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United States aviation news

Alaska Air Nears Deal to Acquire Virgin America

It could be a $2 billion deal. Alaska Air has emerged as the likely winner of an auction for Virgin America , The Wall Street Journalreported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter. The offer was set to beat a rival bid by JetBlue Airways 0.99% , the people said, according to theJournal. Alaska Air is expected to pay upwards of $2 billion for Virgin America&nbs...

DARPA's reusable unmanned 'gremlin' planes are a go

Four aerospace and security corporations will attempt to make DARPA's "gremlins program" dream a reality. The Department of Defense division has joined forces with its frequent collaborator Lockheed Martin, Dynetics of Alabama, as well as Composite Engineering and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems of California. Dan Patt, the program manager, said these four contractors are &qu...

Dassault appoints Byron Severson

Dassault Falcon Jet has appointed Byron Severson as regional sales manager for the south-central US. Severson will oversee the development of new business and serve existing customers in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. He will be based in Dallas, Texas. Paul Floreck, senior vice president for Western US and Canada, said: “Byron brings strong credentials to...

Bell-Boeing begins designing CMV-22B with $151 million contract

A $151 million contract awarded to V-22 tiltrotor manufacturer Bell-Boeing this week allows engineers to get started designing the US Navy’s future Osprey variant, the CMV-22B, which is replacing the Northrop Grumman C-2 Greyhound twin turboprop in the aircraft carrier logistics role at sea. Based on the US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey variant, the navy’s “CMV” tiltrotor w...

Boeing takes spare-part making from Spirit AeroSystems

Boeing Co said it is ending an agreement with one of its largest suppliers, Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc , effectively taking away manufacturing of profitable spare parts used in aircraft repairs. "Spirit's contract with Boeing allowing them to make and sell spare parts using Boeing intellectual property expired February 29 and will not be renewed," Boeing said in response to q...

Boeing plans to cut up to 8,000 airplane jobs: sources

Boeing announced Wednesday plans to cut about 4,000 jobs by mid-year, and another 550 jobs in lab testing unit. Boeing Co plans to cut up to 8,000 jobs this year at its commercial airplane division, according to two people familiar with the matter, a move that could slash $1 billion in costs and help it battle for sales against European rival Airbus. Boeing on Wednesday acknowledged plans to...

Boeing supplier puts shiny new plant in Everett

Aircraft-interiors supplier B/E Aerospace has consolidated three business units in a new, expanded facility in Everett and is ready to grow as Boeing production ramps up. Although a cost-cutting drive at aircraft-interiors supplier B/E Aerospace has shrunk its presence at some locations in the U.S. and overseas, it’s doubling down in Washington state to support Boeing’s planned prod...

The Arizona Boneyard Where Old Warplanes Go To Die

A large, lonely tract of land belonging to Davis-Monathan Air Force Base is what they call the Boneyard, a sun-baked retirement ground where old aircraft sit and wait until the military decides what to do with them. There Pentagon has way too many retired warplanes to store indoors, so they come here to be parked in the warm, dry Arizona desert to avoid rust and corrosion. Approximately 1,000 airc...

Las Vegas Metro Police to buy Airbus H145

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police has been given the approval to buy a new Airbus H145, with delivery targeted for March 2017. The new helicopter will operate in a search and rescue (SAR) role and replace one of two HH-1H helicopers which date back to the early 1970s. The Metropolitan Police committee on fiscal affairs approved the purchase of the new helicopter on Monday morning, a...

Boeing to cut more than 4,500 jobs to reduce costs

The world's largest plane manufacturer Boeing plans to cut more than 4,500 jobs by the middle of the year to reduce costs. A company spokesman said about 1,600 positions will go through voluntary redundancies while the rest will take place through attrition. Most redundancies are set to come from its commercial aircraft division as customers cut back on orders. Hundreds of executives...

Blade partners with Uber for Coachella festival helicopter charter service

Blade the New York-based private helicopter service has partnered with transport app company Uber to provide charter flights to the Coachella music festival in California. The flight, which can be purchased through either provider and will cost $4,170 for a charter that can sit up to six people at $695 each. The partnership will extend the current offering from Uber in the private helicopter sp...

The Crazy Tests New Planes Go Through Before Flying

We guarantee you’ve never taken an exam this tough. Or long. Or involving quite so many dead chickens. (Seriously.) Before passengers set foot on a new jet, each plane must ace tens of thousands of safety tests, enduring everything from simulated lightning bolts and hailstorms to bird strikes and mid-air stalling. “Let’s just say that if there’s a new coffee maker on a p...