Cessna hit another key milestone in its busy development schedule with the first flight of its new Citation Latitude midsize business jet. The aircraft, which was recently rolled out quietly before employees, flew a little more than three years after Cessna unveiled its first all-new Latitude during the National Business Aviation Association’s annual convention, keeping it on schedule for a 2015 certification.

In a move designed to stem a spike in helicopter accidents that occurred over the past couple of decades, FAA on Feb. 20 released a comprehensive final rule that imposes a series of equipment, training and operational requirements on helicopters flown in Part 135 generally and in air ambulance missions specifically.

Landmark Aviation added a significant anchor in the Northwest with its acquisition of Galvin Flying Services, one of the oldest fixed-base operations in the region.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is reiterating its appeal for the Federal Communications Commission to halt its effort to ban 121.5 MHz emergency locator transmitters after the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recommended moving forward with the proposed order.

Eclipse Aerospace, which in October completed the first ceremonial delivery of its Eclipse 550 very light jet, inched closer to receiving all the necessary FAA clearances to begin formal deliveries with approvals on three key components and systems. FAA issued supplemental type certification for the auto throttle, standby display unit and anti-skid brake system.

A $300 million deal involving the sale of eight Gulfstream aircraft to China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing Co. helped push the Export-Import Bank’s financial backing of the business aircraft and helicopter market to more than $1 billion.

After evaluating prospective assembly sites across the U.S. and Japan, Boeing has elected to place both the 777X wing fabrication and assembly sites at Everett, Wash., home of the current 777 and future long-range twinjet final assembly lines.

With its population spread across more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia faces costly infrastructure challenges in keeping its people connected. Low-fare airlines have quickly blossomed, linking major towns and cities but not many smaller settlements, so Indonesia is turning to its fledging aviation industry to find a way forward.