Aircraft

Esterline CMC Electronics‘ SmartDeck integrated avionics system has its first OEM customer after Evektor of the Czech Republic this week announced the cockpit’s selection aboard the multipurpose EV-55 Outback twin turboprop. SmartDeck has had a long gestation, starting out in the mid 1990s as a project begun by Goodrich. The cockpit system has been improved […]

The phone rang — it was my dad, and it was bad news. “I’m standing on the sand,” he said, using a phone borrowed from the resident of a Malibu beach house. “I’m looking up the hill and the fire’s heading right for our house. The guys fighting it on the ground can’t get in […]

The Falcon 900LX, certified late last year, is the latest entry in Dassault‘s lineup of triengine, wide-body, long-range business jets. It is a popular choice for buyers looking for an ocean-hopping airplane with a big range — 4,750 nm — a fabulous cabin and all the latest safety features. That kind of range is new […]

The FAA National Kit Evaluation Team recently gave a thumbs up to Sonex Aircraft‘s single-seat kitplane known as the Onex, granting Onex builders access to approved checklists for the foldable-wing design that will allow them to show compliance with the 51 percent rule. Powered by an 80 hp AeroVee engine and small enough to fit […]

Cirrus Aircraft said it delivered more airplanes in the fourth quarter of 2011 than any since 2008, handing the Duluth, Minnesota, manufacturer its strongest performance of the last 12 quarters and reason for optimism heading into 2012. “Several factors came together in the fourth quarter to make it one of the strongest in recent memory,” […]

(March 2012) When Matt Norklun decided to go surfing in the Bahamas, the airlines were not an option. The 6-foot-6-inch Norklun loaded up his airplane with his two brothers and three surfboards. Considering the size of the occupants and their cargo, you might assume Norklun owns a Beechcraft Baron or a Cessna Caravan. He doesn’t. […]

Piper Aircraft on Tuesday announced sales and revenue were up as much as 9 percent over the course of 2011, attributing the positive numbers to the success of the company’s flagship, the Piper Meridian. According to Piper, new aircraft sales totaled more than $131 million in 2011, up from $120 million in 2010. Sales of […]

The U.S. Air Force unveiled the X-56A last week, its newest experimental aircraft specifically crafted to explore ways to protect against flutter. Flutter is an aerodynamic effect – one that has caused a number of fatal accidents over the years – that occurs when the vibrations of an aircraft’s wing trigger a potentially dangerous increase […]

At Heli-Expo Eurocopter launched its new light single EC130 T2, a model aimed at providing a quiet, cost-effective and profitable upgrade product to companies already operating light singles, including Maverick Helicopters, one of Sunday’s announced launch customers, which currently operates dozens of EC130s. Maverick has ordered 50 T2s for use in its air tour operations, […]

On Sunday Bell Helicopter launched its latest model, the Bell 525 Relentless, a super medium twin capable of carrying up to 16 passengers. A clean sheet design, the new model breaks new ground for Bell and for the rotary wing mark with an entire slate of innovative features, from triple-redundant fly-by-wire flight control to advanced […]