, with nearly all of them available for charter services. The newly integrated fleet features a variety of premium business jets, including Embraer Phenom 300s, a Legacy 500, Gulfstream G200s, and a Gulfstream GV.

Company leadership emphasized the shared values and operational synergies driving the expansion. By sharing operational expertise and regional relationships, the group intends to strengthen service capabilities for both aircraft owners and charter customers.

“This partnership brings together organizations that share a passion in delivering high-touch ownerships and charter experience built on safety, service and long-term relationships,” said Chairman Andy Priester in the company’s press release.

“We’re honored to bring all of these incredible people and rich histories together. The strengths of the six companies make us all better, while retaining the unique qualities and connections that have served our regions so well,” Priester added.

AirPro News analysis

The acquisition of Maxair and Elite Jets by George J. Priester Aviation highlights a continuing trend of consolidation within the private aviation sector. By partnering with private equity firm Invision Capital to facilitate these agreements, George J. Priester Aviation is positioning itself to scale operations rapidly while mitigating the risks associated with losing regional brand loyalty. Maintaining the legacy names of acquired operators allows the parent company to absorb valuable assets, such as the 17 newly added aircraft, and experienced flight crews without disrupting the established client base in key markets like Wisconsin and Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

What companies are joining George J. Priester Aviation?

Maxair (based in Appleton, Wisconsin) and Elite Jets (based in Naples, Florida) are the latest operators to join the network.

Will Maxair and Elite Jets change their names?

No. According to the company’s announcement, both operators will retain their historic brand names and continue their regional focus.

How many aircraft are being added to the fleet?

The two companies bring a combined total of 17 aircraft to the broader fleet, including Embraer Phenom 300s, a Legacy 500, Gulfstream G200s, and a Gulfstream GV.

Sources

• George J. Priester Aviation

This article is based on an official press release from Business Jet.

Business Jet Completes Major Hangar Expansion at Dallas Love Field

Dallas-based private jets provider Business Jet has officially opened a new hangar complex at Dallas Love Field (KDAL), adding significant capacity to its existing footprint at the constrained airport. The company announced on March 4, 2026, that it has completed construction on two side-by-side hangars totaling 70,000 square feet, a project first unveiled in August 2025.

The expansion brings the family-owned company’s total presence at Love Field to more than 475,000 square feet of hangar and office space. The new facilities are located on the northeast corner of the airport and are already fully leased, underscoring the persistent demand for private aviation infrastructure in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Facility Specifications and Capabilities

The newly completed complex consists of two distinct structures designed to accommodate the largest purpose-built business jets currently entering the market. According to the company, the hangars feature 28-foot doors specifically sized for ultra-long-range aircraft such as the Gulfstream G700 and G800, as well as the Bombardier Global 8000.

Business Jet outfitted the facilities with modern utility infrastructure, including integrated pedestals providing compressed air, water, and multiple power configurations (208/480/115-amp). Additional features include epoxy-coated floors, LED lighting, radiant tube heating, and large-format fans for climate management. In a move toward modernizing ground support, the complex also includes electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

West and East Hangar Configurations

The two hangars serve different operational roles. The west hangar was developed for a single tenant and includes a custom floor plan with a conditioned hangar bay and high-end interior finishes. It also features a tip-up canopy-style door, which the company notes is a first for its campus.

In contrast, the east hangar is designed for multi-tenant use, incorporating seven individual office and shop spaces to support various flight departments. This mixed-use approach allows the provider to service both exclusive private operations and broader fleet needs within the same expansion phase.

Strategic Growth and Market Demand

This project represents the latest phase in Business Jet’s long-term development strategy at Love Field, where it now operates 19 hangars and two executive terminals across a 53-acre campus. The company stated that the expansion was driven by the need to better serve existing and prospective clients as regional traffic grows.

Chris Wright, Partner and CEO of Business Jet, emphasized the immediate absorption of the new capacity:

“We’re proud of the way this development seamlessly blends with our existing hangars, rounding out the northeast corner of the airport. We’re also excited to say the new space is 100% leased, reaffirming strong demand for hangar space at Dallas Love Field, specifically at Business Jet.”

AirPro News Analysis

The fact that Business Jet’s 70,000-square-foot addition was 100% leased prior to or immediately upon opening highlights a critical trend in the Dallas aviation market analysis. Dallas Love Field is a geographically constrained airport surrounded by dense urban development, making available land for general aviation expansion extremely scarce. As ultra-long-range jets like the Global 8000 begin deliveries, the requirement for larger door heights and deeper bays is rendering older hangar stock obsolete. Operators who can deliver modern, large-cabin infrastructure in these high-barrier markets are likely to see continued rapid absorption rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the new facility located?

The new hangars are located at the northeast corner of Dallas Love Field (KDAL), part of Business Jet’s 53-acre campus.

What aircraft can the new hangars accommodate?

The facilities feature 28-foot doors designed for large-cabin aircraft, including the Gulfstream G700/G800 and Bombardier Global 8000.

