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Aerlex Law Group has achieved exceptional expertise in the unique and complex field of aviation law.

Aerlex Law Group provides expert legal advice and strategic counsel in the complex field of business aviation. Over the past 12 years, the firm's accomplished attorneys and skilled aviation professionals have successfully managed more $4.3 billion in transactions involving every type of aircraft, from antique biplanes to helicopters to the latest generation of transcontinental business jets. Firm President Stephen Hofer and the Aerlex lawyers provide services across the entire spectrum of aviation law, including whole and fractional aircraft transactions, leasing, financing, operations and management, FAA and DOT regulatory compliance, and aviation-related corporate, real estate, employment and litigation matters. A tax specialist handles federal and state income tax audits, federal excise tax audits, sales and use tax exemptions, and property tax appeals. Join clients across the United States and in more than 30 countries around the world who have entrusted their aircraft issues to the Aerlex team. Whenever and wherever you need it, Aerlex delivers the best possible aviation law resources.

10/16/2026

1964 “Goldfinger” jet is the Lockheed L-1329 JetStar!

Introduced in 1961, the JetStar was the world’s first dedicated business jet to enter commercial service and was highly distinguished by its unique design of four rear-mounted engines and large mid-wing fuel tanks.

Auric Goldfinger’s Private Jet first serves as the villain’s personal luxury transport, flown by his private pilot, P***y Galore, to ferry a captured James Bond from Switzerland to a stud farm in Kentucky.

The interior was highly luxurious for its time, featuring deep custom leather seating, mid-century modern wooden panels, and a fully equipped galley bar.

The cockpit configuration showcases the dense cluster of dials and analog instrumentation typical of 1960s aviation design.

#007

10/06/2026

Pan Am is pursuing a comeback that extends well beyond simply recreating its former airline.
In 2025, Pan Am Brands partnered with AVi8 Air Capital to study relaunching Pan American World Airways as a scheduled U.S. carrier.
AVi8 completed its business-case review in October 2025, and Pan Am began the FAA certification process.
The airline cannot begin scheduled passenger service until it receives approval from both the FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation.
In February 2026, Pan Am reached an agreement with Amadeus to provide booking, inventory, distribution, and other airline technology.
This shows that the revival has progressed beyond branding and into the infrastructure needed to operate an airline.
Pan Am has already returned to aviation through Pan Am Journeys, which offers private-charter travel experiences using independent operators.
A major upcoming offering is a 19-day African journey in June and July 2027 aboard a Pan Am-branded Boeing 757 with 42 lie-flat seats.
The broader strategy also includes hotels, lounges, FBO services, travel businesses, and other Pan Am-branded experiences.
Pan Am’s scheduled-airline return remains uncertain until certification is completed, but the company is steadily rebuilding the brand and operational foundation for a possible comeback.

09/25/2026

Heart Aerospace unveiled the ES-36 hybrid-electric regional airliner on September 23, 2026.

The new aircraft is designed to carry up to 36 passengers between regional and community airports.

It follows Heart’s 30-seat ES-30 design introduced in 2022 and incorporates lessons from the X1 demonstrator, which flew earlier in 2026.

Despite adding six seats and 1,415 pounds of payload capacity, the ES-36 retains the same maximum takeoff weight and battery capacity as the ES-30.

The aircraft uses two 1.65 MW electric motors driving two propellers, instead of the four-propeller arrangement of the earlier design.

Its batteries provide approximately 125 miles of all-electric range, allowing shorter routes to be flown without burning fuel.

For longer flights, gas-turbine turbogenerators can produce electricity in the air, extending the aircraft’s range to about 745 miles.

The simplified two-propeller configuration is also intended to lower maintenance costs and improve the aircraft’s economics for regional operators.

JSX has agreed to purchase 50 ES-36 aircraft and holds rights to buy an additional 50.

Heart is currently building the first pre-production aircraft in Los Angeles, with its first flight planned for the second half of 2028 and commercial service targeted for 2031.

09/23/2026

Joby Aviation has completed what it says is the first fully autonomous cross-country airplane flight in the United States.
A retrofitted Cessna Caravan departed Concord, California, on September 7 and completed its 3,199-mile journey on September 14.
The aircraft autonomously controlled every stage of the trip, including taxiing, takeoffs, navigation, and landings.
A human safety pilot remained onboard throughout the flight but never needed to take control.
The autonomous system navigated busy airspace around Phoenix, Arizona, without human assistance.
It also altered its route in real time to avoid thunderstorms and severe weather.
The aircraft made demonstration stops in Fort Worth, Texas, and at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.
After completing the journey, it flew near the First Flight Monument at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, marking the Wright brothers’ historic 1903 flight.
Joby says autonomous aircraft could eventually serve remote communities, disaster response, cargo delivery, and military operations.
The aircraft is now scheduled to autonomously return to California with additional stops across several states.

