50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

United States aviation news

Boeing’s Crabtree optimistic for the rest of the year

The first half of the year has certainly been a rough  ride to date for the air cargo industry, but there is optimism in the air. Boeing’s Tom Crabtree, who is the US aircraft manufacturer’s air cargo airline market analyst, is sure there are better months on the horizon. He feels the industry is still on track to achieve growth in 2016 compared to 2015, and forecasts a bett...

Dreamliner makes history with plastic, outsourcing, design — and delays

By Dominic Gates When Boeing announced its vision for the new 787 Dreamliner in 2002, it was no surefire winner. Aviation pundits and many company employees openly questioned whether Boeing management was fully committed to remaining a power in the airliner business. Airbus was aviation's innovator then, pouring billions of euros into developing its new A380 superjumbo jet. Boeing seemed...

F-22 Raptor grounded by 20,000 bees

The US Air Force's F-22 Raptor may be the most advanced fighter jet in the world but even with $143 million-worth of stealth and supersonic capabilities, it proved to be no match for one unlikely adversary --- a huge swarm of honey bees. An F-22 aircraft from the 192nd Air Wing was temporarily grounded on June 11 after crew members at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia discovered nearly...

JetBlue turbulence puts 24 in hospital

At least 22 passengers and two crew members were taken to a hospital for evaluation after a JetBlue flight experienced rough turbulence Thursday evening, a spokeswoman for the airline said. JetBlue Flight 429 was headed from Boston to Sacramento, but had to be diverted to Rapid City, South Dakota, at about 6:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. ET), spokeswoman Katherine McMillan said. Passenger Derek Lindahl...

Boeing, Mauritania Airlines Finalize Order for One Next-Generation 737-800

Boeing  and Mauritania Airlines have finalized an order for one Next-Generation 737-800 airplane, valued at $96 million at current list prices. “The Boeing 737 is the backbone of Mauritania Airlines fleet because of its efficiency and superior operating economics,” said Mohamed Radhy Bennahi, chief executive officer of Mauritania Airlines. “The addition of this new 737-80...

Signature S.R.L. in Paraguay signs for Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

Bell Helicopter announced  it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Signature S.R.L. for a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. The aircraft will be used for corporate transport in Paraguay. “We are pleased to sign for the Bell 505 and look forward to integrating the aircraft into our operations,” said Mr. Paul Hellmers, Co-Owner, Signature S.R.L. The Bell 505 has accumulated more than...

XTI Aircraft Company selects Honeywell Aerospace to supply engines for first prototype of TriFan 600

XTI Aircraft Company (XTI) announced today that it has entered into a preliminary agreement with the Aerospace division of Honeywell International under which Honeywell will supply its HTS900 engine for use in XTI's first prototype, a two-thirds piloted subscale of the TriFan 600 vertical takeoff airplane. Honeywell will also provide an additional engine for use in XTI's Ground Propulsion...

Boeing Starts Assembly of 1st Flightworthy Starliner Crew Taxi Vehicle at Kennedy Spaceport

The next generation of America’s human spaceships is rapidly taking shape at the Kennedy Space Center as Boeing and NASA showcased the start of assembly of the first flightworthy version of the aerospace giants Starliner crew taxi vehicle – that will ferry NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) by early 2018. Boeing is rapidly making tangible progress towa...

Bugatti 100p Replica Down, Pilot Lost

 We regret to note that the truly stunning Bugatti 100p replica is reported down, with the loss of its pilot, Scotty Wilson. The accident occurred early Saturday morning, near Burns Flat, OK. The replica first flew in August of 2015 and dealt with a number of teething problems along the way, including an incident on its first flight whereby the vehicle was damaged when the right b...

Gulfstream service centers earn maintenance approvals from Aruba, Bermuda and Cayman Islands

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced that its company-owned service center in Brunswick, Georgia, recently received approved maintenance organization (AMO) designations from Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. The company also announced that its service center in Las Vegas recently earned AMO status from Aruba. These AMOs allow most Gulfstream aircraft registered with the civil aviati...

Gulfstream G500 production test aircraft makes first flight

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced that the fifth Gulfstream G500 test aircraft has completed its first flight. The aircraft is the first production test aircraft to be outfitted with a full interior and serves as the testbed for the cabin. The G500 departed from Savannah-Hilton Head International airport with Flight Test pilots Brian Dickerson and Andy Martin and Flight Test engine...

Citation CJ3 makes first flight with Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion® avionics upgrade

A Citation CJ3 equipped with Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion® avionics made its flying debut this week following implementation of the system on the business jet with Duncan Aviation. The two companies unveiled the new flight deck upgrade for the CJ3 last fall. The successful test flight originated yesterday out of Duncan Aviation’s headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Pro L...