Aviation News

An all-electric, twin-motor French airplane known as the MC15E Cri Cri piloted by Hugues Duval recently reached 153 knots, breaking its own speed record for electrically powered airplanes by about 10 knots. While several power plants have been tested on the Cri Cri, the record setting airplane was powered by a pair of 35-horsepower Electravia […]

After years of watching and waiting, the world’s aircraft manufacturers could finally be witnessing the first signs that China’s growing economy is ready to fully embrace business aviation. ** ** The leasing division of China Minsheng Banking Corp. has ordered 50 Gulfstreams worth $2.6 billion at list prices in the largest business jet deal ever […]

The FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) have announced an agreement on new guidelines intended to combat fatigue.** ** The agreement is the latest in a series of attempts by the FAA to restore confidence in America’s air traffic control system, which came under heavy fire earlier this year with a barrage […]

A reproduction Curtiss A-1 Triad crash landed last week shortly after taking off from Keuka Lake in New York, postponing a planned demonstration flight celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the Navy’s acquisition of the airplane. The replica was built by volunteers at the Glenn Curtiss Museum, located in Hammondsport, NY, and was equipped with an […]

The flying car that created a buzz when it was unveiled at Oshkosh three years ago has just received a variety of special exemptions from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The vehicle, known as the Transition Roadable Aircraft, is a dual-purpose model intended for travel both in the air and on the road. […]

The FAA has launched a major review of general aviation airports across the U.S. to better promote “the many roles and functions” these airports serve in their respective communities. The review, which began last fall, is focusing on infrastructure needs and, the agency says, could lead to reclassifications for many airports.** ** In recent years, […]

Last week President Obama touched off a new series of high-level flame wars with aviation industry leaders by calling for new taxes on bizjet owners while at the same time seeming again to call into question the legitimacy of bizjet use. In remarks during a press conference on June 29, the president focused on the […]

Cirrus Aircraft has received a vote of confidence from the U.S. Air Force in the form of a fleet order for 25 single-engine SR20s for the Air Force Academy’s cadet training program. The Academy will take delivery of the airplanes — designated as T-53A trainers in the customized configuration — starting this summer and continuing […]

A rocket carrying a dummy achieved a successful launch last month from a platform in the Baltic Sea. The craft, created by Danish group Copenhagen Suborbital over the course of the last few years, was aiming for an altitude of around 50,000 feet for the launch; it is not yet clear what altitude the HEAT […]

Senator James Inhofe (R.- Okla.) introduced legislation on Wednesday mandating changes to the FAA’s enforcement process to make it “more fair to pilots” who are often left in the dark as to what they are being investigated for and the nature of the evidence against them. ** ** Last year Inhofe had an enforcement action […]