By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Gulfstream Aerospace's second G600 flight-test aircraft flew for the first time Feb. 24, joining the manufacturer's flight-test program. The flight lasted 4 hr. 26 min. The first G600 aircraft had its first flight Dec .17 from Savannah Hilton Head International Airport. Since then, the aircraft has flown more than 150 hr. The aircraft is undergoing flutter testing, and is expanding the flight envelope.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
The Global 7000/8000 program's second flight test vehicle flew for the first time March 4, and Bombardier says the 7000 is on track to enter into service in the second half of 2018.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
More than 115 mayors from all 50 U.S. states have sent a letter to Congress saying they are concerned about the impact that privatization of air traffic control would have on communities around the country, especially in rural regions. By contrast, large commercial airlines are supporting the idea, which is being advocated by some legislators.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Embraer is cautiously optimistic about its executive jet segment amid a used aircraft market that remains challenging, the company said March 9 as it released 2016 financial results.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Bombardier Business Aircraft has established five new line maintenance stations in Europe to support customers of Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
A coalition of aviation groups, including the American Association of Airport Executives and U.S. Contract Tower Association, has written leaders of the U.S. Senate and House appropriations committees to request that the FAA appropriations bill continue the contract towers program.
The Theory: The sky is so vast and your aircraft so small, there’s almost no chance of a “midair” encounter. Of course we all know this theory is invalid and would never embrace such a blind course of aircraft avoidance. And yet so many of our actions validate the theory that we needn’t look outside our aluminum tubes to see others that might share our airspace. The classic “beak-to-beak” midair collision scenario came from the U.S. Air Force in the 1970s. It featured an F-4 Phantom II heading right at you, the closure speed was on the order of 900 kt. and you didn’t stand a chance.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
Gulfstream and BAE Systems set out to reintroduce the intuitiveness of mechanically coupled flight controls by integrating electronically coupled sidesticks on the G500 and G600 business jets, set for certification this year and next year, respectively. Gulfstream G500 and G600 business jets will be the first commercial FBW aircraft with active sidesticks in service. For that achievement Gulfstream and BAE Systems were awarded the Aviation Week 2017 Technology Laureate during a gala in Washington.
Wheels Up was named by Aviation Week Network editors as the 2017 winner of the Laureate for Business Aviation. Founded four years ago with the promise to “democratize” travel by business aviation, the once disruptive start-up has grown into an operation with about 4,000 members. Membership is even available through Costco stores. Membership growth has come faster than anticipated expected -- up 72% from 2015 to 2016.
By William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno, Molly McMillin
After decades of consideration and debate, the European Union recently approved commercial air transport (CAT) operations for single-engine turboprop aircraft in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and at night. The new regulation was to take effect in March. The move was applauded by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) as well as individual airframers such as Daher, whose TBMs have been employed in such activities in North America and elsewhere for some time.
Duncan Aviation completed a redesign of the Android version of its AOG Services app, which makes it easy for operators to find the nearest Duncan Aviation location to their current position.
FlightSafety International now offers FAA-approved Part 142 night-vision-goggle (NVG) initial training for the Airbus Helicopters H135, Bell 212 and Bell 412EP using Level D qualified simulators.
AirMed International has opened a Beechjet 400 base at Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport to serve air medical transportation and organ procurement and recovery flight.
CSI Aviation, a New Mexico-based, international air charter services and logistics company, has expanded its operating certificate to give the company the capability to provide flight services worldwide.
AirFlyte is now operating as Rectrix MRO Inc. The rebranding stems from the 2013 acquisition of AirFlyte by Rectrix and specifically markets the company for its maintenance, repair and overhaul services.
Textron Aviation has launched a new platform for its technical publications called 1View. There, customers can access maintenance manuals, flight documents and service information for Beechcraft, Cessna Aircraft and Hawker aircraft.
Jetliner manufacturers believe there’s merit in minimalism. They’re wary of distractions that could impede or derail pilot performance in high-stress situations. They’re also loathe to bury control of systems in multiple layers of submenus.
Today’s instruments enable pilots to better visualize their environment, but can also suffer subtle failures and lure the unprepared into hazardous situations.
National Transportation Safety Board vice chairman Robert L. Sumwalt tells BCA about two of the accidents most troubling to him and why he believes the Board does not need regulatory authority.
Are airports in peril, either from owners that want to privatize them or municipalities that want to shut them down? The NBAA's Steve Brown has some good news and some bad news.
