Business & Military

Cleveland Center: Airliner xyz, turn right heading xxx to intercept the localizer, cleared for the RNAV xx approach at XXX. Use caution for party balloons on the final approach course at around 2,100 feet. Airliner xyz: Party balloons? Cleveland Center: Yes a previous arrival told us he saw a group of party balloons at about […]

I was on an IFR arrival into Houston a while ago with busy Approach Control, when I heard the following exchange: Approach Control: “N1234 say altitude.” N1234: “Altitude.” Approach without hesitation and very patiently: “N1234 say the altitude you are flying.” N1234: “Oh, 5,500 feet.” Approach: “Thank you. Altimeter 29.93.” Mark Robertson Alvin, TX

Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, based in Wichita, Kansas, has established a new scholarship for aspiring avionics technicians, in honor of Pat Napolitano, who worked as an A&P mechanic and Staggerwing pilot for the company for more than 15 years. “Pat’s love for aviation was contagious,” said Todd Winter, CEO of the company. “He was a […]

Airlines are losing weight and saving millions as a result, according to Business Traveller magazine. The publication is saying that United Airlines is saving $300,000 a year by using thinner paper for its in-flight magazine while other airlines are using lighter food packaging, trimming seat weight and even ditching paper manuals in favor of tablets […]

Bloomberg is saying the worst is over for the business jet market as prices for low-time used jets have started inching up. It’s been 10 years since the 2008 market collapse laid waste to the industry. The news organization said an expanding economy, lower corporate taxes and a bizjet-friendly president have taken the chill out […]

Various accounts in the mainstream and aviation media are announcing the end of the line for the world’s fastest business jet but Textron, the manufacturer of the Citation X+, hasn’t publicly confirmed it to our knowledge. Aviation Week longtime contributor Fred George has written a series of stories lamenting the demise of the aircraft, which […]

Pilatus has announced the first successful landing of its PC-24 business jet on an unpaved runway as part of a post-certification test program that specifically emphasizes unpaved runway operations. The first two weeks of testing, some highlights of which can be seen in the video below, took place at Woodbridge Airfield near London. Pilatus believes […]

Diamond’s Christian Dries First of all, thank you for recognizing and writing about a gentleman who, despite his larger than life personality when you are with him, has most certainly not had the public recognition he deserves. But then again, Christian was never in it for recognition but rather to make a difference in an […]

Six general aviation associations have issued a statement strongly opposing the inclusion of provisions to privatize air traffic control services in the government reorganization proposal unveiled by the White House on Thursday. “We are disappointed that the Administration continues to reintroduce a failed proposal,” the groups said. “Instead, it should put its weight behind FAA […]

I have a handful of vivid memories of Christian Dries, founder of Diamond Aircraft, but none are more searing than watching him storm across a windswept ramp in Austria all but foaming at the mouth. He wanted me to commit to my notebook his solemn pledge that the airplane I was looking at would absolutely, […]