News

Recent evidence suggests that managers at the FAA might have rushed the issuance of the Eclipse 500 type certificate (TC) last Sept. 30. A grievance filed on Oct. 20 by National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) aircraft certification representative Tomaso DiPaolo and posted this week to a blog site alleges that aircraft certification engineers and […]

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has joined the juggernaut of opposition to the FAA’s funding proposal, saying it’s nothing more than a bailout of airlines on the backs of small-town America. In a news release, NFU President Pat Buis said the plan to more than triple the existing general aviation fuel tax will have a […]

One of the oldest family businesses in U.S. aviation is changing hands at the end of June. It was announced Thursday that Executive Beechcraft, which was started by Dan Meisinger Sr. in 1938, is being purchased by BBA Aviation. Terms haven’t been disclosed, but the deal gives BBA 100 percent of the capital stock of […]

The FAA on Thursday afternoon issued a production certificate (PC) to Eclipse Aviation, allowing the manufacturer to issue standard airworthiness certificates for production Eclipse 500s. Representatives from the FAA presented the production certificate to Eclipse COO Peg Billson at the company’s Albuquerque, N.M. headquarters. Before receiving the PC, Eclipse was previously required to submit every […]

Exosphere Aircraft of Seattle on Tuesday threw its hat into the light sport aircraft market, offering the BD-22 created by storied aircraft designer Jim Bede. The company’s initial offering will be the BD-22 signature edition, which will be limited to 22 aircraft, each serialized with a special numbered placard signed by Mr. Bede and sold […]

The Internet can be a powerful force for organizing, and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) this week unveiled the NBAA Online Advocacy Center, an effort to harness that force in opposition to the FAA’s user-fee funding proposal. “When people in the general aviation community hear about the user fees and a tripling of taxes […]

Boeing and Virgin Atlantic announced on Tuesday that they will work together to develop biofuels for jet aircraft and will demonstrate the results using a 747-400 by next year. The demonstration will be the first by any commercial airline. The two companies also said they would work together to reduce fuel burn and cut aircraft […]

Able Flight, a nonprofit group that offers flight training to people with disabilities, on Tuesday announced its latest round of scholarships, including its first awards to veterans who were wounded during their service in Iraq. Staff Sgt. John Borders and Tank Armor Crewman Rob Laurent both were injured by improvised explosive devices while serving in […]

The FAA surveyed its employees last year to find out how they felt about their jobs. It might not be a surprise that most workers — especially those in air traffic control — revealed a bit of discontent. Only 9 percent of workers in ATC said they trust FAA managers, and the overall workforce didn’t […]

Build A Plane, a nonprofit group that helps kids learn science, engineering and math by building real airplanes, sent out a call this week for more aircraft donations to support its programs. The aircraft don’t have to be airworthy — an unfinished kit project, a neglected inheritance or even aircraft parts can be put to […]