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.

Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor commemorates the 75th anniversary of the World War II Doolittle Raid with special presentations for youth and the general public by Jonna Doolittle Hoppes, author, educator and granddaughter of General Jimmy Doolittle, leader of the famed Doolittle (Tokyo) Raid that took place April 18, 1942.

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) president and CEO, Ed Bolen, issues comments strongly opposing the Trump administration’s budget, which appears to endorse privatizing the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system, noting that such a move could adversely affect countless small and mid-size communities across the U.S., among others, which rely on general aviation.

Aero Star Aviation, a Dallas-based MRO focusing on the maintenance and repair of Embraer aircraft, announces a recent investment in Embraer Phenom-specific tooling. The significant investment of over $125,000 further enhances Aero Star's range of service on Phenom aircraft. The tooling brings more services and capabilities in-house and equates to increased convenience and lower costs for operators, avoiding overall outsourcing needs.

C&L announces that Robert Brega has joined the company as regional sales manager. Brega will assist C&L’s corporate aviation customers with maintenance packages and schedules that fit their needs and budget.