The Scissortail Brief | October 5, 2026
Howdy, neighbors! Beginning this week, we're adjusting our focus to make the Scissortail Brief even more valuable and engaging for local aviation professionals. From here on out, Texas coverage takes center stage. Major national business aviation news is widely available, and we'll still keep you informed on key stories, but we believe what directly affects our home state matters most. Our goal is to make this your essential weekly resource for business aviation across Texas and the South-Central US.
With that, let’s get into it… This week: NetJets files plans for a $19.5 million private terminal at Austin-Bergstrom. Texas business jet flying climbs 6.4% while U.S. totals slip. Days of heavy rain break the dry spell from the Hill Country to the Metroplex. Two aircraft accidents occur at Texas airfields. Solairus closes on Clay Lacy. The FAA hires a record number of controller trainees. A new report shows record mechanic certificates alongside a persistent shortage. And forecasters track a Gulf disturbance.
Texas
NetJets Files Plans for Private Terminal at Austin-Bergstrom
NetJets plans to build a private terminal near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation first reported by the Austin Business Journal.
The filing, titled "Signature Aviation Terminal Project for NetJets," lists an 8,000-square-foot terminal, 106,000 square feet of airside ramp space and a parking lot at 2500 E. State Highway 71. The estimated cost is $19.5 million. Construction could begin as soon as January 2027 and finish by June 2028. HDg Architecture of Orlando, Florida, is listed as the design firm. NetJets would be the tenant of the Signature-owned facility, FLYING reported.
A NetJets spokesperson told Private Jet Card Comparisons the company had no information to share. TDLR filings are subject to change.
NetJets also is planning a campus at Dallas Love Field, The Dallas Morning News reported. TDLR filings from July and August identify Signature Flight Support as the landowner and describe a 14,000-square-foot private passenger terminal and a new hangar, with completion expected by May 2028. The project includes demolishing six hangars and an existing terminal on the site, which now operates as Signature's Terminal 2. The Austin and Dallas facilities would be NetJets' first private terminals in Texas.
Texas Business Jet Flying Rises 6.4% as U.S. Totals Slip
Business jet flights from Texas airports rose 6.4% year over year in the week of Sept. 21-27, WingX reported Sept. 30. Florida rose 8.7%. California was essentially flat, down 0.3%.
U.S. departures totaled 54,445, down 1.5%. North American departures fell 1.6% to just over 56,000. Year to date, North America is up 4.6%.
WingX analyst Nick Koscinski said he isn't reading much into the North American dip given growth in Florida and Texas.
Two Aircraft Accidents Occur at Texas Airfields
A foreign-registered Cessna Citation went through the perimeter fence at Winston Field Airport in Snyder after landing around 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, the FAA said. Three people were on board. The FAA will investigate. The Texas Department of Public Safety said no one was injured and the pilot reported a landing gear problem, according to a published account of the incident. The aircraft had flown from Sacramento McClellan Airfield in California and was landing to refuel, the same account said.
A Cessna 414A crashed while taking off from Boerne Stage Airfield around 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, the FAA said. Two people were on board. The FAA will investigate. Both men got out of the aircraft on their own, and no injuries were reported, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office and Bexar County Emergency Services District 4. The aircraft struck a utility pole and caught fire, and crews cleared the scene around 4 p.m. Just over 300 people lost power, KENS 5 reported, citing CPS Energy. Fire officials said crews nearby heard the airplane having trouble before the crash.
Austin-Bergstrom Disrupted by Disabled Aircraft, Storms
A private aircraft became disabled on a runway at Austin-Bergstrom around 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, closing the runway, KVUE reported. The aircraft was moved to a taxiway and the runway reopened around 12:40 p.m. The FAA issued a ground stop, citing airport volume, that lasted until 3 p.m.
On Thursday, Oct. 1, storms led to a ground stop and a ground delay at the airport. The FAA said the delay averaged about 127 minutes and remained in effect until 11:59 p.m. The ground stop was lifted just before 4 p.m.
Houston Broker Makes Offer to OneFlight Jet Card Holders
Houston-based air charter broker The Jet Merchants, founded by former Wheels Up SVP Luis Garcia, launched its "Fly Forward" initiative targeting jet card holders impacted by OneFlight International's Sept. 16 service suspension. The program offers discounts on new flights applied against stranded balances rather than refunding original deposits. Customers can select a no-deposit tier or fund $100,000+ accounts for flights at operator cost plus 10%, with enrollment open through Oct. 31. OneFlight circulated the offer without endorsement or guarantees. Public information does not clarify how new deposits are secured or if participation impacts legal claims.
