Daher-Socata announced Tuesday that it will not build the moribund Grob SPn utility jet. Socata, which manufactures the TBM850 turboprop single, had been evaluating the all-composite SPn twinjet since late 2010 as a more economical alternative to a clean-sheet new aircraft program.
AINalerts » July 26, 2012
July 26, 2012 - 4:23pm
The Italian government has approved an amendment to the contentious tax on business aircraft that it made law on April 29. Now, foreign-registered aircraft operated privately will incur the tax only if they stay for 45 consecutive days, rather than the 48-hour threshold in effect until now. The amendment, which is expected to be endorsed by the Italian parliament, would also reduce the rate of the tax by 50 percent.
July 26, 2012 - 4:20pm
A bill requiring the FAA to inform pilots why they are being subjected to an enforcement action was passed by the House of Representatives on a voice vote and sent to President Obama for his signature. The Senate approved the measure in June.
July 26, 2012 - 4:10pm
With sales of $1.6 billion, up 16 percent from the same period last year, General Dynamics’ aerospace group was a bright spot in the company’s second-quarter 2012 financial report, released yesterday morning.
July 26, 2012 - 4:05pm
Dassault received orders for 25 Falcon business jets worth €1.05 billion ($1.27 billion), during the first half of this year, CEO Charles Edelstenne said today in a press conference at the company’s headquarters near Paris. This is an improvement on the 22 Falcons ordered during the same period last year.
“The market is still convalescent overall,” a not-too-bullish Edelstenne said. The Falcon backlog continues to decrease.
July 26, 2012 - 4:00pm
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) ended its search for a new president on Tuesday when it announced that veteran pilot Thomas Hendricks will take the reins at the organization. He succeeds James Coyne, who announced earlier this year that he will be stepping down at the end of December from the post he has held since 1994.
July 26, 2012 - 3:57pm
Responding to a recent filing in bankruptcy court by Hawker Beechcraft, seeking approval for as much as $5.328 million in bonuses for eight top executives, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAW) has filed a formal objection.
July 26, 2012 - 3:50pm
Turbomeca and Eurocopter have signed a long-expected contract for the engine company to supply TM800 turboshafts for the X4 medium-twin helicopter. The in-development TM800 is in the 1,100-shp category. Intended to replace the Dauphin, the X4 will be released in two versions, with the first, less advanced iteration entering service in 2017. The Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 will also be a powerplant option.
July 26, 2012 - 3:45pm
Hawker Beechcraft Global Customer Support opened a factory-owned aircraft maintenance facility last week at New Castle County Airport in Wilmington, Del. The Part 145 repair station offers airframe, engine, avionics and mobile service support for the company’s entire product line, from the Bonanza to the Hawker 4000.
July 26, 2012 - 3:40pm
Hawthorne Global Aviation Services has acquired a second FBO in its bid to establish a network. The South Carolina-based company, which has an 80-year heritage in aviation, purchased a controlling interest in the recently renovated Aeropremier facility at New Orleans Lakefront Airport and will rebrand it as a Hawthorne location. Earlier this year, Hawthorne acquired the Excelaire FBO at MacArthur Airport on Long Island, N.Y.
