Aircraft

16.07.2010 2:00

FLIGHT TEST: Aermacchi Impala - Spin doctor

Flight International's test pilot deliberately gets into some awkward situations in an Atlas Impala as he finds out how training is advancing Test pilot schools worldwide are providing more rigorous courses and higher technology to meet the increasingly sophisticated demands of 21st century flight testing. Nowhere is this more evident than in Mojave, California, home of the National Test Pilot School (NTPS) and site of the only non-governmental school in the USA. One of the workhorses of its fleet is the Atlas-built Aermacchi MB326M Impala, a tandem-seat straight-wing trainer/light attack aircraft. [Read more]

16.07.2010 2:00

FLIGHT TEST: Pilatus PC-12 - Power of one

The single-engined Pilatus PC-12 offers plenty of cabin space, is economical to acquire and maintain, and is versatile to operate While the Swiss are renowned for their versatile knives and finely crafted watches, Stans, Switzerland-based Pilatus has made its name building rugged single-engined aircraft. From a background in utility and training aircraft, the company launched into the business-aviation segment in 1991 with the PC-12 - the aviation embodiment of those renowned Swiss qualities of versatility and craftsmanship. The single-turboprop PC-12 has been successful, and Pilatus will deliver its 500th example before the year-end. [Read more]

16.07.2010 2:00

FLIGHT TEST: Cessna Citation Soverign - Mid-size marvel

Cessna's Citation Sovereign business jet has great field performance and can take eight passengers coast to coast across the USA Although there are a several aircraft in the mid-size business jet category, recently most manufacturers have concentrated on launching larger designs. But while Bombardier developed the Challenger 300, Dassault the Falcon 2000EX and Raytheon the Hawker Horizon for the burgeoning super mid-size segment, Cessna saw an opportunity in the traditional mid-size market, where no all-new aircraft were being launched. When it announced the Model 680 Sovereign at the 1998 National Business Aviation Association convention, certification and first deliveries were planned for 2002, but the programme was delayed while Cessna worked on other business jets. [Read more]

16.07.2010 2:00

FLIGHT TEST: Gulstream G450 - Heir apparent

The G450, the latest in Gulfstream's family of business jets, enters service next year. Can it live up to its illustrious predecessors? We assess its performance If one aircraft cemented Gulfstream's success in the business jet market, it is the long-range, large-cabin GIV. Production of the GIV, improved GIV-SP and rebranded G400/G300 has totalled 537 aircraft - far more than any other Gulfstream - and it is not the end of the story. [Read more]

15.07.2010 2:00

Pacific Aerospace makes major push into Mexico and South America

New Zealand aircraft-maker Pacific Aerospace has received regulatory approval from Mexico for its P-750 XSTOL single turboprop and has applied for approval. [Read more]

15.07.2010 2:00

Israeli trainer request due this month

A request for information concerning the purchase of a new advanced trainer by the Israeli air force will be sent before the end of the month to the two. [Read more]

15.07.2010 2:00

Flight Focus eyes new customers for its AMDS system

Singapore-based Flight Focus is in talks with several airlines to sell its Advanced Mission Display System (AMDS), after inking a deal with launch customer. [Read more]

15.07.2010 2:00

NTSB faults Continental captain in 2008 Denver excursion

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) today determined that the captain of a Continental Airlines Boeing 737-500 that ran off the left side. [Read more]