Separately, Colorado-based OneFlight resolved overdue employee wages, commissions, and expenses on Sept. 30, though this does not indicate customer deposit recovery or service resumption.
North America
FAA Asked to Delay Citation Exemption Rescission
NBAA and Citation Jet Pilots asked the FAA on Sept. 29 to delay by at least 90 days its rescission of single-pilot exemptions for legacy Cessna Citations, which took effect that day. The groups' letter to Hugh Thomas, executive director of FAA Flight Standards, proposed a joint FAA-industry working group and said the FAA did not provide the underlying data for its safety findings. The letter was signed by NBAA Senior Vice President of Operations Heidi Williams and CJP CEO Rob Balzano. The groups said a stay would not prevent oversight or enforcement against specific entities with demonstrated safety or compliance concerns.
Solairus Closes on Clay Lacy Management and Charter Business
Solairus Aviation closed the first stage of its acquisition of Clay Lacy Aviation's aircraft management and charter business, CEO Dan Drohan told employees in an internal email reported by Private Jet Card Comparisons and Corporate Jet Investor. More than 135 Clay Lacy aircraft owners have signed consent assignments to move their aircraft to Solairus. The first group of accounts begins transitioning Oct. 1 and a second group Nov. 1.
Solairus will have about 200 aircraft on its Part 135 certificate and about 500 under management. Clay Lacy continues to operate its FBO, maintenance and real estate businesses. The deal was announced Aug. 7.
Senate Bill Seeks $30 Billion More for ATC Modernization
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., introduced the Modern Skies Act on Sept. 28 at an event hosted by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy at Reagan National Airport. The bill would provide about $30 billion for air traffic control modernization and airport projects, on top of the $12.5 billion Congress approved last year. It includes $10 billion for ATC systems, among them $7.2 billion for a common automation platform and controller workstation. NBAA Interim Chief Operating Officer Dan Hubbard said the association supports the legislation.
FAA Hires Record 2,235 Controller Trainees
The FAA hired 2,235 air traffic controller trainees in fiscal 2026, the most in agency history and above its target of 2,200, the agency announced Oct. 1. More than 12,000 qualified applicants applied in the first 24 hours of its recruitment campaign, and more than 1,300 trainees graduated from the FAA Academy this fiscal year.
The FAA plans to hire at least 2,300 trainees in fiscal 2027 and 2,400 in fiscal 2028. The agency ended fiscal 2026 with 11,027 certified controllers, up from 10,694 a year earlier, according to Department of Transportation figures reported by Fox News.
Record Mechanic Certificates Issued in 2025, but Shortage Persists, Report Says
The FAA issued a record 11,103 new mechanic certificates in 2025, up 23.2% from 2024 and the highest annual total since the agency began publishing the data, according to the 2026 Pipeline Report from the Aviation Technician Education Council and Oliver Wyman. Aviation Week reported the findings Sept. 24.
Aviation maintenance technician schools produced 7,496 of the new certificates, up 27% and an annual record. Enrollment at FAA-certificated maintenance schools rose 13.5% to 27,740 students, though only 62% of available A&P program seats were filled, AVweb reported. Certificates based on civilian experience, including apprenticeships, rose 21%. Certificates based on military experience rose 5% to 1,375. ATEC estimates about 20,000 qualified candidates leave the armed forces each year. Women made up 3.0% of certificated mechanics, up from 2.9% in last year's report.
Oliver Wyman projects a shortfall of about 25,000 North American aviation technical personnel this year, including about 9,100 certificated mechanics. It projects the certificated mechanic deficit will reach about 20,000 by 2030, equal to 12% of anticipated demand. The report found that 44% of certificated mechanics are over 60, which ATEC translates to roughly 39,000 retirements over the next decade. Certificated mechanics make up 86% of the general aviation technical workforce, according to ATEC.
ATEC Executive Director Crystal Maguire said the growth trend is an encouraging sign and that the industry needs to keep building momentum.
Embraer Delivers 41 Executive Jets in Third Quarter
Embraer delivered 66 aircraft in the third quarter, a record for the period and up 6% from a year earlier, the company said Oct. 2. Executive Aviation delivered 41 business jets, flat from a year earlier, including 22 light jets and 19 midsize jets. Executive deliveries total 115 through nine months. Embraer maintained its 2026 guidance of 160 to 170 executive jets, which FlightGlobal calculated requires 45 to 55 in the fourth quarter.
