The Week in Business Aviation - April 10
April 09, 2020
EAA AirVenture 2020 ‘Not Looking Good,’ CEO Says
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) organizers still plan to wait until May to decide whether to host EAA AirVenture Oshkosh set for July 20-26 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Pilatus PC-12 NGX First In Deliveries

Adaptability Key To Survival For COVID-Hit Bizav Operators
In an ordinary crisis, when commercial airlines were unable to meet an increasingly urgent need for flights, business aviation would be racing to take up the slack.

EASA Publishes Possible Framework For Urban Drone Rules
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published its first view of how the use and control of drones in an urban environment could be regulated, presenting an opinion to the European Commission that sets out how drones could co-exist with current airspace users.

Textron Aviation Begins COVID-19 Face Shield, Face Mask Production
Textron Aviation has begun producing plastic face shields and cloth face masks for the medical community, first responders and, in light of recent Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Guidance, its own employees due to the coronavirus crisis, the company said.

Industry Veteran Joins LHG-Fueled Personal Jet Project
A U.S. startup that plans to develop a two-passenger, remotely piloted personal jet powered by liquefied natural gas (LGN) as an alternative to business travel on airlines has attracted a big name from the aeroengine industry to act as an advisor.

Leonardo Completes Kopter Acquisition
Leonardo has completed its $185 million takeover of Switzerland’s Kopter Group from private equity firm Lynwood.

SkyDrive Flies Japan’s First Manned EVTOL
Japanese startup SkyDrive has conducted manned flights of its electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) demonstrator.

General Atomics Demos SkyGuardian Over California
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA ASI) flew its MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft in controlled airspace over southern California on April 3 as part of a NASA demonstration of civil and commercial applications of drones.

COVID-19 Delays Hydrogen-Electric Aircraft Propulsion Startup’s Flight
COVID-19 lockdowns in California and the UK have affected a U.S. startup’s plan to fly a hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion testbed as early as this month.
A return to skies program, why adaptability is key for COVID-19 survival, new possible urban drone rules and more. It has been another big week for business aviation in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
A roundup of business aviation news powered by The Weekly of Business Aviation. Subscribers can access the articles here. Not a subscriber? Find out more.