Piaggio Aerospace has extended the deadline for potential buyers to submit expressions of interest in the business from April 3 to May 4 because of the ongoing emergency caused by the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, it said. 

Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing’s provider of aerostructures and its largest supplier, on March 24 said it will halt work at its Wichita and Tulsa, Oklahoma, facilities after Boeing the day before announced a temporary shutdown of its Puget Sound facilities in Washington state.

Bombardier will temporarily suspend aircraft and rail production and other work considered “nonessential” at most of its Canadian operations from March 25 through April 26. 

For the AW609 tiltrotor, Pratt & Whitney Canada had to modify its PT6C turboshaft so t could operate through a 95-deg. arc at high-power settings.

At first glance, the AW609 might seem like a ramp hog, but actually it has about the same footprint as midsize turboprops and helicopters.

Bombardier is evaluating what a March 23 decision by the Quebec and Ontario governments to temporarily close nonessential businesses means for its Canadian business jet operations. 

Textron Aviation has successfully completed initial ground engine tests on its prototype Cessna SkyCourier high-wing, utility twin turboprop with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC engines, the company reports.