Good morning from the VIP Seat - this week we have a few rants that really cover a wide range of the aviation specturm.

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Israel’s F-35s vs. Iran’s Museum Fleet

Programming note: this newsletter was written on Monday, June 16th in the afternoon. The story continues to evolve.

The Middle East continues to draw aviation attention, and not just for geopolitical reasons. Israel’s air force is operating with top-of-the-line F-35s… rumored to be locally modified for extended range. Meanwhile, Iran’s fleet includes Cold War-era MiGs, pre-revolution F-14s, and even some from the 70’s!

Though Iran technically has more aircraft, many are ancient and of questionable airworthiness. The real kicker? Israel’s F-35s may have gained an extra 200–500 nautical miles of range through local modifications, giving them the legs to reach deep into Iranian territory without needing to refuel mid-air. While defense analysts debate what that means strategically, one thing’s clear: Iran’s not flying the same game.

Paris Air Show’s Not-So-Subtle Snub

What happens when politics show up at a plane party? The Paris Air Show answered that question by placing literal black walls around Israeli defense exhibitors. The move, allegedly spurred by political pressure, was aimed at downplaying the presence of Israeli defense companies…despite similar tech from other countries, including France, being showcased freely.

The optics? Awful. Attendees noticed, LinkedIn rants flew, and more than a few execs have openly questioned whether they’ll return next year. For a show that claims to be the beating heart of global aerospace innovation, this kind of selective censorship sends the wrong message. It’s a reminder that even at the most prestigious events, not all countries are playing on a level tarmac.

Private Jet Services vs. Delta: A Charter Clash at White Plains

Private Jet Services Group (PJS) is taking Westchester County to court, alleging that the county unfairly blocked their ability to operate charter flights for pro sports teams while Delta was given free with similarly sized aircraft. But only one can be on the ground at one time, causing some issues for PJS when Delta was on the ground flying sports teams, including the New York Rangers and the New York Knicks.

At the heart of the issue is a lost $4.9 million contract and questions about whether public airports can pick and choose who gets access to run big-money charters. HPN has commercial service from airlines like Breeze and American, so this isn’t a private-use-only facility. If PJS is right, the implications for brokers running large-scale 135 ops could be massive. Expect this one to ripple far beyond Westchester.

FAA Administrator Nominee Hits Turbulence

Bryan Bedford, CEO of Republic Airways, is the latest nominee for FAA Administrator. While most major industry groups support his nomination, consumer advocacy organizations have raised flags, mostly due to his past lobbying to reduce the 1,500-hour flight time rule for first officers.

Then there’s the resume dust-up: A website once described Bedford as a commercially rated pilot, but a records check by Politico shows he never completed the checkride. According to the DOT, he passed the written and oral exams, holds his multi-engine and instrument ratings under a private certificate, but didn’t finish the flight portion. It’s technically not a lie, but it’s not the full picture either.

Should the FAA chief be a commercial pilot? Not necessarily. Should their resume be accurate? Definitely. More importantly, Bedford’s nomination highlights deeper industry tensions: Do we hold the line on outdated rules, or modernize how we define pilot readiness?

Mental Health for Pilots Gets a $40M Boost

In a rare moment of unity, Congress is moving to allocate $40 million over the next three years to address pilot and controller mental health. The goal? Reduce stigma, improve access to care, and create policies that allow aviation professionals to seek help without fear of losing their certificate.

Historically, mental health has been the aviation equivalent of a boogeyman. Pilots joke in memes… “Admit you're sad, lose your license” but behind the humor is a very real culture of silence. The proposed legislation would lean on the recommendations of an FAA rulemaking committee and could mark the first real shift toward a more progressive, human-centered system. Let’s just hope it turns into action, not just another multi-million-dollar study with no landing gear.

Mile High Madness

We couldn’t wrap without your weekly dose of bizav absurdity. This week’s winner? A zebra named Ed who escaped the Nashville Zoo and had to be airlifted home via helicopter. Yes, seriously. Video shows Ed being gently hoisted through the sky like a striped VIP. If you’re a utility helicopter operator and you’re not using this in your next ad campaign, you’re doing it wrong.

@peytonkennedytv

THE TENNESSEE ZEBRA IS SAVED #missingzebra #edthezebra

Meanwhile, over in influencer-land, Grant Cardone posted a photo standing between a Global 7500 and a Gulfstream G800, seemingly weighing his next ultra-long-range buy. The kicker? His tweet had “AI wrote this” all over it. Phrases like “high-flying lifestyle” was a dead giveaway. And all the freaking em-dashes. More likely, it’s a negotiation tactic aimed at Gulfstream, who (shocker) probably won’t let him skip the delivery line this time. Must be tough waiting two years for a $75M jet.

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