Epic Receives FAA Approval for Autoland on E1000 AX
Epic Aircraft announced Sept. 30 that the FAA has certified Garmin Emergency Autoland on the E1000 AX single-engine turboprop. Epic said the aircraft has multiple Autoland activation buttons in the cabin. The Pilatus PC-12 PRO received approval for the system Sept. 24.
Court Overturns $22.7 Million Award Against Gogo
A federal court in Delaware on Sept. 30 overturned a $22.7 million jury damages award against Gogo Business Aviation in a patent case brought by SmartSky Networks. The court found SmartSky did not prove recoverable damages and denied its requests for enhanced damages, ongoing royalties and interest, according to a statement from Gogo. The ruling is subject to appeal.
The World
Global Business Jet Activity Eases 1.3%; Africa, South America Lead Growth
Global business jet activity eased 1.3% year over year in the week of Sept. 21-27, to just under 79,500 departures, WingX reported Sept. 30. Year-to-date activity is up 3.4%. WingX said monthly growth slowed to 1.4% in August and 1.7% in September, from 5.7% and 6.3% in the same months last year.
European departures fell 0.7% to just over 13,000, and the region is up 1.2% year to date. Switzerland rose 7.1%, France 7.0% and the United Kingdom 3.5%. Germany fell 1.2% and Italy 4.8%.
Africa rose 46.1%, though it accounted for 1.2% of global traffic. South America rose 12.6%. The Middle East rose 3.3% on the week and remains down 14.6% year to date. Asia fell 4.2%, and Australasia fell 12.6%.
Weather and Fuel
Weather: Heavy Rain Ends Texas Dry Spell; Drier Week Ahead, Gulf System Under Watch
The following is sourced from the National Weather Service offices in Fort Worth/Dallas, Austin/San Antonio and Houston/Galveston, the Weather Prediction Center and the National Hurricane Center, current as of Oct. 4-5.
Last week's rain. Remnants of Hurricane Polo, which made landfall in Baja California Sur and Sonora, Mexico, crossed northern Mexico and combined with Gulf moisture and a Pacific cold front to bring several days of heavy rain to much of Texas. The remnants dropped 1 to 1.5 inches on El Paso on Sept. 29, MySA reported.
A flood watch covered much of South Central Texas, including San Antonio, Austin and the Hill Country, from 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, through 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. NWS Austin/San Antonio rated the Oct. 1 flood threat level 3 of 4 and forecast 2 to 4 inches of rain with isolated amounts up to 8 inches.
Flash flood warnings covered parts of Bandera, Gillespie, Kerr and Real counties on Oct. 1, with rainfall rates of several inches an hour reported in some areas, Texas Public Radio reported. Kerr County officials closed several low-water crossings. A flood warning was in effect for the Llano River at Llano, with moderate flooding forecast. In San Antonio, a flash flood warning covered Bexar, northern Atascosa and western Wilson counties Thursday afternoon, and some roads and low-water crossings closed. Bexar County emergency management reported 1 to 4 inches of rain countywide and more than 4 inches in parts of south Bexar.
In North Texas, some locations received 1 to 4 inches of rain in recent days, and isolated areas near the Red River and south and west of Dallas-Fort Worth recorded more than 6 inches, Fox 4 reported. The Oct. 1 storms brought the Metroplex its first widespread measurable rain since mid-July, The Dallas Morning News reported. DFW Airport had gone 67 consecutive days without measurable rain, tying the second-longest dry streak on record, before 0.01 inch fell Sept. 21. The Killeen-Fort Hood area measured 1.25 inches Thursday, 1.47 inches Friday and 0.58 inches Saturday, according to NWS Fort Worth, as reported by the Killeen Daily Herald. Rain ended across North Texas Sunday afternoon, CBS Texas reported. NWS Houston/Galveston said Sunday's showers and storms were limited mainly to the coast.
North Texas. NWS Fort Worth/Dallas forecasts sunny skies Monday with highs in the lower 80s and lows around 60 Monday night in Dallas County. Highs reach the mid 80s Friday and the lower 80s Saturday, with lows in the mid 60s. Lows fall into the 50s in some areas Tuesday morning, and rain chances stay at 10% to 20% at most through the week, CBS Texas reported.
