AINdebrief is a weekly summary of aviation news delivered by the Aviation International News editorial team. To submit news to AIN, please contact [email protected].
Pilots Go Nuts for Airfare Snacks
Need healthy snacks when you're on the go? That's why Justin Steinfelder and Geremy Bass founded Airfare, which delivers pouches of fresh, natural snack foods to travelers and flight crews all over the world.
4/29/2022 • 24 minutes, 59 seconds
Earth Day: Aviation Sustainability with 4Air
To celebrate Earth Day, AIN sat down with Kennedy Ricci, president of business aviation sustainability firm 4Air, to see why operators in this industry should be concerned about their carbon footprint. He also outlines how aircraft operators can make small changes by using sustainable aviation fuel and carbon credits to reduce, or even zero out, their carbon emissions.
4/25/2022 • 8 minutes, 37 seconds
AINdebrief: Ergo Apps Help Pilots Be More Prepared
Corporate and airline pilot Jim Stabile has developed the Ergo suite of iPad apps, which help pilots manage critical fuel and oxygen reserves during emergency situations. Not only can Ergo add to safety margins but it also helps operators save money and reduce emissions by lowering the amount of fuel that needs to be carried.
4/19/2022 • 48 minutes, 39 seconds
AINdebrief: Four Corners Aviation
Four Corners Aviation has launched Freedom, a new product in the aircraft management space, offering corporate aircraft as a service instead of traditional aircraft ownership and all of its headaches. Join Four Corners president and COO Cameron Gowans as he explains how Freedom works and helps buyers of business aviation lift save money.
4/12/2022 • 18 minutes, 8 seconds
March 2022: Fixing the Aviation Industry’s Gender Gap
In this episode, AIN senior editor Kerry Lynch talks about the lack of gender diversity in the aviation industry, especially female pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, and company CEOs. She outlines the problem laid out in a new federal committee report and then explains what trade association Women in Aviation International is doing about the problem, including what happened at the organization’s annual conference earlier this month in Nashville, Tennessee. This podcast is sponsored by business aviation sustainability solutions company 4AIR.
3/31/2022 • 19 minutes, 52 seconds
February 2022: Singapore Airshow Rides Again
In this episode, AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber talks about his experience at the Singapore Airshow earlier this month. This includes his take on the Covid-19-related restrictions just to get to the Asian city-state, but also those at the airshow itself, which required masking at all times—both indoors and outside. Matt also gives his impression about attendance and news announced at the airshow. This podcast is sponsored by business aviation sustainability solutions company 4AIR.
2/28/2022 • 20 minutes, 45 seconds
January 31, 2022: Seeking a Solution to the 5G Aviation Problem
In this episode, AIN contributing editor Mark Huber explains the 5G C-band interference issue that can affect aircraft radar altimeters. He explains how we even got into this situation, why there is the potential for the 5G wireless networks at Verizon and AT&T to interfere with radar altimeters, what the FAA is currently doing to temporarily ease the problem, and what can be done long term to solve this issue. This podcast is sponsored by business aviation sustainability solutions company 4AIR.
1/31/2022 • 15 minutes, 53 seconds
December 27, 2021: Flying the Joby eVTOL Simulator
In this episode, AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber describes what it was like to fly the Joby electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft simulator at the company’s Washington, D.C. office. The simulator is built to look like the cockpit of the real Joby aircraft, and it uses X-Plane simulation software for visualization and terrain display, but the flight modeling is all Joby-developed. And it was surprisingly easy to fly. This podcast is sponsored by business aviation sustainability solutions company 4AIR.
12/27/2021 • 17 minutes, 46 seconds
November 29, 2021: Dubai Airshow Wrap-up
In this podcast episode, senior editor Gregory Polek gives his take on the Dubai Airshow held earlier this month that marked the first large-scale international aerospace event in the post-Covid 19 era. Despite the pandemic, the show had decent attendance and plenty of news. This podcast is sponsored by business aviation sustainability solutions company 4AIR.
