Former Mooney CEO Gretchen Jahn has landed a new job at New Zealand’s Alpha Aviation. The company recently received FAA certification for its two-seat trainer, the Alpha 160A. While at Mooney, Jahn more than doubled aircraft production and brought two new aircraft models to market.
Lycoming achieves AS9100 registration
Lycoming Engines has achieved AS9100 registration, the aerospace standard of the International ISO9000. “In the aviation manufacturing industry, quality and reliability are vital,” said Fred Hill, Lycoming’s manager of quality systems.
Eclipse building new facility
Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 VLJ, is building a new facility at Albuquerque’s Double Eagle II Airport (KAEG). When in full operation, the company plans to employ approximately 100 people at the new facility in a variety of roles, including training, flight support and administrative support. More than half will be new hires, […]
First Liberty XL-2 arrives in Australia
Liberty Aerospace, Inc., which manufactures the Liberty XL-2, made its first delivery to Australia. The XL-2 recently won Australian certification. The first delivery to Australia is “an important accomplishment in our global expansion plans,” said Anthony Tiarks, Liberty’s CEO.
Diamond Aircraft delivers 33% more aircraft in 2006
Meanwhile, Diamond Aircraft delivered 33% more aircraft in 2006 than in 2005. “Diamond has sustained this level of growth over the last five years,” reported Christian Dries, CEO of Diamond Aircraft. Fueling the growth is the production ramp-up of the DA42 Twin Star and DA40XL, he noted.
Cirrus delivers 721 airplanes in 2006, an increase of 20% over 2005
Cirrus Design Corp. was one of those companies setting records in 2006, delivering 721 airplanes, up 20% from a year ago. The company also posted record sales of 760 planes. About 25% of the company’s deliveries were to international markets, according to Cirrus officials, who note that Brazil was the company’s largest export market.
2006 ‘banner year’ for GA
Shipments of every type of general aviation airplane increased in 2006, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, which is dubbing 2006 a “banner year” for GA. The strong numbers have led to another record high in industry billings, reaching $18.8 billion, a 24% increase over 2005. Year-end, worldwide shipments of general aviation airplanes totaled […]
the buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
“They are attempting an end-around Congress to put the world’s safest, most efficient and largest air traffic control system into the hands of airline barons who’ve flown their own businesses into bankruptcy.” — AOPA President Phil Boyer on user fees “Caution: Cape does not enable user to fly.” — Warning label on Batman Halloween costume […]
It don’t come easy: A coveted ticket is hard earned
I did it. I finally obtained my Multiengine Commercial rating. If it is true that “getting there is half the fun,” then I had a whole lot of fun. My multiengine odyssey began just over two years ago, when I saved up $4,000 for the rating. The first challenge was finding an ME instructor. You […]