Looking Back on 2024’s Game-Changing Aircraft

Good morning! 2024 is all but over and what a year it’s been! Not only for me personally with the launch of Flybuyer (in its current form), but also for general aviation. At the risk of sounding too cliché, 2025 will be a big year for Flybuyer—starting off with the creation of a new YouTube channel dedicated solely to airplane reviews. I’m pretty certain it’s not going to be as seat-clenching as my carrier landing videos, but I’m committed to this new channel 100% and it’s my goal to never let a week go by without a new video being published. More to come (and soon)!🛩️
-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• Aviation Breakthroughs Throughout 2024

• Around the Skies: Malaysia’s quest for MH370 answers, Stowaway’s fatal flight attempt, MOSAIC reshapes aviation rules, Chicago Convention turns 80, Luxury meets sustainability in private hangars, Purdue’s runway incursion solution

• PilotTube: Turning Old Airliners Into Alaskan Pilot Lodges

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Aviation Advances Lead the Way in 2024

The aviation world soared into new territory in 2024, marked by exciting certifications, cutting-edge designs and enhanced performance. Gulfstream led the charge with its G700 flagship, earning FAA certification in March and delivering a cabin experience akin to a flying five-star hotel. Its sibling, the G800, awaits certification as Gulfstream continues expanding its lineup with innovations like the G400, which took its first flight this year. Meanwhile, Dassault’s Falcon 6X impressed with its ultra-wide cabin and reliable global performance, as production ramped up on the record-breaking 10X.

Bombardier’s Global 8000 pushed boundaries with an 8,000-nautical-mile range and Textron's Citation Ascend introduced modernized interiors and avionics, ensuring its midsize jets remain relevant after decades of production. The new CJ Gen3 series added state-of-the-art features like Garmin Autoland, setting a high bar for light jets. Piper entered the spotlight with its M700 Fury, boasting the Halo safety system and a powerful Pratt & Whitney engine, while Beechcraft’s Denali edged closer to certification with its GE Catalyst engine, promising fuel efficiency and high performance.

Pilatus updated its PC-24, enhancing payload and range, while Honda worked toward its next-gen Echelon, offering efficiency and long-range capabilities. The year also saw sustainable aviation take flight, with blended fuels and greener designs becoming more prevalent across manufacturers.

From ultra-luxury cabins to sustainability-focused innovations, 2024 proved that the aviation industry is not only growing but thriving. As business jets, turboprops and light aircraft continue to evolve, they’re setting new benchmarks in performance, comfort and environmental responsibility.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ Malaysia is restarting the search for MH370, the plane that vanished in 2014 with 239 people onboard. Ocean Infinity will lead the effort, scouring 15,000 square kilometers of the Indian Ocean on a “no find, no fee” basis, with $70 million at stake. The search, set to begin in early 2025, aims to solve one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.

🛩️ A United Airlines flight to Maui ended grimly when a body was found in the wheel well upon landing. The stowaway, exposed to extreme cold and low oxygen, tragically did not survive. United is working with authorities to investigate how the individual gained access to the compartment.

🛩️ Efforts to make aviation accessible soared in 2004 with Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), but its weight limits and quirks grounded its full potential. Now, the FAA’s MOSAIC initiative aims to broaden LSA rules, allowing larger aircraft and expanded pilot privileges. From night flying to IFR operations, the changes promise a smoother, more inclusive future for aviation enthusiasts.

🛩️ The Chicago Convention marks 80 years of shaping global aviation, establishing the foundational "Freedoms of the Air" and setting international travel norms. Signed in 1944, it fostered global cooperation and adaptability in the skies. Despite challenges, such as limiting cross-national mergers, its framework continues to guide aviation's evolution and innovation.

🛩️ Silver Maple Aviation is making waves in aviation construction with projects such as a massive timber hangar in New Hampshire and a remote airport in British Columbia. By combining high-end craftsmanship with sustainable materials, the company is setting new standards for carbon-neutral aviation infrastructure. With plans to expand into residential airparks, Silver Maple is emerging as a leader in luxury hangars and innovative aviation design.

🛩️ Purdue University has unveiled the SAFE-RWSL system, a low-cost solution to prevent runway incursions. Using ADS-B data and computer vision, the system activates runway lights in real-time, enhancing safety at smaller airports. Tested at Purdue’s airport, it accurately detected 94% of aircraft, offering a simple, affordable alternative to expensive radar systems.

PilotTube

Meet Jon Kotwicki, the visionary behind the Fly8MA pilot lodge in Big Lake, Alaska, where aviation meets comfort in the most unexpected way. Jon has transformed iconic aircraft like a DC-6, DC-9 and 707 into fully functional rental homes, offering guests a stay that’s truly "first-class." In this interview, Jon shares the joy of providing an unforgettable experience, where your home for the night might just have wings.

Have an Aircraft I Can Film?
I’m on the lookout for airplanes to review for the Flybuyer YouTube channel (coming soon). If you own, fly or have access to a piston, turbine, business jet, helicopter, seaplane, bush plane, warbird or blimp I can film, please fill out this form!

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