The longtime dismantlement of Triumph Group is about to explode further, with the company collapsing about three dozen sites to nine, workforce cuts of more than 4,000, the sale of aerostructures programs and other actions in the wake of COVID-19.
Business aviation activity worldwide fell 52.9% during the first 26 days of May compared to a year ago, bringing activity back to “half-normal,” WingX Advance said.
Concerned over the potential of interference with radio altimeters, an aviation industry coalition has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reconsider an order making available “mid-band” radio frequency spectrum for uses including 5G communications.
China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer COMAC rolled out the first ARJ21-700 regional jet destined for Air China while also debuting the corporate jet variant, the COMAC Business Jet (CBJ).
Italian manufacturer Tecnam has premiered a new version of its P2010 four-seat light aircraft, powered by a Continental CD-170 diesel-cycle engine burning Jet-A fuel.
Electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing developer EHang has received approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China to begin commercial operation of its EHang 216 autonomous air vehicle for unmanned air logistics.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted deliveries of business and general aviation aircraft during the first quarter of 2020, with deliveries down 20.9% compared to a year ago and declines in every aircraft category, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
Zipline and Novant Health announced on May 27 that they have received emergency approval from the FAA to fly medical supplies by drone to a hospital north of Charlotte, North Carolina, to support its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The regulatory forbearance provides breathing space for aircraft operators that have yet to comply, but avionics shops still expect a last-minute rush.
