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 […]
AN OPEN LETTER TO DIAMOND’S CHRISTIAN DRIES ABOUT THE D-JET
I recently read the Nov. 3, 2006 issue of General Aviation News with the article “In a class of its own” by Janice Wood about your D-JET. Although your statements in the article may be well targeted (as the D-Jet may be) at the less experienced, casual pilot who nevertheless wants to fly a jet, […]
LEGAL DEFENSE FUND CREATED FOR CFI
This is the case of a flight instructor, Paul Preziose, who is being sued by the owner of an Oregon skydiving operation. Over a long period of time, Mr. Preziose observed a pattern of rule infractions and threats to safety at the Hobby Field Airport in Creswell from the operations of the skydivers. Mr. Preziose […]
AIRPORTS BEWARE
Remember the relief we felt within the aviation community back in 1998 when the state of Washington passed a law requiring all communities to develop zones to protect airports from encroachment by incompatible development? Here is a big red flag, folks. You had better check what your local governments have done, because we found that […]
A SO-CALLED P-38
As a World War II Tac Recon pilot with the 64th TRG, 9th AF, ETO, I caught the misidentification of the so-called P-38 that Bill Lear Jr. was flying on page 46 of your Jan. 19 issue (Art Report: “Bill Lear and surplus WWII aircraft — what’s the connection?”). No gun ports on the nose, […]