NTSB: Engine trouble caused emergency landing on Virginia highway

The National Transportation Safety (NTSB) released a preliminary report recently detailing the emergency landing of a single-engine Cessna aircraft on a Virginia highway last month.

On Jan. 19, a single-engine Cessna 208B (tail number N1983X), performed an emergency landing soon after departing Washington Dulles International Airport.

Flight 246, operated by Southern Airways Express, from Washington Dulles International Airport to Lancaster Airport in Pennsylvania departed from runway 30.

During the initial climb after takeoff, about 600 feet above ground level, the flight crew noticed that the standby power light in the cockpit illuminated. Shortly after that, a sudden, shattering noise and vibrations came from the engine area.

The pilot instructed the copilot to declare an emergency and initiate procedures to return to Washington Dulles. During the turnback, it became evident that the engine was unresponsive, and the airplane was rapidly losing altitude. The pilot decided to land the airplane on Highway 606, near the perimeter of Washington Dulles.

During the landing, the airplane touched down on the paved surface of the road and collided with a steel guardrail before coming to a stop. The flight crew secured the airplane, and the crew and passengers were met by first responders.

The aircraft was later disassembled and transported to a Southern Airways Express maintenance facility at Lancaster.

The NTSB continues to investigate the accident.

Town Hall meeting scheduled as proposed Fairfax County casino bill stalls in Richmond

Virginia Senators, Delegates, and local Fairfax County supervisors will meet in McLean on Saturday to hold a Town Hall meeting to field comments and concerns over a proposed casino for the area.

Virginia lawmakers recently introduced Senate Bill 675 (SB 675) that outlines plans for Fairfax County to be eligible to host a casino.

Senator Jennifer Boysko, along with Delegate Rip Sullivan and Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, will participate in the Town Hall meeting on Saturday at McLean High School.

SB 675 says the casino would be located within one-quarter of a mile of an existing station on the Metro Silver Line, within two miles of a major shopping destination, and outside of the Interstate 495 Beltway.

A final vote on SB 675 and a voter referendum to approve the casino won't happen anytime soon after the Virginia Senate Subcommittee on Resources voted 4-0 to carry over the bill to the 2025 legislative session rather than move the bill forward.

Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn were among those who testified in Richmond on Thursday about the detrimental effect a casino in neighboring Tysons would have on the entire region.

“Opposition to the casino bill is one of the Vienna Town Council’s top legislative priorities,” Colbert said. “Supervisor Alcorn and I expressed strong opposition to the legislation today during a Senate Finance Committee meeting this afternoon, and the bill was tabled for a year for further study.”

SB 675, introduced by Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke), sought to put a referendum on a future ballot to authorize a casino in Tysons Corner.

Vienna Town Councilmembers, residents, and others opposed to the proposal responded with numerous calls and emails to their representatives in Richmond.

“We are grateful to the Vienna community for signing petitions and sending emails and letters to the Town Council and Virginia legislators opposing the casino,” Colbert said. “We are also thankful for the support we received from our legislative delegation, Del. Holly Seibold (D-Vienna) and state Sen. Saddam Salim (D-Falls Church).”

Georgia Senate passes sports betting bill, House vote next

The Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill 386 (SB 386) on Thursday, a measure designed to regulate and tax sports betting under the oversight of the Georgia Lottery Commission. Lawmakers say Georgia currently “illegally” bets nearly $5 billion a year on sports.

The new measure, SB 386, sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon (R – Gwinnett), will allocate taxes collected from sports betting to student financial aid programs, including the HOPE college scholarship and Georgia Pre-K programs.

Dixon applauded the passage of the measure, stating, “In passing SB 386, we’ve paved the way for responsible and regulated sports betting in Georgia. As our state evolves, it’s crucial to acknowledge the existing landscape with neighboring states already engaging in this activity. With millions in potential revenue, SB 386 ensures that these funds contribute to the growth of Georgia, supporting essential programs such as the HOPE scholarship and pre-kindergarten initiatives. By implementing safeguards, like prohibiting credit card use for betting and providing tools for self-limitation, we prioritize responsible gambling. The bill’s bipartisan support exemplifies a united commitment to the well-being of our citizens and the prosperity of Georgia’s future. SB 386 is more than a legislative milestone; it’s an investment in education and our economy.”

Dixon serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth. He represents the 45th Senate District which includes portions of Gwinnett and Barrow Counties.

The bill will now be considered by the Georgia House of Representatives.

EveryMatrix gains access to Pennsylvania online casino market

EveryMatrix has obtained approval to operate in Pennsylvania giving it access to its sixth regulated North American iGaming market.

The technology and content provider has been granted ‘interim authorization’ from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board enabling it to offer its software and services to licensed operators in the state.

The Malta-based company has more than 300 global customers with North American licenses and regulatory approvals in all regulated iGaming states including New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Ontario Canada, and most recently Connecticut.

