DAS Aviation, an FAA Part 145 Repair Station known for its structural and composite repair services, has officially expanded its portfolio to include landing gear repair, overhaul, and exchange programs for business jets. According to a company press release, the strategic move is designed to meet growing industry demand for rapid and reliable landing gear solutions.

To accommodate the new capabilities, the company has dedicated more than 90,000 square feet of tooling-enabled operational space across two of its strategic locations. This expansion positions DAS Aviation as a more comprehensive component repair partner for business aviation operators facing tightening replacement part availability.

Expanded Capabilities and Supported Aircraft

The newly announced services cover a wide array of popular business aircraft. In its official announcement, DAS Aviation detailed that its repair and overhaul capabilities now support platforms such as the Embraer Phenom 100 and 300, the Praetor 500 and 600, and the Legacy series. The company also covers Bombardier’s Challenger and Learjet families, alongside all King Air models.

Additionally, the company has introduced exchange programs for several Dassault Falcon models, the Bombardier Global series, the Gulfstream IV, and the Piaggio P180 Avanti. To ensure technical reliability across these platforms, DAS Aviation stated it has deployed a team of 25 engineers dedicated to the expanded landing gear programs.

Looking ahead, the company plans to further invest in advanced plating technologies. These planned investments include chrome, CAD, zinc-nickel, electroless-nickel, and high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) plating, which the press release notes are critical for enhancing component longevity as aircraft age.

Leadership Perspectives and Industry Impact

Company executives emphasized that the expansion aligns with their broader goal of reducing turnaround times for operators. Dan Podojil, Senior Vice President of DAS Aviation, noted in the release that the new capabilities allow the company to deliver rapid, engineering-backed reliability to its customers.

“Turn time and return to service, along with safety, are our core focus. We are a business built on solutions, and this expansion exemplifies our focus on being the business aviation leader in landing gear support and reducing turnaround times,” Podojil said in the company statement.

Jon Hein, the company’s Landing Gear Contact, added that integrating these services provides true full-service coverage for their clients.

“This expansion is a milestone for DAS Aviation and for our customers who require faster, more reliable landing gear support. By aligning our capabilities with the rest of our portfolio, we’re delivering true full‑service coverage and strengthening safety, turn times, and problem‑solving across the board,” Hein stated.

AirPro News analysis

We view this expansion by DAS Aviation as a timely response to ongoing supply chain constraints within the business aviation sector. As aging fleets require more intensive maintenance and replacement parts become harder to source, independent repair stations that can offer end-to-end services, from structural repairs to landing gear overhauls, are gaining a competitive edge.

By dedicating 90,000 square feet specifically to landing gear operations and backing it with a 25-person engineering team, DAS Aviation is signaling a serious commitment to capturing market share in the specialized component repair space. The planned investments in advanced plating technologies further indicate a long-term strategy to handle complex, high-wear components in-house, reducing reliance on third-party vendors and potentially improving overall turnaround times for operators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What aircraft are covered under DAS Aviation’s new landing gear exchange program?

According to the company’s press release, the exchange program covers the Falcon 50/50EX, Falcon 2000 series, Falcon 900C/900EX, Global 5000/XRS/5500/6000/6500, Gulfstream IV, and Piaggio P180/P180 II Avanti.

Where are DAS Aviation’s facilities located?

The company operates out of Cedar Hill, Texas, and Solon, Ohio, which together feature 100,000 square feet of repair shop space. They also maintain a newly established facility in Collinsville, Illinois, with over 44,000 square feet of inventory space.

Sources

• DAS Aviation

This article is based on an official press release from Infinity Aviation Group.

Infinity Aviation Group Acquires Corporate Air, Expanding Private-Jets FBO Network to South Florida

On May 12, 2026, Infinity Aviation Group officially announced its acquisition of Corporate Air, a premier Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) situated at Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB) in Florida. According to the company’s press release, this acquisition represents a major strategic expansion into the highly active South Florida private aviation market, establishing a second major hub for Infinity’s growing national network.

The transaction transitions a highly respected, family-owned FBO with nearly four decades of operational history into a corporate portfolio backed by Igneo Infrastructure Partners, a global investment manager. By securing this location, Infinity Aviation Group aims to capture a larger share of the East Coast’s private jet traffic, offering an uncongested alternative to traditional South Florida hubs.

We at AirPro News have reviewed the acquisition details and the broader market context to understand how this move impacts the regional business aviation landscape, particularly for operators of heavy, ultra-long-range aircraft.

Strategic Assets and Infrastructure

Upgraded Facilities for Heavy Jets

Based on the provided research data, the acquisition brings a substantial physical footprint under Infinity Aviation Group’s control. The Corporate Air facility includes eight climate-controlled hangars totaling over 106,500 square feet. Notably, the newest hangars, completed in 2024, are specifically designed to accommodate heavy aircraft up to the size of a Bombardier Global 7500.

