briefs

Lockheed Martin will build a prototype High Altitude Airship (HAA) under a $149.2 million contract awarded by the Missile Defense Agency, the company announced on Monday. The ship will be 400 feet long and about 140 feet in diameter with a volume of 3.7 million cubic feet, and will operate at altitudes up to 60,000 […]

Excel-Jet, which has been working to develop its single-engine Sport-Jet in Colorado Springs, Colo., since 2002, announced on Monday that it will be moving to Guthrie, Okla., in a deal that will pump up to $5 million in financing into the company. “We’ve completed negotiations and Excel-Jet will be relocating its facility to Guthrie within […]

Virgin Galactic will locate its world headquarters and Mission Control in New Mexico, in a deal with the state that will launch the creation of a $200 million spaceport on a 27-square-mile site in a remote part of the state. Will Whitehorn, president of Virgin Galactic, announced the deal on Tuesday, saying New Mexico is […]

EADS Socata will soon be offering its EASA-certified six-seat TBM 850 for sale in the U.S., the company announced Tuesday in Washington, D.C. The pressurized single-engine turboprop’s performance will compete directly with very light jets (VLJs) while its operating costs will be lower, Socata said in a news release. The TBM 850 is based on […]

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP yet for AVwebs NO-COST twice monthly Business AVflash? Reporting on breaking news, Business AVflash also focuses on the companies, the products and the industry leaders that make headlines in the Business of Aviation. Business AVflash is a must read. Watch for a Business AVflash regular feature, TSA WATCH: GA IN THE […]

Drop us a line. If it caught your attention, it will probably interest someone else, too. Submit news tips via email to newstips@avweb.com. You’re a part of our team … often, the best part.

AVmail: December 12, 2005 Reader mail this week about flight service, the JATO Ercoupe, bottle-rocket attacks on airliners and more.

NEWS FEATURES Katrina Search and RescueWhile GA provided lots of help in the days after this summer’s hurricanes, the bulk of search and rescue was provided by the U.S. Coast Guard. There were thousands of stories of amazing heroics and bravery by both rescuers and survivors; this is just one of them.Find it here . […]

An item in the Dec. 5 edition of AVweb incorrectly stated that Pilot Journey was taking over sales and marketing for Liberty Aircraft. In fact, Pilot Journey is starting and managing the new Liberty Flight Schools program. We apologize for any confusion caused by the error.

AOPA says the FAA has blindsided AOPA, ECi, and the general aviation community with a proposed Airworthiness Directive on a certain type of aftermarket connecting rod used in Lycoming engines. AOPAs regulatory and certification expert, Luis Gutierrez, said the FAA had promised full consultation with AOPA and other industry stakeholders before proposing ADs but forged […]