Business Aviation

A Chinese official told local reporters last week that researchers are moving forward with plans to build a four-engine tiltrotor aircraft capable of speeds up to 310 mph, substantially faster than other heavy-lift helicopters. The Blue Whale project was first reported on about three years ago, so last week’s announcement seems to signal a commitment […]

Last month, the FAA said it was de-certifying some NavWorx ADS-B units, which have been the subject of an ongoing dispute, and now NavWorx President Bill Moffitt has issued a statement to customers and dealers claiming that the FAA has “sabotaged” NavWorx’s business. The problems began, Moffitt says, when the FAA implemented a service change […]

As 2016 stumbles to the finish line, it will close with one dubious achievement: A record number of U.S. companies have been bought by foreign investors and leading the charge is China. According to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., just three years ago, Chinese interests acquired 43 companies. In 2015, the total […]

It’s been a long road for Cirrus to produce their first jet, but on Monday the company delivered a Vision jet to a customer, at a ceremony in Duluth, Minnesota. “It’s a major milestone to deliver the first airplane,” said Cirrus CEO Dale Klapmeier, according to the local BusinessNorth report. “This is a major step […]

A Chinese conglomerate has bought majority control of Diamond Aircraft’s London, Ontario, factory, the company confirmed today. Wanfeng Aviation, a subsidiary of a larger holding company, completed a deal on Dec. 13 that conveys 60 percent of Diamond Aircraft Canada to Wanfeng. Diamond’s Austria company remains unaffected by the agreement, except some production will be […]

Gulfstream’s new G600 flew for the first time Saturday, taking off from Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport at 1:50 p.m. for a flight that lasted almost three hours. First flight was slightly ahead of schedule and kicks off the flight test certification program. Two more flight test aircraft are in final preparation for flight and will […]

The FAA published a final rule on Tuesday that will allow operators to use an enhanced-vision flight system to descend all the way to the runway, under certain conditions. Currently, the FAA allows pilots to depend on enhanced vision in lieu of natural vision only to 100 feet above the runway, and only under certain […]

Piper’s six-seat single-engine turboprop, the M600, is now certified in Australia, the company announced this week. “This is a significant milestone for the Piper M600,” said Piper Aircraft CEO Simon Caldecott. “Australian owner/operators tell us they are very keen on the greater range and enhanced safety features.” The airplane, which was FAA certified in June, […]

That the death of John Glenn on Thursday came as no surprise made it no less sad. For my generation, Glenn was an indelible figure of towering accomplishment. Given his chosen profession and the risks that defined it, living to the age of 95 was itself a feat, never mind being launched into space twice. […]

The Atlanta Technical College, in Atlanta, Georgia, is no longer certified to offer aviation maintenance technician training, the FAA said this week. The FAA issued an emergency order alleging that the college failed to keep proper records for students. Some grade records were incomplete or lacked instructor signatures, the FAA said, and several students who […]