In addition to the hangar space, Infinity acquires a 350,000-square-foot ramp area featuring direct access to the primary runway, which is noted as the largest ramp space within a 150-mile radius. Passenger and crew amenities are housed in a 5,000-square-foot state-of-the-art FBO terminal equipped with premium lounges, conference rooms, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

“With the Acquisitions of the Corporate Air FBO, we are adding a key South Florida location to our growing network.”

International Gateway Capabilities

A critical asset included in the buyout is Corporate Air’s exclusive on-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection clearance facility. According to industry reports, this allows the Vero Beach location to seamlessly process international arrivals from regions such as the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and South America, bypassing the need for clients to clear customs at busier commercial Airports.

The Legacy of Corporate Air and Vero Beach

A 35-Year Foundation

Corporate Air was founded in 1987 by Rodger Pridgeon, an aircraft maintenance technician who built the company into an award-winning facility. Pridgeon’s leadership earned him the title of 2022 South Florida District SBA Small Business Person of the Year. The FBO has built a strong reputation for customer service, competitive AEG Fuels pricing, and high-level aircraft maintenance, including certifications from the American Bonanza Society and capabilities for Dassault Falcon Jet maintenance.

Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB)

The host airport, Vero Beach Regional, spans 1,707 acres and features three runways, with the longest measuring 7,314 feet. Research data indicates the airport averages more than 560 flight operations daily, predominantly serving general and corporate aviation. VRB serves as a highly attractive, less-congested alternative to nearby South Florida hubs like West Palm Beach (PBI) and Stuart (SUA).

The Broader Network Strategy

Connecting the East Coast

Infinity Aviation Group, headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, is the FBO platform of Igneo Infrastructure Partners, which manages over $20.5 billion in assets. Launched in June 2025, the Infinity platform is led by CEO Steven Levesque, a 25-year aviation industry veteran and former U.S. Navy Reserve commanding officer with previous executive experience at Hawthorne Global Aviation Services and Leading Edge Jet Centers.

Prior to the Vero Beach acquisition, Infinity’s flagship location was at Boire Field (KASH) in Nashua, New Hampshire. Just weeks before the Corporate Air deal, Infinity unveiled a massive remodel of its Nashua FBO, which features over 150,000 square feet of hangar space serving the Boston and New England region.

“Vero Beach offers outstanding infrastructure with extensive modern hangar space capable of accommodating heavy jets, and additional hangar capacity is on the way.”

AirPro News analysis

We view this acquisition as a textbook execution of the “Snowbird” synergy strategy. By pairing a premier FBO in South Florida with a flagship location in New England, Infinity Aviation is perfectly positioned to capture the lucrative North-South private jet traffic routing between the Northeast and Florida. Furthermore, the business aviation sector’s ongoing shift toward larger, ultra-long-range business jets, such as the Gulfstream G700 and Global 7500, makes Corporate Air’s 2024 hangar expansions a highly valuable, forward-looking asset. The inclusion of an on-site U.S. Customs facility acts as a significant competitive moat, allowing Infinity to attract international traffic that might otherwise default to Palm Beach International.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Infinity Aviation Group?
Infinity Aviation Group is an FBO network platform launched in 2025 by Igneo Infrastructure Partners, a global investment manager. It focuses on acquiring and developing high-quality general aviation infrastructure across the United States.

Why did Infinity acquire Corporate Air?
The acquisition provides Infinity with a strategic, heavy-jet-capable hub in the high-demand South Florida market, complementing its existing Northeast operations and offering an uncongested alternative to Palm Beach.

Will Corporate Air continue to offer maintenance services?
While the press release focuses on the acquisition of the FBO assets, Corporate Air historically provides high-level aircraft maintenance, management, and charter services. These operational capabilities are expected to integrate into Infinity’s broader service offerings.

Sources:
Infinity Aviation Group Press Release (GlobeNewswire)
Provided Industry Research Report on Corporate Air Acquisition

This article is based on an official press release from Textron Aviation Inc.

On May 12, 2026, Textron Aviation announced a new fleet acquisition by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) aimed at protecting the nation’s agricultural sector from invasive pests. According to the company’s press release, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has officially ordered three Cessna Caravan turboprop Commercial-Aircraft. The new planes are scheduled for Delivery in 2027.

The aircraft will be deployed to southern Texas, specifically along the Rio Grande River, to support the agency’s Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) program. This biological control initiative is designed to eradicate the Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) without relying on widespread chemical pesticide applications. By dropping sterilized insects over vulnerable agricultural zones, the USDA aims to crash the invasive pest population and protect the region’s lucrative citrus crops.