EveryMatrix delivers iGaming software, solutions, and content to online casinos and sports betting services. It will soon begin the rollout of its aggregation services in Pennsylvania via its partnership with betParx alongside expanding existing live customers such as BetMGM, Rush Street Interactive, and DraftKings.

Erik Nyman, President EveryMatrix Americas, said access in the Keystone State is a great start to 2024.

“We will continue to roll out our games portfolio and aggregation services to fill both the content gap while also adding rich bonus and gamification features that will be completely new to the U.S. market,” Nyman said in a company press release. “This will significantly boost our customers’ portfolios with proven, localized revenue-generating titles.”

Union responds to NetJets letter on pilot behavior

An independent labor union representing the 3,200-plus pilots who fly for NetJets, received a letter from the company’s counsel alleging that the union had condoned or encouraged pilots to engage in a work slowdown to negatively impact their operations. The NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots reported receiving the letter from NetJets on Friday.

NetJets Aviation Inc. is a provider of luxury private air transportation. The company is a subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.

NetJets has alleged pilots were "spiking" fatigue rates, increasing the frequency of documenting maintenance issues on aircraft, and refusing to voluntarily extend their duty days.

The pilot’s union, NJASAP, says NetJets failed to provide any evidence to substantiate their claims.

NetJets attorneys demanded the union take disciplinary action, up to and including imposing financial penalties, against any pilots who engaged in such behavior.

“The company issued this demand while, once again, failing to identify a single pilot who engaged in any of the alleged conduct,” NJASAP said in a press release. The union adamantly denies it engaged in any effort to slow down NetJets operations.

“We have issued a communication to our members to cease and desist any individual efforts to do so," NJASAP President Capt. Pedro Leroux said. "We view NetJets' letter and threats as its latest attempt to censor NJASAP's ability to communicate with its members about important matters that affect flight crew and owner and customer safety."

Leroux went on to emphasize that NJASAP will vigorously defend itself against all allegations and will not be intimidated in its efforts to effectively represent the membership's interests.

Single-engine Cessna Caravan forced to land on Virginia road

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the forced landing of a single-engine plane on Loudoun County Parkway in Virginia. The NTSB announced the investigation on their X account on Friday.

“A small plane has landed on the Loudoun County Parkway at Arcola Mills Drive and is blocking all lanes,” the Virginia Department of Transportation said on Facebook.

News reports indicate the turboprop plane had just departed Washington Dulles International Airport before landing on the roadway after its initial climb.

The aircraft, a single-engine Cessna Caravan 208B (tail number N1983X), is operated by Southern Airways Express based in Palm Beach, Fla. The plane was manufactured in 2003.

Founded in 2013, Southern Airways Express is a commuter airline serving nearly 40 American cities across five U.S. time zones. Southern operates a fleet of over thirty aircraft, including the Cessna Caravan/Grand Caravan, the King Air Super 200, and the Citation Bravo.

According to flight tracking data, flight 9X246 was departing Dulles Airport from runway 30 and performed a forced landing on the road approximately two minutes after takeoff.

The aircraft came to a stop at the side of the road and the seven occupants onboard evacuated. Photos of the aircraft show the propeller blades were bent in the emergency landing.

Akasa Air orders 150 more Boeing 737 MAX jets

The Boeing Company announced Thursday that India’s Akasa Air has placed a follow-on 737 MAX order, confirming 150 more jets in its order book.

The purchase of 737-10 airplanes and an additional 737-8-200 jets was announced at the Wings India 2024 airshow.

Akasa Air will use the 737 MAX family to expand its domestic and international network in the coming years. Since launching operations in 2022, the airline has captured approximately 4% of India’s domestic market, serving 18 destinations with a fleet of 22 737 MAX jets.

“We are excited to announce this historic order for 150 new Boeing airplanes, increasing our total orders from Boeing to 226 jets,” said Vinay Dube, Akasa Air founder and CEO. “In addition to supporting our rapid domestic expansion, the efficiency and economics of these new airplanes position Akasa to launch international routes in the coming months.

The new aircraft will provide Akasa Air with added capacity and range on new and existing routes while reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by 20% compared to older-generation airplanes.

As Akasa Air looks to expand its network in India and South Asia, Boeing’s 2023 Commercial Market outlook forecasts the delivery of 2,705 new commercial airplanes over the next 20 years for the region, of which nearly 90% will be single-aisle jets.

Ashland Place Finance supports acquisition of three Boeing 737-800 freighters

Ashland Place Finance LLC, a commercial aviation financing platform, announced Wednesday the completion of a new facility financing the acquisition of three Boeing 737-800 freighters for Atalaya Capital Management and Crestone Air Partners.

This is the second transaction that Ashland Place has completed with Atalaya and Crestone. Ashland financed a Boeing 777-300ER for Atalaya in August 2022 and four CFM56 engines for Crestone in July 2022.

“The Ashland Place team possess a deep understanding of the industry and how to navigate the current economic environment," said Sebastian Lourier, Crestone's CEO.