11/29/2021 • 17 minutes
October 27, 2021: NBAA-BACE 2021 Postmortem
The National Business Aviation Association’s annual convention was held in person earlier this month for the first time in two years. Last year, NBAA canceled its traditional convention due to the pandemic but held a scaled-down virtual show. This year’s event took place in the new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center and included a Covid vaccination requirement to attend. In this podcast episode, AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber and senior editor Kerry Lynch discuss how the show went and what exhibitors thought about the lighter attendance. This podcast is sponsored by business aviation sustainability solutions company 4AIR.
10/27/2021 • 22 minutes, 42 seconds
September 8, 2021: Bizav Industry Readies for Return of Trade Shows at NBAA-BACE
In anticipation of the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Connference and Exhibition—or NBAA-BACE—next month in Las Vegas, AIN Washington, D.C. editor Kerry Lynch speaks about the return of the first in-person industry trade show since the pandemic began. Lynch discusses the brand-new exhibit hall for the show, planned Covid protocols—including vaccination requirements—and how things are going in terms of scheduled exhibitors, as well as the debut of owner-pilot and maintenance pavilions. There will also be on-site and virtual sessions and Corporate Angel Network’s annual fundraiser cocktail reception. Podcast sponsored by 4AIR.aero.
9/8/2021 • 18 minutes, 41 seconds
June 7, 2021: Fleet Orders Pile Up for Embraer Eve eVTOL
This week, AIN senior editor Charles Alcock discusses the two large fleet orders announced in the past week from Directional Aviation’s One Sky Flight/Halo Aviation and Helisul for Eve Urban Air Mobility eVTOLs. He also addresses whether these commitments legitimize the advanced air mobility market and what effect this might have on other startup OEMs hoping to break into this emerging segment.
6/7/2021 • 17 minutes, 4 seconds
May 28, 2021: Why Did Aerion Supersonic Implode?
This week, AIN senior editors Kerry Lynch and Charles Alcock help to dissect why Aerion Supersonic fizzled out last Friday. Kerry delves into what happened, if demand still exists for a supersonic business jet, and what’s next for Aerion—or more accurately, it’s intellectual property. Meanwhile, Charlie gives a look at the current aerospace funding environment and whether investment in eVTOLs is sucking air from longer-term projects such as Aerion.
5/28/2021 • 29 minutes, 11 seconds
May 7, 2021: Dassault Unveils 7,500-nm Falcon 10X
This week, AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber gives the lowdown on the new Falcon 10X, Dassault’s entry into the ultra-long-range business jet segment. Notably, the $75 million twinjet will be powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X engines and have the widest cabin of any purpose-built business jet. With service planned for 2025, the 7,500-nm 10X will compete head-to-head with the Bombardier Global 7500 and Gulfstream G650 and G700.
5/7/2021 • 19 minutes, 21 seconds
April 30, 2021: All-electric Bye Aerospace eFlyer 800 Twin Prop
This week, AIN senior editor and FutureFlight editor Charles Alcock give his take on the nine-seat, all-electric eFlyer 800 announced by Bye Aerospace as a more economical and environmentally-friendly alternative to the venerable Beechcraft King Air. He also discusses Bye’s probability of certifying the eFlyer 800 by its 2026 target, as well as the higher-density lithium-sulfur batteries from Oxis that are slated to be employed as the sole power source on the cabin-class twin-prop airplane.
4/29/2021 • 13 minutes, 51 seconds
April 27: What It Was Like Attending Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Pandemic Times
This week, AIN news editor Chad Trautvetter explains what it was like to attend the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, which was the first large-scale, in-person general aviation event to be held since the pandemic took hold 13 months ago. Many people from other show organizers were watching closely to see how things went so that they can prepare to hopefully hold their own events this year.
4/27/2021 • 17 minutes, 42 seconds
March 19, 2021: Investment Pours in for eVTOLs, Airfcraft Electrification Making Progress
This week, Charles Alcock, editor of AIN’s FutureFlight, discusses the recent influx of funding into several of the companies developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for advanced air mobility purposes. He also talks about overall progress in these eVTOLs and other electric aircraft under what is now being called Aviation 3.0.
