News

At a very light jet panel at the FAA forecast in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Eclipse Aviation Director of Public Relations Andrew Broom swept aside the myth that VLJ pilots were limited to rich dentists. He said that VLJs are easier to fly than twin-engine pistons, and that the Eclipse 500 was efficient at flight […]

On Friday morning at the FAA forecast conference in Washington, D.C., AOPA’s Randy Kenagy discussed the change in attitude by his association’s 410,000 members in its latest survey. Some 66 percent said that the political environment is not so good, even when 30 miles from the Bush administration; 80 percent of AOPA members were diverted […]

In its annual forecast, the FAA believes a 9.1-percent increase in piston-single shipments for 2006 is evidence that “sales in the low-end of the market” have been stimulated by a selection of new aircraft models (presumably light sport aircraft), though general aviation activity overall declined in 2006. “GA operations at combined FAA and contract towers […]

The European Parliament has included in a draft law a measure to expand the powers of the Germany-based European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and work toward uniform safety standards across Europe. The plan would allow EASA more precise power by allowing EASA to impose fines for carriers that break safety rules and function in a […]

Honda Aircraft on Thursday disclosed it forged agreements with GKN Aerospace, Avcorp and Garmin as major component suppliers for the HondaJet. GKN’s Tallassee, Ala. facility will supply the jets composite fuselage structural subassembly; Olathe,Kan.-based Garmin will provide a state-of-the-art avionics system “specifically tailored” for the HondaJet; and Avcorp of Delta, British Columbia, will build the […]

COLUMN INDEX The Savvy Aviator #42: Don’t Worry — They All Do ThatOwners often bring some aircraft squawk to the attention of their A&P mechanic, only to be told that it’s nothing to worry about because “they all do that” or “it’s the nature of the beast.” If you hear those phrases, seek an expert […]

Pratt & Whitney Canada’s new PW307A engine has received type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency to power the Dassault Falcon 7X business jet. This achievement marks the final step in the PW307A certification process, P&WC said this week. “This is great news and a major milestone for Pratt & Whitney Canada and the […]

U.S. Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., characterized the FAA’s proposed user-fee-based funding plan as “a giant cash register in the sky” at a House Transportation Committee hearing on Wednesday morning. FAA Administrator Marion Blakey told the committee that a change from a ticket- and fuel-tax-backed Aviation Trust Fund to a user-fee structure is vital to unlocking […]

Airbus and Boeing may soon have to cope with a third competitor in the global market for large passenger jets. An official in China said on Monday the country plans to fund the development of its own “jumbo” jetliner, which could carry 200 passengers. The airplane should be on the market by 2020. “From a […]

Boeing’s X-48B blended-wing-body (BWB) experimental aircraft is just about ready for its first test flight, Business 2.0 reported on Tuesday. The scale model, with a wingspan of 21 feet, should take to the air by the end of this month at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The aircraft has long been under development in […]