On April 12, 1996, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commissioned the nation’s first Air Route Surveillance Radar 4 (ARSR-4) air route surveillance radar. An Air Route Surveillance Radar is a long-range radar system used by the United States Air (USAF) Force and the FAA to control airspace within and around the borders of the United […]
Delivery of the First New Embraer Phenom 300E
On March 29, 2018, Embraer delivered the first new Phenom 300E business jet, having received its type certificate in the first quarter from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC – Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil). The new aircraft, designated “E” for “Enhanced,” […]
Maiden Flight of the Legacy 500
On March 22, 2013, Embraer announced that the third prototype of Embraer’s midsize Legacy 500 business jet had made its maiden flight. At the time Embraer said that the Legacy 500 was the first midsize jet with a six-foot, stand-up cabin; the only midsize jet with a wet galley; and the jet that offered the best […]
Gulfstream G150 Aircraft Achieved Steep Approach Certification from the FAA
On February 2, 2010, Gulfstream Aerospace announced that the Gulfstream G150 aircraft had achieved steep approach certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The approval allowed the mid-size, high-speed G150 to operate at airports with an approach angle of up to 6 degrees. Most airports have an approach angle of 3.5 degrees or less. […]
Gulfstream G650 Flight-Test of Electrically Powered Fly-by-Wire Backup Flight Control Actuation System
On January 12, 2011, Gulfstream Aerospace announced that Gulfstream’s test pilots and flight-test engineers had recently made business-aviation history by flying the Gulfstream G650 flight-test aircraft for the first time using only an electrically powered, fly-by-wire backup flight-control actuation system. Gulfstream’s Serial Number (S/N) 6001 flew for a total of 3 hours and 33 […]
The First Completely Computerized Landing
On December 8, 1964, a United Air Lines Caravelle jet made the first completely computerized landing (automatic touchdown) at Dulles International Airport (IAD). How landings play out? Limited visibility operations are divided into categories outlining the decision height (DH) and runway visual range (RVR). The decision height is the minimum height at which a pilot […]
Hijacking of Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 305
The aviation industry has come a long way in terms of commercial aviation safety, but on November 24, 1971, the first hijacking involving extortion occurred during a flight from Portland to Seattle. The hijacker- who may have been named Dan Cooper- told a flight attendant he was armed with a bomb, demanded $200,000 in ransom […]
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 […]
