Aviation News

This week, AVweb’s news roundup found reports on a new manual for an app-based aviation radio simulator, touchless temperature testing for an FBO’s employees and a partnership for an engineering consultant. A new 84-page companion manual is now available for app-based aviation radio simulator PlaneEnglish. “The Easy Route to Aviation Radio Proficiency: Training Manual with […]

The Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet, held annually by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), will be moving to an online-only format due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The live-streamed event, which celebrates the Dec. 17 anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first successful powered flight, is scheduled to take place on Dec. 10, 2020, at 7 p.m. […]

Aircraft manufacturer Mooney has announced that it is now under new management made up of “pilots and Mooney owners” led by CEO Jonny Pollack. The announcement follows a period of unrest for the company, which culminated in the unexpected shutdown of its Kerrville, Texas, factory for two weeks beginning in November 2019. Kerrville employees were […]

United Airlines has announced plans to furlough 16,370 of its workers due to the continued impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on airline operations. Staff likely to be affected include 6,920 flight attendants, 2,850 pilots, 2,260 airport operations personnel, 2,010 mechanics and 1,400 in management. The furloughs will be enacted as early as October, in […]

Textron Aviation has announced that it is now offering a tank of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as an option for customers taking delivery of new Beechcraft turboprop and Cessna turboprop and jet aircraft. In addition, a SAF refueling option will be provided for customers at the company’s service center in Wichita, Kansas. Textron noted that […]

In partnership with Dutch airline KLM, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) has successfully flown a scale model of its Flying-V airliner concept for the first time. The remotely controlled model weighs in at 22.5 kg (49.6 lbs.) with a 3.06-meter (10.04-foot) wingspan. The Flying-V, which “integrates the passenger cabin, cargo hold and fuel tanks […]

Claiming a power-to-weight figure “4.6 times better than any existing battery system,” researchers at Embry-Riddle’s Eagle Flight Research Center (EFRC) are working on a gas-powered hybrid system that could underpin future electric aircraft. This is potentially a big deal because it’s assumed that electric aircraft will use some form of battery power but what’s not […]

A trickle has turned into a torrent as major airlines announce the permanent elimination of change fees. Alaska Airlines announced today that it is permanently eliminating a $125 change fee on all but the most basic tickets, a move that follows United, American and Delta’s decisions to make permanent what many airlines had agreed to […]

The FAA has approved Amazon Prime Air’s request for a Part 135 certificate for its unmanned delivery drones. “Amazon Prime Air’s concept uses autonomous UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) to safely and efficiently deliver packages to customers,” said the FAA. “The FAA supports innovation that is beneficial to the public, especially during a health or weather-related […]

Following its postponement due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase (DSAS) will now take place on Jan. 28-30, 2021. The event, which focuses on experimentals, homebuilts, light sport aircraft and ultralights, was originally scheduled for Nov. 12-14, 2020. According to show organizers, the new time slot was selected in consultation with […]