The Week in Business Aviation - Jan. 17

January 17, 2020

FAA Certification Needs Tweaks, Not Overhaul, Special Committee Says

Credit: Boeing

WASHINGTON—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. 

 

Subscribers can access the full article here. Not a subscriber? Find out more. 

Bombardier Bizjet Deliveries Rise As It Mulls A220 Exit, Big Changes

Credit: Airbus

Bombardier said it is reassessing future participation in its Airbus A220 partnership amid an increase in business jet deliveries in 2019.

 

Subscribers can access the full article here. Not a subscriber? Find out more. 

Counter-Drone System In Place At London Heathrow

Credit: 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.

 

Subscribers can access the full article here. Not a subscriber? Find out more. 

Woodward, Hexcel To Merge In Climate-Change Technology Push

Credit: Hexcel and Woodward are suppliers on many programs, including the A350. Credit: Airbus -- S. Ramadier

Fluid 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.

 

Subscribers can access the full article here. Not a subscriber? Find out more. 

Personal EVTOL Startup Names New CEO, Plans Sales Tour

Credit: BlackFly personal eVTOL. Credit: Opener

U.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.

 

Subscribers can access the full article here. Not a subscriber? Find out more. 

European BizAv Activity Up In December, Declines In 2019

Credit: Rob Finlayon

Business 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. 

 

Subscribers can access the full article here. Not a subscriber? Find out more. 

Jet Edge Expands With Acquisition Of JetSelect

Credit: Jet Edge

Los 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.

 

Subscribers can access the full article here. Not a subscriber? Find out more. 

Tailwind Technologies Completes Acquisitions

Credit: Tailwind Technologies President Jim Brown III. Credit: Tailwind Technologies

Tailwind Technologies has acquired Quality Aircraft Accessories, an aftermarket stocking distributor for general aviation accessory manufacturers. It also acquired Aerospace Welding Minneapolis and Aerospace Manufacturing. 

 

Subscribers can access the full article here. Not a subscriber? Find out more. 

Colorado Scales Back Probe Of Drone Sightings

Credit: Special mission PC-12 used in search for mystery drones. Credit: Colorado Department of Public Safety

After 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.

 

Subscribers can access the full article here. Not a subscriber? Find out more. 

Terrafugia Flies EVTOL For Carmaker Geely In China

Credit: TF-2A. Credit: Terrafugia

Images 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.

 

Subscribers can access the full article here. Not a subscriber? Find out more. 

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.

Related Content

The Week in Business Aviation - Jan.10