The Weekly of Business Aviation

Volocopter is to set up a test route for its VoloDrone unmanned cargo aircraft in its home city of Bruchsal, Germany, in a joint project with logistics company DB Schenker.

The UK’s Empire Test Pilots School is to receive three additional helicopters to support its training fleet.

Skydweller Aero has flight tested the control system to be used in conversion of the Solar Impulse 2 solar-powered round-the-world aircraft into a long-endurance unmanned aircraft.

China’s EHang has unveiled plans for a longer-range electric air taxi, the inter-city VT30, as well as a the two-seat intracity EH216 piloted version.

Nearly 400 exhibitors, including most aircraft manufacturers, signed up to showcase their products and services at the 47th annual Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, the first major show since the coronavirus pandemic, following cancellations in 2020.

Gulfstream Aerospace’s G700 long-range test aircraft dedicated to testing the cabin experience made its maiden flight on April 15 and joins five other test aircraft in the program.

ATP Flight School plans to take delivery of the first of 25 Piper Aircraft Archers for 2021, Piper announced during the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has cleared the way for Inmarsat to continue operating its European Aviation Network (EAN) inflight connectivity system.

Leonardo has shipped the fourth prototype AW609 commercial tiltrotor to Italy from the U.S. for final tests ahead of the aircraft’s civil certification.

Designing an eVTOL vehicle is challenging, and designing one that can be driven on the road as well as flown is more challenging.

Startup Xwing has completed the first autonomous gate-to-gate demonstration with a commercial cargo aircraft.

Bombardier has completed the 100th wing ship set for its largest business jet, the Global 7500, manufactured at its facility in Red Oak, Texas.

Piper Aircraft, based in Vero Beach, Florida, is showcasing two aircraft for the first time at an airshow during the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo: the new certified Pilot 100i trainer and the M600 SLS turboprop, equipped with the Halo Autoland emergency safety system integrated into the aircraft’s G3000 flight deck.

Jet Linx Aviation and Wheels Up have entered into partnerships to offer helicopter services, leading to new urban-air-mobility vehicles.

Retail sales of pre-owned twin-engine helicopters declined during the first quarter of 2021 following two successive strong quarters, according to the Heli Market Trends report by Aero Asset.

A U.S. Commerce Department trade promotion agency is organizing an online business-to-business meeting event to try to expand opportunities for U.S. MRO companies in China.

Bell has created a team of potential suppliers in Germany as it offers its Model 525 helicopter as a platform for the Bundespolizei.

Blade Urban Air Mobility has struck a deal with Beta Technologies to secure up to 20 Alia electric air taxis.

Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo opened April 13 with an announcement by Textron Aviation of a special edition Beechcraft Bonanza G36 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the iconic six-seat single-engine piston aircraft.

As flight testing of its new widebody Falcon 6X business jet continues, Dassault Aviation is otherwise preparing for its entry-into-service, including performing reliability testing for systems and components and the stocking of $100 million in parts.

UK air crew who moved to an EASA pilots’ license because of the UK’s departure from the EU (Brexit) can now apply to get their UK license back, alongside their EASA certification.

Electric aircraft pioneer Pipistrel is to develop a vertical-lift unmanned cargo aircraft for Chinese delivery company SF Express.

Australian startup Swoop Aero has completed three months of medical drone deliveries in the Democratic Republic of Congo, delivering more than 20,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses on long-range flights.

Textron Aviation has paused production and deliveries of its Beechcraft Bonanza single-engine and Beech Baron multi-engine aircraft as it develops product enhancements.

Embraer has been releasing technical information to help business jet operators use their aircraft to safely transport COVID-19 vaccines, which require low temperatures, as demand for vaccine transportation rises.