GE has announced which facility will be manufacturing its new Passport engine. The engine will be used to power Bombardier’s Global 7000 and 8000 ultra-long range business jets that are currently in development. The Passport engine will be assembled at GE Aviation’s Strother, Kansas facility. Strother will receive $7 million USD to invest in new machinery and equipment that will enable them to assemble, maintain, repair and overhaul the engine. Read more >>

As a response to Boeing’s declaration of increasing the production of the Boeing 737 from 42 to 52 aircraft per month by 2018, Airbus is planning on increasing their A320 jetliner production to 50 aircraft per month by 2017. The current production goal is from 42 aircraft to 46 by the second quarter of 2015, 48 per month in 2016, and reaching the final goal of 50 by 2015. This response is similar to their increased production of single aisle planes in service from 22% to 43% during...

In March 2015, Airbus Helicopters officially unveiled its new H160 medium-class twin-engined rotorcraft at Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida, ending months of speculation. Over the past two years, they have been working on significantly altering the capabilities of the new model in order to effectively target and take over the popular AgustaWestland type. Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury describes this new helicopter as “the AW139 killer.” Basically, the new H160 model will match the performance of the AW139, while weighing 1 ton less. In addition, Faury says the H160 will be around 15-20% more "energy efficient" than its rivals. Read more >>

In light of less than spectacular returns for Bombardier Inc., Pierre Beaudoin announced in February of 2015 that he will retire as CEO of the company. The resignation signals the end of the Beaudoin family’s (descendants of the original founder Joseph-Armand Bombardier) reign at the head of the company. Although, Beaudoin will remain involved as executive chairman, controlling mergers, takeovers, and other major finances. Alain Bellemare, former executive at United Technologies, will assume the newly vacated position. Read more >>

Headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR Corporation is a global aerospace and defense contractor that supports their customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Technology Products. Their wide customer base includes North American and international commercial airlines, aircraft leasing companies, aviation support companies, the U.S. Departments of Defense and State, as well as other domestic government agencies and foreign militaries. Read more >>

To meet the requirements of a modern air force for the next 30 years, a completely new training system had to be developed. The PC-21 from Pilatus is designed to meet the expectation of modern air forces in both capabilities and life-cycle cost. It is a low-wing swept monoplane advanced trainer aircraft. Built specifically with students in mind, the training platform is as benign and easy to fly for trainees as it is satisfying and challenging for advanced pilots. Read more >>

Headquartered in Sandpoint, Iowa, Quest Aircraft is an American aircraft manufacturing company that designs and provides aircraft for both domestic and international humanitarian applications. They are known for manufacturing the Kodiak, a 10-place single engine turboprop airplane designed for short takeoff landing (STOL) use and float capability. Read more >>

Sierra Nevada Corporation has acquired the UK and Germany-based 328 Support Services. The move was completed last week for an undisclosed fee. Read more >>

Japan Airlines announced that they have ordered Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation to deliver a fleet of thirty-two Mitsubishi Regional Jet aircraft. Originally signed with a letter of intent on August 28, 2014, the agreement was more recently finalized to move forward on January 28, 2015. The Mitsubishi Regional Jet is a family of next-generation aircraft designed to provide seating for 70 – 90 passengers. Deliveries of the aircraft are expected to begin in 2021. Read more >>

In an article from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) this month, data released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association describes both areas of progress and concern for the aviation industry. Richard Aboulafia, an aviation analyst from the Teal Group, says the industry is “happily flying along at altitude on one engine, and the engine is North America.” Specifically, Cessna’s strong year reflects the strength of the North American market in comparison to the rest of the world. Read more >>