08/28/2026

Apollo Global Management has acquired a joint controlling stake in Atlantic Aviation at a total enterprise valuation of approximately $10 billion. KKR is selling a portion of its original position in the company but will maintain a significant ownership share moving forward. This premium valuation represents a major financial win for KKR, which initially purchased the aviation firm from Macquarie Infrastructure in 2021 for $4.5 billion. Atlantic Aviation serves as a critical backbone for private air travel, operating more than 100 facilities across the United States. Its core operations focus heavily on aviation infrastructure, providing predictable and steady revenue streams through essential services like refueling, hangar leasing, and aircraft maintenance. Beyond these core logistics, the company drives diversified growth by offering premium amenities, including passenger concierge services and commercial office space rentals. This stable infrastructure-based business model makes the company highly attractive to institutional investors looking for predictable cash flows tied directly to flight volumes. The broader private aviation sector has experienced a strong post-pandemic demand rebound, creating structural tailwinds that benefit asset-light service providers. Apollo intends to leverage this momentum by working closely with Atlantic's current leadership team and KKR to pursue aggressive physical expansion. Elite financial and legal advisors steered the multi-billion dollar transaction, including Paul Weiss, Evercore, Morgan Stanley, and Kirkland & Ellis.

https://privatejetcardcomparisons.com/2026/08/27/apollo-funds-joins-kkr-to-back-atlantic-aviation-fbo-chain/

08/21/2026

The MS.760 Paris achieved a monumental milestone by becoming the world's very first private business jet.
This historic breakthrough grew directly from the MS.755 Fleuret, an agile French military fighter-trainer design.
Engineers adapted the cockpit, turning a strict tactical layout into a four-seat executive cabin for civilians.
It preserved remarkable military versatility, boasting hardpoints for bombs, rockets, and dual nose guns.
Morane-Saulnier boldly introduced this high-speed concept to corporate America through a partnership with Beech Aircraft.
The transition was spectacular, offering corporate buyers a staggering cruise speed of 350 mph.
Driven by twin Turboméca Marboré II turbojets, it delivered true military performance to private pilots.
It granted executives incredible utility by requiring just 2,460 feet of runway to take off.
This dual-purpose marvel achieved a production run of 219 units spanning both military and luxury buyers.
It remains a legendary pioneer that proved military fighter technology could successfully birth the business jet industry.

https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbird-articles/today-in-aviation-history-first-flight-of-the-morane-saulnier-ms-760-paris.html

08/11/2026

sells eVTOL subsidiaries, takes stake in
Boeing is divesting three subsidiaries—Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu—to Archer Aviation in exchange for a 19.75% stake in the eVTOL startup, allowing Archer to advance autonomous tech and military drone capabilities. This strategic move enables Boeing to focus on its core commercial, defense, and space businesses under CEO Kelly Ortberg, while Archer targets commercial operations with the acquired assets.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/10/boeing-evtol-archer-stake.html

08/01/2026

Flexjet Chairman Kenn Ricci believes private aviation is shifting away from competing on price and toward delivering exclusive luxury experiences.
The company recently secured a record-breaking $800 million equity investment to expand its fleet, infrastructure, and premium services.
Ricci compares Flexjet's vision to a private country club, where membership is defined by exclusivity rather than cost.
He says younger clients increasingly value unique experiences over traditional luxury or business convenience.
Flexjet is using artificial intelligence to improve flight safety, operational efficiency, and personalized service for every customer.
The company is also investing heavily in sustainable aviation fuel initiatives and carbon-offset programs to reduce its environmental impact.
Ricci expects private aviation to become more commoditized over time, making brand identity and customer experience even more important.
He believes demand will increasingly shift toward personal travel as virtual meetings reduce some business flying.
Despite plans for international growth, Flexjet is prioritizing the U.S. market due to exceptionally strong demand and limited aircraft deliveries.
Ricci says his ultimate goal is to build the world's most respected luxury private aviation brand while leading with compassion, innovation, and attention to detail.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/noelburgess/2026/02/16/kenn-ricci-on-the-future-of-the-private-aviation-industry/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

07/27/2026

Electra announced an $850 million investment to build a manufacturing facility in Springfield, Ohio.
The project is expected to create 1,975 jobs and produce the company's EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft.
The EL9 carries nine passengers and can take off or land in as little as 150 feet.
Its ultra-short takeoff capability allows operations from parking lots, sports fields, and other small landing areas.
Electra aims to create a new category called "Direct Aviation" for regional trips between 50 and 250 miles.
CEO Marc Allen says millions of these trips are currently made by car instead of by air.
The company is progressing through FAA certification and expects its first flight in 2027–2028.
Initial production capacity is planned at 400 aircraft per year.
Electra already has 2,200 aircraft orders from 63 customers backed by investors including Honeywell, Safran, and Lockheed Martin Ventures.
If certification stays on schedule, the EL9 is expected to enter commercial service in 2030.

05/20/2026

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the FAA announced eight groundbreaking pilot projects to integrate Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into American airspace. These futuristic aircraft are expected to transform passenger travel, cargo logistics, emergency medical response, and regional transportation. The program spans 26 states and includes major industry leaders such as Archer, Joby, BETA, and Wisk. The pilot projects will create one of the world’s largest real-world testing environments for next-generation aviation technology. Operations are expected to begin by summer 2026, helping shape future FAA regulations and cement America’s leadership in aviation innovation.

Address

11900 West Olympic Boulevard , Suite 450
Los Angeles, CA
90064

Telephone

(310) 392-5200

Website

http://www.aerlex.com/

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