Recent Updates

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 […]

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 […]

Now that it has been established that we live in a world of regular facts and alternative facts, the morass of confusion over the announced closing of the much-fought-over Santa Monica Airport comes into perfect focus. As far as this airport is concerned, there aren’t so much alternative facts as multiple parallel realities. I think […]

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 […]

It was 50 years ago, in 1967, that NASA scheduled the first Apollo mission, with the aim to land on the Moon, and EAA will celebrate that era of exploration this summer at AirVenture, with a reunion of Apollo astronauts and a slate of special events. The reunion is expected to be the largest gathering […]

Industry veteran Robert H. Wells has joined Quest Aircraft as CEO, the company announced recently. Wells has more than 40 years of aviation experience, previously holding management positions with Tag Aviation, Beech Aircraft Corp. and Landmark Aviation. He also worked as a flight instructor and air-taxi pilot early in his career. “I look forward to […]

Airline crew members are not exempt from the new U.S. travel ban that restricts the entry into the U.S. of non-citizens from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somali, Sudan, and Yemen, according to the Air Line Pilots Association. “We recommend that green-card holders from the above countries not accept assignments outside the U.S. until the government […]

A blanket order from the Trump administration to place a 60-day hold on all new federal regulations may affect the finalization of the FAA’s new third-class medical rules, EAA said this week. Under the hold, implementation would be delayed from May 1 until July 1. “Such a freeze is not unprecedented when a new administration […]