Flying Coral Reef - Passion for the Sea, Love for Flying

For many pilots, an aircraft is simply a means of getting from one place to another. For Fred Hudson, a Florida-based entrepreneur, his Pilatus PC-12 is much more than that, it’s a flying reflection of his passions. Looking at this PC-12, you might think it belongs to Jack Sparrow or the Disney Company – the paint scheme is simply stunning, eye-catching, and even a little wild. But when you look behind the curtain, you’ll see that it actually belongs to a serious and very proud owner who is also a huge Pilatus fan.

With its striking coral reef-inspired paint scheme, this aircraft has been turning heads and sparking curiosity for more than two decades, drawing attention wherever it flies. “Everywhere I go, people assume it’s a marine research plane,” says Fred with a huge smile. “But really, the paint scheme is based on my hobby, spearfishing, and my passion for the Bahamas.” At first glance, the PC-12 resembles an aquarium in flight, decorated with images of reef life, fish, turtles, corals and even a treasure chest. The inspiration comes directly from his private island retreat in the Abacos, where he spends time roughly every three weeks. He uses the plane to fly to his own strip – a perfect landing spot for the PC-12. “Beyond flying, my heart belongs to the sea. I wanted a plane that was as personal and vibrant as my connection to it.”

An Incredible Aircraft This isn’t just any plane – it is Fred’s 70th aircraft. Over the years, he has flown jets and turboprops, often changing aircraft. But when he purchased his PC-12 in Johannesburg in 2002, he knew he had found something special. “I would never ever want a different plane. The PC-12 is by far the most utilitarian aircraft ever made for flights under a thousand miles. Period.”

With more than 3,000 hours on his PC-12, Fred flies it himself, logging about 150 hours per year. The aircraft has taken him all across the Western Hemisphere – from Alaska to Panama, and often deep into the Caribbean. It has also served a greater purpose during times of crisis. After the earthquake in Haiti, he ferried doctors and medical supplies, and following devastating hurricanes in the Bahamas, he made multiple relief flights. “We stacked it to the ceiling with supplies – that’s when you realize how incredibly useful this aircraft really is.”

The PC-12 as Trusted Partner

Beyond its striking appearance and humanitarian missions, the PC-12 is also central to both his business and personal life. As the owner of a thriving furniture enterprise with 14 stores and more than 500 employees, he relies on the aircraft to make the most of his time. “Flying has always been a huge part of my business. It allows me to attend markets, meetings, and still enjoy time at my homes in the mountains and in the Bahamas. I literally use it for everything – both business and private.”

For him, the PC-12 has become more than an aircraft, it is a trusted partner. “This plane is my right arm,” he says. “It has lived a very cool life – and so have I because of it.”

 

K5 Aviation / D-ALEX / Airbus A319-115(CJ)

Duncan Stewart - LAX
 

British Aerospace BAe 125-1000A / N982EC / Mac Air

Duncan Stewart
 

Gulfstream G280 / N502RP

Duncan Stewart
 

Bombardier Global 8000, World’s Fastest Business Jet, Receives Certification From European Union Aviation Safety Agency (Easa)

• The Global 8000 is the fastest civilian aircraft since the Concorde with an industry-leading top speed of Mach 0.95 and class-leading range of 8,000 nautical miles(1)
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• The Global 8000 delivers the lowest cabin altitude in business aviation production of just 2,691 ft. when cruising at 41,000 ft.
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• The Global 8000 received Transport Canada Type Certification on November 5, 2025 and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification on December 19, 2025. The aircraft entered into service in December 2025

Bombardier today announced that the Global 8000, the world’s fastest civilian aircraft, has received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification. This follows Transport Canada Type certification on November 5, 2025, and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification on December 19, 2025.

Bombardier’s flagship for a new era, the Global 8000 business jet, entered into service in December 2025. This exquisite ultra-long-range aircraft is the fastest civilian aircraft in the skies with a top speed of Mach 0.95 and a range of 8,000 NM(1), enabling passengers to fly faster and farther than ever before.

“Attaining EASA certification illustrates the hard work and dedication of Bombardier’s highly skilled employees and suppliers in collaboration with Transport Canada and EASA teams,” said Stephen McCullough, Executive Vice President, Engineering, Product Development and Bombardier Defense. “This accomplishment further strengthens the momentum behind this groundbreaking business jet. Following its entry into service in 2025, the entire Bombardier team is eager for this aircraft to be handed over to more customers this coming year so they can experience the new levels of comfort, wellness, and efficiency the Global 8000 unlocks.”

The Global 8000 business jet also has the lowest cabin altitude in business aviation production at 2,691 ft. while cruising at 41,000 ft. This reduced cabin altitude minimizes the physiological stress associated with high altitude travel, helping passengers arrive at their destinations feeling refreshed and ready to perform.

