Business Aviation
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.
Maintenance and Modifications
Bombardier Completes 200th Challenger Heavy Inspection
More than 1,600 Challengers are now in service worldwide.
Maintenance and Modifications
Harrods Aviation Approved as S-92 Service Center
The London-based service provider can now service the S92 as well as the S76, Airbus H155 and Leonardo AW139.
Astronaut, Safety Advocate Gene Cernan Dies
He was the face of Bombardier's Safety Standdown.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA, SkyPan Settle Charges of Alleged Improper Drone Flights
The Chicago aerial photography company will pay a civil penalty of $200,000, the largest fine to date for unmanned aircraft systems.
AIN Blog: Is Flight-sharing Dead? (It’s all Uber’s Fault, Part 2)
The Supreme Court elected not to hear a case involving a flight-sharing company's attempt to offer services to the general public.
Maintenance and Modifications
Germany's Atlas Air Service Earns FAA Mx Approval
The Bremen-based MRO has broadened its international clientele with a new authorization to work on N-registered aircraft.
Aircraft
More Layoffs at One Aviation as VLJ Market Dims
Company’s focus is on completion of Project Canada, and will "look to hire folks back” as it nears production.
West Star Completes Global Express Venue Installation
The maintenance provider completed the cabin management system installation as part of the refurbishment of the Bombardier Global Express.
Aircraft
NTSB Sounds Alarm over Piper Cheyenne Wiring Issue
The NTSB issued an urgent recommendation concerning unsafe wiring on Piper PA-31T Cheyennes that might lead to arcing and fires.
TBM 900 to Get G1000NXi; 2016 Delivery Stats
Turboprop singles will have updated avionics; while North America dominated the delivery schedule for last year.
ATC
DOT Watchdog: FAA Not Yet Prepared for Mass ATC Outage
Shuster holds up report as another reason for ATC reform, while Democrats are unconvinced.
Aircraft
Embraer Bizjet Deliveries Fall Slightly, but Mix Better
Last year’s tally includes 73 Phenom light jets and 44 Legacy and Lineage large jets versus 82 Phenoms and 38 large jets in 2015.
Hampton Aviation Named Authorized CenTex Mod Dealer
The Arkansas-based maintenance provider now offers CenTex modifications for King Air series.
Airports
NJ Airport Offers Free Intro Flights to Local Youth
Up and Coming Monmouth County Executive (KBLM) partners with flight school on free lessons for township kids aged eight to 17.
Regulations and Government
Puerto Rican FBO Opens Co-located U.S. Customs Facility
New general aviation facility was built in full compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) standards.
Maintenance and Modifications
Maximum View Bubble Windows Improve AS350 Hover View
The Swiss Rotor Solutions modification for the Airbus AS350/H125 helicopter improves pilot field of view when looking down by 10 times.
Safety
Disaster Airlift, Red Cross Partner on SMO Exercise
The disaster-preparedness event highlighted Santa Monica Airport's status as critical infrastructure in southern California.
Cabin Interior and Electronics
GDC Technics Earns FAA ODA
The award will give the Texas-based completions specialist more independence and flexibility in dealing with FAA approvals.
Regulations and Government
Court Issues Injunction Barring East Hampton Curfews
The preliminary injunction follows the November 4 ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Europe Advances Small Drone Regulations, 'U-Space' System
The branches of the European Union government plan to complete negotiations on amending the EASA Basic Regulation to include drones.
Airports
New Jersey’s Solberg Airport Keeps Winning in Court
Latest ruling grants legal fee reimbursement from township over unfair zoning ordinance
FAA Approves Ruag To Support G550s In Munich
Munich-based facilities will now be able to provide maintenance for Gulfstream G550.
Avionics
Astronics Advances EmPower Product Line
The EmPower system will be used on the Cessna Denali.
Aircraft
Comlux’s VIP Boeing 767 BBJ Lets You Take Everything With You
Comlux’s VIP Boeing 767 BBJ Lets You Take Everything With You
Jet Aviation Completes Global Express DU-875 Upgrade
This is the Jet Aviation Geneva’s first Honeywell DU-875 Elite cockpit display upgrade on a Global Express XRS.
Environment
Flight Demos Jet-A Derived from Plastic Waste
The 500-mile January 11 flight from Sydney to Melbourne, Australia, involved a diesel-powered Van's RV-9A fueled in part by plastic waste.
Aircraft
PlaneSense Tapped as Launch Customer for Pilatus PC-24
The fractional provider, which currently operates more than 50 PC-12 turboprop singles, will take delivery of the first customer PC-24 later this year.
Rotorcraft
Helicopters Vulnerable to Laser Incidents
Helicopters are particularly vulnerable to these attacks.
Maintenance and Modifications
RCA Avionics Completes Acquisition of Scottsdale MRO
Deal included the Executive Aircraft Maintenance name and both the maintenance and avionics operations at the Arizona airport.
