On August 18, 2021, Zara Rutherford departed Kortrijk, Belgium in a Shark UL plane. In this two-seat ultralight plane equipped with extra fuel tanks, two radios and a parachute, Rutherford flew 28,000 nautical miles of five continents and became the youngest woman to fly solo around the world, at age 19. During this 155-day […]
Maiden Flight of the Hawker 4000
On August 11, 2001, the first prototype of the Hawker 4000 made its maiden flight. The Hawker 4000, a super-midsize business jet developed by Hawker Beechcraft (formerly Raytheon Aircraft Company), made its public debut in November 2002 at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention, and by 2018, the 2008-2010 Hawker 4000s were priced around […]
More Than 150 of the Phenom 100 Executive Jets Delivered.
On July 28, 2010, Embraer announced that twenty months after it went into operation, more than 150 of the Phenom 100 executive jets had already been delivered. Also, at the time the Phenom 100 had been certified by 18 civil aviation authorities. The Phenom 100 can accommodate up to eight occupants […]
Gulfstream G500 Earned Type and Production Certifications from the FAA
On July 20, 2018, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the Gulfstream G500 received both its type certification and production certificate from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These certifications paved the way for the first completed G500 delivery. The first G500 was delivered on September 27, 2018 and since then it has become […]
First Flight of the Socata TBM F-WTBM
July 14, 1988, marked the first flight of the SOCATA TBM F-WTBM, the first of its prototypes. TBM was established by the Aerospatiale General Aviation Division, Socata, and the US manufacturer Mooney, to produce a high-performance business aircraft. Performance promised by the manufacturer included taking six passengers at 345 mph (300 knots) with a full […]
Air Canada Flight Got As Low As 59 FT Above Ground Level Before Go-Around at SFO Taxiway
On July 7, 2017, Air Canada Flight 759 (AC 759) from Toronto to San Francisco got as low as 59 ft above ground level (AGL) before completing a successful go-around. The Air Canada pilots lined up the Airbus A320 to land on occupied Taxiway C at San Francisco International Airport instead of on parallel Runway […]
Gulfstream G600’s FAA Certification
By the end of June 2019, the Gulfstream G600 earned FAA certification. The aircraft received both its type and production certificates on the same day from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. The certifications cleared the way for the first completed G600 deliveries to customers as scheduled in 2019. The FAA type certification allowed G600 […]
The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
On June 23, 1981, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator J. Lynn Helms announced the FAA’s decision to adopt the threat alert and collision avoidance system, soon renamed the traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS). If there is a potential collision developing, the TCAS alerts the pilots and provides climb/descend instructions to them. In 1981, […]
Washington National Airport (DCA)
On June 16, 1941, Washington National Airport opened for full-time operations. President Roosevelt attended a ceremony and observed the first official landing. The airlines drew straws to determine who could land at National Airport first, and American Airlines won the honor. The plane was piloted by Bennett H. Griffin, who later became the manager of […]
Penalties for Pointing a Laser into a Cockpit
On June 2011, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it would begin to impose civil penalties against people who point a laser into the cockpit of aircraft. Civil penalties imposed can be of up to $11,000 per violation. Laser strikes continue to stay at high levels with pilots reporting nearly 9,500 laser strikes to the […]
