Turbo Skylane takes flight
Cessna has flown the first production configured Turbo Skylane 182 JT-A. The aircraft has the distinction of being the first modern single-engine aircraft powered by a piston engine specifically designed to run on Jet-A fuel. “The Turbo Skylane JT-A... [Continue reading]
Senate committee hands down poor verdict on performance of safety regulator and ATSB
A near-unprecedented attack on the nation’s aviation safety authorities has been handed down by the Regional and Rural Affairs and Transport References Senate Committee following its enquiry into ‘Aviation Accident Investigations’. The committee’s... [Continue reading]
Pilatus launches PC-24 twin-jet
Pilatus has entered the business jet age, unveiling the PC-24 twin-jet at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exposition (EBACE) in Geneva this week. Work on the prototype is underway, with roll-out scheduled for the third quarter of 2014. The... [Continue reading]
New ATSB report examines effectiveness of ELTs
Research by the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) shows ELTs are only functioning as intended in about 40 to 60 per cent of accidents. The report reveals that pilots and operators of general aviation and low capacity aircraft cannot rely on... [Continue reading]
Bombardier launches Challenger 350
Bombardier has launched an improved development of its Challenger 300 super midsize corporate jet, the Challenger 350, which will feature more powerful 7,323lb Honeywell HTF7350 engines, advanced avionics and a new cabin interior. Announced at the EBACE... [Continue reading]
Diamond DA40-XLT on demo tour
One month after Diamond Aircraft released the latest enhancement to its DA40 product line – the DA40-XLT, Hawker Pacific has begun the first Australia-wide demonstration tour of the aircraft. For the next three months, the DA40-XLT will be making its... [Continue reading]
Pilatus PC-12 fleet reaches four million flight hours
The global fleet of nearly 1,200 Pilatus PC-12s has reached a major milestone by accumulating 4,000,000 flight hours since the first aircraft was delivered in October 1994. To date, the highest time PC-12 has logged more than 24,000 hours in operation... [Continue reading]
GippsAero restructures, reduces workforce by 40
GippsAero has announced it will restructure its business in a move that includes furloughing 40 personnel. In a curiously-worded news release from the Mahindra Aerospace-owned company, GippsAero said it was taking the decision to reduce the number of... [Continue reading]
RFDS acquires two new King Airs
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in Queensland is to take delivery of two new Beechcraft King Air B200s. The aircraft are currently being built with delivery set for the first quarter of 2014. RFDS will use the King Airs for aeromedical retrieval... [Continue reading]
Encouraging signs for GA sales
In a sign of strength being regained in general aviation (GA) sales, aircraft deliveries increased 9.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2013. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced shipments increased from 418 units in 2012 to... [Continue reading]
FAA approves innovative Sikorsky platform approach system for S-92
The US FAA has approved a new functionality on the S-92 helicopter to provide offshore oil operators with an automated approach that reduces cockpit workload by 60 per cent and allows safer operations under challenging weather and operating conditions. ‘Rig... [Continue reading]
