IRKUT reports today that flight test experts from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) completed the first flight session of the MC-21-300 certification program. During the certification tests, the behavior of MC-21-300 aircraft was evaluated in various modes, including…
Airlines for Europe (A4E) released news that should be read and digested. The EU experiment remains a work in progress. The “seamless European sky” is still a fantasy. For the full year, A4E reports Eurocontrol estimates that total delay minutes…
Despite having obtained EASA and FAA certification, the Pilatus PC-24 is continuing its flight test program, concentrating on unimproved airfields and difficult environments. The company plans to obtain certification for “rough fields” by the end of 2018, providing the aircraft…
India’s SARAS program has had its bumpy ride. The first version of the aircraft had its first flight in 2004. Here is a video of a 2007 flight of the test vehicle that eventually crashed with the loss of three…
We undertook a review of A320neo flight operations. There were 71 A320neo aircraft in operation at the end of February. An analysis of the 28,105 flights scheduled provides some interesting insights. With recent news reports suggesting difficulties with engines, we…
China’s AG600 is the world’s largest amphibian aircraft and has passed its first engine tests. First flight is planned for later this year. The engine test ran the four WJ-6 turboprops. Next comes a comprehensive ground test program which leading…