3/22/2021 • 12 minutes
March 5, 2021: U.S. DOJ Charges Aircraft Title Firm over Owner-trust Issues
This week, AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber discusses federal indictments against Debra Lynn Mercer-Erwin, the owner of Wright Brothers Aircraft Title and Aircraft Guaranty Corp., and seven others. The various charges raise an important issue regarding the responsibility borne by owner trustees when it comes to helping a non-U.S. citizen purchase an aircraft and register it in the U.S. This case also could have implications for other entities that provide similar owner-trust arrangements.
3/8/2021 • 13 minutes, 52 seconds
February 12, 2021: Bombardier To Cease Learjet Production
Senior editors Kerry Lynch and Jerry Siebenmark discuss Bombardier’s plans to end Learjet production. On February 11, Bombardier announced several cost-cutting moves, including the Learjet wind down, now that it’s a standalone business aircraft manufacturer. Kerry has been covering the business aviation industry for more than 25 years, while Jerry has been following Learjet—along with Cessna, Hawker, and Beechcraft—just as long in his hometown of Wichita, where these brands were born.
2/17/2021 • 18 minutes, 24 seconds
February 5, 2020: Dassault's SmartThrottle for Falcons
AIN editor in chief Matt Thurber recently had a rare opportunity to fly the Dassault Falcon 7X flight-test aircraft fitted with an experimental single-power throttle lever dubbed SmartThrottle. Because SmartThrottle was integrated with the fly-by-wire digital flight control system, Dassault also was able to include a one-button automatic upset recovery feature into the trijet. Go to AINonline for a deeper dive into this story and to view a companion video.
2/5/2021 • 14 minutes
January 29, 2020: Aviation Policy in the Biden Era
Kerry Lynch—who’s been covering the aviation beat in Washington, D.C., for more than 25 years—discusses aviation policy under the new Biden Administration. She talks about what’s currently on the docket for aviation in the nation’s capital, as well as what to watch out for in the coming weeks and months.
2/1/2021 • 20 minutes, 13 seconds
January 22, 2021: Flying the Cessna Citation Longitude
In this week’s episode, AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber discusses his demonstration flight earlier this month in the super-midsize Cessna Citation Longitude.
1/23/2021 • 15 minutes, 58 seconds
Week Ending December 11, 2020: VBACE, Airbus Plans Hydrogen-powered Aircraft, Aerion Builds Backlog and New HQ, FAA and the Covid-19 Vaccine, Dassault Falcon 6X Rolls Out
In this week’s episode, news editor Chad Trautvetter talks with senior editors Jerry Siebenmark and Kerry Lynch about NBAA’s virtual business aviation show last week; Jerry explains Airbus’s ZeroE hydrogen-powered aircraft plans; Kerry outlines Aerion’s announcements this week about the growing backlog for its AS2 supersonic business jet and groundbreaking on its headquarters complex in Melbourne, Florida, as well as provides an update on FAA/DOT funding extensions pending in Congress and what the FAA is doing to prepare for a Covid vaccine regarding pilot medicals; and editor-in-chief Matt Thurber gives highlights from Dassault’s virtual rollout of the Falcon 6X on Wednesday.
12/12/2020 • 29 minutes, 12 seconds
Week Ending Nov. 20, 2020: FAA Unground the Boeing 737 Max; Gulfstream Sees Better Days Ahead; and Hermeus Gets Funding for Hypersonic Business Jet
In this week’s episode, air transport editor Gregory Polek explains what the FAA’s decision to unground the Boeing 737 Max means, when airlines will start flying the type again, and when Boeing will resume deliveries of the narrowbody; and senior editor Kerry Lynch discusses why Gulfstream Aerospace executives are optimistic about business aviation sales in the fourth quarter and 2021, as well as Hermeus Corp.’s new funding for a hypersonic business jet.
11/23/2020 • 17 minutes, 50 seconds
Week Ending Nov. 13, 2020: Florida's Air Mobility Plans; How U.S. Elections Might Affect Aviation; Citation CJs Get Gear Overhaul Option; 5G Frequencies Could Harm Aircraft Radar Altimeters; and Scott Releases New International Flight Planning App
In this week’s episode, AIN’s FutureFlight editor Charles Alcock gives an overview of the Florida regional air mobility initiative announced this week in Orlando; Washington, D.C.-based editor Kerry Lynch discusses how the U.S. elections could affect the aviation industry in 2021; Wichita-based editor Jerry Siebenmark talks about Textron Aviation’s new landing gear overhaul program for its Cessna Citation CJ series; and editor-in-chief Matt Thurber explains how new 5G frequencies could affect aircraft radar altimeters, as well as Scott IPC’s new app that can help pilots with international trip planning and operations.
