News

The Russian government has scrapped a major impediment to the growth of its business aviation sector. A punitive import tax on private aircraft was lifted last week, according to Russia Today. The tax had driven many Russian business people to register their aircraft outside the country but that’s expected to change and also boost sales. […]

It’s long been touted that business aviation traffic would soar as so-called “premium” passengers, those who insulated themselves from some of the discomfort of airline travel in the more hospitable front part of the plane, fled the shoe searches and surly service at the hubs. Apparently, it’s all come true. A study by the Stanford […]

A moment 12 years in the making is taking place at Hawker Beechcraft’s Wichita headquarters today. The company is holding a ceremony for the first Hawker 4000 delivery. The composite-fuselage midsize is described by the company as “the world’s most advanced business jet” and was certified in 2006. Production was delayed while the company boosted […]

Diamond Aircraft announced Tuesday that it’s accelerating plans to certify its hot-selling DA42 Twin Star with Lycoming engines to replace the troubled Thielert Centurion diesels. And just to give itself and customers more options, Diamond has also asked the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to give it approval to provide technical support and parts for […]

This century’s air-taxi model has had its ups and downs — a few new companies are thriving, while others have already come and gone, or never got started. But now another new player is ready to take its chances — YourJet, based in Louisville, Ky., announced this week that it expects to start booking flights […]

Economic uncertainty and high gas prices are hurting sales of general aviation aircraft — as shown by a 28-percent drop in piston aircraft sales in the first quarter of this year — and on Monday, Mooney Airplane Company said it is responding to that reality by slowing down production and laying off 80 staffers. “These […]

The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) is holding its annual convention in Toronto until Thursday and the comprehensive attendance by most major players in the industry is indicative of the growth potential in the resource and oil-rich country. For instance, Hawker Beechcraft has assigned a full-time marketing vice president, Chris Charnley, to cover the vast […]

After spending roughly $78,000 on each one, the FAA’s own projections predict that some 14 percent of new controller hires will elect to do something other than be air traffic controllers this year, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The washout rate more than doubles that of 2006 and is up substantially from the […]

AOPA recently announced that a report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) titled Federal User Fees: A Design Guide is a “49-page instruction manual” that teaches Congress and federal agencies “when and how to charge for government ‘services.’” While fees are not part of current FAA funding legislation pending before Congress, and the report […]

Airgyro of Spanish Fork, Utah, intends to focus on the fun and affordability of sport aviation and turn out some sport pilots in as few as 15 days. The company has alliances with Higher Class Aviation, which produces a two-seat tandem light sport aircraft and Australian Light Wing, which produces the Outback SP2000, but it […]