Tata group-owned Air India made record-breaking announcements on Tuesday during the ongoing Aero India show in Bangalore. The news started with the signing of a letter of intent to acquire 250 aircraft from Airbus to boost domestic and international operations. The importance of the deal was visible with French President Emmanuel Macron and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a spirited discussion online during the press conference.
Soon after, it was announced that Air India will buy 220 aircraft from Boeing, which U.S. President Joe Biden called “a historic deal. This announcement reflects the strength of the U.S.-India economic partnership…this purchase will support over one million American jobs,” he added in a statement issued by the White House.
The Bombardier Challenger 3500 is first in class for one reason: its cabin. The 3500’s dimensions place it in the super-midsize category, but it’s large-cabin in feel, features, and attention to detail. That’s important because when you fly privately on a regular basis, small annoyances can start to feel like large ones.
Differences of a few hundred miles of range, a few knots of speed, or a few gallons of fuel burn per hour—even a couple of million dollars off the list price—can pale in importance alongside passenger comfort and satisfaction. That’s why manufacturers conduct extensive human-factors studies and focus groups to design customer dissatisfaction out of the cabin.
Embraer announced creation of its executive jets division in the spring of 2005, simultaneously revealing the launch of its first “clean-sheet” business jets–the Phenom 100 very light jet and the larger Phenom 300 light jet.
Two years later, the Phenom 100 is within weeks of certification and the first Phenom 300 made its first flight on April 29, at least two months ahead of schedule. The Brazilian manufacturer has announced the launch of two more airplanes: the “midsize” Embraer MSJ and the smaller “mid-light” Embraer MLJ.
On September 7, two-and-a-half years after the crash of a Yute Commuter Service single-engine Piper PA-32 near Tuntutuliak, Alaska, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its probable cause finding on the five-fatality accident, citing a pilot’s decision to fly into potentially whiteout conditions. But a lengthy investigation also pointed to systemic safety issues and lax procedures that enabled the decision-making.
The PA-32 departed under a special VFR on the morning of Feb. 6, 2020, for the village of Kipnuk, less than 100 miles from the company base in Bethel. It crashed about 30 minutes later, at approximately 11:10 a.m. local time.
Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has approved plans to develop vertiports as part of the emirate’s future air mobility infrastructure network. The decision was announced on February 14 following a joint presentation by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) with Skyports Infrastructure and eVTOL aircraft developer Joby Aviation at the start of the 2023 World Government Summit.
The RTA’s plans call for a vertiport network to be in place to support the launch of air-taxi services in 2026. Working with Skyports, the agency has identified sites for vertiports at Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina. These facilities are expected to provide travelers with easy connections to Dubai’s metro network.
Business aviation has come under increased scrutiny in Europe for its contribution to emissions. Social media has pointed to flights of British royals, France is pushing to curb private jet operations, and environmentalists have staged protests at airports.
However, these events have not taken into account the myriad initiatives underway throughout Europe to improve the sustainability of business aviation operations. Many believe that Europe has been a leader in sustainability initiatives and that it is making progress.
Late last year the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopter demonstrated a key capability by lifting a Lockheed Martin F-35C fighter jet, the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command has announced. This was an important test in the type’s external load certification campaign.
The lift was conducted on December 13 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, by a CH-53K from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) One. The fighter in question was aircraft “CF-1”: the first developmental example of the F-35C.
Are you considering traveling on a chartered private aircraft? Per Marthinsson, chief revenue officer of the Avinode Group, offers tips for the beginner on what to do and what not to do when booking a private jet charter for the first time.
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