The current effort to replace the current ATC system with a Privatized organization under the control of an airline dominated ruling board seems to have failed... for now... but the path to the next fight for such an effort is already being planned. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, ATC Privatization's most prominent driving force has apparently given up, and since he's not seeking reelection, it's going to be up to another politician to drive it in the future. With the, strip, h2) ] from C:/inetpub/wwwroot/clients/aero-news.net/components/utils.cfc

President Donald Trump has reached what is being described as an "informal" agreement with Boeing for two new Air Force One airplanes. The deal is the result of negotiations that began before President Trump took office a little over a year ago. Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said that Trump "has reached an informal deal with Boeing on a fixed price contract for the new Air Force One Program. Thanks to the president’s negotiations, the contract will save the taxpayers more than $1.4 billion.&rdquo, strip, h2) ] from C:/inetpub/wwwroot/clients/aero-news.net/components/utils.cfc

In testimony Tuesday before the United States House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation, Capt. Tim Canoll, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) reiterated to Congressional leaders the importance of pilot training.

In a ceremony held Wednesday at the Embraer's facilities in São José dos Campos, Embraer received Type Certificate for the E190-E2, the first member of the E-Jets E2 family of commercial aircraft, from the Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil – ANAC), the FAA and EASA. It is the first time that an aircraft program with the level of complexity of the E2 receives a type certificate from three major worldwide certification authorities simultaneously.

Advanced heavy-fuel microturbine propulsion systems developer UAV Turbines, a subsidiary of Locust USA, has announced that it has entered into a $19 million Technology Investment Agreement ("TIA") with the U.S. Army to collaborate in development of an efficient and reliable/durable small turboprop gas turbine engine for propulsion in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) arena.

Safety and survival manufacturer ARTEX, an ACR Electronics, Inc. brand, is introducing what the company says is world’s only 406 MHz approved transport-grade alkaline battery-powered Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT).  The development of the innovative ARTEX ELT 4000 featuring an alternative power source to traditional lithium batteries offers OEMs, airlines and operators an ELT that is exempt from FAA non-rechargeable lithium battery special conditions, while introducing significant benefits and savings in the cost of ownership through reduced, acquisition, installation, and maintenance.

CEFA Aviation and GE Aviation have formed a partnership to provide customers with a higher fidelity of data for airline flight safety analysis, operational efficiency and pilot training. The partnership combines GE's experience in flight analytics with CEFA Aviation's expertise in flight data animation.

A hearing Tuesday by the House Transportation Committee's Aviation Subcommittee was dominated by concerns about drones, and what regulations should be considered. But the panel has a host of technical and legal factors to consider.

Transport Canada has suspended Island Express Air's Air Operator Certificate. The suspension prohibits the company from providing commercial air services. The department took this action in the interest of public safety due to the airline's February 23, 2018 accident in Abbotsford, BC and its contraventions of the Canadian Aviation Regulations.

The SW-4 Solo optionally piloted helicopter developed by Leonardo Company has successfully completed its maiden flight with no safety pilot onboard at Taranto-Grottaglie Airport (Southern Italy). The aircraft flew for 45 minutes and all systems performed as expected with excellent controllability and handling qualities. Tests included, among others, remote engine start up and shut down with ground run, automatic take-off and landing, hovering OGE (Out of Ground Effect) and acceleration to forward flight, automatic way point navigation to and from the area of operation and simulation of a surveillance mission. The aircraft reached an altitude of 1500 ft and up to 60 knots airspeed during the flight. 

The Vermont House has a bill under consideration that would restrict the use of UAVs near the state's correctional facilities.

A deal described as "last minute" made by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to expand O'Hare International Airport is drawing fire from American Airlines, saying it gives an unfair competitive advantage to rival United Airlines.

The first Ultra Long Range version of the A350 XWB has rolled out of the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse. The latest variant of the best-selling A350 XWB Family will be able to fly further than any other commercial airliner and will enter service with launch operator Singapore Airlines later this year.

On February 22, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) held the second in its series of 2018 Industry Town Hall meetings at Austin Executive Airport in Texas. NATA Managing Director, Safety and Training Michael France was joined by regional aviation business professionals from airports, FBOs, MROs, flight training providers and university aviation programs.

The results of a study forecasting the U.S. supply of rotorcraft pilots and mechanics over the next 18 years has been released, confirming what many in our industry suspected. Unless there are some fundamental changes in policy, outreach, scholarships, and access to financing, the helicopter industry faces large-scale deficits in the amount of available and qualified licensed and certificated pilots and mechanics.

Operators thinking of buying a pre-owned AW139 or AW109 helicopter will now have the option of a 500-hour/one-year engine warranty under P&WC's new Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) engine program for PT6C-67C, PW206C and PW207C engines.

Whirly-Girls International, a non-profit, educational, and charitable organization dedicated to advancing women in the helicopter aviation industry, has announced the recipients of the 2018 Whirly-Girls Scholarship Awards.

At the inception of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in the 20th century, the UAVs were utilized specifically for military purposes. But with the passing time and advancements in various technologies, the UAVs now serve multiple purposes besides military application. The UAVs have witnessed a significant reduction in size and weight over the last decade, which has consequently reduced the cost of manufacturing. Besides these developments, the battery life has also been enhanced considerably along with the degree of autonomy for these vehicles. As a result of these developments, UAVs now have a wider range of applications in different commercial and non-commercial sectors.

Drones have become part of the Grand Forks County (ND) Sheriff's Department toolkit, giving officers trained in their operation the ability to take them out on patrol.

Metro Aviation Inc. had ordered an unprecedented 25 EC145e helicopters that it will place into service providing air medical transport and other aerial services. It is one of the larger commercial helicopter orders ever booked by the U.S. based company.

While many of the FAA's ADs appear on Aero-News, we can't cover them all. If you have a question about an AD on your airplane, you can consult the official FAA Airworthiness Directive database.

<strong>"Certification of the E190-E2 marks a pivotal milestone in the program. It's reasonable to now anticipate an acceleration of commercial discussions with operators around the globe."</strong> <strong>Source:</strong> John Slattery, president &amp; CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation.

An imaginary straight line drawn through an airfoil from the leading edge to the trailing edge.