The Scissortail Brief | April 6–12, 2026

The second week of April was steady across business aviation. No major headline, but plenty happening underneath. FAA hiring, EU compliance changes, safety updates, and the usual mix of fuel, maintenance, and staffing all showed up in how operators planned and flew.

A lot of it felt like continuation, but it’s those weeks that usually tell you where things are actually headed.

Scissortail kept up with it so you don’t have to.

FAA and Regulatory Activity

FAA Moves Forward on ATC Hiring

The FAA is opening another hiring window, targeting more than 2,000 controllers this year.

That sounds like progress, but it’s still a long-cycle fix. Training takes time, and the system is already short in the places that create the most friction. New York centers, Florida flows, and other high-density airspace are still where delays stack up.

Flight departments saw the same patterns this week. Ground delay programs in the Northeast, reroutes into Florida, and compressed arrival windows that make timing tight. It’s not constant, but it’s frequent enough that it has to be built into every trip.

At this point, most operators aren’t reacting to it. They’re planning around it from the start.

Enforcement Activity Still Showing Up

The FAA proposed a penalty over $250K tied to drug and alcohol testing compliance at a major airline.

Different segment, same signal. The FAA is still focused on compliance programs that are easy to overlook when operations get busy. Testing, documentation, tracking, and internal audits all fall into that category.

A few operators used this as a reason to double-check their own processes. Not because anything changed, but because this is the kind of issue that usually comes down to internal discipline rather than complexity.

Safety and Operational Developments

Circle-to-Land Guidance Gets More Specific

NBAA released updated guidance on circle-to-land approaches using ASIAS data.

This is one of those areas where business aviation sees more exposure than the airlines. Smaller airports, tighter runway environments, and more varied mission profiles all come into play.

The guidance didn’t introduce anything surprising, but it did tighten the focus. Stabilized approach criteria, visual references, and go-around decision points were all part of the discussion.

Flight departments reviewed procedures and training, especially for crews that operate into more challenging airfields. It’s less about changing SOPs and more about reinforcing how they’re actually applied.

Regional Safety Work Still Carrying Weight

PNBAA held its Safety & Security Day, and turnout was solid.

A lot of the conversation stayed grounded in real operations. Congested airspace, coordination with ATC, and how crews are managing increasing complexity in day-to-day flying.

Cybersecurity came up again as well, mostly tied to connected aircraft systems and operational data.

These events don’t usually produce big takeaways, but they reflect what operators are actually dealing with in real time.

International Operations

EU System Now Live

The EU passenger verification system went live April 10, and operators are already working it into the flow.

The process itself isn’t complicated, but it adds another checkpoint before departure. Passenger eligibility has to be confirmed through the system, and it has to be done correctly.

Dispatch teams are building it into preflight timelines, alongside permits, customs coordination, and handling. For operators with established trip support, it’s manageable. For others, it adds risk if it’s overlooked or rushed.

It’s another step toward more structured international operations, and it likely won’t stop with Europe.

Aircraft and Industry Developments

Textron Keeps Working the Pipeline

Textron named another group in its Top Hawk program.

Programs like this don’t move the needle immediately, but they’re part of the longer effort to keep pilots coming into the industry. Training access, cost, and timing are still limiting factors, and OEM-backed programs help at the margin.

Operators are still dealing with the same reality. Hiring is competitive, retention is just as important, and experience levels across the pilot pool vary more than they did a few years ago.

Sustainability Still Moving, Just Quietly

SAF and sustainability efforts continued, just without a major headline this week.

Operators are still working through availability and logistics. In some regions it’s accessible, in others it’s still limited. Cost is still part of the conversation, especially for operators trying to balance sustainability goals with operating budgets.

It’s becoming part of normal planning, not a separate initiative.

Aircraft Transactions and Market Activity

Market Still Moving, Just Not Loudly

Transactions continued across segments, but nothing high-profile showed up publicly.

Behind the scenes, activity is still there. Brokers are moving inventory, and deals are getting done, especially on aircraft that are well-positioned.

Newer aircraft with clean maintenance history, complete records, and program enrollment are still moving first. That hasn’t changed.

Buyer Behavior Feels Consistent

Buyers this week looked similar to the last few months. First-time owners entering the market, existing owners upgrading, and charter or fractional operators adding lift where they need it.

Super-midsize and large-cabin aircraft are still where most of the action is. Range, cabin comfort, and flexibility for longer missions are driving those decisions.

Deals are still getting slowed down by inspections and findings when they come up. Clean aircraft move. Others take time.

Operations and Flight Department Activity

Scheduling and Dispatch

Trips this week reflected the usual mix of constraints. Weather patterns, congestion, maintenance timing, and now EU compliance all played into planning.

Dispatch teams adjusted departure times, routing, and aircraft assignments throughout the week. Some trips required multiple revisions as conditions shifted.

Nothing unusual, but it continues to require close coordination between crews, maintenance, and third-party providers.

Maintenance and Availability

Maintenance continues to be one of the biggest variables in aircraft availability.

Inspection schedules, parts delays, and technician staffing all showed up again this week. Some operators had to shift aircraft assignments or adjust schedules to work around downtime.

High-utilization aircraft in particular required careful planning to stay available for trips while still meeting program requirements.

Jet-A Pricing: Where Things Stand

Fuel stayed elevated but relatively stable.

Most operators were seeing Jet-A pricing in the $6.00 to $6.50 per gallon range, with higher pricing in the Northeast, West Coast, and high-traffic airports. The Central U.S. remained more favorable.

The spread between airports is still wide. In some cases, the difference between two stops can be several dollars per gallon depending on FBO and fuel program participation.

Impact on Part 91 Operations

Flight departments continued adjusting fuel stop planning based on pricing and routing.

Tankering decisions were still being evaluated regularly, especially on trips where the price spread justified the added weight and burn.

At this point, most budgets are built around these fuel levels rather than expecting a near-term drop.

Impact on Part 135 and Charter Operations

Charter operators continued adjusting hourly rates and trip pricing to reflect current fuel costs.

Fuel still represents a significant portion of total trip cost, particularly on longer missions and for larger aircraft.

Quotes are being updated more frequently to stay aligned with pricing that can shift airport to airport.

What It Meant for Trips

Trip costs stayed elevated overall.

Longer missions saw the biggest impact, where fuel burn becomes a larger share of total cost. Operators continued adjusting planning and pricing in real time.

Market and Industry Activity

Demand

Demand stayed steady.

Utilization remained consistent across aircraft categories, with no major swings week to week.

Maintenance and Capacity Constraints

Maintenance capacity and staffing continue to limit available lift.

Operators are still working around shop schedules, technician availability, and parts supply as part of normal operations.

Looking Ahead

FAA hiring continues, but near-term constraints remain.

EU compliance is now part of standard international trip planning.

Fuel pricing is holding steady at elevated levels.

Staffing, maintenance, and airspace congestion continue to shape daily operations.

That’s The Brief

The Week in One Sentence

The week of April 6 through April 12 included FAA hiring activity, continued enforcement focus, new EU passenger verification requirements, steady transaction activity, and operations shaped by fuel pricing, maintenance scheduling, and airspace constraints.