11/15/2020 • 30 minutes, 56 seconds
Week Ending November 6, 2020: Bombardier 3Q Results; UK Lockdown; Argus North America Bizav Traffic Update and Forecast; Traveling in Covid Times; Avidyne FOQA Program
In this week’s episode, AIN senior editor Kerry Lynch gives highlights of Bombardier’s third quarter results; London-based editor Charles Alcock explains how the new Covid lockdown in the UK will affect travel there; news editor Chad Trautvetter discusses the latest North American business aircraft activity data from Argus, along with the company’s near-term forecast; and editor-in-chief Matt Thurber joins us from a lounge at Atlanta Hartsfield Airport to talk about traveling during the pandemic, as well as how Avidyne’s new flight operations quality assurance program will enhance safety for turboprop and jet operators.
11/6/2020 • 41 minutes, 2 seconds
Week Ending October 30, 2020: Canada forms Advanced Air Mobility Consortium; Third-quarter results for Gulfstream, Textron Aviation, Boeing, and Airbus; Mitsubishi Aircraft Shelves SpaceJet
In this week’s episode, AIN senior editor Curt Epstein gives the lowdown on the new Canada Advance Air Mobility Consortium; news editor Chad Trautvetter provides highlights of Gulfstream Aerospace’s third quarter; senior editor Jerry Siebenmark details the third-quarter results at Textron Aviation and Boeing; and London-based editor Charles Alcock talks about Airbus’ third-quarter results and Mitsubishi Aircraft’s decision to shelve its SpaceJet regional airplane.
10/30/2020 • 30 minutes, 19 seconds
Week Ending October 16, 2020: Bizav OEMs Announce eVTOL News; Aircraft Automation Issues; Falcon 6X To Roll Out in December; NATA Pushes for Anti-human Trafficking Training; Martin Truex Jr's Charter Operation Pivots in Covid Times
In this week’s episode, Charles Alcock, editor of AIN’s FutureFlight resource, discusses the spate of eVTOL-related news this week from three established business aviation OEMs; AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber talks about how the big-three avionics manufacturers are trying to keep the pilot in the loop as aircraft become more automated, as well as providing an update on the Dassault Falcon 6X; senior editor Kerry Lynch explains NATA’s push for FBO employees to get anti-human trafficking training; and senior editor Jerry Siebenmark gives an overview of how racecar driver and 2017 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Martin Truex Jr.’s air charter operation pivoted during the pandemic.
10/21/2020 • 33 minutes, 29 seconds
Week Ending September 25, 2020: Airbus and Boeing Split Views on Sustainability; TBM Series Hits 1,000; State of the Private Charter Market; AIN's Special Coverage in October
In this week’s episode, London-based editor Charles Alcock highlights the diverging views of Airbus and Boeing on sustainability efforts; senior editor Curt Epstein marks the rollout of the 1,000th TBM series airplane; Washington, D.C.-based editor Kerry Lynch gives an update on the state of the private aviation charter market; and editor-in-chief Matt Thurber talks about AIN’s special coverage in October.
9/28/2020 • 22 minutes, 53 seconds
Week Ending Sept. 4, 2020: Turtles Fly Too, Saudis Allow Overflights From Israel, New Test Hels Prevent DEF Contamination of Jet-A, JetNet Midyear Report of Preowned Bizjets, Air Charter Hype Doesn't Match Data, Flight Dept Managers Need To Shape Post-Cov
In this week’s episode, AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber gives a first-hand account of a sea turtle rescue flight from Seattle to San Diego; air transport editor Gregory Polek explains how the thawing of relations between Israel and the UAE and Saudia Arabia might positively impact Saudi overflights; senior editor Curt Epstein discusses a newly available test that could help keep jet-A from being inadvertently contaminated by diesel exhaust fluid, as well as provides highlights from JetNet’s midyear report on preowned business aircraft sales; Wichita-based editor Jerry Siebenmark shares an analysis report from industry watcher Brian Foley that suggests the charter industry might not really be experiencing a post-Covid bump; and senior editor Kerry Lynch talks about why flight department managers need to be leaders in helping to restart post-Covid travel at their companies.
