Top 4 aviation news stories in December

Colombia's Civil Aviation Authority granted the first RAC-VLA certification to manufacturer Pipistrel, enabling the operation of very light aircraft for specialized aerial work and marking a milestone for national aviation. At the same time, Collins Aerospace presented a compact APNT navigation solution capable of operating accurately in environments without GPS. Raisbeck Engineering obtained exclusive global distribution rights for Metrea STCs, expanding its offering of certified upgrades for commercial and special mission aircraft; and the EBAA announced that EBACE 2026 will be held in Geneva with a new static aircraft display format, focused on a safer and more premium experience for exhibitors and visitors.

1. Colombia issues the first RAC-VLA certification for very light aircraft

The Colombian Civil Aviation Authority officially awarded the first type certification for very light aircraft (RAC-VLA) in the country. The certificate was granted to manufacturer Pipistrel Aircraft for its X Eve model, marking a historic milestone for national aviation and reinforcing the country's commitment to innovation, safety, and the adoption of international standards.

During the ceremony, Edgar Rivera, Secretary of the Aeronautical Authority (E), highlighted that this certification opens up new opportunities for the industry:

"Aerocivil promotes the development of the aeronautical industry at all levels. Today we are giving the green light to an operation with light aircraft which, thanks to their type certificate, will offer opportunities for special operations under aeronautical regulations. This achievement represents the transfer of technology and more accessible, state-of-the-art equipment for the entity and operators."

Certification under the RAC-VLA regulations allows the operation of state-of-the-art aircraft in Colombia and enables their use in special aerial work, in accordance with RAC 138. These applications include high-precision surveying, 3D modeling, aerial photography, environmental monitoring, infrastructure control, and strategic surveillance.

Santiago Fermani, Pipistrel's head of airworthiness, highlighted the importance of this achievement for the company:

“This certification represents a goal we have had for a long time: to open up the market in this region of the world. Colombia has become a key gateway, and this certification is the result of a joint effort between Pipistrel and Aviatek, whom we deeply thank for their support.”

With this certification, explorers in Colombia, with the support of Pipistrel, will lead the implementation of these capabilities, providing key information for risk management, disaster prevention, and resource optimization.

In turn, Andrés Córdoba, legal representative of Aviatek Colombia, said:

“This is a huge achievement for the country, as we are the first company to certify this aircraft. We thank Aerocivil and Pipistrel for their joint work, which fills us with pride today.”

This advance positions Colombia as a regional benchmark in modern aeronautical solutions, aligned with principles of sustainability and transition to clean technologies. With this certification, the Civil Aviation Authority reaffirms its commitment to modernizing the aeronautical sector, diversifying the offer, and strengthening technical capabilities that drive the country's competitiveness.

Image taken from the Civil Aviation Authority

2. Collins Aerospace introduces compact, secure navigation solution for non-GPS environments

Collins Aerospaceunveiled a new assured positioning navigation timing (APNT) solution designed to operate in environments with interference and without reliable GPS signals. The demonstration was successfully conducted during the U.S. Army's persistent full-domain experiment at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

The innovation stands out as the smallest terrestrial APNT solution developed by the company to date. It is a CMOSS-based card-mounted format (CMFF) that offers advanced navigation capabilities in a portable, modular, and easy-to-integrate design.

This technology provides resilient navigation for ground vehicles, including robotic systems and autonomous platforms. During testing, when combined with an external antenna, the system demonstrated high performance in scenarios where GPS was degraded or completely denied.

According to Sandy Brown, , vice president and general manager of mission-critical products at Collins Aerospace, the solution offers high-precision navigation in demanding conditions, as well as being scalable and cost-effective. Its small size facilitates faster integration into different platforms and improves situational awareness in complex operations.

During the experiment, the APNT system maintained safe navigation despite the presence of multiple inhibitors and false signals. This was made possible by the use of military-grade GPS and the integration of internal and external sensors, which allow different data sources to be merged and ensure the operational continuity of vehicles, even without reliable GPS information.

The persistent multi-domain experiment is a U.S. Army initiative that allows new capabilities to be tested under real and demanding operational conditions, with the aim of advancing the development of sensor, networking, positioning, navigation, timing, and electronic warfare technologies.

3. Raisbeck Engineering obtains exclusive global distribution rights for Metrea's Stc

Raisbeck Engineering , a leading provider of certified performance enhancement systems for commercial and special mission aircraft, announced that it has obtained exclusive global distribution rights for a significant portfolio of supplemental type certificates (STCs) belonging to Metrea. This agreement expands Raisbeck's aftermarket offering and strengthens its position as a global leader in certified aeronautical performance solutions.

The agreement allows Raisbeck to market, sell, and provide technical support for Metrea's STCs through its global network of OEM and MRO partners. Thanks to this strategic alliance, the company will incorporate a wider range of certified modifications, including improvements to landing gear seals, engine assemblies, tire options, maximum weight increases, cargo compartments, and camera or viewing ports.

These solutions are designed to optimize operational efficiency, mission capability, and value for Twin Commander King Air Caravan aircraft used in commercial, military, and special mission operations.

“This partnership is an important step in Raisbeck's continued growth as a global leader in certified aeronautical performance systems,” said Gregory Davis , president of Raisbeck Engineering. “Metrea's STCs perfectly complement our current portfolio and ensure that these proven technologies remain available and supported for operators worldwide.”

The collaboration leverages Raisbeck's strong international distribution network, as well as its engineering, certification, and customer service expertise, ensuring comprehensive support throughout the product lifecycle for both active and legacy Metrea programs.

From Metrea, TJ Spitzmiller, Director of Solution Development, emphasized that the company looks forward to a productive and positive collaboration with Raisbeck, relying on its technical expertise and global reach for the continuity of these modifications.

King Air

4. EBACE 2026 will introduce a new format for the static aircraft display in Geneva

The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) announced plans for a new format for the static aircraft display to be implemented at EBACE 2026, one of the most important commercial aviation events in Europe.

The show will take place from May 27 to 29, 2026, and will feature a new location for the aircraft display at Geneva Airport, next to the Palexpo facilities, the traditional venue for the event. This new space will cover 40,000 square meters and will be accessible from both the airside and landside.

According to the EBBA, the design will be centralized, allowing a 360-degree view of the aircraft, surpassing the linear format used in previous editions. This layout will facilitate access for VIP guests without the need to first enter the convention center and will allow exhibitors to offer hospitality experiences directly in the outdoor area.

Stefan Benz, CEO of the EBAA, said that “EBACE 2026 marks a decisive step forward for the show,” offering exhibitors a private, premium, high-quality environment to serve their customers. He also highlighted that the new design will feature the most robust security perimeters implemented to date, with controlled access, clear zoning, and optimized visitor flow.

The association also reiterated that EBACE will remain in Geneva in 2026, before beginning a rotation to other European cities in alternate years. Although future venues have not yet been confirmed, the EBAA noted that Geneva remains a key city for the event.

In December, the organization will release specific details for exhibitors, including booking information for the new static display.

On November 19, the EBAA announced the formation of a new sales and management team for EBACE, made up of professionals with extensive experience in commercial aviation, defense, and aerospace events.

The new team is led by Carla Spiliard, EBACE program director, alongside Kerry Lamont, head of external accounts, and Helen Nagle, head of internal exhibitions. Marlenn Weide took over as director of operations projects and Dewi Hazes as director of projects. In addition, Paul Walsh, current manager of the EBAA, will be in charge of sales and services for EBACE members.Image of Civil Aviation