Business & Commercial Aviation

London Oxford Airport is seeing an increase in large business jets using its facilities this year. Its FBO has seen a 37% increase in large jet movements and a 46% increase over the past two years, the airport reports.

Blackhawk Modifications in Waco, Texas, has received an STC for the installation of True Blue Power TB44 lithium-ion batteries on Blackhawk-powered Cessna Caravan 208 and 208B models.

The fourth Cessna Citation Longitude test aircraft has joined the flight-test program. The aircraft is expected to receive FAA type certification later this year. The fourth Longitude flew for the first time on May 6.

Bombardier's third Global 7000 flight test aircraft flew for the first time May 10 and has entered the flight-test program. It will soon join Bombardier's flight-test center in Wichita.

Dassault's new Falcon 8X ultra-long-range jet has received approval to operate at London City Airport, which has some of the most restrictive steep approach and noise abatement regulations in business aviation.

Cirrus Aircraft was awarded the FAA's production certificate for its SF 50 Vision jet on May 2, and will begin producing the single-engine, single-pilot personal jets at a rate of one per week.

Sometimes you come upon a physical construct of such wrongheadedness that the natural question is: What were they thinking?

Questions for Shawn Vick, CEO of Global Jet Capital Inc., Boca Raton, Florida.

Choosing the right person to take over when you exit can be the capstone of your career as a director of maintenance. Depending on the size of the operation, there may be several people involved in the process, but regardless, your input will weigh heavily in the selection.

During my first-ever opportunity to lead a formation of two T-37 jet trainers as a solo pilot, my wingman, also a student pilot, failed the ride. I asked the instructor why the other lieutenant busted.

On June 24, 2006, a private pilot was receiving flight instruction in a Pilatus PC-12/47 at Big Timber, Montana's uncontrolled airport. Conditions for the departure from Runway 6 included winds at 17 kt. gusting to 23 kt. Witnesses said that the pilot had transmitted on CTAF with the intention of practicing a loss of engine power after takeoff, and turning 180 deg. to return to the airport. He and his instructor never made it back.

Vision Systems, through its new division Smart Lite, introduced the second-generation Electronically Dimmable Window, the Nuance V2 and the latest version of its smart interactive window, Acti-Vision Window adapted to business aviation.

Jet Aviation is preparing cockpit avionics systems in older Challenger 605s and 300s for upgrades that will improve transoceanic flights and meet upcoming FAA requirements.

SEA Prime, the company managing the FBO in Milan Linate Prime and soon operating in Milan Malpensa, and Bombardier have signed an agreement to open a new Bombardier Line Maintenance Station within SEA Prime’s facilities at Milan Linate Prime.

FlightSafety International has started master-level advanced training courses for the Falcon 2000EX EASy and 900EX EASy series aircraft.

Astronics Corp. through its wholly owned subsidiary Astronics Max-Viz, has certified its 2300 Enhanced Vision System to the DO-160G standard.

Paris Le Bourget Airport was the top airport for business aviation in Europe between May 2016 and April 2017, according to an analysis of acukwik.com usage. Six airports serving London ranked among the top 50. With seven of the top 50 airports, Italy accounted for the most airports of any of the 22 countries represented on the list.

Of all European airports requested by Aircharterguide.com users between May 2016 and April 2017, Paris Le Bourget Airport was requested as a destination and departure airport most, according to Air Charter Guide Worldwide Trip Builder records.

How will Brandon Mitchener's skills as a journalist and a corporate business communicator be utilized as CEO of the European Business Aviation Association?

PhilJets Group will be the Philippines’ largest operator of Airbus helicopters, following its new order for one twin-engine H145 and two single-engine H130s.

Few innovations have brightened the future of business aviation as light-emitting diode technology.

In the rapidly receding world of incandescent light bulbs, light produced is simply measured in watts. Today, LEDs are becoming the standard, but a number of other bulbs have appeared, with advantages and disadvantages. This expansion required a new means of measuring light, with the lumen (from Latin, meaning light) emerging from a coalition of more than 40 organizations.

For an aircraft to be listed in the Purchase Planning Handbook, a production conforming article must have flown by May 1 of this year. The dimensions, weights and performance characteristics of each model listed are representative of the current production aircraft being built or for which a type certificate application has been filed. The basic operating weights we publish should be representative of actual production turboprop and turbofan aircraft because we ask manufacturers to supply us with the average weights of the last 10 commercial aircraft that have been delivered.

With a vote on March 9 by their respective stockholders regarding the proposed acquisition of B/E Aerospace, Rockwell Collins moved a step closer to establishing a major presence in aircraft lighting.

According to the Aircraft Electronics Association's year-end market report, total worldwide business and general aviation electronics sales for 2016 amounted to some $2.2 billion, which was down 6.4% from 2015 figures.