Allen & Overy LLP served as legal advisor to Ashland Place, and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP served as legal advisor to Atalaya and Crestone.

Homeland Security lab seeks to test seven drone types to aid first responders

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) is seeking information from potential vendors capable of supplying specific Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for the Blue List UAS SAVER project.

The Blue UAS Cleared List is a list of United States- and ally-manufactured UAS vetted by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to be policy-approved by the Department of Defense (DoD). All UAS on the Blue List have undergone cybersecurity testing by DIU or their contractors. Each device on the list is granted authority to operate from the DIU.

Over the past decade, first responders have begun integrating small unmanned aerial systems as a resource for a variety of operational needs. UAS, often referred to as “drones,” are used by first responders in support of public safety activities such as search and rescue, firefighting, and post-incident reconstruction.

UAS provides first responders with an aerial view of their environment and can be outfitted with various sensors tailored to different applications.

The NUSTL intends to conduct testing and evaluation of the following UAS models and requires two of each of the seven specified drones listed below:

• Ascent AeroSystems, Spirit UAS (K257)
• Flight Wave Aerospace Corporation, Edge 130
• Freefly Systems, Astro
• Inspired Flight, IF800 TOMCAT
• Parrot Drones, PARROT ANAFI USA GOV
• Skydio, Skydio X2
• 1Skydio, Skydio X10
• Teal Drones Inc., Teal 2

The anticipated delivery deadline for the drones is March 8.

Boeing appoints special advisor for comprehensive quality review

The Boeing Company announced Tuesday they have named Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, U.S. Navy (Ret.) as special advisor to Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun.

The immediate appointment of Donald comes after a door plug on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX separated from the plane during flight causing severe depressurization aboard the aircraft.

Admiral Donald and a team of outside experts will conduct a thorough assessment of Boeing's quality management system for commercial airplanes, including quality programs and practices in Boeing manufacturing facilities and its oversight of commercial supplier quality. His recommendations will be provided to Calhoun and to the Aerospace Safety Committee of Boeing's Board of Directors.

"I've asked him to provide an independent and comprehensive assessment with actionable recommendations for strengthening our oversight of quality in our own factories and throughout our extended commercial airplane production system,” Calhoun said.

Donald currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the largest military shipbuilding company in the United States, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. He also chairs the board of the nonprofit Battelle. His public board service also includes Entergy Corp., where he is Chairman of the Nuclear Committee.

Seven F-16s in various stages of production for Bulgaria

Last week, a delegation led by Bulgarian Defence Minister Todor Tagarev visited Lockheed Martin’s F-16 production facility in Greenville, S.C., to view progress in producing the country’s future F-16 Block 70 jets. Bulgarian Ambassador Georgi Panayotov, and Bulgarian Defence Chief Adm. Emil Eftimov joined Tagarev on his visit.

Seven Bulgarian F-16s are in various stages of production, and the inaugural flight of the first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 is planned for later this year, Lockheed Martin said in a company press release Tuesday.

OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, said: “Bulgaria is acquiring a proven, state-of-the-art fighter aircraft system that will deliver decades of 21st Century Security capabilities and NATO interoperability.”

Bulgaria will be the second European country to receive the F-16 Block 70. With a backlog of 135 jets, “the F-16 production line in Greenville serves as a cornerstone of security for allies around the world,” the company said. Today’s latest version, the Block 70/72, offers unparalleled capabilities and will be flown by six countries and counting.

More than 3,100 F-16s are operating today in 25 countries. The F-16 has flown an estimated 19.5 million flight hours and at least 13 million sorties.

Lockheed Martin announced last week the first two F-16 Block70 jets for Slovakia have been delivered for their fleet which will grow to 14.

The F-16 Block 70 performed its maiden flight one year ago at its Greenville facility.

US-owned company Aerovel to be acquired by Europe’s Airbus Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters and Aerovel have signed an agreement regarding the acquisition of Aerovel and its unmanned aerial system (UAS) Flexrotor. Airbus entered the deal to strengthen its portfolio of tactical unmanned solutions.

Flexrotor is a small tactical unmanned aerial system designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions at sea and over land.

"This strategic acquisition aligns with our vision to expand our UAS offering and respond to a growing customer demand worldwide for additional mission capabilities such as manned-unmanned teaming,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Aerovel's expertise in autonomous flight technology will undoubtedly complement our UAS development with the VSR700.”

Designed to operate alongside shipborne naval assets, the Airbus VSR700 UAS under development will provide commanders with a larger and clearer tactical picture, greater search and rescue power, and bring to bear a highly capable autonomous platform in times of heightened threats.

"Joining forces with Airbus will allow us to scale innovation, accelerate our mission to advance unmanned aviation, and maintain our unwavering support for the U.S. military and its allies,” said Ali Dian, CEO of Aerovel.

