News

AirCell, the airborne telecommunications manufacturer, last week said the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted its request for specific radio frequencies, enabling the company to provide exclusive broadband connectivity to U.S. airlines and business aircraft beginning in early 2008. The company said its initial service offerings to the airline market will include wireless Internet […]

Brazilian authorities have detained two U.S. pilots since the Sept. 29 midair collision involving their brand-new Embraer Legacy 600 business jet and a Boeing 737, operating as Gol Airlines Flight 1907. The two pilots, Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino, have been “guests” of the Brazilian government ever since they managed to land their damaged jet […]

Cessna yesterday handed over the keys to its 100th Citation Sovereign business jet, just over two years after the first example of its type was delivered. The 100th Sovereign was sold to Canada-based Agrium, a global producer and marketer of agricultural nutrients, industrial products, and fertilizers, and a major supplier of agricultural products and services […]

FedEx said yesterday it will acquire 15 new Boeing 777 Freighter aircraft, with options to purchase an additional 15 of the big twins. FedEx’s decision to purchase the 777F was made after Airbus announced significant delays in delivery of the A380 cargo version; FedEx also said it had notified Airbus that it has cancelled its […]

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board last week said it wanted the FAA to ensure each Part 135 air taxi operator “can demonstrate to the FAA that it is maintaining adequate operational control over all on-demand charter flights conducted under the authority of its certificate.” The recommendation was one of several handed down by the […]

As this issue of AVweb‘s AVwebBiz was being finalized, mid-term election polling places were just closing and votes across the U.S. were still being counted. Based on the expected close races in some areas, several days may pass before the leadership and composition of the 110th Congress, which convenes in January, will be known. Until […]

Finally, we’d like to acknowledge and congratulate two award recipients who were recognized by their peers last week at NBAA’s annual meeting and convention. Mary F. Silitch received the 2006 NBAA Platinum Wing Award, which recognizes excellence and lifetime achievement in journalism. Additionally, the association awarded Katherine Perfetti its Silk Scarf Award, traditionally given to […]

Keystone Helicopter Corporation said Monday it had reached an agreement with Seacor Holdings LLC to sell its Flight Services Division, which operates some 35 emergency medical services (EMS) helicopters throughout the eastern U.S. and Puerto Rico. According to Keystone, the division employs more than 200 pilots and technicians and operates 24/7. Terms of the sale […]

Anyone paying attention the last few months knows there is a looming battle over how to finance the FAA. In one corner are the airlines, which are the chief agitators in favor of an airspace system run by a public corporation charging for its services. In another corner is general and business aviation, which have […]

Is the industry a step or two closer to a viable supersonic business jet? Could be, after what Gulfstream is calling last week’s successful test of its so-called Quiet Spike “sonic boom mitigator.” According to the company, the device successfully completed its first supersonic flight on Friday, Oct. 20, attached to the nose of a […]