DayJet, one of the first air taxi operations, recently named the first cities it will serve: Gainesville, Boca Raton, Lakeland, Pensacola and Tallahassee, all in Florida. The cities were selected for their strong business climates and limited transportation infrastructures, DayJet officials said. Within 12 months of its launch, the company plans to open an additional […]
Cirrus expands reassembly program
Cirrus has expanded its reassembly program to Australia. Sunland Aviation of Brisbane, Australia, will reassemble aircraft that are sold in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Rim. Earlier this year, Cirrus inked a deal with Britten-Norman in the United Kingdom to reassemble and deliver 100 airplanes a year for European customers.
Eclipse certification slips
Also suffering delays is Eclipse Aviation, which says certification of its Eclipse 500 jet is expected in a few weeks. The company had planned for certification by June 30, but supplier delays pushed the schedule back. The Eclipse is expected to be the first Very Light Jet to reach certification.
Extra unveils 300SHP
Extra Aircraft recently unveiled its newest design, the Extra 300SHP. Designed by company founder Walter Extra, in collaboration with airshow performer Michael Goulian, the “next generation” aircraft sports a new tail and cowling design. The airframe is 100 pounds lighter than Extra’s original 300S, which debuted in 1992. Powering the new aircraft is Lycoming’s new […]
Hail damages 60 aircraft
A freak hail storm in early June damaged more than 60 new Columbia airplanes parked outside the Columbia Aircraft factory in Oregon. While the composite planes show few visible signs of damage, use of reflected light showed that there were marks on the paint, according to Bing Lantis, president and CEO. The planes must be […]
Sport-Jet crashes on takeoff
The Sport-Jet prototype crashed late last month during flight testing in Colorado Springs, Colo., leading the company to suspend work on the jet until the accident investigation is complete. During takeoff the plane suffered an uncommanded roll at low altitude, possibly induced by wake turbulence or a weather phenomenon such as a microburst, according to […]
AFSS.com goes live
Lockheed Martin, which took over operation of all Flight Service Stations last October, has launched a new website, AFSS.com, that provides a feedback mechanism for GA pilots who use Automated Flight Service Station services. The site also includes contact information, general aviation information and other features useful to fliers. The website will be online until […]
Two pilots, one day, 104 airports… and more than $10,000 for charity
It’s one of those feats that many a pilot dreams of tackling: Land at all public-use airports in their state in one day. For Wisconsin pilots Matthew McDaniel and Bruce Kaufman, their record-setting journey had an added element: Their flight raised more than $10,000 for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. The flight, which took […]
Symphony files for protection from creditors
Symphony Aircraft Industries, which produces the Symphony 160 two-seat trainer, has entered into the Canadian version of bankruptcy. Filing under C-36 of the Creditors Arrangement Act protects the company from its creditors while it continues to operate, officials with the Quebec-based company said. “We were put in this position by our suppliers, who are primarily […]