The Flexrotor, a modern Vertical Takeoff and Landing unmanned aircraft with a maximum launch weight of 25 kilograms, has been designed for ISTAR missions for more than 14 hours in a typical operational configuration. The UAS can integrate different types of payloads including an electro-optical system and advanced sensors to suit customers’ unique mission needs.

With the ability to autonomously launch and recover from either land or sea requiring only a 12 by 12-foot area, the Flexrotor is ideal for expeditionary missions requiring minimal footprint.

Through the support of the U.S. Department of Defense, and contracted deployment in a variety of maritime security exercises, the Flexrotor is a mission-proven, force multiplier for operations in harsh, high-threat, GPS-denied environments.

The Flexrotor can also be used for missions such as forest fire surveillance (providing firefighters with critical images day or night) and ice navigation (helping guide naval vessels through ice in the Arctic Ocean).

Based in Bingen, Wash., Aerovel will remain a US-owned company and continue collaboration with the U.S. military.

The acquisition between Airbus Helicopter and Aerovel is expected to be approved and closed later this year.

Missile Defense Agency extends contract to upgrade sensors on HALO aircraft

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is pushing forward with work to upgrade sensors on three aircraft used to collect infrared data during ballistic missile defense tests. Work to upgrade the sensors experienced “COVID-related impact” issues, MDA said in contract documents released Friday.

In addition to COVID-related delays, the agency highlighted the rescheduling of integration tasks, acceptance testing, and supply chain issues delayed progress. Known as task order HQ0147-19-F-0039, the contract had a period of performance (PoP) ending Dec. 29, 2023.

“Additional time is required to complete three Next Generation Sensor Systems,” MDA said.

The agency wants to replace the primary electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensors currently in use on their HALO-II and HALO-IV aircraft with HALO Next Generation Sensor (NGS) systems. The planes are airborne during MDA missile defense tests to collect electro-optic and infrared data.

“No new work is being added to the contract,” MDA said in a Justification and Approval (J&A) document requesting the contract extension. “This J&A requests approval to extend the PoP end date to May 1, 2024. The cost of the extension/overrun is ~$1.5M.

“The sole purpose of the PoP extension and upward cost adjustment is for the contractor L3Harris AEROMET to complete NGS systems with the goal of aircraft delivery. If the work were recompeted at this point, the new contractor would have to perform work already done under this contract.”

The Missile Defense Agency Competition Advocate approved the contract extension.

Coal in your stocking this past Christmas? Not a bad investment

If you found coal in your stocking Christmas morning it may have nothing to do with the way you behaved the past year. Santa could be giving you a hint, invest in coal.

Investors are flocking to coal stocks right now, highlighting the sector as one of the best places to invest right now. One coal stock on a positive upward trend, with a dividend, is Natural Resource Partners LP.

Natural Resource Partners LP (NYSE: NRP)

Based in Houston, Texas, Natural Resource Partners L.P. is a diversified natural resource company that owns, manages, and leases a diversified portfolio of properties in the United States. The properties include coal, industrial minerals, and other natural resources. The company also has rights to conduct carbon sequestration and renewable energy activities.

In addition, NRP owns an equity investment in Sisecam Wyoming LLC, one of the world’s lowest-cost producers of soda ash.

Some of the company’s positive upward trend was provided during NRP’s third quarter 2023 results in November.

"NRP had another robust quarter with $80 million of free cash flow generated in the third quarter of 2023 as a result of continued strong performance from our mineral rights assets and a significant cash distribution from our soda ash investment," said Craig Nunez, NRP's president and chief operating officer, in a company press release.

In addition, NRP’s board of directors declared a third-quarter 2023 cash dividend in November of $0.75 per share. The dividend was paid on Nov. 21. The board also declared a $2.15 million cash distribution on NRP's outstanding preferred units.

Shares of NRP stock are up 106.87% over the past year. This year alone the stock is up 9.29%, closing Friday at $101.16 per share, up 3.40% for the day.

NRP shares have a 52-week low of $44.68 and a high of $102.00.

NRP 2023 Dividend History

• 11/13/2023       Cash      $0.75
• 08/15/2023       Cash      $0.75
• 05/15/2023       Cash      $0.75
• 03/13/2023       Cash      $2.43
• 02/13/2023       Cash      $0.75

Disclaimer: This post is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. I am neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. Keith Stein has no position in any stocks mentioned in this post. DCNewsroom has no position in any of the stocks mentioned in this post.

Delta Air Lines adds A350-1000 to fleet

Delta Air Lines has placed a first order for 20 A350-1000 aircraft with Airbus. The A350-1000 will be a new aircraft type in Delta’s fleet.

Delta currently operates more than 450 Airbus aircraft from all of the product lines from the A220 to the A350-900, with more than 200 additional on order. The airline also operates Boeing, Bombardier, and Embraer jets.

“We are thankful for Delta’s continued confidence in Airbus’ solutions to meet its fleet needs,” said Christian Scherer, chief executive officer of the Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus. “Delta was the first U.S. airline to operate the A350-900.”

