Well, EBACE has wrapped up, and the biggest news this year surrounded shiny new airplanes and their respective new onboard technologies. Here are some highlights:

• Cessna announced its newest long-range, large-cabin jet, the Citation Longitude, and surprised many by choosing French-made engines instead of their "go-to" GE engines.
• Gulfstream flew in the G280 and G650, which are in the testing phase of development. The G280 is new and sleek, and, well...a Gulfstream -- and it stood out as the only new jet that wasn't equipped with the new G5000. Read More...

I'm a bit behind because I didn't even know about International Learn to Fly Day until, well, today! Nevertheless, I want to help spread the word!

The day was announced at EAA Oshkosh in 2009 in order to encourage interest in flying. It's a cooperative effort between EAA, NAFI, AOPA, FAA, and many other industry representatives. It seems that everyone is doing what they can to lighten the effects of the looming pilot shortage by creating more demand.

For pilots, this is a fun day to give discounted airplane rides at your local airport! The cost of fuel is expensive, but in my opinion, more than worth it. There's nothing I like more than to see a face light up after a first flight, and to hear someone say "Wow- that was fantastic! I never thought it would be so simple to fly!" It's just so fun to see a kid's reaction to a flight over their house. And it's even better to see them show up at the flight school with a new passion for learning to fly!

Do you participate in International Learn to Fly Day?

Photo © EBACE Show Management

The 12th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) fires up today in Geneva, Switzerland, with announcements of new aircraft, awards and industry outlooks. The conference, which runs from May 14th - May 16th, 2012, is Europe's largest business aviation event, and features over 400 exhibitors from around the world, in addition to at least 60 aircraft static displays.

Lear is making news with the announcement of the Lear 70 and Lear 75 program launch. The aircraft are expected to enter into service in early 2013, with customer orders and letters of intent for 50 aircraft. The Lear 70 and 75 will feature improved engines and performance, enhanced cabin improvements as requested by customers, and the anticipated Vision Flight Deck with the G5000 avionics package. Gulfstream is showing up huge with static displays of the G280 and G650, both of which are expected to receive final certification soon and will begin deliveries Read More...

Photo © Heinz Weber/flickr

Did Cessna forget to do its homework?

This past week, the company's new light sport aircraft, the Skycatcher, ran into certification problems with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It would seem that while the FAA does not require certain production standards or a type certificate for light sport aircraft, EASA does.

Cessna even chose to comply with ASTM standards even though it wasn't required. (ASTM, or the American Society for Testing and Materials, is an internationally-known entity that produces and implements voluntary standardization programs.) And then they went even further above and beyond ASTM requirements during stress testing.

So what does EASA want from Cessna for the Skycatcher to be certified Read More...