N808SQ / Beechcraft Premier I

Ronald Vermeulen - FLL
 

Tradewind Aviation / N259TW / Pilatus PC-12 NGX

 Ronald Vermeulen - FLL

JetMagic / 9H-AVM / Boeing 757-200

Photo: Duncan Stewart

New Cessna Caravans To Boost Usda’s Fight Against Crop-Damaging Insects

Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has ordered three Cessna Caravan aircraft to support its sterile insect release program protecting citrus crops along the Rio Grande River in southern Texas. The new aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2027.

 APHIS will use the Caravans to carry and release sterile insects that help prevent the spread of destructive pests, including fruit flies. The environmentally friendly technique helps safeguard fruit-bearing trees, reduce crop damage and protect agricultural industries that rely on healthy harvests.

 These aircraft will help APHIS reach remote areas and carry out their important mission of protecting agriculture,

Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Mission Sales

“These aircraft will help APHIS reach remote areas and carry out their important mission of protecting agriculture,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Mission Sales. “We’re proud to support their work with the dependable and versatile Caravan.”

 Known for its payload capacity, reliability and ability to operate in remote environments, the Cessna Caravan is well-suited for aerial application missions that require long flight durations, steady low-altitude operations and access to rugged airstrips. APHIS will equip the aircraft with custom release systems that safely distribute sterile insects across wide areas — an approach that reduces pest populations without the use of chemicals.

 APHIS currently operates Cessna Stationair aircraft for similar missions. The addition of the Caravan expands its fleet capacity, enhancing the agency’s ability to conduct aerial pest management programs that protect crops, support growers and strengthen environmental stewardship.

 

Airx Charter / Bombardier Crj-200 / 9H-YOU

Flyingphotos - Lisboa
 

Piper Saratoga II TC / N459FG

 Ronald Vermeulen - FLL

AirX puts Challenger 604 into service, mulls growth

AirX Charter (AX, Malta International) has entered the super-midsize jet segment following entry into service of a Challenger 604 added in October. The company confirmed to ch-aviation that further units are expected to join within the next six months.

“By building a fleet of Challenger 604 aircraft, the company is not adding capacity in the traditional sense, but positioning unit economics to apply sustained pricing pressure on the super-midsize market,” AirX said in a statement.

The company told ch-aviation that is currently focused on the Challenger 604 and Challenger 850 product, with a minimum of three to four expected to join AirX's fleet within the next six months.

Configured for up to 12 passengers, the 2002-built Challenger 604, 9H-ATGT (msn 5517), entered revenue service in late April after being parked at London Stansted since July, where it underwent preparation for entry into service, including a full cabin refurbishment.

On April 7, the jet was ferried to Lelystad for repainting into AirX livery by Satys (France). On April 22, work was completed, and five days later the aircraft ferried to Lille Lesquin.

AirX founder John Matthews says the addition represents the opening move in what he describes as the company's “dash to 50” aircraft. In September, AirX secured a USD136 million bond, with plans to deploy proceeds toward the addition of more than 30 aircraft over the next three to five years.

The company's fleet currently comprises 20 aircraft, including an A340-300, a B737-700(BBJ), a Challenger 604, eight Challenger 850s, four Legacy 600s, and five Lineage 1000s.

“This is not a mixed fleet by accident. It is engineered. Each aircraft has a role, each role has an economic purpose, and together they allow us to apply pricing pressure across multiple segments rather than operate within a single one,” Matthews added.

CH Aviation