Fixed-wing business aircraft deliveries strongest for a decade: GAMA
Shipments of fixed-wing business and general aviation aircraft soared in 2019 to their highest level for a decade, thanks to resurgent business jet and piston-engined aircraft sectors. In addition, the mix of deliveries in favour of high-end, high-value models resulted in the strongest billings for the industry in four years.
Catalyst turboprop flight testing “to start this spring”
GE Aviation’s delayed Catalyst turboprop programme has advanced enough that a maiden flight test is now scheduled for this spring with certification targeted for autumn 2021, according to the company’s European aero engines unit, Avio Aero.
Europe clears HondaJet Elite for steep approaches and increased occupancy
Honda Aircraft has secured European steep-approach certification for the HondaJet Elite, permitting the light business jet to perform approaches at descent angles of up to 5.5°.
Bombardier sells rail division to focus on business aviation
Bombardier says it is to focus exclusively on business aviation following an agreement to sell its rail division to French rail giant Alstom. The deal announced on 17 February, is worth close $4.5 billion for Bombardier, and will help to slash company’s outstanding debt of some $9 billion.
Volocopter, ride-hailing firm to explore urban air mobility in Southeast Asia
Volocopter and Southeast Asian ride-hailing firm Grab will jointly explore opportunities for urban air mobility in the region.
Cabin fire caused Cirrus SF50 fleet grounding
Cirrus grounded its global fleet of more than 170 SF50 Vision Jets on 7 February, and issued a mandatory service bulletin (SB) to all owners of the single-engined aircraft, after identifying faulty audio amplifier circuit cards as the cause of a 27 December cabin fire.
Gulfstream G700 airborne as flight-testing begins
The latest and greatest Gulfstream business jet, the Rolls-Royce Pearl 700-powered G700, completed its first flight on 14 February from the company’s base at Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia.
Daher delivers 300th TBM 900-series turboprop
Daher has delivered its 300th TBM 900-series single-engined turboprop to long-time customers Dr Ian Blair Fries and Susan Fries. The high-performance aircraft - a TBM 940 with the serial number 1300 - will be used by the couple for business and private travel, says the French airframer.
Tecnam sells first special-mission configured P2012 Traveller
Italian airframer Tecnam has sold the first P2012 Traveller in a special-mission configuration following an order for a single unit from with Austro-German engineering and surveying company Airborne Hydro Mapping (AHM)
Metal Master readies production-conforming Flaris LAR 1 for flight-testing
Polish start-up Metal Master is preparing the production-conforming Flaris LAR 1 flight-test aircraft for its maiden sortie in early April, as it set its sights on Polish certification for the five-seat, high-performance personal jet in the fourth quarter.