Business Aviation

Some recent Advanced Air Mobility-related proposals, events and developments indicate interest remains strong in new modes of vertical flight.

Chinese urban air-taxi developer EHang is to expand the production capacity for its autonomous aerial vehicles as it develops markets for the passenger/medical support/firefighting-capable aircraft.

In 2019, more than 4.5 million people traveled by air every day worldwide and many of them arrived late because of weather. The FAA says up to 70% of air traffic delays are caused by instrument meteorological conditions.

While nearly every state allows a felon’s records to be expunged with a showing of good behavior, a pilot will have to live with a failed check ride for the rest of his or her life.

Learjet 31/31A, with all seats filled, is about as comfortable and practical as a Porsche 911 stuffed with adults. With few people aboard, it’s about as much fun to fly as the Zuffenhausen blitz-wagen is to drive on the autobahn.

News of business aviation promotions, appointments and honors.

Business & Commercial Aviation News from October 1970

Amazon receives FAR Part 135 approval from the FAA for its Prime Air drone delivery service.

Gulfstream Aerospace has opened an Atlanta hub dedicated to global aircraft parts distribution.

Bell has opened a facility in Wichita to support multiple programs and business areas.

Garmin’s autoland system for the Cirrus Vision Jet receives FAA certification.

Bye Aerospace is equipping its electric aircraft with a parachute.

Embattled aircraft connectivity provider Gogo will sell its commercial aviation unit to bankrupt satellite services provider Intelsat.

Textron Aviation’s second Cessna 408 SkyCourier twin turboprop made its first flight in Wichita on Aug. 10.

Wheels Up forms Wheels Up Aircraft Sales, offering aircraft brokerage, acquisition, trade and advisory services.

Robinson Helicopter Co. recently delivered R66 Turbine Serial Number 1000. The helicopter’s owner is Donovan Valentine of Monarch Helicopters.

Engineered Propulsion Systems files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Embraer launches medevac version of its Phenom 300 light jet that is available as a new build or retrofit.

Duncan Aviation unveils a new Design Center at its Battle Creek, Michigan, MRO facility.

Gulfstream Aerospace has opened a company-owned service center at Palm Beach International Airport, while Jet Aviation, a sister company, also opened a hangar and FBO there.

Universal Avionics introduces Kapture line of cockpit voice and flight data recorders.

Textron Aviation has delivered a Beechcraft King Air 350ER to Australian aviation service company Skytraders, which will operate and maintain it for the Victoria Police.

GE Aviation is progressing with engineering and certification testing on its Catalyst turboprop designed for Textron Aviation’s new single-engine Cessna Denali.

XAIR, a provider of “premium on-demand charter,” was launched in late July as owner Directional Aviation restructures its global businesses to better respond to post-COVID-19 opportunities.

Bell Textron has delivered its first public-safety-configured Bell 505 JetRanger X to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit in California.