Central Texas. NWS Austin/San Antonio expects a drier work week with highs from the upper 70s to the low 90s and lows mainly in the 60s. A few rural locations in the Hill Country and southern Edwards Plateau may see lows in the 50s for the first time since May. Low rain chances return late in the week into the weekend. The office also said wetter-than-normal conditions are likely across South-Central Texas this October, as often occurs in El Niño years. KSAT reported a slight chance of showers Thursday and Friday from a disturbance moving in from the west.
Upper Texas coast. NWS Houston/Galveston said a frontal boundary moves off the coast Monday, keeping the best rain chances over the coastal waters, with slightly cooler and drier weather through at least mid-week.
Lower Texas coast. The Weather Prediction Center has a Moderate Risk, level 3 of 4, of excessive rainfall for portions of the lower Texas coast through early Monday and a Slight Risk, level 2 of 4, from Monday into Tuesday morning.
Gulf. At 2 p.m. EDT Sunday, the National Hurricane Center gave a broad area of low pressure forecast to form in the southwestern Gulf by mid-week a 40% chance of tropical development over seven days, up from 30% earlier in the day, and near 0% over 48 hours. Forecasters said conditions are only marginally conducive and a tropical depression could form late in the week as the system drifts northward.
Nationally. The Weather Prediction Center's extended outlook for Wednesday through Sunday shows the excessive rainfall threat ramping up again across the central Gulf Coast and Southeast on Friday, and the California heat wave beginning to weaken Thursday. More than 35 million people were under heat alerts in California on Sunday, ABC News reported, with extreme heat warnings for Los Angeles and San Diego in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday. The Weather Prediction Center also has a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall Tuesday for much of Florida and southeast Georgia.
Fuel: Jet-A Edges Up, September Sets Records
The national average for Jet-A was $8.29 per gallon as of Oct. 4, according to GlobalAir, up from $8.26 a week earlier. 100LL averaged $7.74, up from $7.71, and SAF averaged $10.53, up from $10.52. Alaska was highest at $9.64 for Jet-A and $11.62 for 100LL.
GlobalAir reported that September's national averages finalized at $7.99 for Jet-A, a record, and $7.59 for 100LL, a new high that is 4 cents above the July 2022 peak. SAF averaged $10.23 in September. The Aviation Research Group's survey of more than 200 FBOs, which includes taxes and fees, put the September Jet-A average at $8.49, up 18 cents from August and $1.96 from a year earlier.
AirNav's Oct. 4 report, covering prices reported Sept. 11 to Oct. 4, put the nationwide average at $7.41 for 100LL across 3,480 FBOs and $7.66 for Jet-A across 2,596. The Central region was lowest at $6.98 for 100LL and $6.90 for Jet-A. The figures differ from GlobalAir's because of different methodologies and reporting windows.
AirNav's best-price list showed Texas 100LL averaging $6.90 across 371 FBOs, compared with $7.14 nationally across 4,217. Texas airports on the list of local best-price avgas included Franklin County Airport in Mount Vernon (F53) at $4.75 on Sept. 17, Madisonville Municipal (51R) at $5.45 on Sept. 17, Albany Municipal (T23) at $5.45 on Sept. 24 and Hutchinson County Airport in Borger (KBGD) at $5.49 on Sept. 23. Prices are self-reported.
Brent crude traded near $102 a barrel Friday and near $101 Monday, according to Trading Economics.
That's The Brief
The Week in One Sentence: NetJets filed plans for a $19.5 million private terminal at Austin-Bergstrom, Texas business jet flights rose 6.4% in the week of Sept. 21-27 while U.S. totals slipped, heavy rain from the remnants of Hurricane Polo ended a long dry spell across much of the state, two aircraft accidents occurred at Texas airfields in Snyder and Boerne with no injuries reported, Solairus closed the first stage of its Clay Lacy acquisition, the FAA hired a record 2,235 controller trainees, a new industry report found the FAA issued a record 11,103 mechanic certificates in 2025 while projecting a shortfall of about 9,100 certificated mechanics this year, and the National Hurricane Center gave a southwestern Gulf low a 40% chance of development over seven days.
Got news you’d like considered for the Scissortail Brief? A new hangar going up at your field, a personnel move, a story we missed entirely? Send it our way. The same goes for comments, suggestions and the occasional friendly correction. Email Clayton at clayton@scissortailconsulting.aero and we’ll take a look.