Once added to the fleet, Airbus said Delta will benefit from the A350-1000’s operational efficiency, which results in reduced fuel burn and emissions and lower operating and maintenance costs. Passengers will enjoy the comfort of the Airbus Airspace cabin with its spacious and quiet cabin, wide seats, high ceilings, and customizable ambient lighting designed to reduce fatigue and jet lag on long flights.

Airbus says the A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and the long-range leader in the 300–410-seater category, flying efficiently on any sector from short-haul to ultra-long-haul routes up to 9,700 nautical miles.

The A350 has more than 1,206 orders from 58 customers from around the world.

The Delta order announcement comes just days after Taiwan’s EVA Air finalized a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of 18 long-range A350-1000s and 15 single-aisle A321neo aircraft.

First hydrogen-powered Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft

Swiss aviation startup Sirius Aviation AG unveiled its revolutionary Sirius Jet on Wednesday.

The plane dubbed the world's first hydrogen-powered Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft is crafted and designed in collaboration with BMW's Designworks and Sauber Group.

The Sirius Jet, an aviation game-changer, is a high-performance, zero-emission VTOL aircraft, propelled by a hydrogen-electric propulsion system.

The jet redefines excellence with cutting-edge technology, unique design, and precision engineering, setting a new industry standard.

The company plans to fly two versions of the Sirius Jet starting in 2025: Sirius Business Jet, tailored to private jet needs, and Sirius Millennium Jet, crafted for commercial aviation. A revolutionary leap that will reshape the global transportation industry.

Leveraging jet aerodynamics with airplane and helicopter versatility, it achieves extended flight distances, impressive speeds, and high altitudes at near-silent levels.

Sirius Jet Specifications: 

Sirius Business Jet: A zero-emission, hydrogen-powered VTOL business jet, featuring a 1,150-mile flight range, cruise speed of 323 miles per hour, altitude capability of 30,000 feet, ultra-quiet noise levels of 60dBa, and accommodates three passengers.

Sirius Millenium Jet: A zero-emission, hydrogen-powered VTOL commercial aircraft, offering a 650-mile flight range, cruise speed of 323 mph, altitude capability of 30,000 ft, sound footprint of 60dBa, and accommodates up to five passengers.

On Jan. 17, Sirius Aviation AG will host a monumental event at Payerne Airport in Switzerland, unveiling the aircraft's groundbreaking Hydrogen-Electric Ducted Fan Propulsion System with the first public inaugural ignition. The event will feature a press conference and insightful remarks from esteemed global leaders.

First two Slovakian F-16 Block 70 fighter jets arrive

Lockheed Martin announced on Wednesday the first two F-16 Block 70 fighter jets for Slovakia have been delivered.

OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, said the delivery is a crucial starting point in bolstering the country’s defense capabilities.

“We are proud to be part of this endeavor and are committed to delivering a total of 14 jets to Slovakia,” Sanchez said. “The integration of this proven platform will allow the Slovak Air Force to effectively safeguard its borders and partner with allies across Europe, NATO, and the world.”

Manufactured in Greenville, S.C., the F-16 Block 70 fighters are a testament to advanced engineering and technology, the company said in a press release. “With a current backlog of 135 jets, the production line serves as a cornerstone of national security, offering state-of-the-art F-16 fighter jet capabilities to allies worldwide.”

Six countries are expecting delivery of Block 70/72 aircraft.

Bulgaria has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for an additional eight jets for its fleet. Once the agreement is finalized, the backlog will increase by eight.

Deliveries for Slovakia will continue through 2025, and the first group of jets, known as a ferry cell, is expected to arrive in Slovakia in mid-2024.

The first F-16 Block 70 performed its maiden flight a year ago in Greenville. That jet was the first of 16 to be delivered to Bahrain.

The F-16 is a strategic and valuable choice for many customers around the world seeking advanced fighter aircraft capabilities. More than 3,100 F-16s are operating today in 25 countries. The F-16 has flown an estimated 19.5 million flight hours and at least 13 million sorties.

Transavia France takes delivery of its first Airbus A320neo jet

Transavia France, part of the Air France-KLM Group, has taken delivery of its first A320neo aircraft from Airbus manufacturing site in Toulouse. The plane is on lease to the low-cost carrier from Avolon.

The delivery flight to Paris-Orly used a sustainable aviation fuel blend, Airbus said in a company press release.

The new aircraft features 186 seats in a single-class layout. Selected for its outstanding operational efficiency, reduced emissions, and comfort, the A320neo will be deployed by Transavia France on its services on its domestic network as well as across its European and Mediterranean markets.

The introduction of its first A320neo aircraft marks the beginning of Transavia France' transition to become an all-Airbus operator, powered by efficient A320neo Family aircraft.

By incorporating new generation CFM International LEAP-1A engines and Sharklets, the A320neo brings a 50% noise footprint reduction and 20% fuel savings and CO2 reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft.

