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 […]
Runway Incursion at SFO
On May 26, 2007, a runway incursion occurred at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) when an Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia turboprop aircraft from SkyWest Airlines (flight SKW5741 operating as United Express), nearly collided with an Embraer 170 Regional Jet from Republic Airlines (flight 4912 operating as Frontier Airlines) at the intersection of runways 1L and […]
East Hampton Town Airport (KJPX)
On May 19, 2022, the formerly known East Hampton (New York) Airport (KHTO) re-opened as a private-use airport named the East Hampton Town Airport (KJPX). For years, residents of the summer vacation hotspot had complained about airport noise, particularly from helicopters and jets. After an airport airspace analysis, the FAA gave its approval, stating in […]
Gulfstream’s G650 First Trans-Atlantic Flight
On May 12, 2012, Gulfstream G650 aircraft (S/N 6020) completed its first trans-Atlantic flight to make its European debut at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva (EBACE). The green, unpainted aircraft was flying under an experimental certificate, and arrived at Geneva International Airport from Dulles International Airport (outside of Washington, D.C.) in […]
Dassault Falcon 7X
On May 5, 2005, the first flight of the Dassault Falcon 7X took place. The large cabin and long-range business jet was manufactured by Dassault Aviation and would become the first business jet to use a Digital Flight Control System with an elegant and quiet executive cabin. The aircraft entered service on June 15, 2007 […]
Three vs Two Crew Fun Fact
During the piston and turbojet eras the government had mandated a three-pilot crew operation when the gross weight of an aircraft exceeded 80,000 pounds. However, in April 1965 the FAA announced that it was abolishing the weight limit criteria and aircraft would be certified for two-crew operation on an individual basis. The amendment to § […]