News

Textron, the parent company of Cessna and Bell Helicopter, announced on Friday that it has agreed to buy two flight simulation and aircraft training companies — Mechtronix, based in Montreal, and Opinicus Corp., based in Lutz, Fla. The two companies will be combined with Textron’s existing training and simulation business for military pilots in South […]

Travel bookings for November and December are up nearly 70 percent compared to the same period last year for Sentient Jet, the company announced recently. The change reflects “the continued resurgence in private aviation,” according to the company news release. The Sentient Jet fleet accumulated more hours over the summer than it has in the […]

China has taken a major step toward opening its airspace for general aviation operations, Reuters has reported. The government said that effective Dec. 1, companies and individuals flying in a private jet or helicopter no longer need to have their flight plans pre-approved by the military. Flights will still need to be OK’d by the […]

Boeing says it has identified 15 locations, including its production home base of Washington, as potential sites to build the next generation 777. According to the Seattle Times, the contenders have until Dec. 15 to submit proposals. It’s been widely speculated that Long Beach, Calif., the historic home of Douglas Aircraft and now the site […]

Boeing has told 15 airlines operating certain versions of its 787 and all its 747-8 aircraft not to fly within 50 nautical miles of high-level thunderstorms after six incidents in which their GEnx lost thrust due to ice crystal buildups. Boeing and GE say they are changing engine control software to address the problems. All […]

The Reno Air Racing Association says it has had to cut wages and benefits, furlough staff and eliminate some positions. It also needs to raise $500,000 by Dec. 15. In an open letter, RARA President Mike Houghton said the “agonizing” cuts were made following three years of financial losses in the wake of the crash […]

Eighteen-year-old Geoffrey Biteman has been charged in Roseau, Minn., with theft of a 1971 Cessna 150 that he allegedly flew regularly without a pilot certificate, or the benefit of any prior lessons, and later used for unique night operations. The charges bring a potential sentence of 10 years in prison. In separate instances, the young […]

The U.S. House of Representatives has created a bill that would require the FAA to open a public comment period and apply normal rulemaking procedures before imposing new policy regarding pilot girth, medical testing, and sleep apnea. AOPA and EAA reacted to the announced policy with strongly worded letters demanding that it be suspended. They […]

Dick VanGrunsven of Vans Aircraft; Joe Brown, president of Hartzell; and David Pasahow, founder of an executive search firm, have joined EAAs Board of Directors, EAA announced Thursday. The men were invited to join during EAAs fall meeting on Nov. 14-15 at Oshkosh. Each will each serve one-year renewable terms on the EAA board. Current […]

The Federal Communications Commission will reportedly propose lifting a ban on passenger use of cellular phone use – both for voice and data connections – above 10,000 feet. Doing so would shift the approval decision to airlines, which would still be restricted from offering that utility while their aircraft operate below 10,000 feet. The FCC […]