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Researchers at Purdue University say it’s not necessarily a lack of capacity that is bogging down air transportation, it’s the plodding pace of change. So they’ve developed a mathematical model that might help the FAA design a system that can respond more quickly to changes, thereby maintaining or adding capacity without huge capital infusions. “Improving […]

David Wartofsky, the enigmatic owner of Potomac Airfield, told AVweb the money proposed should cover the justifiable losses of the businesses but actually extracting it from the government could be an agonizing process. He said the bureaucrats charged with assessing and approving the claims may not have the skills and experience needed to accomplish the […]

The Department of Transportation is proposing to compensate general aviation businesses at five Washington-area facilities for reductions in revenue directly resulting from government actions in the wake of 9/11. GA operators, suppliers and service providers at Washington Reagan National Airport, College Park, Potomac Airfield, Washington Executive/Hyde Field and Washington South Capitol St. Heliport are eligible […]

While other entrants in the burgeoning mini-jet market have listed the air taxi business as a major component of their plans, Cirrus’ initial marketing push appears to choose the road not taken. The grey box is clearly aimed at those who want a jet of their very own, largely for the fun of it. “The […]

Perhaps the biggest question among those who received the so-called “grey box” on Cirrus’ plans for “the-jet” revolves not around the engine, the design or the performance (none of which were addressed in detail). What’s up with the coaster? The centerpiece of the marketing package is a heavy cast-metal drink coaster emblazoned with the Cirrus […]

Joe Sharkey, a weekly business travel columnist for The New York Times, was on the Legacy as part of his research for a freelance assignment. He told NBC’s Today Show that the plane was jolted and then recovered and flew normally. “It was more like a car that hits a pothole rather than ‘boom!’” he […]

Brazilian authorities are contemplating manslaughter charges against two U.S. pilots after details of their aircraft’s collision with a GOL Airlines Boeing 737 emerge. The U.S. pilots were able to land their Embraer Legacy 600, which sustained visible damage to a winglet and horizontal stabilizer, at an air force base after the collision at 37,000 feet […]

There appears to have been a change of tune in the FAA’s attitude toward very light jets (VLJs). Earlier this year, the agency was using the potential influx of hundreds of VLJs to justify its move toward a user-pay system. But top officials seem to be now downplaying the impact of VLJs. According to a […]

The political gears will be turning in earnest at this year’s NBAA convention as GA groups resume their unified posture against a user fee system currently under consideration by the FAA. NBAA President Ed Bolen, General Aviation Manufacturers Association President Pete Bunce, EAA President Tom Poberezny, National Air Transportation Association President Jim Coyne and AOPA’s […]

With a type certificate (announced Sept. 30) that allows operation everywhere except in known icing and over water, Eclipse Aviation can now begin tackling its order backlog for the Eclipse 500 very light jet. There should be more about this at the National Business Aviation Association convention (Oct. 17, 18, 19) but, according to Sharecast, […]