Writer

Mark Phelps

On the afternoon of June 25, one of the French navy’s Dassault Falcon 50 “Surmar” maritime surveillance aircraft provided an impromptu airshow for passengers aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line Breakaway, a 3,963-passenger vacation cruise ship that had just departed from Bermuda, returning to New York.

 


Passengers and ship’s crew watched as the Falcon—perhaps on a training mission—made four passes. In this video, shot with a cellphone camera during the third and fourth passes from Deck 18 by passenger Richard Ogle of Virginia, the Falcon initiates its run from an altitude below the top deck of the ship, sweeping past the stern and peeling up and away. Several of the passengers did express concern over the low-flying trijet, some even fearing it might have been a terrorist attack.

 


The French navy operates eight Falcon 50 Surmars, converted from government transportation aircraft. They are equipped with search radar, an optronic system, refurbished cockpit avionics and observation windows. The conversions were performed at Dassault Aviation’s factory in Merignac, France. Surveillance missions include combating piracy, spotting polluters, fisheries control and aerial search and rescue (SAR).

 


<iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pAMYeRqy5DA" width="560"></iframe>

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Falcon 50 Does Impromptu Airshow over Cruise Ship

A maritime patrol Dassault Falcon 50 gave cruise passengers a thrill, and a bit of a scare, with this low pass caught on video by a young passenger.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Company president Jason Huang resigns and Lily Hu takes over

Icon Aircraft Moving Some Manufacturing to China

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

An average of seven Vision Jets per month were delivered during the first three quarters of this year

Cirrus Delivers 600th Vision Jet Since 2016 Market Entry

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Latest prototype of the two-seater now features improved rotors 

Volocopter Makes Final Push Toward eVTOL Aircraft Type Certification

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Agreement covers up to 12 of the Alia-250 model and is Beta's second sale in New Zealand

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Orders Beta's eVTOL Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Midnight eVTOL aircraft production begins in 2025

Archer Completes Georgia eVTOL Factory

AmyWilder

Deliveries of the turboprop single can now start in the UK

Piper M700 Fury Secures UK CAA Nod

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Testing on Quarterhorse Mk 1 was completed in 21 days

Hermeus Completes Quarterhorse Demonstrator Ground Tests

Jessica Reed

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

More In Aircraft