DCNewsroom celebrates 13th anniversary this month

The DCNewsroom has turned 13 years old after posting 1,062 news stories.

The news and information blog celebrated its 13th anniversary on Dec. 28, 2023, after posting over 1,000 stories covering aviation, government, industry, space, and stock market news.

Aviation has always been the highlight of the DCNewsroom over the 13 years and will continue to be a major focus in years to come.

Let's look at the top stories over the past 13 years:

1.) NTSB report shows pilot and passenger were in plane “not to be flown” [Full story from 2023]

2.) Single-engine airplane preparing to ditch in Pacific Ocean [Full story from 2015]

3.) Introducing the Beechcraft King Air 360 [Full story from 2020]

4.) Cirrus aircraft crashes off Virginia in Atlantic Ocean [Full story from 2014]

5.) NTSB releases preliminary report on plane crash in Rockingham County, Va. [Full story from 2023]

6.) PC-24 Super Versatile Jet performs maiden flight [Full story from 2015]

7.) Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 first flight at Greenville facility [Full story from 2023]

8.) Lufthansa to demonstrate pilot-controlled taxiing system without engines running [Full story from 2015]

9.) First production units of Cessna TTx aircraft delivered [Full story from 2013]

10.) Air Force may add taildragger aircraft to Test Pilot School [Full story from 2023]

The blog’s highest traffic day of all time was July 31, 2020, when the DCNewsroom reported “Boom Supersonic and Rolls-Royce agree to work on propulsion system for supersonic jet”

Want more in 2024? Stay tuned to the DCNewsroom.

Twelve Bombardier Challenger 3500 jets ordered

Bombardier, a leading manufacturer of private jets, announced Friday that the company has received a firm order for 12 Challenger 3500 aircraft. The transaction is valued at $326.4 million based on list prices.

Bombardier did not name the customer in a company press release.

“The customer has chosen the super-midsize market leader for its outstanding performance, refined cabin, and sustainably minded features,” the company said in a statement.

Bombardier President and CEO Eric Martel said the aircraft is meeting and exceeding the expectations of its discerning clientele.

“The Challenger 3500 jet is truly a force to be reckoned with, and this order is a clear demonstration that this platform offers the exceptional experience that clients are seeking,” Martel said.

Before announcing the 12-jet order, long-time client Arkasair added a Challenger 3500 business jet to its VIP Air Taxi and charter fleet recently, becoming the first customer of a Challenger 3500 aircraft in Turkey.

The Challenger 3500’s flawless design provides an unparalleled cabin experience and elevates passengers’ comfort with Bombardier’s revolutionary Nuage seats and cutting-edge cabin technology.

With an industry-leading dispatch reliability of over 99.8%, as well as outstanding range and runway performance, the Challenger 3500 aircraft offers the ultimate package, with access to the most remote locations while delivering Bombardier’s signature smooth ride from takeoff to landing.

Deliveries of the 12 jets are set to begin in the second half of 2025.

With more than 900 business jets of the Challenger 300 series in service worldwide, the Challenger 3500 aircraft builds on the excellent track record of the Challenger family.