The cabin features Airbus’ Airspace XL bins. The larger bins provide 40% more stowage space compared to conventional bins. In addition, USB-C ports are available for passengers at each seat.

The Airbus A320neo Family has won nearly 9,800 orders from nearly 140 customers in all markets.

Thirty-three Airbus planes ordered by Taiwan’s EVA Air

Taiwan’s EVA Air has finalized a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of 18 long-range A350-1000s and 15 single-aisle A321neo aircraft.

“We have selected the Airbus aircraft following a thorough evaluation of the various models in each market segment,” said Clay Sun, president of EVA Air.

The airline feels they have selected the most modern and fuel-efficient types, that offer the highest levels of passenger comfort. The aircraft also brings significant reductions in carbon emissions.

“This order marks a new phase in our relationship with EVA Air,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales, Commercial Aircraft. “In the long-range market, it’s another major endorsement for the A350-1000 as the natural replacement for previous generation aircraft in the larger widebody size category. The A350 is setting new standards across the board in terms of range, payload, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort.”

The A350 is available in two sizes, with the A350-900 typically seating up to 350 passengers in a standard three-class configuration and the larger A350-1000 seating up to 410 passengers.

Powered by versions of the latest generation Rolls-Royce engines, the aircraft can fly up to 9,700 nautical miles (18,000 kilometers) non-stop, using 25% less fuel than previous generation types.

The A350 Family has won over 1,000 firm orders from 60 customers worldwide, with more than 570 aircraft currently in the fleets of 39 operators, flying primarily on long-haul routes.

The A321neo is part of the A320neo Family, incorporating the latest technologies including new generation engines, Sharklets, and cabin efficiency enablers, delivering 20% fuel savings.

With over 5,600 orders by more than 100 customers since its launch in 2016, the A321neo has captured some 65 percent market share.

Dream Finder Homes stock shares follow market struggles into 2024

Stock shares of Florida-based homebuilder Dream Finder Homes Inc. (NYSE: DFH) have been highly positive for the past year, up 226%. But shares of DFH have followed overall market struggles into the new year.

On Tuesday, the Dow dropped 300 points in earlier trading as market struggles continued into the new year. DFH shares have followed, dropping -8.11% in January, so far.

Founded in 2008, Dream Finders Homes Inc. builds and sells single-family entry-level, and first-time and second time move-up homes. Their projects are placed across eight U.S. states, over 20 different markets, and close to 150 unique communities, with over 5,000 homes closed. Its communities are in Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Maryland, and Virginia.

In recent developments, the company plans on delivering more than 1,300 housing units to Florida’s Horizon West, a new community located in southwest Orange County, Fla. Horizon West is located near Disney theme parks.

DFH Share Performance

January 2024 - Down -8.11% (-$2.88)

One Year – Up 226.83% ($22.66)

Two Years – Up 74.32% ($13.92)

Five Years – Up 52.64% ($11.26)

During the company’s third quarter 2023 report in November, Dream Finders Homes CEO Patrick Zalupski addressed highlights and a plan moving forward.

“Home closings of 1,798 and net new orders of 1,535 increased 17% and 38%, respectively, compared to the year-ago quarter,” Zalupski said. “Our performance in a difficult interest rate environment reflects our ability to generate sales and successfully deliver on our growth strategy. We continue to focus on managing construction times and increasing inventory turnover.”

Zalupski continued, “Although uncertainty remains for the remainder of 2023 and beyond, we have set ourselves up for another successful year and have increased guidance to approximately 6,750 closings for the fiscal year.”

DFH shares are up 22.88% since July 17, 2023; Residential and commercial builder stocks top the charts

Disclaimer: This post is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. I am neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. Keith Stein has no position in any stocks mentioned in this post. DCNewsroom has no position in any of the stocks mentioned in this post.

Work begins to transform MD-90 into NASA’s X-66 Sustainable Flight Demonstrator

Boeing has begun extensive modifications of an MD-90 airplane that will become the X-66 Sustainable Flight Demonstrator. The company has removed its engines and completed 3D metrology scans to inform the plane’s design and build plan.

The MD-90’s original wings will soon be removed to test the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) design with new ultrathin wings braced by struts with larger spans and higher aspect ratios. The TTBW’s wider wingspan and aerodynamic efficiency could significantly accelerate opportunities to reduce fuel use and emissions.

The X-66 is NASA's first experimental plane project focused on helping the U.S. achieve its net-zero aviation greenhouse gas emissions goal. Ground and flight testing is expected to begin in 2028.

With the scanning data, Boeing will use 3D modeling software to overlay the existing MD-90 structure with the new X-66 components, enabling more accurate spatial integration and the opportunity to identify and mitigate risks early in the modification process.

AUDIO: DC Air Traffic Control deals with an unknown aircraft in restricted area

On Saturday, at 11:30 p.m. EST, DC Air Defense and DCA Potomac Approach air traffic controllers had to deal with an unknown aircraft near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The Air Force attempted to hail the unknown multiple times to no avail.

