Bell Helicopter announced that its V-280 Valor has achieved first flight. The V-280 Valor is a next-generation tiltrotor that is designed to provide unmatched agility, speed, range and payload capabilities at an affordable cost. This milestone represents exceptional progress on the V-280 development program and brings Bell Helicopter one step closer to creating the next […]
National News
United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG) Celebrates 90th Anniversary
On July 1, 2018 USAIG will mark 90 years as a leading provider of insurance to the aviation and aerospace industries. In 1928, two World War I aviators – Reed M. Chambers and David C. Beebe – saw the need for an insurance company that truly understood aviation. In July of that year, they founded […]
Atwater Steps Down as Kansas Aviation Director to Run International Organization
Merrill Atwater (shown at right) has stepped down as the Kansas aviation director to become COO at People to People International, an organization started by his great-grandfather, President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Â Atwater, who became KDOT director of aviation in February 2016, not only exhibited a high level of energy and focus in Kansas, but brought […]
FAA Advisory Circular Outlines Airport Access Requirements
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has revised its Advisory Circular (AC) entitled Access to Airports by Individuals with Disabilities to ensure airport operators of civil use airports comply with the laws and regulations pertaining to individuals with disabilities. Guidelines for Service Animal Relief Areas (SARAs) are an important part of the revised guidance. The AC […]
Demand for Piper Products Results in Largest Employment Growth Since 2009
Piper Aircraft Inc. achieved double-digit growth in new aircraft revenue and deliveries for 2017 as demand for trainer aircraft and M-class products continued to expand. The increase in demand for Piper products and resulting increase in production volume has driven the company headcount to over 900 employees located at the Piper world headquarters in Vero […]
NASAO Recognizes Dean Saucier for 17 Years of Service as NBAA Regional Rep
The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) was quick to recognize Dean Saucier for his seventeen years of service representing the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) following the announcement that the Northeast regional representative will retire from the organization at the end of 2017. Since joining NBAA in 2000 as one of the association’s […]
Flying Musicians Report 2017 as a Record Year for Entertaining, Inspiring and Sharing Music and the Gift of Flight
Photo above from AirVenture 2017 in Oshkosh, WI by Martin Filiatrault By Jeff Auen Country music star Aaron Tippin says that flying and music are his two passions in life and credits the Flying Musicians Association (FMA) for putting the two together for a great cause. “I believe educating the next generation is so important for […]
Airline Bag Fees Reach New High, Marking Sixth Straight Quarter Above $1 Billion
With airlines collecting a record high $1.2 billion in baggage fees in the third quarter of 2017, the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) once again called on the U.S. airline industry to drop their opposition to a pending bipartisan proposal in Congress to modernize a local airport user fee known as the Passenger Facility […]
FAA Issues Guidance on FBO Pricing
Following the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA’s) initiative to ensure reasonable FBO pricing and transparency, the FAA issued guidance Dec. 7 for pilots, FBOs, and airport sponsors. “Q&As – FBO Industry Consolidation and Pricing Practices” lays out a series of questions and answers addressing how federally funded airports should facilitate competition and transparency, as […]
GAMA Reports 2018 Aviation Design Challenge Registration Fills in Record Time
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) recently announced registration for its 2018 Aviation Design Challenge has filled in record time, and that GAMA member company Click Bond, Inc. will be the owner of the Glasair Sportsman the winning high school team will help build as its prize. “This will be our largest competition since we […]
