The Week in Business Aviation - Jan. 17

FAA Certification Needs Tweaks, Not Overhaul, Special Committee Says
Credit: BoeingWASHINGTON—The FAA’s certification process is not fundamentally flawed and “was followed” during the Boeing 737 MAX certification, but shortcomings in key guidance, global perspective, safety assessments, and agency staffing should be addressed to improve the system.
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Bombardier Bizjet Deliveries Rise As It Mulls A220 Exit, Big Changes
Credit: AirbusBombardier said it is reassessing future participation in its Airbus A220 partnership amid an increase in business jet deliveries in 2019.
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Counter-Drone System In Place At London Heathrow
Typical optical sensors used to detect drones. Credit: Operational Solutions Ltd.A custom-made anti-drone system has been deployed at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), using technologies from different manufacturers.
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Woodward, Hexcel To Merge In Climate-Change Technology Push
Hexcel and Woodward are suppliers on many programs, including the A350. Credit: Airbus -- S. RamadierFluid and motion-control systems supplier Woodward and materials leader Hexcel have proposed a stock merger to create one of the largest independent aerospace and defense suppliers, the companies announced Jan. 12.
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Personal EVTOL Startup Names New CEO, Plans Sales Tour
BlackFly personal eVTOL. Credit: OpenerU.S. startup Opener, developer of the BlackFly personal electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has named a new CEO as it tests an initial batch of 30 vehicles ahead of a planned North American sales tour.
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European BizAv Activity Up In December, Declines In 2019
Credit: Rob FinlayonBusiness aviation activity in Europe grew 2.9% in December compared to a year ago, although activity for the full year declined 1.6% compared to 2018, according to WingX Advance.
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Jet Edge Expands With Acquisition Of JetSelect
Credit: Jet EdgeLos Angeles-based Jet Edge International completed its acquisition of JetSelect Aviation, creating one of the largest fleets of charter aircraft based in the U.S. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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Tailwind Technologies Completes Acquisitions
Tailwind Technologies President Jim Brown III. Credit: Tailwind TechnologiesTailwind Technologies has acquired Quality Aircraft Accessories, an aftermarket stocking distributor for general aviation accessory manufacturers. It also acquired Aerospace Welding Minneapolis and Aerospace Manufacturing.
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Colorado Scales Back Probe Of Drone Sightings
Special mission PC-12 used in search for mystery drones. Credit: Colorado Department of Public SafetyAfter finding no evidence of criminal activity, Colorado’s Department of Public Safety (CDPS) has “scaled back proactive operations” that sought an explanation of a rash of reported drone sightings in the state.
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Terrafugia Flies EVTOL For Carmaker Geely In China
TF-2A. Credit: TerrafugiaImages of an electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft carrying the branding of Chinese automaker Geely have appeared online. The Twitter posting shows a subscale aircraft flying and concept art of the full-scale air taxi.
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FAA's certification process not fundamentally flawed, Bombardier bizjet deliveries rise, Woodward and Hexcel to merge, European bizav activity up and more. A weekly roundup of Business Aviation.