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AINonline • Matt Thurber

Washington repeals 10% 'luxury' aircraft tax; replacement raises fuel tax 7¢/gal

Washington's governor repealed a controversial 10% "luxury" tax on most general aviation aircraft — scheduled to take effect April 1 — and replaced it with a 7¢ per gallon increase in aviation fuel tax. The NBAA welcomed the repeal as relief for the state's GA community.

2026-04-01T11:05:32.160610-07:00

AINonline

FAA clears Avcon Single‑Sensor Port STC for Cessna 208, easing special‑mission retrofits

2026-04-01T10:31:03.793670-07:00

Flying Magazine

Embry‑Riddle opens cutting‑edge Arizona flight training center to bolster pilot pipeline and safety

2026-03-31T05:05:13.469444-07:00

Flying Magazine

Sonex Aircraft shuts down after 'perfect storm' of debt and collapsing kit‑plane sales

2026-03-30T07:15:21.880929-07:00

News Timeline

AINonline

Washington repeals 10% 'luxury' aircraft tax; replacement raises fuel tax 7¢/gal Washington's governor repealed a controversial 10% "luxury" tax on most general aviation aircraft — scheduled to take effect April 1 — and replaced it with a 7¢ per gallon increase in aviation fuel tax. The NBAA welcomed the repeal as relief for the state's GA community.

2026-04-01T11:05:32.160610-07:00

Washington repeals 10% 'luxury' aircraft tax; replacement raises fuel tax 7¢/gal

AINonline

FAA clears Avcon Single‑Sensor Port STC for Cessna 208, easing special‑mission retrofits The FAA has approved Avcon’s Single‑Sensor Port supplemental type certificate for the Cessna 208 Caravan, clearing a standardized installation path for electro‑optical/IR sensors and related mission equipment. The STC provides a factory‑approved mounting solution that eases special‑mission retrofits for operators and MROs.

2026-04-01T10:31:03.793670-07:00

FAA clears Avcon Single‑Sensor Port STC for Cessna 208, easing special‑mission retrofits

Vertical Mag

Garmin flight‑tests GFC 600H on Robinson R66 as Europe’s offshore wind helicopter market expands Garmin has flight‑tested its GFC 600H autopilot on the Robinson R66, with the system set to become standard equipment on the R66 NxG. The feature also examines Europe’s rapidly growing offshore wind helicopter sector and its implications for rotorcraft demand and operations.

2026-03-31T17:51:13.692650-07:00

Garmin flight‑tests GFC 600H on Robinson R66 as Europe’s offshore wind helicopter market expands

Flying Magazine

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Embry‑Riddle opens cutting‑edge Arizona flight training center to bolster pilot pipeline and safety Embry‑Riddle this week opened a new 'cutting‑edge' flight training center in Arizona designed to expand pilot training capacity, enhance safety‑focused instruction, and accelerate workforce development for the commercial and general aviation sectors. The facility will provide modern training infrastructure and industry‑aligned programs to address pilot shortages.

2026-03-31T05:05:13.469444-07:00

Embry‑Riddle opens cutting‑edge Arizona flight training center to bolster pilot pipeline and safety

Flying Magazine

Sonex Aircraft shuts down after 'perfect storm' of debt and collapsing kit‑plane sales Sonex Aircraft has ceased operations after owner Mark Schaible said a "perfect storm" of mounting debt and a steep collapse in kit‑plane sales left the company insolvent. Schaible said there was no viable 11th‑hour rescue, making the shutdown permanent. The closure leaves unfinished customer orders and parts support in question.

2026-03-30T07:15:21.880929-07:00

Sonex Aircraft shuts down after 'perfect storm' of debt and collapsing kit‑plane sales

Vertical Mag

Garmin tests GFC 600H on Robinson R66; Vertical spotlights Europe’s offshore‑wind helicopter market Garmin's GFC 600H autopilot was flight‑tested on the Robinson R66 and is set to become standard equipment on the forthcoming R66 NxG. Vertical also profiles Europe’s rapidly expanding offshore‑wind helicopter market and its implications for rotorcraft demand and operator equipment choices.

2026-03-29T17:35:36.490775-07:00

Garmin tests GFC 600H on Robinson R66; Vertical spotlights Europe’s offshore‑wind helicopter market

AINonline

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House Transportation & Infrastructure Chair Sam Graves to Retire, Creating Uncertainty for General Aviation Advocacy Rep. Sam Graves, chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced his retirement, removing a long‑standing congressional advocate for the general aviation community. His departure raises uncertainty about future committee leadership and who will champion GA priorities in upcoming transportation and aviation policy decisions.

2026-03-27T09:11:12.923693-07:00

House Transportation & Infrastructure Chair Sam Graves to Retire, Creating Uncertainty for General Aviation Advocacy

ch-aviation

Amaro Aviation expands into aircraft management services in Brazil Brazil's Amaro Aviation is expanding operations to include aircraft management services, ch-aviation reports. The brief announcement gives limited detail on scope, timing or initial clients but signals a broader move into managed business and general aviation offerings within Brazil.

2026-03-26T12:15:41.168422-07:00

Amaro Aviation expands into aircraft management services in Brazil

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GA News

Washington repeals 10% 'luxury' aircraft tax; replacement raises fuel tax 7¢/gal

FAA clears Avcon Single‑Sensor Port STC for Cessna 208, easing special‑mission retrofits

Embry‑Riddle opens cutting‑edge Arizona flight training center to bolster pilot pipeline and safety

Sonex Aircraft shuts down after 'perfect storm' of debt and collapsing kit‑plane sales

News Timeline