News

One of the industry’s major concerns about the forthcoming flood of light-light jets like the Eclipse and the Safire Jet is training. Turning loose, say, a Baron pilot in a jet cruising 150 knots faster at much higher altitudes is not something to be taken lightly. Just ask the insurance companies. Perhaps recognizing this, Eclipse […]

Air Methods Corporation will be the launch customer for Bell Helicopter’s new Model 427i twin-engine helicopters, the manufacturer announced this week. Fifteen of the new 427i aircraft are scheduled for delivery to the aeromedical operator, beginning in late 2007. The agreement between Bell and Air Methods provides for a minimum delivery of three aircraft per […]

Bell Helicopter this week announced the first flight of Bells MAPL (Modular Affordable Product Line) tail-fan demonstrator at the companys new XworX research center in Arlington, Texas. The company said its new aircraft on July 15 was test-flown, briefly, including hover, low-speed maneuvers and pedal turns before safely landing. Bells says its tail-fan-equipped demonstrator will […]

Even as the rumors of a Learjet company sale swirled around Bombardier, the company may also be getting into the “real” airliner market. Already manufacturing one of the world’s most popular regional jets, Bombardier officials say a new plane designed to compete in the airliner market for 100- to 150-seat jets may soon take shape. […]

Its all a rumor, say company officials. Nevertheless, its a rumor gaining visibility. “It” is the concept that Canadian aerospace giant Bombardier is trying to sell its Wichita-based Learjet subsidiary. But, like Mark Twains death, rumors of Learjets pending sale are premature, according to the parent company. Published reports quote Bombardier Aerospace spokesman Leo Knaapen […]

You’re a pilot. You stopped counting hours long ago; now you count engines, instead. Your FAA certificate comes with page numbers and looks like a list of every ticket and rating the FAA hands out. Flying is your main source of income. You fly as a professional, act as a professional and get compensated as […]

…the next issue of AVweb‘s BizAVflash will be e-mailed to you on July 21. AVweb is changing our production schedule during July to avoid potential conflicts with the 2004 edition of EAA’s AirVenture. In August, we’ll get back to our regular schedule. See you at Oshkosh!

As AVweb‘s business aviation coverage told you last week, July 8 will see Congress hold a scheduled hearing on “National Capitol Region Air Space Control: A Review of the Issues Surrounding the June 9, 2004 Flight of ‘N24SP.’” This is the infamous episode involving a Beech King Air carrying Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) into […]

If Eclipse, Adam Aircraft and Safire don’t hurry up, their efforts to field a light-light jet ahead of the competition could come to fruition too late. According to a news report in the China-based “People’s Daily Online,” a five-seat business aircraft jointly developed by the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) and Nanjing Light-type […]

Here’s a blast from the past: Lee Iacocca, who gave us the Ford Mustang and the Chrysler K cars, who was the leader of a company that owned Gulfstream Aerospace for a while and who engineered the federal government’s bailout of the third-largest U.S. auto manufacturer, has joined SmartJets’ advisory board as chairman. Florida-based SmartJets […]