Manufacturers

Garmin has been very busy telling the world about their new GTN series avionics, intended to replace the GNS 430/530 series panel-mount IFR GPS systems. The new GTN 650 and 750 truly are impressive. They take everything that was good about the 430/530, all the good features of Garmin's handheld touchscreen Aera series GPS units, and many of the features available in the G1000 suite...then combine them all into a neat little package.

AvWeb recently mentioned a deal that Teledyne struck with AVIC International, a Chinese company, to sell Continental Motors to AVIC subsidiary Technify Motors. (See TCM's press release here.)

This is a pretty big deal for several reasons. First, it's more aviation business going to companies based overseas. Thankfully, AVIC seems to have made a strong commitment to keeping Continental at their current location in Mobile, AL. Second, this move will hopefully provide Continental the capital it needs to develop a series of diesel aircraft engines.

When the US Air Force awarded the contract for a KC-135 air refueling tanker replacement to European company EADS, American aircraft manufacturer Boeing went crazy. They brought out the lawyers and argued that although the EADS Airbus A330 tanker had out performed the Boeing's B767, the competition was unfair and should be re-accomplished. Boeing wants the criteria for the new tanker adjusted to favor their products. Although I'm not sure they ever said it directly, a large part of their argument seems to be that it's not fair to have a European company providing aircraft on a multi-billion dollar US military contract. EADS, of course, is arguing that they still have the better product and that the US military should select the product that will do the best job of taking care of our troops...no matter where it comes from. I think the argument is pretty stupid and that we're wasting literally years delaying the A330 tanker; however, Boeing got what it wanted and the competition is open again.

I bet they never expected a third company to throw them for a loop though. Ukrainian (formerly Soviet) aircraft manufacturer Antonov has entered the competition with the help of a US partner, US Aerospace. Antonov is submitting proposals for 3 different aircraft, and they may be able to out-perform both competitors. I wonder how Boeing is feeling now about the can of worms they've opened.

All recessions aside, the piston single market has been doing pretty well for the last few years. Cirrus has come from nothing to lead the pack in just over a decade and other big names like Cessna, Piper, Mooney, Beechcraft and others are working to keep pace. Flightglobal.com notes that Korea Aerospace Industries has taken note of this and is developing their own piston single. Although it sounds like they're just getting started, the plane will be impressive if it can perform as promised.