As the unknown was traveling at only 30 knots, the suspicion was a flock of geese, a balloon, or a drone.

New Bridgetown and Kingston non-stop flights by interCaribbean Airways

interCaribbean Airways announced on Friday they plan to launch a new non-stop flight service connecting Bridgetown, Barbados, and Kingston, Jamaica. The new service will start on Feb. 6.

The airline says the service will mark a new chapter in the connectivity between these two major Caribbean destinations.

Bridgetown, the Southern Caribbean hub for interCaribbean, will see flights to Kingston on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with return flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Operated by interCaribbean's CRJ700 jet aircraft, this route will be the only non-stop service between Bridgetown and Kingston.

interCaribbean CEO Trevor Sadler says there is a growing need for improved travel connectivity in the Caribbean.

"This new route is set to enhance both business travel and tourism, bringing these two vibrant cities closer,” Sadler said in a company press release.

The new service also introduces convenient one-stop connections for passengers traveling from southern destinations such as Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Georgetown, Antigua, and Dominica, further expanding the reach and impact of the route.

interCaribbean Airways is a privately-owned and operated airline, headquartered in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The UK-flagged airline operates 50-seat Embraer ERJ145 Regional Jets, a Bombardier CRJ700 and a fleet of turboprops, comprising 68-seat ATR72, 48-seat ATR42s, 30-seat EMB120s, and 19-seat Twin Otters.

No ‘serious injuries’ reported, Alaska Airlines grounds Boeing 737-9 planes

Alaska Airlines has grounded 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft after a fuselage section of Flight 1282 broke off in flight during departure from Portland International Airport on Friday night.

In a statement posted on the airline's website, Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said, “Following tonight’s event on Flight 1282, we have decided to take the precautionary step of temporarily grounding our fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft.”

Flight 1282, a Boeing 737-9 jet, departed Portland International Airport on Friday night and reached an altitude of 16,000 feet before it had to return for an emergency landing. A large window section of the aircraft had ripped off the plane during departure.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated on X no “serious injuries” were reported.

“Safety is our foundational value and the most important thing we focus on every day,” Minicucci said in his statement, “Each aircraft will be returned to service only after completion of full maintenance and safety inspections. We anticipate all inspections will be completed in the next few days.

“I am personally committed to doing everything we can to conduct this review in a timely and transparent way.

“We are working with Boeing and regulators to understand what occurred tonight and will share updates as more information is available. The NTSB is investigating this event, and we will fully support their investigation.

“My heart goes out to those who were on this flight – I am so sorry for what you experienced. I am so grateful for the response of our pilots and flight attendants. We have teams on the ground in Portland assisting passengers and are working to support guests who are traveling in the days ahead.”

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 loses part of fuselage after departing Portland International

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the emergency landing of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 that returned to Portland International after a large section of the fuselage separated from the plane during departure.

The Boeing 737-9 MAX jet reached an altitude of 16,000 feet before safely returning to Portland after experiencing severe depressurization. The NTSB said no serious injuries were reported.

The airline said Flight 1282 from Portland, Ore. to Ontario, Calif., experienced an “incident” soon after departure Friday night.

“The aircraft landed safely back at Portland International Airport with 171 guests and six crew members,” the airline said in a statement on its website. “The safety of our guests and employees is always our primary priority, so while this type of occurrence is rare, our flight crew was trained and prepared to safely manage the situation. We are investigating what happened and will share more information as it becomes available.”

Alaska Airlines announced on Thursday they had just received their first Boeing 737-8 long-range aircraft to add to their fleet. Friday night's emergency landing involved a Boeing 737-9 jet.

In a press statement announcing the delivery of the Boeing 737-8 on Thursday, Alaska Airlines Senior Vice President of Fleet, Finance and Alliances, Nat Pieper, had high praises for the 737-9 model.

“We have achieved terrific results with the 737-9 in guest satisfaction, economics, and fuel efficiency, and we are excited for our future with the other 737 models,” Pieper said.

“We proudly fly the youngest fleet of all U.S. airlines, and from 2024 through 2027, we are on track to add 15-25 new Boeing aircraft each year,” the company said in a press release Thursday. “We currently have firm orders for 80 more 737 MAX aircraft, and options and purchase rights for another 105. Our first 737-10 is scheduled for delivery in 2025.”

The NTSB said they will post any updates regarding the investigation of Flight 1282 when they are available. Boeing said they are ready to support the investigation.

“We are aware of the incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282,” Boeing said in a statement on its website. “We are working to gather more information and are in contact with our airline customer. The Boeing technical team stands ready to support the investigation.”

NASA to unveil new X-59 supersonic aircraft with a ‘sonic thump’

For the first time, the public will get a look at NASA’s new X-59 aircraft designed as part of the agency's Quesst mission to make commercial supersonic flight over land possible.

