News

A new enhanced vision system developed for Dassault business jets is among a small field of four nominees for the 2016 Robert J. Collier Trophy. The award is presented annually “for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the […]

While the Air Force and some in Congress muse about a fleet of low-cost light attack aircraft (and seem to prefer mostly foreign-derived designs) there are two American-designed counterterrorism and close air support aircraft in service overseas. Just before he left office, President Barack Obama approved the sale of 12 weaponized Air Tractor AT-802U single-engine […]

An international force of air tankers has been tackling the forest fires that have wiped out thousands of square miles of Chile and U.S.-based Global SuperTanker says it’s been a record-setting effort for their converted Boeing 747. A wealthy Chilean living in the U.S. footed the multimillion-dollar bill to get the jumbo jet to Chile […]

Planet has agreed to acquire Terra Bella (formerly Skybox Imaging) from Google, who acquired Skybox Imaging in August 2014. Will Marshall, CEO at Planet Labs, writes for the company: “Planet Labs is thrilled to announce that we have entered into an agreement with Google, wherein Planet will acquire the Terra Bella business including the SkySat […]

Northrop-Grumman will not be submitting a bid for the U.S. Air Force T-X project to replace the T-38 Talon. In a statement released earlier this week, the company said “Northrop Grumman and its principal teammate BAE Systems have carefully examined the U.S. Air Force’s T-X Trainer requirements and acquisition strategy … [and] have decided not […]

Hawker Pacific has solidified its position in Australia with the acquisition of Adagold FBOs in Brisbane and Cairns. Hawker Pacific has operations throughout Australia, the Middle East, Pacific and Asia. The acquisition is a strategic one as opportunities for business aviation expand in Queensland. “The acquisition comes as Queensland gears up for the 2018 Commonwealth […]

The suspension of all new federal regulations by the incoming administration will not impact BasicMed reforms, as had been feared by some in the aviation community. The directive issued on Jan. 20 by White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus halts publication of new regulations until approved by an agency director appointed by the incoming […]

U.S. Air Force officials have expressed support for a proposal by Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, to acquire several hundred low-cost light-attack and observation aircraft. As proposed by Sen. McCain, “the Air Force should procure 300 low-cost, light-attack fighters that would require minimal work to develop. These aircraft could […]

Proposed San Francisco Class B airspace changes would enable lower-angle descents into SFO optimized for the higher glide ratios of modern jet aircraft, reducing noise and fuel consumption. “A low thrust descent in a clean configuration results in the smallest noise footprint [regardless of altitude], and a descent in a clean configuration at near idle […]

Elaine Chao was easily confirmed by the United States Senate on Tuesday as the 18th Secretary of Transportation by a vote of 93-6. Chao is expected to support efforts to privatize the delivery of U.S. air traffic control services, though she did not share her opinions on privatization formally during the confirmation process. A privatized […]