News

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 […]

The FAA is holding a meeting today at its headquarters involving all U.S. operators of the Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft, apparently to provide updated information designed to enhance the type’s safety. In a lengthy Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published Sept. 28, the FAA announced it is seeking to create a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) […]

Last week, AVweb updated you on Boeing’s business jet program (BBJ), noting the debut of the BBJ3, based on the 737-900ER. What we didn’t report is that Boeing also has new orders for VIP-configured versions of its commercial jets. According to the company, Boeing will build one 787-8 Dreamliner, three 787-9 Dreamliners and three 747-8 […]

Another way to measure success at last week’s NBAA event is to count the numbers of airframes sold or ordered. While it’s always difficult to track orders and compare them to delivered airframes throughout a model’s manufacturing life, most makers left with something to smile about. Among them was Cessna, which says it received 115 […]