Cessna Latitude Completes First Flight

The 9-Seat bizjet jumped farther into envelope clearance than is typically done on a first flight, most likely thanks to the large commonality that the plane has with the manufacturer's well-tested 12-seat Sovereign.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/cessna-completes-latitude-first-flight-396082/

Bombardier CSeries Having Software Problems

That's basically what the VP Marketing tells us (without telling us) in the article at the link below.  All the buzzwords are there:
"...overall systems maturity..."
"...if systems don't communicate properly..."
flying "...without full use of... fly-by-wire..."
Hey guys, it was way back in the 80's that Strassman told us that "Complex software systems do not work.  When they do work, it is because they are based on simple systems that worked."  Starting from scratch on systems that have serious safety implications never goes as planned.  Your customers know that full well, which is why they haven't cancelled.  You really don't have to hem and haw.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-air-transport-perspective/2014-02-12/bombardier-avoids-pinpointing-causes-cseries-delay

Good Rundown of Airbus A350 Testing to Date

The story is relatively short, but it has some interesting details regarding test rates, as well as plans for upcoming testing.  It is interesting that the flight test VP says that there is no way that the test program can be accelerated, but he is also certain that testing won't cause delays in the delivery schedule.  Anyone besides me see a problem with those two statements when taken together?  Is this really the only flight test program in recorded history that will go exactly as scheduled?  Guess we'll see...

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_02_10_2014_p0-662122.xml

Lockheed-Martin AC-130J Tested After Major Mods

Although you would expect that handling qualities of the trusty C-130 would not change much after modification to Gunship configuration, you don't really know for sure until you get some daylight on the bottom side of the tires.  The story at the link below gives a little bit of detail on the flying qualities test program for this aircraft.  I suspect we won't see much regarding the systems testing that is sure to follow.

http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/473295/new-ac-130j-completes-first-test-flight.aspx

Gabriel Dawitt Prepares for First Flight in Kenyan Design

Mr. Dawitt, an IT specialist with no aeronautics background, has built quite a following.  It remains to be seen how the maiden flight will go.  The gear collapsed twice during preflight ground ops so far.  It is hard to tell from the picture, but the plane has a canard ahead of a double



http://unsanesafe.blogspot.com/2014/02/african-aircraft-test-flight.html

Boeing's PhantomEye UAV Logs 5-hour Flight

There is not a lot of detail at the link below, but there is one curious disconnect.  According to the article, Boeing's own press release says the plane's eventual goal is a 4-day endurance.  But earlier releases touted plans for a 10-day endurance.  Probably a PR miscue, but if not, it could imply that the technology has hit some serious snags.  Guess we'll have to watch and wait.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/boeing-s-hydrogen-powered-drone-sets-new-test-flight-record-114012600266_1.html