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Boeing’s $1.1 Billion Apology
Good morning! I’m up in Juneau, Alaska this week filming floatplanes for the Flybuyer YouTube channel with the crew at Ward Air. The weather? Same story as yesterday (and the day before): high of 48, low of 42, steady drizzle and a thick overcast draped over the mountains. But does that slow down the local bush pilots? Not a chance...🛩️
-Rob Roy
In today’s email:
Boeing Buys Time, Not Trust
Around the Skies: Beta’s CX300 takes Europe by storm, Chicago Midway rewrites the runway map, Machinists return after Pratt & Whitney deal, FBO industry eyes $41B future, Aircraft sales rise 25%, Toyota invests big in Joby aviation, Garmin launches smarter charting tool
PilotTube: Inside the Epic Makeover of a $30K Piper
THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Boeing’s Billion-Dollar Deal Avoids Courtroom (But Not Controversy)
The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a sweeping agreement with Boeing that allows the aerospace manufacturer to avoid prosecution over its role in two catastrophic 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019. As part of the deal, Boeing will admit to conspiring to obstruct a federal investigation and pay $1.1 billion—$482 million in criminal penalties, with the remainder benefiting crash victims and their families. The agreement also requires Boeing to invest significantly in its safety, compliance and quality assurance programs, and mandates continued FAA oversight as well as cooperation with an independent compliance monitor.
A central and symbolic element of the deal includes a requirement that Boeing’s board of directors meet with the families of the crash victims to hear their concerns firsthand. The Justice Department described the agreement as a “fair and just resolution” that delivers accountability, while avoiding the uncertainty of a trial. According to the DOJ, more than 100 victims' families were consulted during the process, with many expressing support for a resolution that would bring the legal proceedings to a close. Still, others—including some families and their attorneys—remain deeply opposed, arguing that only a public trial would hold Boeing fully accountable.

The deal has drawn political fire. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal criticized the agreement in a letter to the DOJ, warning that it risks letting Boeing “weasel its way out of accountability” for a corporate culture that prioritized profit over safety. Critics say the deferred prosecution approach echoes past failures to fully penalize large corporations for misconduct with serious human consequences.
While Boeing continues to work toward rebuilding trust, this latest agreement may serve as both a turning point and a reminder. The crashes, driven in part by failures surrounding the aircraft’s MCAS system, rocked the aviation industry and reshaped regulatory scrutiny worldwide. With certification efforts ongoing and FAA oversight still in place, the company’s future now depends not just on engineering, but on how well it delivers on its renewed promise of transparency and safety.
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AROUND THE SKIES
🛩️ Beta’s all-electric CX300 just touched down in Ireland after barnstorming across 25 U.S. states. The mission: prove electric flight is ready for real-world ops. With mobile chargers in tow and Bristow Group waiting in Norway, Beta is charging full speed into aviation’s next era.
🛩️ After a close call on the tarmac, Chicago Midway is renaming its runways to boost safety and clarity. On June 12, Runway 13C/31C will become 13L/31R, while the existing 13L/31R will be retired for good. The change follows a near-miss between a Southwest 737 and a Flexjet jet, where sun glare and confusing taxiways nearly led to disaster.
🛩️ After a three-week walkout, unionized machinists at Pratt & Whitney have approved a new four-year contract, ending the strike and returning to work Thursday. Backed by 74% of union members, the deal includes a 6% base pay increase and job security at key Connecticut plants through 2029. The strike had raised concerns about delayed engine deliveries for aircraft like the Airbus A320neo and the F-35.
🛩️ The FBO market is projected to soar from $25.5 billion in 2024 to $41.4 billion by 2031, fueled by growing business aviation demand and expanding global hubs. North America remains the frontrunner, while Asia accelerates with more corporate jets and a wave of new greenfield airports.
🛩️ General aviation is flying high in 2025, with aircraft sales posting double-digit gains across the board. According to GAMA’s latest report, piston airplane deliveries jumped 19.3%, turboprops soared 23.1% and business jets climbed 11% compared to Q1 2024. The total value of airplane shipments reached $5.04 billion—a 25.7% increase.
🛩️ Toyota has doubled down on Joby Aviation, investing $250 million and securing rights to build, operate and maintain its electric air taxis. The deal strengthens Toyota’s role from investor to strategic partner, with plans to support production, certification and even launch its own fleet in Japan. With FAA approval on the horizon, Joby now has serious manufacturing muscle behind its 2025 launch plans.
🛩️ Garmin just made IFR flying a whole lot smarter with the launch of SmartCharts, a powerful new feature in the Garmin Pilot app. It filters charts to show only what’s relevant to your aircraft, route and runway—making briefings quicker and procedures clearer. With geo-referenced profiles, real-time minima and one-tap brief tabs, it’s like having a digital copilot in your pocket. SmartCharts is available now for U.S. pilots on Garmin’s premium plan.
PilotTube
What do you get when you buy a tired old Cherokee Six for under $30K and hand it over to a Piper-savvy A&P/IA? A full-blown resurrection. In this video, SoCal Flying Monkey takes you through the transformation of N631BW—from worn-out relic to modern, leather-trimmed, glass-cockpit cruiser featuring Avidyne, Dynon, Trutrak and more. With an estimated $100K in upgrades (and a lot of hands-on love), this is the story of bringing a classic back to life—one rivet at a time.
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