John was editor of Aviation Week's ShowNews for nearly two decades. He retired in 2020. His background in business journalism before joining Aviation Week includes stints at Reuters, the American Banker daily banking newspaper and as business news editor at the Milwaukee Journal and the Cincinnati Enquirer.
A lifelong aviation enthusiast, John has been a private pilot for 34 years and won an award at EAA Oshkosh for his restoration of a vintage British Auster army spotter aircraft. He is currently building a 1920s Staaken Flitzer biplane from plans. John attended his first Farnborough Air Show in 1952, when just eight months old.
French helicopter engine maker Turbomeca will increase its R&D budget by 25% this year and hire 100 more engineers as it pursues dual goals of renewing its product line by 2020 and developing hybrid powerplants. “This is an intense period of development for us,” says Chairman and CEO Olivier Andries. “R&D spending will represent 15% of revenues. [The company achieved sales of €940 million, or $1.24 billion at current exchange rates, in 2010.] This follows a 20% increase in 2011 over 2010.”
SuperJet International has launched the Sukhoi Business Jet with a $200 million order for four aircraft from Comlux The Aviation Group, a leading VIP charter services company. The first two aircraft (the second two are options) will be delivered for outfitting to the Comlux Group completion center in Indianapolis early in 2014. Comlux America has been appointed as the first approved completion center for the jet.
A steady flow of jetliners destined for VIP service, plus a critical aging juncture for such aircraft now approaching their teen years, is attracting new entrants to the completions business. While that competitive development should please customers, it gives some veterans pause.
