Restarting a military jet’s engine in flight is a critical safety feature that can only be demonstrated by doing something a flight crew rarely wants to do: shutting off the engine in flight.
Textron Aviation to supply fleet of Beechcraft King Air 350 air ambulance aircraft to Pel-Air in Australia
Beechcraft King Air 350
Textron Aviation announced yesterday a purchase contract with Pel-Air, based in New South Wales, Australia, for five Beechcraft King Air 350 air ambulance turboprop aircraft. The aircraft, configured for multi-stretcher operations, will be equipped with the aft cargo door and heavy weight options for additional performance capabilities. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year and run through 2021.
Textron Aviation tops 2019 business jet deliveries; Citation Latitude remains the industry’s most-delivered midsize jet
Cessna latitude
Textron Aviation delivered more jets in 2019 than any other business aircraft manufacturer in its segment, according to the annual shipment and billings report published by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) this week. Additionally, the Cessna Citation Latitude remained the most-delivered midsize business jet for the fourth consecutive year.
The Lockheed Martin U-2 receives a new electro optical system
Lockheed Martin
The U.S. Air Force, Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies, and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works recently completed flight testing and deployment of the latest variant of the Collins Aerospace Senior Year Electro-Optical Reconnaissance System (SYERS) sensor, SYERS-2C, on the U-2.
Bombardier sells its railroad division to Alstom and focuses only on executive aviation
Bombardier
Bombardier this week announced that it has made the strategic decision to focus exclusively on business aviation and plans to accelerate its deleveraging through the sale of its rail business.
First at three: Boeing delivers higher-rate 767 to FedEx
Boeing
FedEx, the world’s largest cargo airline and the largest operator of 767-300 Freighters took delivery of the first 767 at Boeing’s increased build rate of three airplanes per month. Boeing has delivered more than 80 of the mid-sized freighters to FedEx.
Lockheed Martin to deliver 50 C-130Js To U.S. Government via Multiyear III Award
Lockheed Martin’s C-130 Super Hercules production line in Marietta, Georgia
Lockheed Martin will deliver 50 C-130J Super Hercules to the U.S. government through a C-130J Multiyear III award, which was finalized by the U.S. government on Dec. 27, 2019. The award comes as a delivery order under an existing Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract awarded in August 2016.
Airbus delivered 863 commercial aircraft to 99 customers in 2019
Airbus
Airbus delivered 863 commercial aircraft to 99 customers in 2019, outpacing its previous output record set in 2018 by eight percent. In the 17th yearly production increase in a row, Airbus progressed on the transition to all NEO variants and by year end Airbus had delivered 173 wide-body aircraft, its highest number in a single year.
Boeing statement on employee messages provided to U.S. Congress and FAA
Boeing
In December, Boeing proactively brought these communications to the FAA’s attention in furtherance of the company’s commitment to transparency with our regulator and strong safety oversight of our industry.
Revolutionary Citation Longitude enters the NetJets fleet
Cessna
Textron Aviation company, announced that NetJets, a Berkshire Hathaway company, accepted its first delivery of the new Cessna Citation Longitude super-midsize business jet on Dec. 31, 2019.
Latécoère Enters into an Agreement to Acquire Bombardier’s Electrical Wiring Interconnection System Business in Querétaro
Latécoère and Bombardier announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement, whereby Latécoère will acquire Bombardier’s electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) assets in Querétaro, Mexico. The two companies also concluded a long-term supply agreement that will see Latécoère supply Bombardier with electrical wiring interconnection systems.
EASA certifies Safran Aneto-1K in Leonardo AW189K
Safran
Safran Helicopter Engines has received EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) Type Certification for its Aneto-1K engine, as fitted to the Leonardo AW189K. Intended for super-medium and heavy helicopters, the Aneto family produces between 2,500 and 3,000 shp. The 1K is rated at 2,500 shp and its first flight in the AW189K took place in March 2017.
First E175-E2 jet completes its maiden flight
Embraer
The Embraer E175-E2 made its inaugural flight on december 12 from the company’s facility in São José dos Campos. The E175-E2 is the third member of the E-Jets E2 family. The maiden flight kicks off a rigorous 24-month flight test campaign.
First Airbus A350-1000 joins Air Caraïbes’ fleet
Airbus
Air Caraïbes (a member airline of Groupe Dubreuil) has taken delivery of its first A350-1000, the largest member of Airbus’ new-generation A350 XWB Family, making it the first French operator of the type. ç
Bombardier’s performance-leading Global 5500 and Global 6500 jets awarded FAA certification
Bombardier
Bombardier announced today that its two latest additions to the Global family, the Global 5500 and Global 6500 business jets, have received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, achieving another important milestone following its successful entry-into-service in September and its impressive worldwide debut at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas.