Aviation and Aircraft News

Airbus Sharklets take a “bite” out of A320 fuel consumption on their first test flight The best-selling A320 Family jetliner – which is a familiar sight at airports around the world – assumed an even sleeker look today as the first aircraft equipped with Airbus’ fuel-saving “Sharklets” performed its maiden flight. Details

Airbus’ delivery of its 7,000th aircraft

FAA Proposes $777,000 Civil Penalty Against Horizon Air for allegedly operating 32 Bombardier Dash-8-400 turboprop aircraft on 49,870 flights when the aircraft were not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. details

The FAA Announces Changes to the Blocked Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) Program, effective immediately, general aviation or on-demand charter aircraft owners or operators seeking to keep their aircraft’s registration number from being displayed over public data systems during flight no longer need to submit a Certified Security Concern to the FAA. Details

The FAA issued a new rule to enhance aviation safety by requiring scheduled airlines to install ice detection equipment in their existing fleets, Full Story

FAA Places Restrictions on Companies that Employ Former Aviation Safety Inspectors The Federal Aviation Administration issued a final rule that prohibits air carriers and other certificate holders from employing certain former FAA aviation safety inspectors as company representatives to the agency for a period of two years after they have left the agency. Full Story

Critical Aviation Projects Come to a Halt Due to Congressional Inaction, Contractors have been told to stop work on critical airport modernization projects around the country after Congress failed to pass legislation giving the FAA the authority necessary for work to continue. Full_Story

EPA Seeks to Adopt Emission Standards for Large Commercial Aircraft. Full Story

BTS Releases 1st-Quarter 2011 Air Fare Data; 1st-Quarter Domestic Air Fares Rose 8.4% from 1st Quarter 2010. Top 100 Airports: Highest and Lowest Fares Full_Story

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE THE WORLD’S ONLY AIRWORTHY HAWKER DEMON BI-PLANE - One of Europe’s top specialist auctioneers now offering the only airworthy Hawker Demon fighter remaining in the world today. Full Story

General Aviation’s Safety Review - Air Safety Institute’s Latest Nall Report Now Available Online; General Aviation’s Most Comprehensive Safety Review Full Story

Airline On-Time Performance Improves in 2010 - The on-time performance of the nation's largest airlines improved in 2010 compared to the previous year, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation Full Story

Boeing Improvements Produce Better Next-Generation 737s Faster - Next-Generation 737s production surpasses all other 737 models combined - GOL Airlines receives record-making airplane Full Story

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. launched its new technology development organization - Sikorsky Innovations - The mission of Sikorsky Innovations is to develop and mature the technologies, products and processes that will redefine the future of vertical flight. Full Story

Zero Gravity Corporation Brings Sky High Adventure to the City of Angels With Exclusive Weightless Flight, February 13. Full Story

Dassault Falcon announced that the newest member of the Falcon family of business jets, the 4000 nm Falcon 2000LX, has received certification from the FAA. EASA certification was granted on April 23rd. The first delivery will be made in early May. Full Story

Hawker Beechcraft Sets Industry Standard for Sustainability Full Story

Honeywell announced that it is developing new avionics capabilities that will include NextGen features like, Future Air Navigation System FANS 1/A), Wide Area Augmentation System-Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance Full Story

When did the Wright Brothers first fly?, December 17, 2011, marks the 108th anniversary of Wilbur and Orville Wright's first successful airplane flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. learn more

Flying Planes with Biofuels, two major U.S. airlines flew the first commercial passenger flights powered by biofuels, including a cross country flight from Seattle to Washington DC. Airlines are looking for reliable, affordably-priced fuel. Details

FAA Announces Alternative Energy Investments For Cleaner, More Sustainable Jet Fuel, The Federal Aviation Administration is awarding $7.7 million in contracts to eight companies to help advance alternative, environmentally-friendly, sustainable sources for commercial jet fuel. Details

NBAA Releases New Guide on Reimbursement of Flight Expenses, Informative Handbook is Essential Reading for Owner-Pilots Details

Airline On-Time Performance Improves, The on-time performance of the nation’s largest airlines improved in July 2011 compared to the previous month and July 2010, Full Story

How to Use Your Airplane for Business, Owner-flown aircraft can provide companies with all of the efficiency, productivity, and financial benefits that can be realized with business aviation. Full Story

NBAA Releases Updated Aircraft, The National Business Aviation Association has released a new edition of the NBAA Aircraft Charter Consumer Guide, a valuable tool for anyone seeking advice on choosing a Part 135 air charter operator or aircraft charter broker. Full Story

All Gulfstream G650 Flight-Test Aircraft Now Flying - The fifth and final Gulfstream G650 flight-test aircraft took to the skies Jan. 24, flying for 2 hours and 46 minutes. All five aircraft that are part of the flight-test campaign have now entered the program. Full Story

Sikorsky's Second Prototype S-76D Helicopter Achieves First Flight - Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has successfully completed the first flight of its second S-76D helicopter. The prototype aircraft successfully completed its initial test card during a flight on March 19. The S-76D helicopter is the latest version of the S-76 helicopter. Full Story

Delta Air Lines Acquires Segrave Aviation to Expand Private Business Jet Operations Full Story

Gulfstream G650 Passes Initial Flight Tests - Ultra-Large-Cabin, Ultra-Long-Range Jet Performs Flawlessly During Nearly Two-Hour Flight. Full Story

Piper Aircraft announced that its owner, American Capital Ltd. has sold its 100 percent stake in the company to Imprimis in a private transaction that aims to secure the long-term success of Florida’s 72 year-old General Aviation company. Full Story

American Airlines and HP Survey Shows Bigger Connection Between Travel and Technology in 2009 Full Story

Honda Aircraft announced important updates to its HondaJet aviation program including revised first flight and delivery timetables for the company's light jet Full Story

New World Aviation, an aircraft and charter management company announced the addition of two more Gulfstreams, Full Story

Airmark International Teams with Sabreliner Corp. For Learjet Windshield Installations Full Story