Latest News

NextGen Debate Takes Center Stage at RAA Convention
May 13, 2013, 10:55 AM
May 13, 2013

As the Regional Airline Association gathered its membership in Montreal from May 6 to 9 for its first-ever annual convention held outside the U.S., few among the RAA braintrust could set aside thoughts of events back home in Washington, D.C. In fact, what many consider the FAA’s bungled effort to advance the Next Generation Air Traffic Control system, or NextGen, took top billing among the various panel discussions held at the Palais des Congres de Montreal, where the RAA saw some 1,400 visitors pass through the turnstiles.

FAA Won’t Close 149 Contract Towers After All
May 10, 2013, 4:21 PM
AINonline

The FAA–and its parent agency, the Department of Transportation–today announced that it will keep open the 149 contract towers that the agency slated for closure on June 15. These cuts were to be made to comply with sequestration, but on April 26 Congress gave the FAA the authority to shift funds to stop controller furloughs and, possibly, contract tower closures.

Navy Issues RFP for Presidential Helo; V-22 Joins Fleet
May 10, 2013, 10:45 AM
May 10, 2013

The U.S. Navy restarted the VXX Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program by issuing a final request for proposals on May 3. The next day, Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) officially welcomed a new type into the presidential fleet–the MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor–which will be used in a support role to carry White House staff and reporters following the President.

Russia Debates Restart of MiG-31 Production
May 10, 2013, 10:40 AM
May 10, 2013

A debate has unfolded in Russia over whether to invest further in the MiG-31 series or to concentrate funding on the Sukhoi Su-35. United Aircraft’s Sokol factory in Nizhny Novgorod continues to deliver MiG-31BM multirole aircraft modified from MiG-31 interceptors built earlier. The plant’s general director, Alexander Karezin, reported that the company handed over 15 last year, and the plant “holds a firm order for about sixty MiG-31BMs due for delivery in 2011-2018.” He added, “This is a considerable contribution to the national defense of the country.”

UAV Makes Test Flight in Non-Segregated European Airspace
May 10, 2013, 10:35 AM
May 10, 2013

Integration of remotely piloted air systems (RPAS, or unmanned air systems) into non-segregated airspace in Europe has moved a step closer with the latest test flight in the Desire project (Demonstration of Satellites enabling the Insertion of RPAS in Europe). The project is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) and led by Indra of Spain.

Indian Naval Air Commander Outlines Expansion Plan
May 10, 2013, 10:30 AM
May 10, 2013

The Indian Naval air arm is set to double its fleet of 217 aircraft in the next decade. The fleet–a mix of 14 models–“has emerged as a mini air force,” said assistant chief of naval staff (Air) Rear Admiral D.M. Sudan.

Raytheon Wins Mobile ATC Contract from U.S. Air Force
May 10, 2013, 10:25 AM
May 10, 2013

The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon a $50.6 million engineering and manufacturing development contract to build mobile ATC systems capable of providing approach control guidance to military and other aircraft operating within a terminal airspace area. Raytheon will supply 19 mobile systems under the service’s deployable radar approach control (D-Rapcon) program; the overall contract value is approximately $400 million.

GAMA: Bizjet, Turboprop Deliveries Rise in 1Q13
May 9, 2013, 4:00 PM
May 9, 2013

Worldwide business jet deliveries rose by 4 percent, to 129 units, in the first quarter, according to statistics released today by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Pressurized turboprops, meanwhile, saw an increase of nearly 53 percent year-over-year.

HondaJet Certification Pushed Out to Late 2014
May 9, 2013, 3:50 PM
May 9, 2013

Honda Aircraft has extended by another year its target for obtaining certification for the HondaJet, to the end of next year, according to a company spokesman. “We are targeting HondaJet certification by the end of 2014, based on the engine testing and certification schedule,” he said. The jet’s GE Honda Aero HF120 engine is now scheduled to receive certification in fourth quarter 2013. No further details were available at press time, but Honda Aircraft plans to provide more information at an EBACE press conference on May 20.

J.P.Morgan: Bizjet Recovery Continues at Uneven Pace
May 9, 2013, 3:45 PM
May 9, 2013

The business jet market remains highly mixed as it continues on its recovery path, according to the latest business jet monthly report from J.P.Morgan North American Equity Research. Large-cabin jets and an improving pre-owned market are helping the recovery, while light jets and lower flight activity are acting as drags.

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