For APHIS, the transition to the Cessna Caravan represents a significant operational upgrade. The agency currently relies on the smaller Cessna Stationair for these specialized aerial dispersal missions. The introduction of the Caravan will provide a substantial increase in both payload capacity and flight endurance, allowing the USDA to cover wider geographic areas in a single flight.

Upgrading the Aerial Defense Fleet

From Stationair to Caravan

The USDA’s current fleet of Cessna Stationair (Cessna 206) aircraft has been retrofitted with specialized release tubes to drop sterile flies over orchards. While effective, the Stationair’s size limits the duration and coverage area of each mission. According to Textron Aviation specifications, the incoming Cessna Caravan 208 fleet will offer a massive leap in capability.

Powered by a 675-horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114A turboprop engine, the Caravan boasts a maximum range of 1,070 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 186 knots. Most importantly for APHIS operations, the aircraft features a maximum payload capacity exceeding 3,000 pounds. This expanded capacity means the agency can load significantly more sterile insects per flight, reducing the need to frequently land, refuel, and reload.

In the official press release, Textron Aviation highlighted the aircraft’s suitability for agricultural missions:

“These aircraft will help APHIS reach remote areas and carry out their important mission of protecting agriculture,” stated Bob Gibbs, Vice President of Special Mission Sales at Textron Aviation.

The Caravan is also noted for its rugged landing gear and ability to maintain steady, low-altitude flight profiles. These characteristics are essential for operating out of remote, unimproved agricultural airstrips in South Texas while safely executing low-level insect dispersal.

The Mexican Fruit Fly Threat in South Texas

Economic Stakes for the Citrus Industry

The Texas citrus industry, concentrated primarily in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, is a major economic driver for the state. According to industry data provided in the research report, the region produces over 9 million cartons of fresh grapefruit and oranges annually, alongside 5 million cartons of juice fruit. The USDA forecasts a yield of 2.2 million boxes of Texas grapefruit and 900,000 boxes of oranges for the 2025–2026 season alone, contributing to an economic impact that exceeds $100 million.

The Mexican fruit fly, native to Mexico and Central America, poses an existential threat to this harvest. Female Mexflies lay their eggs inside ripening fruit; the hatching larvae then consume the fruit from the inside, causing it to rot. Because the Mexfly is a strict quarantine pest, detections trigger immediate regulatory action.

Dr. Mamoudou Sétamou, an entomologist at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center, emphasized the severity of these quarantines in the provided research report:

“Basically if you have Mexican fruit fly detections in a location, fruit from there cannot be sold outside of that area.”

The financial toll of the pest is substantial. An economic study cited in the background research estimates that under current quarantine strategies, the Texas citrus industry faces an annual economic loss of $5.79 million. Furthermore, when growers are forced to use chemical interventions, spraying costs average between $200 and $300 per acre. If the Mexfly were to establish itself nationwide, USDA projections suggest it could cause $1.44 billion in agricultural losses over a five-year period.

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)

To combat the Mexfly, APHIS utilizes the Sterile Insect Technique. The agency mass-rears and sterilizes millions of fruit flies, which are then loaded into aircraft and dispersed over vulnerable orchards. When wild females mate with the sterile males, no offspring are produced, effectively neutralizing the population growth.

The urgency of this program has been highlighted by recent outbreaks. In late 2025 and early 2026, APHIS and the Texas Department of Agriculture were forced to establish or expand multiple Mexfly quarantines in areas including Peñitas, La Feria, Granjeno, and Zapata following the detection of wild flies. These legal restrictions on the interstate movement of citrus make rapid aerial eradication efforts critical to saving growers’ harvests.

AirPro News analysis

We view this fleet acquisition as a critical intersection of agricultural defense and environmental stewardship. By investing in larger, more capable aircraft to scale up biological pest control, the federal government is actively reducing the agricultural sector’s reliance on chemical pesticides. This shift not only protects local ecosystems and groundwater in the Rio Grande Valley but also creates a more resilient buffer zone against pests migrating from unmanaged groves across the border. The transition to the Cessna Caravan indicates a long-term federal commitment to sustainable, wide-area agricultural protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)?

SIT is an environmentally friendly pest control method where millions of sterilized male insects are released into the wild. When they mate with wild females, no offspring are produced, which gradually crashes the invasive pest population without the use of widespread chemical pesticides.

When will the USDA receive the new aircraft?

According to the Textron Aviation press release, the three new Cessna Caravan aircraft are expected to be delivered to the USDA in 2027.

Why is the Cessna Caravan an upgrade over the current fleet?

The USDA currently uses the Cessna Stationair. The Cessna Caravan offers a significantly larger payload (over 3,000 lbs) and a longer range (1,070 nautical miles), allowing the agency to cover wider geographic areas and conduct longer missions without needing to refuel or reload as frequently.

Sources: Textron Aviation Inc. Press Release