Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s G500 flight-test program continues to make significant progress toward the aircraft’s anticipated 2017 certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The five G500 test aircraft, including a fully outfitted production aircraft, have surpassed 2,600 flying hours and accumulated more than 600 flights.

Featuring 38 new colors, new JetFlex ELITE™ Polyurethane Enamel from Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings now provides an extensive color palette for interior aircraft cabins. Unique interior colors like Foggy Forest, Stormy Sea, Steamy Latte, Silvery Moon, Sunset Blush, Coastal Breeze, and even Golden Radiance provide interior airline designers with a choice from the latest bright whites and neutral colors to warm hue effects—all while still providing an interior aircraft surface with outstanding stain-, high abrasion- and scratch-resistance.

A newly restored B-29 includes EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 to its inaugural tour schedule, creating the potential to have two of the World War II-era bombers in one place for the first time in more than 50 years.

Skyservice announces that Glenn Williams will be taking on a new role as director, BA Business Development & Sales, reporting directly to chairman and CEO Marshall Myles.

Western Aircraft celebrates sixty years in business, remembering back to 1957, when the Soviet Union launched the first space satellite, Sputnik 1, and Morrison-Knudsen Corporation launched out on its own adventure. Sixty years later, the company, now known as Western Aircraft, is still flying.

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft presents an engraved glass plaque to representatives of Swiss Global Airlines to commemorate 27 years of continuous operations by the airline and its predecessors of the BAE Systems-built and supported BAe 146 and Avro RJ regional jetliners.

Innov8 Cabin Solutions LLC obtains an STC for its CFLEX Charge USB base. PMA-approval is expected in April of this year. Innov8 offers economical upgrades to cabin management and entertainment systems.

West Star Aviation announces its Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) Procedures Manual (PM) Rev. C has received FAA approval. West Star is now delegated to accept instructions for continued airworthiness (ICAs). As an FAA-designated ODA, West Star is authorized to perform as a representative of the FAA for issuing STCs to applicants that meet the criteria defined in the ODA procedures manual.

Duncan Aviation’s Lincoln, NE, facility is approved by Aruba’s Department of Civil Aviation as an approved aircraft maintenance organization.

The Trump Administration releases a budget blueprint or “skinny budget” for fiscal year 2018, providing high-level detail about the Administration’s proposals related to federal discretionary funding—30 percent of all federal spending. The budget proposal reduces overall Department of Transportation funding by 13 percent and includes language outlining support for creating an air traffic control corporation.  Additional details, including proposals related to mandatory spending and tax policy, will be released later in the spring.