Latest News

Eclipse supplier problem looms
September 26, 2006, 10:53 AM
January 2006

An ongoing “supplier problem” is casting a shadow over Eclipse Aviation’s receipt of its first FAA type inspection authorization earlier last month for the Eclipse 500 very light twinjet.

Raytheon issues 1900D maint. alert
September 26, 2006, 10:51 AM
January 2006

Raytheon issued a new safety communiqué to advise Beech 1900 operators of another misleading illustration in the type’s maintenance manuals. The notice represents the latest in a series of manual revisions prompted by the crash of two Beech 1900D airliners that killed 23 people in 2003.

Wing failure in Chalk's Mallard
September 26, 2006, 10:50 AM
January 2006

The wing that separated from the Chalk’s Ocean Airways Grumman Turbo Mallard that crashed off Miami Beach last month showed signs of cracking in the main support beam that connected it to the fuselage, according to the NTSB.

Are EASA's Funding Levels Adequate?
September 26, 2006, 10:45 AM
January 2006

The European Parliament has confirmed a 20-percent increase in the annual budget for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The Cologne, Germany-based organization will have a budget of about $57 million this year–up from about $48 million last year.

EASA Certifies IBIS AE270
September 26, 2006, 10:44 AM
January 2006

Ibis Aerospace’s Ae270 turboprop single completed EASA certification, and FAA certification is expected shortly. However, the current version of the Ae270 has not met performance targets and the Czech manufacturer intends to develop an improved Ae270 to go into production.

FAA and controllers continue contract talks
September 26, 2006, 10:42 AM
January 2006

With some air traffic controllers already earning more than $200,000 annually, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey is digging in her heels during the agency’s current round of negotiations with the  National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

DOT calls for renewed focus on flight training
September 26, 2006, 10:39 AM
January 2006

Transportation Department Inspector General Kenneth Mead last month called for renewed emphasis to reduce the general aviation accident rate, noting that the number of fatalities and accidents has remained fairly constant over the past few years.

User fees a likely part of future FAA funding plan
September 26, 2006, 10:36 AM
January 2006

Congress may have approved FAA funding for Fiscal Year 2006 before it adjourned for the Thanksgiving holiday, but the drumbeat for user fees in future years continues.

Socata TBM 850 gets EASA OK, FAA certification to follow soon
September 26, 2006, 10:30 AM
January 2006
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EADS Socata last month introduced the TBM 850 turboprop single, a more powerful, faster derivative of the TBM 700. During a press conference on December 14 in Paris, company executives insisted the already certified aircraft’s performance will be competitive with that of very light jets (VLJs).

Fractionals react to new NetJets contract
September 26, 2006, 10:13 AM
January 2006

It’s no secret that the NetJets pilot contract ratified in late November raised the bar for fractional pilot pay. Within hours of the tentative agreement’s release in early October, speculation began about when pilots at the other major fractionals would get an equivalent raise.

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