9/3/2020 • 28 minutes, 20 seconds
August 28, 2020: Vertical Aerospave's new eVTOL, EHang Lets New Model Slip, NDB Diamond Nano Battery, XWing Autonomous Flights, East Hampton Airport Hikes Fees To Pay Legal Costs
In this week’s episode, London-based editor Charles Alcock highlights the latest developments in the eVTOL segment, including a new design from Vertical Aerospace, updates from EHang, and details about a diamond nano battery from NDB; editor-in-chief Matt Thurber discusses XWing’s test flights of an autonomous Cessna Caravan; and senior editor Kerry Lynch explains a recent court ruling that permits the East Hampton Airport to hike user fees to pay for legal costs to defend restrictions at the airport.
8/31/2020 • 22 minutes, 19 seconds
Week Ending August 14, 2020: SNA FBO Lease Awards; Phillips 66 Goes in on SAF; Rolls-Royce Virtual-reality Training for BR700 Engines; Aviation Jobs Bills; CAE To Consolodate Ops
In this week’s episode, FBO editor Curt Epstein explains the controversy over the recent FBO lease awards at California’s John Wayne-Orange County Airport, and he also provides updates on sustainable aviation fuel efforts by Phillips 66 and Avfuel in the Golden State; editor-in-chief Matt Thurber talks about his at-home experience with Rolls-Royce’s new remote virtual reality familiarization training for its BR700 series engines; and Washington, D.C.-based editor Kerry Lynch gives highlights of CAE’s recent quarterly results and consolidation plans, in addition to an overview of aviation manufacturing jobs act bills that are now pending in the House and Senate.
8/14/2020 • 26 minutes, 38 seconds
Week Ending August 7, 2020: Covid Lowers Aircraft Emissions, WingX Says Bizav Continues Recovery, the New Beechcraft King Air 360, Aspen Avionics Joins Airo, Bombardier 2Q Results, FAA Released 737 Max Recert Road Map
In this week’s episode, London-based editor Charles Alcock gives an overview of a study looking into reduced aircraft emissions as flying dropped during the Covid-19 crisis, as well as the latest business aviation traffic data from WingX Advance; news editor Chad Trautvetter gives details about Textron Aviation new Beechcraft King Air 360 and 360ER that were announced on Tuesday; editor-in-chief Matt Thurber explains the significance of Aspen Avionics joining the Airo consortium; and senior editor Kerry Lynch provides highlights of Bombardier’s second-quarter results and talks about the FAA’s road map for Boeing 737 Max recertification.
8/7/2020 • 27 minutes, 33 seconds
Week Ending July 31, 2020: NetJets Expanding Fleet, FXAir Launches, OEMs Release Q2 Results, Cyberattack Downs Garmin Data Services
In this week’s episode, AIN news editor Chad Trautvetter explains the reasoning behind why two of the largest private aviation operators—NetJets and Directional Aviation—are expanding while business aircraft flying is still suffering from the effects of Covid-19; the AIN editorial team also provides highlights from the second-quarter results at several OEMS and services company: air transport editor Gregory Polek delves into Boeing and Airbus results, Chad goes over the numbers from Dassault and Gulfstream parent General Dynamics, senior editor Kerry Lynch looks at Textron Aviation’s quarter, and FBO editor Curt Epstein pores over Signature Aviation’s first half; and, finally, editor-in-chief Matt Thurber discusses the cyberattack that sidelined some aviation data services last week at Garmin.
