Aviation News

The 2012 Reno Air Races passed a key logistical hurdle last week by obtaining a one-year special permit for the event, further clearing the way for the competition that has remained somewhat shrouded in uncertainty following last year’s fatal crash. The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Board of Trustees approved the permit on Thursday under the condition […]

Preliminary analysis of the cockpit voice recorder from the** Sukhoi SuperJet 100 that crashed into the side of a volcano** in Indonesia two weeks ago showed no sign of aircraft system malfunctions, according to a statement released by the aircraft manufacturer. United Aircraft Corporation, the parent company of Sukhoi, went on to say the CVR […]

In the wake of its announcement of an AD on its Cessna 210, 210T and 210P models, Cessna has announced that it is expanding its mandatory inspections to its 100-series airplanes (from the Cessna 120 to the Cessna 195) that were manufactured between 1946 and 1986 (the latter date being when Cessna suspended its single-engine […]

SpaceX is slated to launch its unmanned Dragon spacecraft to the international space station this weekend for what will mark the first time a commercial vehicle has made the trip, if all goes according to plan. Final preparations are currently under way at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Central Florida, where engineers are […]

An unusual display of the usefulness of general aviation airplanes occurred recently when the life of a 20-year-old boater apparently was saved by an overflying seaplane pilot. What could have ended as a tragic drowning turned into a happy day for the young boater. Max Trescott describes in his blog about the incident that the […]

Eclipse Aerospace has signed an agreement with Sikorsky subsidiary PZL Mielec in Poland covering the production of Eclipse jet wings, fuselages, empennages and other components. The parts will be built by PZL Mielec at its factory in southern Poland and shipped to the Eclipse factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for final assembly and customer deliveries […]

AgustaWestland’s AW169 took to the skies for the first time last week, marking a significant milestone on its path to certification in 2014, the company announced. According to AgustaWestland representatives, the AW169 – launched nearly two years ago at the Farnborough International Air Show – performed and handled “as expected” during the test flight at […]

Honda head Michimasa Fujino took the opportunity at Ebace to update the industry on the progress of Honda’s eponymous light jet on Monday, telling reporters that the fourth Honda Jet recently made its first flight and that the program is making great progress toward certification, with FAA and EASA certification anticipated in 2013. The jet […]

Gulfstream proved it true that it’s better to under-promise and over-deliver when its two newest products, the super-midsize G280 and uber-long-range G650, arrived in style at EBACE in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday following long nonstop flights from Dulles International in Washington D.C. after the company had made of point of telling reporters the two airplanes […]

A Fairfax, Virginia, judge has dismissed drunk driving charges filed late last year against former FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt after ruling that patrol car video appeared to contradict the arresting officer’s original report. Babbitt was arrested on December 3 in Fairfax after police said his car was spotted crossing the double yellow lines and driving […]