aviation

KinectAir CEO Jonathan Evans disembarks from a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in Kalispell after joining a customer's flight from Vancouver, Washington.

Portland-area startup wants to expand private flying beyond the ultra-rich

Tom Banse

For a few years now, aviation enthusiasts have teased the idea of a Jetsons-style future in which small electric aircraft whisk us to work or across the state and region. That future is not here yet, though a handful of companies, including one based in the Pacific Northwest, are trying to get a head start on the future of flying using conventional planes.

Politicians and corporate leaders gathered in a Paine Field hangar to celebrate the handover of a retired Alaska Airlines Q400 turboprop, which will be converted to hydrogen-electric propulsion over the next year.

Transportation

Retired Alaska Airlines turboprop to get new life as 'world's largest' hydrogen-powered plane

Tom Banse

Alaska Airlines ceremonially handed over a surplus turboprop airliner on Monday to a company that aims to turn it into the largest hydrogen-powered plane yet to fly.

The factory doors opened to display the last 747 to thousands of guests who had gathered for the celebration on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Boeing’s factory in Everett.

Before enormous, emotional crowd, Boeing delivers final 747

Thousands of people said goodbye to Boeing's final 747 airplane

The all-electric Eviation Alice commuter plane took off on its maiden flight at sunrise Tuesday from Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington.

Transportation

All-new, all-electric commuter aircraft takes off on maiden flight from Moses Lake

Tom Banse

An aircraft maker from Western Washington on Tuesday provided a glimpse at one possible future for sustainable air travel — electric commuter planes. Eviation celebrated the maiden flight of an all-new, short hop airliner named Alice in Moses Lake.

Private pilots and cyclists will separately take to the air and the streets this month to practice delivering relief supplies after a catastrophic earthquake.

Disasters and Accidents

By air and by bike, civilian pilots and cyclists rehearse delivering aid after 'The Big One'

Tom Banse

A huge dress rehearsal for regional earthquake disaster relief was supposed to happen next week until the ongoing pandemic forced it to be shrunk and moved online. The original Cascadia Rising 2022 exercise would have involved more than 22,000 participants – chiefly U.S. soldiers, sailors and airmen as well as state, local and tribal emergency planners. Some smaller drills are going ahead this weekend and next featuring civilian volunteers who will demonstrate unusual ways aid may get to Pacific Northwest earthquake survivors.

Transportation

All-electric commuter plane begins flight testing in Moses Lake

Tom Banse

A Cessna commuter plane retrofitted in Washington state has taken the crown of biggest all-electric airplane now flying. Redmond, Washington-based…

Transportation

Robo air taxi completes flight testing at Pendleton airport, Airbus moves on

Tom Banse

Airbus has wrapped up flight testing of a pilotless air taxi in eastern Oregon skies and is moving on. The global aerospace company, along with its rival…

Transportation

It flew! All-electric seaplane completes milestone first flight near Vancouver

Tom Banse

A fully electric seaplane has made its first flight over the mouth of the Fraser River near Vancouver. The maiden flight represents a milestone in the…

Transportation

Hunt is on for location for additional commercial airport for Puget Sound region

Tom Banse

The hunt is on for a second major airport to serve the Puget Sound region after Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reaches capacity. A newly-created…

Transportation

Queen of the Skies returns to Central Washington to become flying testbed

Tom Banse

An iconic Boeing jet model nicknamed the Queen of the Skies swooped back into Moses Lake, Washington, Tuesday where it once was a regular presence. This…