Recent Updates

A Southwest Airlines 737 made an emergency landing in Pensacola, Florida, Saturday after an uncontained failure of the number one engine. Passengers snapped photos of the engine, which was missing everything forward of the pylon after what those on board described as an explosion, followed by some smoke in the cabin and a rapid descent […]

Last month’s AirVenture broke the decade mark for me. It was my eleventh show. Perhaps my perspective is unusual because I’ve done all those shows as a journalist. This year was different because I brought my 13-year-old son with me. He’s aposter child for next-generation aviators: He’s a fanatic about all craft that fly, has […]

AVweb‘s search of aviation news worldwide found announcements from Bell Helicopter, USAIG, Pathways to Aviation and Thrush Aircraft. Bell Helicopter announced its joint participation with sister company Textron Aviation at the 13th annual Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE) held Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 at Aeroporto de Congonhas at So Paulo, Brazil. […]

The Airlander 10 made a nose-in landing Wednesday on its second test flight, interrupting the hybrid airship’s development. Hybrid Air Vehicles said in a statement the aircraft went for a 100-minute flight from Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire. Everything went as planned during the test until the landing. “The Airlander experienced a heavy landing and the […]

NASA has chosen five new aviation-related technologies that it intends to study intently over the next two years as part of its ongoing Convergent Aeronautics Solutions project, the agency said recently. The researchers will focus on fuel cells, the use of 3D printing to improve electric-motor performance, energy storage in lithium-air batteries, ways to change […]

Cessna’s super-midsize Citation Longitude prototype has completed initial ground engine tests, the company said today, adding that the first flight is expected “in the coming weeks.” The tests verified the functionality of the engine start, fuel system and auto-throttle as well as interfaces with the avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, the company said. “The engine-run […]

Piper’s M500, an upgraded version of its Meridian turboprop, is now EASA-approved, the company announced today. “EASA certification is an important milestone allowing us to kick off a major sales campaign to bring the M500 to the European market,” said Simon Caldecott, CEO of Piper Aircraft. The M500 already has been certified in Brazil, Canada […]

The FAA’s new rules that will allow widespread use of small drones for commercial purposes take effect next Monday, Aug. 29. The rules require operators of commercial drones to have a pilot certificate or pass an FAA knowledge test to ensure they understand airspace restrictions and other relevant rules. They also must be at least […]

Only a few days after losing yet another round in the legal slugfest that continues over Santa Monica Airport, opponents of the airport are turning up the political pressure on the city council, according to the Santa Monica Lookout. Municipal elections are coming this fall and the well-organized anti-airport forces are making it clear to […]

Chinese airlines are reportedly offering experienced airline pilots more than $300,000 a year, tax-free, to work for them and that might be just the beginning of a bidding war for cockpit crew. China’s domestic airline industry is expanding far faster than its airlines can train their own pilots so the carriers are hiring headhunting companies […]