With first flight possibly just days away, Airbus A350XWB project test pilot, Frank Chapman, gave Aviation Week an update on the flight test program in Toulouse on 6 June, 2013.

Business aircraft financing has become more available but lending has changed, with financial institutions becoming more segmented and specialized, an industry expert says.

Airworthiness directives issued last week by U.S. and Canadian authorities are targeting unrelated yaw and pitch control system problems experienced by certain Bombardier regional jets.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta is appealing to general aviation pilots to make sure they’re “ready to fly” before they embark on a trip. The appeal came in an open letter to the general aviation community underscoring that the troubling accident rate has captured the attention of the highest levels of FAA. FAA often puts out safety alerts to operators with common sense advice on piloting aircraft, but they typically don’t come directly from the administrator.

A rotorcraft industry once characterized by rugged individuals flying simple machines is seeing an influx of technology not witnessed since the Vietnam War. Introduced at the top end of the market, in larger helicopters for demanding offshore oil-and-gas and search-and-rescue operators, new technologies are spreading down the size range as costs and weights fall so more customers can see the safety, performance and economic benefits.

Boeing taps automated systems to support 777 production

Given years of economic recession in Southern Europe, airlines based in the region are all suffering. But some are dealing with the situation far better than others.