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The graphite-epoxy structured 10-seater design-prototype Spectrum 33 is in early flight-testing and aiming for a 415-knot cruise at 45,000 feet. It intends to provide range capabilities reaching 2,000 nautical miles. In a complicated process like certification, it may be helpful for all involved to know the basic ground rules and that was the impetus behind […]

Cirrus was once again at the head of the pack and, as with virtually all of its competitors, it’s moving more high-priced models than economy versions of its aircraft. Cirrus shipped 124 of its top-of-the-line SR22 aircraft compared to just 35 of its (relatively speaking) more plain SR20. The company didn’t ship any of its […]

Through the sine-wave track of change in the industry’s fortunes in recent years, sales of piston singles have traditionally been the bright spot (sometimes more of a glimmer) and 2006 is no exception. The total number of piston single shipments in the first three months of the year was 597, up from 434 in 2005 […]

Ah, it’s great to be in the aviation business … at least for now. Virtually every economic indicator is soaring out of sight as companies revel in record numbers of orders and shipments. “All segments of the general aviation manufacturing industry are continuing to increase at strong levels,” said Pete Bunce, president of the General […]

Meanwhile, the last version of the NATCA-FAA contract awaits congressional action, and with the clock ticking down to a 60-day deadline on that, the union continues to insist that it’s not done talking … and has been led to believe that the FAA isn’t, either. At its Web site, NATCA prez John Carr quotes FAA […]

With contract negotiations stalled, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association is saying that under the last offer from the FAA, many controllers would find it in their best interest to retire before the end of next year … leaving gaps too big for the FAA to fill with new trainees. “The safety and efficiency of […]

While VLJs are the next big thing on the horizon, there is always something new just beyond. For aviators, that next next thing could be the comeback of supersonic passenger airplanes. Yesterday, Aerion Corp. announced that it has secured funding for its supersonic jet through program launch — the point at which production design and […]

With flocks of very light jets readying to arrive in the U.S. market (Spectrum, the VLJ performance leader hopeful, is expected to announce its European strategy in Geneva early next month) Europe is taking notice and wondering if the concept will work for them. “Within Europe’s business aircraft operating community,” says Kate Sarsfield, writing for […]

DayJet Corp., expected to be the first new on-demand air taxi service to fly VLJs, got lots of attention from the mainstream press at its launch announcement, held without VLJs on Monday. A news conference in Delray Beach, Fla., included Gov. Jeb Bush and Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn. DayJet CEO Ed Iacobucci said he plans […]

Although the average American bizjet owner and crew might not be a match for extremists bent on destroying their airplane, there are some common-sense suggestions that could at least make it more difficult for the bad guys. The TSA publishes a list of security precautions that include watching out for strange people, strange aircraft and […]