Aircraft

Cessna Aircraft has signed a strategic agreement with the China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA) Company for final assembly, sales and customer support of Cessna Caravans in China for the Chinese market. What does that mean exactly? Cessna wants to make it very clear: Caravans for the Chinese market will continue to be manufactured in […]

Bombardier Learjet broke ground on a new $53 million factory near Wichita Mid-Continent Airport on Monday as the company prepares for production of its newest business jet, the super-midsize Learjet 85. “This is an exciting day for the future of Learjet and the Learjet 85 program in Wichita,” said Learjet Vice President Ralph Acs. “We […]

The numbers aren’t huge compared with the massive layoffs that have swept across Wichita, but Cessna had positive news this week, confirming it is adding 150 employees by bringing back some laid-off workers and hiring new ones. Unfortunately, the announcement comes days after Hawker Beechcraft sent 60-day layoff notices to about 350 workers in Wichita. […]

Have you ever noticed how old married couples sometimes start to look like each other? Or that ardent dog lovers possess a startling resemblance to their bassett hounds? Crazy as it sounds, I fear that I am beginning to look like my airplane. The 1980 Cheyenne I that my wife, Cathy, and I own is […]

Thirty-five years ago, Frank Christensen started a revolution. He introduced his kit for the Eagle aerobatic biplane at the EAA Fly-In, and with that, he changed the image of homebuilding. Prior to that historic annual Fly-In Convention, no one had ever seen or even envisioned anything like the Eagle kit. On opening day it became […]

The FAA has awarded Eclipse Aerospace a production certificate for the Eclipse 550, clearing the path for the re-launch of the very light jet in a rebirth that was first announced last October at the NBAA Convention. With the new production certificate in hand, the company “is well positioned to re-introduce the Eclipse Jet to […]

Cessna Aircraft has temporarily suspended sales of the single-engine 162 Skycatcher in Europe as the lightplane maker works with European airworthiness officials on certification for the model. As a result, Cessna is honoring requests to return deposits to customers in Europe who hold Skycatcher delivery positions. French Cessna dealer Aeromecanic caused a minor furor when […]

Following FAA and EASA certification a few years prior, Transport Canada has given the official thumbs up to both the regular and special-mission versions of the Diamond DA42 NG. While Diamond continues to wait on Transport Canada’s okay for DA42 NG flight into known icing conditions, the company says the new certification will allow it […]

Cessna Aircraft showed positive momentum in the first quarter of the year, posting a big revenue increase to go along with reduced losses as the company delivered more airplanes. Cessna reported $669 million in revenue in the quarter, compared with $556 million a year ago, according to numbers released by parent Textron. Cessna also posted $6 million in […]

In attempting to understand the Piaggio P.180 Avanti II, you need to begin by forgetting everything you thought you knew about turboprop-powered airplanes. The idea behind the Avanti has always been remarkably simple and completely outside the turboprop box. Think of the Avanti II as a jet with props and you’ll be close to the […]