7/31/2020 • 27 minutes, 31 seconds
Week Ending July 24, 2020: Earnhardt Citation Crash, SimVenture, FIA Connect Coverage
In this week’s episode, AIN editor-in-chief Matt Thurber pores over the NTSB docket details about the August 2019 crash involving a Cessna Citation Latitude carrying racecar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., as well as what it was like to participate in SimVenture, a virtual Oshkosh fly-in. And senior editors Gregory Polek, Charles Alcock, Kerry Lynch, and Curt Epstein give an overview of AIN’s coverage of FIA Connect this week and the main themes that emerged during the virtual Farnborough Airshow, namely government objectives versus financial aid, sustainability as a business opportunity, and urban air mobility.
7/24/2020 • 34 minutes, 55 seconds
Week Ending July 17, 2020: FIA Connect, Dassault Falcon 6X, Charter Fraud, Textron Aviation Layoffs, ADS Airs Concerns about UK Aerospace Industry
In this week’s episode, editor-in-chief Matt Thurber gives an overview of AIN’s coverage next week of FIA Connect, also known as the virtual Farnborough Airshow, and also updates us on the Dassault Falcon 6X program as it prepares to shift from building prototypes to starting flight testing next year. Senior editor Curt Epstein conveys the European Business Aviation Association and Air Charter Association’s warnings about charter fraud, Wichita-based editor Jerry Siebenmark discusses more layoffs at Textron Aviation, and London-based editor Charles Alcock overviews UK industry group ADS’s concerns about the lack of government financial support for aerospace research in light of both the Covid pandemic and Brexit.
7/17/2020 • 24 minutes, 37 seconds
Week Ending July 10: NASA X-59, Sustainable Aviation Fuels, FlightAware Partners on Microsoft Flight Simulator
In this week’s episode, senior editor Kerry Lynch gives an update on the X-59, a NASA supersonic boom X-plane demonstrator that could pave the way for supersonic flight over land, as well as a new partnership between Aerion Supersonic and Carbon Engineering to produce fuel from carbon dioxide extracted from the air; staying on the alternative fuels theme, senior editor Curt Epstein explains a new ASTM process that converts trash to biofuel; and editor-in-chief Matt Thurber discusses FlightAware’s new tie-up with Microsoft to provide live aircraft traffic for the latter company’s new Flight Simulator software that will be released next year.
7/9/2020 • 20 minutes, 32 seconds
Week Ending July 3, 2020: NBAA Cancels NBAA-BACE, Boeing 737 Max Resumes Flight Testing, Global 7500 Gets Green Credentials, Farnborough Airshow Goes Virtual, OSHA Proposes Fine for Textron Aviation Plant Explosion
In this week’s episode: the show must not go on—NBAA cancels its annual convention due to Covid-19, and AIN senior editor Kerry Lynch has all the details; editor in chief Matt Thurber discusses Boeing’s long road to get the 737 Max back in service; Kerry also explains what Bombardier’s global environmental declaration for the Global 7500 really means; London-based editor Charles Alcock outlines the plans for a virtual Farnborough Airshow this month, and he also highlights Airbus’s testing of autonomous flight technology on an A350 widebody airliner; and Wichita-based editor Jerry Siebenmark covers OSHA’s proposed $13,000 fine against Textron Aviation due to a manufacturing plant accident in December.
7/2/2020 • 30 minutes, 15 seconds
Week Ending June 26, 2020: NBAA-BACE 2020, Bizav Traffic Recovery, Pilot Records Proposal, Pakistan Accident, Lufthansa and Qantas Plot Comebacks from Covid
In this week’s episode, senior editor Curt Epstein discusses what NBAA-BACE, the U.S. business aviation show slated for October 6 to 8 in Orlando, would look like if it is indeed held, news editor Chad Trautvetter shares highlights of traffic data that shows a promising recovery for business aviation, Washington, D.C. editor Kerry Lynch talks about a new FAA proposal for pilot record-keeping that has caught the ire of corporate flight departments, editor in chief Matt Thurber gives an overview of accident reports on the May Pakistan International Airlines A320 crash and September 2018 crash of a Falcon 50, and senior editor Charles Alcock compares the different ways Lufthansa and Qantas are trying to emerge intact from the Covid-19 pandemic.
