Also: Mesa Addresses Pilot Shortage, FAA v Dreamliner, Bell Phase 2-AFWERX, Virgin Galactic Shakeup

In a notice to customers, Van's outlined the state of the company and the steps they're taking to keep the company in good health.

More bad news is never a good thing to hear, but fans of Van's Aircraft have to at least give credit to the company for shooting straight. Price increases are on the way, with an RV kit price bump already in effect. The average increase across the board is in the neighborhood of 6%, but RV kits in standard and QuickBuild flavors will increase in accordance with their component price increase. The exact price bump will depend on the aircraft and the materials used within. Canada's new Luxury Tax, as written, levies a special charge for those eminently upscale and exclusive vehicles that lie outside the range of average workaday folk--or so they believe-- and the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association is NOT happy. For boats, those with value in excess of $250,000 ($197,000 USD) are subject to extra taxes, yet aircraft are deemed luxurious at a fraction of that number at $100,000 ($79,000 USD). The Aircraft Electronics Association has released the 2021 year-end Avionics Market Report showing worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales for the year came to more than $2.3 billion. Overall, it represented a 6.5% increase in total year-end sales over 2020, a good indicator that the industry is growing as hoped despite continuing supply issues on the components side. Sales particularly picked up in the 4th quarter, showing a 7.4% bump through October, November and December compared to 2020 numbers. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!

Airborne 02.21.22 is chock full of info in this Daily News Episode, Monday, February 21st, 2022... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Host Holland Lee. Holland is supported by ANN Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, as well as ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell. This episode covers:

• Van's Announces Begrudging ~6% Price Increase
• Canada's Luxury Tax Raises Eyebrows 
• AEA Avionics Market 2021 Report Issued
• Mesa Airlines CEO Points to 1,500-Hour Rule for Pilot Shortage 
• FAA Insists on Certifying New Dreamliners
• Bell Moves to Phase 2 in AFWERX Challenge
• Virgin Galactic Sees Executive Shakeup

Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again tomorrow, for the next edition of "Airborne Unlimited" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, tomorrow!

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