Airbus A350-900 Team Discusses Progress, Plans

The articles at the links below are pretty typical of company press releases on projects like this, but they do provide a couple of data points for other testers.  Looks like they plan to have five test articles flying for the lion's share of the test program.  They also seem to think that they can go from maiden flight to certification and delivery in 16 months.  I must admit that it's possible, but so is winning the lottery.  The good news is that it is a derivative of an already-certificated airframe, so... guess we'll see.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-airbus-a350-20131021,0,6590292.story

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_10_21_2013_p0-628702.xml

Indian Mig-29K Completes Carrier Trials

Carrier suitability testing is the final feather in the caps of most Naval aircraft.  If the story at the link below is correct, indications are that the testing has gone well for the Mig-29.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2013-09-27/mig-29k-carrier-trials-complete

Anyone want to make a first flight... in Kenya?

George Tumuti was stopped by authorities in Kiambu, Kenya from performing the maiden flight of his homebuilt design.  Anyone want to do it for him?  Must be rotary-wing qualified, and a staunch optimist.



http://allafrica.com/stories/201309250523.html