Hawthorne Global Aviation Services is adding its third location in a little more than a year with the recent acquisition of development rights at Chicago Executive Airport. Hawthorne, which teamed with Moelis Capital Partners in 2010 to build a nationwide fixed-base operation (FBO) chain, closed on a deal May 6 to acquire the rights from Sovereign Development Group and hopes to begin construction later this month on a nearly 40,000-sq.-ft. terminal and hangar facility.

London Gatwick Airport has reopened a helicopter landing site after a 12-year absence, enabling helos to land without having to taxi on the runway. Based at the end of taxiway Uniform on the west side of the airport, the helicopter aiming point (HAP) reopens after two years of feasibility discussions and joint planning between Gatwick officials and Signature Flight Support.

Beechcraft is hoping to sell most of its jet programs by midyear, the company says. The company confirms that the “expiration” process is under way and hopes to conclude it in upcoming months. The company declined to detail whether the sale would involve all of the programs, or parts. But Beechcraft CEO Bill Boisture told Aviation Week earlier this year that the programs have attracted a fair amount of interest.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is using a series of simulations as exercises to bolster communications among airports, the local community and operators during times of increased security threats, says Kerwin Wilson, manager of TSA’s General Aviation Branch. The simulation exercises come as the TSA reviews a draft update to general aviation airport security guidelines.

Industry leaders are encouraged that they are seeing commitments from the highest levels of FAA to streamline the certification process, but plan to keep seeking congressional help to ensure that progress continues.

Cessna Aircraft has flown the first production model of the new Citation Sovereign, beginning the production flight-test program about six months after unveiling the upgraded aircraft. Cessna introduced the new Sovereign during the National Business Aviation Association’s annual meeting and convention in Orlando, Fla., in October, but the program had long since been under way.

The Santa Monica Airport in California is more than doubling its aircraft landing fees of $2.07 certified maximum gross landing weight per 1,000 lb. to $5.48 beginning Aug. 1. The Santa Monica City Council approved the change last week in an effort to cover what city officials have said has been a continuing shortfall that’s been ongoing for years. The fees will be applied both to transient and based aircraft.

In previous years, PMA parts, OEM vs. MRO, or in-house vs. outsource issues arose. Those topics still come up.