Is space currently available in the new complex?

No. According to the company’s announcement, the new hangar and office space is 100% leased.

Sources

• Business Jet

This article is based on an official announcement from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and background data regarding FAA survey methodologies.

NBAA Calls for Critical Member Participation in 48th Annual FAA Activity Survey

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has issued a strong call to action for its members to participate in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) 48th Annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey. As the primary instrument for gathering data on the general aviation (GA) fleet, the survey will cover operations conducted during the 2025 calendar year.

According to the association, the data collected in this survey is essential for accurately representing the industry’s size, safety record, and economic impact. The FAA uses these figures to determine funding allocations, assess infrastructure needs, and track safety trends across the National Airspace System. The survey is administered by the independent research firm Tetra Tech on behalf of the agency.

With the aviation landscape undergoing significant regulatory and operational shifts in 2025, industry leaders emphasize that accurate reporting is more critical than ever. The NBAA urges all selected participants, whether they flew hundreds of hours or none at all, to complete the questionnaire to ensure the general aviation sector is fairly represented in government statistics.

Why Accurate Data Matters for the Industry

The Annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey is the only official source of information regarding the composition and activity of the U.S. general aviation fleet. The data derived from this survey directly influences high-stakes decisions made by regulators and legislators.

One of the most critical applications of this data is in safety analysis. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) relies on the “total hours flown” metric derived from this survey as the denominator when calculating fatal accident rates. If flight hours are underreported, accident rates may appear artificially high, potentially leading to stricter regulations or misdirected safety initiatives.

Mark Larsen, CAM, the NBAA’s director of safety and flight operations, highlighted the survey’s role in a statement regarding the initiative:

“The GA Survey is a vital tool for understanding business and general aviation. It offers key insights into operations and helps evaluate overall system safety. It provides a look into the operations of specific sectors, and ultimately is useful in understanding system safety performance for general aviation.”

Beyond safety, the data dictates how federal funding is distributed for airport improvements, runway extensions, and service upgrades. It also provides the economic metrics used by industry lobbyists to demonstrate the footprint of general aviation in terms of jobs and investment.

Survey Logistics and Methodology

The FAA has tasked Tetra Tech with contacting a statistically selected sample of aircraft owners. According to survey documentation, the sample includes approximately 80,000 aircraft, representing roughly 30% of the total U.S. registered fleet. However, to ensure precision in high-impact sectors, the FAA employs a 100% sampling rate for turbine-powered aircraft, rotorcraft, and aircraft based in Alaska.

Selected owners are notified via email or postcard and can submit their responses online or through a mailed questionnaire. The NBAA and FAA emphasize that all responses are confidential. The data is used solely for statistical purposes and is not shared with enforcement branches to regulate specific operators.

Reporting “Zero Hours” is Crucial

A common misconception among aircraft owners is that they should ignore the survey if their aircraft was inactive. The NBAA explicitly advises members to respond even if they did not fly in 2025, sold the aircraft, or kept it in maintenance for the duration of the year. “Zero hours” is a valid data point that helps the FAA establish an accurate baseline for the active fleet versus the total registered fleet.

2025: A Year of Transition

The 2025 reporting period captures a unique moment in aviation history, making this year’s data particularly valuable. The industry navigated several major shifts that may be reflected in the operational data.

Most notably, the FAA’s Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule began taking effect in October 2025. This regulatory overhaul significantly altered certification, maintenance, and pilot training rules. The 2025 survey will provide the first set of operational data reflecting the early transition into this new environment.

Additionally, 2025 saw the introduction of stricter digital record-keeping requirements for maintenance compliance. These administrative changes, combined with lingering supply chain constraints, may have impacted operational tempos. Capturing these fluctuations is essential for the FAA to assess the real-world impact of its recent policy decisions.

AirPro News Analysis

The push for participation in the 48th Annual Survey comes at a pivotal time for general aviation advocacy. In our view, the transition to the MOSAIC regulatory framework represents one of the most significant changes to the airspace in decades. If the industry fails to provide accurate data for 2025, it risks allowing regulators to make long-term decisions based on incomplete assumptions about how these new rules are affecting flight activity.

Furthermore, as the turboprop market softened in 2025 while business jet deliveries rose, the disparity in flight hours between different sectors of aviation could widen. Accurate reporting from the “100% sample” groups, specifically turbine and rotorcraft operators, will be the primary defense against broad-brush regulations that do not account for the nuances of different mission profiles. We agree with the NBAA’s assessment: silence from operators is not neutral; it is a data gap that can be filled with unfavorable assumptions.

How to Participate

Members selected for the survey should look for invitations from Tetra Tech. Because these emails are sometimes filtered automatically, the NBAA recommends checking spam or junk folders. Questions regarding the survey or verification of participation status can be directed to Tetra Tech via their dedicated support line or email.

Sources:

• NBAA Official Announcement
• FAA General Aviation & Part 135 Activity Survey