Aviation News

China’s first domestically produced jet airliner went into revenue service on Sunday although it’s a stretch to call it a Chinese aircraft. The China Eastern Airlines C919 launched from Shanghai Honqiao Airport with about 130 passengers (it seats 164) for Chengdu and will be assigned to that route. Government officials and state-run media all gushed […]

A 3,000-hour career Air Force pilot has been tapped to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Charles Quinton Brown Jr., the current head of the Air Force, will assume the post next fall when the current chairman, Army Gen. Mark Milley, will leave the post, assuming he’s confirmed by the […]

The passenger who opened an emergency exit door in flight in South Korea on Friday had the simplest reason possible for his actions. He wanted off the plane even though it was still 600-700 feet above the ground. Police detained the Asiana passenger after he managed to open a mid-cabin exit on the A321 while […]

The FAA has proposed a rule that would remove the 24-month expiration date on flight instructor certificates and instead establish 24-month recent experience requirements. According to a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on Tuesday, the methods of demonstrating recent experience would be the same as the current renewal methods established in 14 CFR § 61.197(a), […]

Airbus announced on Thursday that Italy-based business aviation operator Air Corporate placed a firm order for 43 helicopters at the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE). The agreement includes 40 H125 and H130 single-engine helicopters along with three twin-engine ACH160s from Airbus Corporate Helicopters. Based in Verona, Air Corporate offers services including passenger […]

Pratt & Whitney Canada introduced its new PW545D turbofan engine this week at the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. The latest addition to the company’s PW500 family, the PW545D was designed to offer improved specific fuel consumption (SFC), thrust and time between overhauls (TBO). It will power the Cessna […]

Aircraft deliveries have risen across most segments during the first quarter (Q1) of the year, according to the First Quarter 2023 General Aviation Aircraft Shipments and Billings Report (PDF) published by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) on Thursday. Compared to the same period in 2022, piston airplane shipments have increased 10.1 percent with 294 […]

Boeing is sending experienced pilots to new customers to ensure their pilots get properly trained. In the wake of the fatal crashes of two 737 MAXes, airline officials told a media event in Washington that they now send “flight operations representatives” to airlines as they get their new aircraft. Boeing customarily sends maintenance and engineering […]

An unidentified American Airlines captain turned a grumbling planeload of delayed passengers into putty in his hands with some honesty and a massive bar tab earlier this week. The aircraft was delayed on a flight from Phoenix to Puerto Vallarta and the pilot walked down the aisle with updates on the situation. “We’ll do what […]

Despite a major awareness and training campaign, the National Air Transportation Association says diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) remains a potentially catastrophic hazard for aviation. In a news release, the organization said a business jet in the southeastern U.S. recently experienced a double flameout and glided to a dead stick landing 280 miles away. There were […]