Aircraft

After receiving a report of undersized fasteners possibly being used during the construction of some Piper M600s, the FAA on Tuesday issued an airworthiness directive to address what it called an “unsafe condition.” The AD, effective July 25, 2018, is aimed at M600s serial numbers 4698004 thru 4698041. The agency’s concern is focused on the […]

OK, I’ve whined enough about the new jet. I’ve moaned about the speedbrake-spoiler failure that occurs every time I get above Flight Level 300; about the fact that I will have to pay Williams for 150 hours per year on the engine program even though I won’t fly that much; about the ridiculous wait to […]

A stunning replica of the 1929 Travel Air biplane recently took its inaugural flight. Named Sun Siren, it is the fleet-mate of another airplane of the same type, Sky Siren, which has been flying since 2013 and is based at the Oxnard airport in southern California. The Sun Siren and Sky Siren were restored and […]

Belgian aircraft manufacturer Sonaca Aircraft announced in a press release that it has received type certification for its Sonaca 200, permitting the company to sell the aircraft worldwide, under its European Airworthiness Certificate. Flying reported on the initial development of the Sonaca 200 in 2017. Harold Van der Straten, the CEO at Sonaca Aircraft, described […]

Long distance travelers could soon reduce their travel times significantly as new high-speed aircraft concepts are announced by multiple companies. One of the most likely to succeed is a hypersonic airliner idea recently revealed by Boeing, which claims it could speed travelers across the Pacific Ocean in just three hours. CNBC reported the aircraft manufacturer […]

Since Cirrus first certified the SR20 nearly two decades ago, the company has grown to become by far the most productive single-engine piston manufacturer in the world, with its sleek composite airplanes known for good speed, comfort, advanced avionics and the BRS full-airframe parachute. Many manufacturers have tried and failed in the hunt for a […]

Pilatus’ recently certified PC-24 Super Versatile Jet has made its first takeoff and landing at an unimproved airfield. The test flight was made at Woodbridge Airfield north east of London, which was built in the 1940 for the Royal Air Force and is still used by the British Army. “What a picture – the PC-24 […]

At the Future of Transportation World Conference, which takes place this week in Köln-Messe, Germany, Bell Helicopter and Safran announced they are collaborating on a VTOL aircraft for the air-taxi market. The futuristic-looking VTOL concept will be designed, developed and produced by Bell, while the hybrid electric power system will be developed by Safran. “Thanks […]

In a press release, Airbus explained it will next month acquire most of the C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP) comprised of Airbus, Bombardier and Investissement Québec (IQ). Bombardier describes its C Series as a single-aisle commercial jet aimed at the 100 to 150-seat market, built with advanced aluminum and composites and boasting 18 percent […]

Ever since Quest certified the Kodiak in 2007, the Sandpoint, Idaho-based company has made continuous modifications to its single-engine turboprop. Unlike many aircraft manufacturers, however, Quest didn’t make a big deal out of these changes. However, recent improvements have prompted the company to make a public announcement. The most significant change in what Quest is […]