New Airplanes

Yakima, Washington-based CubCrafters surprised the aviation industry when it introduced a Part 23 certified advanced version of the classic Cub earlier this summer. Named XCub, the new taildragger blends the terrific backcountry capabilities CubCrafters’ airplanes have become known for with much improved cruise speed, range and carrying capacity. We had a chance to test fly […]

The HA-420 HondaJet received FAA type certification in December and promptly entered the light jet market to much excitement and anticipation. Flying senior editor Pia Bergqvist recently got the chance to fly and review the much-hyped airplane for the June issue. Check out pictures of the HA-420’s unique design, luxurious cabin and innovative features.

Dassault Aviation’s new flagship, the Dassault Falcon 8X, achieved European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification. FAA certification is expected in the coming weeks, with entry into service planned for this fall. Three aircraft were used in the flight test program, which totaled more than 830 hours on 400 flights. Those airplanes will now be used […]

When Honda Aircraft Company announced it had received FAA type certification for the HA-420 HondaJet on December 9, the company’s president and CEO, Michimasa Fujino, described the document as “the crystal of sweat and tears.” The sign-off was the culmination of decades of hard work. Fujino became involved in Honda’s aircraft program in 1986. The […]

Piper’s M600 single-engine turboprop achieved FAA type certification last week, adding a new model to the Vero Beach, Florida, manufacturer’s lineup that features more power and improved avionics. The $2.853 million M600 features the same Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-42A engine as the Piper M500, but power has been boosted from 500 to 600 shp, […]

Look for two new Mooney models to make their debut appearances at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this summer after the Kerrville, Texas-based manufacturer flew the first Ovation Ultra, a version of the original Ultra that will roll out of the factory with an array of upgrades. Mooney chief test pilot Mike Miles flew the new model […]

For about six years now, CubCrafters has kept a new two-seat taildragger design under wraps. Named the XCub, that secret airplane has now been revealed as the Yakima, Washington-based company achieved the coveted Part 23 certification from the FAA for the airplane on June 2. Since the company self-funded the new design and certification process, […]

The second of Mitsubishi’s regional jet test aircraft (MRJ), known as airframe FTA-2, took off from Nagoya for the first time on May 31 and confirmed its basic characteristics and functionality in airspace off the Pacific coast of Japan. “As with the first flight conducted with MRJ’s FTA-1 in November of last year, we had […]

Dassault Aviation, which is celebrating its 100th year in the business, took the opportunity at EBACE in Geneva to provide an update on its Falcon 8X program. Now in the final stages of flight testing, the ultra-long-range trijet is closing in on both EASA and FAA certification, which is expected as soon as this summer. […]

Pilatus Aircraft gave the first prototype of the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet a day’s break from its test flight duties to be featured on the static display outside Palexpo as part of the European Business Aviation Convention and Expo this week at the Geneva Airport. The airplane and a second prototype have accumulated more than […]