The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASA's Quesst mission to collect community response data from flights over representative communities across the United States. This data will be used by NASA to recommend an acceptable commercial supersonic noise standard to regulators to possibly repeal the current ban on supersonic flight over land and thereby change the future of commercial aviation, reducing flight times by half of what they are currently. 

The experimental aircraft will be unveiled during a ceremony hosted by prime contractor Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, Calif.

Members of the public can sign up to get a virtual boarding pass for the X-59's first flight. Via NASA's Flight Log experience, participants' names will be digitized and downloaded onto a storage device that will be carried personally by the X-59 pilot. Participants will also receive a printable boarding pass with their names, and the flight will be entered into their logbooks.

The X-59 is a one-of-a-kind experimental aircraft that will demonstrate the ability to fly supersonic while generating a gentle "sonic thump" rather than a loud sonic boom. “Similar to a car door shutting in the distance,” NASA said in a statement Friday.

Once the X-59 completes assembly and testing, NASA's Quesst team will select several U.S. communities to fly the aircraft and gather data on how people perceive the sound it produces.

The X-59 was designed and built by Lockheed Martin at its famed Skunk Works facility.

The X-59 rollout ceremony on Jan. 12 will feature remarks from Lockheed Martin and NASA leadership before the aircraft is unveiled to the public.

First long-range Boeing 737-8 for Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines welcomed the company’s first Boeing 737-8 aircraft into their fleet recently.

“We proudly fly the youngest fleet of all U.S. airlines, and from 2024 through 2027, we are on track to add 15-25 new Boeing aircraft each year,” the company said in a press release Thursday. “We currently have firm orders for 80 more 737 MAX aircraft, and options and purchase rights for another 105. Our first 737-10 is scheduled for delivery in 2025.”

Referencing the addition of the 737-8, and eventually the 737-10, Alaska Airlines Senior Vice President of Fleet, Finance and Alliances Nat Pieper said the new aircraft will create “new opportunities for us to fly longer nonstop routes and maximize our revenue potential.” Pieper added, “We have achieved terrific results with the 737-9 in guest satisfaction, economics, and fuel efficiency, and we are excited for our future with the other 737 models."

In March 2022, Alaska adjusted its existing 737-9 aircraft order with Boeing to include the bigger 737-10 and longer-range 737-8.

The airline will add a new nonstop Anchorage to New York seasonal route with the 737-8, launching June 13. Anchorage to JFK (at 3,386 miles) will become the longest flight Alaska operates.

Alaska is scheduled to take delivery of seven more 737-8s in 2024, with the next four slotted to enter the fleet in March. The 737-8, -9, and -10 all offer a common cockpit, common engines, and similar components.

Alaska's regional carrier, Horizon Air, also continues to grow its fleet of jets.

Over the next three years, Horizon will add nine new Embraer E175s, bringing its total to 50 by the end of 2026. 

Alaska's regional partner SkyWest also operates 42 E175s on the airline's behalf. Our combined fleet size of mainline and regional jets is currently 310.

“Our guests will soon enjoy refreshed updates to our 737-800 aircraft,” Alaska said. “With modifications beginning in late 2024, we are investing $130 million to overhaul those cabins.”

“The updates we're making to our older Boeing aircraft will provide a more consistent guest experience on our Boeing fleet by making the cabins look and feel more like our 737-9 and 737-8 aircraft," said Todd Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products at Alaska Airlines.

The enhancements to the -800s include a move to a 161-seat configuration with 16 seats in First Class and new seats in Premium Class and the main cabin.

New Utah location strengthens Jet Linx’s presence in Mountain West region

Private jet company Jet Linx announced Wednesday they have opened a new base at Salt Lake City International Airport. This is the company’s 22nd location.

With established locations in Denver and Scottsdale, the new Salt Lake City base strengthens the company's presence in the Mountain West region and provides localized private jet services to Aircraft Owners and Jet Card Members throughout Utah.

"Salt Lake City and the great state of Utah attracts national and international visitors year-round and we look forward to serving as Salt Lake City's most trusted resource for private jet travel and aircraft management services," said Brent Wouters, Jet Linx CEO.

Woulters joined Jet Linx in July following CEO Jamie Walker’s move to chairman.

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Brent and trying to recruit him to our team for the last 10 years,” Walker said in a company press release announcing the appointment of Woulters.

Wouters joined Jet Linx from Iron Valley Supply, a global outdoor shooting sports, equipment and adventure company, where he served as President & CEO. He was also previously president & CEO of Cirrus Aircraft.

Jet Linx opened its first private terminal in 1999 in Omaha, Neb. In the 24 years since the company has expanded to 22 bases nationwide.

"We look forward to providing the Salt Lake City market access to our fleet of 100+ aircraft while engaging one-on-one with our expert team based right at their home airport to meet their aviation needs,” said Dan Pasque, Jet Linx regional base president.

The company plans for further national expansion as part of its strategic growth initiative to increase fleet size and grow Jet Card clientele.