Pilatus Tariffs Nixed, Airport Closure Battles, & Joby/ARCHER espionage

✈️ The VIP Seat Weekly

Your business aviation hot takes, served fresh

Season 2, Episode 24 | November 19th, 2025 | Episode Companion

🛫 The Runway Report

The top stories from this week's podcast that are moving the needle in bizav

1️⃣ Swiss Trade Deal Should Kill the 39% Pilatus Tariffs

The Scoop: Pilatus operators can finally exhale. The U.S. and Switzerland reached a framework for a new trade agreement that's expected to exempt aviation products entirely from tariffs. Back in August, Pilatus halted U.S. shipments after 39% tariffs hit Swiss imports. The new framework calls for aviation to be exempt under the 1979 Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft.

Our Take: The tariffs were creating strange behaviors in the PC12 and PC24 markets. Swiss International operates 12 Boeing 777s, and tariffs on parts could have crushed their margins, putting future orders at risk. The $200 billion Swiss investment commitment in the US (with $67 billion starting in 2026) sweetened the deal. But until ink hits paper, we're still in limbo. Also worth noting: over 6,000 PC-12s and PC-24s operate in the U.S. market, and PlaneSense is the 7th largest charter/fractional operator running a Pilatus-exclusive fleet.

Link: Private Jet Card Comparisons

2️⃣ It was the Best Of Times, It was the Worst of Times: A Tale of Three Cities

The Scoop: This week painted a clear picture of GA infrastructure's push-and-pull in 2025. AOPA joined the fight against Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb's push to close Burke Lakefront Airport and redevelop its 450 waterfront acres. Meanwhile, Boulder's lawsuit against the FAA was dismissed, where the city wanted clarity on whether a $5,800 grant from 1991 obligates them to operate their airport forever. On the flip side, DeKalb County approved a $45 million Sky Harbour development at PDK in a 6-1 vote.

Our Take: Sky Harbour's model is fascinating as they're creating a new asset class in aviation infrastructure. The PDK deal includes $576 million in economic impact over a 50-year lease and $1 million in annual community reinvestment. That's their 20th location, with nine already operating and ten more in development. But the closure battles show the fragility of our network. In Cleveland, Burke handles 50,000+ operations annually, including 500+ medevac and organ transplant flights per year. Cleveland is obligated to operate through 2036 and would need Congressional action or FAA approval to close. Boulder's strategy to avoid future FAA grants to preserve their 2040 exit option could cost $41 million. Every time a city tries to close an airport, it's a reminder that we can't take GA access for granted. These airports took decades to build; once they're gone, they're gone forever.

Links: Burke Lakefront - AIN Online | Boulder Municipal - AVweb | Sky Harbour PDK - AIN Online

3️⃣ After 80 Years, the V-Tail Era Ends: Textron Retires Baron and Bonanza

The Scoop: End of an era. Textron Aviation confirmed they're ending production of the Beechcraft Baron G58 and Bonanza G36 once current orders are fulfilled. These aircraft have been a staple in Textron's piston line for decades with over 18,000 Bonanzas and 6,000 Barons delivered worldwide. December marks the 80th anniversary of the Bonanza's first flight.

Our Take: The piston aircraft market has been challenging for years with high acquisition costs, insurance headaches, and the economics just don't pencil compared to turboprops for serious travel. Textron paused orders for both aircraft in 2024, and the writing was on the wall. The transition clears the deck for the Beechcraft Denali, their clean-sheet turboprop powered by the GE Catalyst engine (FAA certified in February 2025) with deliveries expected in 2026. The Denali represents where the money is going. But there's something bittersweet about this. The Bonanza is an icon. Generations of pilots earned their stripes in these aircraft. The used market for well-maintained Barons and Bonanzas is going to be interesting to watch.

Link: AVweb

4️⃣ ATC Overhaul Gets Real: DOT 'Weeks Away' from Picking Prime Integrator

The Scoop: The Trump Administration's plan to replace America's air traffic control system is moving from PowerPoint to procurement. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford says DOT is close to picking a prime integrator to lead the Brand New Air Traffic Control System effort (BNATCS). Secretary Duffy says the selection is in "final stages" with President Trump involved in the decision.

Our Take: NextGen was supposed to revolutionize our airspace and it largely fizzled. But the private integrator approach is interesting… unlike NextGen, a private company will manage both technical and managerial responsibilities. Duffy put it bluntly: "The FAA does a great job on safety. But they're not builders." The scope is massive: 4,600+ ATC sites upgraded, 25,000 new radios, 600+ new radars, 475 new voice switches, and six new air route traffic control centers (the first in 60 years). Phase 1 targets 3-4 years for completion. Phase 2 specifically mentions accommodating eVTOLs. The $12.5 billion from the One Big Beautiful Bill is allocated, and Duffy wants it all up front rather than incremental funding. The question is whether political will survives beyond one administration. This is a multi-year, multi-billion dollar project that needs sustained commitment.

Link: Flying Magazine

🤳 Mile High Madness

This week's wildest aviation content from social media

Finally, a great explainer video on social media! Special shoutout to Henry Thompson of Freestream Aircraft who created a fantastic video on LinkedIn to explain floating fleets. Check out the video here.

Jessie gets cyber bullied for her Elizabeth Holmes impression… on our Youtube short, Jessie gets bullied for wearing her black turtle neck. It’s fall y’all…

🎧 This Week's Episode

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The VIP Seat Weekly is the companion newsletter to The VIP Seat podcast. We give you the business aviation hot takes for your commute.

Jessie’s Links:
Private Aviation Safety Alliance
FlyVizor
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Preston’s Links:
Prestige Aircraft Finance
Private Jet Insider (Newsletter)
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