After being stuck in the pipeline for years, India's ambitious initiative to design and develop a regional transport aircraft program is showing some signs of life.

Bell Helicopter has secured its first orders for its Model 525 super-medium helicopter and for its newly designated light single, the 505 JetRanger X.

Landmark Aviation has moved into a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Smith Reynolds Airport (INT) in Winston-Salem, N.C., a relocation that will enable it to expand its activities there and better coordinate its MRO activities with the fixed-base operation.

Airbus Helicopters is hoping to put the troubled past of the EC225 behind it with the launch of an improved version of the aircraft. The EC225e – e for enhanced – will make its first flight in 2015 and features a new updated avionics suite, increased maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) by 550 kg. (1,210 lb.) and an extended range fuel tank fitted into the rear baggage compartment under the tail boom, which gives the aircraft the ability to fly out to 300 nm.

While Democratic leaders have been quiet about business aircraft depreciation during the most recent budget talks, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 26 proposed “eliminating special depreciation benefits related to corporate jets” as part of a larger tax overhaul package.

Signature Flight Support is adding a fourth London-area fixed-base operation (FBO) with the acquisition of the FBO assets of the JETS facility at London Biggin Hill. Signature announced that acquisition as it was preparing to break ground in San Jose, Calif., Feb. 28 on what will become one of its largest FBO complexes.

Cirrus, coming off its best year since 2008, is optimistic that momentum will continue into 2014 with its piston lines while it prepares for first flight of its SF50 Vision Jet in the next few weeks.

Textron’s proposed $1.4 billion acquisition of Beechcraft could help propel the bottom line of Textron’s Cessna Aircraft unit from a $48 million loss in 2013 to a $480 million profit by 2016, analyst Jeffries believes. Textron announced on Dec. 26 plans to buy Beechcraft by midyear and has since been lining up financing for the deal with the issuance of $600 million in notes in late January and the securing of a $500 million, five-year term loan, also in late January.