Aviation News

With the influx of new RNAV approaches, the FAA is considering eliminating as many as 154 more existing approach procedures. The proposal is a cost-cutting move. Already up for cancelation are large numbers of NDB approaches that have GPS overlays. Of the approaches on the new list, 64 are VOR approaches and 19 are GPS […]

Though a Cessna 182RG touched down in a New Jersey Mall parking lot last week after an engine failure (no serious injuries, nor any damage on the ground), shoppers aren’t used to seeing airplanes among the back-to-school sale items. But at the Golden Triangle Mall in Denton, Texas, a Remos GX Light Sport airplane will […]

On January 9, 2007, the pilot of a Cessna 207 prepared for a cargo flight from Kenai, Alaska, south of Anchorage, to Kokhanok, 127 nm miles to the southwest. It was around 10 in the morning-but the winter sun was still below the horizon — when he started the engine, which had been warmed during […]

Last year, a U.K. pilot used his mobile phone to gain landing clearance via text messages. Last week, the entire Oakland Center in Fremont, California, was reduced to using cell phones to communicate with other ATC facilities and pilots – relaying instructions through other ATC outlets. For about 15 minutes between 8 and 8:30 a.m. […]

Premier II (Artist’s concept: Hawker Beechcraft) The Wichita Eagle has reported that Hawker Beechcraft will push back first deliveries of its Premier II by more than two years. The developmental jet is a longer-range, higher-flying derivative of the popular Premier IA. Current plans call for first deliveries in late 2012 or early 2013. First flight […]

As the 56th busiest airport in the country, New Jersey’s Teterboro is constantly in the crosshairs of political critics. Opened in 1919, the 827-acre facility has seen a 25% downturn in traffic in recent years, but the increase in jet traffic has neighbors worried and local politicians walking a fine line. A Monday editorial in […]

Following up on a letter last week from CEO Bill Boisture, Hawker Beechcraft has clarified how it will adjust to the current down market. On the chopping block at least through next year are company matching payments for retirement programs, and employees will also be required to cover more of their health care premiums. There […]

Brazilian manufacturer Embraer has announced it will use advanced digital fly-by-wire (FBW) controls on its Legacy 500 and Legacy 450 business jets. The system will include a sidestick controller similar to those on Airbus airliners and the Dassault Falcon 7X. The new system will incorporate three-axis, full-authority digital FBW for enhanced envelope protection at both […]

Swiss airframer Pilatus Aircraft will cut workers’ hours and scale back on production of its big single-engine turboprop, the PC-12NG. The cutback in hours will affect 350 employees (15 percent of the work force), but no layoffs are expected. Cancellations of orders for PC-12s are responsible for the decision, along with a reduction in orders […]

Cessna has announced it will follow up on a production cutback on its Citation jet line for this year with further slowdowns on its piston aircraft output. According to the company, the resulting “work force adjustment” is not expected to exceed 500, including job losses associated with an announcement made last June. In addition, Cessna […]