General Aviation News

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• July 2023: The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) introduced the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule. This rule suggests a shift in how aircraft weight limits are determined, now pegged to their stall speeds. By raising the permissible stall speeds, the proposal broadens the LSA regulatory umbrella to encompass aircraft weighing up to 3,000 pounds. Additionally, the proposal broadens the spectrum of aircraft sports pilots can fly, expanding their operational scope to include certain aerial work. While the rule allows sport pilots to fly aircraft with up to four seats, they are still restricted to carrying just one passenger.
• December 2022: AURA AERO, a pioneer in decarbonized aviation, signed an agreement with the French Gliding Federation to buy one INTEGRAL E in its tricycle version. The main aim of the federation is to use this aircraft daily as a glider tow plane within a gliding club.
• May 2022: Serco, the international provider of services to governments, was awarded a new three-year contract to continue to deliver Glider Maintenance Services for UK RAF Air Cadets.

• June 2023: Bombardier officially delivered its inaugural Challenger 3500 aircraft, earmarked for European operations. Aero-Dienst intends to manage this super-midsize business jet on behalf of Aviator Aircraft.
• May 2023: Bombardier announced the European debut of its award-winning Challenger 3500 business jet. The Challenger 3500 is the sole business jet in the industry, boasting an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).

July 2023: Elbit Systems signed a USD 114 million contract to deliver two long-range patrol aircraft (LRPA) to a country in Asia-Pacific. This deal highlights the region's escalating appetite for cutting-edge surveillance and patrol capabilities. Over the next five years, Elbit Systems will outfit two new ATR 72-600 aircraft with an advanced suite of technologies. Each craft will boast a top-of-the-line mission management system, integrating the latest in electro-optics, radar, SIGINT, and communication systems.

April 2023: Airbus significantly bolstered its presence in the Asia-Pacific aviation market, sealing a substantial deal with China Aviation Supplies Holding Co. The agreement entails the purchase of 160 aircraft, with 150 from the A320 family and 10 A350-900 widebodies. This move highlights the strong demand from Chinese carriers and aligns with Airbus's growth strategy. To this end, Airbus is setting up a second assembly line in Tianjin to double its production capacity. This strategic move may position Tianjin to handle 20% of the world's single-aisle aircraft, a crucial step toward Airbus's global target of 75 aircraft per month by 2026.

April 2024: The Argentine Air Force signed a deal to procure a Basler BT-67 turboprop utility aircraft. This acquisition fell under an FMS agreement greenlit by the US State Department. Alongside the primary aircraft, the Argentine government secured additional equipment, including spare engines, logistics, and training support, totaling USD 143 million. Notably, the aircraft is powered by PT6A-67R turboprop engines sourced from Pratt & Whitney Canada.

September 2022: Avianca and Boliviana de Aviación unveiled an interline agreement, enabling seamless connections for their passengers. This collaboration streamlined travel, allowing passengers to journey to and from seven Bolivian cities with a single ticket. Travelers can check their luggage straight through to their final destination. The partnership allowed access to approximately 125 Avianca routes, facilitating connections to 24 countries across Latin America and Europe.

January 2024: Adani Group announced its plans to double its business jet fleet by purchasing six Pilatus PC-24 aircraft. This strategic move is designed to bolster the conglomerate's capacity to transport its senior executives.

June 2023: Honda Aircraft Company announced the commercialization of the HondaJet 2600 Concept, an all-new light jet targeting type certification by 2028. This project aims to expand Honda's footprint in the light jet market, predominantly Asia-Pacific.

June 2023: BBN Airlines launched the first Airbus A321 Passenger-to-Freighter converted cargo aircraft to Turkey. With this addition of the converted freighter, BBN Airlines' Turkish subsidiary now has five aircraft.

January 2023: Mountain Cargo, a FedEx feeder airline, announced it had become the first to operate Textron Aviation's new Cessna SkyCourierfreighter. Moreover, Textron Inc. delivered the first 50 Cessna SkyCouriertwin utility turboprop freighters to FedEx Express.

May 2023: Leonardo SpA appointed Helitech Asia Pte Ltd as the authorized distributor of its latest generation AW09 single-turbine helicopter in Southeast Asia. With this partnership, Helitech Asia Pte Ltd is expected to carry out the sales of AW09 in Southeast Asian markets, including Vietnam.

November 2022: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation announced that the all-new Gulfstream G700 made its Asia-Pacific debut in Vietnam as the first stop in Asia on the G700 world tour. The G700 jet joined the Gulfstream G650ER and Gulfstream G600 at an event at Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh Province, hosted by Sun Air LLC, the Hanoi-based business aviation service company in Vietnam.

February 2024: Thai Airways ordered 45 B787-9 Dreamliners with GEnx engines. Thai Airways selected the B787-9 to support its long-term strategy of renewing and expanding its fleet.

February 2022: Indonesia finalized the purchase of up to 36 F-15 jet fighters from the US as part of its defense fleet modernization program. This purchase is expected to increase Indonesia's defense strength against regional threats.

• April 2023: Teledyne FLIR launched development kits for easy integration of the FLIR Hadron 640R thermal and visible dual camera module. The module’s compact radiometric Boson thermal camera grants visibility even in total darkness, smoke, and fog. It also features a 64MP electro-optical (EO) camera for high-definition visible imagery.
• December 2022: DJI developed a compact, ultra-lightweight camera drone, DJI Mini 3, which weighs less than 249 grams.
• June 2022: DJI launched DJI RS 3 and DJI RS 3 Pro, incorporating a range of new features. It includes a redesigned axes-locking system making the process of recording videos and capturing high-resolution images automated. By turning on the gimbal, the automated axis locks release and unfold the gimbal, allowing the operator to get started in seconds.

• November 2023: SunExpress entered into a contract with Boeing for the delivery of 56 B737-8s and 34 B737-10s. The airline expressed its ambitious plan to double its fleet, aiming to acquire a total of 150 new aircraft by 2033. The crew oxygen systems incorporated in the B737 Max aircraft include Oxygen equipment valves sourced from Carleton Technologies Inc., crew/passenger oxygen system components provided by Safran, and oxygen systems supplied by Collins Aerospace.
• May 2023: Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, introduced its cutting-edge OXYJUMP NG oxygen supply system designed specifically for high-altitude jumps by parachutists. The OXYJUMP NG system incorporates advanced technology that not only extends mission capabilities with a longer gliding distance but also enhances jumper safety. Notably, it offers substantial advantages in terms of size and weight compared to traditional legacy systems. This innovative solution from Collins Aerospace signifies a significant leap forward in supporting parachutists in high-altitude scenarios.