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First it was a rumor, then it was a confirmed rumor and now it has a name. Socata announced at the National Business Aviation Association Convention that it will build a twin-engine aircraft and has given the project the code name NTx. “As business aviation is a small community where it’s difficult to keep a […]

With the evolving credit crisis hanging over the aviation economy, Dassault joined Cessna this week in conceding that order uptake has slowed. But, like Cessna, Dassault has an impressive backlog — about 500 aircraft — which it hopes will see it through the credit crisis. Dassault CEO John Rosanvallon told reporters this week at the […]

As the business of business aircraft increasingly becomes global, aircraft manufacturers are finding that customers demand longer-range airplanes capable of transoceanic flight to and from shorter runways. And that means aircraft embark on longer trips and are away from home base for longer periods. As a result, airplane makers are aggressively expanding remote service networks. […]

On the eve of the next general election, concern over aviation user fees has only temporarily abated and is likely to resurface when the 111th congress convenes in January, says NBAA’s Ed Bolen. The FAA’s current funding authorization expired on September 30th and the agency is operating in a funding grace period until the end […]

Interested in the National Business Aviation Association’s Annual Convention & Trade Show, going on right now in Orlando, Florida? We are – our newsteam is there covering every major development at the show, and if you receive our sister newsletter, AVwebBiz, you’re getting the lowdown on every development, from Honeywell’s market predictions to Harrison Ford’s […]

Big shows like the NBAA Expo attract all the major industry players with their latest whiz-bang news, but what sometimes gets lost in the shuffle are the dozens of smaller businesses who also show up, with new products to push that they hope will make every pilot’s life easier, or more pleasant, or safer.

Diamond Aircraft has flown its single-engine D-Jet with the planned higher-thrust Williams FJ33-5A engine. The aircraft, serial number 003, which had been flying on the smaller -15 version of the engine, flew for 1.4 hours with the new engine and aerodynamic refinements designed to take advantage of the extra power. Diamond President Peter Mauer said […]

Globaljet, a charter management company, flew its Lear 35A here from Van Nuys, Calif., to show off its uniquely equipped luxury cabin. The interior features pre-loaded iPods, CD player, DVD player, Air Show, iPod adapters, Iridium Flight Phone and individual video monitors with a Bose Surround Sound System. In-flight food service arrives via crystal and […]

Satcom Direct announced here at the NBAA Expo that it has signed an agreement to work with Honeywell International to provide flight support and cabin communications services in a single package. Some of the in-flight service features include flight planning information, reliable e-mail and data communications connectivity, and satellite television. “This joint effort offers aircraft […]

Satcom Direct, a provider of satellite voice, fax, and Internet data service solutions, announced here at NBAA Expo that it is offering a new premier service plan called Satcom On Site (SOS). The SOS package offers a standard level of service, which includes 24/7 access to technical support, or a premier level, with a Satcom […]