The short-term congressional bill extending FAA funding to the end of September 2017 directs the agency to continue opening U.S. airspace to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
A consortium of Qinetiq and Thales have chosen Textron Airland’s Scorpion light attack aircraft as the platform for its bid into a major U.K. live flying training program.
The business jet market is depressed, a new semi-annual survey by Jefferies Group indicates, prompting analysts there to cut its business jet production forecast for this year.
Airbus Group Innovations has completed initial flight testing of its E-fan electric aircraft demonstrator with hybrid propulsion, adding an internal-combustion engine as a range extender.
Airbus Group Innovations has completed initial flight testing of its E-fan electric aircraft demonstrator with hybrid propulsion, adding an internal-combustion engine as a range extender.
Private investment firm AE Industrial Partners in Boca Raton, Florida, has acquired Moeller Aerospace, a manufacturer of precision-machined parts. Terns of the transaction were not disclosed.
The Senate passed the FAA extension bill July 13, which includes third-class medical reform for pilots, the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into the national airspace and the increase of airport security.
Spike Aerospace has added MAYA simulation and Siemens product life-cycle management software for the continuing development of its S-512 supersonic business jet.
GKN Aerospace has signed a contract with Dornier Seawings to design and build the cockpit windscreen for the Dornier Seastar, a composite amphibious aircraft.
WICHITA: The first flight of the B-29 Superfortress known as “Doc”, which follows a 16-year restoration project, has been scheduled for Sunday, July 17. The B-29 will take off from the non-joint use runway at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, adjacent to the hangar where the restoration team has been working to bring the historic warbird back to flyable condition.
Greenpoint Aerospace of Denton, Texas, has been named an authorized distributor and installer of Aviation Clean Air’s air-and-surface purification system, which provides clean, safe and healthy interior air, the company said. The system eliminates pathogens, allergens and odors, and provides surface purification in the cabin interior. Greenpoint is able to install the system on most business aircraft at its Denton facility.
Cessna Aircraft delivered its first Cessna Citation Latitude midsize jet to a customer in Mexico. The customer plans to use the aircraft for business travel within Mexico and throughout North America. Avemex, an authorized Citation sales representative in Mexico, will operate the Latitude on its air taxi certificate for the Latitude’s corporate owner.
Send Solutions has received STC approval from the FAA for installation of “Airtext” passenger iridium texting systems on Cessna 750 or Citation X business jets. Airtext allows the ability for 16 passengers to send and receive SMS messages inflight or on the ground. Using the iridium satellite network, the product gives passengers connectivity through cell phones while on the aircraft.
MAC Air Group of Maine Aviation Corp. has opened a new 43,000-sq.-ft. fixed base operator facility, MAC Jets, at Portland International Jetport in Cumberland County, Maine. The facility specializes in charter, sales and maintenance.
Airbus has signed a service contract with Jet Aviation Management to add its maintenance facility in Basel, Switzerland, to its authorized service center network for Airbus corporate jets.
Avcorp Composite Fabrication in Gardena, California, has reached a collective-bargaining agreement with Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Union Local 19 for a six-year contract. The agreement calls for wage increases of 1% in the first year, with increases of 2.25%, 2.25% and 2.75% for the next three years. Wage adjustments in years 5–6 will be reviewed by the company and the union.
Bombardier Inc. Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2016-7422; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-079-AD; Amendment 39-18579; AD 2016-13-14] The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Inc. Model DHC-8-400-series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to determine if certain left and right main landing gear (MLG) retract actuator rod ends are installed and repetitive liquid penetrant inspections (LPIs) of affected left and right MLG retract actuator rod ends, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also provides optional terminating action for the inspections.
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG Turbofan Engines [Docket No. FAA-2016-4551; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-07-AD; Amendment 39-18576; AD 2016-13-12] The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG (RRD) BR700-710A1-10, -710A2-20, and -710C4-11 turbofan engines. This AD requires removing the pawl carrier pivot pins, part number (P/N) BRR17117, from service and replacing them with parts eligible for installation.
