The Top 12 of Twenty Twelve - Australian Flying

With 2012 behind us and the world still in existence, general aviation in Australia is also still alive and kicking, despite predictions of doom that would have made the Mayans proud. To give the ancient civilisation its dues, they foresaw only that the world would transition to a new level, not cease completely. Although that is yet to be born out (or were they talking about the USA’s “fiscal cliff”?), you could say they got it right for general aviation.

With the emergence of China as a challenging force in GA manufacturing, there certainly has been a shift in aviation’s reality, and the new CASRs being forged in Canberra are also harbingers of change for the Australian industry.

New aircraft types emerged; single-engine turbo-props are in pole position in the race to replace the old charter fleet, Diamond and Tecnam have new twins and the LSA boom continues.

So, now seems like a good time to review the year just gone. Here are our Top 12 GA stories of 2012 (in no particular order). What do you think? Have we left something out? Was there a bigger story than any of these?

1. The Rise of the Chinese GA Industry

Pacific Aerospace Advances into China

Embraer to build Legacy Jets in China

Cessna Signs Deal with Chinese Aircraft Company

2. Beechcraft Goes into Chapter 11

Hawker Beechcraft Files for Chapter 11

Hawker Beechcraft Restructure: the Options

Hawker Beechcraft Opts for Chinese Saviour

Hawker Beechcraft Goes it Alone

Beechcraft to Enter SETP Market

3. Driver's Licence Medical

New Medical Gets Approval from CASA Chief