The short-term congressional bill extending FAA funding to the end of September 2017 directs the agency to continue opening U.S. airspace to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
A consortium of Qinetiq and Thales have chosen Textron Airland’s Scorpion light attack aircraft as the platform for its bid into a major U.K. live flying training program.
The business jet market is depressed, a new semi-annual survey by Jefferies Group indicates, prompting analysts there to cut its business jet production forecast for this year.
Airbus Group Innovations has completed initial flight testing of its E-fan electric aircraft demonstrator with hybrid propulsion, adding an internal-combustion engine as a range extender.
Airbus Group Innovations has completed initial flight testing of its E-fan electric aircraft demonstrator with hybrid propulsion, adding an internal-combustion engine as a range extender.
Private investment firm AE Industrial Partners in Boca Raton, Florida, has acquired Moeller Aerospace, a manufacturer of precision-machined parts. Terns of the transaction were not disclosed.
The Senate passed the FAA extension bill July 13, which includes third-class medical reform for pilots, the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into the national airspace and the increase of airport security.
Spike Aerospace has added MAYA simulation and Siemens product life-cycle management software for the continuing development of its S-512 supersonic business jet.
GKN Aerospace has signed a contract with Dornier Seawings to design and build the cockpit windscreen for the Dornier Seastar, a composite amphibious aircraft.
WICHITA: The first flight of the B-29 Superfortress known as “Doc”, which follows a 16-year restoration project, has been scheduled for Sunday, July 17. The B-29 will take off from the non-joint use runway at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, adjacent to the hangar where the restoration team has been working to bring the historic warbird back to flyable condition.
Bliss Jet has launched regularly scheduled private jet flights between New York and London. Flights will leave Westchester County Airport in New York on Sunday nights and arrive at London Biggin Hill Airport. Return flights depart from London after lunch on Fridays. The service begins in September. Seats on the 14-passenger jets will cost $11,995 each way. The initial flights will be operated for Bliss Jet by Jet Access Aviation under a public-charter approval from the Transportation Department.
Avcorp Composite Fabrication in Gardena, California, has reached a collective-bargaining agreement with Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Union Local 19 for a six-year contract. The agreement calls for wage increases of 1% in the first year, with increases of 2.25%, 2.25% and 2.75% for the next three years. Wage adjustments in years 5–6 will be reviewed by the company and the union.
Gulfstream’s super mid-sized Gulfstream G280 set a speed record on a trip between Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Luton, England. The crew completed the flight in seven hours, Gulfstream reports. The record will be sent to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland for recognition as a world record.
Airbus has signed a service contract with Jet Aviation Management to add its maintenance facility in Basel, Switzerland, to its authorized service center network for Airbus corporate jets.
TAG Aviation, in collaboration with Rockwell Collins, has been granted an FAA STC for the installation of the TTR-4100 TCAS II version 7.1 on Dassault Falcon 900, Falcon 900C and Falcon 900EX aircraft. The STC was jointly developed with Rockwell Collins and follows on the EASA Falcon 2000 and Falcon 50EX STCs. The STCs are available to Rockwell dealers on request.
MAC Air Group of Maine Aviation Corp. has opened a new 43,000-sq.-ft. fixed base operator facility, MAC Jets, at Portland International Jetport in Cumberland County, Maine. The facility specializes in charter, sales and maintenance.
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG Turbofan Engines [Docket No. FAA-2016-4551; Directorate Identifier 2016-NE-07-AD; Amendment 39-18576; AD 2016-13-12] The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG (RRD) BR700-710A1-10, -710A2-20, and -710C4-11 turbofan engines. This AD requires removing the pawl carrier pivot pins, part number (P/N) BRR17117, from service and replacing them with parts eligible for installation.
Airbus Helicopters [Docket No. FAA-2015-6033; Directorate Identifier 2015-SW-019-AD; Amendment 39-18571; AD 2016-13-07] The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS365N3 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the cabin and cockpit for labels, placards, or markings that provide jettison procedure instructions for cabin doors, removing any labels, placards, or markings that are in an incorrect location, and installing placards where they are missing.
Bombardier Inc. Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2016-7422; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-079-AD; Amendment 39-18579; AD 2016-13-14] The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Inc. Model DHC-8-400-series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to determine if certain left and right main landing gear (MLG) retract actuator rod ends are installed and repetitive liquid penetrant inspections (LPIs) of affected left and right MLG retract actuator rod ends, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also provides optional terminating action for the inspections.
Textron Aviation Inc. Airplanes [Docket No. FAA-2016-5579; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-010-AD; Amendment 39-18586; AD 2016-14-05] The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-15-06 for certain Textron Aviation Inc. Models 175 and 175A airplanes (type certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company). AD 2008-15-06 required checking the airplane logbook to determine if the original engine mounting brackets had been replaced.
