Aviation News

More than 20,000 rotorcraft aficionados descended on Orlando, Florida, for this year’s Heli-Expo, held at the Orange County Convention Center from March 6 to 8. Helicopter manufacturers unveiled several new models at the show and offered special pricing that for many apparently was too enticing to let pass. Eurocopter kicked things off with the introduction […]

The 22nd annual Women in Aviation, International (WAI) convention was held last week at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. Despite the dismal aviation economy and a severe winter storm, this year’s convention was visited by nearly 3,000 smiling attendees from 18 countries. Walking into the conference area, the theme “inspire, enthuse, innovate” was […]

Avidyne has achieved TSO and STC certification for its DFC100 digital flight control system designed for use with the Entegra Release 9 integrated flight deck system available in Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft. This new integration may give the popular Garmin Perspective a run for its money. In addition to the flight director, altitude hold, […]

AOPA recently released the findings of its extensive study of why the vast majority of student pilots never become full-fledged pilots. While the sheer futility of the numbers are alarming, the study is just the first step in finding ways for flight schools to develop programs designed to keep students from walking off the ramp […]

Pilatus this month is introducing a series of long-awaited improvements to the Honeywell Primus Apex cockpit in the Pilatus PC-12 NG turboprop single. Known internally as Apex Build 7, the software enhancements refine the operation of the cockpit’s cursor-control devices and add capabilities for display of enhanced-vision and video; coupled Vnav operations, vertical profile display; […]

Embraer’s Legacy 650 large-cabin business jet has gained FAA certification, a year and half after the Brazilian manufacturer announced the model as a follow-on the original Legacy 600. Embraer is touting the Legacy 650’s longer range, higher useful load, quieter cabin and Honeywell Primus Elite avionics suite as the major enhancements over its predecessor, which […]

NetJets announced yesterday that it has agreed with Bombardier to buy 120 Global aircraft over the next many years. The deal, which is valued at $6.7 billion, includes firm orders for 50 aircraft and options for 70. Details on the options were not made public initially. The order includes Global 5000, Global Express XRS Vision, […]

In a phone call to Flying, Cirrus Aircraft president Brent Wouters said that the deal would give Chinese firm China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company (CAIGA) 100 percent ownership of Cirrus. Financial details of the merger weren’t immediately released pending notification of shareholders. The deal is subject to regulatory approval and would take effect, Wouters […]

The alphabet groups have petitioned the FAA to allow training time that Sport Pilot students acquire with a CFI-S to count toward a private certificate or higher. Specifically, the Letter of Petition calls for amending 14 CFR Part 61.99 and 61.109 to “permit the instruction time received in pursuit of a sport pilot certificate to […]

Executive Jet Management, the charter and management division of NetJets, has received FAA approval to use Apple iPads running the Jeppesen Mobile TC app as an alternative to carrying paper charts. The authorization is a first for a large Part 135 charter operator, but is probably only the first of many. EJM pilots flew with […]