6/26/2020 • 30 minutes, 15 seconds
Week of June 19, 2020: IATA Sounds Off on Covid Travel Restrictions, Gulfstream Ending G550 Production, GE Progresses on Catalyst Engine, Supersonic Is Just the Starting Point for Aerion
In this week’s episode, London-based editor Charles Alcock talks about IATA’s call for governments to better coordinate on Covid restrictions and safety precautions, senior editor Curt Epstein covers Gulfstream’s phaseout of G550 production, Wichita-based editor Jerry Siebenmark provides an update on the Cessna Denali and its GE Aviation Catalyst engine, and senior editor Kerry Lynch discusses Aerion Supersonics’ longer-term plans, as well as progress on its AS2 supersonic business jet and the GE Affinity engine that will power the airplane.
6/23/2020 • 24 minutes
Week ending June 12, 2020: hangar foam debate, EU relaxing travel Covid travel ban, EASA certifies first electric aircraft, eVTOL news
n this week’s episode, FBO editor Curt Epstein explains why aircraft hangar foam fire suppression systems appear to be a solution in search of a problem, air transport editor Gregory Polek discusses the relaxation of European Union travel restrictions, and senior editor Charles Alcock shares news about the first electric aircraft certification in Europe and other developments in the eVTOL industry.
6/12/2020 • 18 minutes, 57 seconds
Week of June 5, 2020: Embraer Partnerships; Airline Traffic Rising; UK Imposes Travel Quarantine; EasyJet and British Airways Layoffs; Flexjet Optimistic; ADS-B Installs Continue Unabated; Flurry of FBO Openings and Expansions
In this week’s episode, air transport editor Gregory Polek discusses Embraer’s financial situation and potential commercial airplane partnerships in China or India, as well as rising airline traffic and the reopening of flights at United Arab Emirates carriers Etihad and Emirates; London-based editor Charles Alcock gives an overview of new UK quarantine rules and layoffs at EasyJet and British Airways; AINalerts editor Chad Trautvetter highlights Flexjet CEO Mike Silvestro’s bullish look on post-Covid business aviation; Washington, D.C.-based editor Kerry Lynch says ADS-B installations are still continuing past the FAA deadline; and FBO editor Curt Epstein shares some good news on several FBO opening and expansions.
6/5/2020 • 20 minutes
Week ending May 29, 2020: GAMA Q1 Genav Deliveries, Airbus A380 Outlook, EHang Gets China Nod, EASA Paves Way for eVTOL Certification; AeroTEC Flies Electric Caravan, and ForeFlight Partners with FlightAware
In this week’s episode, senior editor Curt Epstein gives an overview of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association's (GAMA) first-quarter general aviation delivery data; air transport editor Gregory Polek discusses the dim outlook for the Airbus A380; London-based editor Charles Alcock talks about EHang’s commercial operations approval from the Chinese CAAC for its Model 216 eVTOL, EASA’s pathway for eVTOL certification, and AeroTEC’s first flight of an all-electric Caravan conversion; and editor-in-chief Matt Thurber explains new features that were added to the ForeFlight app thanks to a new partnership with FlightAware.
5/29/2020 • 19 minutes, 57 seconds
Week ending May 22, 2020: Cessna SkyCourier Flies, Archer Launches eVTOL, Pilatus Aircraft's Annual Report, UK Bizjet Seized in Nigeria, Air Charter Sees Influx of New Customers, Garmin Autoland Certified, ADS-B To Help with Turbulence Reporting
In this week’s episode, AIN Wichita-based editor Jerry Siebenmark marks the first flight of the Cessna SkyCourier, a new high-wing, turboprop twin from Textron Aviation; senior editor Charles Alcock gives new developments on the eVTOL front, including a new aircraft from a just announced startup called Archer and a U.S. Senate bill that could hurt Chinese companies such as eVTOL manufacturer EHang; senior editor Curt Epstein highlights 2019 and first quarter results from Swiss aircraft maker Pilatus and talks about an Embraer Legacy 600 that was confiscated in Nigeria for allegedly breaking Covid travel restrictions; senior editor Kerry Lynch overviews issues facing the air charter industry as people look to travel again in the post-Covid era; and editor-in-chief Matt Thurber shares news about the first FAA certification for Garmin’s Autoland system (in the Piper M600) and how ADS-B data could be used for turbulence warnings and forecasts.
