Latest from Gordon Gilbert
Eclipse Wins First Round in Aviace Suit
A federal judge in Albuquerque, N.M., Friday denied Aviace’s plea for preliminary injunction against Eclipse Aviation as part of the Swiss firm’s lawsuit a
ExcelAire and Honeywell Respond to Lawsuits
At press time, two lawsuits had been filed in the aftermath of the September 29 midair collision over the Amazon jungle.
Rotorcraft
Second BA609 Tiltrotor Prototype Now Flying
The second prototype of the Bell/Agusta BA609 tiltrotor (S/N 60002) logged its first flight on November 9 at AgustaWestland’s facility in Cameri, Italy.
Regulations and Government
Thousands Ask FAA To Abolish Age 60 Rule
On November 23 the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will adopt an amendment to increase the age limit for airline pilots to 65, provided an
ATC
Nav Canada Launches ADS-B Program
By 2009, Nav Canada plans to install ADS-B ground stations around Hudson Bay, which straddles high-latitude flight paths between Asia, North America and Eu
Airports
Orlando Gets New Runway Incursion Warning System
The FAA recently added new Safety Logic runway incursion alerting technology to its ASDE-X airport surveillance equipment at Orlando International Airport
Regulations and Government
Drug Testing Rule Guidance in the Works
The FAA recently hosted representatives from key industry organizations, including the
Airlines’ Loss Not Necessarily Bizav’s Gain
Into an increasingly acrimonious atmosphere in which the airlines perceive business aviation as competition for high-end travelers comes a study suggesting
Aircraft
Honda Gives Green Light for HondaJet
Honda announced this morning at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., that it will “enter the HondaJet into the growing very light jet market.” According to pro
Airports
Two-pronged Attack on Stage 2 Under Way at VNY
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is busy trying to figure out how to hasten the phaseout of Stage 2 business jets at Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Regulations and Government
Aviation Leaders United Against User Fees
NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen joined several aviation leaders on Tuesday at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., to show a united front against aviation user
Raytheon Aircraft Deliveries Up, Division for Sale
According to Raytheon’s second-quarter report, released this morning, Raytheon Aircraft posted net quarter sales of $745 million, up 8 percent from $687 mi
Aircraft
Eclipse 500 Gets Provisional FAA Certification
Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation, was flanked by some 200 company employees this afternoon at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., to announc
Trammell, Waugh To Be Honored by NBAA
NBAA’s board of directors yesterday selected Archie Trammell–a weather radar specialist, aviation journalist and lifelong safety advocate–as the recipient
Aircraft
F1 Kestrel Finally Stretches Its Wings
On Saturday afternoon, Farnborough Aircraft’s F1 Kestrel prototype (N352F) lifted off the runway at Bend Airport, Ore., for its maiden flight.
Accidents
Spectrum Crash Cause Points To Misrigged Controls
The NTSB today released the preliminary report for
Avionics
Forward Vision Moving Forward
Forward Vision of Russell, Pa., is working on a King Air 90 STC for its low-cost infrared enhanced vision system, according to company co-owner Patrick Far
Aircraft
GA Deliveries Breaking Records
On Friday, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported record-breaking shipment and billing figures.
Safety
AD Proposed for King Air Controls
On Monday, the FAA issued a proposed Airworthiness Directive that would mandate a one-time 80-manhour detailed inspection of the flight-control systems on
Cabin Interior and Electronics
McKinney Aerospace Closes Doors
McKinney Aerospace, a maintenance, refurb and avionics shop at Collin County Regional Airport north of Dallas, closed its doors late last month.
Isle of Man To Start Aircraft Registry
The Isle of Man–a British Crown Dependency located in the Irish Sea between the UK and Ireland–expects to have its new aircraft registry, open only to corp
Avionics
Universal Cockpit STC'd in PC-12
Kansas City Aviation Center (KCAC) has obtained an STC to install the retrofit EFI-890R cockpit from Universal Avionics in the Pilatus PC-12.
Safety
Raytheon Addressing Beechjet Flameouts
Raytheon Aircraft said it is working with the FAA, NTSB, Transport Canada and Pratt & Whitney Canada to determine the root cause of three Beechjet dual eng
Embraer Names Successor to Botelho
Frederico Fleury Curado is to succeed Mauricio Botelho as president and CEO of Embraer next April.
Charter & Fractional
NetJets Financial Winds Shift Favorably
The nine-month-old NetJets pilot contract, which raised wages substantially, isn’t having the speculated adverse effect on profits at the fractional provid
First Orders Taken for VIP 787 and 747-8
Boeing has taken the first orders for executive versions of its new 787 Dreamliner and the next-generation 747-8 Intercontinental.
Aircraft
Honda Sets Up Aircraft Subsidiary
Honda Motor revealed today that it has established Honda Aircraft, a wholly owned subsidiary, to handle development, sales and production of the HondaJet.
Charter & Fractional
Runway Margin Op Specs Still in Draft
The FAA had planned to deliver Operations Specifications C082 on calculating new landing-distance safety margins by June 30, but it is still in a