With a string of milestones in 2025, Bombardier’s Global 8000 has redefined business aviation due to its unbeatable performance attributes and luxurious cabin. The Global 8000 is the only true four-zone business jet to offer a range of 8,000 NM, enabling nonstop travel between more city pairs than ever before.

In addition to its long-range capabilities, the aircraft remains remarkably agile, with takeoff and landing performance comparable to that of a light jet. Its advanced wing design featuring unique leading-edge slats enables customers to master up to 30% more airports than its closest rival.

 

Textron Aviation To Showcase Industry-Leading Products At Singapore Airshow

WICHITA, Kan. – (Jan. 22, 2026) – Textron Aviation will showcase three of its industry-leading products at the upcoming Singapore Airshow, February 3 through 6 at Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore. The best-selling midsize business jet the Cessna Citation Latitude will be on display throughout the show, along with two other legendary Cessna and Beechcraft products. The full list of aircraft expected to be featured at the company’s static display near Textron Aviation’s Chalet CD09-13 includes:

Cessna Citation Latitude
Citation CJ4 Gen2
Beechcraft King Air 360

Representatives from Textron Aviation’s Customer Support and Parts and Distribution teams will also be present to highlight how the company supports owners and operators across the Asia Pacific region and around the world.

With more than 65% of total turboprops and 37% of total jets in the Asia Pacific region, Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker products are well represented. Overall, the region is home to more than 300 Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker jets and over 900 Cessna and Beechcraft turboprops. During the past decade, the King Air series has earned its reputation as the most delivered turbine aircraft in the region, second only to the legendary Cessna Caravan family.

 

 

Cirrus Unveils 2026 SR Series G7+ Aircr

Duluth, Minn. & Knoxville, Tenn. — Cirrus today announced its 2026 SR Series G7+ aircraft for the SR20, SR22 and SR22T. The 2026 SR Series introduces refinements that enhance aircraft ownership and the flying experience through new avionics features, expanded Cirrus Global Connect capabilities, refreshed design collections and colors, and a 4-blade composite propeller upgrade option for the SR22. All 2026 aircraft models include G7+ generational updates – Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland, Automatic Database Updates powered by Cirrus IQ PRO Advanced™, Runway Occupancy Awareness and Smart Pitot Heat. 

“The 2026 SR Series G7+ provides our customers with more choice, more connectivity and more pilot convenience combined with revolutionary safety systems, such as the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) and Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus. “The 2026 SR Series continues to evolve in lockstep with our owners’ missions and serves as a valuable extension of their businesses and lifestyles.”

The SR Series is the best-selling high-performance single-engine piston aircraft, and Cirrus recentlycelebrated its 11,000th SR Series aircraft delivery with a special edition Xi Design.

Enhanced Power and Connectivity

The 2026 SR Series G7+ aircraft advances connectivity with enhancements to Cirrus Global Connect and higher-power USB-C ports designed to provide seamless power to modern devices like Starlink.

Cirrus Global Connect offers the only fully integrated global weather and communication solution for continuous global connectivity on the SR Series and now delivers a broader range of weather products,

including storm cell movement, turbulence, icing, surface visibility and more. 

Weather updates are nowautomatic every five minutes along the flight route, reducing pilot workload. 

Upgraded high-power USB-C ports are now integrated into the cabin for every occupant. The new configuration includes two 60W USB-C ports in the front cabin and two 100W USB-C ports in the rear. 

With options to communicate via the integrated Iridium network or bring a Starlink onboard, pilots and passengers can stay connected wherever they fly. 

New SR22 Propeller Option

Following the SR22T’s lead, the 2026 SR22 now features a standard 3-blade composite propeller and,
for the first time, introduces a new 4-blade composite propeller upgrade, giving owners a prominent new option that elevates the aircraft’s presence on the ramp.

Avionics Innovation

Cirrus continues to invest in updating its Perspective Touch+™ avionics with new features to reinforce increasing pilot situational awareness and reduce workload. Recent software improvements introduce enhanced visual approach capabilities, allowing pilots to select various traffic pattern entries displayed on the moving map, which can be coupled with the autopilot. These features are part of Cirrus’ ongoing innovation strategy and are available across compatible SR Series G7 and G7+ aircraft. 

Cirrus Perspective Touch+ includes convenient display presets to save your preferred display arrangements. Up to nine presets can be saved, each with a name. This provides quick, easy access to manage the windows on each display.

New Paint and Design

The SR Series G7+ introduces two all-new premium collections for Carbon and Platinum liveries featuring distinct, forward-moving lines that enhance the aircraft on the ramp and in the air. The Carbon collection features intentional branding, while wing color influences uniform striping color with the Platinum collection. Cirrus also welcomed three new premium exterior paint colors – Tangerine, Maldives and Viridian – inspired by Cirrus Life™ adventures.