5/22/2020 • 30 minutes, 15 seconds
Week of May 15, 2020: Covid Changes Bizav, IATA Pans Spain Quarantine, eVTOL News, Erickson Revolutionizing Aerial Firefighting, New Crew Oxygen Rules, Aerion Refines AS2 Design, Gulfstream's Programs Make Progress
In this week’s episode, AIN senior editor Curt Epstein relays important guidelines to business aviation flight departments restarting operations in the Covid era; air transport editor Gregory Polek discusses a 14-day passenger quarantine in Spain and a similar proposal in the UK; senior editor Charles Alcock highlights news in the urban air mobility sector; Wichita-based editor Jerry Siebenmark reveals how Erickson could change the future of aerial firefighting; editor-in-chief Matt Thurber talks about new oxygen mask rules for airline flight crews; senior editor Kerry Lynch overviews design changes to Aerion’s AS2 supersonic business jet; and news editor Chad Trautvetter has good news to share on Gulfstream Aerospace’s G700 and G600 programs.
5/15/2020 • 28 minutes, 34 seconds
Week ending May 8, 2020: Bizav Flights Rising, Bombardier Q1, NBAA and Gulfstream Layoffs, JetSuite Bankrupt, Daher Intros 2020 TBM 940
In this week’s episode, AIN London-based editor Charles Alcock gives an overview of the latest WingX data, which indicates that business aviation flight activity is awakening from its Covid-19-induced slumber. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C.-based editor Kerry Lynch highlights the results from Bombardier’s first-quarter results and, unfortunately, layoffs at NBAA. AIN news editor Chad Trautvetter discusses layoffs at Gulfstream Aerospace and a bankruptcy filing at JetSuite. And editor-in-chief Matt Thurber concludes with Daher’s delivery of the first 2020 TBM 940, which comes standard with the HomeSafe autoland system.
5/8/2020 • 19 minutes, 12 seconds
Week ending May 1, 2020: Q1 Results for Textron Aviation, Gulfstream, Boeing, and Airbus; eVTOL Developments; FAA Keeps Aircraft Flying; and Aerion Supersonic Moves HQ to Florida
In this week’s episode, we highlight the first-quarter results for four aircraft OEMs: Wichita-based editor Jerry Siebenmark covers Textron Aviation, AIN news editor Chad Trautvetter provides an overview of Gulfstream, and air transport Gregory Polek looks at Boeing and Airbus results. Also, London-based editor Charles Alcock highlights eVTOL developments, Washington, D.C.-based editor Kerry Lynch talks about what the FAA has done to keep the airspace going during the Covid crisis, and Trautvetter outlines Aerion Supersonic’s move to Florida.
5/1/2020 • 21 minutes, 39 seconds
Week of April 17, 2020: Bizav Flight Planning During Covid-19, U.S. Airline Aid, Keeping Bizjets Airworthy in Hibernation, Jet Fuel Glut, the FAA's Proposed Supersonic Noise Rules, and an NTSB Report on Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher Roy Halladay's Fatal C
Episode 4: In this episode of AINdebrief, the AIN editorial team discusses the most important aviation news stories of the week. This week’s highlights include a UK charter passengers denied entry to France and how planning could have prevented it; U.S. airline aid under the CARES Act; considerations for long-term business aircraft storage; jet fuel glut due to much lower consumption during Covid-19 crisis; the FAA's proposed supersonic noise rules; and details from an NTSB factual report on baseball hall of fame pitcher Roy Halladay's fatal Icon A5 crash.
4/17/2020 • 25 minutes, 12 seconds
Week of April 3, 2020: Covid-19's Impact on Bizav, CARES Act, FBO Survey, Appareo Insight app
In this episode of AINdebrief, the AIN editorial team discusses the most important business aviation news stories of the week. This week’s highlights include huge reductions in business aviation traffic and stalled sales transactions; EASA offering some leeway for upcoming deadlines for pilot requirements; the CARES act and its implementation in the U.S.; results of the AIN FBO Survey; and Appareo’s new electronic flight bag app with ATC transcription.