L3 Technologies, one of the top defense contractors in the world as agreed to participate in the US Air Force OA-X experiment. The experiment began July 31st and is with the Air Tractor AT 802L longsword, which is an armed reconnaissance version of a tail dragging crop-duster. A tail dragging aircraft is an aircraft that lands and taxis on a tail wheel or a skid and keeps its nose off the ground. These planes will give the air force and entire new approach to combat. L-3 wants to be a part of this experiment in hopes that it will increase their customer options and generate more revenue. Read more >>

Airbus and team have effectivity been able to add yet another model to their fleet of wide bodied aircrafts. The newest model will be known as the A320, which is much like its sister aircrafts the A330neo and A350 series. Airbus has said to have the A320 share many of the same principles as the previous models, alongside many newer innovations. One of the many new features that got a lot of attention at the recent Aircraft Interiors Expo held in April was the expanded overhead storage space. During this expo, a lot of great criticism became the trigger to releasing the newly profound cabin. Per an interview with Airbus Executive Vice President of Product Strategy, Dr. Kiran Rao mentioned, “The A350 XWB cabin has proven extremely popular, with great fee...

Life cycle expenditures for helicopters can be a pricey investment for helicopter operators over time. A solution to lowering these costs has been in high demand for some time. Thankfully, aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce has come up with a solution to this long-term concern. They are currently working to develop and new dual channel full authority digital engine (or FADEC) and control systems. This will take the place of the already existing hydro-mechanical equipment on some turboshafts. Read more >>

On March 31 Embraer Executive Jets delivered the first Phenom 100EV to an undisclosed U.S. customer. The new aircraft model was certified by Brazil’s ANAC and by the FAA. An evolution of the Phenom 100, which entered service in 2008, the Phenom 100EV delivers better performance with modified engines and new avionics components. The renowned Prodigy Touch flight deck, which was introduced in the market by the Phenom 300 light jet, is now displayed on the entry-level Phenom 100EV. Pratt & Whitney Canada’s modified engines (PW617F1-E) offer more speed with remarkable performance, especially in hot-and-high operations. Read more >>

Embraer’s fourth E190-E2 aircraft joined the flight test program after completing a two-hour flight test in Miami, Florida. The aircraft will be used for specific interior tests such as cabin evacuation, environmental comfort and internal noise. Embraer aircraft has also completed about 21,000 hours of tests in ground-based rigs, including an “iron bird” which mimics the E2’s hydraulic, avionics and flight control systems. The airframer reported in a statement that the flight test fleet has accumulated more than 650 flight hours since its first flight in May 2016, just three months after its debut. The second prototype joined the fleet on July 8, followed by the third testbed a month later. The third prototype has been flown to Florida, where it will undergo tests at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory to evaluate how the aircra...

Safran Helicopter Engines, also known as Turbomeca, has been awarded a massive contract with the UK military to support their Airbus helicopters by the hour. Support by the hour (SBH) provides a fixed cost per engine per flight hour. Units can be completely overhauled and exchanges are sent at no additional cost. It is an incredibly effective budgeting tool for consumers and in this case the UK military, as no unexpected costs will arise. The Safran helicopter engine contract is specific to the Arrius 2B2Plus and Arriel 2E engines on the military’s H135 and H145 Airbus helicopters. Read more >>

This spring will mark the first of the new Kaman Aerosystems external-left helicopters to begin delivery. The K-Max K-1200 will begin rolling out in April, with the second batch of helicopters set to fly in April of this year. The fleet of helicopters are to be used for the China Department of Forestry. They will arrive in both months at Lectern Aviation in China prior to being distributed to the Department of Forestry. K-Max has been out of production for ten plus years. This will mark the first return for this helicopter since it halted production in 2003. Read more >>

Following the shift Airbus has cited a slight delay in the development of the A330neo power plant in entry into service to early 2018. The Airframers latest promise for the maiden flight of the re-engined jet is the first half of 2017. Read more >>

São José dos Campos, Brazil – The biggest regional airline in Scandinavia, Widerøe, will be the first airline to receive Embraer’s new E190-E2 jet. As the launch operator of the first of the second-generation E-Jets family of commercial aircraft, Widerøe will gain its first aircraft in the beginning of 2018. Widerøe has a contract with Embraer for up to 15 E2 family jets inhering of three substantial orders for the E190-E2 and purchase rights for 12 further E2 family aircraft. The order has a probable list price value of up to $873 million with all orders being exerted. With Embraer’s aircraft parts being supplied by ASAP Semiconductor. With the leading aircraft parts supplier being ASAP Semiconductor. Read more >>

Avionic testing plays a huge role in our company and is something we take very serious because if a part is not tested then we do not sell it.  Recently Lockheed Martin Corp. decided to begin assisting the Navy with advance combat avionics test equipment under terms of a $166 million 4-year contract. One of the first task that the Navy gave to the company of Lockheed was to build 36 electronic Consolidated Automated Support System full-rate initial production units. This equipment is designed to assist sailors and marines to repair aircraft assemblies at sea or ashore to get avionics back to service as soon as possible. Not only will the new program help with repairs but also sustaining logistics and engineering support. The Navy is excited to see what Lockheed can bring to improve the original test equipment that was put in to use in the early 1990&rsqu...